33. CHRISTLIKE COMPASSION. (Luke;10 33.)

Many dictionaries define Compassion as Sympathy, Pity or Concern… These are all emotional responses but the Compassion of Jesus transcends emotion and translates into action. Christlike Compassion first, recognises the needs of others In Philippians 2: 3-4 Paul puts it this way “Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind, let each esteem other than himself, let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. Note the phrase “better than himself”, Now let’s look around at the people in our lives and then say “I Esteem them better than myself.” If one tends to be self-centred, it will take a while for this concept to sink in, but self honesty and appraisal is a healthy and worthwhile attitude to have, someone once said “To thine own self be true” Note also the words,”Look out for the interests of others”. Sometimes those “others” are badly messed up and not easy to love. eg. What about those who are in prison? We say “Well, they got what they deserved”, May be so, but did you always get what you deserved, or did you just not get caught? Think about it! In Matthew 25:40) Jesus Himself said “When you visit someone sick or in prison, your doing it to Me. And in Luke 23:43 Jesus showed compassion to a convicted criminal on a cross and saved him. So everyone needs compassion and we must not pick and choose, we ought to look at the problem rather than the person in such cases. In Job 6:14 we read “To him who is afflicted kindness should be shown by his friends even though he forsakes the fear of the Almighty”. We should not show partiality, Our works of compassion could very well be the steppingstone that brings them to Christ. One of Mother Teresa’s prayers was “Oh Lord Jesus, Grant that even if You are hidden under the unattractive guise of anger, crime or madness, I may recognise You and say “Jesus You who suffer, how sweet it is to serve you.” Scripture teaches us a couple of other things about Christlike compassion. In Hebrews 14-15 Paul tells us, in relating to the needs of others “Jesus this High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for He faced all of the same tests we do.” Jesus – understands, how comforting! Whatever situation, challenge or adversity we find ourselves in, He is saying “I can relate, I’ve been there”. Pressure? Rejection? Pain? Temptation? Slander? Lies? False accusations? He understands, because He’s been there. Both Jesus and James tell us,We need to respond to the needs of others on a practical base. It’s not enough just to recognise and relate to the needs of other people, we’ve been called to action on a practical level, otherwise our compassion is meaningless. Jesus responded to sick people with healing, to hungry people with food and to lost people with the Good News of the Gospel. If we find ourselves in the presence of a need, it’s not by accident, God knows what we can supply and He’s put us there at that time, in that situation for four very good reasons, to see how much you have grown, How much you truly love Him, how much you trust Him and how much you really care. Compassion has no limits. It sponsors a hungry child, Helps change a tyre for a stranded person on the roadside, Brings a meal to someone whose grieving, and listens patiently to someone who needs a friend. Compassion gets its hands dirty, It gives money, it sacrifices its own agenda, schedule, desires and dreams to meet the needs of another. In Acts 38 Matthew the writer says, “God anointed Jesus with the Holy Spirit and with Power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.” We need to ask ourselves this one question, “What is my main concern in life “Looking Good or Doing Good”. If you want to be more like Jesus You know the answer to that question. The word “Compassion” means to enter into another’s passion. You may ask “How can I do that?” By asking them gently, why they are so stressed or depressed and asking How you can help, or maybe a friend has been diagnosed with an illness, High Blood pressure, diabetes, arthritis, cancer. What should or can you do for them. Maybe someone has been promoted but their co-workers are jealous, he doesn’t know how to handle their jealousy, talk to him, and more importantly let him talk to you. Or maybe someone just lost a loved one and you don’t know what to say, Don’t say anything, just be there. The Bible says in Romans 12;15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep “ In other words, If someone is hurting, hurt with them, and if they are happy, be happy with them. Enter into their passion...That’s how to show compassion... In an effort to look Holy, sometimes we come across harsh and insensitive We say things like ”Oh well that’s the will of God, we can’t do anything about that.” First of all You don’t know if it is the “Will of God” and secondly, if it is, it is also the will of God for you to be there to help and pray for them. Paul addressed this very issue in Colossians 3;12 “Since God chose you to be the holy people He loves...clothe yourselves with tender-hearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience, some of us may have to work harder at this than others. But there’s no opt-out clause. 1Peter 3;8 says “All of you be of one mind, having Compassion for one another.” That includes You and Me. Thank you for reading my thoughts on Compassion. There are a number of people who need compassion and understanding in this world and are too embarrassed, proud, self-conscious, or shy to admit to it, or ask for help in particular areas. I was one of those people regarding my eye-sight , it took me years to get over it, and it still comes back to haunt me sometimes, but I found facing the problem, asking God to help me and graciously accepting the help that is offered is the only solution. So what I have written about here is mainly from my own personal experience. I hope it helps. Let’s go to the Healer together and seek His. Blessings Phaline --------------------------

32. PREPARE FOR ATTACK. Genesis 39-12. & others.

Ever since Lucifer fell from Grace he has been trying to get even with God. He has found the only way he can hope to do this is through mankind. He started with Adam and Eve in the garden of Eden and hasn’t given up yet, nor will he ever do so. Every generation has had its battles with him and ours is no exception. In fact these battles have escalated over the centuries, as he (Satan) pandered to human pride, selfishness and greed. We can all see how this has effected the entire world and it’s population. Because of this, we are in a dilemma or state of confusion. Even though God sent His own Son who died to pay the debt our sins uncured. Still mankind prefers to take the easy way and continue in his rebellion against God rather than understand that life is short, payback time is coming, when we will have to account to a loving, but JUST God. At this point, we are in a position where we can turn back to Him, accept His forgiveness and start a new life in Jesus Christ. That doesn’t mean Satan will give up on you or me, on the contrary, He will redouble his efforts. Understand this, to stay on track with Jesus, you need to have two main qualities, 1. Be alert, the devil’s sole purpose is to take you away from Christ, He will lie, cheat, steal and do whatever it takes to achieve that goal, he will promise you whatever your heart desires, but he’ll never be able to deliver in full. So no matter what he says don’t believe him, Jesus called him a liar, so treat him as one and don’t trust anything he says to you. 2. Pray often, every morning “Dress yourself in the full armour of God so that you can take your stand against Satan and his schemes, for our struggle is not against flesh and blood” (not man made), “but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms, do that, so WHEN the day of evil comes, you will be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, stand firm with the belt of TRUTH” (always check with Scripture, truth is vital), “buckled around your waist, with the Breastplate of RIGHTEOUSNESS” (Living a life as a representative of Christ) “in place, and with your feet fitted with the shoes of readiness that comes from the Gospel of PEACE”.(always let peace be your aim) “In addition to all this take up the shield of FAITH” (believe in who you are in Christ) “with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Then take the Helmet of SALVATION” (remember you are a saved child of God, nothing can change that) “and the sword of The Spirit which is THE WORD OF GOD” (get to know your Scripture and you will be able to use it like a sward) (Ephesians 6.11-17). Notice Paul says “WHEN” the day of evil comes and not IF the day of evil comes. So that day is coming you can count on it. Paul was explaining very graphically to his audience in relating the dress code of a Roman soldier to the dress code of the battle-fighting Christian. The parts of the body which are more vulnerable physically, need extra protection. And so it is spiritually, those same parts are also more vulnerable and need extra spiritual protection. So be ready, learn from Scripture. Was it given thousands of years ago for such a time as this? We are vulnerable creatures, we accept the easy way. More and more we can see that what is blatantly wrong, but convenient; is being not only accepted, but taught to our children and grandchildren as right. Abortion, euthanasia, suicide are all okay and even applauded. Our education system has been hijacked and teachers are being given the responsibility to teach very young children about sexual relationships, sexual orientation, gender changes etc. without any parental consent or consultation. Who gave them that right? We, the parents did, by default. It’s not too late. Take it back! Your Children’s and Grandchildren’s souls are at stake. We trusted the education system, they’ve let us down. There is a moral law given by God thousands of years ago, and the world has survived very well on that. By Who and why does it need changing. By Whom? People who want to change places with God. And why? Because they are arrogant enough to think they can make a better job. They certainly appear to think, if they can do away with the moral law, they will then get rid of the moral law-giver. How ridiculous! History can’t be ignored or changed, remember the saying “If you don’t learn from history, you are doomed to repeat it.” People are saying our teaching system is in a mess (and so it is) because teachers (especially primary school teachers) didn’t join up to teach sex programmes and biology but, that’s exactly what they are being expected to do These usually very young aspiring teachers are way out of their depth. Why should they be given such a tremendous responsibility?. A responsibility most of them cannot hope to fully understand. The nursing shortage can be put down to many of the same problems, The stories a number of us have heard are a stain on the once proud medical history of this country, nurses being asked to perform procedures and duties they didn’t sign-up for. “Just follow the orders” is depleting our hospitals of highly qualified gifted and devoted nursing staff who, in many cases have spent several years selflessly nursing patients back to health they are leaving that commendable profession and in some cases their own country for less pay, but a clear conscience and a good night’s sleep. The coercion, bullying and victimisation that goes on is shocking and thoroughly disgraceful for a country such as ours, which was once called “God’s Own” What have we done to it? And why? Or more to the point, what have we allowed to happen to our country and why? By not taking a stand in areas such as the above, and there are hundreds more, we are submitting to Satan and his followers. In almost every industry competence and consistency are completely missing. Therefore organisations from Government Departments to Freezing Works, Councils to Courtrooms, from forestry to farming are unable to be trusted. Everyone knows the media has been paid off and muzzled. While we are told to listen to the powers that be. Because they have the only truth OH YES!!!. But that’s not necessarily so, not everybody has God’s truth and for Christians, that’s the only truth that matters. That’s why Pilate asked Jesus “what is TRUTH” and didn’t even wait for the answer, because he too had his own truth but not what it took to stand up for it. Why? We now have one of the highest rates of suicides per capita in the world. We have more drug addicts and alcoholics than ever before, more major crime, more debt, more unemployment, more homelessness, more accidents. And surprise surprise, more money, but less food in our trolleys. Isn’t that the truth? If we can’t stand up for Biblical principals in our own private lives when we are tempted, we will be unable to stand up when the big issues come along. A soldier has to learn hand-to-hand combat and how to use small weapons before he can be trusted with bigger ones, so observe how some of God’s champions dealt with Satan’s attacks then you’ll know how to handle them when they comes your way. Lust is one of the most common ways Satan attacks these days, I suppose we can put that at technologies door, but, Satan uses anything or anybody anywhere Whether it’s an affair or an online fantasy, draw your eyes away, lust is like a tiger; once uncaged it will prowl through your mind and prey on your thoughts. What it wont do is willingly go back into its cage. So if you haven’t looked, don’t, if you have, Pray for victory and get it out of your life Another way Satan will try to get to you is that; If you have been given an assignment by God, he will have other people discourage or ridicule you especially family and friends. That’s what Nehemiah experienced when God told him to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. Four times Sanballat sent messengers to Nehemiah calling him to abandon the project God had assigned him, and come down to them, but each time he refused. (Nehemiah 6.2-4/) “ I am doing a great work, so I cannot come down”.Any time you stop doing the work God has given you to do and step down to the level of your critics, you’ve sent the devil a signal that his strategy is working, so you can expect more of the same. Think, if God can deliver you in times of trouble, surely He can defend you in times of misunderstanding! So get back up on the wall He has called you to build and keep working. Don’t get distracted. In (Acts 28:2-6.) Luke writes “The Islanders showed us unusual kindness. They built a fire and welcomed us all because it was raining and cold. Paul gathered a pile of brushwood, and put it on the fire...a viper fastened itself on his hand, when the islanders saw the snake hanging from his hand, they said to each other, This man must be a murderer for though he escaped from the sea, justice has not allowed him to live.” But Paul shook the snake off and suffered no ill effects. The people expected him to swell up or suddenly fall dead, but after waiting a long time and seeing nothing unusual happen to him, they changed their minds and said he was a god. People’s opinions are often fickle, so here’s a response you need to adopt “Shake it off.” These people started off thinking Paul was an escaped criminal, and ended up thinking he was a god. Incredible! There is an important lesson here for us. Beware of those who change their minds about you when your circumstances change. Build your life on those who believe the best about you, and want to bring it out. Behind Paul’s spectacular success in ministry you’ll find people who never stopped believing in him. He writes in, (Romans 16:3-4) “Priscilla and Aquila risked their lives for me”. In (Philippians 2:25) He called Epaphroditus my brother, my fellow worker, and fellow soldier,..and he ministered to my need. He says in (2Timothy 1:16) that Onesiphonus often refreshed me and was not ashamed of my chains. Look for such people to build you up they are out there, and ignore your critics. If God has called you He will sustain you in your ministry for Him Some issues are so crucial that, until you have resolved them, you can’t move forward or enjoy God’s blessing in your life. Joshua faced such an issue when he stood before the towering walls of Jericho, the strongest city in the Promised Land and the first that had to be conquered. In Joshua 5;13-15) we read “And it came to pass, when Joshua was by Jericho he lifted his eyes...and behold, a man stood opposite him with his sword drawn...and Joshua… said to him “Are you for us or for our adversaries? And he answered, “No, but as the commander of the army of The Lord I have now come” And Joshua.. worshipped him and said to him, “What does my Lord say to his servant” Then the Commander of the Lord’s army said to Joshua, “Take your sandal off your foot because the place where you stand is holy and Joshua did so.” I believe if we pray and stand-up for God’s principals of truth, Justice and Peace, He will be there for us. Who can ask for more, “If God is for us, Who can be against us.” Thank you for reading my thoughts on preparing for attack. Unfortunately it’s the way of the world we live in. But, anything we do for God is blessed by Him and He will protect us and His ministry, if we suffer or are ridiculed it’s all for Jesus and that makes it a privilege so be happy, God is with us. Phaline. ---------------------------------------

31. RESTORATION.

I first became a fully committed Christian fifty years ago everything was wonderful, I recognised God’s hand in every part of my life, I was riding the crest of the wave feeling very blessed. Then... On the 6th of April 1975, my husband John had the first of several heart attacks, each one taking its toll, not only on him, but on the rest of our family and friends, we had seven children, two girls and five boys. John was running his own Bricklaying business with a crew of about five men. We had our own Summerhill stone four bedroom home complete with swimming pool, B-B-Q area, double garage. and a nice garden in a good suburb of Christchurch, all this on a very low-interest Government loan. Everything had been going so well until the”Bombshell” hit. I couldn’t understand it, why did this have to happen to me? I prayed like never before for my husband’s life, and God graciously heard me, and answered my prayer, but there were certain conditions which had to be met. Still not understanding, back to our knees we went, I felt like Job, we hadn’t done anything wrong, we had been Faithful and really tried to do all that God required of us But things just kept getting worse. John had to give up his business, we had to sell-up, our lovely home and he had to find lighter work, It took thirteen years, a number of heart attacks, several visits to Cardiologists for Scans, X Rays etc. and thousands of pills, before He decided to accept the fact that He wasn’t the man he used to be These were the hardest years of my life. John was in and out of hospital, the children were aged from seven to eighteen years old. Not being able to drive, each day I had to get two buses to and from Princess Margaret hospital, then come home make the dinner for the next day, get the washing hung out, make the school lunches and do the normal house work. The children helped as much as they could, but they also had their homework and team sports to attend. Yes, they were hard years, and without God I could never have done it. I realise now, it was a test to prove my faithfulness not only to God, but to my husband and children as well. Some of our biggest tests come at times of trials. If I hadn’t passed that test, I wouldn’t be where I am today with God. Because John couldn’t do the heavy bricklaying any longer, the business ran its self into the ground, and after we paid all the bills which had accumulated over several years, and paid for the house we now have, we had $600 left to live on till we could get John on to the sickness allowance which took much longer than we anticipated. there were months of red-tape and hoops to jump through. In October 1988 John, our youngest son Simon and I shifted down here, to the house we now occupy. For the first year or so I cried everyday when I thought of the lovely home I had left to come to this. “Why, lord Why” was my daily prayer ”What have I done, please show me” There were no floor coverings or curtains, two fireplaces one at each end of the house, but no firewood. it was so cold I hated it. John spent half our money to buy an in-calf cow, but we had to wait three months for it to calve and for us to learn to milk the animal. (Sometimes God doesn’t reveal his hand, because we have to learn three very important lessons about God through experience, 1. His Love is trustworthy, He will be with us through every situation,‘and there were some doozies’. 2. He can He will and He did sustain and lift us out of many a tough hole in His good time, ie when the lesson was learned 3.We will always remember what God has done for us, and be able to pass it on to others ) in time things did improve but very slowly, John cultivated a vegetable garden, we bought some chickens, sheep and pigs. I sold door-to-door eggs, milk and cream, I also made and sold bread, butter and cheese, John reared, butchered, and sold the pork and with our sons put in a coal range which really helped to warm the place up in the winter. His heart attacks were getting more frequent and eventually he found he couldn’t do much even in the garden, also he didn’t want to be put into care, so we asked our eldest son Gerard who was a Medic in the Air Force in the North Island if he along with his family would consider coming down here to help us, which they did and have been here ever since, Its been great having them here I couldn’t have managed without Gerard, to help me with his sick dad. The other children helped when they could, but they were rearing families of their own mostly in other parts of the country. On the 31st of March 2016. The Lord called John home. My family have rallied round, looked after and helped me through the years of widowhood. And I thank God for each one of them. As far as restoration goes, I haven’t got as lovely a home as I had in Christchurch, But, my relationship with God is far, far greater than I could ever imagine and that would have been enough, but I have learned many more skills, I have more friends and deeper relationships, food we have reared and grown ourselves and a little rainy-day money in the bank, which never was the case in the city. I have no worries and am perfectly happy and best of all I have more quality time to spend with God while doing my writing. I am very very blessed, I want for nothing, yes, I am fully restored. I have given you the short version of what I have been through, (There’s a great deal more). To give you an understanding of God’s Restoration. Whatever life takes from you God can and will restore. He may not give you exactly what you want, or what you think you need, but He will give what’s best for you. Even though you fall under His corrective hand through disobedience, if you repent, He will reinstate you to a place of blessing. But, you say, “What about the time I’ve wasted, the opportunities I’ve squandered, and the mess I’ve made of my life? Sometimes I feel I’ve fallen so low, even God can’t reach me”. ‘Not so! There’s always hope with Jesus. The Bible says “Behold the Lord’s hand is not too short that he cannot save. Nor His ear heavy that he cannot hear”(Isaiah 59;1) God did that for me, and He will be only too happy to do it for you, if you stay faithful and trust Him. After wasting his inheritance, the Prodigal Son returned home penniless and embarrassed, all he wanted was three square meals a day and a servant’s job. But the moment he said “Forgive me,” His Father called for the best robe, the fattest calf the newest shoes and the ring of Sonship, restoring him to his rightful place as a member of the family. Now, if God would do that for those who lived under the law in the Old Testament. How much more will He do for those He has redeemed? So you can go to Him today with confidence knowing He is a God of restoration. In the book of 1 Samuel we read how the Amalekites swept down on David’s home- town and burned it to the ground and took their families captive,When David heard of this, he and his men wept bitterly, (God will allow you to weep and grieve for your loss, but only for a while) then they prayed, and God told them to pursue the enemy. When David and his men caught up with them, they not only got back what they had lost, but much more. For our God is not only a God of restoration, but one of abundance. You may think at this stage that you have waisted so much time, and feel a bit ashamed, but the God who created time made plenty of it. He said in..(Joel 2.25-26) I will restore to you the years the swarming Locust has eaten...the consuming locust...you shall eat in plenty and be satisfied, and praise the name of the Lord your God, Who has dealt wondrously with you; and my people shall never be put to shame.” Notice the word plenty, when God blesses you it will not come from an eye-dropper or from a ration card, No! “His love has no limits, “His Grace has no measure, His power no boundary known to man. For out of the infinite riches of Jesus, He gives and gives, and gives again”(Old Hymn.) And He is still giving me. Ever since Adam and Eve “Blew it” in Eden, God’s desire and plan has been to restore to us all that we have lost. So come to Him today and let His restoration begin. Thank you for reading my take on God’s Word regarding Restoration, It has certainly shown it’s self true in my life, as I’m sure it will for you too if you allow Him to come into yours. Just praise His name and ask Him to show you the way, He will when you take the first step. “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.” Phaline.