We need rain really bad.

We have not had any for at least 8 weeks and everything, like the grass and surrounds, are so dry, it crackles under your feet.

Now, this dryness is not unusual here in our country, but it still is not nice. All the plants I have in my garden are naturally growing here and we don’t water them. We have shrubs called “Bottle brushes” because the flowers look like a bottle brush…

beautiful bottle brush in bloom!

And we have wattle trees, they have the most beautiful scent come spring and bright yellow trusses of flowers shaped like bunches of grapes and little yellow balls instead of grapes.
We do grow some cactii too, they can obviously stand the dryness… one has grown right up to the top of a large gum tree….

And, because we do still have a little bit of green grass around our home, we have had up to 10 kangaroos here every morning and evening, and I love watching them.
Some are mothers, with a tiny baby in her pouch, and it might poke it’s little head out to have a look around…. some are big ones and usually are looking for an argument…want to show off their strength.
Yesterday two little ones were playing “chasings” with each other….they were running around a pine tree I have….loving the run! They must feel comfortable here, to let themselves go like that! We have a large pond( we call them a dam) and it is quite full so they come here for water too.

And of course we hear the cockatoos every day we also have black ones and their call is quite different from the white ones, so I only have to hear them and I know the black ones are about. There are quite a few assorted parrots and rosellas they are so cute….The rosellas nest around here somewhere, and I have come to recognise a call the male makes to his mate, while she is sitting on the eggs, I get the impression that he calls every so often to let her know he is still there, waiting for her. So lovely!

I saw the full moon yesterday morning….it was so beautiful!
It’s the very first time I ever saw a full moon in the early hours of the morning, I was up early and happen to look outside and there it was…. not for very long….but I sure enjoyed it!

Yesterday was a very hot day, for spring, 98f and today it is a cool day…That is what the weather does here, in spring…..hot one day and cool the next….But we sure need that rain.
Blessings….
Yaddy

Almost......like a road service?

2 Thessalonians 3:1-2......

Have you ever locked the keys in your car while out shopping?
I have and it isn’t a very pleasant experience.

First you search frantically in your bag...hoping to find it, then you have that dreadful look in your car...... (hoping against hope that you won’t see the key)....but you do.....”Oh no!”
Then you call the N.R.M.A....( our road service here) and usually you have to wait half an hour or so, and all this after you’ve done what you came to do, and all you can think of is the ice cream will melt, or some such silly thought.



Paul and his missionary companions repeatedly faced dangerous situations and wicked men in their journey. They knew the value of enlisting others to pray for them on a regular basis, so they specifically asked the Thessalonians to pray for them as they ministered.

As the believers prayed, it would be like having a kind of spiritual N.R.M.A. helping them, but.......
How would you feel if you called the N.R.M.A. road service, and they promised to help you, but then didn’t come through?


(1) How seriously do you take people’s requests for you to pray for them?

(2) When was the last time you told someone you would pray for him or her and then actually did it?

The apostle Paul understood the value of prayer. He requested prayer for himself and no doubt expected the Thessalonians to honour his request.

He also prayed for them, enlisting God’s help and direction in their lives.

Have you ever felt the urge to pray for someone and then just put it on a list and said, “I’ll pray for them later”?
Or has anyone ever called you and said, “I need you to pray for me, I have this need”?

Chapter 3 begins the last major section of 2 Thessalonians and the apostle Paul begins to bring this epistle to a close, but in doing so, we are privileged to see a wonderful model as Paul demonstrates how his team’s confidence lay not in human plans, promotion, programs, or human personalities, but in the Lord Himself.

Their confidence for whatever they might need and face was an unending trust in the provision and faithfulness of the Lord and His powerful Word.
The Lord Jesus said emphatically, “I will build my church and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it.” While God uses frail human instruments in accomplishing His work on earth, the ultimate accomplishment of the work depends on the work and faithfulness of the Lord and His Word.
Our modern ‘go-go’ tendency is to be quick to plan and act, rather than pray, wait on the Lord, and then in God’s timing and leading, work in His strength, leading, and provision.
This is not only the position of wisdom but of humility as we put our trust not in ourselves, but in a sovereign God and Savior. Again, the apostle provides us with a model, not just for ministry but for life.

I. Paul’s Prayer Request (3:1-4)

3:1, “Finally pray for us, brothers and sisters, that the Lord’s message may spread quickly and be honoured as in fact it was among you,
3:2 and that we may be delivered from perverse and evil people. For not all have faith”

What an excellent prayer, "that the word of the Lord will spread rapidly and be glorified."
Paul asked the Thessalonians to pray for him and his fellow missionaries. Notice that Paul did not list specific people whom he wanted to pray for him.

The prayers of the new believers he had never met would be just as effective as the prayers of the most mature, seasoned believers in the church because all believers have equal access to the Father.
Paul knew that he would need prayer for as long as he lived. He would never reach a point in his life when he would be exempt from prayer.

Have you ever felt as if your prayers for a particular person weren’t being answered or that you might be wasting your time?

What makes praying for the same people over and over again so difficult?

Prayer for a believer in Christ is a privilege and one of the most powerful tools we have at our disposal. It allows us to have access and talk to the God who spoke into existence the heavens and the earth.

There is no secretary to screen His calls. No need for a decision on whether or not we should bother Him.

No need to leave a message so that He can get back to us later. The psalmist reminds us, “The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their cry” (Psalm 34:15). As believers in Christ we have been given at least one gift.

Although everyone isn’t called to be a pastor, teacher, or evangelist, the privilege of prayer is available to all who have trusted Christ as Saviour.

3:3, “But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen and protect you from the evil one. We have confidence in the Lord that you are doing and will continue to do the things we command

God is forever faithful, and the apostle Paul believed that He would help the Thessalonians to not yield to satan (v. 3). Paul knew that God would establish them and guard them from the evil one. Verse 3 implies that all believers in Christ who is in danger of being successfully attacked by satan will be strengthen and protected. Because of God’s faithfulness to the Thessalonians, Paul was convinced that they were doing, and would continue to do, the things that the missionaries had commanded of them (v. 4). The word “commanded” in verse 4 refers to a military order that a superior officer passes on to those under his direction. God was the source of those commands, while Paul was the conveyor of them. Paul had ultimate confidence in his Superior Officer. So he spent time praying for the Thessalonians, and believed that his prayers would be answered (2:16-17).

Why is it important to tell people you are praying for them and that you are confident that God will work in and through them?

Who is praying for you?
How does the awareness of their prayers on your behalf help you?

. Paul’s Prayer (3:5)
For the love of God (3:5a), “Now may the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God””

Paul closed this section with another prayer that came out of his preceding confidence statement.
He prayed first that the Lord might direct the Thessalonians’ hearts into the love of God (v. 5). The word “direct” means to “clear the way.”
As God answered Paul’s prayer, the Thessalonian believers would be able to understand God’s love for them.
As they focused on the love of God, even while they were being persecuted, they would reciprocate His love by obeying Him.
Christ’s words in John 14:15 echo this principle; The Lord said to His disciples, “if ye love me, keep my commandments.”
The remarkable thing about God’s love for us is His promise that it will never end.
People may tell you that they don’t love you anymore....and the pain of that can be undescribable....But God’s love will never end!

In his darkest hour Jeremiah considered God’s unfailing love and wrote,
“Through the LORD’s mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness. ‘The LORD is my portion’ says my soul, ‘therefore I hope in Him!’” (Lamentations 3:22-24).
A person may vow to love us forever yet fail to keep that promise, but God’s love remains steadfast and sure. “He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you” (Deuteronomy 31:6). Now, that’s a love we can trust because God’s love never fails.

When we pray for others, we become partners with God in His work of salvation, healing, comfort, and fairness.
God can accomplish those things without us........but in His plan, He gives us the privilege of being involved with Him through prayer.
When we intercede for a grandson in trouble,

a mother having surgery,

a neighbour who needs Christ,

or a pastor who needs strength,

we are asking God to provide for that person what we cannot provide.

If you begin to open your life to the people you pray with, they will learn from your example and will open their own lives. The result will be meaningful, heartfelt prayers that God would be delighted to answer.


1 Peter 5:7 tells us to cast all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. The psalmist wrote, “Be still, and know that I am God” (46:10).
The apostle Paul exhorted the Philippians to “be anxious for nothing” (Philippians 4:6), and Peter instructed his readers to cast all their cares on God (1 Peter 5:7).

You know what?

If Paul and Peter were here today, they would tell us the same thing.
So, how can someone stop worrying and be “still”? Only through prayer and trust in the loving God (Philippians 4:6-7). Those who cast their cares on Him can set aside the noise and confusion, ambitions and strivings, and enter into the peace of God.

This doesn’t mean that those who are “still” before the Lord will escape life’s dangers and dilemmas, but it does mean they will have the ability to live with tranquility in the midst of them. Though trouble may remain, the confusion, apprehension, and despair begin to fade away. Such people show poise under pressure; they’re unshaken by life’s alarms and they radiate peace wherever they go.

The highest form of prayer comes from the depths of a humble heart.

thank you Mikey,

Bless you....Yaddy

Psalm 55:22, “Cast your burden on the LORD, and He shall sustain you”

1 Peter 5:7, “Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you”
__________

So, are you worried about bills, health, debt, marriage issues, and the future? I’ve discovered that 90 percent of the things that filled me with anxiety over what might happen never did.

The dictionary defines worry as: to cause to feel anxious, distressed, or troubled about something, or to bother or annoy, as with petty complaints. Some unknown quotes concerning worry are:

(1) “There is nothing that wastes the body like worry, and one who has any faith in God should be ashamed to worry about anything whatsoever”

(2) “Every evening I turn my worries over to God. He’s going to be up all night anyway”

(3) “Worry is like a rocking chair; it gives you something to do but doesn’t get you anywhere”

(4) “Worry doesn’t improve the future, it only ruins the present.”



So why worry? To eliminate worry, we must face the coming problems and responsibilities with faith, trusting God for His grace and provision. I read some time ago about a paratrooper in the U. S. Army who had made more than 100 successful parachute jumps without a single serious injury. But the first day back home after being discharged, he stumbled over a rug, fell against a table, and broke four of his ribs! He had worried a great deal about his parachute jumps, but then something happened he had never worried about, “He tripped over a rug.” Jesus said that it’s futile to fret, for worrying can’t change anything (Matthew 6:27). My brethren we need to remember that our heavenly Father knows all about our situation and watches over us. We can be sure that He will take care of our needs no matter what tomorrow brings. Thus, it is better to be wise and trust the Lord.
__________

Closing illustration:

The story has been told of a young girl traveling on a train for the first time. She heard that it would have to cross several rivers along way to her destination.

She was troubled and fearful as she thought of the water. However, each time the train came near to a river, a bridge was always there to provide a safe way across. After passing safely over several rivers and streams, the girl settled back in her seat with a sigh of relief.

Then she turned to her mother and said, “I’m not worried anymore. Somebody has put bridges for us all the way!” So my brethren, when we come to the deep rivers of trial and the streams of sorrow, we too will find that God in His grace “has put bridges for us all the way.” So we need not fall into hopelessness and anxiety. In delightful though often untraceable ways, He will provide for us and carry us through the difficulties to the other side. Even though we may not understand how He will meet our needs, we can be sure that He will provide a way. Those who have given their worries over to God can exclaim with the psalmist, “The LORD is righteous in all His ways, gracious in all His works … The LORD preserves all who love Him” (Psalm 145:17-20). Instead of worrying about what’s ahead, it would behoove us to:

(1) Trust God .The alternative is to trust people with the future, and that leads to disappointment.


(2) Delight in the Lord. Take delight in God and His will, and He promises to provide for what you need.

(3) Commit your way to God. He will bless your efforts.

(4) Wait patiently for the Lord. He will prevail.

My friend, the more we immerse ourselves in God, His Word, and His promises, the less we will worry over the troubles of this world. Sure, it’s a tough world we live in, but with God we can be victorious!

For all His children, God desires
A life of calm, not flurry;
His will for every day is this:
That we should trust, not worry – Anon.
__________

When we put our cares in God’s hands, He puts His peace in our hearts.

Bless you....'
'Yaddy

I SERVE A RISEN SAVIOUR!!!

1.I serve a risen Saviour
He's in the world today.
I know that He is living,
Whatever men may say.
I see His hand of mercy;
I hear His voice of cheer;
And just the time I need Him He's always near.

Chorus:
He lives, He lives, Christ Jesus lives today!
He walks with me and talks with me along life's narrow way.
He lives, He lives, salvation to impart!
You ask me how I know He lives?
He lives within my heart.

2.In all the world around me
I see His loving care,
And though my heart grows weary,
I never will despair;
I know that He is leading,
Through all the stormy blast;
The day of His appearing
Will come at last.
Chorus:
3.Rejoice, rejoice, O Christian,
Lift up your voice and sing
Eternal hallelujahs
To Jesus Christ the King!
The Hope of all who seek Him,
The Help of all who find,

None other is so loving, So good and kind.
Chorus:
He lives....He lives
Christ Jesus lives today...
He walks with me and talks with me... along life's narrow way.
He lives, He lives salvation to impart.....
you ask me how I know He lives? He lives....within my heart!

Bless you.....
Yaddy

Effective Communication.....

1 Corinthians 9:19-23 (NLT)

Even though I am a free man with no master, I have become a slave to all people to bring many to Christ.
20 When I was with the Jews, I lived like a Jew to bring the Jews to Christ. When I was with those who follow the Jewish law, I too lived under that law.
Even though I am not subject to the law, I did this so I could bring to Christ those who are under the law.

21 When I am with the Gentiles who do not follow the Jewish law, I too live apart from that law so I can bring them to Christ.
But I do not ignore the law of God; I obey the law of Christ.

22 When I am with those who are weak, I share their weakness, for I want to bring the weak to Christ. Yes, I try to find common ground with everyone, doing everything I can to save some.
23 I do everything to spread the Good News and share in its blessings.

Here we have one of the great evangelism passages from the bible.

The Apostle Paul is sharing with us how he works to see people saved.

From an evangelism point of view we can take great comfort from the second part of verse 22, in particular the word “some”.
We think to be successful in our evangelism efforts, we must see everyone we share the gospel with.... saved.

This is not the case and Paul knew this.

Not everyone will say yes...... it will be “some”.

Our responsibility is not "their response"; it is that we share the gospel.

But I believe that there is another principle that we can learn from this passage of scripture, and that is a principle surrounding effective communication.

So many things fall down.... fail.... or don’t fully succeed, due to a lack of, or poor ineffective communication.

When God wanted to stop the building of a tower which became known as the tower of Babel (Gen 11:1-8) He affected their ability to communicate.

As soon as they were unable to communicate with each other their building came to a halt.

Whether you are building a business, a church, a team, a marriage or sharing the gospel.... the success of that endeavour will be closely tied to your ability to communicate effectively and clearly.

We need to understand that communication is not the answer, effective communication is.
For example, we have a number of nationalities represented in our church some for whom English is their second language.
If I speak English and one of these people speaks their language, which isn’t English, we are both communicating, but it is not effective. When people read the above text, they sometimes misread it..... that Paul was compromising to get people saved....
but this was not the case.
He states “But I do not ignore the law of God; I obey the law of Christ”.
Paul was actually working on effective communication.

Effective communication is not just speaking or even speaking a lot, it is the ability to firstly understand another person’s point of view.....
so that you can then communicate the best way forward.

This is what Paul was doing. He came alongside a person, so he could see what they saw. In doing so he gained understanding into what they saw, which in turn meant he could effectively communicate the truth of the gospel.

He didn’t change or even stray from his message, he just delivered it in such a way that it would be most effective.

What can we learn from this? Effectively communication begins not with speaking but with understanding.
Once you understand what your audience sees...... your communication strategy can be built from there.
It may take a little longer to get to the point where you share your message, but it will give your message greater opportunity for success.

Understand more and communicate effectively.

Scott,.... Elevate Church, www.elevatechurch.com.au

Bless you and thank you Scott...
Yaddy

Do we all have problems?

We had a church camp this last weekend.....it went well. It was only a couple of hours drive from here, but the thought that we were "away" sure did wonders. Which brings me to another thought.....because we were "not at home" there was a totally different feeling and also a totally different outlook on life, even if only for the weekend. Things left behind for the weekend, were not thought about......they were still there, but.....you know what I mean? So....why is it that we feel we "need to get away from it all for a while?" We don't really escape the unpleasantness! Could it be that "people" want to escape for a while, because they do not know God? Some years ago, I heard some one say..."Come to Jesus and all your problems will be over..." Could that be why people feel they want to escape? Because when I heard the above....I winced.....and when I left that meeting I thought to myself..."Is that what we are showing to people? A picture of salvation that promises us that "never again" will we struggle with problems? If the above is the truth, then I am missing out, because I am struggling a lot with problems...even by going away for a weekend, the problems will still be there, when we arrive home again. The young person mentioned above might have been very sincere in what he said, but he was very sincerely wrong! Problems will always be with us, but above all we must never forget....butso too will God! Blessings...... Yaddy

You may have noticed.....

This tree grows out the back and we grew it from a seed.....it's beautiful!

typical bowl of fruit which my mum had and the fruit is artificial, hers was too, just a reminder of my child hood.

 

I have not been here so much....Since I had my arm operated on, and I now am the proud owner of an 8inch "nail" inside my humurous bone in my left arm, I have not been able to be as active as I would like. Just last week, I decided the floor needed mopping, it doesn't get done as often as I would like, so I decided here goes.....my arm was so painful all weekend, I am now in doubt as to whether it was worth all the trouble or not. I did manage to take some photos as I love spring and outside is just beautiful. I sit on our deck and really appreciate the wonders of God's nature. The jasmin 's perfume is out of this world, and it is growing like mad all around the back door....together with some Freesias...these two scents are so "spring" I love them. There are also some old fashioned Gladdies ( Gladiolas) coming up!
Blessings...
Yaddy