Month: March 2018

God Is In Sovereign Control
(Prayer Walk thro Esther 1-10)

Backgrounder: Beautiful Esther
is among the many Jews whose
family chooses to remain in Persia
following the return of Israel to
Jerusalem with Zerubbabel, Ezra
and Nehemiah. Selected as queen
she discovers a court official’s plot
to kill her and her countrymen.
In a dramatic turn of events,
God uses the roll of the dice and
a king’s sleeplessness to save
the day and preserve His people.

Dear Lord, through the Israel
history recorded in the book of
Esther, we learnt that You are
in complete control of situations.
Help us to Be Available to You;
Help us to Wait for Your Timing &
Help us Remember Yr Goodness.
In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.
Continue reading “Praying thro Esther (Mar 18)”

Return From Exile (Mar 18)

We have been covering the Bible
by time sequence, phase by phase
OT1: Five Books of Laws incl Job.
OT2: History Up to King David
from Joshua to 1 Chron + Psalms
as well as Reign of King Solomon
in 2nd Chron & Wisdom Poetry.
In OT Phase 3, we see decline
of the two Divided Kingdoms.
OT3A: 1 Kings & minor prophets.
OT3B: 2K1-17 & Prophets incl Isaiah
up to Israel’s Dispersion in 722BC.
OT3C: 2K18-25 & Prophets incl Jer
up to Judah’s Dispersion in 586BC.
Followed by Ezekiel & Daniel.

Continuing, we will meditate on
three Israel historical books on
the return from exile, over two
weekends. Listed below are the
background condition and issues
during that period of time.

Esther (483-473BC)
The real life drama of Esther pits
a beautiful heroine against a
hateful villain. Beautiful Esther
is among the many Jews whose
family chooses to remain in Persia
following the return of Israel to
Jerusalem with Zerubbabel, Ezra
and Nehemiah. Selected as queen
she discovers a court official’s plot
to kill her and her countrymen.
In a dramatic turn of events,
God uses the roll of the dice and
a king’s sleeplessness to save
the day and preserve His people.

Ezra (538-457BC)
After 70 years of exile, God fulfills
His promise to return His people
to their home-land. Under His
direction, King Cyrus of Persia
now rules Babylonia, and the Jews
are free to go home. The first
group of returnees rebuild the
temple in Jerusalem (chap 1-6).
58 years later, Ezra leads a second
group (mostly priests & Levites)
back to Jerusalem to rebuild
the spiritual and moral character
of the people (chap 7-10).

Nehemiah (445-420BC)
A rebuilt temple stands in
Jerusalem, but only crumbled walls
surround the Holy City. Clearly,
there is much work to be done!
For the task of rebuilding the city
walls, God raises up Nehemiah
to lead the third and last expedition
of Jewish returnees from Persia.
In spite of stiff opposition to the
reconstruction efforts, Nehemiah
and his band of bricklayers
complete the job in only 52 days.
Nehemiah’ zeal extends not only
to reconstructing the city, but also
to reforming its citizentry – a task
which demands inspired leadership

Friends, Look out for the expository
meditation as it shows God is
in control of situations and will
strengthen our faith in Him.
Shalom/chris

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Significance Reinstated (Mar 17)

Dear Friends,
We have completed four months
of devotion on God’s Promises,
following three earlier series on
Adoring God thro Thanksgiving,
Knowing God’s thro His Names
and Praising God thro Hymns.
Before continuing in the series,
let’s pause to note the significance
of Imploring God on His Promises.

There are so much to pray about:
our dreams, hopes and plans.
But often we are held up by our
own doubts: Does God really
care about this request of ours?
How assuring to pray back to God
the promises found in His Word.
Then we no longer wonder if this
is something God cares about,for
He brought it up in the 1st place.
Continue reading “Imploring God thro His Promises:”

God Promises Wonderful Future

Backgrounder on Proverbs 22-24:
The final 11 chapters of Proverbs
contains sound counsel for those
in positions of authority. And
these three chapters contain
wise counsel for anyone in
a position of responsibility
including parents and pastors.
Leaders need to know God’s
precepts if they are to direct
their charges into God-honouring
paths of conduct and character.

Lord, U promise Wonderful Future:
Do not let your heart envy sinners
but always be zealous for the fear
of the Lord. There is surely a future
hope for you, and your hope will
not be cut off (Prov 23:17-18).
Be wise and guide your heart in
the way… Buy the truth & do not
sell it; get wisdom, discipline and
understanding (v19 & 23). Amen.
Continue reading “Prayer Thot for the Day (Mar 16)”

God Who Directs Your Plans

Backgrounder on Proverbs 14-17:
Nowhere is wisdom more essential
than in community relationships.
A heart attitude controlled by
the fear of the Lord is the key to
proper response towards others.
To promote peace with others,
commit to godliness in motives
and thots, tongue & temper as
well as plans, paths and pursuits.

Lord, You will Direct our Plans:
Commit to the Lord whatever
you do, and He will establish
your plans (Prov 16:3).
He who heeds the word wisely
will find good, and whoever trusts
in the Lord, happy is he (v20).
We may throw the dice but the Lord
determines how they fall (v33).
Kind words are like honey, sweet to
the soul & healthy for the body (24)
Continue reading “Prayer Thot for the Day (Mar 15)”

God Hears Prayers of Righteous

Backgrounder on Proverbs 14-17:
Nowhere is wisdom more essential
than in community relationships.
A heart attitude controlled by
the fear of the Lord is the key to
proper response towards others.
To promote peace, justice and
prosperity with others, commit to
godliness, in thoughts & motives,
as well as tongue and temper.

Lord, U Hear Prayers of Righteous:
The Lord detest the sacrifice of
the wicked, but the prayer of the
upright pleases Him (Prov 15:8).
… For the happy heart, life
is a continual feast (v15).
Plans fail for lack of counsel, but
with advisors they succeed (v22).
Continue reading “Prayer Thot for the Day (Mar 14)”

God Rewards Who Seek & Wait

Backgrounder on Proverbs 5-9:
The first 9 chapters of Proverbs
take the form of a fatherly address
for learning the fear of the Lord.
Beginning with Chap 5, Solomon
turns from a general appeal
to more specific application of
wisdom in everyday situations.
Pitfalls abound, ready to entangle
and destroy the unwary: immorality,
indebtedness, laziness, falsehood
and pride. Indulging in these sins
is a sure invitation to disaster.
Rather respond to call of wisdom,
which among its many benefits
is the favor of the Lord (Prov 8:35).

Lord, U Reward who Seek & Wait:
I love all who love me. Those who
Search will surely find me (P8:17)
(Wisdom said) I have riches and
honour as well as enduring wealth.
My gifts are better than gold,
even the purest gold, my wages
better than sterling silver (v18-19).
Blessed is the man who listens
to Me, watching daily at my doors,
Waiting at my doorway (v34) Amen
Continue reading “Prayer Thot for the Day (Mar 13)”

God Directs You As You Seek Him

Backgrounder on Proverbs 1-4:
The author of Proverbs clearly
states the book’s purpose:
To know wisdom & instructions
(P1:2-5). God wants His people
to be wise (skilful) in making
moral and ethical choices. And
the first nine chapters of Proverbs
take the form of a fatherly address
to a young son – a divine primer
for learning the fear of the Lord.

Lord, U Direct as We Seek You:
Trust in the Lord with all your
heart and lean not on your own
understanding; in all your ways
acknowledge Him, and He shall
Direct Your Paths (Prov 3:5-6).
Do not be wise in your own eyes;
Fear the Lord & depart from evil.
It will be health to your flesh,
and strength to your bones (v7-8)
Honour the Lord with your wealth,
then your barns will Be Filled
to overflowing (v9-10). Amen.
Continue reading “Prayer Thot for the Day (Mar 12)”

God Gives Message of Hope:
(Prayer Walk thro Ezek 33-48)

Backgrounder: After the fall of
Jerusalem, Ezekiel delivered
messages of future restoration
(restoring the people of God &
restoring the Worship of God)
and Hope for the people. God is
holy but the temple had been
defiled. The nation had to be
cleansed thro 70 years of captivity.
Thus Ezekiel gives a vivid picture of
the unchangeable holiness of God.

Dear Lord, thank you for Your
message of restoration and Hope.
Even as we face struggles of life,
help us Lord to gain a vision of
the glory of God & a fresh sense
of Your holiness and greatness.
Even as we Turn from sins to U;
Enable us Move in the Spirit &
Revive our Dreams. Amen.
Continue reading “Praying thro Ezekiel (Mar 11)”

God Restores You thro New Heart,
Fresh Start & Freedom from Sin
(Prayer Walk thro Ezek 1-24)

Backgrounder: While Jeremiah
was prophesying in Jerusalem
that the city would soon fall to
the Babylonians, Ezekiel was giving
the same message to the captives
who were already in Babylon.
Like those in Jerusalem, the
captives stubbornly believed that
Jerusalem would not fall. Ezekiel
warned them that punishment was
certain because of their sins and
that God was purifying his people.
He also brings a message of hope.

Lord, even as You announced
through Ezekiel, Your judgment on
Israel and other nations, You also
foretell the eventual restoration
of God’s people. We are grateful
for your mercy & lovingkindness;
that U Free us from Burden of Sin;
that U Give us Undivided Heart; &
that U Promise Fresh Start. Amen
Continue reading “Praying thro Ezekiel (Mar 10)”