Preview On 1 Chronicles (Sep 7)

Whilst the Bible is arranged by
types of writings, we meditate it
chronologically to get better flow:
Genesis on God’s Plan for creation;
Job on Sovereignty of God; and
Exodus, Leviticus, Num-Deut on
Deliverance, Holiness & Obedience.
Then Joshua on Obedient Faith,
Judges on God Restoring Repentant;
Ruth on Faithfulness/Redemption;
1 Sam on Rule of God in our heart
and 2 Sam on Consequences of sin.

Continuing, the books of 1 & 2 Chron
describe the same period of Jewish
history as 2 Samuel through 2 Kings,
but from a priestly perspective.
After tracing King David’s royal line
back to the beginning, 1 Chronicles
outlines the spiritual significance
of David’s righteous reign, showing
how the nation prospers when
its leaders honour and obey God.
The emphasis is on proper worship
of the one true God – a worship
that David’s life exemplifies.

We will cover 1 Chronicles over two
weekends in following four divisions:-
1Chr 1-9: Genealogies of David
1Chr10-16:David Brings Ark to Jeru
1Chr17-21: God’s Covenant w David
1Chr22-29: David’s Arranges Temple
Let’s meditate through 1 Chronicles,
and be inspired that genuine worship
will be the center of our lives. Amen.

Preview On 2 Samuel (Aug 17)

Whilst the Bible is arranged by
types of writings, we meditate it
chronologically to get better flow.
We start with Genesis on God’s
Plan for creation, then meditated
Job on the Sovereignty of God; and
Exodus, Leviticus, Num-Deut on
Deliverance, Holiness & Obedience.
Then Joshua on enjoying God’s
blessing through Obedient Faith,
Judges that God judges against sin
and Restores those who Repent;
Ruth on Faithfulness/Redemption; &
1 Sam on Rule of God in our heart.

Continuing, David the king-elect in
1 Samuel becomes king-enthroned
in 2 Samuel, ruling first over Judah
& then over all Israel. Characterised
at first by victory and success, David
leads Israel to world prominence.
But his reign is soon marred by
the dual sins of adultery & murder.
The aftershocks of turmoil, trouble
and unrest rock the kingdom for
the rest of his life and beyond.
Despite his weaknesses, David
remains “a man after God’s heart”
because of his repentant attitude
& his responsiveness to God’s will.

We’ll cover 2 Samuel in two parts
(David’s Successes & his Struggles)
over 3 weekends in 6 divisions:-
2 Sam 1-4: Divided Nation
2 Sam 5-7: United Nation
2 Sam 8-10: Expanded Nation
2 Sam 11-14: Adultery & Murder
2 Sam 15-20: Revolt & Unrest
2 Sam 21-24: David’s Last Word
Let’s meditate through 2 Samuel,
be inspired to be devoted to God &
weary of consequences of sin. Amen

Preview On 1 Samuel (July 20)

Whilst the Bible is arranged by
types of writings, we meditate it
chronologically to get better flow.
We start with Genesis on God’s
Plan for creation, then meditated
Job on the Sovereignty of God;
Exodus, Leviticus, Num-Deut on
Deliverance, Holiness & Obedience
before Mark on Jesus the Servant.
Then Joshua on enjoying God’s
blessing through Obedient Faith,
Judges that God judges against sin,
just as He restores those who repent
& Ruth on Faithfulness & redemption.

Following the destructive period of
the judges, Samuel – prophet & king-
maker is called by God to rebuild
Israel spiritually and politically.
In time he anoints Saul as Israel’s
first king. But Saul soon proves
unable to rule even his own heart.
Because Saul lacks a heart for God,
he is rejected by God. Samuel anoints
the young David to take Saul’s place,
which causes fierce rivalry resulting
in David’s flight into the wilderness
to escape the jealous king. The book
ends with Saul’s death – clearing
the way for David’s glorious reign.

We’ll cover the book of 1Samuel over
4 weekends in following 8 divisions:
S1-3: Samuel’s Call
S4-8: Israel’s Defeat
S9-12: Saul’s Selection
S13-15: Saul’s Rejection
S16-19: David in the Court
S20-23: David on the Run
S24-26: David’s Mercy
S27-31: Saul’s Downfall
Let’s meditate through 1 Samuel
and see that establishing monarchy
did not solve Israel’s problems.
God desires the devotion of each
person’s mind and heart to Him.
And nothing can substitute the rule
of God in our heart and life. Amen.

Preview On Ruth (July 13)

Whilst the Bible is arranged by
types of writings, we meditate it
chronologically to get better flow.
We start with Genesis on God’s
Plan for creation, then meditated
Job on the Sovereignty of God;
Exodus, Leviticus, Num-Deut on
Deliverance, Holiness & Obedience
before Mark on Jesus the Servant
and Joshua on enjoying God’s
blessing through obedient faith.
And for the last three weekends,
we meditated on Judges that God’s
judgment against sin is certain, and
His forgiveness and restoration are
just as certain for those who repent.

Set in the context of unrest during
the time of the Judges, the story of
Ruth is a bright gem of redemption
and hope. Faced with famine and
poverty; Ruth, a young widow,
leaves her native land to travel with
her mother-in-law to Bethlehem.
There she gleans in the field of Boaz,
who becomes her kinsman redeemer
In their marriage, Ruth and Boaz
become ancestors of Messiah Jesus.
With its twin themes of faithfulness
and redemption, the book of Ruth
pictures God’s redeeming love and
His faithful devotion to all mankind.

We’ll cover the book of Rutj over
one weekend in following 2 divisions:
R1-2: Ruth’s Faithfulness Revealed
R3-4: Ruth’s Faithfulness Rewarded
Let’s meditate through Ruth and
see how three people remained
strong in character and true to God
even when the world around them
was collapsing. And strengthen our
faith in the Lord. Amen and amen.

Praying thro Psalm 31-36 (Oct 6)

Seek the Lord thro Life Challenges

The first book (Psa 1-41) is similar
to Genesis, with many of these
psalms discussing man as blessed,
fallen and redeemed by our God.
And in Psalm 31-36, we learn that
Proper Perspective can help us
face life challenges; and can also
bring us from gloom to glory (P31),
from failure to forgiveness (P32),
fr false security to confident trust(33)
from affliction to adoration (34),
from persecution to praise (35)
and from darkness to light (36).

Dear Lord, in midst of challenges,
Help us have Proper Perspective
of things; for You care for us, You
are faithful and You are in control.
Help us Seek You first for help,
knowing You have promised to
answer us when we call on You.
Help us Entrust Into Your Hands;
all our burdens and dreams; and
give control of our lives to You.
Help us Trust & Wait upon You, for
You are able to turn any trouble we
face into fulfilment of Your purposes.
In Jesus’ mighty name, Amen.

Lord, we Entrust into Your Hands:
In You, O Lord, I put my trust and
seek refuge; let me never be put
to shame… Deliver me speedily!
Be my rock of refuge, a strong
fortress to save me!.. I entrust my
spirit into Your hand (Ps 31:1-5).
Lord, You’re mighty & you’ve already
made the way through Your sacrifice.
I entrust my spirit, as well as every
hope and dream, all my cares and
all burdens into Your hands. And
thro prayer, I let go & give control
of my life all over to You. Amen.

Lord, we will Wait upon You:
Let all the earth fear the Lord;
For He spoke and it was done,
He commanded & it stood fast…
Behold, the eye of the Lord
is on those who fear Him,
on those who Hope in His mercy…
Our soul Waits for the Lord;
He is our help and our shield.
Our heart shall rejoice in Him,
because we have trusted in
His holy name. Let Your mercy
O Lord be upon us, just as we
Hope in You (Ps 33:8-9, 18-22).
Lord, I cry out to You, for You
alone know the depth of my need.
In my distress I will choose to trust,
wait and have hope in the fulfilment
of Your promises. For You can deliver
and can also turn any trouble I face
into fulfilment of my destiny. Amen.

Lord, we will Seek You for Help:
I sought the Lord and He heard me
& delivered me from all my fears…
The angels of the Lord encamps
all around those who fear Him, and
delivers them. Oh, taste & see that
the Lord is good, blessed is the
man who trusts in Him (Ps 34:4-8).
Lord, I give You all my fears & look
to You for help. Do a deep work in
my heart on those things that strike
fear in me. Thanks for Your promise
to answer me when I call on You.
Thanks for freeing me from all fears
and to make me radiant with joy.
And help me Lord to look to You,
to fear You & to trust in You. Amen.

Praying thro Psalm 25-30 (Oct 5)

Praying & Waiting Upon God

Backgrounder: The first book
(Psalm 1-41) is similar to Genesis.
Just as Genesis tells how man was
created, fell into sin and promised
redemption, many of the psalms
in book 1 (P1-41) discuss man as
blessed, fallen & redeemed by God.
And as David penned Psa 25-30,
he thought of the multi-faceted
character of the God he served.
The Lord is good & upright (25:8)
my light (27:1), my strength(28:7)
King forever (29:10) & God (30:2).

Dear Lord, we learn from King
David how he prays through his
problems knowing Your nature.
Help us Lord to Wait upon You,
but be merciful in Your timing.
Help us to Not Succumb to Fear;
but keep our eyes fixed on You.
For we know that when we Cry
out to You, U Hear and U Answer.
In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

Lord, we will Wait upon You:
O my God, I trust in You;
let me not be ashamed…
Indeed, let no one who Waits
on You be ashamed (Ps 25:2-3).
Show me Your ways, O Lord,
teach me your paths… For You
are the God of my salvation;
on You I Wait all the day (v4-5).
Deliver me; let me not be ashamed;
for I put my trust in You. Let my
integrity & uprightness preserve
me, for I Wait for You (v20-21).
Lord, I want to know Your will; I’m
willing to do Your will & I will wait
for Your truth to lead me in it.
No matter what storms of life
I may face, I will keep my eyes
on the brightness of Your Son.
But Lord be merciful in Your
timing for I’m but fresh & blood;
I am hurting and I need U. Amen.

Lord, we will Be Courageous:
Lord is my Light & my Salvation,
so why should I be afraid?
The Lord protects me from
danger, so why should I tremble?
Though a mighty army surrounds
me, my heart will know no fear…
Be brave and of good courage
… Yes, wait and hope for and
expect the Lord (Psa 27:1-3,14).
Lord, help me to see the truth in
your Word: that You are my light
and my salvation; You are my
protector from danger; and
You are the strength of my life.
Help me draw close to You and
rest in the confidence I have in U.
Help me to defeat fear as I trust
in you and wait upon you for the
fulfilment of your promise. Amen.

Lord, we will Expect Your Answer:
To You I will cry, O Lord my Rock;
Do not be silent to me… Hear…
my supplications when I cry to You,
when I lift up my hands toward
Your holy sanctuary (Ps 28:1-2).
O Lord my God, I cried out to You
for help & U restored my health.
You kept me from falling into
the pit…You have turned… my
mourning into dancing; You have
put off my sackcloth and cloth
me with gladness (Ps 30:2-5,11).
Father, thank U for being my Rock
and for hearing my prayers for help.
Even when my situation remains
the same, grant me grace to keep
trusting you for your gracious help.
For only You Lord can give hope
that does not disappoint. Amen.

Hearing God In John 17 (Oct 4)

Christ Jesus Prays for Our Unity

The Upper Room Discourse
contains Jesus’ final words of
instruction and encouragement
to His disciples before His death.
Only John records these intimate
moments between Jesus & His
men as He models true humility,
describes the Holy Spirit who
will comfort and empower them;
and Intercedes for Protection and
Unity of His disciples worldwide.

Lord, we pray for Unity among us:
I do not pray that You should take
them out of the world, but that You
should Keep Them fr the evil one.
They are not of the world, just as
I am not of the world. Sanctify them
by Your Truth… As You Sent Me
into the world. I also Have Sent
them into the world (Jn 17:15-18).
My prayer is not for them alone.
I pray also for those who will
believe in me thro their message,
that all of them May Be One…
that they also may be One In Us,
that the world may believe that
You sent me (Jn 17:20-21). Amen.

Lord Jesus, I praise You for your
great salvation for all mankind.
Thank you for not only saving me
but also being my High Priest,
Caring for me. Thanks for Heb 7:25
promise that You will always
Intercede for me before Father God.
Provide & protect me Lord & enable
me to conform to Your will. Amen.

Lord Jesus, You have sent us
into the world with an assignment.
You have provided Your Word to
protect us from worldly influence.
Help us soak our mind, will and
emotion with Your Word; and let
it flavour every aspect of our life.
And help us to be truly salt of the
earth & light of the world. Amen.

Lord, I pray for Unity with family
members & with other believers
regardless of any differences
in views, values, race or culture.
May we be truly one with the
Father, the Son & the Holy Spirit.
May this Unity I have with You and
with others show the world, that
You Jesus came from the Father.
May this Unity draw prebelievers
to You Jesus so that they too
may experience Your love. Amen.

Hearing God In John 16 (Oct 3)

Christ Sends Empowering Spirit

The Upper Room Discourse
contains Jesus’ final words of
instruction and encouragement
to His disciples before His death.
Only John records these intimate
moments between Jesus & His men
as He models true humility (c13),
describes the Holy Spirit who will
comfort & Empower them (c14-16)
and intercedes for protection and
unity of His disciples worldwide (17)

Lord,we look to Your Spirit for Help:
Very truly I tell you, it is for your
good that I am going away. Unless
I go away, the Helper will not come
to u; but if I go, I will Send Him to u.
When He comes, He will convict
the world of sin, of righteousness
and of judgment (John 16:7-8).
When the Spirit of truth comes,
He will Guide you into all truth…
He will tell you about the future…
He will glorify me by telling u what-
ever he received from me (v13-14).
These things I have spoken to you,
that in Me you may have Peace.
In the world you will have tribulation
but be of good cheer, I have
Overcome the world (v33) Amen.

Lord Jesus, hard times are to be
expected in this life; but Thank You
for sending Your Spirit to Help us.
I don’t go through difficulty alone;
for You are always with me to
help, counsel and pray for me.
Thank You for Your powerful
presence. As I yield to You and
follow Your leading, let Your
power flow through me. Amen.

Holy Spirit, only You can sort out
the voices in my mind; and I trust
You to do just that. Keep me from
deception & lead me to the truth.
Show me enough of the future
and how it fits with Your purposes.
Lord Jesus, let the Spirit bring You
glory in me by revealing Your truth
to me that I can share with others.
And let me experience You as
personally as disciples did. Amen.

Heavenly Father, trials & troubles
are normal part of this life. I don’t
like this truth, but it reminds me
of my need for You God. I praise
You for being more powerful than
any worldly troubles I may face.
Remind me to keep looking to You
for You are always in control and
You are for me. In His name, Amen.

Hearing God In John 15 (Oct 2)

Christ Teaches Abiding In Him

The Upper Room Disgcourse
contains Jesus’ final words of
instruction and encouragement
to His disciples before His death.
Only John records these intimate
moments between Jesus & His men
as He models true humility (c13),
describes the Holy Spirit who will
comfort & empower them (c14-16)
and intercedes for protection and
unity of His disciples worldwide (17)

Lord, we purpose to Remain in You:
I am the vine; you are the branches.
IF You REMAIN In Me and I in you,
you will bear much fruit; apart
from Me you can do nothing…
By this My Father is glorified that
you bear much fruit (Jn 15:5-8).
IF You KEEP my commandments,
you will abide in My love. This is My
commandment that you Love one
another as I have loved you (v10-12)
You are My friends IF You DO
what I command. I no longer call
you servants… Instead I have
called you friends (v14-15) Amen.

Lord, as I purpose to Remain in U,
help me to walk closely with You
each day and stay constantly in
communication with You – both
by talking and listening to You
speak to my heart. Help me to
stay deeply in Your Word, getting
to know You better. And help me
to increase in the knowledge of
Your ways and Your will. Amen.

Lord, we note your command
to love one another as You have
loved us sacrificially. Help me
Follow Your command to love
others with Your kind of love.
And help me to do good works
and share the gospel so that
others will come to believe in You.
In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.

Lord Jesus, I desire that you will
become my Best Friend & help me
Develop Deep Friendship with You.
Help me enjoy staying deeply in
Your Word, learning more about
Your nature, Your ways & Your will.
Help me to stay constantly
in communication with You –
both by talking and listening to
You speak to my heart. And help
me most of all do Your will. Amen.

Hearing God In John 14 (Oct 1)

Christ Gives You Peace

The Upper Room Discourse
contains Jesus’ final words of
instruction and encouragement
to His disciples before His death.
Only John records these intimate
moments between Jesus & His men
as He models true humility (c13),
describes the Holy Spirit who will
comfort & empower them (c14-16)
and intercedes for protection and
unity of His disciples worldwide (17)

Lord, we Receive Your Peace:
Let not your heart be troubled; you
believe in God, believe also in Me…
I will not abandon you as orphans
– I will come to you (John 14:1, 18).
The Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom
the Father will send will teach
you all things; and bring to your
remembrance all things that I said
to you. Peace I leave with you,
and the peace I give isn’t like the
peace the world gives. So don’t be
troubled or afraid (v25-27). Amen.

Lord, in a fallen & troubled world,
we need peace of mind so that
we can turn off nagging worries.
And we need peace of heart, not to
be paralysed by crippling emotions
but face the future with confidence.
Temporary pleasures are the best
the world can offer; for only God
has power to give us real peace.
Keep us Lord from chasing after
pleasurable diversions; but instead
draw us to truly rest in You. Amen.

Lord Jesus, the same Spirit in
whose power You lived on earth,
is the Spirit You have poured out
in us, when we accepted You and
were redeemed by your blood.
Help us recognise and cooperate
with the indwelling Christ so that
we can draw on U for every need.
Reveal clearly to us the mind
of Christ in every situation that
we face & grant us peace. Amen.

Lord, We praise and thank You
for overcoming the world through
Your completed work on the cross.
Thank You for promising to provide
peace of mind and peace of heart.
For in challenging circumstances,
we really need to have Your peace.
Help us keep our eyes firmly fixed
on You and enter into Your peace.
In Jesus’ mighty name, Amen.