Month: June 2020

Trust God’s Declared Plan (Jun 30)

Before his death, David had
charged his son Solomon with the
responsibility of building a house
for God in Jerusalem. Now at last
it’s time to make that dream a reality.
For seven years Solomon plans and
prepares the Temple. When at last
the ark of the covenant is installed
in the Holy Place, the cloud of
God’s presence fills the house of
the Lord. Once again, God’s glory
dwells in the midst of His people.

Lord, we trust You Fulfil Your Plan:
It came to pass when the priests
came out of the holy place, that the
cloud filled the house of the Lord…
So the Lord has fulfilled His word…
and I have built a temple for the
name of the Lord (1 Kgs 8:10,20).
Praise the Lord who has given
rest to His people Israel, just as He
promised. Not one word has failed
of all the wonderful promises He
gave through His servant Moses.
May the Lord our God be with us
as He was with our ancestors;
may He never forsake us. May He
give us the desire to do His will
in everything and to obey all
the commands (1Kgs 8:56-58).

Lord, noticed that it wasn’t until the
temple was completed that God’s  glory took residence there – God’s stamp of approval of a job well done.
We remember Your past deeds in
our life showing Your faithfulness.
And we trust that You will fulfil Your
promises in Your way and time.
And tho sometimes it may seem late
to us, it will still be on time. Amen.

Lord, we praise You for keeping
covenant & fulfilling Your purposes!
Give me the desire to do Your will.
in everything. Thank You Lord for
the promise that in Your infinite
faithfulness You will fulfill Your
purpose in my life just as You
fulfilled all Your promises to Moses.
Not one of them failed and neither  will Your promises to me. Amen.

Lord, I want to live a synergistic life
based on Your goals for my purpose.
Show me Your signposts towards
the path of recovery and fulfilment. Reveal what I can do differently so as to live a well-ordered life and enjoy
the view of hope on the horizon.
Teach me to tweak the areas of
my life until it’s well ordered and
honours You Lord. In Jesus’ name.

Seek First Kingdom of God

In the final hours before his death,
David charges Solomon to walk
before the Lord in integrity and
truth – a request which Solomon
fulfills in the early days of his reign
by ruling with justice, humility
and honesty before God and man.
Presented with a “blank cheque”
by God, Solomon asks for wisdom
to rule skilfully rather than wealth.
In return, God Gives him both!

At Gibeon the Lord appeared to
Solomon: Ask! What shall I Give u?
And Solomon said: O Lord my God,
You have made Your servant king…
Therefore give to Your servant
an understanding heart to judge
Your people, that I may discern
between good and evil. For who
is able to judge this great people
of Yours? The speech pleased
the Lord that Solomon had asked
this thing. Then God said to him:
Because you have asked this thing
understanding to discern justice…
I have given you a wise and
understanding heart, so that there
has not been anyone like you…
And I have also given you what
you have not asked: both riches
and honour, so that there shall
not be anyone like you among
kings all your days (1Kgs 3:5-13).

Lord, we are grateful that whenever
we are lost or unsure of what to do,
we can always seek You for wisdom.
Thank You for Your divine wisdom,
which we can readily find in Your
Word as well as asking You for it.
Your word assures if I lack wisdom,
I can ask God who gives generously.
Thank You that the wisdom from
heaven is full of good fruit. Amen.

Lord, help us seek Your wisdom.
Open my ears to it and help me to
recognise wisdom when I hear it.
Give me the wisdom to know
what to do, how to do and the
courage to follow through on it.
And we know that even as we put
You God and Your agenda first
that You will satisfy all our needs.
In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.

Lord, help us not only to hear
and meditate on Your Words but
also to put them into practice
so that we can be like a wise man
who built his house on the rock.
Help us to be careful how we live,
not as the unwise but as wise,
making most of every opportunity
to be a source of blessing and to
lead others to Your kingdom. Amen

Remember God Delivers (Jun 25)

The rejection of a king after the
people’s heart (Saul) sets the stage
for the choice of a king after God’s
own heart (David).A young shepherd
with a disposition more suited to
the pasture than the palace, David
possesses few claims to fame.
He is a good marksman with a sling,
an excellent lyre player and the
youngest of eight sons from an
insignificant family in Bethlehem.
But his heart attitude is one of
undivided devotion; a quality readily
visible in the way David dispatches the Philistine giant Goliath and
handles Saul’s jealous attacks.

Lord, You’re For Us & Will Deliver:
Saul said to David: You are not
able to go against this Philistine;
for you are a youth, and he a
man of war from his youth…(But)
David said: The Lord who delivered
me from the paw of the bear,
He will deliver me from the hand
of this Philistine (1 Sam 17:33-37).
Then David said to the Philistine,
You came to me with a sword,
with a spear and with a javelin.
But I come to You in the name
of the Lord of hosts, the God of
Israel whom you have defiled…
So David prevailed over the
Philistine with a sling and a stone
and struck the Philistine and
killed him (1 Samuel 17:45-50).

Father God, just as You taught
David to trust You when he killed
the bear and the lion, prepare me
for the battles I will face one day.
And when I reach those battles,
remind me Lord that I had already
overcome in other situations and
that as You were with me then,
You will be with me. Give me the
courage of David to take up the
armour of God, For in that power,
I can overcome anything. Amen.

Lord, help us remember our
past deliverance and know that
the almighty God will continue
to be our Deliverer even today.
Help us have the same perspective
as David where size of the giant
and the challenge is irrelevant.
For in David’s eyes, Goliath was
puny when compared with U God.
Help us to be trained in the power
of God, fixing our eyes on You God,
then we’ll not fear the giant. Amen.

Lord, remind us that prayer is
not something that only happens
in the quietness of a moment.
Prompt us to cry out to You whilst
in battle & desperate moments for
deliverance may be a prayer away.
Strengthen our faith in You so that
we’ll not forget or give up praying.
And enable us to stand strong
in prayer, giving thanks for Your
presence and deliverance. Amen.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=tKkhzt-2Smo

Omnipotent God Cares For You

In a collection of prophecies, Isaiah
foretells the agent of comfort God
will use in delivering His people
(King Cyrus of Persia) & the means
of comfort God will employ (thro
destruction of idolatrous Babylon).
Isaiah taunts those who will put their
trust in images of stone or wood.
By contrast, God writes history
in advance, predicting kings by
name centuries before their birth.
No wonder God declares: “I am God
and there is none else; I am God,
and there is none like Me.” (46:9).

Lord, Praise You for being omni-
potent and there’s none like You.
Adore You for Your lovingkindness
and great care for us Your people.
Thank You for Your message to us
through prophet Isaiah: a message
of forgiveness, comfort and hope.
Lord, we seek Your Redemption.
Lord, we seek Your Deliverance.
Lord, we seek Your Enduring Care.
In Jesus’ mighty name, Amen.

Lord, we Return for Yr Redemption:
Remember these O Jacob & Israel,
for you are My servant; I have
formed you, you are My servant…
You my Saviour, have swept away
my offenses like a thick cloud,
and my sins like the morning mist.
You have redeemed me; therefore
I return to You (Isaiah 44:21-22).
Father God, I ask You to heal my
brokenness and fill my emptiness.
And I also ask You Lord to allow me
rest in the fact that my brokenness
and emptiness are in Your hands.
Enable me not to resent what
is broken but to trust that even
my weaknesses can be turned
for Your glory and my good. And
I know that what others might see
and reject, You Lord have accepted
and forgiven. Thank You Lord for
sweeping away my sins. Let me
live in that reality each day. Amen.

Lord, we Look to Your Deliverance:
Let the world look to me for salvation
for I am God; there is no other…
I have sworn by my own name;
I have spoke the Truth, and
I will never go back on my word.
The people will declare: The Lord
is the source of all my righteousness
and strength (Isaiah 45:22-24).
Lord, You are the God who saves
And we look to You not only for
our salvation but also deliverance.
Lord, You are the God of all Truth.
Your words are not opinions or
suggestions; but fact and certainties.
Grant me the faith to anchor myself
to Your words and never be moved.
Lord, I don’t understand why things
You promised are taking so long.
Thank You for welcoming honesty
for I am trusting You as source of righteousness and strength. Amen.

Lord, we Seek Your Endearing Care:
Listen to me, all you who are left in
Israel, I created you and have cared
for you since before you were born.
I will be your God throughout
your lifetime, until your hair is
white with age. I made you and
I will care for you. I will carry you
along and save you… I will bring
it to pass. I have purposed it.
I will also do it (Isa 46:3-4, v11).
Lord, help me realise that You are
my everlasting Father, intimately
acquainted with me and with
every moment of my entire life.
Help me to rely on You thro every
season of my life. Help me rest in
the knowledge even when I am old, You will still be Caring of me. Amen

God Cares & Will Help You (Jun 27)

The book of Isaiah has been likened
to a miniature Bible; it’s 66 chapters
paralleling the 66 books of the Old
and New Tastements. The first 39
chapters of the Old Testament,
proclaim judgment upon sinful
mankind. God’s patience is great,
but He will not allow persistent sin
to go unpunished. But beginning
with today’s section, the final 27
chapters of Isaiah like the 27 books
of the NT, proclaim a message of Comfort and hope. The Messiah
is coming to be the Savior of sinful people (c43). Therefore, Comfort
ye my people, says your God (40:1).

Lord, for Isaiah to declare comfort
after 39 chapters of judgment
may seem laughable and absurd.
But then thank God for Your great
love and care for Your people. And
Thank You for Your message to us
through prophet Isaiah: a message
of forgiveness, comfort and hope
looking forward to the Messiah.
Help us Wait for Your Timing and
Help us Seek for Your Help. Lord,
we will Thank & Praise You Always
for You will make a way for us. Amen

Lord, we will Wait for Your Timing:
Comfort my people, says your God.
Tell her that her sad days are gone,
that her iniquity is pardoned…
Make a straight highway through
the wasteland for our God! Fill in
the valleys & level the mountains…
The glory of the Lord will be seen…
Those who trust the Lord will find
strength. They will soar high on
wings like eagles. They will run
and not grow weary. They will
walk & not faint (Isa 40:1-5 & 31).
Lord, I want to experience Your
favour of straight highways and
levelled mountains and the
display of Your glory. Give me
assignments and put me in
position to reflect You visibly.
Refresh me with Your strength
and Your rhema word to Trust
You more even as I Wait upon You
for Your perfect timing. Amen.

Lord, we will Seek Your Help:
You are My servant, I have chosen you and have not cast you away:
Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes I will help you,
I will uphold you with My righteous
right hand… For I the Lord your God
will hold your right hand, saying:
Fear not, I will help you (Isa 41:9-13)
Lord, if I have misheard You,
I will trust You to correct me.
But until You do, I am hanging on
in faith. I reject doubt, fear, worry
and complaining. I won’t give up.
Lord, let Your love for me, Your presence and Your help – sink into
my heart as unshakable realities.
And I choose to trust that You Lord
are holding me by Your powerful
right hand. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Lord, we will Praise You Always:
Do not remember the former things
nor consider the things of old.
Behold I will do a new thing…
I will even make a road in the
wilderness & rivers in the desert…
I provide water in the desert and
streams in the wasteland, to give
drink to… my chosen, the people
I formed for myself that they may proclaim my praise (Isa 43:18-21).
Lord, I want to show reverence,
love, devotion and appreciation
for You as I lift You up in worship.
I praise You for who You are and
for all You have done in this world
and in my life. Help me to live
daily with praise and thanksgiving
in my heart so that I will fulfil my
greatest purpose and calling which
is to worship & glorify You. Amen.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=RsMAXhc0QTs

Transition to Kingship (Jun 27)

During this week we learn several
key lessons on the importance of
Pleading to the Lord, Listening and
Trusting Him to position ourselves
in order to encounter His presence.
On Monday, we learn from Hannah
in 1 Samuel 1 to Pray Earnestly to
the Lord & cast our cares upon Him.
On Tuesday, we learn from the prophet even as a child in 1 Sam 3
to Listen for the Lord Speaks.
On Wednesday, we learn fr 1 Sam 7
that God Is Our Mighty Helper.
On Thursday, we learn from 1 Sam 17 that God Is Our Deliverer.
On Friday, we learn from 1 Sam 30
that God Is Our Strength. Amen.

God Is Our Strength (Jun 26)

After months of running for his life,
David concludes that leaving Israel
is the only way to escape Saul’s relentless pursuit. By convincing
the Philistines he is a true defector,
David is given the city of Ziglapg
as his base of operations. But
instead of aiding the enemy,
David and his army methodically destroy Philistine strongholds.

Lord, You’re God of My Strength:
Now it happened when David and
his men came to Ziglag, on the third
day that the Amalekites had invaded
the South… attacked Ziklag and
burned it with fire, and had taken
captive of… those who were there…
Then David and the people who
were with him… wept until they
had no more power to weep…
Now David was greatly distressed
for the people spoke of stoning
him because the soul of all the
people was grieved, every man
for his sons and daughters.
But David Strengthen himself
in the Lord his God (1Sam 30:1-6).
God is my strong fortress; and
He makes me as surefooted as a
deer, leading me safely along the
mountain heights(2Sam 22:33-34)

Lord, we learnt from David that
we can strengthen ourselves in You.
For You are our strong fortress and
You are the God of my strength.
In You are power and might; and
in You we find all that we need when
we go out of gas or when weary.
Lord, Forgive us for doubting Your
strength and failing to access it
in our own life on a regular basis.
As your children we claim access to
Your strength, instead of trying to
walk in our own limited power. Amen

Lord, I need You for my strength is
limited but Your strength is endless.
Gird me with Your great strength
for I am weak but You are strong.
Strengthen my heart and resolve
when life seems so challenging.
Strengthen my mind to think
big because I serve a big God.
Strengthen my hands to do all
that You have called me to do.
In Jesus’ mighty name, Amen.

Lord, some of the challenges that
we face in life can make us feel
insecure and doubtful. Our fears
tell us that if we take a wrong step,
we will fall into danger or doubt.
But David used the feet of a feer
as a reminder of the assurance
of the strength that God provides.
His assurance and direction powers
us to do what we are called to do.
Lord as we claim the assurance,
put a spring in our steps as we follow
where You lead. In Jesus’ name.

God Is Our Deliverer (Jun 25)

The rejection of a king after the
people’s heart (Saul) sets the stage
for the choice of a king after God’s
own heart (David).A young shepherd
with a disposition more suited to
the pasture than the palace, David
possesses few claims to fame.
He is a good marksman with a sling,
an excellent lyre player and the
youngest of eight sons from an
insignificant family in Bethlehem.
But his heart attitude is one of
undivided devotion; a quality readily
visible in the way David dispatches the Philistine giant Goliath and
handles Saul’s jealous attacks.

Lord, You’re For Us & Will Deliver:
Saul said to David: You are not
able to go against this Philistine;
for you are a youth, and he a
man of war from his youth…(But)
David said: The Lord who delivered
me from the paw of the bear,
He will deliver me from the hand
of this Philistine (1 Sam 17:33-37).
Then David said to the Philistine,
You came to me with a sword,
with a spear and with a javelin.
But I come to You in the name
of the Lord of hosts, the God of
Israel whom you have defiled…
So David prevailed over the
Philistine with a sling and a stone
and struck the Philistine and
killed him (1 Samuel 17:45-50).

Father God, just as You taught
David to trust You when he killed
the bear and the lion, prepare me
for the battles I will face one day.
And when I reach those battles,
remind me Lord that I had already
overcome in other situations and
that as You were with me then,
You will be with me. Give me the
courage of David to take up the
armour of God, For in that power,
I can overcome anything. Amen.

Lord, help us remember our
past deliverance and know that
the almighty God will continue
to be our Deliverer even today.
Help us have the same perspective
as David where size of the giant
and the challenge is irrelevant.
For in David’s eyes, Goliath was
puny when compared with U God.
Help us to be trained in the power
of God, fixing our eyes on You God,
then we’ll not fear the giant. Amen.

Lord, remind us that prayer is
not something that only happens
in the quietness of a moment.
Prompt us to cry out to You whilst
in battle & desperate moments for
deliverance may be a prayer away.
Strengthen our faith in You so that
we’ll not forget or give up praying.
And enable us to stand strong
in prayer, giving thanks for Your
presence and deliverance. Amen.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=tKkhzt-2Smo

God Is Our Mighty Helper (Jun 24)

When faith in God wavers, faith
in man-made objects increases.
The people of Israel carry the
ark of the covenant into battle,
confident that its presence will
ensure victory over the Philistines.
Instead they suffer a shattering
defeat in which 30,000 lives were
lost the ark of covenant captured. Upon hearing the news prophet
Eli falls back and breaks his neck.
It remains for Samuel to assume
the reins of leadership and guide
the people back to repentance.

Lord, You Are Our Mighty Helper:
(Samuel) pleaded with the Lord
to help Israel & the Lord answered.
Just as Samuel was sacrificing
the burnt offering, the Philistines
arrived for battle. But the Lord
spoke with a mighty voice of
thunder from heaven, and the
Philistines were thrown into
such confusion that the Israelites
defeated them (1 Sam 7:9-10).
Then Samuel took a stone and
set it up between Mizpah & Shen,
and called its name Ebenezer,
saying: Thus far the Lord has
helped us. So the Philistines
were subdued, and they did not
come anymore into the territory
of Israel. And the hand of the Lord
was against the Philistines all
the days of Samuel (v12-13).

Lord, You tell us to pray and give
us Your Word to guide our prayers.
And when Your people pray, You
show up. That’s why at the site
of the Israelite victory, Samuel in
thanksgiving erected a monument
with the name Ebenezer, meaning
the stone of help. It reminds us
to ask God for the help we need today; and also not to forget to
thank You for the answers. Amen.

Lord, I praise You because You
are a God who hears and answers.
Just as You answered and moved
on behalf of Israel as they battled
their enemies, You move and work
today on behalf of Your people.
Thank You for calling all of Your
people – young and old, to pray
and seek Your help in these days.
In Jesus’ mighty name, Amen.

Lord, Thou fount of every blessing,
tune my heart to sing Thy grace.
Streams of mercy never ceasing,
call for songs of loudest praise.
Jesus sought me when a stranger,
wondering from the fold of God.
He, to rescue me from danger,
interposed His precious blood…
Lord, I raise my Ebenezer;
hither by Thy help I come.
Let Thy goodness like a fetter,
bind my wandering heart to Thee.
Prone to wander Lord I feel it;
prone to leave the God I love.
Here’s my heart, O take and seal it;
Seal it for Thy courts above. Amen.

Listen for the Lord Speaks (Jun 23)

The period of the judges is nearly
at an end. One last judge remains:
Samuel, a man of godly character
and integrity who will guide the
nation from judgeship to kingship.
Samuel’s early life parallels that
of another famous judge – Samson.
Both are the offspring of barren
women and the answer to fervent
prayer. Both are consecrated
to the Lord’s service from birth.
Both enter a society marked by
moral decline and spiritual apathy.
But while Samson spent much
of his life avoiding his calling,
Samuel does the opposite.
Even as a child he is quick to hear
and obey the Word of the Lord.

Lord, we will Listen for You Speak:
Then Eli realised it was the Lord
who was calling the boy. So he said
to Samuel: Go and lie down again
and if someone calls again, say:
Yes Lord, Your servant is listening.
So Samuel went back to bed.
And the Lord came and called
as before: Samuel! Samuel!
And Samuel replied: Yes, Your
servant is listening (1Sam 3:8-10).

Lord, I confess sometimes I don’t seek to hear Your voice or leading.
Sometimes I do know what You
want but I want something else and
I ignore Your leading. Sometimes
I need Your help but so stressed
that I dont know what to pray. But
I know that You know my deepest
needs and that You love me dearly.
So I quiet my heart to hear what
You may want to say to me. Amen.

Lord, quieten my heart and mind
so that I can hear You clearly.
Remove any distractions that
would keep me from being open
and attentive to what Your Spirit
may be impressing on my heart
and mind. Please make me humble
and receptive and willing to answer
obediently when You call on me.
For Your servant is listening. Amen.

Lord, I don’t just listen to You
in order to consider my options.
And I am not just paying attention
out of curiosity. For I really need
Your divine direction for my life.
I have decided that I am going
to do whatever You say, no matter
whether it defiles my expectation.
I have purposed to commit that
Your will is my command; for
You are good. So speak Lord
Your servant is listening. Amen.