September 28, 2020

Preview on Ezekiel (Sep 26)

Lord’s Judgment & Restoration

As the Bible is arranged by genre,
to enhance understanding context we’re meditating by time sequence.
OT1A: Genesis
OT1B: Poetry Book of Job
OT1C: Life of Moses (Exo to Deut)
OT2A: History to David (Josh-1Chr)
OT2B: Five Books of Psalms
OT2C: 1 Kings & Wisdom Poetry
OT3A: 2 Kings & Prophets
OT3B: 2 Chronicles & Prophets
OT3C: Return From Exile & Prophets

2 Chronicles spans four centuries of
Judah’s history from glory days of
Solomon to end of Babylonian Exile.
Moving to prophets, Isaiah’s ministry
spans reigns of four kings of Judah
(722-681BC) stressing holiness
of God and coming of the Messiah.
Then five minor prophets to Judah
including Obadiah (840BC) and
Joel (830) as well as Micah (735-10)
Zephaniah (630) & Habakkuk (607).
Then Jeremiah written 627 to urge
God’s people to turn from their sins
followed by Lamentations (586 BC).
Next, Ezekiel written about 571 BC.

Ezekiel born as a priest but ministers
as a prophet during the last days
of the decline and fall of Judah.
While Jeremiah stays in Jerusalem
Ezekiel preaches to exiles in Babylon.
Similar to Jeremiah in pronouncing
God’s severe judgment on the
faithless nation, Ezekiel also adds
a blessed note of hope – God’s
promise of a restored nation in
the future. Emphasising the glory
of the Sovereign God, Ezekiel
portrays God’s purpose through
both judgment and blessing “that
all might know that I am the Lord.”

We will meditate Ezekiel over four
weekends over following 8 divisions:
Ezek 1-6: Signs and Sermons
Ezek 7-11: Departing Glory
Ezek 12-19: Parables of Judgment
Ezek 20-23: Pictures of Sin
Ezek 24-32: Judgment of Enemies
Ezek 33-36: New Life for Israel
Ezek 37-39: Revived Bones
Ezek 40-48: Revived Worship
Lord, Your message of judgment
points to Your unchanging holiness;
but You also have messages of
restoration & hope for the people.
Grant us grace Lord to submit
to Your rule in our life. Amen.

September 28, 2020September 28, 2020

Preview on Lamentations (Sep 19)

Weeping Over Judgment

God’s warning had come through
the prophet Jeremiah but the people
of Judah had refused to listen.
In 586BC as the Babylonian army
attacked, judgment was poured
out on the city and the people
were carried into exile. Jerusalem
lay ruined and empty. For days
Jeremiah lamented over the city
and its future. As he cries out
in the darkness of destruction,
Jeremiah is given a spark of hope.
God promises forgiveness & grace.
The period of judgment is limited,
and in His mercy God will restore
the city and return the captives.
Lord, You are calling people to turn
from their sins and back to You.
Grant us grace Lord to submit
to Your rule in our life. Amen.

September 28, 2020February 4, 2021

Experiencing God In Luke 1

Believe the Word of God (Sep 28)

Dr Luke – physician, historian
and writer of the longest gospel
account clearly states his purpose
for writing in the opening verses:
That thou might know the certainty
of those things thou has instructed
He begins with details surrounding
the miraculous birth of John the
forerunner and Jesus the Messiah.

Lord, we Will Believe Your Word:
The angel said: Do Not be afraid,
Zacharias, for your prayer is heard;
your wife will bear you a son,
and you shall call his name John…
But behold you will be mute until
the day these things take place
because u did Not Believe my words
which will be fulfilled (Lk 1:13-20)
The angel said: Behold you will
conceive in your womb and bring
forth a Son and shall call His name
Jesus… For with God nothing
will be impossible. Then Mary
said: Let It Be to me According
To Your Word (Luke 1:31-38).
You are Blessed Because You
Believed what the Lord would do
what He said (Luke 1:45). Amen.

Lord, there may be difficulties
in our lives that lingered So Long
that they seem like impossibilities.
But nothing is too difficult for God.
In fact U prefer impossible situation
where Yr power is visibly displayed.
Help us Lord not be discouraged
by the Long unyielding situations.
Help us to endure the long periods
that require faith and patience.
Help us to Wait and Believe for
nothing is impossible with U. Amen.

Lord, even when things does
Not Make Sense, remind me that
Your Word is the ultimate truth.
Even when my faith is weak
and hidden, your promises can
bring it to pass out of hiding.
And I embrace Your promises,
even though they may seem
as impossible because You are
the God who can create new
things out of nothing. Amen.

Lord, help me not to focus on the
problem & be afraid like Zacharias
but instead learn to take courage
like Mary focusing solely on You.
And I embrace Your promises like
Mary and rest the weight of my
circumstance on Your sure word.
For after all You are the God of
the impossible and I rest in You.
And Lord, I look forward to Receive
the Blessing thro Believing. Amen.