Month: January 2021

Submit to His Kingship (Jan 24)

Zechariah addresses a question:
Should the remnant continue to
observe fasting to commemorate
the deportation to Babylon? God’s
answer: Justice & compassion are
more important that insincere fasts.
Zechariah then presents a glorious
picture of God’s future blessings
for the nation when there will be
feasting instead of fasting, a promise
designed to encourage the remnant
to live righteously in the present day.
Though horrible judgment would
fall on Israel’s neighbours, Israel
would be preserved for the long-
awaited day of her Messiah’s arrival.
The King of Zion would come riding
upon the colt of a donkey to defend
His people and defeat His enemies,
just as He promised. Yet in spite of
His offer of redemption, the King
would be rejected and betrayed.

The Messiah will come both to
rescue people from sin and to reign
as king. Everything will one day be
under His loving & powerful control.
The Messiah came as a servant
to die for us; and He will return
one day as a victorious king. Submit
to His lesdership now to be ready
for the king’s triumphant return.
Lord, we’ll Develop Heart of Worship.
Lord, we’ll Get Back to Work; and
Lord, we’ll Submit to Your Rule. Amen

Lord,we’ll develop heart of Worship:
Ask all the people of the land and
the priests: When you fasted and
mourned in the 5th and 7th months
for the past 70 years, was it really
for Me that you fasted? … Should
you not have obeyed the words
which the Lord proclaimed through
the former prophets (Zech 7:5-7).
Lord, help us to not get to the
point where we take You for granted.
Help us not take the things we do
for You lightly so that they lose
meaning in our heart. We know our
worshipping, praying and fasting
mean nothing to You if they mean
nothing to us. Help us do things
in a way that pleases You. Amen.

Lord, we will Get Back to Work:
Thus says the Lord of hosts:
Let your hands be strong…
that the temple might be built…
Among the… nations, Judah and
Israel became symbols of a cursed nation. But no longer! Now I will
rescue you and make you both
a symbol and a source of blessing.
So don’t be afraid. Be strong and
get on with rebuilding the Temple…
In these days I am determined to
do good to… the house of Judah.
Do not fear (Zechariah 8:9, 13-15).
Lord, please work in our family to
make us both a symbol and source
of blessing that comes thru Christ.
Make us strong so that we can get
on with being used by You Lord
to build Your spiritual Temple,
Your church in our day. Amen.

Lord, we’ll Submit to Your Rule:
Rejoice, O people of Zion! Shout
in triumph, O people of Jerusalem!
Look, your king is coming to you.
He is righteous and victorious,
yet He is humble, riding on a
donkey – riding on a donkey’s colt…
His dominion shall be from sea to
sea, and from the River to the ends
of the earth (Zechariah 9:9-10).
Lord, You came so gently and
humbly to us Your people. And
the world crucified You instead
of bowing to You. Forgive us.
Give us eyes to see that You Lord
are our good King and Master.
Overcome all resistance & rebellion.
Bring us under Your loving rule. Amen

Rebuilding and Returning (Jan 23)

Using colourful visions & consoling
sermons to portray God’s glorious
future plans for His covenant people,
Zechariah encourages the workers
engaged in rebuilding the temple.
Although early enthusiasm has
waned, the task is an important
one for the temple will be the
focal point of the ministry of
Israel’s coming Messiah.

The Jews were discouraged.
They were free from exile; and
yet the temple was not completed.
Zechariah encouraged them to
rebuild it and picks up the theme
of repenting and returning to God.
Gif is jealous for our devotion; and
we should turn to Him and obey Him.
Lord, we’ll Return To Your Love;
Lord, we’ll Walk In Your Ways and
Lord, we’ll Depend On Your Spirit.
In Jesus’ precious name we pray.

Lord, we’ll Return to Your Love:
In the second year of King Darius’
reign, the Lord gave this message
to Zechariah: I the Lord was very
angry with your ancestors. So say
to the people: This is what the
Lord Almighty says: Return to me
and I will return to you, says the
Lord Almighty (Zechariah 1:1-3).
Father, You are Lord of the universe
and yet You are also my friend.
May I not grieve Your Spirit but
rather Return the love that You
have given me without reservation.
I give You my heart over to You.
Thank You for walking with me
during difficult times. And I rejoice
in the peace & shelter of Your love
that comes from knowing U. Amen

Lord, we’ll Walk in Your Ways:
The angel of the Lord gave this
charge to Joshua: This is what the
Lord Almighty says: If you will walk
in My ways & keep My requirements,
then you will govern My house…
Listen O high priest Joshua and
your associates… I am going to
bring My servant the Branch…
and I will remove the sin of this
land in a single day (Zech 3:4-9).
Merciful Father, we have erred
and strayed from Your paths
like lost sheep. We have followed
too much the devices & desires of our own hearts, have mercy on us.
We praise You for removing the sin
of all Your people in a single day
through the sacrifice of Christ. And
we purpose to live for Him even
as He paid the price for us. Amen.

Lord, we’ll Depend on Your Spirit:
This is the word of the Lord to
Zerubbabel: Not by might not by
power, but by my Spirit, says the
Lord Almighty. Who are u, O great
mountain? Before Zerubbabel
shall become a plain (Zech 4:6-7)
Lord, forgive me for the times when
I try to do Your work in my way
and by my power. I acknowledge
I cannot do all You have called me
to do, except Your Spirit enables
me to do it. I depend on You to
help me get where I need to go
and guide me every step. Fill me
with Your Spirit & Do immeasurably
more than I ask or imagine. And I
praise You as the Almighty God for
whom nothing is too hard. Amen.

Knowing God thru His Names

The purpose of Exodus is to record
the events of Israel’s deliverance
from Egypt and devt as a nation.
This week we understand God
better thru His revelation of Himself
of various names, mostly related to
His ability to meet needs of people.
On Monday, we learn from Exo 3
our God is Eternal All Sufficient God.
On Tuesday, we learn from Exo 15
that our God is Lord Our Healer.
On Wed, we learn from Exodus 17
that our God is Lord My Banner.
On Thursday, we learn from Exo 20
our God is El Kanna The Jealous God.
On Friday, we learn from Exo 31 that
our God is The Lord Who Santifies U.
Let us humble ourselves and pray
and seek His face…In Jesus’ name.

The Lord Who Sanctifies You

After describing the place of worship
(the tabernacle), Moses goes on
to detail the people of worship
(the priests, Israel’s representatives
before God). Everything about them
is special, from the clothing they
wear to the elaborate rituals they
perform in leading the worship
of the nation. Both they and the
implements of worship they use
need special purification as befitting
those in the service of a holy God.

Praise Jehovah Mekaddishkem:
And I, indeed I have appointed
with him Aholiab… and I have put
wisdom in the hearts of all the
gifted artisans, that they may make
all that I have commanded you.
And the Lord said to Moses,
say unto the Israelites, Truly you
shall keep my Sabbaths, for it
is a sign between Me and you
throughout your generations that
you may know that I am the LORD
Who Sanctifies you (Exo 31:6, 12-13)

Jehovah Mekaddishkem, Thank You
for making me Yours and thank You
for setting me apart to be Your own.
Sanctify me Lord in Your truth, for
Your Word is truth. May my whole
spirit and soul be kept blameless
at Your coming Lord Jesus Christ.
I praise You for You have kept me
as Your own, set apart for Your work
and sanctified to do Your will. Amen

Lord Jehovah Mekaddishkem,
remember me with grace & mercy
and ask You to show me kindness.
Forgive me for giving myself to
things that are not holy. Forgive
me for not treating as sanctified
that which You have sanctified.
And forgive me for being careless
with my thots, words and actions.
In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.

Lord Jehovah Mekaddishkem,
You have chosen me as Your
ambassador on earth and I will
proclaim to all that I am Yours.
Open the doors I need to go
through and close the doors that
I should not step through. Set me
apart to accomplish everything
You have chosen for me to do.
In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.

El Kanna The Jealous God (Jan 21)

For the first time in four centuries,
the Israelites are free to worship
and walk with their holy God.
But how do they approach God?
What are His righteous demands?
At Mount Sinai Moses prepares the
pple to receive the Commandments ,
a body of law which they promise
to obey – even before it is delivered!
After two days of purification,
the nation witnesses an awesome
display of God’s majesty as He
descends in a thick cloud to deliver
the Ten Commandments, the broad
moral principles which will guide
the new nation and set it apart
from its pagan neighbours.

All Praise be to El Kanna:
I am the Lord your God, who
brought you out of the land of
Egypt, out of bondage. You shall
have no other gods before Me.
You shall not make for yourself
a carved image. You shall not bow
down to them nor worship them.
For I the Lord your God, am a
jealous God El Kanna (Exo 20:2-5)

El Kanna, You don’t want us
to worship idol, because
You are the only one true God.
You deserve to be a jealous God
as everything comes from You.
Thank You for restraining each time
we place something higher than You.
Thank You for being a jealous God
for it indicates how much You care.
For if You didn’t love us deeply
You would not be jealous. Amen.

El Kanna, You know how many
times I have gone to someone
before seeking Your presence
or wisdom in a given situation.
Lord, You have protected me
and granted me success and yet
I feel pride in what I misconstrue
to be my own doing. Forgive me El
Kanna for provoking Your jealousy.
Forgive my insensitivity & sin. Amen

El Kanna, we ask You to teach us
the ways to honour You in our lives;
in our thoughts, words and deeds.
Let our desires reflect Yr yearnings
and let our lips bring You delight.
We ask Lord for Your favour that
we might have a life that truly
respects You and bless others.
And enable us to give You the
praise that is truly due You. Amen.

Lord My Banner Jehovah Nissi

When Israel left Egypt, there were
two things the people could do well:
make bricks and complain. And
as supplies decrease, complains
increase. When their resources
run out, God supplies manna,
quail and water in abundance to
demonstrate that He is now their
reliable source of supply. And Israel
fights and wins its first military battle.

All Praise be to Jehovah Nissi:
Joshua fought with Amalek
while Moses, Aaron and Hur
went up to the top of the hill.
And so it was, when Moses held
up his hand that Israel prevailed
and when he let down his hand,
Amalek prevailed. But Moses’
hands became heavy. Aaron and
Hur supported his hands and his
hands were steady. So Joshua
defeated Amelek. And Moses
built an altar and called its
name: The LORD Is My Banner
Jehovah Nissi (Exodus 17:10-15)

Jehovah Nissi, I worship You for
being the banner over my life.
When I face trials and troubles,
I can look to You to cover me.
You have said that in the world
I will face tribulation but that
You have overcome the world!
Thank You for being my banner
and for helping me to move forward and let the past be the past. Amen.

Jehovah Nissi, I’ve wasted much
time fearing for things that I should
have looked to You to handle.
Lord, forgive me for the times
I have doubted by turning to my
fears rather than turning to You.
You promised in Your Word that
I will find You if I will seek You.
So I seek You Jehovah Nissi as
my banner and my victory. Amen.

Jehovah Nissi, You are my banner.
And without You the storms of life
come upon me and overwhelm me.
You are good and You are strong;
and I ask You to help translate
that knowledge into my emotions.
Then I will feel secure and at peace
in the midst of life’s storms even as
I look to You Jehovah Nissi as my
banner and my strong arm. Amen.

Lord our Healer Jehovah Rapha

Delivering the people from Egyptian
bondage is only the first step in
God’s plan to bring the Israelites
to the Promised Land of Canaan.
Many obstacles lie ahead. Pharaoh
whose heart is again hardened,
sends his armies in pursuit of Moses
and the people. Trapped between
the Red Sea and the rapidly
approaching chariots of Egypt,
the people cry out in desperation –
and God answers in a miracle.

All Praise be to Jehovah Rapha:
Moses cried to the Lord for help
& the Lord showed him a branch.
Moses took the branch and threw
it into the water. This made the
water good to drink. It was there
at Marah that the Lord test their
faithfulness to him: if you will obey
His commands, then I’ll not make
you suffer the diseases I sent
on the Egyptians, for I am the
Lord Who Heals (Jehovah Rapha)
you (Exodus 15:25-26). Amen.

Jehovah Rapha, You can remove
sickness, reverse disease and
bring about healing in our bodies.
We may look to physicians and
medicine to heal us but You have
the final say. We praise You for
Your power & willingness to heal.
And grateful that when we cry to
You in time of trouble, You will save
us from distress by sending forth
Your word and healing us. Amen.

Jehovah Rapha, forgive us for
harming our body by not resting
enough, exercising consistently
or not eating well. Forgive us for
not treasuring our body treating
it with value that it deserves as
your creation and temple. Forgive
us for not trusting in your healing
power and worrying what might
be wrong in our or relative’s body.

Jehovah Rapha, heal our heart
where bitterness has taken hold.
Heal our body where sickness
has crept in. Heal our soul where
doubt plagues us; and heal our
hopes when we have given up.
Heal our thoughts so that we will
think that which is lovely and Heal
our words so we speak kindness.
And remind us to care for our body
that You’ve given to enjoy life. Amen

Eternal All-Sufficient God Ehyeh

With his long period of desert exile
drawing to a close, Moses becomes
God’s choice to lead the people
out of bondage. When confronted
by God in the burning bush, Moses
is far from convinced he is the
right man for the job! But once his
objections have been answered,
Moses confronts Pharaoh, armed
with supernatural signs. True to
God’s prediction, Pharaoh not only
refuses to let the people go, but
increases their labours as well.
As the people react with anger,
God responds with assurance that
His nation will indeed be redeemed.

Praise be to Ehyeh Asher Ehyeh:
Then Moses said to God:
Indeed, when I come to the
children of Israel and say to them:
The God of your fathers has sent
me to you and they say to me:
What is His name? what shall I say
to them? And God said to Moses:
I AM WHO I AM (Ehyeh Asher Ehyeh)
And He said: Thus you shall say
to the children of Israel: I AM has
sent me to you (Exodus 3:13-14).

Ehyeh Asher Ehyeh, all praise to U for
there’s so much power in Your name
for You are the All-Sufficient One.
By Your name, You control the
outcome of nations; and You led
the Israelites into freedom assuring
them that You are All-Sufficient.
And Your sufficiency makes me
whole for I am after all Your child.
In Jesus’ mighty name, Amen.

Ehyeh Asher Ehyeh, whilst You
hold the world in Your hands,
we confess our insufficiency in
the light of Your all-sufficiency.
Pardon the impatience we feel
when something goes wrong at
home, at work, or in a relationship.
Forgive any bitterness and doubts
that You Lord are totally good,
mighty and fair; and that You are
completely sufficient for us. Amen.

Ehyeh Asher Ehyeh, You are the
great I AM and beyond my capacity
of thinking and understanding.
But I trust You and pray that Your
Spirit will graciously pray into my
life the things that You want me
to accomplish and experience.
Empower me to cooperate with
You as You manifest Your kingdom.
In Jesus’ mighty name, Amen.

Getting Priorities Right (Jan 17)

Consider your ways & Finish what
you have begun are the resounding
calls of prophet Haggai as he tries
to awaken the people spiritually.
They have just returned from exile
in Babylonia and are discouraged
by the destruction in the city.
But Haggai’s message brings
encouragement, particularly to the
governor, Zerubbabel, who must
inspire the people. I am with you,
declares the Lord as the people are
called to rebuild and fight against
future oppression. There is hope and
future blessing for their obedience!

God had given the Jews assignment
to finish the temple in Jerusalem
when they returned from captivity.
After 15 years, they still had not
completed it. They were more
concerned about building their own
homes than finishing God’s work.
Prophet Haggai told them to get
their priorities straight. Dear Lord
it’s easy to make other priorities more
important than doing God’s work.
But God wants us to follow through
and build up the kingdom of God.
Help us not to make excuses but
to set our hearts on what is right.
Help us to Get our Priorities Right.
Help us to Be Strong & Courageous.
Help us to Put our Trust In You. For
You’re Way Maker & Promise Keeper.

Lord, we’ll Get Priorities Right:
Consider your ways! Go up to the
mountains and bring wood and
build the temple, that I may take
pleasure in it and be glorified,
says the Lord. You expected much,
but see, it turned out to be little.
What u brought home, I brew away.
Why? declares the Lord Almighty.
Because of my house, which
remains a ruin, while each of you is
busy with his own house (Hag1:8-9)
Lord, help me to not be concerned
with outward appearance and
selfish pursuits, but rather to be
concerned with spiritual growth,
unselfish service, the condition
of our hearts and the things that
touch the hearts of You God.
Help me to have my priorities
in order so that my walk with
You continues to grow closer
and deeper over time. Amen.

Lord, we’ll be Strong & Courageous:
Yet now be strong Zerubbabel,
says the Lord; and be strong
Joshua the high priest; and be
strong all you people of the land,
says the Lord, and work; for I am
with you, says the Lord of hosts.
My Spirit remains among you,
just as I promised when you
came out of Egypt. So do
not be afraid (Haggai 2:4-5).
Lord, sometimes You God gives
us challenging tasks to do. And
they may seem completely out
of our reach; and we may feel
like just give up, thinking the job
is impossible. But Lord, no job
is impossible when You God
tells us it’s part of Your plan
and You say it’s time to do it.
Empower us Lord with Your
wisdom & perseverance. Amen.

Lord, we Trust You Keep Promises:
It is… the day in which the people
finished working on the foundation
of the Temple of the Lord…
from now on I will bless you!
Then the Lord spoke His word
a second time to Haggai… He said:
I will… talked away the power
of the kingdoms of the nations…
On that day I will take you,
Zerubbabel… my servant says the
Lord, and I will make you important…
because I have chosen you!
says the Lord (Haggai 2:18-23).
Lord, we note that as the stones
of the temple have obediently
been laid, You God declares
Yourself as the one who blesses.
And we praise You for we know
in Christ, You God is for us and
want to bless us abundant life.
We also note You promise that
Zerubbabel will rise to prominence.
And the birth of Christ proves You
are a faithful promise keeper. Amen.