Month: February 2021

Lord My Shepherd Jehovah Rohi

The Lord can be seen in
different roles in Psalm 19-24.
He is the Creator (Psalm 19),
the Helper (Ps 20), the King (Ps 21),
Crucified One (Ps 22), the Shepherd
(Ps 23) & the Glorious One (Ps 24).
For each role, there is a related
responsibility for the people who
would follow Him as their God
and King, Shepherd and Sovereign.

Praise be to Jehovah Rohi:
The Lord is my shepherd
Jehovah Rohi I shall not be in want.
He makes me lie down in green
pastures, He leads me besides
quiet waters, He restores my soul.
He guides me in paths of
righteousness for His name’s sake.
Yea, though I walk through the
valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil; for You are
with me; Your rod and Your staff,
they comfort me (Psalm 23:1-4).

Lord Jehovah Rohi, You’re my good
shepherd, so I shall lack nothing.
Thank You for constantly looking
out for my well-being even
when I’m not doing so myself.
Thank You Lord for being my
shepherd who knows what’s best
and leads me in that direction.
Thank You for because of You
goodness and mercy will follow
me all the days of my life. Amen.

Lord Jehovah Rohi, sometimes
I feel as if I am in want and look at
things I don’t have and covet them.
Forgive me for discontent; for as
shepherd, You’ve given me all I need.
When I feel lack, it’s not because
You have not provided for me.
But rather it’s more because I have
disregarded what You’ve given me.
Forgive my lack of thought and
perhaps even ingratitude. Amen.

Lord Jehovah Rohi, guide me on
the right path for I can’t always see
which way to go & what decision
to make. I need You to be my
shepherd and show me the way.
Help me learn how to listen to
You even better than I do now.
Tune my heart and mind to hear
Your voice so that I will follow You
more clearly and easily. Amen.

Growth of the Church (Feb 28)

The advance of the gospel is all
too soon opposed by adversaries
of the gospel. Attacks from without
and within threaten to fracture
the body of believers in Jerusalem.
Selfish lies (c5), ethnic squabbles
(c6) & brutal martyrdom (c7) each
falls upon the young congregation.
However, prompt discipline,
wise leadership and unflinching
commitment serve to enlarge
the church as the number of the
disciples multiplies in Jerusalem.

Dear Lord, thank you for the
book of Acts which records the
growth of the Christian church.
Our faith is supernatural and we
need to be more Spirit’s conscious.
For when the Holy Spirit work, there
is power, excitement and growth.
Help us Lord to be more disciplined,
wise and committed to You.
Help us Obey You above all else.
Help us Pray for Church leadership.
Help us Keep Holy unto You.
In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.

Lord, we purpose to Obey You:
Peter and the apostles replied:
We must obey God rather than
any human authority. The God
of our ancestors raised Jesus
from the dead after you killed
Him by hanging him on a cross.
Then God put Him in the place
of honour at His right hand as
prince and Saviour (Acts 5:29-31).
Lord Jesus, we praise You as
Saviour and Prince of peace.
Thank You Father God for raising
Your Son from the dead and
seating Him at Your right hand
in the place of highest honour.
We worship You and give You
all praise and love because
You are worthy of our obedience
rather than any human authority.
In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.

Lord, we’ll Pray for Church Leaders:
Brethren, seek out 7 men of good
reputation, full of the Holy Spirit
and wisdom, whom we may appoint
over this business; but we will give
ourselves continually to prayer and ministry of the word… And they choose Stephen, a man full of
faith and the Holy Spirit & Phillip…
and when they had prayed, they
laid hands on them (Acts 6:3-6).
Lord, grant me a heart to spend
time with you and be ready to pray.
Open my heart to understand the
privilege to access Your throne.
Pray the leadership of the church
be more in line with Your heartbeat.
Bless the pastors, staff members
and their families, that they be led
by Your Spirit, be kept safe from
attacks of the enemy and stand
strong against temptation. Amen.

Lord, our body is Your Temple:
The Most High does not dwell
in temples made with hands,
as the prophet says: Heaven is
My throne and earth is My footstool.
What house will you build for Me?
says the Lord, or what is the place
of My rest? Has My hand not made
all these things (Acts 7:48-50).
Father God, and Thank You for
the blood of Jesus and the work
of Your Holy Spirit. I submit that
my body is the temple of the
Holy Spirit and the Lord has
all rights to my temporal body.
Hence, I purpose not to defile
it with misuse including gluttony,
drunkenness and immorality.
For my body is the temple of the
Holy Spirit, redeemed and cleansed
by the blood of Christ Jesus, Amen.

Empowering of the Holy Spirit

Luke 24 presents only a brief
glimpse of Christ’s ascension.
Now in the book of Acts, Luke
resumes his narrative by filling
in the details he omitted from
his gospel account. With Jesus’
last words of instruction still ringing
in their ears, the disciples go forth
speaking words of eternal life,
first to the Jews and then to the
Jewish officials. Visited by their
resurrected Lord and empowered
by the promised Comforter,
they fearlessly follow their
marching orders in spite of
mocking, threats & physical abuse.

Dear Lord, thank You for the
book of Acts which records the
growth of the Christian church.
Our faith is supernatural and
we need to be more Spirit’s
conscious rather than problem
conscious as well as claim Holy
Spirit’s power to do Christ’s work.
Help us Be Devoted In Prayer.
Help us Be Open to Holy Spirit.
Help us Be Gospel Minded.
In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.

Lord, we’ll Stay Devoted in Prayer:
Then they returned to Jerusalem…
they went up into the upper room…
Peter, James, John and Andrew…
These all continued with one
accord in prayer and supplication,
with the women and Mary
the mother of Jesus and with
His brothers (Acts 1:12-14).
And they continued steadfastly
in the apostles’ teaching and to
the fellowship & to prayer (A2:42)
Lord, help me to be diligent to
study Your Word; and teach me
so that I can understand it well.
Help me to be in communion with
other believers to discern Your will.
Enable me to maintain direct line
to You by praying constantly as
You bring things to my mind that
need to be covered in prayer. Amen.

Lord, we’ll be Open to Holy Spirit:
On the day of Pentecost, seven
weeks after Jesus’ resurrection,
the believers were meeting
together in one place. Suddenly,
there was a sound from heaven
like the roaring of a mighty wind
storm in the skies above them,
and it filled the house where they
were meeting… And they were filled
with the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:1-4).
Lord, grant us the same unity
and fervency in prayer that Your
followers had in the upper room.
We long to see Your kingdom
expand, Your Spirit poured out
in power and the accomplishment
of Your will & purpose in our time.
Give us hearts that take an active
role in laying the tracks for Your
Spirit’s work in our generation.
In Jesus’ mighty name, Amen.

Lord, we will Share the Gospel:
Then Peter filled with the Holy
Spirit said to them: Rulers of
the people and elders of Israel:
… There is no other name under
heaven given among men by
which we must be saved. Now
when they saw the boldness of
Peter and John… they marveled.
And they realised that they had
been with Jesus (Acts 4:8, 12-13).
Lord, I ask that You would open
the eyes of my friends, loved ones
as well as the areas of influence
to see Your great salvation. And
I ask that You will give me the
appropriate boldness to see
opportunities as they arise.
And I pray that words be given me
that I may open my mouth boldly
to make known the mystery of
the gospel. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Growth of the Church

As the Bible is arranged by genre,
to enhance understanding context
we had been meditating scripture
by time sequence in 25 months
over three Old Testament phases:
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: Post Exilic Period & Prophets
Earlier this month we meditated
on John gospel where we learnt
Jesus Christ as Son of God and that
believing we have life in His name.

Next, beginning with a frightened
band of disciples in an upper room,
Acts traces the outpouring of the
Holy Spirit in Jerusalem following
the ascension of Christ, and the
subsequent spread and growth
of Christianity throughout the
Roman Empire. Written by Luke,
Acts records the fulfilment of
Jesus’ Great Commission as
Spirit-transformed disciples carry
the gospel to Jerusalem… Judea
and the uttermost part of the earth.

We will meditate Acts over five
weekends in following divisions:
Acts 1-4: Spirit of the Church
Acts 5-7: Growth of the Church
Acts 8-12: Persecution & Expansion
Acts 13-20: Paul’s Mission Journeys
Acts 21-28: Lessons fr Paul’s Trials
Lord, even as we learn of the growth
of the church, may we be challenged
to witness for Christ for His glory.
In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.

Knowing God thru His Names

The purpose of Psalms is to provide
poetry for the expression of praise,
worship and confession to God.
Psalms Book 1 is similar to Genesis
as these psalms discuss humans as
blessed, fallen & redeemed by God.
This week we understand God better
thru His revelation of names, mostly
related to His ability to meet needs.
On Monday, we learn from Psalm 4
about God of My Righteousness.
On Tuesday, we learn from Psalm 9
about Stronghold in Trouble Times.
On Wed we learn from Psalm 18
about The Lord My Deliverer.
On Thursday, we learn from
Psalm 20 about O Lord Save.
On Friday, we learn from Psalm 23
about The Lord My Shepherd.
Let us humble ourselves and pray
and seek His face…In Jesus’ name.

The Lord My Shepherd Jehovah Rohi

The Lord can be seen in
different roles in Psalm 19-24.
He is the Creator (Psalm 19),
the Helper (Ps 20), the King (Ps 21),
Crucified One (Ps 22), the Shepherd
(Ps 23) & the Glorious One (Ps 24).
For each role, there is a related
responsibility for the people who
would follow Him as their God
and King, Shepherd and Sovereign.

Praise be to Jehovah Rohi:
The Lord is my shepherd
Jehovah Rohi I shall not be in want.
He makes me lie down in green
pastures, He leads me besides
quiet waters, He restores my soul.
He guides me in paths of
righteousness for His name’s sake.
Yea, though I walk through the
valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil; for You are
with me; Your rod and Your staff,
they comfort me (Psalm 23:1-4).

Lord Jehovah Rohi, You’re my good
shepherd, so I shall lack nothing.
Thank You for constantly looking
out for my well-being even
when I’m not doing so myself.
Thank You Lord for being my
shepherd who knows what’s best
and leads me in that direction.
Thank You because of You surely
goodness and mercy will follow
me all the days of my life. Amen.

Lord Jehovah Rohi, sometimes
I feel as if I am in want and look at
things I don’t have and covet them.
Forgive me for discontent; for as
shepherd, You’ve given me all I need.
When I feel lack, it’s not because
You have not provided for me.
But rather it’s more because I have
disregarded what You’ve given me.
Forgive my lack of thought and
perhaps even ingratitude. Amen.

Lord Jehovah Rohi, guide me on
the right path for I can’t always see
which way to go & what decision
to make. I need You to be my
shepherd and show me the way.
Help me learn how to listen to
You even better than I do now.
Tune my heart and mind to hear
Your voice so that I will follow You
more clearly and easily. Amen.

O Lord Save Jehovah Hoshiah

Backgrounder: The Lord can be
seen in different roles in Ps 19-24.
He is the Creator (Psalm 19),
the Helper (Ps 20), the King (Ps 21),
Crucified One (Ps 22), the Shepherd
(Ps 23) & the Glorious One (Ps 24).
For each role, there is a related
responsibility for the people who
would follow Him as their God
and King, Shepherd and Sovereign.

Praise be to Jehovah Hoshiah:
May the Lord answer you in the day
of trouble; may (He) defend you.
May He send you help from
the sanctuary, and strengthen
you out of Zion (Psalm 20:1-2).
Some trust in chariots, and some
in horses; but we will remember
the name of the Lord our God…
Save Lord! (Jehovah Hoshiah)
May the King answer us
when we call (Psalm 20:7-9).

Lord Jehovah Hoshiah, You are
the God who saves Your people
from the miry pit and crowns
them with Your lovingkindness.
You hold all things together; and
You alone have the power to save.
Thank You for saving us from sins
by sending Your Son Jesus Christ.
And Thank You for saving us when
we call on You. In Jesus’ name, Amen

Lord, forgive us for not calling
on Your name in times of need.
Have mercy on us and restore
our hearts and minds to You.
I look to You Lord to save me
from the valley and ask You to
intervene and grant me grace
to trust You with the results.
Reverse the setback and bring
about blessing instead. Amen.

Lord Jehovah Hoshiah, look
with tender mercy and save.
Heal my wounds Lord and cover
them with Your loving grace.
Give me eyes to see where You’re
leading me and a compassionate
heart toward others who are
experiencing challenges of life.
And use me to encourage someone
as You have encouraged me. Amen.

The Lord My Deliverer (Feb 24)

Backgrounder: In sharp contrast
to the fate of the fool who denies
God’s existence (Ps 14), many
blessings accrue to the one who
serves God with a whole heart:
joyfulness (Ps 13), fellowship with
God (Ps 15), satisfaction (Ps 16),
preservation (Ps 17) & confidence
in facing the future (Psalm 18).

All Honor & Praise be to Jehovah
Mephalti The Lord My Deliverer:
I will love You O Lord, my strength.
The Lord (Jehovah) is my rock,
my fortress and my deliverer
(Mephalti); my God is my rock,
in whom I take refuge, my shield
and the horn of my salvation,
my stronghold. I call to the Lord
and I am saved (Psalm 18:1-3).

Lord Jehovah Mephalti, You are
the deliverer; You are the fortress
and You are the rock. And whoever
who is in You will surely be saved.
I praise You for You are powerful.
I praise You for You are my deliverer.
I praise You for You are my Saviour.
Thank You for whispering time and
again Your promises of deliverance.
In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.

Lord, sometimes anxiety and fear
creep into our thoughts to cause
us to doubt Your power and might
and the willingness to deliver us.
And we turn our thoughts to
what we could lose rather than
trusting in Your sovereign power.
Forgive us for not trusting Your
impending deliverance in times of
distress. In Jesus’ precious name.

Jehovah Mephalti, financial,
emotional and physical attacks
can rob us of joy, hope & peace.
Lord Mephalti, may this name
be at the forefront of my mind
so I know with full assurance You
as my deliverer are stronger than
anything that comes against me.
Give me the peace that comes
with trust. And Give me the grace
that comes with hope. Amen.

Stronghold In Times of Trouble

All but one of psalms 7-12,
begins with a cry of lament:
“O Lord my God,” “O Lord,””Lord.”
These short but potent songs
express the psalmist’s desire
that justice prevail (Psalm 7),
that the wicked be brought low
(Psalm 9-10), and that God’s holy
name be exalted (Psalm 8,11-12)

All Praise to God Our Stronghold:
I will praise You O Lord,
with my whole heart; I will tell
of all Your marvellous works.
I will be glad and rejoice in You;
I will sing praise to Your name,
O Most High (Psalm 9:1-2).
The Lord is a refuge for the
oppressed, a stronghold in times
of trouble. Those who know
Your name will trust in You,
for You Lord have never forsaken
those who seek You (Ps 9:9-10).

Lord, I lift up Your name in praise
because You alone are my
salvation and my stronghold.
Thank You Lord for Your strength;
and thank You God for providing
a place to run to in times of need.
You provide a way out of troubles
where there seems to be no way.
In You alone I find my stronghold
to which I run for safety. Amen.

Lord, sometimes I feel squeezed
by life’s demands and pressures
that I forget to put my trust in You.
God, I’m sorry for being so short-
sighted and letting my trials
and fears overwhelm my thoughts
that I neglect to run to You,
my stronghold with the needs.
Have mercy on me for forgetting
that I can hope in You in all things.
Remind me Lord in those times of
Your ever-present help in times
of trouble. In Jesus’ mighty name.

Lord, we pray for those who don’t
know You as their stronghold,
the one who is waiting to provide
them with help and with hope.
Lord, I lift up to You my loved ones
and friends who are not close to You.
Draw them with Your loving care;
and show them that in the midst
of their trials that You are there
for them, ever ready to provide
a shield against the storms of life.
Open my mouth to share of Your
love and care & make me a witness
of Your hope to those in need. Amen.

God of My Righteousness

The first six psalms form a fitting
introduction to the entire Psalter.
In them you will learn the
importance of meditating
on God’s Word (Psalm 1),
acknowledging the Lord as King
(Ps 2), and constantly being
devoted to prayer in gospel
in good times and in bad (Psa 3-6).

Praise be to Elohe Tsadeki:
Answer me when I call, O God
of my righteousness (Elohe
Tsadeki)! You have relieved me
in my distress; Be gracious to me
and hear my prayer (Psa 4:1).
How long… will You turn
my glory to shame?…
But know that the Lord has
set apart for Himself him who
is godly; The Lord will hear
when I call to Him (Ps 4:2-3).

Lord Elohe Tsadeki, thank You
for the power of Your righteousness
for from You flow might & strength.
Your righteousness also brings about
the beauty we see in one another
in acts of kindness, intimacy & love.
None of these are possible apart
from You because goodness stem
from the core of who You are.
In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.

Lord Elohe Tsadeki, I confess
my unrighteousness to You and
acknowledge the guilt of my sin.
Where I have failed to promote
You as king and Lord forgive me.
Where I have wronged others,
forgive the pain I’ve caused them.
Help me to mend my broken
relationships. And make me
a vessel of Your righteousness,
peace, grace and mercy. Amen.

Lord Elohe Tsadeki, we pray for
our communities for we are in need
of knowing this name of Yours.
Pour out Your righteousness
into our hearts. Give us relief
especially from divisions and
strife that comes from self-
centredness and silo mentality.
Instead engulf us with Your spirit
of love, grace and mercy. Amen.