Month: June 2021

God who Keeps Promises (Jun 10)

Habakkuk prophesies in Judah
before its overthrow by Babylonia. Honestly concerned with how God could chasten Judah by means of
a nation even more sinful than itself,
Habakkuk deals with perplexing
questions: Why is a just God silent? Why do the pleas of the faithful seem
to go unheard? The reply comes in the statement of a timeless principle
of God’s sovereignty: God will deal with the wicked in His way and
in His time. Meanwhile righteous
people must continue to trust God.

Lord, we Trust by Waiting on You:
I will stand my watch & set myself
on the watch tower. And watch
to see what He will say to me…
Then the Lord answered me:
The vision is yet for an appointed
time; but at the end it will speak,
and it will not lie. Though it tarries,
Wait for it; because it will surely
come, it will not tarry. Behold the
proud… is not upright; but the just
shall live by his Faith (Hab 2:1-4).
Though the fig trees does not bud,
there are no grapes on the vines
and the olive crop fails… yet I will
rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful
in God my Savior. The Sovereign
Lord is my strength (Hab 3:17-19).

Lord, we praise You for Your
lovingkindness & Your faithfulness.
We thank You Lord for recording
Your Word for us so that through endurance, the encouragement
of scriptures and of Your Spirit,
we might have confident hope.
Thank You that Your rhema word
will surely come to pass and
grant us the strength to wait
upon You. In Jesus’ mighty name.

Lord, we note that to trust God
fully means to trust Him even
when we do not understand
why events occur as they do.
Help us Lord to live by Faith by Waiting upon You and trust that You
God will direct all things according
to Your purpose, Your way and
Your time. In Jesus’ mighty name.

Merciful and faithful Lord, I pray
especially over people right now
who are experiencing loss,
who are experiencing suffering,
who are undergoing severe trial,
who are walking through tough
health challenge even facing death.
God, I pray for joy in suffering.
God, I pray for a satisfaction in You;
God, I pray for a strength from You,
a joy in You that supersedes the hardest circumstances. Amen.

God who shows Unfailing Love

Micah describes God’s people on
trial. The charges against Israel:
halfhearted worship, persistent rebellion, hypocrisy, greed & idolatry.
The verdict can only be guilty.
The sentence: a generation of exile
in Babylon. Yet the message of
Micah is not complete until he
preached the richness of God’s
forgiveness and grace. Micah knows
that God’s discipline only comes
within the context of His ever-
lasting love. The aftermath of His
wrath brings mercy & forgiveness.

Lord will Bring Us Out of Darkness
for He delights in Unfailing Love:
Do not gloat over me, my enemy!
Though I have fallen, I will rise.
Though I sit in darkness, the Lord
Will Be My Light. Because I have
sinned against Him, I will bear
the Lord’s wrath, until He pleads
my case and upholds my cause.
He will bring me out Into the Light;
I’ll see His righteousness (Mic7:8-9)
Where is another God like You…
You will not stay angry with
Your people forever, because You
delight in showing Unfailing Love.
Once again U will have compassion
on us. U will trample our sins under
Your feet and Throw Them into the
depths of the Ocean (v18-19) Amen

Lord, thank You that even if I were
to fall off the path You have for me
to walk, You will still be there to
Lift Me Up when I repent of sins.
Thank You that even if I sink into
darkness, You will be my light.
Thank You that You not only
forgive but You will also Restore.
I praise You as the light of my life
and the keeper of my heart. Amen.

Lord, when we sin severely, we
have to expect discipline. And we
must be Patient for You promise
to be our light in the darkness.
Though it may take some time,
You God has not given up on us.
In fact You promise that we
will see Your righteousness.
Gracious Lord bring me out of
the darkness and into Your light.
Show me Your righteousness
and give me the victory. Ame

Lord, Thank You for Your kindness
and tender mercies; for Your Word
says You will throw our sins
into the depths of the ocean.
How gracious of You for that
means You utterly hide them
from sight. What a relief!!
Though men may bring up our past
sins over & over again to torment us,
we need not worry that You God
might bring up my sins in heaven.
We purpose not to take sin lightly;
for it costs Jesus blood & life. Amen

God On High (Jun 8)

Controversy erupts in the courtroom
as Micah describes God’s people
on trial. The charges leveled
against Israel: halfhearted worship,
persistent rebellion, deception,
hypocrisy, greed and idolatry.
The verdict can only be guilty.
The sentence: a generation of exile
in Babylon. Yet the message of
Micah is not complete until he
preached the richness of God’s
forgiveness and grace. Micah knows
that God’s discipline only comes
within the context of His ever-
lasting love. The aftermath of His
wrath brings mercy & forgiveness.

All Praise to Exalted God on High:
With what shall I come to the
Lord. And bow myself before
the God on High (Elohei Maron)?
Shall I come to Him with burnt
offerings.Will the Lord be pleased
with thousands of rams.He has
shown you, O man, what is good;
And what does the Lord require
of you but to do justly, to love
mercy and to walk humbly
with your God (Micah 6:6-8).

Lord Elohei Marom, thank You
for allowing me to experience
the breadth of You creation.
And thank You Lord for upholding
all things together with Your hands.
We lift up our grateful spirit for all
You have made and for You are.
You are the King who reigns over all.
And You are to be greatly honoured,
loved and adored at all times. Amen.

Lord, touch my lips just as an
angel touched the lips of Isaiah
as he stood in Your presence.
For I am a person of unclean lips,
I live among a people of unclean
lips and my eyes have seen
the King, Elohei Marom. Humbly
I bow before You and ask for Your cleansing power in my life. Amen.

Lord Elohei Marom, send us as You
sent Isaiah when he saw You
seated on Your throne, to do
Your will & advance Yr kingdom.
The challenges we face in our
homes, churches & communities
are easily solved by a God
who is lifted high and exalted.
Grant us wisdom so that we can
live according to Your will. Amen.

The Lord of the Whole Earth

Micah might well have summarized
his prophecy this way: I have
good news and bad news!
The bad news: Destruction of
Judah’s oppressive princes and
greedy priests will be swift & terrible;
Jerusalem for her iniquity will be
plowed as a field & become heaps.
And the good news: Though the
destruction will be fierce, a remnant
will be spared to inherit blessings
of peace and safety once again.
From the obscurity of a village
called Bethlehem will arise a
Messiah who will be “ruler in Israel” and will usher in a new day of
righteous living & unparalleled glory.

Praise the Lord of the Whole Earth:
Many nations shall come and say:
Come and let us go up to
the mountains of the Lord…
He will Teach us His ways
And we shall walk in His paths… He shall judge between many peoples…
Nations shall Not Lift up sword
against nation, neither shall
they learn war anymore…
Everyone will live in peace…
enjoying their own grapevine and fig trees, for there will be nothing to fear.
The Lord of Heaven’s armies has made this promise (Micah 4:2-4).
Arise and thresh O daughter of Zion;
for… I will consecrate their gain to
the Lord, and their substance to the Lord of the Whole Earth (Micah 4:13).

Gracious Lord, be with each of us
as we undergo this troubled Covid
season and economic uncertainty.
We know not what the future
may bring us of joy or sorrow;
and of temptation or service.
But we humbly commit ourselves,
our concerns and dreams and
our ways to You God. Make the
best that You can for each of us
and for Your glory. In Jesus’ name.

Lord, it’s a depressing fact that
on planet Earth, that conflicts is
more of the norm and there were
scant few years of worldwide peace.
Grateful Lord that when the Prince
of Peace comes again, He will
bring about global eternal peace.
Thank You God for the certainty
that the world is destined for true peace. In the meanwhile, give us
leaders who are committed to the Biblical value of peacemaking. Amen.

Lord, we don’t need to be surprised
that things are never perfect in
the land of our current sojourning;
for we were made for another world;
and one day we will be home. When
we lose a loved one, we grieve seems long for it’s hard to keep perspective
when we are trapped in time & space.
Whatever we are going through
here, God promises His presence
and His provision in time and space. But this is not our home. Amen.

God who Restores Past Loses

Addressing hearts that have grown
cold to the things of God, Joel
confronts the people of Judah.
He reminds them of the destruction
brought by a plague of locusts and
warns of the castastrophe to come.
Unless the nation repents, it will be
destroyed by an army from the north
The only hope of escape is for
the people to repent. If they do,
then God will divert judgment and
will deliver unparalleled blessing
and the gift of peace to Zion!

Lord, You Restore Past Loses:
I Will Repay you for the years
the locusts have eaten… my
great army that I sent among you.
You shall eat in plenty and be
satisfied, and praise the name
of the Lord your God, who has
dealt wondrously with you…
Then you shall know that…
I am the Lord your God
And there is no other. And My
people shall never be put to shame.
It shall come to pass afterward that
I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh..
Whoever Calls on the name of the
Lord Shall Be Saved (Joel 3:25-32)

Lord, thank You that it is never
too late to turn to You and see
Restoration happens in our life.
Even though there has been time
wasted when we didn’t live fully for U,
pray that You Will Redeem the time
and help us to make up for it.
Restore everything that has been
lost, wasted or ruined so that
we can testify of Your glory. Amen.

Lord, there’s times when we ignore
the still small voice & make mistakes.
Though discipline may come our
way but You promise to give back
the years the locusts had eaten.
Grateful that You Lord not only forgive but Your mercy is great.
Help us learn from our mistakes
and grow even closer to You Lord.
And thank You that You will redeem
our past and guide our future. Amen.

Lord, thank You for Your Word
that everyone who calls on
Your name Will Be Saved. Thank
You for the promise to hear
and answer my cries for help.
Your rescue of me may not end
up looking like what I imagine
but You do promise to deliver.
Grant me the faith to believe this
promise with all my heart. Amen.

Resting in God’s Peace (Jun 6)

Philippians is a joyful letter, written
by Paul from a prison cell in Rome
to one of the churches he founded
on his second missionary journey.
It is a letter of encouragement in
the midst of persecution. There
is much for Paul to rejoice about:
the Philippian financial assistance,
the hope of visiting them soon, and
the church’s sharing of the gospel.
Though that testimony is threatened
by divisions in the church, Paul is
confident unity will be restored
as they imitate the humility and
servanthood of Christ. And Paul
urges: Rejoice in the Lord always.

Believers can have contentment,
serenity and peace no matter what
happens; for this joy comes from
knowing Christ personally and
from depending on His strength
rather than our own resources.
Dear Lord Jesus, Thank You that
we can rejoice at all times because
we know You & You are in control
and help us to Rest in Your Peace.
Help us Lord Focus on the Goal;
help us Pray & Give Thanks; and
help us Fix on Positive Thots. Amen

Lord, we will Focus on the Goal:
I am still not all I should be, but
I am focusing all my energies on
this one thing: Forgetting the past
and looking forward to what lies
ahead, I strain to reach the end
of the race and receive the prize
for which God, through Christ
Jesus, is calling us (Phil 3:13-14).
Lord, help me to keep my eye on
the goal, where You’re beckoning
me upward and onward to Jesus.
Keep me from being distracted
by the past; for my sins and
wrong choices have been
washed in the blood of Christ.
Grant me grace and strength not
to turn back; and help me keep
my eyes in the eternal prize. Amen.

Lord, we will Pray & Give Thanks:
Do not be anxious about anything
but by prayer and petition, with
thanksgiving, present your requests
to God. And the peace of God,
which transcends all understanding
will guard your hearts and your
minds in Christ Jesus (Phil 4:6-7)
Lord, help me not to be anxious
or worried about anything & help
me to pray and intercede instead.
Enable me to worship in the face
of whatever that opposes me.
And then help me to bring every
concern before Your throne.
Help me to refuse to think what-if
thoughts; and fill me with Your peace that passes all understanding so that
my heart and mind will be protected.
In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.

Lord, we will Fix on Positive Thots:
Finally, whatever is true, whatever
is noble, whatever is right,
whatever is pure, whatever is
lovely, whatever is admirable –
if anything is excellent or praise-
worthy – think about such things.
Whatever you have learned… or
seen in me – put it into practice.
And the God of peace will be
with you (Phil 4:8-9). Amen.
Lord, You have told us that sin
begins with thoughts. So, cleanse
me of evil and negative thinking.
Give me the ability to think as
You think, so that I will be able to
dwell on what is true,noble & right.
Help me to focus on what is
pure, lovely and admirable. And
Help me to celebrate You Lord
for You are excellent and worthy
of all praise and worship. Amen.

Resting in God’s Peace (Jun 6)

Philippians is a joyful letter, written
by Paul from a prison cell in Rome
to one of the churches he founded
on his second missionary journey.
It is a letter of encouragement in
the midst of persecution. There
is much for Paul to rejoice about:
the Philippian financial assistance,
the hope of visiting them soon, and
the church’s sharing of the gospel.
Though that testimony is threatened
by divisions in the church, Paul is
confident unity will be restored
as they imitate the humility and
servanthood of Christ. And Paul
urges: Rejoice in the Lord always.

Believers can have contentment,
serenity and peace no matter what
happens; for this joy comes from
knowing Christ personally and
from depending on His strength
rather than our own resources.
Dear Lord Jesus, Thank You that
we can rejoice at all times because
we know You & You are in control
and help us to Rest in Your Peace.
Help us Lord Focus on the Goal;
help us Pray & Give Thanks; and
help us Fix on Positive Thots. Amen

Lord, we will Focus on the Goal:
I am still not all I should be, but
I am focusing all my energies on
this one thing: Forgetting the past
and looking forward to what lies
ahead, I strain to reach the end
of the race and receive the prize
for which God, through Christ
Jesus, is calling us (Phil 3:13-14).
Lord, help me to keep my eye on
the goal, where You’re beckoning
me upward and onward to Jesus.
Keep me from being distracted
by the past; for my sins and
wrong choices have been
washed in the blood of Christ.
Grant me grace and strength not
to turn back; and help me keep
my eyes in the eternal prize. Amen.

Lord, we will Pray & Give Thanks:
Do not be anxious about anything
but by prayer and petition, with
thanksgiving, present your requests
to God. And the peace of God,
which transcends all understanding
will guard your hearts and your
minds in Christ Jesus (Phil 4:6-7)
Lord, help me not to be anxious
or worried about anything & help
me to pray and intercede instead.
Enable me to worship in the face
of whatever that opposes me.
And then help me to bring every
concern before Your throne.
Help me to refuse to think what-if
thoughts; and fill me with Your peace that passes all understanding so that
my heart and mind will be protected.
In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.

Lord, we will Fix on Positive Thots:
Finally, whatever is true, whatever
is noble, whatever is right,
whatever is pure, whatever is
lovely, whatever is admirable –
if anything is excellent or praise-
worthy – think about such things.
Whatever you have learned… or
seen in me – put it into practice.
And the God of peace will be
with you (Phil 4:8-9). Amen.
Lord, You have told us that sin
begins with thoughts. So, cleanse
me of evil and negative thinking.
Give me the ability to think as
You think, so that I will be able to
dwell on what is true,noble & right.
Help me to focus on what is
pure, lovely and admirable. And
Help me to celebrate You Lord
for You are excellent and worthy
of all praise and worship. Amen.

Rejoicing in Suffering & Serving

Philippians is a joyful letter,
written by Paul from a prison cell
in Rome to one of the churches
he founded on his second
missionary journey (Acts 16).
In spite of Paul’s adverse
circumstances, Philippians
is a letter of encouragement
in the midst of persecution.
There is much for Paul to rejoice
about: the Philippians’ repeated
financial assistance, the hope of visiting the Philippian believers
soon, and the church’s steadfast testimony for the gospel.

Lord Jesus, Thank You that
we can rejoice at all times for
we know You & You are in control.
Help us Lord to be joyful in every
circumstance, even when things
are going badly and even when
we feel like only complaining.
Help us Lord to Pray In Faith;
Help us to Humble ourselves;
Help us to Obey Your Will. And
Thank You for the promise that
You will Complete the Good Work
that You have started in us. Amen

Lord, we will Pray in Faith:
I thank my God every time
I remember you. In all my prayers
for all of you, I always pray with
joy because of your partnership
in the gospel… Being confident
of this, that he who began
a good work in you will carry it
on to completion until the day
of Christ Jesus (Phil 1:3-6).
Lord, I am eternally linked to You
by grace through faith; for I’m part
of Your body as You are the head.
On reflection, thank You that
my needs are fully met in You.
Forgive me for the times I think and
act as though You are not enough.
For You will bring to completion
the good work that U began. Amen

Lord, we will Humble ourselves:
Don’t be selfish; don’t live to make
a good impression on others.
Be humble, thinking of others
as better than yourself. Don’t
think only about your own affairs,
but be interested in others too…
Your attitude should be the same
that Christ Jesus had. Though He
was God, he did not demand His
rights as God. He made himself
nothing; (and) took the humble
position of a slave (Phil 2:3-7).
Lord, work in me the desire to please
You rather than to impress others.
Forgive me for selfishness, focussing
just on my needs and problems.
Help me Lord to also care more
about others and their needs.
Help me to have a servant’s heart
so that You Lord can do Your work
through me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Lord, we will Obey Your Will:
Therefore my dear friends,
as you have always obeyed…
– continue to work out your
salvation with fear and trembling,
for it is God who works in you
to will and to act in order to fulfill
His good purpose (Phil 2:12-13).
Lord, help me remember all that
I have learnt and to put my faith
into action in every part of my life.
Help me obey You with reverence;
for You Lord promise to work in me, helping me to obey, even when I can’t
sense the desire to do what is right.
Grant me new desires, give me
the power to live as I should; and
help me to hold on in faith. Amen

Knowing God thru His Names

The purpose of the Twelve Minor
Prophets is to focus on warnings
of impending judgment, teachings
on righteous living, encouragement
to the faithful and oppressed and
prediction of God’s future plans.
This week we understand God better
thru His revelation of names, mostly
related to His ability to meet needs.
On Monday, we learn from Hosea 2
about God who Cares for You.
On Tuesday, we learn from Hosea 11
about the Holy One who is Faithful.
On Wednesday, we learn from Joel 2
about God who Restores Past Loses.
On Thursday, we learn from Obadiah
about God who Protects His People.
On Friday, we learn from Jonah 3/4
about God who is Compassionate.
Let us humble ourselves and pray
and seek His face…In Jesus’ name.

God who is Compassionate

God calls Jonah to warn Assyrian
city of Nineveh of impending
destruction. However the brutal
Assyrians are Israel’s bitter enemies
and Jonah both fears and despises
them. Instead of heading to Nineveh
Jonah sets sail in the opposite
direction. A storm ensues, Jonah
is tossed overboard & is swallowed
by a great fish. After three days
the fish deposits Jonah on dry land.
Jonah then goes to Nineveh and
preaches as God had instructed.
When the people repent, Jonah’s
resentment grows until God must
teach him a lesson in compassion.

Lord, we will Deliver Your Message:
The Lord spoke to Jonah a 2nd time.
Go to the great city of Nineveh and deliver the message of judgment…
This time Jonah obeyed the Lord’s command… He shouted to the
crowds:Forty days from now Nineveh
will be destroyed! The people of
Nineveh believed God’s message
and from the greatest to the least,
they decided to go without food and
wear sackcloth in sorrow (Jon 3:1-5)
Then God said: Is it right for u to be angry because the plant died? Yes,
Jonah retorted: even angry enough
to die! Then the Lord said: You feel sorry about the plant, though you
did nothing to put it there… But
Nineveh has more than 120,000
people living in spiritual darkness…
Shouldn’t I feel sorry for such
a great city? (Jonah 4:9-11).

Lord, learnt from passage that
Jonah was to preach only what
You told him: a message of doom.
Those who bring God’s Word
to others should not let fear
of people dictate their words.
For we are called to follow the
Spirit’s leading and preach/share
God’s message and His truth, even
though it may be unpopular. Amen.

Lord, I know there are people all
around who need to hear Your
message of hope and truth –
people whom I might not even
notice, but whom You love deeply.
Reveal them to me so that I can
pray for them and perhaps speak
an encouraging word to them.
Prepare their hearts to receive
word from You through me. Amen.

Dear Lord, we acknowledge Your
Sovereignty & You are In Control.
Help us not run away from doing
Your purpose in the world but
instead to Deliver Your Message.
Help us to Be Compassionate,
including those who are different
from us in race or background.
Help us not be inward looking but be
Your missionaries wherever we are.
Help us to share the Good News for
people truly Need the Lord. Amen.