Month: November 2021

Christ Follows The Father 

Jesus’ ministry is not confined at
any time & in all places He is ready
with a word and a healing touch.
Nicodemus comes by night seeking
answers and finds the miracle of
the second birth. The Samaritan
woman comes seeking water
at the well and leaves to tell
her city about a source of living
water that will never run dry.
Jew or Samaritan, religious leader
or religious outcast, Jesus’
compassion knows no bounds.

Lord, we aim to Follow the Father:
The Jews persecuted Jesus and
sought to kill Him because He had
done these things on the Sabbath.
But Jesus answered them, My
Father has been working until now
and I have been working (Jn 5:16-17)
Jesus explained: I tell you the truth,
the Son can do nothing by Himself.
He does only what he sees the
Father doing. Whatever the Father
does, the Son also does. For the
Father loves the Son & shows Him
everything He’s doing (Jn 5:19-20).
And (Father) has given Him authority
to execute judgment also because
He is the Son of Man… (But)
I can of Myself do nothing… I do
not seek My own will but the will
of the Father who sent Me (v27-30)

Lord, Your obedience to God’s
instruction is an inspiration to us.
Imitating You to watch what Father
is doing and then join Him is the
sincere form of worship to offer You.
Heighten our spiritual senses
O Lord to recognise where
You are working. And lead us
to aspire to join You in what You
are doing. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Lord, I want to turn my gaze from
earthly circumstances over to You.
Let me Lord see the things of
earth through Your eyes and align
myself with Your work around me.
And as I will be tempted by sinful
pleasures and godless living,
help me to keep focus on devotion
to You God in order to maintain self
control and right conduct. Amen.

Lord Jesus, Your life on earth was
characterised by submission to
Father God. I need to learn of You
and to honour You in my choices.
Help me know the right things to
do in every situation and give me
the motivation and courage to do it.
Help me to grow spiritually and to
further Your kingdom so that I will
be ready for Your return. Amen.

God So Loved that He Gave

Jesus’ ministry is not reserved for
the temple or synagogue. At any
time and in all places He is ready
with a word and a healing touch.
Nicodemus comes by night seeking
answers and finds second birth.
Samaritan woman comes seeking
water at the well and leaves to
tell her city about a source of
living water that will never run dry.
The paralytic at the pool finds even
38 years of lameness is no problem
to the miracle-working Son of God.
Jew or Samaritan, religious leader
or religious outcast, Christ Jesus’
compassion knows no bounds.

Lord, we’ll Respond to Your Love:
And as Moses lifted up the serpent
in the wilderness, even so must
the Son of Man be lifted up; that
whoever believes in Him should
not perish but have eternal life.
For God so loved the world that
He gave His one and only Son,
that whoever believes in him shall
not perish but have eternal life.
For God did not send His Son into
the world to condemn the world,
but that the world through Him
might be saved (John 3:14-17).

Father, Thank You for loving me
even beyond what I could imagine.
It amazes me that You would love
me even when I didn’t love You.
It amazes me that You Gave Your
Son to pay the ultimate price
so that I could have eternal life.
Grant Your love to flow thro me
so that even more people may
sense Your boundless love. Amen

Lord, thank You for Your grace
and the promise of eternal life:
the abundant life that begins now
here on earth. Look forward to
being With You forever in heaven;
a much better place, of eternal
joy and where there’s no tears.
And also be reunited to loved ones
and friends who had gone before.
In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.

Jesus, it is hard to comprehend
sacrificial love so great as Yours.
You Lord laid down Your life so
that we can live forever with You.
The appropriate response to
Your first loving me is to love You
Wholeheartedly out of gratitude.
Help me to lay down my life fully
in serving Your purpose and thereby
also fulfil my prepared destiny. Amen

Christ Urges Faith Not Fear/Doubt

The final week of Jesus’ earthly life
occupies more space in the gospels
than any other stage of His ministry.
Jesus’ arrival in Jerusalem coincides
with the preparation for Passover.
Though events move quickly, Jesus
is not hurried. There is time to clean
out the temple, watch the widow
contributes her two mites and give
final instructions to the disciples.

Lord, we Pray In Faith & Not Doubt:
Some came from ruler of synagogue
and said: Your daughter is dead. As
soon as Jesus heard the message,
He said to the ruler of synagogue:
Do not be afraid, only Believe.
Then He came to the house, took
the child and said: Little girl, I say
to you, arise. Immediately the girl
arose and walked (Mark 5:35-43)
Jesus said: Have Faith In God.
For assuredly I say to you, whoever
says to this mountain: Be removed
and does Not Doubt in his heart,
But Believes that those things
he says will be done, he will have
whatever he says. (So) I say to you,
whatever things you ask when you
pray, Believe that you receive them
& you will have them (Mk 11:22-26)

Lord, we praise You that the same
power that raised Jairus’ daughter
from the dead and raised Jesus
from the dead is available to us.
Just as You turned dry bones alive
in times of Ezekiel 37, You can also
turn dead things to life these days.
Help us Not to fear but Believe; and
Open the eyes of our hearts to see
the working of Your power in us
who believe. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Lord, I have faith in You, the
Almighty, all loving faithful God;
and I believe that You reward
those who diligently seek You.
Lord, I place this issue before
You In Faith and Without Doubt
and seeking Your face and will.
Your Word says if I ask anything
according to Your will, You hear me
and I can have what I ask of You.
Into Your hand I surrender. Amen.

Lord, I come to You with my need
and desire, asking You In Faith and
claiming the promise in Mark 11:24.
Trust that the need is within Your
will; and implore You to reward
those who diligently seek You.
I know Lord that in Your sovereignty,
You do things Your way & Your time.
But Father, I plead for Your mercy
to grant me Your favor and favour
of men as soon as possible. Amen.

Knowing God thru His Shepherding

The gospel acc to Mark portrays
Jesus as an obedient servant who
came to serve and gave His life
as a ransom for many; while Luke
portrays Jesus as a perfect man,
who is the Saviour of the world.
This week we understand God better
thru seeing His Shepherding Ways.
On Monday, we learn from Mk 8-10
that Christ Serves Humbly/Selflessly.
On Tuesday, we learn from Mark 11
that Christ Urges Faith Not Doubt.
On Wed, we learn from Luke 5
that God Cares for the Needy.
On Thursday, we learn from Luke 7
that Christ Shows Mercy/Gratitude.
On Friday, we learn from Luke 14
that Christ Models Compassion.
On Sat, we learn from Luke 19
that Christ Seeks the Lost.
Let us humble ourselves and pray
and seek His face…In Jesus’ name.

Christ Seeks the Lost (Nov 27)

It is now in the final week of Jesus’
earthly life. In the city of Jerusalem,
there’s excitement of the feast days
– some preparing to welcome a King,
while others preparing for execution.
Jesus draws battle lines by driving
the money-changers fr the temple.
From then on, the religious leaders
double their efforts to trap Him.
Though His hour of anguish draws
near, Jesus continues the activities
that have characterised His ministry:
teaching, healing and affirming.

Lord, we will also Seek the Lost:
Then Zacchaeus said to the Lord:
Look, I give half of my goods to
the poor; and if I’ve taken anything
from anyone by false accusation,
I restore fourfold. Jesus responded:
Salvation has come to this home…
And I the Son of Man, have come
to seek and save those like him
who are lost (Luke 19:8-10)
The multitude of disciples began
to rejoice and praise God: Blessed
is the King who comes in the name
of the Lord! Some Pharisees…
said: Teacher, rebuke Your followers
for saying things like that! (Jesus)
replied:If they kept quiet,the stones
would burst into cheers (v39-40).
Jesus entered the Temple & began
to drive out the people selling
animals for sacrifices. He said:
The Scripture declare: My Temple
will be a house of prayer (v45-46).

Lord, You reached out to Zacchaeus
even when others despised him.
Thank You Lord for seeking and
saving all those who are lost.
Open our eyes to the despised that
we might see them and reach out.
Help us to look beneath the surface
to the person created in Your image.
Help us have burden for the lost &
befriend those seeking You. Amen

Lord, thank You for tender mercies
and great sacrificial love for us.
Grateful for Your Holy Spirit and
the Word that teaches & guides us.
We just cannot be quiet and keep
our love for You hidden within us.
Just as Your disciples called out
Your name, we will praise You for
we serve an amazing and wonderful
Lord and Saviour. Amen and amen.

Lord, You want Your church to be
a people of prayer; and not just
supplication, but also adoration,
confession and thanksgiving.
Forgive us Lord for being distracted
and neglecting prayer in both
our personal and community life.
Restore us to spiritual awakening
and grant us the heart of prayer.
In Christ’s name for His glory. Amen.

Christ Models Compassion

With His gaze fixed in Jerusalem
and the consummation of His
earthly ministry, Jesus intensifies
His final training of the disciples.
The subject of stewardship is the
central theme, for the disciples
will soon be entrusted with the
precious message of the gospel.
Jesus outlines the duties of servant,
underscores importance of prayer
and models compassion for people.

Lord, help us Be Compassionate:
Jesus asked the Pharisees: Well,
is it permitted in the law to heal
people on the Sabbath day?
When they refused to answer,
Jesus touched the sick man and
healed him and sent him away. Then
he turned to them & asked: Which
of you doesn’t work on Sabbath?
If your son falls into a pit, don’t you
at once get him out (Lk 14:3-5).
So, He told a parable to those
who were invited, when He noted
how they chose the best places…
Those who exalt themselves will
be humbled & those who humble
themselves will be exalted (v7-11)
Invite the poor, the crippled,
the lame and the blind. Then at
the resurrection of the righteous,
God will reward u for inviting those
who could not repay you (v13-14).

Lord, forgive us when we follow
tradition instead of following You.
It is easy to get tangled in activities
and forget there are needs around.
Help us to practice the heart of
Christianity: to love God and
to love others. And help us to be
Compassionate to those in need.
Bring us into harmony with You;
and help us to live in such a way
that others will see You. Amen.

Lord, help us to avoid exalting
ourselves or promoting our own
interests over interests of others.
Help us to choose to live humbly
and not allow success to go to our
heads lest it results in pride that
can derail God’s work in our lives.
Lord we give You freedom to work
in & change our life for the better.
For being exalted by You is better
than exalting ourselves. Amen.

Lord, You always have a soft heart
for the poor, the hurting and those
who can’t fend for themselves.
Remind us Lord that we are children
of a caring God and that we really
ought to Reflect Your Compassion.
Prompt us Lord to help those who
are in need knowing that You will
reward us what we do on that day.
In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.

Christ Shows Mercy & Gratitude

Preaching, healing and disciplining
that summarises the daily activities
of the Son of Man. Luke records
the healings with careful attention
to detail as befitting a physician.
And those documented miracles
become the proof of Jesus’ claim
to a doubting John the Baptist and
a faithless & perverse generation.
As he preaches and heals, Jesus
patiently prepares His disciples
to carry on in His absence. The
cost is steep, but the goal of saving
lives eternally makes it worthwhile.

Lord, we’ll choose to Be Grateful:
Jesus said: Go tell John the things
you have seen & heard: that
the blind men see, the lame walk…
the dead are raised… And blessed
is he who is Not Offended
because of me (Luke 7:22-23).
Now the Pharisee spoke to himself
This Man, if He were a prophet,
would know What Manner a
woman this is who is touching Him.
Jesus answered his thoughts.
Simon, he said to the Pharisee,
I have something to say to you…
(v39-40). I tell you, her sins – and
they are many have been Forgiven,
so she has shown me Much Love.
But a person who is forgiven little
shows only little love. Then Jesus
said to the woman: Your sins
are forgiven (v47-48). Amen.

Father God, thank you for Your love
and concern for our wholeness
that You present Your Son to us.
Grateful Jesus You are not only our
Saviour but also our Lord & Master.
Help us O Lord to learn from Luke 7
to continue Your ministry of mercy.
Help us to Grateful being Forgiven.
Help us to Follow Your way. Amen.

Lord, You reward persistence
and help my heart to be strong.
And I choose not to be offended
because I know Your blessing is
on the other side of the offenses.
Lord, feel free to challenge me,
for I am open to change, leave
behind tradition and convenience.
You may reshape perspective and
move me from comfort zone. Amen

Lord, we all have committed sins,
any of which will deserve death.
And it’s just our faulty perception
that makes us think we are better.
Soften our hearts with Your love and 
help us remember to be grateful for
being forgiven and not be offended.
Help us befriend sinners and give us
heart of compassn for those hurting
so that we reach out to them. Amen.

Care for the Needy (Nov 24)

Luke introduces the ministry of
Jesus with three preparatory events:
the ministry of His forerunner
John the Baptist, His baptism by
John and His temptation by Satan.
Rejection in His hometown of
Nazareth causes Jesus to shift
to Capernaum where He ministers
for two years. There Christ calls
12 men to be His companions. And
there by the shores of Galilee He
begins to prepare them for ministry
He will soon entrust to them.

Lord, You Care for the Needy:
Jesus said: Now go out where it is
deeper & let down your nets. Simon
answered: Master, we’ve worked
hard all night and haven’t caught
anything. But because you say so,
I will let down the nets. When they
had done so, they caught such
a large number of fish…Then
Jesus said to Simon: From now
on You will catch men (Lk 5:4-10)
Healthy people don’t need a doctor
– sick people do. I have come to
call sinners to turn from their sins,
not to spend my time with those
who think they are already good
enough (Luke 5:31-32). Amen.

Lord, let us learn from Simon Peter
where obedience to Your voice
opens our lives to Your miraculous
work and receive Your blessing.
Open our ears Lord to hear Your
voice in our current circumstance.
Help us learn from the prophet
Samuel and say with him: Speak
for Your servants are listening. Amen

Lord, we will join You in ministry
to further the kingdom of God.
Help us Lord to befriend sinners,
and give us heart of compassion
for those hurting and lost in sin,
so that we can reach out to them
effectively in time of opening.
Help us readily receive Your Word,
apply it & be obedient to You. Amen

Lord, thank You for shedding light
to show us that we need You the
Great Physician to heal our wounds.
Thank You Lord for calling us to
repent and come to You and for
Your tender mercies in our lives.
Give us Your heart for those who
are hurting, sick & lost in sin, just
as Your heart reaches out to us
in our time of greatest need. Amen

Christ Urges Faith Not Fear or Doubt

The final week of Jesus’ earthly life
occupies more space in the gospels
than any other stage of His ministry.
Jesus’ arrival in Jerusalem coincides
with the preparation for Passover.
Though events move quickly, Jesus
is not hurried. There is time to clean
out the temple, watch the widow
contributes her two mites and give
final instructions to the disciples.

Lord, we Pray In Faith & Not Doubt:
Some came from ruler of synagogue
and said: Your daughter is dead. As
soon as Jesus heard the message,
He said to the ruler of synagogue:
Do not be afraid, only Believe.
Then He came to the house, took
the child and said: Little girl, I say
to you, arise. Immediately the girl
arose and walked (Mark 5:35-43)
Jesus said: Have Faith In God.
For assuredly I say to you, whoever
says to this mountain: Be removed
and does Not Doubt in his heart,
But Believes that those things
he says will be done, he will have
whatever he says. (So) I say to you,
whatever things you ask when you
pray, Believe that you receive them
& you will have them (Mk 11:22-26)

Lord, we praise You that the same
power that raised Jairus’ daughter
from the dead and raised Jesus
from the dead is available to us.
Just as You turned dry bones alive
in times of Ezekiel 37, You can also
turn dead things to life these days.
Help us Not to fear but Believe; and
Open the eyes of our hearts to see
the working of Your power in us
who believe. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Lord, I have faith in You, the
Almighty, all loving faithful God;
and I believe that You reward
those who diligently seek You.
Lord, I place this issue before
You In Faith and Without Doubt
and seeking Your face and will.
Your Word says if I ask anything
according to Your will, You hear me
and I can have what I ask of You.
Into Your hand I surrender. Amen.

Lord, I come to You with my need
and desire, asking You In Faith and
claiming the promise in Mark 11:24.
Trust that the need is within Your
will; and implore You to reward
those who diligently seek You.
I know Lord that in Your sovereignty,
You do things Your way & Your time.
But Father, I plead for Your mercy
to grant me Your favor and favour
of men as soon as possible. Amen.

Christ Serves Humbly & Selflessly

As opposition to Jesus increases,
it is no longer safe to move openly
in Galilee. So Jesus traverses the
regions of Decapolis, Caesarea &
Perea, thereby avoiding the crowds
and deadly plots of religious leaders.
In the concluding days of His earthly
ministry,Jesus prepares His disciples
for the faithful journey to Jerusalem
that will mark the end of His life
and the beginning of their role
as bearers of the glad tidings.

Lord, we’ll Serve & Follow You:
If any of you wants to be my follower,
you must turn from yr selfish ways,
take up the cross and follow me…
For what will it profit a man if he
gains the whole world, and loses
his own soul (Mark 8:34-35).
They had disputed among them-
selves who would be the greatest.
And (Jesus) said to the twelve:
If anyone wants to be the first must
take last place and be the servant
of everyone else (Mark 9:34-35).
Whoever wants to be a leader
among you must be your servant,
and whoever wants to be 1st among
you must be the slave of everyone
else. For even the Son of Man came
not to be served but to serve others
and to give His life as a ransom
for many (Mark 10:42-45). Amen.

Lord, I aspire to follow You closely
and that means the need to let go
of being preoccupied with myself.
Grant me the humility to deny self
and the courage not be ashamed
of Your gospel. Help me focus fully
on You and Your kingdom; and be
preoccupied with Your purposes.
Let me experience You Lord to the
degree that I follow You. Amen.

Lord, society teaches me to grab
for all that I can; and yet You desire
more for me than a selfish existence.
Help me not to be inward focused
but rather to see a world bigger
than my own needs and ambitions.
Jesus, You are my perfect example
for You came to serve. And I look
to You for guidance on how I can
serve those who are in need. Amen.

Lord, I often do want to be served
and to be first. I may even think
of using people for advantage.
Help me to turn from self-seeking
tendencies and aspire to want to
live a life for the good of others also.
Make me aware of choices between
serving myself and serving others.
Change me Lord and make me to
be a person who asks of You and
others, what can I do for you? Amen.