Month: August 2023

Christ the Good Shepherd Cares

Christ’s claims draw the attention
of more than the hungry and sick.
The religious leaders concerned
about maintaining the status quo,
respond with angry resistance.
But how do You refute a Man
who preaches that He is the
Light of the World, then proves
it by giving sight to the blind?…
The choice is to either believe
Him or seek to silence Him.

Lord, we’ll Hear & Follow You:
A Shepherd enters through the gate.
He Calls His own sheep by name
and leads them out… He walks
ahead of them, and they Follow
Him because they recognise
His voice (John 10:2-4).
I have come that they may
Have Life and have it to the Full.
I am the good shepherd.
The good shepherd gives
His life for the sheep (v10-11).
I am the good shepherd; I know
my own sheep, and they know me,
just as my Father knows me and
I know the Father. So I sacrifice
my life for the sheep (v10:14-15).

Lord Jesus, Thank You for
being my good shepherd and
making me one of Your sheep.
Thank You for caring for me by
providing, guiding & protecting me.
What a privilege to belong to You!
You Call me by name and speak
to my heart. With all the voices
in the world, quieten my mind
and heart, so that I will recognise
Your Voice and Follow You. Amen.

Lord Jesus, You did not come
just to forgive our past deeds and
offer us hope of heavenly glory.
You came to give us full satisfying,
meaningful and abundant life.
Forgive me Lord when I am too
preoccupied with earthly things.
Help me to hear You and seek You.
Help me to pursue things eternal
and further Your kingdom, knowing
You will Provide all my needs. Amen

Lord Jesus, I am so blessed that
You are my caring Shepherd and
because of that I can Fear No Evil.
For You Lord have promised
to provide, lead and protect me.
Though evil may come, it has no
power over me and I can live with
confidence that I am Safe in You.
Keep me trusting You; and help me
to stay close to You and not worry,
for You’re Watching over me. Amen

Christ Shows the Power of God

Christ’s claim draw the attention
of more than the hungry and sick.
The scribes, Pharisees, religious
leaders concerned about status
quo, respond with angry resistance.
But how do you refute a Man
who preaches that He is the
Light of the World, then proves
it by giving sight to the blind? …
who claims He is the resurrection,
then validates that claim by raising
a man from the dead. The choice
is clear: Either believe Him or seek
to silence Him once and for all.

Lord, we yearn to see Your Power:
As Jesus was walking along,
He saw a man who had been
blind from birth. Rabbi, his disciples
asked him: Why was this man
born blind? Was it because of
his own sins or his parents’ sins?
It was not because of his sins or
his parents’ sins, Jesus answered.
This happened so the power
of God could be seen in him.
We must quickly carry out the
tasks assigned us… The night
is coming, and then no one
can work (John 9:1-4). Amen.

Lord, we long for Your power
to be put on display in our lives.
Give sight where we are blind;
give life where there is deadness
and bring to reality the dreams
and hopes that yet to come true.
Lord, put your power on display
in my brothers and sisters’ life
with the fruit of your Holy Spirit.
In Jesus’ mighty name, Amen.

Lord, thank you because we have
been united to Christ by faith, we
never need to think that God will
punish us for our sin or weakness.
For the punishment for apathy
toward God and rebellion has
all been laid on Jesus. And though
our loving Father will discipline
to make us more holy, he will not
punish us simply to make us pay.
Thank you for Your goodness
and word of assurance. Amen.

Lord, we realise You may allow
suffering to teach us about faith
and glorify God through healing.
Help us not look for scapegoats;
but instead look for ways to help
those who suffer and to learn
from their suffering. Help us not
to ask: Why did this happen? But
instead ask God for strength for
the trial & reliance on Him. Amen.

Christ’s Light Set You Free

Backgrounder on John 6-8:
Early in His ministry, Christ issues
a challenge: Search the scriptures
for they testify of me (Jn 5:39).
Now His public declarations and
miraculous demonstrations serve
to confirm what the OT said of Him.
Using Jewish feast days as public
forum, Jesus declares Himself
to be the Bread of Life (6:35),
the Forgiver of Sins (8:11) and
the Light of the World (8:12).

Lord, Your Light Sets Us Free:
Jesus said: I am the Light of
the world. If you Follow me,
you won’t have to walk in darkness
because you will have the Light
that leads to life (John 8:12).
To the Jews who had believed
Him, Jesus said: If you Hold
to my teaching, you are really
my disciples. Then you will
know the truth, and the truth
will set you Free (v31-32).
So if the Son sets you free, you
will be free indeed (v36). Amen.

Father God, thanks for sending
Your light in Jesus, for lighting
up our difficult situations we face.
Though God has not promised
joy without sorrow or peace
without pain; He has promised rest
for the labour and light for the day.
And grant that we will Be Bearers
of Your light and so bring hope
and encouragement to someone
who needs You this day. Amen.

Lord, thank U for being the Light
for we live in a dark world & there
are so many confusing voices.
Help me to not merely walk
or live in the light of Your truth,
but rather to Follow You the Light.
For I don’t want to rely on living
by methods but by knowing You.
So Jesus, help me to recognise
Your Light. Fill me with the truth &
guide my steps. And teach me live
by the light of Yr Presence. Amen

Lord Jesus, this is an amazing
truth that I am truly Free in You.
Free from not only sin’s grave
penalty and terrible power but
also free from guilt and shame.
I am free not to live as I want,
but free to live as You desire; for
You have set us free to obey You.
Teach me to believe the paradox
that I am most free when I am
living as Yr servant. And help me
better understand Yr grace. Amen

Christ Our Source of Living Water

Early in His ministry, Christ issues
a challenge: Search the scriptures
for they testify of me (Jn 5:39).
Now His public declarations and
miraculous demonstrations serve
to confirm what the Old Testament
said would be true of Him. Using
the Jewish feast days as public
forum, Jesus declares Himself
as the Bread of Life (6:35),
the Sent One of God (7:28),
the Forgiver of Sins (8:11) and
the Light of the World (8:12).

Lord, You are our Source of Joy:
On the last day, the climax of the
festival, Jesus stood and shouted
to the crowds: If you are thirsty,
come and drink! For the Scriptures
declare the rivers of living
water will flow out from within.
When He said living water
He was speaking of the Spirit,
who would be given to everyone
believing in Him (John 7:37-39).
Therefore many from the crowd,
when they heard this saying, said:
Truly this is the Prophet. Others
said: This is the Christ (v40-41).

Father God, I remember and
echo Jacob’s words: I will not
let You go until You bless me.
Lord, You honour persistence and
my thirst will not let me settle for
a mediocre spiritual experience.
May the river of living water
flow freely in me so that I will
experience fully the joy that is
unspeakable. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Lord Jesus, we’ve received not only
Your salvation but also the promise
of Your Spirit poured to each of us.
Jesus, You are indeed our spiritual
thirst quencher, offering not just
a one-off drink but a never-ending
spring to meet our greatest longing.
Lord, even as we believe in You,
we will never thirst again. And
even as Your life flow through us,
let it fill us with deepest joy. Amen

Holy Spirit, flow through me like
a rushing river, filling me with
dreams and ideas from Your heart.
I want more than trickles of peace;
I want torrents of joy from You.
Help me discern the difference
between my thoughts and Yours.
Let me not get stuck in trying to
analyse things; instead grant me
Lord the faith to believe. Amen.

Christ Satisfies Our Longings

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, You Satisfy Our Longings:
Jesus said to her: If you knew who
it is who says to u: Give Me a drink,
you would have asked Him and He
would have given you living water…
Whoever drinks of this water will
thirst again, but whoever drinks
of the water that I shall give them
will Never Thirst. Indeed the water
I give them will become in them
a spring of water welling up
to eternal life (John 4:10-14).
The woman left her water jar and
went back to the village and told
everyone: Come and meet a man
who told me everything I ever did!
Can this be the Messiah? So
the people came streaming from
the village to see Him (v28-30).
Then they said to the woman:
Now we believe, not because of
what you said, for we ourselves
have heard Him and we know
that this is indeed the Christ,                      the Saviour of the world (v42).

Lord, You are the only one who
can satisfy the longings of my soul.
Remind me that nothing in this
temporal world can bring lasting
fulfilment to an immortal soul.
The life You give is my internal
source of continual refreshment.
Teach me Lord the discipline
to look to You for whatever my
soul may need each day. Amen.

Lord, You are the only one
who can satisfy a thirsty soul.
For the life that You give to us
supplies continual refreshment.
Teach me the habit to look to You
for whatever my soul is thirsty for.
And make me Lord to be a source
of encouragement and help to
those who are spiritually dry. Amen.

Lord, forgive me when excitement
over knowing You has waned.
Still I want others to know You and
experience Your work in their lives;
so use me to share the Good News.
Let me be so amazed by what You
reveal that I won’t hesitate to share
the hope with others; especially to
those who don’t know You yet.
In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.

Trusting God thru His Promises

The purpose of the gospel of John
is to prove conclusively that Jesus
is the Son of God and that all who
believe in Him will have eternal life.
On Monday, we learn from John 1
that Word With Us & Reveals Father.
On Tues, we learn from John 2 that
Christ Turns Lack to Abundance.
On Wed, we learn from John 3 that
Christ Given for God So Loved Us.
On Thursday we learn from John 4
that Christ Satisfies Our Longings.
On Friday, we learn from John 5
that Christ Joins Father At Work.
On Saturday, we learn from Jn 6
that Christ Is the Bread of Life.
Let us humble ourselves and pray
and seek His face. Help us O God
be Christ’s disciples who trust You:
for You love us, satisfy longings
and turns our lack to abundance;
for You are the Bread of life and
given by the Father to be With us;
for You want us join Father at work
and You truly keep Your promises.
in Jesus’ precious name, Amen.

Christ Joins Father At Work

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.

Christ Satisfies Our Longings

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, You Satisfy Our Longings:
Jesus said to her: If you knew who
it is who says to u: Give Me a drink,
you would have asked Him and He
would have given you living water…
Whoever drinks of this water will
thirst again, but whoever drinks
of the water that I shall give them
will Never Thirst. Indeed the water
I give them will become in them
a spring of water welling up
to eternal life (John 4:10-14).
The woman left her water jar and
went back to the village and told
everyone: Come and meet a man
who told me everything I ever did!
Can this be the Messiah? So
the people came streaming from
the village to see Him (v28-30).
Then they said to the woman:
Now we believe, not because of
what you said, for we ourselves
have heard Him and we know
that this is indeed the Christ,
the Saviour of the world (v42).

Lord, You are the only one who
can satisfy the longings of my soul.
Remind me that nothing in this
temporal world can bring lasting
fulfilment to an immortal soul.
The life You give is my internal
source of continual refreshment.
Teach me Lord the discipline
to look to You for whatever my
soul may need each day. Amen.

Lord, You are the only one
who can satisfy a thirsty soul.
For the life that You give to us
supplies continual refreshment.
Teach me the habit to look to You
for whatever my soul is thirsty for.
And make me Lord to be a source
of encouragement and help to
those who are spiritually dry. Amen.

Lord, forgive me when excitement
over knowing You has waned.
Still I want others to know You and
experience Your work in their lives;
so use me to share the Good News.
Let me be so amazed by what You
reveal that I won’t hesitate to share
the hope with others; especially to
those who don’t know You yet.
In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.

Christ Given for God So Loved Us

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 thru 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
love so great as Yours. You laid
down Your life so that I can live
forever with You. My response
to Your first loving me is to love
You wholeheartedly in return.
Help me Lord to lay down my life 
for You in serving Your purpose
here on earth and thereby also
fulfilling my prepared destiny. Amen