Month: August 2023

God 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, we delight Your Unfailing Love:
I will look to the LORD; I will wait
for the God of my salvation;
My God will hear me (Micah 7:7).
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 (v8-9).
Where is another God like You…
You will not stay angry with
Your people forever, because You
delight in showing Unfailing Love.
Once again You will hv compassion
on us. You’ll trample pour 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.
Help us be Patient for You promise
to be our light in the darkness;
and You have 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. Ameni

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

God Loves Protectively & Faithfully

Backgrounder on Hosea 1-3:
To the nation of Israel, a land
steeped in idolatry, God sends
the prophet Hosea, whose name
means salvation. Just as God
foretold, Gomer deserts her
husband for other lovers-a graphic
depiction of Israel’s faithlessness
in response to God’s loyal love.
When Gomer sinks to the level
of a slave, Hosea is commanded
to buy her back, for she is still
his wife. In the same way the God
of Israel pledges His continuing
love for His people, even though
their spiritual adultery will result
in captivity and enslavement
at the hands of the Assyrians.

Lord, raise Yr Hedge of Protection:
I will Fence her in with thornbushes.
I will block the road to make her
lose her way. When she runs
after her lovers, she won’t be
able to catch up with them.
She will search for them but
not find them. Then she will say:
I will go and Return to my first
husband for then it was better
for me than now (Hos 2:6-7).
I Will Win her back once again…
I will… speak tenderly to her there…
In that day, says the Lord,
you will call me my husband
instead of my master (v14-16).
I will make you my wife forever…
I Will Be Faithful to you and
make you mine (v19-20) Amen.

Lord, build a Hedge of thorns to
separate friends and loved ones
from influence not ordained by You.
I pray that those who are a bad
influence will lose interest & flee
and that my loved one would
lose interest in them as well.
May that Hedge of thorns defend
against any contact with those
who are out of Your will. Amen.

Lord, You are holy and want us to
walk straight and narrow paths.
For loved ones who don’t have
the wisdom to see destructive
path or the discipline to keep
away from it, won’t You put
a hedge of thorns around them.
And teach me to pray with faith
and perseverance, knowing that
nothing is impossible to You.
Help me to wait trusting You and
expect for the breakthrough. Amen.

Lord, Thank You for Your nature
to love Your people relentlessly.
And though You hate sin, You love
us & is single-minded Pursing us.
So, even when I feel unworthy,
I want You and I choose You,
to Pursue You and be with You.
I know that any insecurity in
our relationship is unfounded.
And I accept the gift of restored
relationship with open arms. Amen

Trusting God thru His Promises

The 12 Minor Prophets cover a time
span of 400 years (800-400 BC).
Theologically, they focus on warnings on impending judgment,
teachings on righteous living,
encouragement to the faithful and
oppressed, and God’s future plans.
On Monday, we learn from Hos 2
that God Protects His People.
On Tuesday, we learn from Hos 11
that God is both Loving & Faithful.
On Wed, we learn from Hosea 14
that God Gives Hope & Restores.
On Thursday we learn from Joel 2
that God Restores Past Losses.
On Friday, we learn from Obadiah
that God Protects & Saves His Pple.
On Sat, we learn from Jonah 3/4
that God Is Compassionate to us.
Let us humble ourselves and pray
and seek His face. Help us O God
be Christ’s disciples who trust You:
for You truly keep Your promises;
for You protect, save & restore us;
for You are loving and faithful as well as compassionate towards us. Amen

God Is Compassionate Towards Us

God calls Jonah to warn Assyrian
city of Nineveh of impending
destruction. However the brutal
Assyrians are Israel’s bitter enemies
and Jonah fears & despises them.
Instead of heading to Nineveh
Jonah sets sail in the opposite
direction. A storm ensues, Jonah
is tossed overboard and 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 fr 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)
But it displeased Jonah exceedingly
and he became angry. So he prayed.
I know that You are a gracious
and merciful God, slow to anger
and abundant in lovingkindness…
It is better for me to die (Jon 4:1-3).
Then God said: Is it right for you
to be angry because the plant died?
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? (v9-11).

Lord, learnt from passage that
Jonah was to preach only what
You told him: a message of doom.
We realise 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 share God’s
message and His truth, even
though it may be unpopular. Amen.

Lord, there are people around who
need to hear Your message of hope;
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 from doing Your
purpose but Deliver Your Message.
Help us to Be Compassionate,
to those who are different from us.
Help us not be inward looking but
be Your witnesses wherever we are.
Help us to share the Good News for
people truly Need the Lord. Amen.

God Protects & Saves His People

Obadiah is given the unenviable
task to confront two members of
a feuding family. The Jews in Judah
(descendants of Jacob) and the
Edomites (descendants of Esau)
were blood brothers but with little
visible love between them. When
the enemies of Judah attacked
the capital city of Jerusalem, the
Edomites rushed to help the enemy!
As a result, God sends Obadiah
to predict doom for the nation for
refusing to be its “brother keeper.”

Lord, You’ll Protect Your People:
The Lord says to Edom: I will cut you
down to size… You’ve been deceived
by your own pride because
you make your home high in the mountains. Who can ever reach us way up here? you ask boastfully.
But even as you build your nest
among the stars, I will bring you
crashing down (Obad 2-4)
Now you will be destroyed…
for you deserted your relatives
in Israel during their time of
greatest need. You stood aloof,
refusing to lift a finger to help
when foreign invaders came (v10-11)
The day is near when I the Lord
will judge the godless nations!
As you have done to Israel, so it
will be done to you… But Jerusalem
will become a refuge… And the people of Israel will come back to reclaim their inheritance (v15-20).

Lord, we realise the Bible warns
that pride leads to destruction.
And placing one’s security in any
thing other than God is foolish.
Only God is strong & trustworthy;
only You can supply true security.
Help us O Lord not to rely on self
but instead recognise vulnerability
and find security in You God. Amen.

Lord, Your Word says in Jas 4:17
that if one withheld help from
someone in time of need, that’s sin.
So sin includes not only what
we do that is wrong; but also
what we refuse to do that is right.
Help us Lord not to be like the
priest or the Levite who ignore
or refuse help to those in need.
Help us be more compassionate
like the Good Samaritan. Amen.

Lord, You will judge and fiercely
punish all who harm Your people.
We can be confident in Your
victory; for You’re our champion
and we can trust You for help.
Help us not to despair nor give
up hope for You are In Control
and the confidence placed
in You Lord will not be in vain.
In Jesus’ mighty name, Amen.

God Restores Past Losses

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 fr 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 Losses:
So rend your heart and…
return to the Lord your God,
for He is gracious and merciful,
slow to anger and of great
kindness and He relents
from doing harm (Joel 2:13).
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 (v25-27).
It shall come to pass afterward
that they will pour out My Spirit
on all flesh… Whoever Calls
on the name of the Lord Shall
Be Saved (Joel 2:28-32)

Lord, thank You that it’s 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
You, pray that You Will Redeem the
time and help us to make up for it.
Restore Lord 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 mistake
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.
Grateful 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.

God who Gives Hope & Restores

Because of unchecked sin, Israel
will be removed from the land in
a tragic blast of judgment & death.
Destruction, famine and forced
labour will befall God’s people.
Although the nation deserves
to be destroyed, God will keep
His promises. God is holy and just,
but He is also loving and gracious.
God must discipline, but because
of His faithfulness & endless love,
He will ultimately save and
restore His wayward people.

Lord, You Give Hope & Restore:
O Israel, return to the Lord your God,
for you have stumbled because of
your iniquity; take words with you,
and return to the Lord. Say to Him:
Take away all iniquity; Receive us
graciously, for we will offer the
sacrifies of our lips (Hos 14:1-2).
I will heal their backsliding,
I will love them freely, for my
anger has turned away from him.
I will be like the dew to Israel;
He shall grow like the lily…
His branches shall spread (v4-6).
Who is wise? Let him understand
these things… For the ways of
the Lord are right; the righteous
walk in them (Hosea 14:9).

Father, I have confessed my sins
before You God and received
Jesus as my Lord and Saviour.
I now stand in God’s favour and
can freely offer Him the fruit of
my lips to the praise of His glory.
I purpose to continually sow the                words of the Spirit in His presence
and they will not fail to produce
a harvest of righteousness. Amen.

Father God, You give me freedom
and will direct the course of my life.
You will heal my waywardness;
and You have set Your unconditional
and everlasting love upon me
for all of eternity. Your renewing
grace is like morning dew watering
my ground, refreshing me and
enabling me to blossom. Amen.

Lord, Your ways are just and proper;
and I purpose to walk in them,
and when I do I know I’ll prosper.
For in and through You, I will obtain
tremendous wisdom, insight and understanding. And in You Lord,
all the precepts and promises
in Your word will be realized
in my life, in Jesus’ name, Amen.

God who is Loving & Faithful

After repeated postponement of
Israel’s day of reckoning, the time
to settle accounts has come at last.
Barrenness and bondage will
replace prosperity and peace.
Because of unchecked sin, Israel
will be removed from the land in
a tragic blast of judgment & death.
Destruction, famine and forced
labour will befall God’s people in
these terrible days of recompense.
Although the nation deserves
to be destroyed, God will keep
His promises. God is holy and just,
but He is also loving and gracious.
God must discipline, but because
of His faithfulness & endless love,
He will ultimately save and
restore His wayward people.

Loving & Faithful God, we adore You:
When Israel was a child, I loved him,
and out of Egypt I called My son…
I taught Ephraim to walk, taking
them by their arms; but they
did not know that I healed them.
I drew them with gentle cords,
with bands of love (Hosea 11:1-4).
My people are bent on backsliding
from Me. Though they call to the
Most High, none at all exalt Him.
How can I give you up Ephraim?..
My heart churns within Me;
My sympathy is stirred.
I will not execute the
fierceness of My anger (v7-9).
Ephraim has encircled Me with lies,
and the house of Israel with deceit;
But Judah still walks with God,
even with the Holy One
who is faithful (Hosea 11:12).

Lord, let Your holiness manifest
itself in us; and may it transform
our thoughts, speech and actions.
You have purchased us our purity
at such a great cost; & we don’t
want it to be wasted in our life.
Help us honour You in all we do
& help us focus on Your holiness.
Empower us Lord to live a life
that is set apart to You. Amen.

Lord God The Holy One, do Your
work of sanctification within me.
I want to honour You with my life;
and I want to resist sin each day.
At the same time, I confess some
thing within me is attracted by evil.
Keep me blameless Lord and
give me a deep love for You and
the zeal for Your glory that will
surpass impure passion. Amen.

Faithful Lord, I believe my deepest
longings will be fulfilled; and bring
them to You to do as You please.
Use them Lord to accomplish
Your purposes; and I believe that
You will get me where I need to go.
I am available Lord to work out
the calling that You have for me.
And I know Lord You are faithful
and that You will do it. Amen.

God Protects His People

Backgrounder on Hosea 1-3:
To the nation of Israel, a land
steeped in idolatry, God sends
the prophet Hosea, whose name
means salvation. Just as God
foretold, Gomer deserts her
husband for other lovers-a graphic
depiction of Israel’s faithlessness
in response to God’s loyal love.
When Gomer sinks to the level
of a slave, Hosea is commanded
to buy her back, for she is still
his wife. In the same way the God
of Israel pledges His continuing
love for His people, even though
their spiritual adultery will result
in captivity and enslavement
at the hands of the Assyrians.

Lord, raise Yr Hedge of Protection:
I will Fence her in with thornbushes.
I will block the road to make her
lose her way. When she runs
after her lovers, she won’t be
able to catch up with them.
She will search for them but
not find them. Then she will say:
I will go and Return to my first
husband for then it was better
for me than now (Hos 2:6-7).
I Will Win her back once again…
I will… speak tenderly to her there…
In that day, says the Lord,
you will call me my husband
instead of my master (v14-16).
I will make you my wife forever…
I Will Be Faithful to you and
make you mine (v19-20) Amen.

Lord, build a Hedge of thorns to
separate friends and loved ones
from influence not ordained by You.
I pray that those who are a bad
influence will lose interest & flee
and that my loved one would
lose interest in them as well.
May that Hedge of thorns defend
against any contact with those
who are out of Your will. Amen.

Lord, You are holy and want us to
walk straight and narrow paths.
For loved ones who don’t have
the wisdom to see destructive
path or the discipline to keep
away from it, won’t You put
a hedge of thorns around them.
And teach me to pray with faith
and perseverance, knowing that
nothing is impossible to You.
Help me to wait trusting You and
expect for the breakthrough. Amen.

Lord, Thank You for Your nature
to love Your people relentlessly.
And though You hate sin, You love
us & is single-minded Pursing us.
So, even when I feel unworthy,
I want You and I choose You,
to Pursue You and be with You.
I know that any insecurity in
our relationship is unfounded.
And I accept the gift of restored
relationship with open arms. Amen

God Brings Dead Things to Life

In a vision told with vivid details,
that you can see the bones moving,
Ezekiel announces Israel’s rebirth.
Reassembled with God’s breath
of life, the bones become the new
Israel, more powerful than before.
Then in a 2nd vision, Ezekiel sees
the revived nation destroy its last foe
(Magog) after which God is agreed
by all nations as undisputed Victor.

Lord, You Can Revive All Things:
Prophesy to these (dry) bones…
This is what the Sovereign Lord
says: I will make breath enter you,
& you will come to life (Ezek 37:4-5)
Indeed as I looked, the sinews
and the flesh came upon them…
So I prophesied as He commanded
me, and breath came into them…
and stood upon their feet, an exceedingly great army (v8-10).
Thus says the Lord God:
Behold, O My people, I will… cause
you to come up from your graves,
and bring you into the land
of Israel. Then you shall know
that I am the Lord (v12-13). Amen.

Father, there are areas of my life
that seem to be dead; and they
need a new infusion of Your life.
There are dreams that seem as if to
have died for it has been a long time
and still they have not been realised.
I know if You can make dry bones
into a vast army, then You can also
bring life to anything worth praying,
no matter how dead it seems. Amen.

Gracious God of all compassion,
Your breath alone can bring life
to dry bones and weary souls.
Pour out Your Spirit upon us, that
we may face despair with hope of
resurrection and faith thru Christ.
Forgive our faults as we confess &
restore us the joy of Your salvation.
Call us out of the valley of dry bones
into Your Kingdom of hope. Amen.

Lord, by a roadway in the
wilderness, You will lead me
And rivers in the desert will I see
Heaven and Earth will fade
but Your Word will still remain
And You’ll do something new today
Oh, God will make a way
Where there seems to be no way
You work in ways we cannot see
You will make a way for me
You will make a way… Amen.