Month: October 2023

Christ Gives Each Spiritual Gift

Because God through Christ paid
our penalty for sin and forgave us,
we have been reconciled – brought
near to Him. We are a new society,
a new family. Being united with
Christ means we are to treat one
another as family members. As we
are one family in Christ, so there
should be no barriers, no divisions,
and no basis for discrimination.
We all belong to Him, so we should
live in harmony with one another.

Lord, Unite & Bind us together:
Live a life worthy of the calling you
have received. Be humble & gentle…
Be patient with each other, making
allowance for each other’s faults
because of Your love (Eph 4:1-2).
Make every effort to keep
yourselves united in the Spirit,
binding yourselves together
with peace. For there is one body
and one Spirit, just as you have
been called to one glorious hope
for the future. There is one Lord,
one faith, one baptism, and
one God & Father (Eph 4:3-6).
To each of us grace was given
according to the measure of
Christ’s gift… And He Himself
gave some to be apostles,
some prophets, some evangelists
and some pastors and teachers,
for the equipping of the saints
for the work of ministry, for the
edifying of body of Christ (v7-12).

Lord God who searches hearts
and minds, help me accept human
imperfection in others and myself;
for we are all sinners in Your sight.
Help us to be more patient with
each other making allowance for
each other’s faults & weaknesses.
Help us to develop a right view
of others despite their annoying
faults, poor choices and non-
saintlike conduct. Help us to pray
for serenity to accept the things
that we could not change. Amen.

Lord, Help us keep unity of Spirit
in lowliness of heart and gentleness.
Let differences in our backgrounds,
experiences and personalities,
not divide us but instead enrich us.
Help us make every effort to keep
the unity of the Spirit; to treasure it,
to protect it and even promote it.
Bind us Lord together in love for
You made us one body & one spirit.
Teach us to appreciate and love one
another and live together in peace.
Lord blest the tie that binds! Amen.

Father, You have appointed
for me apostles, prophets,
evangelists, pastors and teachers
to prepare me for works of service.
They are His gift to me to build
me up towards unity of faith
with all the saints, in the knowledge
of Christ Jesus, so that I may
become mature and attain the full
measure of Christ in my life. Amen.

Trusting God thru His Promises

The purpose of the epistle to
the Ephesians is to strengthen
the believers in Ephesus in their
Christian faith by explaining the
nature and purpose of the church,
which is the body of Christ.

On Monday, we learn from Eph 1
that God Reveals Good Plans.
On Tuesday, we learn from Eph 2
that Christ Enables Good Works.
On Wednesday, we learn from Eph 3
that God Loves & Empowers Us.
On Thursday, we learn from Eph 4
that Christ Gives Each Spiritual Gift.
On Friday, we learn from Eph 5
that God Enables Spirit-Filled Life.
On Saturday, we learn from Eph 6
that God Provides Spiritual Armour.

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 deeply and has
good plans for each one of us;
for You enable us to live Spirit-
filled life and to do good works;
for You truly keep Your promises; giving each spiritual gift as well as
providing spiritual armour. Amen.

God Provides Spiritual Armour

Walk Worthy of your calling…You
are rich in Christ, so live that way!
The Christian’s conduct should
be consistent with his calling.
You are rich in Christ, endowed
with spiritual blessings; so learn
to walk in the light of that wealth.
A spiritual war rages & those who
use the armour of God will be able
to stand agst Satan’s wily attacks.

Lord, we will Put On Your Armour:
Put On the full Armour of God
so that you can take your stand
against the devil’s schemes.
For our struggle is not against flesh
and blood, but against the… powers
of this dark world and against the
spiritual forces of evil (Eph 6:11-12).
Take Up the Shield of Faith, with
which you can extinguish all the
flaming arrows of the evil one.
Take the helmet of salvation
and the sword of the Spirit,
which is the word of God (v16-17).
And Pray in the Spirit on all
occasions with all kinds of prayers…
be alert and always keep on                        praying for all the saints (v18).

Lord, I recognise because I have
aligned myself with You, the
enemy will wage war against me.
Help me Lord Put On the full spiritual
Armour that You have provided.
Help me understand the depth of
truth, righteousness, faith, solid
walk with Christ, salvation, prayer
& the sword of the Spirit Your Word.
Teach me how to use the armour
& perseverance practising it. Amen.

Lord, thank You for the Shield of
Faith to deflect Satan’s fiery arrows
and provide necessary protection.
Grant that assurance of salvation
will guard my mind amid difficulties
and doubts attempt to creep in.
Holy Spirit, enlighten my mind
to understand Your Word and
how it applies to my life. And
help me draw the sword when
Satan attacks with a lie. Amen.

Lord, enable us to know the
presence of Your Spirit within us
& walk in constant awareness of it.
May You freely live Your life in us,
express Your heartbeat to us
and Pray Your will through us.
We know Lord we simply can’t do
any of these on our own efforts,
but with You, nothing is impossible.
In Jesus’ mighty name, Amen.

God Enables Spirit-Filled Life

God Enables Spirit Filled Life:
Walk Worthy of your calling…You
are rich in Christ, so live that way!
The Christian’s conduct should
be consistent with His calling.
You are rich in Christ, endowed
with spiritual blessings. So learn
to walk in the light of that wealth.
Also Live Wisely, Be Filled with
the Spirit & Give Thanks always.

Lord, we purpose to Live Wisely:
Be imitators of God as dear
children. And walk in love,
as Christ also has loved us and
given Himself for us (Eph 5:1-2).      Once you were full of darkness,
but now you have light from the
Lord. So live as people of light.
Find out what is acceptable
to the Lord (Ephesians 5:8-10).
             Be careful how you live. Don’t
live like fools, but like those who
are Wise, redeeming the time,
because the days are evil.
Therefore do not be unwise, but
understand what the will of God is.
Let the Holy Spirit Fill and Control
you. Then you will sing hymns
and spiritual songs to the Lord.
And you will always Give Thanks
for everything to God (v15-20).

Father, may Your Spirit keep us ever 
walking in light of Your countenance.
 Fill our hearts with the sense of
 Your nearness and loving fellowship.
 Order our steps Lord in Your way
and then walk with us, for in You
 Lord there is no darkness at all.
 Help us walk in Your light for
 we are people of the light. Amen.

Lord, we purpose to Live Wisely
  and make good use of our time.
 Help us to sense Your presence 
& purpose in every circumstance.
Help us see what You’re doing
 and what Your want to do thru us.
 Help us reflect each day to sense
 what You are doing in our life
 and where You are leading us.
 Help us develop a heart of deep
 gratitude in all situations. Amen.

Holy Spirit, we welcome You to Fill
 us and have full control of our life.
 We welcome Your personality fully,
 Your character and Your attitudes.
 Thank You for Your empowering,
Your gifts, all the ways You have
 blessed us and all You have done 
in our life. Holy Spirit, fill our 
hearts with gratitude and praise.
  In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.

Christ Gives Each Spiritual Gift

Because God through Christ paid
our penalty for sin and forgave us,
we have been reconciled – brought
near to Him. We are a new society,
a new family. Being united with
Christ means we are to treat one
another as family members. As we
are one family in Christ, so there
should be no barriers, no divisions,
and no basis for discrimination.
We all belong to Him, so we should
live in harmony with one another.

Lord, Unite & Bind us together:
Live a life worthy of the calling you
have received. Be humble & gentle…
Be patient with each other, making
allowance for each other’s faults
because of Your love (Eph 4:1-2).
Make every effort to keep
yourselves united in the Spirit,
binding yourselves together
with peace. For there is one body
and one Spirit, just as you have
been called to one glorious hope
for the future. There is one Lord,
one faith, one baptism, and
one God & Father (Eph 4:3-6).
To each of us grace was given
according to the measure of
Christ’s gift… And He Himself
gave some to be apostles,
some prophets, some evangelists
and some pastors and teachers,
for the equipping of the saints
for the work of ministry, for the
edifying of body of Christ (v7-12).

Lord God who searches hearts
and minds, help me accept human
imperfection in others and myself;
for we are all sinners in Your sight.
Help us to be more patient with
each other making allowance for
each other’s faults & weaknesses.
Help us to develop a right view
of others despite their annoying
faults, poor choices and non-
saintlike conduct. Help us to pray
for serenity to accept the things
that we could not change. Amen.

Lord, Help us keep unity of Spirit
in lowliness of heart and gentleness.
Let differences in our backgrounds,
experiences and personalities,
not divide us but instead enrich us.
Help us make every effort to keep
the unity of the Spirit; to treasure it,
to protect it and even promote it.
Bind us Lord together in love for
You made us one body & one spirit.
Teach us to appreciate and love one
another and live together in peace.
Lord blest the tie that binds! Amen.

Father, You have appointed
for me apostles, prophets,
evangelists, pastors and teachers
to prepare me for works of service.
They are His gift to me to build
me up towards unity of faith
with all the saints, in the knowledge
of Christ Jesus, so that I may
become mature and attain the full
measure of Christ in my life. Amen.

God Loves & Empowers Us

The Ephesians had unlimited
spiritual wealth at their disposal,
yet they lived as spiritual paupers.
So Paul wrote to encourage
them to understand and claim
their heavenly resources. Only
then could they draw on them for
their earthly walk. And In Christ,
Christians are endowed with every
spiritual blessing as well as adoptn,
redemption, inheritance and power.

Lord, we Seek Your Empowerment:
We have boldness and access
with confidence thru faith in Him.
Therefore… do not lose heart…
I pray to the Father that from His
glorious unlimited resources, He
will empower you with inner strength
through His Spirit (Eph 3:12-16);
that Christ may dwell in
your hearts through faith;
that you being rooted… in love may
comprehend…the love of Christ…
that you may be filled with all
the fullness of God (v17-19).
Now to Him who is able to do
exceedingly abundantly above
all that we ask or think, according
to the power that works in us,
to Him be glory… forever (v20-21).

Lord, I have limited strength and
may not have much in reserve.
Even when I am strong, I will
still need to depend on You.
That’s more true when I am weak;
please show Yourself strong in me;
and fill me with Your resources.
Holy Spirit, You who reside in me,
give me strength & faith to believe.
In Jesus’ mighty name, Amen.

Lord, I want to understand and
experience Your love in a deeper
way than I ever have before.
May Your love be my secure
anchor as Your Spirit causes
my roots to sink deeper in You.
Grant me the power to understand
the limitless extent of Your love.
Be the center of my life and reveal
Yourself to me each day. Amen.

Lord, we exalt You being awesome
possessing all wisdom and power.
Forgive us Lord for having just
a small view of You and Your will.
We affirm Lord You are Able to do
amazing things in and through us;
though they are not yet experienced.
Bring it up to the level of Your truth
and teach us to operate in the 
Power that works within us. Amen.

Christ Enables Good Works (Oct 17)

The Ephesians had unlimited
spiritual wealth at their disposal,
yet they lived as spiritual paupers.
So Paul wrote to encourage
them to understand and claim
their heavenly resources. Only
then could they draw on them for
their earthly walk. And In Christ,
Christians are endowed with every
spiritual blessing as well as adoptn,
redemption, inheritance and power.

Lord, we will Be Your Workmen:
For by grace you have been saved
through faith, and that not of
yourselves; it is the gift of God…
For we are His workmanship,
created in Christ Jesus for good
works, which God Prepared
beforehand that we should
Walk in them (Eph 2:8-10).
Now… you are no longer strangers…
but fellow citizens with.. members
of the household of God (v19).
Jesus Christ Himself being the chief
Cornerstone… in whom the whole
building being fitted together,
grows into a holy temple… in whom
you also are being built together
for a dwelling place for God(v20-22)

Father, what a glorious gift that
You saved us & we take no credit
for our salvation, for You gave
it to us. Pray that I will not be
caught in the trap of thinking that
I have to do good deeds in order
to earn or hold onto Your salvation.
For I am saved by Your grace,
and good deeds are simply part
of Your plan for me to have a
purposeful & fulfilling life. Amen.

Father, Thank You for giving me
new and rich life that will never end.
Thanks for capacity to change and
help me grow to be more like Jesus.
Give me spiritual gifts to serve
others; work in me & through me.
Help me lead a purposeful life,
to be a blessing to others and
thereby glorify Your name. Amen.

Father God, You laid the foundation
on the cornerstone building a
holy spiritual house for Your love.
Thanks for making it possible for
everyone to be part of Your family.
Lord Jesus, grateful for Yr sacrificial
act of love and the suffering You
went through for our salvation.
And I choose to live for You and to do Your assignment that You have
specially prepared for me. Amen.

God Reveals Good Plans

The Ephesians had unlimited
spiritual wealth at their disposal,
yet they lived as spiritual paupers.
So Paul wrote to encourage
them to understand and claim
their heavenly resources. Only
then could they draw on them for
their earthly walk. And In Christ,
Christians are endowed with every
Spiritual Blessing as well as adoptn,
redemption, inheritance and power.

Lord, Reveal Your Plans:
Praise be to the God and Father
of our Lord Jesus Christ, who
has blessed us… with every
spiritual blessing in Christ (Eph 1:3)
After I heard of your faith in the
Lord Jesus and your love for…
the saints, I do not cease to give
thanks for you, making mention
of you in my prayers (v15-16).
( I am) asking God… to give you
the spirit of wisdom & revelation
so that you might grow in your
Knowledge of God. (I pray also)
that the eyes of your heart may
Be Enlightened in order that you
may know the Hope to which He
has called you, the riches of His
glorious Inheritance… and His
incomparably great Power (v17-19)

Father God, all Praise and Thanks
to You for Your abundant blessings.
How easy it is to forget that You
are the source of every good thing.
Your goodness to me is not because
of any goodness on my part; but
because of Christ and Your grace;
giving the spiritual blessing I need.
When I feel empty and dry, remind
me that You stand ready to give
whatever that I may need. Amen.

Lord, I am awed to think that You
have provided a way to give us
good Spiritual Insight about the
character of God, the hope He has
given us and the dynamic power.
Lord I can’t perceive these things
with my own intellect for they are 
spiritual truths. So Holy Spirit,
open my eyes and flood my heart
to behold these truths. Amen.

Lord, I pray that the eyes of my
heart will Be Opened to see the
Hope to which You have called me.
Help me to understand my true
Inheritance; and enable me to
comprehend the magnitude of
Your power for I believe in You.
And I seek more of Your presence
and Your power so that I can see
them manifested in my life. Amen.

God Adopts Us As His Children

This epistle is Paul’s manifesto of
justification by faith and the liberty
that produces. Paul directs this
great charter of Christian freedom
to people who are about to forsake
the priceless liberty they possess
in Christ. Certain Jewish legalists
are influencing the believers in
Galatia to trade their freedom
in Christ for bondage to the law.
Paul writes to refute their false
gospel of works & to show the
superiority of justification by faith.

Father God, we Love You:
When the set time had finally
come, God sent His Son, born
of a woman, born under the law,
to redeem those under the law,
that we might receive adoption
to sonship (Gal 4:4-5).
And because you are sons,
God has sent forth the Spirit
of His Son into your hearts,
crying out, “Abba Father!”
So you are no longer a slave,
but God’s child; and since you
are His child, God has made
you also an heir (v6-7). Amen.

Dear God, You are not just the
powerful Creator & righteous Lord,
You are also my loving Father.
And when I go thru hard times,
You care and listen to my pleas,
and will guide, provide & protect.
You are never impatient with me
and never “too busy” for me.
Lord Jesus, I do believe in You;
having accepted as Lord & Savior.
Thank You for saving me. Because
of Your grace and my faith in You,
I’m a child of the living God. Amen.

Lord, in times of severe trials,
I can be bombarded with doubts.
Why is all this happening to me?
I can’t believe a loving God would
let his children go thru such trauma.
And tough times can made me
wonder if I really am Your child.
Thank You for the presence of
Your Spirit, who provides assurance
that I belong to You forever. Amen.

Lord, a key and great truth about
You God is that You are personal.
You want us to know you deeply
and intimately. For You are
our Abba Father, Papa, Daddy.
I can readily come to You anytime
and say: Papa, please help me
with this problem. You are a
personal God; and You promise
to make Yourself real to us. Amen.