Month: August 2024

God Is Gracious & Compassionate

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
comd. 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)
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, we learn 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 Lord 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 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 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 Loses:
Now therefore, says the Lord,
Turn to Me with all your heart,
with fasting, with weeping…
So rend your heart and…
return to the Lord your God,
for He is gracious and merciful,
slow to anger and of the great
kindness and He relents
from doing harm (Joel 2:12-13).
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). Amen.

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 Is Loving & Faithful

Backgrounder on Hosea 1-3:
To the nation of Israel, a land
steeped in idolatry, God sends
the prophet Hosea. 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.

Lord, You are Loving & Faithful:
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….
Then she will say: I will 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…
I will make you my wife forever…
I Will Be Faithful to you and
make you mine (H2:14, 19-20).
The Lord said to me (Hosea):
Go, show your love to your wife
again, though she is loved by
another and is an adulteress.
Love her as the Lord loves
the Israelites, though they turn
to other gods (Hosea 3:1).

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,
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 us.
And teach me to pray with faith
for 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 to Pursue You & be with You.
I know Lord that any insecurity
in our relationship is unfounded.
And I accept the gift of restored
relationship with open arms. Amen

God Reveals Deep Things

The first 3 chapters of the book
describe the spiritual integrity
of Daniel and his three friends.
Selected for government service,
they resist the pressure to conform
to their pagan environment and
instead take a stand for God.
Whether in diet, truthfulness or
spiritual discipline, the four young
men live out their convictions.

Lord, grant us Your Revelation:
During the Night the mystery
was revealed to Daniel in a vision.
Then Daniel said: Praise be the
name of God… For wisdom and
might are His (Daniel 2:19-20).
He Reveals deep and mysterious
things and knows what lies Hidden
in darkness… I thank and praise You
for You have given me Wisdom and
strength. You have told me what
we Asked of You and Revealed to us
what the king demanded (v22-23).
The king answered Daniel and said:
Truly your God is the God of gods,
the Lord of kings and a Revealer
of secrets, since you could reveal
this secret. Then the king promoted
Daniel… gave him many great gifts;
and he made him ruler over the
whole province of Babylon (v47-48).

Lord, it seems that in the middle of
the night problems appear larger.
At those times I am reminded that
You never sleep and I can come
to You and cling to Your presence.
I pray that at those times You will
give me the treasures of darkness,
as You have spoken in Your Word.
I pray You will fill my darkness with
Your light and give me peace. Amen.

Lord, I praise Your mighty name
for You are the God who has
all wisdom and power, the One
who guides even world events.
You give wisdom to the wise
and You know what is hidden
in darkness and all mysteries.
Grant me O Lord Your wisdom
and strength to handle the tricky
issues that come my way. Amen.

Lord, we purpose not to lean on
our own understanding; but instead
to look to You the All Knowing One
for understanding and wisdom.
There are things we can’t know by
seeing or hearing are known by God
& You’re willing to reveal them to us.
For Your Spirit searches all things &
shows secrets to those who love U.
Reveal to us O Lord those things
which help us be effective. Amen.

Adoring God thru Thanks & Praise

The purpose of the prophetic
book of Daniel is to show how
God is in control of the earth,
the destiny of nations as well
as the care of His people. Also,
Daniel’s dreams and interpretations
of others’ dreams convince Jew
and Gentile alike that wisdom
and power belong to God alone.

On Mon, we learn from Daniel 2
that God Reveals Deep Things.
On Tues, we learn from Daniel 3
to Praise The Most High God.
On Wed, we learn from Daniel 4
that God Rules & Fulfils Dreams.
On Thurs, we learn from Daniel 7
to Praise God the Ancient of Days.
On Friday, we learn from Daniel 9
that God Is Holy and Merciful.
On Sat, we learn from Dan 10-12
that Almighty God Is In Control.

Let us humble ourselves and pray
and seek His face. Help us O God
be Christ’s disciples who Adore You:
For You are Worthy of our Thanks
as You God Reveals Deep Things
as well as Rules & Fulfils Dreams;
For You are worthy of our Praise
as You are The Most High God
as well as The Ancient of Days;
For You are Holy and Merciful
as well as in Control of things.
In Jesus’ mighty name, Amen.

Almighty God who is In Control

Backgrounder: Whilst the first half
of Daniel’s book centres around
the prophet’s personal adventures;
the second half focuses on his
prophetic visions. God’s people
now find themselves under Gentile
domination. But even world powers
do not rise or fall without the
consent of almighty God. In a
remarkable collection of prophetic
glimpses, Daniel sets forth both
the near and distant future of God’s
chosen people – a future filled with
purifying judgment and blessing.

Lord, we’ll Seek, Persevere & Share:
Do not be afraid Daniel. Since
the day you set your mind to gain
understanding and to humble
yourself before your God,
your words were heard… Now I
have come to make you understand
what will happen to your people
in the latter days (Daniel 10:12-14).
Those who do wickedly against
the covenant he shall corrupt
with flattery; but the people who
know their God shall Be Strong,
and carry out great exploits…
In this way, they will be refined and
cleansed and made pure until the
time of the end (Daniel 11:32-35).
Those who sleep in the earth shall
awake; some to everlasting life,
some to everlasting contempt
Those who are wise shall shine…
and those who turn many to
righteousness (be) like the stars
forever and ever (Dan 12:2-3).

Lord, help me to Seek Patiently
for the answers to my prayers.
Increase my faith to know that
when I pray, You hear the cries
of my heart and will answer in
Your perfect timing and Your
perfect way. Help me to continue
to pray and not give up, no matter
how long it takes or how many
obstacles the enemy throws in
my path along the way. Amen.

Lord, we recognise temptations
are not unique, everyone struggles.
Help me to know You so well that
I will say a Firm No to temptation.
Help me use opportunities during
difficult times to share Your Word
for it will interest those who
normally don’t bother with it.
Help me to recognise trials as
opportunities to strengthen faith.
For if we remain steadfast, we
will grow closer to You God. Amen.

Dear Lord, we note that Daniel’s
visions gave the captives added
Confidence that You God is In
Control of history. Lord, help us
Not give in to the pressures of
challenges and temptations of
the sinful way of life around us.
Lord, we appeal to Your Mercy,
for we will Wait for the Answer;
we’ll Persevere & Be Refined;
and help us share the gospel. Amen

God of Holiness & Mercy

God’s people, a major force among
the Gentiles since days of Joshua,
now find themselves under Gentile
domination. But even world powers
don’t rise or fall without the consent
of almighty God. In a remarkable
collection of prophetic glimpses,
Daniel sets forth both the near
and distant future of God’s
chosen people; a future filled with
purifying judgment and blessing.

Holy Lord, we Seek Your Mercy:
I prayed to the Lord my God,
and made confession and said:
O Lord, great and awesome God,
who keeps His covenant & mercy…
We have Sinned & done wrong.
We have rebelled against You
and scorned Your commands…
We have refused to listen to
Your… prophets (Daniel 9:4-6).
Now, our God, hear the prayers and
petitions of Your servant… We do
not make requests of You because
we are righteous, but because
of Your Great Mercy (v17-18).
While I was speaking in prayer…
Gabriel talked with me and said:
O Daniel, I have now come forth
to give you skill to understand…
Seventy weeks are determined
for your people and for your
holy city… to make an end of sins
to make reconciliation for iniquity,
to bring in everlasting righteousness
and to anoint the Most Holy(v21-24)

Lord, Daniel was an exceptional man
but even him had offended You God.
So in Daniel’s prayers, he took
responsibility for the sins that
he and his people had committed.
Help us Lord to learn from Daniel
not deny our faults but admit them.
Help us to be honest with You God,
confess our sins; so that we can
feel clean, relieved and prepared
to serve You forgiven. Amen.

Lord, I come to You not because
I am worthy but because You are.
You are full of mercy; and I need
Your mercy to be extended to me.
I need help to overcome certain
challenging situation in my life.
And I thank You Lord that Your help
isn’t dependent on my good works;
but upon Your goodness, love
and grace. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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 lives.
Help us honour You in all we do
& help us focus on Your holiness.
And empower us to live a life
that is set apart to You Lord.
In Jesus’ gracious name, Amen.

Praise God: The Ancient of Days

Backgrounder to Daniel 7-12:
The first half of Daniel’s book
centers around the prophet’s
personal adventures; the 2nd half
focuses on his prophetic visions.
God’s people, a major political
and military force among the
Gentiles since the days of Joshua,
now find themselves under
Gentile domination. But even world
powers do not rise or fall without
the consent of almighty God.
In a remarkable collection of
prophetic glimpses, Daniel sets
forth both the near and distant
future of God’s chosen people –
a future filled with purifying
judgment and blessing.

Lord, we worship as You Reign:
Daniel had a dream and visions…
while on his bed. Then he wrote
down the dream, telling the main
facts. Daniel spoke saying: I saw…
the four winds of heaven were
stirring up the Great Sea…
And four great beasts came up
from the sea (Daniel 7:1-3).
I watched as thrones were put in
place and the Ancient One sat down
to judge. His clothing was as white
as snow, his hair like purest wool.
He sat on a fiery throne
and a river of fire was flowing
from His presence (v9-10).
O Son of Man, You will come with
clouds of heaven. In the presence
of the Ancient of Days, You will be
given dominion and… a kingdom,
so that people of every nation…
will worship You (Dan 7:13-14).

Lord Jesus, we Praise You for taking
on human form to accomplish light,
life and liberation. All people will
eventually worship You someday.
We worship You Lord today for
You are our health and salvation.
And we choose to worship You
for You keep Your promises of
lovingkindness. In Jesus’ name.

O Heavenly Father who has always
cared, provided and protected Your
children in all the ages, to You in
reverent awe our hearts are bowed.
O Lord Jesus, our Saviour and
Prince of Peace; to You we owe
with gratitude for blessed assurance
and the peace that still prevails.
O Holy Spirit, our Comforter and
Enabler, to You we owe quickening
power that gives peace and
increase in all that we do. Amen.

Ancient of Days, who sittest
throned in glory,
To Thee all knees are bent,
all voices prayed;
Thy love has blessed the wide
world’s wondrous story
With light and life since
Eden’s dawning day.
O Triune God, with heart
and voice adoring,
Praise we the goodness
that doth crown our days;
Pray we that Thou will
hear us still imploring
Thy love and favour,
kept to us always. Amen.

God Rules & Fulfils Dreams

Perhaps when you think of Daniel,
you think of a young man. But the
book of Daniel covers 70 years
in the life of this prophet of God.
Daniel was 76 years old in chap 4,
86 years in chap 5 and 93 in chap 6.
Throughout his days, Daniel’s
faith shines brightly, whether
in interpreting a king’s dream,
reading the hand-writing on the
wall, or taking a stand for his God.

Lord, You Rule & Fulfil Dreams:
I thought it good to declare
the signs and wonders that the
Most High God has worked for me.
How great are His signs, and how
mighty His wonders! His kingdom
is an everlasting kingdom, and
His dominion is from generation
to generation (Daniel 4:2-3).
As he looked out across the city,
he said: Just look at this great city
of Babylon! I by my own mighty
power have built this beautiful city…
While he was still speaking these
words, a voice called down from
heaven, O King Nebuchadnezzar,
this message is for you! You are
no longer ruler of this kingdom…
You will live in the fields with the
wild animals and you will eat grass
like a cow… until you learn that the
Most High rules over the kingdoms
of the world and gives them to
anyone He chooses (v30-32).
That very hour the word was fulfilled
concerning Nebuchadnezzar;
(for) he… ate grass like oxen (v33).

Lord, thank You that wisdom and
understanding comes fr You alone.
Grateful for reassuring that You’re
in control of every area of my life.
I confess Lord with my heart, how
great are Your signs & wonders;
and Your kingdom is everlasting.
Thank You that You are my God
and Saviour, for in You I have placed
my trust. Praise Your mighty name.

Lord, we note Nebuchadnezzar’s
prideful heart when he says:
“By my own mighty power,
I have built this beautiful city.”
We realise Lord that we can
also fall into prideful tendencies.
King of heaven, Your rule is ever-
lasting and Your kingdom eternal.
Your acts are just and You are
entitled to humble the proud; and
so humble, restore & lead us. Amen.

Lord, If drunk with sight of
power, we lose Wild tongues
that have not Thee in awe;
Boasting breeds without the law.
Lord God of hosts be with us yet,
Lest we forget, lest we forget…
Still stands Thine ancient sacrifice,
An humble and a contrite heart.
Lord God of hosts, be with us yet,
Lest we forget, lest we forget. Amen

Praise El Elyon The Most High God

The first 3 chapters of the book
describe the spiritual integrity
of Daniel and his three friends.
Selected for government service,
they resist the pressure to conform
to their pagan environment and
instead take a stand for God.
Whether in diet, truthfulness or
spiritual discipline, the four young
men live out their convictions.

Praise be El Elyon Most High God:
Look! he answered: I see four
men loose, walking in the midst
of the fire; and they are not hurt,
and the form of the fourth is like
the Son of God (Daniel 3:25).
Nebuchadnezzar then approached
the opening of the blazing furnace
and shouted: Shadrach, Meshach
& Abednego, servants of the Most
High God (El Elyon), Come here!
So Shadrach, Meshach & Abednego
came out of the fire (Daniel 3:26).
Nebuchadnezzar said: Blessed be
the God of Shadrach, Meshach and
Abed-Nego, who sent His Angel and
delivered His servants who trusted
in Him… There is no other God
who can deliver like this (v28-29).

Lord El Elyon, thank You for
showing us time and again that
You are over all, and delivering us
from the snares of the enemy.
You hold the power in Your hand
to keep the flames of life’s trials
from scorching us; and You have
the power to save. We will not
fear what man can do, for You
the Most High God is for us. Amen

Lord El Elyon, we may tremble
when life’s troubles surrounds us,
whether in work, finances or
health through worry or fear.
Yet You Lord are El Elyon, Most
High God and knows everything.
Forgive us for looking only at
what we can see, things that
seem so certain to harm us
rather than looking at You. Amen.

Lord El Elyon, we ask You manifest
Your might more & more each day.
Too often we look to ourselves
when we get into difficulties;
and so often we become fearful.
Help us look to You; for You are
not only Creator God, but also
Elyon Most High. Grant us power
when we feel faint; increase
our strength when we are weak;
and help us wait upon You. Amen.