Knowing God in Jeremiah 11

God who Test Righteously (May 4)

God instructs Jeremiah to take
a linen girdle and bury it by the
Euphrates River. Later he is told
to dig it up again. The result is
predictable: one ruined girdle,
unfit to wear any longer. And
the parallel is painfully clear.
Selected by God for a place
of intimate fellowship (just like
the girdle), Judah would now be
away in judgment for her corruption.

Hear the words of this covenant
and speak to the men of Judah…
Obey My voice and do according
to all that I command you; so shall
you be My people and I will be your
God, that I may establish the oath
which I have sworn to your fathers,
to give them a land flowing
with milk and honey (Jer 11:2-5)
I was like a docile lamb brought to
the slaughter… But O Lord of hosts,
You who judge righteously, testing
the mind and the heart, let me see
Your vengeance on them for to You
I have revealed my cause (v19-20).

Dear covenant keeping God,
For all things beautiful
and good and true;
For all things that seemed
not good yet turned to good;
For all the sweet compulsions
of Thy Will that chased and tried,
and wrought us to Thy shape;
We thank Thee Lord. Amen.

Dear Lord Jesus You said:
If a man love me, he will keep
my words; and my Father will love
him and we will come unto him
and make our abode with him.
Let my fellowship with the Father
and with the Christ Jesus have
this one aim: a life of obedience.
May the Holy Spirit enlighten my
mind, heart and hands so that I will
have power to do God’s will. Amen.

Righteous God, thank You for
the power of Yourighteousness
for from You flow might & strength.
Pour out Your righteousness
into our hearts. Give us relief
especially from divisions and
strife that comes from self-
centredness and silo mentality.
Instead engulf us with Your spirit
of love, grace and mercy. Amen.

Knowing God in Jer 10 (May 3)

Eternal King & Maker of All Things

Idolatry and hypocrisy have permeated every fiber of Judah’s
national life. People, prophets and
priests alike practice worthless
worship in haughty indifference.
But through Jeremiah, God delivers
a ringing indictment. Their nation
with all its outward splendour –
will be reduced to a heap of ruins
because of the people’s arrogance
and idolatry. At the thought of Judah’s imminent divine surgery,
Jeremiah weeps unashamedly
for his hardhearted countrymen.

Praise Eternal King & Maker of all:
You are great; and Your name
is great in might, Who would
not fear You, O King… For this is
Your rightful due (Jer 10:6-7).
But the Lord is the true God;
He is the living God and
the everlasting King (v10).
He has made the earth by His
power, He establish the world
by His wisdom… For He is
the Maker of all things (v12-16).

Lord, You are great and greatly
to be praised. Great is Your power.
You have stirred our hearts so that
we take pleasure in praising You.
You have created us and our hearts are restless until they rest in You.
Lord, we affirm Your power over
the circumstances of our life. And since You are powerful & wise, we’ll
give You all praise and glory. Amen

Glory be to You O God the Father,
the Maker of the whole world.
Glory to You O God the Son,
the Redeemer of humankind.
Glory to You O God the Holy Spirit,
the sanctifier of Your people.
I am giving thee offering
with my whole thought.
I am giving thee praise
with my whole tongue.
I am giving thee love
with my whole devotion.
I am giving thee worship
with my whole life. Amen.

Lord, I contemplate Your great
power in creating the universe.
I know that You have power over
all the natural forces that U created.
I know that I could not take a breath
or be sustained upon this earth
except by Your sustaining grace.
So I join the psalmist to praise You.
Praise You for Your mighty deeds.
Praise You for excellent greatness.
Let every day of my life praise You.
In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.

Thought for the Week: Isaiah 40

Kadosh The Holy One

The book of Isaiah has been
likened to the miniature Bible,
its 66 chapters paralleling the
66 books of the Bible. Beginning
Isaiah 40, the final 27 chapters of
Isaiah, like the 27 books of the
New Testament, proclaim a message
of comfort and hope. The Messiah
is coming to be the Saviour of sinful
people. Therefore, Comfort ye my
people, says your God (Isaiah 40:1).

All Praise be to Kadosh:
To whom then will you liken Me,
Or to whom shall I be equal?
says the Holy One (Kadosh).
Lift up your eyes on high, and
see who has created these things…
He calls them all by name,
by the greatness of His might…
Have you not known?
Have you not heard?
The everlasting God, the Lord,
Creator of the ends of the earth.
He gives power to the weak. And
to those who have no might, He
increases strength (Isa 40:25-29)

Kadosh, in the year King Uzziah
died, Your prophet Isaiah saw You
seated on the throne (Isaiah 6).
Holy, holy, holy, are You; and the
whole earth is full of Your glory.
I am unclean, and I live among
a people who are unclean; yet
You have cleansed me and made
me holy. Thank U for Your merciful
love, which enables me to know
You and be accepted by You. Amen

Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts,
the whole earth is full of Your glory.
Holy Lord Kadosh, forgive me
for failing to respond to Your
holiness at the level due You.
Forgive me Lord for dismissing
the purity of who You really are.
May I respond in total praise
and humility as You make me
aware of Your holiness. Amen.

Kadosh, 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.
And empower us to live a life
that is set apart to you!
In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Meditating on 1Cor 15-16 (May 2)

Resurrection Gives Confident Hope

False teachers had been confusing
the Corinthians by denying the
doctrine of physical resurrection.
Paul defends the Resurrection as
a historical truth fact confirmed
by more than 500 eyewitnesses.
The Resurrection provides hope
for the believer’s body as well
as his soul, and motivates the
believer to be steadfast, always
abounding in the work of the Lord
knowing your labour is not in vain.

Lord, thanks for Confident Hope:
For when the trumpet is blown,
those who have died will Be Raised
to Live Forever. And we who are
Living will also be transformed…
O death, where is your victory ?
O death, where is your sting ?
But thank God! He gives us Victory
over sin and death through our Lord
Jesus Christ (1Cor 15:52-57). (So)…
be steadfast, immovable, always
abounding in the work of the Lord,
knowing that your labour is Not
In Vain in the Lord (1Cor 15:58).
Watch, stand fast in the faith,
be brave, be strong (1Cor 16:13).

Lord, in a world filled with gloomy
news, thank You that Your Word
holds Great Hope for the future.
Someday all believers of Christ
will be given new bodies. And
eternal life with God in heaven is far
better than what we experience here.
Thank You we can be confident for
Your good plan for us and that You
are in control of everything. Amen.

Lord, the sting of death is not dying
but rather what happens after.
Thank You for eliminating possibility
of hell; but giving eternal bliss in
heaven for all who believe in Christ.
Because Jesus had paid for our sin
and rose from the dead, death has
No Power over us. In gratitude and
realising importance of the gospel,
help us be worthy witnesses. Amen

Lord, we recognise that You
have given us talents and gifts.
They may not be something overt
like teaching and singing; but skills
like cooking or greeting people.
For all that matters is that we use
them for the Lord. God promises
that Nothing done for Him will
be useless. And You Will Honour
us for the faithful service. Amen.

Meditating on 1Cor 11-14

Perspectives on Worship

Paul’s letter so far has dealt with
problems of a personal nature.
But now he addresses public
issues in the Corinthian church:
the veiling of women, the importance
of the Lord’s Supper, and the use
of spiritual gifts. Worship must be
characterised by propriety and
orderliness. Spiritual gifts must be
exercised in love, for the edifying
of the whole body of Christ. Only
then is the church of God properly
worshiping the God of the church.

Lord, we thank You for inspiring
Paul who gives us the Christian
approach to problem-solving:
analysing the problem thoroughly
to uncover the underlying issue;
and then highlighting the Biblical
value that will guide our actions.
Thanks Lord for giving spiritual
gifts to build up the church.
Help us Seek Spiritual Gifts,
Help us Choose to Love and
Help us Use Spiritual Gifts. Amen.

Lord, we will Seek Spiritual Gifts:
There are different kinds of gifts,
but the same Spirit distributes
them. There are different kinds
of service but the same Lord…
Now to each one of the
manifestation of the Spirit
is given for the common good.
To one is given the word of wisdom
through the Spirit, to another faith
by the same Spirit, to another
gifts of healings (1 Cor 12:4-9).
Lord, Your Word says that You give
Your people special gifts that they
can use to build Your kingdom.
Thank You for the different kinds
of gifts that the Spirit has given me.
Give me wisdom & discernment
as well as opportunities to use
them so as to help accomplish
Your will on earth. Amen.

Lord, we’ll Choose Way of Love:
Love is patient and kind…
It does not demand its own way.
It is not irritable, and it keeps
no record of being wronged…
Love never gives up, never loses
faith, is always hopeful & endures
through every circumstance.
Love never fails (1Cor13:4-8).
Lord, thank You for loving me,
being with me and for me. And
I choose to show my love for You
by being trusting & hopeful; and
persevering in whatever I face.
Lord, help me to love others,
when it is difficult to do so.
Enable me to express Your self-
giving love to those You have
put in my world. Help me to be
other-centred. And show me
ways to love unreservedly. Amen.

Lord, we will Use Spiritual Gifts:
Pursue love and desire spiritual
gifts, especially that you may
prophesy… One who prophesies
is helping others grow in the Lord,
encouraging and comforting them..
Since you are so eager to have
spiritual gifts, ask God for those
that will be of real help to the
whole church (1 Cor 14:1-3 & 12).
Lord, I ask You to give me
the spiritual gifts that You know
will be of real help to the church
and will fulfil Your purpose and
destiny for my life. Thank You
for creating me with particular
interests and talents. Help me
to see opportunities to use them
to serve others & glorify You. Amen


Reflection on Isaiah (Apr 23)

Knowing God thru His Names

The purpose of Isaiah is to
call the nation of Judah back
to God and to tell of God’s
salvation through the Messiah.
This week we understand God better
thru His revelation of names, mostly
related to His ability to meet needs.
On Monday, we learn from Isa 40
about Kadosh The Holy One.
On Tuesday, we learn from Isa 42
about Light to the Nations.
On Wednesday, we learn from
Isa 49 about The Lord Your Saviour.
On Thursday, we learn from Isa 60
about The Lord Your Redeemer.
On Friday, we learn from
Isa 61 about Spirit of the Lord.
Let us humble ourselves and pray
and seek His face…In Jesus’ name.
Click PrayerThots.com to see full.

Knowing God In Isaiah 61

Spirit of the Lord (April 30)

Backgrounder on Isaiah 58-62:
Isaiah catches a glimpse of the
Glorious Future awaiting the people
of God. A day is coming when
darkness will be swept away,
affliction will cease and the
glad tidings of salvation shall
be proclaimed throughout Zion.
God has not forsaken His people
& groaning has given way to glory.

Lord, You Turn Mourning to Joy:
The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me…
to heal the brokenhearted…
to comfort all who mourn…
to give them Beauty for Ashes,
the oil of Joy for mourning,
the garment of praise for the
spirit of heaviness (Isa 61:1-3).
You will be called Ministers of God.
U shall eat riches of Gentiles (v6).
I am Overwhelmed With Joy
in the Lord my God! For He has
dressed me with the clothing of
salvation and draped me in a robe
of righteousness (v10). Amen.

Lord, I don’t know how much I must
have lost or the blessings I have
forfeited because I have lived
my way instead of Your way.
But I confess my sins of thought,
word and action to You now.
Grant me Lord beauty instead
of ashes, gladness instead of mourning and a garment of
praise instead of despair. Amen.

Lord, I know being called to the
ministry and in fact we all are!
Help me to be an effective go-
between standing in the space
between You and a needy world.
Help me to correctly do that
in my family, among friends,
in church and in the community.
Enable me to represent You well to
others & lift up others to You. Amen

Lord, grant me a glimpse of Your
presence which gives Fullness
of Joy. And reveal and show me
the power of proper perspective:
not be defeated but to overcome;
not be victimised but victorious.
Help me live life such that my
attitude and internal state of
mind are impacted more by You.
Clothe me in Joy and celebration
of what You have already done
in me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Knowing God In Isaiah 60

The Lord Your Redeemer (Apr 29)

As Israel looks at his contemporary
situation, there is little to commend it.
Empty ritual, meaningless fasts,
and broken fellowship mark the
spiritual life of the nation. But Isaiah
catches a glimpse of the glorious
future awaiting the people of God.
A day is coming when darkness
will be swept away, affliction
will cease, violence shall no more
be heard and the glad tidings
of salvation shall be proclaimed
throughout Zion. The desolate land
shall be inhabited and prosperous,
prompting praise to the ends of
the earth that God has not forsaken
His people after all. Groaning
has indeed give way to glory.

Praise be Jehovah Goelekh:
Arise, shine, for your light
has come, and the glory of
the Lord rises upon you.
See darkness covers the earth,
but the Lord rises upon you
and his glory appears over you…
You will drink the milk of nations
and be nursed at royal breasts.
Then you will know that I the Lord
(Jehovah) am your Saviour,
your Redeemer (Goelekh),
the Mighty One (Isa 60:1-2, 16).

Lord, I know my Redeemer lives
and You have sent redemption
to me thru Your Son, Jesus Christ.
In Your grace, You sustain me
in so many things including
provision, health and relationship.
And I praise You because You have
delivered me time and time again
from the hand of the enemy. Amen

Jehovah Goelekh, forgive me
for taking Your redemption
too lightly at times and not
living in the light of that truth.
I confess lack of understanding
of all the dangers You have
rescued me from; for You are
always working things out
behind the scenes. Amen.

Lord, be our constant Redeemer
and ever-present help in trouble.
Redeem us from doubt, sinful
propensities and indulgences.
Give us the grace of virtues
and mould us into the person
You have purposed us to be.
Grant us fruitfulness & blessing
according to Your will for the advancement of Your kingdom.
Use us as vessels of redemption
to those in need. In Jesus’ name.

Knowing God In Isaiah 49

The Lord Your Saviour (Apr 28)

For the people of God, the path
of restoration is the path of
servanthood and suffering.
There is coming One who
will pardon iniquity and will
restore righteousness to Zion.
In contrast to the rebellion of Israel,
this Servant will come willingly
and humbly to offer Himself as
a sacrifice for many. Therefore,
the faithful ones are called
upon to hearken to God’s voice
for righteousness is near.

Praise be Jehovah Moshiekh:
Thus says the Lord: I will contend
with him who contends with you,
and I will save your children.
I will make your oppressors eat
their own flesh; they will be drunk
on their own blood… Then all
mankind will know that I, the
Lord (Jehovah), am your Saviour
(Moshiekh), your Redeemer,
the Mighty One (Isa 49:25-26).

Lord Jehovah Moshiekh, You are
indeed our Saviour. Thank You
for paying the price for our sins
when Jesus Christ suffered on
the cross to afford us not only
eternal salvation but also
sanctification in our daily life.
You have already conquered our
greatest foe – Satan. We praise
You for being the ultimate victor
over all, and save us from that
which seeks to destroy us. Amen.

Lord, forgive me for failing to share
the good news of Your salvation
with as many people as I can.
Give me the grace to sense when
You are opening doors in the life
of someone, so that I might sow
seeds of kindness and tell them
of Your goodness and mercy.
And help me pray for the lost
so that they may come to know
You as their Saviour. Amen.

Lord Jehovah Moshiekh, make
me a vessel of Your salvation
to those who need to know You.
Show me how to live; and make
my life a living testimony that
speaks of Your grace and mercy.
And pray that when others see
Your salvation in our lives, they
will be encouraged to receive it
in theirs as well. In Jesus’ name.

Knowing God In Isaiah 42

Light to the Nations (April 27)

The book of Isaiah has been
likened to the miniature Bible,
its 66 chapters paralleling the
66 books of the Bible. Beginning
Isaiah 40, the final 27 chapters of
Isaiah, like the 27 books of the
New Testament, proclaim a message
of comfort and hope. The Messiah
is coming to be the Saviour of sinful
people. Therefore, Comfort ye my
people, says your God (Isaiah 40:1).

All Praise be to Or Goyim:
My Servant whom I uphold.
I have put My Spirit upon Him;
He will bring forth justice…
I am the Lord, I have called You
in righteousness, I will also hold U
by the hand and watch over You,
And I’ll appoint You as a covenant
to the people, as a light to the
nations (Or Goyim) – Isa 42:1,6.
To open blind eyes, to bring
out prisoners from the prison,
those who sit in darkness…
Behold the former things have
come to pass, and new things
I declare (Isaiah 42:7-9).

Lord Or Goyim, You’re a light to
the nations and You are a covenant
to the people. In Your righteousness
we find our salvation. Thank You
Lord for opening up Your goodness
and grace to all who trust in You.
Thank You for redeeming us
and drawing us into Your light,
for in Your righteousness
we will find our own. Amen.

Lord, I come to You on behalf of
each of us in the body of Christ
who has failed to do all we can
to take Your name to the nations.
So many people are lost because
they haven’t heard about You.
Send us to those who do not yet
know about You. And Show us how
to take Your name to those in need
& give the light of Your hope. Amen

Lord Or Goyim, may people from
all tongues lift up Your name
and seek Your face for salvation.
Send Your kingdom servants
to proclaim the message of the
covenantal love Jesus died to
provide for those who trust in Him.
Raise up a generation to proclaim
that You are the light of the nations.
In Jesus’ precious name, Amen!