Reflection on Hebrews (Nov 26)

Trusting God thru His Promises

The purpose of the epistle to
the Hebrews is to present the
sufficiency & superiority of Christ.
God spoke in times past through
the prophets, but He has reserved
declaration of His glory for His Son.
By His death & resurrectiob, Jesus
lifts mankind into the family of God.
Because of His perfect humanity,
Jesus is uniquely qualified to serve
as High Priest for sinful mankind.
And Christ will bring His people into
the eternal resting place of heaven.

On Monday, we learn from Heb 1/2
that God Reveals His Truths.
On Tuesday, we learn from Heb 3
that God Calls us to Be Courageous.
On Wednesday, we learn from Heb 4
that Christ Is Our Great High Priest.
On Thursday, we learn from Heb 5
that God Desires we Grow & Mature.
On Friday, we learn from Heb 6
that God Keeps His Promises.
On Saturday, we learn from Heb 7
that God Intercedes For Us. Amen.

Let us humble ourselves and pray
and seek His face. Help us O God
be Christ’s disciples who trust You:
For You Call us to be Courageous
and You truly keep Your promises;
For You God Reveals Your Truths
and You desire we Grow & Mature;
For You are our Great High Priest
and You intercede for us. Amen.

Trusting God In Hebrews 7 (Nov 25)

Christ Always Interceding For Us

God spoke in times past through
 the prophets, but He has reserved
 the declaration of His glory for 
His Son.   By His death, Jesus lifts
 mankind into the family of God.
 Because of His perfect humanity,
 Jesus is uniquely qualified to serve
 as High Priest for sinful mankind.
 Moses was a servant in God’s
household, but Christ is the
 divine Son over God’s household.
 And Christ will bring His people into
 the eternal resting place of heaven.

Lord, You Will Intercede For Us:
The Lord has sworn and will not relent;    You are a priest forever…
by so much more Jesus has
become a surety of a better
covenant (Hebrews 7:21-22).
                        There were many priests under
 the old system, for death prevented
 them from remaining in office.
 But because Jesus lives forever,
 He has a permanent priesthood.
Therefore He is able to save
 completely those who come
 to God through Him, because
 He always lives to intercede
 for them (Heb 7:23-25)...                  For this He did once for all when He offered up Himself (v27).

Lord, praise U for being not just
our Saviour, but also our great
 High Priest and our representative.
Thank you for your constant
care for us. Thank you for praying
for me continually before the
 throne of God. And I ask you for
 grace to make my life & actions
confirm to Your will. Amen.

Lord Jesus, thank you that
in your earthly life, You are the 
example, showing us how to live.
In your death, You are the perfect
 sacrifice, satisfying for all our sins. 
In Your resurrection & ascension,
 you are our conqueror and king.
And in your intercession, you are
 our eternal High Priest always
 praying for us in the power of Your
 indestructible eternal life. Amen.

Dear Lord Jesus, Thank You
 for all that You have done for us.
 Thanks for the book of Hebrews
 that shows Your completeness.
Thanks we can access directly
 to You for help in our challenges.
 Grant us confidence as you have
 promised to remember our labour, 
to be our steadfast anchor;  and
 to always Intercede For Us. Amen

Trusting God In Hebrews 6

God Keeps His Promises (Nov 24)

God spoke in times past through
the prophets, but He has reserved
the declaration of His glory for
His Son. By His death, Jesus lifts
mankind into the family of God.
Because of His perfect humanity,
Jesus is uniquely qualified to serve
as High Priest for sinful mankind.
And Christ will bring His people into
the eternal resting place of heaven.

Lord, You Remember Your Promises:
For God is not unfair. He will not
forget how hard you have worked
for Him and how you have shown
your love to Him by caring for
other Christians (Heb 6:10).
God also bound Himself with an
oath, so that those who received
the promise could be perfectly sure
He would never change His mind…
These 2 things are unchangeable
because it is impossible for God
to lie. Therefore, we who have
fled to Him for refuge can take
new courage, for we can hold on
to His promise with confidence.
This confidence is like a strong
and trustworthy Anchor for
Our Souls (Heb 6:17-19). Amen.

Lord, sometimes we struggle with
living in a world where good is
ignored or even disadvantaged.
Help us to keep our eyes on You
and on the truth of Your Word.
You are righteous in all You do;
and grateful for the promise
that You will never forget all
that we do for Your kingdom.
Grant us grace as we purpose
to continue to do good. Amen.

Lord, ministry can be tough, like
a grind with endless repetition of
routines. We wish someone will
notice how hard we are working.
Thankfully this is not really so.
For You God see what we do,
will reward the sacrifices made;
and greatly approve when we
further the kingdom of Christ.
And God has promised that He will
never forget. In Jesus’ name, Amen

Lord, Thank You for providing
something to hold on to when
everything seems to be shaking.
Our hope in Christ is an Anchor
for our souls and will keep us
steady in all the storms of life.
Thank You for the promise that
those who flee to You for refuge
can take new courage because
Your promises are true and You
never break Your word! Amen.

Trusting God In Heb 5 (Nov 23)

God Desires we Grow & Mature

God spoke in times past through
the prophets, but He has reserved
the declaration of His glory for
His Son. By His suffering & death,
Jesus He lifts mankind above
the angels into the family of God.
Because of His perfect humanity,
Jesus is uniquely qualified to serve
as High Priest for sinful mankind.
Moses was a servant in God’s
household, but Christ is the
divine Son over God’s household.
Lord, we purpose to Grow & Mature:
For every high priest taken from
among men is appointed for men
in things pertaining to God,
that He may offer both gifts
and sacrifices for sins (Heb 5:1).
Though He was a Son,
yet He learned obedience by
the things which He suffered.
And having been perfected,
He became the author of eternal
salvation to all who obey Him (v8-9).
For though by this time you ought
to be teachers, you need someone
to teach you again the first
principles of the oracles of God
and you have come to need milk…
But solid food belongs to those
who are of full age, that is, those
who… have their senses exercised
to discern both good & evil (v12-15).

Dear Lord Jesus, Thank You
for all that You have done for us.
Thanks for the book of Hebrews
that shows You are superior
over everyone and everything.
Thanks we can access directly
to You for help in our challenges.
Grant us confidence as we claim
Your promises in Hebrews 5-7;
for You are our Great High Priest
and You Intercede For Us. Amen.

Lord Jesus, You have been selected
from among men to be my High
Priest and has been appointed
to represent me in matters related
to Father God. He is the propitiation
for my sins and through Him all
of my gifts are purified and made
acceptable when He presents them
to our Father. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Lord, I will not be one who is slow
to learn the elementary truths
of the Gospel all over again.
Though I enjoy milk of the Word,
I am ready for the meat of the Word,
which will bring me to maturity.
I will not be stagnant with the things
of God but will press forward
in knowledge, wisdom and grace,
seeking to live by, in & thru all that
God has for me as His child. Amen.

Trusting God In Heb 4 (Nov 22)

Christ Our Great High Priest

God spoke in times past through
the prophets, but He has reserved
the declaration of His glory for
His Son. In order to bring salvation,
the Sin of God willingly became
a little lower than the angels. And
by His suffering and death, He made
it possible to lift mankind above
the angels into the family of God.
Because of His perfect humanity,
Jesus is uniquely qualified to
serve as High Priest for sinful
mankind. And He will bring
His people into eternal rest.

Lord,we Approach with confidence:
The word of God is… powerful…
piercing even to the soul and spirit
and is a discerner of the thoughts
and intent of the heart (Heb 4:12).
Seeing then that we have a Great
High Priest… Jesus the Son of God,
let us hold fast our confession.
For we do not have a High Priest
who cannot sympathise with our
weakness, but was in all points
tempted as we are, yet without sin.
Let us therefore Come Boldly to
the throne of Grace, that we may
Obtain Mercy and Find Grace to
help in time of need (Heb 4:14-16).

Lord, breathe Your Words into me;
don’t just teach me Your truth,
fill me with it. Let it shape me
in every way so that I can hear
Your voice in it. Lord, I invite You
to sharply and decisively divide
my own thoughts from Yours and
distinguish Your voice within me.
And let Your Words burn powerfully
in my heart and mind. Amen.

Lord, praise You for being our
Great High Priest & understanding
our challenges and weaknesses.
Thank You for pouring out Your
life on the cross, for rising again
and reigning at the right hand of
the Father. Your throne is a place
of grace for Your people, where
we can receive Your mercy and
help when we most need it. Amen.

Lord Jesus, thank You that You
understand my weaknesses,
for You have been tempted in
every way and yet did not sin.
Because You understand my
struggles, I know I can come
to You and receive mercy.
Help me Lord approach You with
confidence, knowing You will help
me in my time of need. Amen.

Trusting God In Hebrews 3 (Nov 21)

God Calls us to Be Courageous

Those who rebelled against God
in the days of the wilderness
wanderings were excluded from
His rest in the Promised Land.
However, for the people of God
today there exists an even better
rest than that – the one His Son
spoke about. Since the promise
of entering His rest still stands,
let’s enter and enjoy it.

Lord, we will Be Courageous:
We are God’s household, if we Keep
Up our Courage & remain confident
in our hope in Christ (Heb 3:6).
That is why today when you hear
the Spirit’s voice, Don’t Harden
Your hearts (Hebrews 3:7-8).
Lord, it is a calling for all of us
to see to it that none of us has
a sinful, Unbelieving heart that
turns from You the living God (v12).

Father, thank You for making
me a part of Your household.
Holy Spirit, fill me and renew
my confidence in Christ Jesus and
in His finished work on the cross.
Strengthen me to keep up courage,
empower me to believe Your Word,
to listen attentively to Your voice
and to remain confident because
my hope is in Christ. Amen.

Lord, You are constantly calling
us towards the place of fruitfulness
and fulfilment that You intend for us.
Yet we find it easy to ignore You or
push Your voice to back of our mind.
Forgive our negligence and
even our rebellious attitude.
Grant us Soft Heart to Listen to You.
And make us sensitive to everything
that You have to say. Amen.

Lord, let me be encouraged in Your
truth. Show me the ways that I can
be instrument of encouragement.
And keep me from any discouraging
actions or words to others each day.
Let me be sensitive to see where
those in my life are discouraged.
Encourage the hearts of my friends.
Encourage the hearts of loved ones.
Keep them from discouragement.
And keep discouraging people
far far away from them. Amen.

Trusting God In Hebrews 1&2

God Reveals His Truths (Nov 20)

God spoke in times past through
the prophets, but He has reserved
the declaration of His glory for
His Son. By His suffering & death,
Jesus He lifts mankind above
the angels into the family of God.
Because of His perfect humanity,
Jesus is uniquely qualified to serve
as High Priest for sinful mankind.
Moses was a servant in God’s
household, but Christ is the
divine Son over God’s household.
Joshua was Israel’s provider of
peace in the land of Canaan, but
Christ will bring His people into
the eternal resting place of heaven.

Lord, we will Listen to Your Truth:
In these final days, he has spoken
to us through his Son… through
whom also He made the world’s…
and upholding all things by the
word of His power, when He had
by Himself purged our sins (and)
sat down at the right hand of
the Majesty on high (Heb 1:2-3).
We must listen very carefully
to the truth we have heard,
or we may drift away from it…
how shall we escape if we neglect
so great a salvation (Heb 2:1-3)
You have made him a little lower
than the angels; You have crowned
him with glory and honour, and…
You have put all things in subjection
under his feet (Heb 2:7-8).

Dear Lord Jesus, thank you for
the book of Hebrews that shows
You are superior over everyone
and everything. Thank you for
all that You have done for us,
for Living in You Christ Jesus
is having the best there is in life.
Whilst we may face challenges,
thanks for we have direct access
to You, whereby we can approach
your throne with confidence. And 
Help us Listen to Your Truth. Amen.

Lord, speak to me through the
pages of scripture each day and
Make them come alive in my heart.
Challenge me when I am drifting
away from You. Reveal Your
thoughts on the application of
Your Word to my circumstance.
And breathe the power of
Your Word deep into me.
In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.

Father God, since I have identified
with Your son Christ Jesus,
I have truly become one with Him.
So, I will not look to myself to
carry out my dominion in the earth,
but fix my thoughts on Jesus,
the High Priest of our confession.
It is He who takes my words before
the Father on my behalf, so that
I have the assurance that they will
accomplish the task and achieve the
purpose for which I see them. Amen.

Thought for the Week: 2Tim 4

God Stands By the Faithful (Nov 19)

Paul writes his 2nd letter to Timothy
from prison with imminent death.
Yet the focus of Paul is not his own
needs but the needs of Timothy
who is pastor of church at Ephesus.
Paul, who has stood Faithfully for
the Lord through his life, passes
on that same challenge to Timothy.
There is no need to fear when
You serve the Lord of the universe
and endure hardship for His sake.

Lord, we’ll Share Your Good News:
A time is coming when people will
no longer listen to sound teaching.
They will follow their own desires &
reject the truth…Don’t Be Afraid of
suffering for the Lord (2Tim4:3-5).
I have Fought the good fight,
I have Finished the race, and
I have Remained FAITHFUL.
And now the prize awaits me,
which the Lord..the Righteous Judge
will give me on… His return (v7-8).
The Lord STOOD with me and gave
me Strength so that I might preach
the Good News for all to hear. And
the Lord will Deliver me (v17-18).

Lord, we are living in the end times
as we see more pestinences, earth
quakes & climatic disasters as well
as lawlessness around the world.
Living for Jesus and sharing the
good news can be challenging.
Cause us Lord to remember Your
commission; not slack in our
responsibility and the grace to
share Your love. In Jesus’ name.

Lord Jesus, Thank You for all that
You have done for us. In gratitude
we want to further Your kingdom.
Help me influence others toward
You & steer them to Your direction.
Help me speak words of edification
as well as utter prayers for others.
Help me Remain Faithful running the
race to receive Your crown. Amen.

Lord, Thank You for Your promise to
bring us to Your heavenly Kingdom.
You will bring us through difficulties
in a way that allows us to triumph.
We know You Lord are watching
as You use us to impact the world.
Stand by us, give us strength and
grant us deliverances that boost
our confidence to persevere
and Share Your Good News. Amen.

Reflection on 2 Timothy (Nov 19)

Trusting God thru His Promises

The purpose of Apostle Paul’s
letters to Timothy is to encourage
as well as to give instructions
to Timothy who is the young
pastor of the church at Ephesus.
Paul’s letter to Titus in Crete is
to promote sound teaching that
emphasises holy living and encourages to live worthy of gospel.

On Monday, we learn from 2 Tim 1
that God Helps us to Do Right.
On Tuesday, we learn from 2Tim 2
that God Remains Faithful to us.
On Wed, we learn from 2Tim 3
that God Gives Word of Life.
On Thursday, we learn from 2Tim 4
that God Stands By the Faithful.
On Friday, we learn from Titus 2
that God Desires Holy Living.
On Saturday, we learn from Titus 3
that God Desires us to Do Good.

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,
You are Faithful towards us
and You Stand By the Faithful.
For You Help us to do right,
as well as give Word of life.
Help us to live holy lives
and help us to do good.
In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.

Trusting God In Titus 3 (Nov 18)

God Desires us to do Good Works

Titus lived on Crete, and worked
among a people who had one of
the worst reputations in the world.
Paul had left Titus to oversee the
church & now writes to encourage
him in that difficult task.To promote
sound teaching and offset false
doctrines, Titus is told to appoint
& train spiritual leaders as elders.
Paul’s short letter is a summary of
Christian doctrine that emphasises
holy living and encourages all
to live worthy of the gospel.

Lord, we’ll Do Good Works:
Remind them to be subject
to authorities… to be ready for
every good work; to speak evil
of no one, to be peaceable,
gentle, showing all humility
to all men (Titus 3:1-2).
This is a faithful saying, and
these things I want you to affirm
constantly, that those who
have believed in God should be
careful to maintain good works.
These things are good
and profitable to men (v8).
Avoid foolish questions, contentions
and striving about the law. Such things are unprofitable and useless…
And let our people also learn
to maintain good works,
to meet urgent needs, that
they may not be unfruitful (v9-14).

Lord, we purpose to be submissive
to the governing authorities and
be obedient to the laws of the land.
We will be prepared to do
whatever is good and honourable.
We will be peace-loving people
who are kind and considerate
as well as display God’s own
brand of humility toward everyone.
In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.

Lord, You saved me not because
of any works of righteousness that I
had done, but because He loves me
so much and grants me His mercy.
And having been justified by His
grace, I have been become an heir
with the assurance of eternal life.
So, I will give my all to Him and
devote myself to doing only that
which is good & profitable. Amen.

Lord, I purpose to avoid foolish
controversies, arguments and
quarrels about the Law; for such
things are unprofitable and useless.
And Lord, I purpose to live my
life productively, working hard
and doing what is good so that
You God have an avenue to bless.
In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.