Reflecting Experiencing God (Jan 5)

Reflecting Experiencing God (Jan 5)
Experiencing God thro Obedience

The current series on Experiencing
God through Obedience is perhaps
the main focus of discipleship.
We position to encounter God’s
presence through learning to seek
God’s voice, deepening our trust in
Him and ultimately thro Obedience.
Before moving to the next series,
let’s pause to reflect our learning.
We spent 4 months on OT from laws,
Israel history, Wisdom and Prophets
and another 4 months on NT through
the gospels and apostolic letters.

From Genesis, we see Abraham’s
Obedience in Trusting God though
he didn’t have all the answers; so
he went Not Knowing Where; and
sacrificed Issac Not Knowing How
he be father of nations (Gen 12&22)
From life of Moses, we see in the Red
Sea crossing that the Israelites have
to Move Forward to experience the
mighty deliverance of God (Exo 14).
The Israelites were protected from as
a harsh desert elements by Following
the cloud (Num 9); and Moses
challenged them to Obey the Lord in
order to receive ublessings (Deut 30)

Israel history begins with the call to
Joshua to Be Courageous to receive
the inheritance, to obey the law and
to claim the presence of God (Josh1)
David killed the mighty Goliath was
because he Remembered God
helped him to kill the lion (1Sam 17)
And then by Inquiring of the Lord,
he won great victories repeatedly
against the Philistines (1Chron 14).
King Jehoshaphat by Seeking the
Lord for help in 2Chron 20 won a
great victory against the combined
armies of Moab, Ammon & Syria.

In the Wisdom literature, David
Sought the Lord and was delivered
from all his fears; and blessed is the
one who Trust in Him (Ps 34:4, 8).
God is our refuge and strength,
a very present help in trouble…
We just need to Be Still and Know
that He is God (Ps 46:1 & 10).
Solomon urges in Prov 2:1-5: If you
receive my words…If you search for
her as for hidden treasures, then you
will understand the fear of the Lord.
Fear God and keep His commands,
for this is man’s all (Eccles 12:13).

And moving to the Prophets,
those who Wait on the Lord shall
renew their strength (Isa 40:31).
And the Lord has plans to give you
hope and a future… Seek Me and
Find Me, when you search for me
with all your heart (Jer 29:11-13).
Rid yourselves of all the offences
you have committed, and get a new
heart and a new spirit (Ezek 18:31).
The vision is yet for an appointed
time… Wait for it because it will
surely come… (For) the just shall
live by his Faith (Habakkuk 2:3-4).

Moving to NT starting with Gospels,
Go & Make Disciples of all nations…
teaching them to obey everything
I have commanded u (Mt28:19-20).
Have Faith In God. For… whoever
says to this mountain: Be removed
and does Not Doubt in his heart,
But Believes that those things
he says will be done, he will have
whatever he says (Mk 11:22-24).
The Son of Man has come to Seek &
Save those… who are Lost (Lk 19:10)
I am the vine; you are the branches.
If You Remain In Me and I in you,
you will bear much fruit; apart from
Me you can do nothing (John 15:5).

Then Letters: When God promised
Abraham that he would become
the father of many nations,
Abraham believed Him… even
though such a promise seemed
utterly impossible (Romans 4:17).
All the promises of God in Him are
Yes and in Him Amen (2Cor 1:20).
Be anxious for nothing but in every
-thing by prayer… let your requests
be made known to God; and the
peace of God… will guard your
hearts and minds (Phil 4:6-7).
He who calls you Is Faithful,
who also Will Do it (1Thess 5:24).
Let us… Come Boldly to the throne
of Grace that we may obtain mercy
& find grace in time of need(Heb4:16)
Consider it pure joy whenever you
face trials because the testing of
your faith produces perseverance,
Let perseverance finish its work so
that you may be mature & complete
not lacking anything (James 1:2-6)

And here’s the listing of Thought for
the Week over the last eight months:
To access, Navigation as follows:-
Click PrayerThots.com
=> Scroll to Calendar
=> Select Month of 2020
=> Click Day of the Month

Torah Law (Wk1-3: Genesis – Deut)
May28: Test of Obedience(Gen22)
Jun 5: Following Cloud Exp(Exo 40)
Jun12: Choosing to Obey (Deut 30)

History (W4-9: Joshua-Nehemiah)
Jun15: Be Courageous (Joshua 1)
Jun25: God Is Our Deliverer (1Sam17)
Jun29: Seek His Kingdom (1 Kgs 4)
Jul 7: Inquire of the Lord (1Chr 14)
Jul 16: Seek God for Help (2Chr 20)
Jul23: Open Heart to God (Neh 2)

Wisdom (W10-12: Psalms – Eccl)
Jul30:Seek Lord’s Deliverance(Ps34)
Aug 4: Be Still Before God (Ps 46)
Aug10:Seek God & Fear Him(Prov 2)

Prophets (W13-16: Isaiah – Hab)
Aug19: Wait Upon the Lord (Isa 40)
Aug27: Hold On to God’s Plan(Jer 29)
Sep 1: Repent of Sins/Offences(Ez18)
Sep 10: Wait Upon God (Hab 2-3)

Gospels (W17-22: Matthew – Acts)
Sep18: Make Disciples (Matt25/28)
Sep25: Have Faith Not Doubt (Mk 11)
Oct 2: Seek the Lost (Luke 19-21)
Oct 7:Nourished by Obedience(Jn4)
Oct14: Abide In Christ (John 15)
Oct21: Watch Divine Encounter (A9)

Letters (W23-32: Romans-Revelatn)
Oct27: Living Life of Faith (Rom4-5)
Nov 5: Love One Another (1Cor 13)
Nov 9: Hold to God’s Promises(2C1)
Nov19:Live In Unity & Humility(Eph4)
Nov 26: Trust God for Needs (Phil 4)
Dec 2: Seek the Will of God (1Ths 5)
Dec 9: Be Eternal Mided (1Tim 6)
Dec14: Be Courageous (Heb 3-4)
Dec21:Living Out Your Faith(Jas1-2)
Dec28: Go Back to First Love (Rev2)

Knowing God thru His Names(Jan 5)

Knowing God thru His Names(Jan 5)
Launch of New Series

We have been utilising Scripture      
to form prayers so that we learn
to think as God thinks; and pray
within His will thus pleasing Him.
For the past three years, we’ve been
meditating two themes each year
to form disciple attitudes including:
Imploring God thru His Promises;
Seeking God thru Gospel Truths;
Adoring God thru Thanksgiving;
Hearing God thru His Word;
Praising God thru Classic Hymns &
Experiencing God thru Obedience.
Following a query from dear friend
and industry associate David Gerald,
sensed the Spirit leading that for
the next 12 months we will meditate
on Knowing God thru His Names.

In the Bible, God reveals Himself by
various names, mostly related to His
ability to meet needs of His people.
So, the people of God in the Bible
call on the Name of the Lord for
deliverance, victory, protection,
provision and many other things.
What’s true for God’s people then
is true for God’s people today too!
Whatever our present need,
God is the one who can meet
that need. And to call on God’s
Name in prayer is to appeal to
that aspect of His character that
relates to our particular need.

Most of the biblical Names of God
originates in the Old Testament and
we’ll include Hebrew transliteration
and English translation for sense.
The entire Holy Trinity: Father, Son
Jesus & Holy Spirit will be featured.
The structure of the respond prayers
is modelled after the Lord’s Prayer &
will be based on the Acronym ACS:
Adoration including praise and
thanksgiving; Confession and
Supplication including intercession.
Pray that these scriptural prayers
will encourage you and help you
commune with Abba Father. Amen.

Preview Hag, Zech & Mal (Jan 17)

Preview Hag, Zech & Mal (Jan 17)
Post Exilic Prophets

As the Bible is arranged by genre,
to enhance understanding context
we’re meditating by time sequence.
OT1A: Genesis
OT1B: Poetry Book of Job
OT1C: Life of Moses (Exo to Deut)
OT2A: History to David (Josh-1Chr)
OT2B: Five Books of Psalms
OT2C: 1 Kings & Wisdom Poetry
OT3A: 2 Kings & Prophets
OT3B: 2 Chronicles & Prophets
OT3C: Post Exilic Period & Prophets

In the final part of Phase Three,
we had earlier covered the history
of the post-exilic period under
Esther, Ezra and Nehemiah.
Continuing into the prophets, we
start with Haggai, written 520 BC
with purpose to call the people to
complete the rebuilding the temple.
Zechariah; written around 519 BC
for chap 1-8 & 480BC for chap 9-14,
with purpose to give hope to God’s
people by revealing God’s future
deliverance through the Messiah.
Malachi, written 430BC, to confront
the people with their sins and to
restore their relationship with God.

Haggai: “Consider your ways and
finish what you have begun” are
the resounding calls of the prophet
Haggai as he tries to awaken the
people spiritually. They have just
returned from exile in Babylonia
and are discouraged by the
destruction in the city. But Haggai’s
message brings encouragement,
particularly to the governor,
Zerubbabel who must inspire the
people. “I am with you,” declares
the Lord as the people are called
to rebuild and fight against future
oppression. There is hope and
future blessing for their obedience!

Zechariah: Using colourful visions
and consoling sermons to portray
God’s glorious future plans for
His covenant people, Zechariah
encourages the workers engaged
in rebuilding the temple. Although
earlier enthusiasm has waned,
the task is an important one, for
the temple will be the focal point
of the ministry of Israel’s coming
Messiah. God will keep His promises
to His people, and fasting will turn
to feasting when Messiah arrives.
So put away sin, finish the temple,
& await the Messiah with encitement.

Malachi: Years after the restoration
from exile, the spiritual condition
of God’s people has deteriorated.
Again they have lapsed into the
same sins that brought about
captivity. They tithe sporadically,
ignore the Sabbath and intermarry
with unbelievers.Their hearts have
grown hard and their love for God
has grown cold, yet Malachi comes
to remind the people of God’s love
for them. Malachi’s final warning
about the purifying Day of the Lord
marks the close of the Old Testament
period which is followed by 400
years of silence in biblical record.

Preview on John Gospel (Feb 6)

Preview on John Gospel (Feb 6)
Believing in the Son of God

As the Bible is arranged by genre,
to enhance understanding context
we had been meditating scripture
by time sequence over last 25 mths
over three Old Testament phases:
OT1A: Genesis
OT1B: Poetry Book of Job
OT1C: Life of Moses (Exo to Deut)
OT2A: History to David (Josh-1Chr)
OT2B: Five Books of Psalms
OT2C: 1 Kings & Wisdom Poetry
OT3A: 2 Kings & Prophets
OT3B: 2 Chronicles & Prophets
OT3C: Post Exilic Period & Prophets

Continuing into the New Testament,
the gospel of John is a gospel apart.
Matthew, Mark and Luke despite
their different view-points, describe
many same events in Jesus’ life.
But John presents unique material
to prove to his readers that Jesus
is God in the flesh, born to die
as the sacrifice for human sin.
Seven miraculous signs and
seven “I am” declarations are cited
to show that Jesus is the Christ,
the Son of God; and that believing
we may have life in His name.

We will meditate John gospel over
3 weekends on following 6 divisions:
Jn 1-2: Coming of the Son of God
Jn 3-5: Compassion of Son of God
Jn 6-8: Claims by the Son of God
Jn 9-12: Conflict with Son of God
Jn 13-17: Comfort from Son of God
Jn 18-21: Crucifixion of Son of God
O Jesus, because You’re God’s Son,
we can fully trust what You say.
And by trusting You, we can gain
an open mind to understand God’s
message and fulfil His purpose for
our lives. In Jesus’ precious name.

Preview on Ezekiel (Sep 26)


Lord’s Judgment & Restoration

As the Bible is arranged by genre,
to enhance understanding context
we’re meditating by time sequence.
OT1A: Genesis
OT1B: Poetry Book of Job
OT1C: Life of Moses (Exo to Deut)
OT2A: History to David (Josh-1Chr)
OT2B: Five Books of Psalms
OT2C: 1 Kings & Wisdom Poetry
OT3A: 2 Kings & Prophets
OT3B: 2 Chronicles & Prophets
OT3C: Return From Exile & Prophets

2 Chronicles spans four centuries of
Judah’s history from glory days of
Solomon to end of Babylonian Exile.
Moving to prophets, Isaiah’s ministry
spans reigns of four kings of Judah
(722-681BC) stressing holiness
of God and coming of the Messiah.
Then five minor prophets to Judah
including Obadiah (840BC) and
Joel (830) as well as Micah (735-10)
Zephaniah (630) & Habakkuk (607).
Then Jeremiah written 627 to urge
God’s people to turn from their sins
followed by Lamentations (586 BC).
Next, Ezekiel written about 571 BC.

Ezekiel born as a priest but ministers
as a prophet during the last days
of the decline and fall of Judah.
While Jeremiah stays in Jerusalem
Ezekiel preaches to exiles in Babylon.
Similar to Jeremiah in pronouncing
God’s severe judgment on the
faithless nation, Ezekiel also adds
a blessed note of hope – God’s
promise of a restored nation in
the future. Emphasising the glory
of the Sovereign God, Ezekiel
portrays God’s purpose through
both judgment and blessing “that
all might know that I am the Lord.”

We will meditate Ezekiel over four
weekends over following 8 divisions:
Ezek 1-6: Signs and Sermons
Ezek 7-11: Departing Glory
Ezek 12-19: Parables of Judgment
Ezek 20-23: Pictures of Sin
Ezek 24-32: Judgment of Enemies
Ezek 33-36: New Life for Israel
Ezek 37-39: Revived Bones
Ezek 40-48: Revived Worship
Lord, Your message of judgment
points to Your unchanging holiness;
but You also have messages of
restoration & hope for the people.
Grant us grace Lord to submit
to Your rule in our life. Amen.

Preview on Lamentations (Sep 19)


Weeping Over Judgment

As the Bible is arranged by genre,
to enhance understanding context
we’re meditating by time sequence.
OT1A: Genesis
OT1B: Poetry Book of Job
OT1C: Life of Moses (Exo to Deut)
OT2A: History to David (Josh-1Chr)
OT2B: Five Books of Psalms
OT2C: 1 Kings & Wisdom Poetry
OT3A: 2 Kings & Prophets
OT3B: 2 Chronicles & Prophets
OT3C: Return From Exile & Prophets

2 Chronicles spans four centuries of
Judah’s history from glory days of
Solomon to end of Babylonian Exile.
Moving to prophets, Isaiah’s ministry
spans reigns of four kings of Judah
(722-681BC) stressing holiness
of God and coming of the Messiah.
Then five minor prophets to Judah
including Obadiah (840BC) and
Joel (830) as well as Micah (735-10)
Zephaniah (630) & Habakkuk (607).
Then Jeremiah written 627 to urge
God’s people to turn from their sins.
and next Lamentations (586 BC).

God’s warning had come through
the prophet Jeremiah but the people
of Judah had refused to listen.
In 586BC as the Babylonian army
attacked, judgment was poured
out on the city and the people
were carried into exile. Jerusalem
lay ruined and empty. For days
Jeremiah lamented over the city
and its future. As he cries out
in the darkness of destruction,
Jeremiah is given a spark of hope.
God promises forgiveness & grace.
The period of judgment is limited,
and in His mercy God will restore
the city and return the captives.
Lord, You are calling people to turn
from their sins and back to You.
Grant us grace Lord to submit
to Your rule in our life. Amen.

Preview on Jeremiah (Aug 8)


Final Hour Prophet to Judah

As the Bible is arranged by genre,
to enhance understanding context
we’re meditating by time sequence.
OT1A: Genesis
OT1B: Poetry Book of Job
OT1C: Life of Moses (Exo to Deut)
OT2A: History to David (Josh-1Chr)
OT2B: Five Books of Psalms
OT2C: 1 Kings & Wisdom Poetry
OT3A: 2 Kings & Prophets
OT3B: 2 Chronicles & Prophets
OT3C: Return From Exile & Prophets

2 Chronicles spans four centuries of
Judah’s history from glory days of Solomon to end of Babylonian Exile.
Moving to prophets, Isaiah’s ministry
spans reigns of four kings of Judah
(722-681BC) stressing holiness
of God and coming of the Messiah.
Then five minor prophets to Judah
including Obadiah (840BC) and
Joel (830) as well as Micah (735-10)
Zephaniah (630) & Habakkuk (607).
Next, Jeremiah (written 627 BC).

On the time clock of history, Judah
is only minutes away from destruction
as God calls Jeremiah to the task
of preaching repentance to an
affluent, self-satisfied people.
Jeremiah challenges his countrymen
to recognise their errors and repent.
However, Judah’s response is not
repentance but rejection.For more
than 40 years, this sinful nation
remains deaf to Jeremiah’s repeated
warnings until at last it is too late.
The Babylonian army arrives;
vengeance falls and God’s justice
and holiness are finally vindicated.

We cover Jeremiah over 6 weekends
under the following seven divisions:
Jer 1-3: Call of Jeremiah
Jer 4-15: Judah’s Faithlessness
Jer 16-20: Prophet & Potter
Jer 21-25: Last Chance for Judah
Jer 26-29: Conflicts of Jeremiah
Jer 30-33: Consolation fr Jeremiah
Jer 34-45: Consistency of Jeremiah
J46-52:Fall of Babylon & Jerusalem
Lord, thro Jeremiah You are calling
God’s people to turn from their sins
and back to You. Grant us grace to submit to God let You rule in our life.
In the name of Jesus we pray, Amen.

Preview Prophets to Judah (Jul 18)


Minor Prophets to Judah

As the Bible is arranged by genre,
to enhance understanding context
we’re meditating by time sequence.
Old Testament Expository Phases:
OT1A: Genesis
OT1B: Poetry Book of Job
OT1C: Life of Moses (Exo to Deut)
OT2A: History to David (1Chron)
OT2B: Five Books of Psalms
OT2C: 1 Kings & Wisdom Poetry
OT3A: 2 Kings & Prophets
OT3B: 2 Chronicles & Prophets
OT3C: Return From Exile & Prophets

2 Chronicles spans four centuries of
Judah’s history from glory days of Solomon to end of Babylonian Exile.
Moving to prophets, Isaiah’s ministry
spans reigns of four kings of Judah
(722-681BC) stressing holiness and
justice of God as well as the Messiah
who comes to comfort His people.
Next, we will mediate on five minor prophets to Judah over 3 weekends
including Obadiah (840BC) and
Joel (830) as well as Micah (735-10)
Zephaniah (630) & Habakkuk (607).

Obadiah: One of the worst things
that can happen is to have your
enemies line up to destroy you.
However, defeat takes on a different
meaning when close friends and
brothers also join the opposition.
When Judah called out to her
Edomite cousins for help against
the advancing Babylonians troops,
Edom stood aloof & behaved like Judah’s foes. God’s displeasure
with Edom as it comes through the prophet Obadiah is clear: Edom be destroyed and Judah live in peace.

Joel: Addressing hearts that have
grown cold to the things of God,
Joel confronts the people of Judah.
He reminds them of the recent
destruction brought by a plague
of locusts. Yet that disaster, a
judgment in itself, will seem pale
beside the catastrophe still to come.
Unless the nation repents, it will be destroyed by an army from the north.
The only hope of escape is for the
people to repent. If they do, then
God will divert judgment and will
deliver an unparalleled blessing;
judgment on Judah’s enemies and
the matchless gift of peace to Zion.

Micah: Sin had infiltrated every
segment of society. False prophets
preached for money, immoral
princes oppressed poor, corrupt
judges allowed injustice to rule the land. Such were the days of Micah, country preacher turned prophet of God. Micah pleads with his country
men to turn away from sin & back to
God. But the message falls on deaf ears, that will soon instead hear
the glamour of invading armies. But within the hardness lies hope. When
justice is achieved, God will restore
His people to their covenant land.

Preview On Isaiah (Jun 6)

Prophet to Nation of Judah

As the Bible is arranged by genre,
to enhance understanding context
we’re meditating by time sequence.
Old Testament Expository Phases:
OT1A: Genesis
OT1B: Poetry Book of Job
OT1C: Life of Moses (Exo to Deut)
OT2A: History to King David (1Chr)
OT2B: Five Books of Psalms
OT2C: 1 Kings & Wisdom Poetry
OT3A: 2 Kings & Prophets
OT3B: 2 Chronicles & Prophets
OT3C: Return From Exile & Prophets

Following coverage of Northern
Kingdom, next we move South.
The book of 2 Chronicles spans
four centuries of Judah’s history
from the glory days of Solomon to
the conclusion of Babylonian Exile.
Moving to prophets, Isaiah’s ministry
spans four decades (722-681 BC)
and the reigns of four kings of Judah.
His book’s 66 chapters parallel
the 66 books of the OT and NT.
The first 39 chapters like the 39
books of the OT stress the holiness
and justice of God and pronounce
woe and condemnation on Judah.
The final 27 chapters focus on the
future, calling forth the theme of
the New Testament – Messiah is
coming to bring comfort to His
people & judgment for the nations.

We’ll cover Isaiah over 7 weekends
under the following seven divisions:
Isa 1-12: Judgment Coming to Judah
Isa13-27:Judgt Coming to Neighbors
Isa 28-35: Judgment to All Earth
Isa 36-39: Assyria at Jerusalem
Isa 40-48: Comfort Is Coming
Isa 49-57: Prince of Peace Coming
Isa 58-66: Restoration Is Coming
Lord, thro Isaiah You are calling
nation of Judah back to God & to tell
of Your salvation thro the Messiah.
Grant us grace to trust Christ fully
and let him rule in our life. Amen.

Preview On Ecclesiastes (Mar 14)

 

Whilst Bible is arranged by genre,
we are meditating chronologically:
Genesis on God’s Plan for creation;
JOB on Sovereignty of God; and
Exodus, Leviticus, Num-Deut on
Deliverance, Holiness & Obedience.
Then Joshua on Obedient Faith,
Judges on Disobedience & Judgment
Ruth on Faithfulness & Redemption;
1-2Sam on Rule of God & Sin Effects
1 Chronicles on Genuine Worship;
Psalms on Hymns of Worship,
1Kgs on United & Divided Kingdom,
Proverbs on Advice for Godly Living;
Song of Sol on Joy of Marital Love.

Continuing to Ecclesiastes, a king
of worldwide acclaim and legendary
wealth, Solomon had all opportunity
to examine life in all its complexities.
Ecclesiastes is the inspired record
of his intense search to find meaning
and satisfaction on earth. His search
yields the conclusion that apart from
God, all of life is hopeless futility.
Power, prestige, pleasure – nothing
can fill the void in the human heart.
Ultimate satisfaction comes only
when we fear, honour & obey God.

We will meditate Ecclesiastes
over this weekend in two divisions:
Ecc 1-6: Meaning of Life Explored
Ecc 7-16: Meaning of Life Explained
Lord, Help us to honour and obey
You so that we find true meaning
in life, live the abundant life and
experience ultimate satisfaction.
In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.