Month: December 2019

Being Drawn Back to First Love

John writes to the seven churches
      in Asia Minor to address their
scriptural need. Each message
 begins with the expression:
 I know thy works; each contains
a promise: to him that overcometh;
each concludes with the warning:
 He that hath ear, let him hear what
 the Spirit says to the churches.
 In short, John sends words of
 reproof and reassurance from
 Jesus Christ, the Alpha & Omega.

Lord, we’ll Come Back to First Love:
I know all about the things you do.
 I have seen your hard work and
 your patient endurance… But
 I have this complaint against you.
You don’t love Me or each other
as you did at first! Look how far
 you have fallen from your first love!
 Turn back to Me again (Rev 2:2-5)
To him who overcomes I will give…
a white stone and on the stone
a new name written (Rev 2:17).
As many as I love, I rebuke & chasten.
Therefore be zealous and repent.
Behold I stand at the door & knock.
If anyone hears My voice and opens
the door I’ll come in to him(R3:19-20)

Lord, we confess been doing a lot
for You; but have somewhat ease
the simple devotion of loving You.
Grateful You are ever calling me
back to intimacy with You; with
Your arms open wide to receive me.
Help me to once again abandon
 myself to You, to experience Your
unfailing love for me, and to live in
 pure devotion to Your heart. Amen.

Lord, You do give people new names
including Simon/Peter & Saul/Paul.
For those who felt defined by their
past baggage, this is good news.
For the name You give will not be
based on something we can earn.
It will be rooted in Christ’s identity
and reflect who we were created to
be: children of God with inheritance
in the kingdom for eternity. Amen.

Lord, we will Draw Near to You;
 For You are always near and
 always desirous of our attention.
 Forgive me for the times I ignore
 or push You to the edges of my life;
for You deserve the central place.
Whenever I hear You calling and
knocking, help me to open myself
to You so that we can enjoy intimacy
together. Draw me Close to U. Amen

Made Priests In His Kingdom

John writes to the seven churches
in Asia Minor to address their
scriptural need. Each message
begins with the expression:
I know thy works; each contains a
promise: to him that overcometh;
each concludes with the warning:
He that hath ear, let him hear what
the Spirit says to the churches.
In short, John sends words of
reproof and reassurance from
Jesus Christ, the Alpha & Omega.

Lord, help us be Your Priests:
To Him who loves us and
has freed us from our sins
by His blood, and has made us
to be a kingdom and priests
to serve His… Father (Rev 1:5-6).
I was In The Spirit on the Lord’s Day
and I Heard… a loud voice… saying:
I am the Alpha & the Omega (v10).
When I saw Him, I fell at His feet.
But He laid His right hand on me,
saying: Do not be afraid; I am the
First and the Last. I am He who lives
and was dead and behold I am alive
forevermore…And I have the keys of
Hades & Death (Rev 1:17-18) Amen.

Lord, thank You for not only
freeing us from sin, but also
making us Your new creation
as well as Your beloved children.
Thank You for also granting us
the high privilege of serving You
forever as priests. Grant me the
grace to live worthy of You and
the heart to intercede for others.
And help me speak Your Will and
live it out in every situation. Amen.

Lord, John was In the Spirit, in some
deep devotional or worship frame
of mind when he heard You speak.
Holy Spirit, I offer myself to You,
to be In You, on any day, and to
hear whatever You want to say.
For the word says You will draw
near to those who come near to U.
Draw me into the closeness of
relationship that causes U to want
to share Your heart with me. Amen.

Lord, we praise You as the First and
the Last; and as the one who was
once dead but now alive and sitting
at the right hand of God the Father.
You’re the One who gives us victory
over death that we desperately need.
And You even possess the keys
to lock death away forever in hell.
I look forward to the day when death
is no longer a threat and when life
rules forever. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

The Call to Kingdom Outreach

70 disciples are sent out two by two
with instructions to heal the sick
and say the kingdom of God is here.
Their enthusiastic return prompts
Jesus to rejoice in praise of God.
But clouds of confrontation are
already gathering. Some attribute
His miracles to Satan while the
Pharisees attack His disregard
for tradition. Jesus responds by
denouncing religious leaders for
their hypocrisy, and by warning
the disciples to be watchful.

Father God, thank You for giving
Your Son to be our Lord & Saviour.
Thank You for Luke 10-12 whereby
Jesus send workers for outreach
for the Kingdom of God is here.
Lord, we will Share the Good News.
Lord, we will Be Ready for Yr Return.
Lord, we will Pray with Perseverance.
In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.

Lord, we will Share the Good News:
The Lord appointed seventy others
also, and sent them two by two…
Then Jesus said: The harvest
is so great but the workers are
so few. Pray to the Lord who
is in charge of the harvest, and
ask Him to send out more workers
for His fields. Go now (Lk 10:1-3).
Lord, raise up and send out
labourers to every tribe and nation.
Raise up missionaries, teachers,
doctors and business people to
share the goodness of Jesus Christ
and bring in a harvest of souls.
Help us see the harvest before our
eyes. Pour out Your Spirit to enable
Yr people as the harvest waits. Amen

Lord, we’ll Pray with Perseverence:
Which of you shall have a friend,
and go to him at midnight and say:
Friend lend me 3 loaves… Because
of the man’s persistence he will get
up & give him as much as he needs.
So I say to you, ask and it will be
given to you; seek and you will find;
knock and it will be opened to you.
For everyone who asks receives, and
he who seeks finds and to him who
knocks it will be opened (Lk11:5-10)
Lord, Your parable implies the key to
experiencing U is to ask persistently
and press thro the negative voices.
So, I will keep asking and persist
despite lack of apparent results.
Help me have great faith that prayer
works and know You in a deeper way.
Even as we lift up our needs to You,
transform our hearts and let Your
desire becomes ours as well. Amen.

Lord, we’ll be Ready for Yr Return:
Be dressed for service and
well-prepared, as though you
were waiting for your master to
return from the wedding feast…
There will be Special Favour for
those who Are Ready and waiting
for His Return (Luke 12:35-38).
Lord, thank you for Your promise
of Special Favour for those who are
prepared for Your return. I desire
to please You in everything And
I purpose to be ready for Yr return.
The success of living ready is very
much dependent on our giving
ourselves in prayer. So help me 
to begin each day in prayer. Amen.

Ministry of Mercy & Discipling

Preaching, healing and discipling
summarise the daily activities
of the Son of Man. Luke records
the healings with careful attention
to details and those documented
miracles become the proof of Jesus’
claims to doubting John Baptist and
a faithless generation.As he preaches
& heals, Jesus patiently prepares His
disciples to carry on in His absence.

Father God, thank you for Your love
and concern for our wholeness
that You present Your Son to us.
Grateful Jesus You are not only our
Saviour but also our Lord & Master.
Thank You for Luke 7-9 which
highlights Your ministry of mercy,
preaching the word and discipling.
Lord, we are Grateful being Forgiven.
Lord, we will Respond to Your Word.
Lord, we Believe & Follow You. Amen.

Lord, we’re Grateful Being Forgiven:
Now the Pharisee spoke to himself
This Man, if He were a prophet,
would know What Manner a woman
this is who is touching Him. Jesus
said to the Pharisee… (Lk7: 39-40)
I tell you, her sins – and they
are many have been Forgiven,
so she has shown me Much Love…
Then Jesus said to the woman:
Your sins are forgiven (v47-48).
Lord, we all have committed sins,
any of which will deserve death.
It’s just our faulty perception that
makes us think we are better.
Soften our hearts with Your love,
Help us remember to be grateful for
being forgiven and not be offended.
Help us befriend sinners & give us
heart of compassion for those hurting
so that we reach out to them. Amen.

Lord, we will Respond to Your Word:
The seed is the word of God…
The rocky soil represents those
who hear the message with joy.
But their roots Don’t Go Very Deep.
They wilt when testing blow…
But the good soil represents
people who Hear God’s message,
Cling to it and steadily produce
a huge harvest (Luke 8:11-15).
Lord, I want to Receive Your Word,
apply it to my life & be obedient
to you. If my heart is hard, soften
it by reminding me of Your love.
If my roots aren’t deep enough,
enrich the soil by causing me
to respond to the Holy Word.
Deliver me from being consumed
with the cares and pleasures of this
world. And bring forth by your Spirit,
a great harvest in my life. Amen.

Lord, we Believe & Follow You:
Then Jesus said to them:
If anyone desires to come after me,
let him deny himself, and take
up his cross daily and follow me.
For whoever desires to save his life
will lose it, but whoever loses his life
for my sake will save it. For what
profit is it to a man if he gains
the whole world, and is himself
destroyed or lost? (Luke 9:23-25).
Lord,to follow You, we must submit
our desires to Yours, stop serving
ourselves and start serving You.
Lord, the call to commitment may
be challenging, but we trust You
will accompany the call with divine
sign so that we will also have
the necessary faith to act upon it.
In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.

Striving to Live In the Truth

In 2 John, the apostle urges
 balance in Christian life, standing
 firm in the faith and obey God
by loving Him and one another.
 In his third letter, apostle John
commends Gaius for hospitality
 & love of the truth and Demetrius
 for serving the church faithfully.

Lord, we want to Live in the Truth: 
How happy I was to meet some
 of your children and find them
 Living according to the Truth, just
as the Father commanded (2Jn 1:4)
       I am praying that all is well with you
and that your body is as healthy as
…your soul is. Some of the brothers
recently returned and make me
      very happy by telling me about
 your faithfulness and that you are 
Living in the Truth (3 John 1:2-3).
I could have no greater joy than
to hear that my children are
Following the Truth (3Jn 1:4). Amen

Lord, we can only build a good
foundation of faith by teaching
our children well. But only You can
make their heart to be fully Yours.
Thank You that every time we pray,
the Spirit is activated and God’s
heart-changing power is released.
And we pray our children be covered
by the grace & love of Christ, even
as we strive to live by Yr Word.Amen

Lord, l lift up all those in ministry,
 those in training & church leaders
 for their task can be challenging.
 Minister to them, protect them and
wrap Yr arms around their families.
 Help me  be a bright spot in ministry
of the church by living in the truth.
Help me to be faithful, practice what
I believe and to be a blessing, even
as I strive to live by Your Word.Amen.

Lord, grant me the same privilege
as Apostle John and give me the
joy of hearing that my spiritual
children are following the truth.
Save them from the soul sickness
caused by neglect or hypocrisy.
And cause them to experience
the strength of Spirit that comes
from living according to Your Word.
In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.

Having Confidence In Life & Prayer

Apostle John desires his spiritual
children enjoy close fellowship
with God and writes telling them
how: God is Light and to engage in
fellowship with Him means walking
in the light of His commandments.
God is Love, and thus His children
must walk in love. God is Life, and
those who desire fellowship with
Him must possess the spiritual life,
which begins with spiritual birth.

Lord, we will Ask Along Your Will:
He who has the Son has life…
These things I have written to you
who believe in the name of the Son
of God, that you may Know that you
have eternal life, and that you may
continue to believe (1Jn 5:12-13).
This is the Confidence we have
in approaching God; that if we
ask anything according to His will,
He hears us. And if we Know that
He hears us – whatever we ask
– we Know that we have what
we asked of Him (1Jn 5:14-15).
We know that God’s children do not
make a practice of sinning, for God’s
Son Holds them securely, and the
evil one cannot touch them (v18).

Father, thank You for the promise
of eternal life to those who believe
in Your Son. And Apostle John
wrote these words so that we could
know that we have eternal life – not
hope that we have it, but Know It.
We can trust Your solid promise of
an abundant life that begins now.
And we look forward to being with
You forever. In His name, Amen.

Father, it gives me Confidence
to know that if I ask according
to Your will, You will hear me
and I will have what I ask for.
So I come to You as Your beloved
child and ask You to help me pray
according to Your will. And I know
I will receive only good things
from You because You love me
and accept me. In His name, Amen.

Lord, we experience difficulties as
everyone else and Christians may be
targeted because they are believers.
And it is a relief that You are Lord
over even the evil one. All who belong
to You are eternally safe; and all who
opposed U are completely defeated.
For You had purchased us with
Your blood, You take us to Yourself,
and You Will Hold us securely. Amen.

Have Confidence In His Love

Apostle John desires his spiritual
children enjoy close fellowship
with God & writes telling them how:
God is Light and so to engage in
fellowship with Him means walking
in the light of His commandments.
God is Love, and thus His children
must walk in love. God is Life, and
these who desire fellowship with
Him must possess the spiritual life,
which begins with spiritual birth.

Lord, we’ll be Confident In Yr Love:
God Is Love and all who live in love
live in God, and God lives in them.
And as we live in God, our love
grows more perfect. So we will not
be afraid on the day of judgment,
but can face Him with Confidence
because we are like Christ here in
this world. Such love has No Fear
because perfect love expels all fear.
We love Him because He First
Loved us (1Jn 4:16-19). Amen.

Lord, You are love personified;
and the fruit of the Spirit is love.
Reveal to me to know You more
and the ability to love You more.
Refresh me constantly with the 
fountain of Your love so that it will
overflow in my actions and words.
And help me find the path of love, 
even in difficult circumstances
and with difficult people. Amen.

Lord, we humans are often fearful
about the events swirling about us.
Fill us with Your perfect love and
I quieten our hearts Lord so that
we don’t have to worry and fret.
And we need it for Your glory so that
others might see the comfort and
assurance available only in & thro U.
Teach us to rest in the knowledge
that You are in full control. Amen.

Lord, thank You for first loving us.
As we live in You, our love grows
more complete. Although I don’t
understand all the trials I may go
through, I trust in Your love for me.
Help me abide in You & Fill me with
Your perfect love that casts out fear.
Hence, I can Live In Confidence and
share Your amazing love with others.
In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.

The Call to Love One Another

Apostle John who enjoys delightful
fellowship with God, desires that
his spiritual children enjoy the same
fellowship & writes to tell them how.
God is Light and to be in fellowship
with Him means walking in
the light of His commandments.
God is love, and thus His children
must walk in love. And God is life,
and those who desire fellowship
with Him must possess spiritual
life, which begins with spiritual
birth through faith in Jesus Christ.

Lord, we will Love One Another:
Those who Obey God’s word
truly show how completely they
love Him. That is how we know we
are living in Him. Those who say
they live in God should live their
lives as Jesus did (1John 2:5-6).
This commandment – to Love one
another – is the same message
         you had before. Yet it is also new.    
This command is true in Christ
and      is true among you (1Jn 2:7-8).
Do not love this world nor the things
it offers you, for when you love
the world, you do not have the love
of the Father in you (1 John 2:15).

Lord Jesus, we confess not being
consistent in doing what You say.
Although You understand our falling
short, we don’t want to be negligent
in not trying to obey for that will
be hypocritical which You detest.
We don’t want to be a liar nor
not living in the truth. Help us to
saturate ourselves in Your Words
and help us purpose in our hearts
to carry them out as our gratitude &
demonstration of love to You. Amen.

Lord Jesus, time and time again
You call us to lay down our lives.
The love to which You call us
nearly always means setting aside
our interests even if momentarily.
It will mean lots of rearranging;
for rarely is it convenient or fit into
   our schedules where we’ve break.
Grant us the grace to lay down our
interest for someone in need. Amen

Lord, we need wisdom and help
in this battle against the world.
Help us recognise the world seeks
to shape and satisfy cravings that
only You God can truly satisfy.
This lifelong battle with worldliness
can’t be won by personal willpower.
Help us replace love for the world
with a love that won’t disappoint.
In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Fw_5_JHWLfs

Walking In the Light

Apostle John who enjoys deliguhtful
fellowship with God, desires that
his spiritual children enjoy the same
fellowship & writes to tell them how.
God is Light and to be in fellowship
with Him means walking in
the light of His commandments.
God is love, and thus His children
must walk in love. And God is life,
and those who desire fellowship
with Him must possess spiritual
life, which begins with spiritual
birth through faith in Jesus Christ.

Lord, we’ll Confess & You Forgive:
If we walk in the light as He is in the
light, we have fellowship with one
another & the blood of Jesus Christ
Cleases us from all sin (1 John 1:7).
If we claim to be without sin,
we deceive ourselves and the truth
is not in us. If we Confess our sins,
He is faithful and just & will forgive
us our sins and purify us from
all unrighteousness (1 John 1:8-9).
Whoever conceals their sins
does not prosper, but the ones
who confesses & renounces them
finds Mercy (Prov 28:13) Amen.

Lord, You say if we claim to be
sinless we’re only fooling ourselves;
for our old nature still exists. So,
Give me an attitude of discernment
and humility, so that when I sin I will
know it & desire to be cleansed of it.
Grateful Lord for Your forgiveness
which removes sins as far as the
east is from the west and that You
remember them no more. Amen.

Lord, I Confess my sins before You.
Thank You that You are faithful
to forgive them and to cleanse
me from all the effects of them.
If there is sin in my life that I am
not seeing, reveal it to me so that
I can confess it before You and
be purified of all unrighteousness.
For I want to live in the wholeness
of complete forgiveness. Amen.

Lord, give me strength of character
to take responsibility for wrong
actions and not to blame others.
Please forgive me when I’m wrong;
for You promise when I confess
my sins to You, You will forgive
me and cleanse me. And Thanks
for Your promise of grace & mercy
when we confess & renounce sin.
In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.

Hearing & Doing Will of our Lord

Luke introduces the ministry of
Jesus with three preparatory events:
the ministry of John the Baptist;
His baptism by John & temptation
by Satan. Christ’s genealogy ties
Him to David the king, Abraham
the patriarch & Adam the first man.
Rejection in hometown of Nazareth
causes Him to move to Capernaum,
where He ministers for two full years.
There by the shores of Galilee,
Christ calls 12 men to prepare them
for the ministry He’ll entrust to them.

Father God, thank you for Your love
and concern for our wholeness
that You present Your Son to us.
Grateful Jesus You are not only our
Saviour but also our Lord & Master.
Lord, we will Worship & Serve You;
Lord, we will Share the Gospel; and
Lord, we will Do What You Say.Amen.

Lord, we will Worship & Serve You:
Jesus was led by the Spirit in
the desert, where for 40 days
He was tempted by the devil.
He ate nothing and He was hungry.
The devil said: If You are the Son
of God, tell this stone to become
bread. Jesus answered: It is written:
Man does not live on bread alone.
The devil led Him up to a high place
and showed Him all the kingdoms.
And he said: if U worship me, it will
all be Yours. Jesus answered: It is
written: Worship the Lord your God
and serve Him only (Luke 4:1-8).
Lord, knowing and obeying God’s
Word is an effective weapon
against temptation. Help us to
use your word effectively, and
have the faith in your promises.
Also grant us the resources we
need to stand steadfast. Amen.

Lord, we will Share the gospel:
Jesus said: Now go out where it is
deeper & let down your nets. Simon
answered: Master, we’ve worked
hard all night and haven’t caught
anything. But because You say so,
I will let down the nets. When they
had done so, they caught such
a large number of fish…Then
Jesus said to Simon: From now
on you will catch men (Lk 5:4-10).
Lord, let us learn from Simon Peter
where obedience opens our lives to
Your miracle & receive Your blessing.
Open our ears Lord to hear Your
voice in our current circumstance.
And we will join You Lord in ministry
to further the kingdom of God.
Help us readily receive Your Word,
apply it & be obedient to You. Amen

Lord, we will Do What You Say:
(Jesus said): Why do you call me
Lord, Lord, when you don’t do what
I say?… I will show you what it’s
like when someone comes to me,
listens to my teaching and then
follows it. It is like a person building
a house who digs deep and Lays
the Foundation on Solid Rock…
Anyone who hears and doesn’t obey
is like a person who builds a house
without a foundation (Lk 6:46-49).
Lord, my heart is already Yours
considering what You have done
and I surrender once again to You.
My desire is to accept Your will
and to do what You want me to.
But Lord, share clearly Your will, for
only then will I have the confidence
that U are with me in the challenge
and I’ll dare to undertake it. Amen.