Day: October 18, 2020

Abide In Christ to be Fruitful

The Upper Room Discourse
contains Jesus’ final words of
instruction and encouragement
to His disciples before His death.
Only John records these intimate
moments between Jesus & His men
as He models true humility (c13),
describes the Holy Spirit who will
comfort & empower them (c14-16)
and intercedes for protection and
unity of His disciples worldwide(c17)

Lord, we purpose to Remain in You:
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…
If you remain in Me and my words
remain in you, ask whatever
you wish and it will be given you.
By this My Father is glorified that
you bear much fruit (Jn 15:5-8).
IF You KEEP my commandments,
you will abide in My love. This is My
commandment that you Love one
another as I have loved you (v10-12)
You are My friends IF You DO
what I command. I no longer call
you servants… Instead I have
called you friends (v14-15) Amen.

Lord, as I purpose to Remain in You,
help me to walk closely with You
each day and stay constantly in
communication with You – both by
talking with You and listening to You
speak to my heart. Help me Lord
to grow deep in Your Word, getting
to know You better. And help me
to increase in the knowledge of
Your ways and Your will. Amen.

Lord, we note Your command
to love one another as You have
loved us sacrificially. Help me
Follow Your command to love
others with Your kind of love.
And help me to do good works
and share the gospel so that
others will come to believe in You.
In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.

Lord Jesus, I desire that you will
become my Best Friend & help me
Develop Deep Friendship with You.
Help me to understand the full implications of friendship with You.
Help me to be loyal, committed
and loving, walking with You daily.
Help me enjoy staying deeply in
Your Word, learning more about
Your nature, way and will. Amen.

Time for Revival of Worship(Oct18)

Prophet Ezekiel is given a preview
of the new temple, built upon the
site of the old one destroyed 14
years earlier. Ezekiel sees the glory
of the Lord returning to the new
Holy of Holies… Finally, Ezekiel
describes the boundaries of the
renewed nation, with divisions for
tribes, priests and the people of
Jerusalem. As a reminder of all
that has taken place, the new city
will be named “The Lord is there.”

The book of Ezekiel begins by
describing the holiness of God that
Israel had despised and ignored.
As a result, God’s presence departed
from the temple, city and the people.
The book ends with a detailed vision
of the new temple, the new city and
the new people – all demonstrating
God’s holiness. The pressures of life
may persuade us to focus on the
here and now and thus forget God.
That is why worship is so important;
for it takes our eyes off the current
worries, gives us a glimpse of God’s
holiness and allows us to look
toward His future kingdom. God’s
presence make everything glorious
& worship brings us into His presence
Lord, we seek Your Presence.
Lord, we seek Life-Giving Stream.
Lord, we seek to Worship You. Amen

Lord, we seek Your Presence:
The man took me back to the east
gate of the temple, where I saw
the… glory of Israel’s God coming
from the east… I immediately bowed
with my face to the ground and the
Lord’s glory came… into the temple…
Ezekiel, son of man, this temple is
my throne on earth. I will live here
among the people of Israel for ever.
They and their kings will never again
disgrace me by worshipping idols
at local shrines (Ezekiel 43:1-2, 7).
Lord, thank You for the picture
of God returning to dwell among
His people; and Your promises
of an eternal presence with them.
Later revelation of Immanuel through
the incarnation in Jesus and by
the gift of the Holy Spirit, we see
a much deeper fulfilment of that
promise that God dwells in us.
Help us Lord that knowing God
dwelling among us spur us to live in
a way that reflects His glory. Amen.

Lord, we seek Life-Giving Stream:
Then he led me back along the river
-bank. Suddenly to my surprise,
many trees were now growing on
both sides of the river! Then he said:
This river flows east thro the desert
into Jordan Valley, where it enters the
Dead Sea. The waters of this stream
will heal the salty waters of the Dead
Sea and make them fresh and pure.
Everything that touches the water
of this river will live. Fish will abound
in the Dead Sea, for its waters will
be healed. Wherever this water
flows, everything will live(Ez 47:6-9)
Lord, the depth of our need calls
to the depth of Your grace; for Your
grace is deeper than our need.
Draw us Lord to You and let rivers
of living waters flow from the heart.
Grant us to drink deeply each day
of the river of the water of life. And
Grant us to overflow in blessing
to the thirsty world around. Amen.

Lord,we seek to Worship & Outreach
The city of Jerusalem will have 12
gates, three on each of the four
sides of the city wall. These gates
will be named after the 12 tribes
of Israel… On the north side will
be gate of Reuben, Judah & Levi…
The distance around the entire city
will be six miles. And from that
day the name of the city will be:
“The Lord is There.”(Ezek48:30-35)
Lord, we are glad that You long for
a place to live among Your people.
We realise the vision also points
to a new heaven and a new earth
which gives hope in difficult times.
We realise the gates named after the
12 tribes symbolising all the people
of God, reaching out to the world.
Carry us in Your river and help us
bring healing to others in Your name.
And may the grace of Lord Jesus,
the love of God and the fellowship of
the Holy Spirit be with us all. Amen