Month: December 2020

Hold On In Prayer of Faith (Dec 7)

Timothy, a young disciple discovered
by Paul on his second missionary
journey, enjoyed a unique relationship
with the apostle. Referred to by
Paul as his “beloved son”, Timothy
ministered alongside with Paul
as a missionary and later received
the challenging assignment of
pastoring the church at Ephesus.
Paul’s first letter resembles a manual
for building church leadership.
More generally, it is a rich mine of
principles for anyone who wishes
to have impact in the lives of others.

Lord, we will Hold On In Prayer:
This is a faithful saying that Christ
Jesus came into the world to save
sinners.For this reason I was shown
mercy so that in me, the worst of
sinners, Christ might display His
Immense Patience as an example
for those who would believe in Him
and receive eternal life(1Tim 1:15-16)
Timothy my son, here are my
instructions for you, based on the
prophetic words spoken about you
earlier. May they help you fight well
in the Lord’s battles; having faith and
a good conscience (1Tim 1:18-19)
Therefore I exhort first of all that
supplications, prayers, intercessions
and giving of thanks be made for
all men… I want men everywhere to
lift up holy hands in prayer, without
anger or disputing (1Tim 2:1, 8) Amen

Lord, thank you for showing mercy
and not treating me as my sins
deserve. Just as You are patient
toward sinners; help me to be
patient towards others. Help me
use my testimony to encourage
others to seek Your mercy and
Your grace. For I know that
what You have done on my life,
You will also do for others. Amen.

Lord, with all the distractions and
obstacles that may come against
us, it will be difficult to stay on a
direct course or have the energy
to keep following the Master.
When the going gets tough,
I purpose to cling to what You
said into my life. I won’t depart
from it, no matter what the
contradictions I hear or think.
Help me to keep focused & pursue
the calling You have given. Amen.

Lord, we realise that sometimes
Christians quarrel among ourselves.
We get caught up in unimportant
debates and useless arguments.
So Lord help us to be so devoted
to You that we maintain oneness
of the Spirit, even if we disagree
on certain things. We pray that we
will be unified in our belief in Your
Word so that we will be unified
in our prayers before You. Amen.

Seek the Will of God

Paul has many pleasant memories
of the days he spent with the infant
Thessalonian church. Their Faith,
hope, love and perseverance
in the face of persecution are
exemplary and Paul’s labours
as a spiritual parent to the fledging
church have been richly rewarded.
He encourages the Thessalonians
to excel in their Faith, increase in
their love, and rejoice always even
as God Promises to Sanctify them.

Lord, we Seek to Do Your Will:
Rejoice always, pray without
ceasing, in everything give thanks;
for this is the Will Of God in Christ
Jesus for you (1 Thess 5:16-18).
Now may the God of peace Himself
Sanctify You completely; and may
your whole spirit, soul and body
be preserved blameless at the
coming of our Lord Jesus (v23).
He who calls you Is Faithful,
who also Will Do it (v24). Amen.

Lord, it is always Your Will for me
to be joyful and pray often & give
thanks to You in all circumstances.
Help me to remember to do Your
Will in this regard, even when
I don’t see yet answers to prayers
as I would like it to be. No matter
what is happening now in my life,
I know that Your Will is good and
that You are fully in control. Amen.

Lord God of peace, do Your holy
work of Sanctification within me.
I want to honour You with my life
and I want to resist sin each day.
But at same time, I confess some
thing within me is attracted by evil.
Keep me blameless; give me
Lord a deep love for You and
the zeal for Your glory that will
surpass any impure passion. Amen.

Lord, I sincerely feel that deepest
longings simply must be fulfilled.
I bring them to You to do as You please, Use them to accomplish
Your purposes; and I’m believing
You will get me where I need to go.
I am now fully available to work
out the calling You have for me.
I know Lord that You are faithful
and that You will do it. Amen.

Ready to Be Counted (Dec 6)

Esther has been elevated to queen
without her nationality discovered.
And Haman the villain also rises
to the top politically. His hatred for
the Jews burns hot when Mordecai
fails to pay homage to him. Haman
persuaded King Ahasuerus to issue
an edict for destruction for the
Jewish race. Now Queen Esther
is faced with a deadly decision.
Should she risk revealing her
nationality in an attempt to dissuade
the king? Or should she protect
her life and silently watch while
her countrymen are slaughtered?

Lord, we will Stand & Be Counted:
Haman approached King Xerxes
and said: There’s a certain people
scattered through all the provinces
of your empire who keep themselves
separate from everyone else.
Their laws are different… and they
refuse to obey the laws of the king.
So it is not in the king’s interest
to let them live (Esther 3:8-9).
Mordecai sent this reply to Esther:
Don’t think for a moment because
you’re in the palace you will escape
when all other Jews are killed. If you
Keep Quiet.. deliverance and relief
for the Jews will arise from some
other place, but you & your relatives
will die. Who knows you were made
queen for just such a time like this?
Then Esther… replied to Mordecai:
Go, gather together all the Jews…
and fast for me for three days. I and
my maids Will Fast as you do. When
this is done, I Will Go to the king,
even though it is against the law.
And If I Perish, I Perish (Est 4:13-16)

Lord, the path of righteousness may
require courageous identification
of being a part of Your people.
Give me courage I need to Identify Openly with You and Your cause.
Give me the extraordinary courage
it takes to be different even if it
means being rejected because
of Identification With You Lord.
Help me to trust You just as much
even when life is confusing. Amen.

Lord, show me when Your Spirit is
calling me to Put Aside everything
else in order to seek You; and give
me grace to respond to that call.
Give me the discipline I need to be
able to Follow Through and the faith
to know that You are able to deliver
in whatever circumstances I am in.
Make my heart obedient, as Esther
was in Seeking You, if needed above
personal needs and interest; for You
God always keep promises. Amen.

Lord, I pray You will help me to be
a person who has a Heart For You
and Your ways; and one who is
in the right place at the right time.
Enable me Lord as I Fast & Pray to
have a powerful effect on the world
around me by standing up for what
is right and following Your leading.
Make my prayers powerful enough
to encourage and enable the lives
of the people and the church. Amen

Trusting in God’s Sovereignty

Esther is more than a story about
heroism. It is the story of how God
controls the destinies of people
and nations in spite of harrowing
circumstances and opposition.
Esther reads like today’s news:
national intrigue, political unrest,
attempted assassination. And over
it all, the sovereign hand of God
is at work in the lives of His people,
placing Esther in the palace and
Mordecai’s name in the Persian
chronicles “for such a time as this.

With God in charge, we can take
courage; for He can guide us
through the circumstances we face
in our lives. We should expect God
to display His power in carrying
out His will. As we unite our life’s
purposes to God’s purposes, we
benefit from His sovereign care.
Lord, we Trust In Your Wisdom.
Lord, we Trust In Your Power; and
Lord, we Trust In Your Timing. Amen

Lord, we Trust In Your Wisdom:
On the seventh day of the feast,
when King Xerxes was in high spirit
because of the wine, he told the
eunuchs to bring Queen Vashti…
He wanted the nobles… to gaze on
her beauty…But when they conveyed
the king’s order…she refused to
come. This made the king furious…
He consulted his advisers … What
must be done to Queen Vashti?..
Memucan answered the king: Queen
Vashti has wronged not only the king
but also every noble and citizen…
So… we suggest that you issue a
written decree… that cannot be
revoked. Order that Queen Vashti
be banished… and that the king
should choose another queen
more worthy than she (Esth 1:10-19)
Lord, help us not to make rush
decisions based purely on feelings
for poor decisions are then made.
Help us made decisions through
careful thinking not at the spur of
the moment & after consulting
Your advice for You are all knowing.
In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.

Lord, we Trust In Your Power:
As a result of the king’s decree,
Esther along with many other young
women was brought to the king’s
harem… Hegai was very impressed
with Esther and treated her kindly.
He quickly ordered a special menu
for her and provided her with beauty
treatments… Esther had not told
anyone of her nationality and family
background, because Mordecai
had directed her not to do so…
Esther was taken to King Xerxes
at the royal palace… And the king
loved Esther more than any of the
other young women. He was so
delighted with her that he set
the royal crown on her head and
declared her queen (Esth 2:8-17).
Lord, we may not be able to see
God’s purpose in our situation.
But we know God is in control and
He goes ahead preparing the way.
In Jesus’ precious name. Amen.

Lord, we Trust In Your Timing:
To celebrate the occasion, King
Xerxes gave a great banquet in
Esther’s honour for all his nobles
and officials, declaring a public
holiday for the provinces and
giving generous gifts to everyone.
Even after all the young women
had been transferred to the second
harem and Mordecai had become
a place official, Esther continued
to keep her family background and
nationality a secret. She was still
following Mordecai’s directions,
just as she did when she lived
in his home (Esther 2:16-20).
Lord, we learn from Esther that it
is our responsibility to identify as
God’s people. But we also realise
the need to win the right to be heard
and ensure the timing is right before
we speak. When God gives us the
opportunity, help us Lord to carefully
and lovingly share what we believe.
In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

Post Exilic Period & 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

Phase 3 follows the reign of United
Kingdom. Solomon’s zeal for God
cools as pagan wives turn his heart
away from godly worship. The next
century sees the decline of the two
nations,indifferent to God’s precepts.
In 2 Kings, the author weaves the
historical threads of two nations
into one fabric. In Israel, 19 wicked
kings in succession led the people
even further from God. Despite the
efforts of Elisha & other prophets,
judgment can no longer be stayed.
Israel finally went into captivity,
being dispersed by the Assyrians.
To the south, Judah survives 150
years longer; but corrupt leadership
brings about 70-yr exile in Babylonia.
Then four minor prophets to Israel:
Hosea, Amos, Jonah and Nahum.

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);
Ezekiel written 571BC & Daniel (536)

In the final part of Phase Three,
we begin with Esther, written
470BC with the purpose to
demonstrate God’s sovereignty
and His loving care for His people.
Ezra (written 450BC) with purpose
to show God’s faithfulness and the
way he kept his people to their land.
Nehemiah (445-432) the last of
the OT historical books; records
the history of the third return to
Jerusalem after captivity, telling
how the walls were rebuilt and the
people were renewed in their faith.
Then we end with minor prophets:
Haggai, Zechariah and Malachi.

Esther: Like an exciting novel, the
real-life drama of Esther puts a
beautiful heroine against a hateful
villain, builds to a life-threatening
climax, then ends with a surprise.
Beautiful Esther is among the
many Jews whose family chooses
to remain in Persia following the
return of Israel to Jerusalem with
Zerubbabel, Ezra and Nehemiah.
Selected as queen, she discovers
a court official’s plot to kill her and
her countrymen. In a dramatic turn
of events, God uses the roll of the
dice and a king’s sleeplessness to
save the day & preserve His people.

Zechariach: 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
early enthusiasm has waned, the
task is an moorland 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,
and await the Messiah eagerly.

Malachi: Years after the restoration
from exile, the spiritual condition
of God’s people has deteriorated.
Again they 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 OT period
which is followed by 400 years
of silence in the biblical record.

Experiencing God thro Obedience

The purpose of 1 Thessalonians is
to strengthen Christians in their faith
and give them assurance of Christ’s
return while that of 2 Thessalonians
is to clear up confusion about
the second coming of Christ.
This week we understand the
importance of believing Christ thus
positioning rightly to encounter Him.
On Monday we learn from
1Ths 1 to Walk the Way of Faith.
On Tuesday, we learn from
1Ths 2 to Walk Worthy of God.
On Wednesday, we learn from
1Ths 5 to Seek the Will of God.
On Thursday, we learn from
2Ths 2 to Stand Firm in the Lord.
On Friday, we learn from
2Ths 3 to Share the Gospel.
Let us humble ourselves and pray
and seek His face…In Jesus’ name.

Share the Gospel (Dec 4)

In his second letter to Thessalonians,
Paul commends their faithfulness
in persecution and encourages
them that present suffering
will be repaid with future glory.
Paul clarifies the Day of the Lord
had not yet arrived & recounts the
events which must take place first.
Labouring for the Gospel, rather
than lazy resignation, can be the
only proper response to such truth.

Lord, we will Pray For Outreach:
Finally brothers pray for us that
the message of the Lord may
Spread rapidly and be honoured,
just as it was with you. Pray that
we may be Delivered from evil
people, for not everyone has faith.
But the Lord is faithful, and He will
Strengthen you and Protect you
from the evil one (2Thess 3:1-3).
May the Lord direct your hearts
into the love of God and into
the patience of Christ (v5).
We… exhort through our Lord Jesus
Christ that they work in quietness…
As for you brethren, do not grow
weary in doing good (2Ths 3:12-13)

Lord, show us Your servants we
need to be faithful to support in 
prayer as they spread Your truth.
Strengthen the hearts of those
who preach the gospel and equip
them in every way to do Your will.
Above all may Your Spirit do Your
mighty work in hearts of people so
that Your name be glorified. Amen.

Lord, may Your love and patience
constraints us to share the good
news of salvation to the lost.
Equip us with the right words
at the right time, so that those
hearts are ready to be drawn to You.
We also pray for people who need
the good news, that their hearts
would Be Open to receive all
that You have for them. Amen.

Lord, help us not to be lazy in the
things of God and helping others.
Help us when we are overwhelmed
by evil beyond the realm of reason.
Help us turn to You immediately
for Protection and Strength.
For ultimately You will triumph
and Your name will be glorified.
Help us not be weary of doing good
but live in such a way that our faith
and lives will please Him. Amen.

Stand Firm in the Lord (Dec 3)

Paul commended Thessalonians
for their faithfulness in midst
of persecution and encouraging
them that present suffering
will be repaid with future glory.
Paul also clarified the Day of
the Lord had not yet arrived,
and recounts the events which
must take place first. Labouring
for the gospel, rather than lazy
resignation, can be the only
proper response to such truth.

Lord, help us to Be Steadfast:
Brethren, concerning the coming
of our Lord Jesus Christ… we
ask you not to be shaken in mind
or troubled (2 Thess 2:1-2).
God chose you for salvation
through the Sanctifying work
of the Spirit and through belief
in the truth… Therefore stand fast
and hold the traditions which you
were taught. Now may our Lord
Jesus Himself..Comfort your hearts
and Establish u in every good word
and work (2 Thess 2:13-17). Amen.

Lord, we praise You for You are
perfect and Holy. I choose to trust
that You Already See me as Holy
for through Christ’s death, I am
presented holy and free from
accusation. And the sanctifying
work of the Spirit in my life and
thro believing the truth will help
me Mature In Holiness. Amen.

Lord, grateful for good Christian
friends who can offer counsel
and help. And thanks for Your
Word to bolster us in times
of trouble. And best of all, we
have Jesus himself inside us to
comfort & strengthen us to face
anything and provide all we need.
In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.

What a friend we have in Jesus
all our sins and grieves to bear
What a privilege to carry
everything to God in prayer
Oh what peace we often forfeit
oh what needless pain we bear
All because we do not carry
everything to God in prayer.
Have we trials and temptations
Is there trouble anywhere
If we have don’t be discouraged
Take it to the Lord in prayer. Amen

Seek the Will of God (Nov 2)

Paul has many pleasant memories
of the days he spent with the infant
Thessalonian church. Their Faith,
hope, love and perseverance
in the face of persecution are
exemplary and Paul’s labours
as a spiritual parent to the fledging
church have been richly rewarded.
He encourages the Thessalonians
to excel in their Faith, increase in
their love, and rejoice always even
as God Promises to Sanctify them.

Lord, we Seek to Do Your Will:
Rejoice always, pray without
ceasing, in everything give thanks;
for this is the Will Of God in Christ
Jesus for you (1 Thess 5:16-18).
Now may the God of peace Himself
Sanctify You completely; and may
your whole spirit, soul and body
be preserved blameless at the
coming of our Lord Jesus (v23).
He who calls you Is Faithful,
who also Will Do it (v24). Amen.

Lord, it is always Your Will for me
to be joyful and pray often & give
thanks to You in all circumstances.
Help me to remember to do Your
Will in this regard, even when
I don’t see yet answers to prayers
as I would like it to be. No matter
what is happening now in my life,
I know that Your Will is good and
that You are fully in control. Amen.

Lord God of peace, do Your holy
work of Sanctification within me.
I want to honour You with my life
and I want to resist sin each day.
But at same time, I confess some
thing within me is attracted by evil.
Keep me blameless; give me
Lord a deep love for You and
the zeal for Your glory that will
surpass any impure passion. Amen.

Lord, I sincerely feel that deepest
longings simply must be fulfilled.
I bring them to You to do as You please, Use them to accomplish
Your purposes; and I’m believing
You will get me where I need to go.
I am now fully available to work
out the calling You have for me.
I know Lord that You are faithful
and that You will do it. Amen.

Walk Worthy of God (Dec 1)

Paul has many pleasant memories
     of the infant Thessalonian church.
Their Faith, love and perseverance 
     in persecution are exemplary and
Paul’s labours as a spiritual parent
to the church have been rewarded.
   He encourages the Thessalonians 
     to excel in their Faith, increase in
    their love, and rejoice always as
       they await the return of the Lord.

Lord, we will Walk Worthy of You:
We have been… entrusted with
the gospel, even as we speak, Not
Pleasing men, but God (1 Ths 2:4).
Live your lives in a way that God
would consider Worthy (1Ths 2:12).
We never stop thanking God that
when you received his message
from us, you didn’t think of our words
as mere human ideas. You accepted
what we said as the very word of
God, which of course, it is. And
this word continues to work in
you who believe (1 Thess 2:13).

Lord, thanks for Your plan of a
good future for each one of us.
Lead me to people, places and
thought processes that will clarify
and confirm Your purpose for me.
Fulfil Your purpose for me even
as I purpose to Please You God.
Grant me serenity to accept the
things I cannot change, courage to
change the things I can & wisdom
to know the difference. Amen.

Lord, whom I call as my first and
foremost, forgive me for sometimes
treating You as a minor player in
my life, as an auxiliary counsellor,
as a supplemental vitamin, or as
a subsidiary to my main business.
Help me Lord to seek Your will,
put You God first and live in such a
way that will not bring shame to You
but Honour Your holy name, Amen.

Lord, help me to be careful from
becoming judgmental in opinions.
Help me from being conceited in
ministry as if my words have the
power to bring about change and
deep growth that is needed. For
it’s Your Word that is needed most,
Your Word that has the power to
bring about real & lasting change.
In Jesus’ precious Name, Amen.