Month: July 2021

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. 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.

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,
grateful we have direct access
to You, whereby we can approach
Your throne with confidence.
Help us to Listen to Your Truth; &
help us to Be Courageous. Amen.

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 worlds…
and upholding all things by the
word of His power (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).
Lord, speak to me through the
pages of scripture each day and
Make them come alive in my heart.
Challenge me and draw me back
when I am drifting away from You.
Reveal Your thots on the application
of Your Word to my circumstance.
And Lord breathe the power of
Your Word deep into me. Amen.

Lord, we will Be Courageous:
We are God’s household, if we
keep up our courage and remain
confident in our hope in Christ.
That is why the Holy Spirit says:
Today you must listen to His voice
(and) Don’t harden your hearts
against Him (Hebrews 3:6-8).
Lord, thank You for making me
a part of Your divine household.
Holy Spirit, fill me and renew
my confidence in Christ due to
His finished work on the cross.
Strengthen me in courage; and empower me to believe Your Word,
to listen attentively to Your voice,
and to remain confident because
my hope is in Christ. Amen.

Lord,we Approach with confidence:
Seeing we have a great High Priest
let us hold fast our confession.
For we do not have a High Priest
who cannot sympathise with our
weaknesses… Let us therefore
come boldly to the throne of
grace, that we may obtain mercy
and find grace to help in time
of need (Hebrews 4:14-15).
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 Lord and receive mercy.
Grateful that I can approach You
with confidence, knowing that
You Lord will graciously help
me in my time of need. Amen.

Heb, James, Jude, 1/2 Pet, 1-3 John

We start the Gospels, with
Matthew who presents Jesus as
the Christ, Israel’s messianic King.
Mark presents Jesus as the Servant
who gave his life for mankind.
Luke presents Him as the perfect
Son of Man saving the lost.
And John presents Jesus as
Son of God offering eternal life.
In essence, Mark records what
Jesus did, Matthew and Luke
records what Jesus said while John
shares Who Jesus was. And Acts
chronicles Growth of the church.

Turning to the Pauline epistles:
In Romans, Paul gives a sample of his
message before he arrives in Rome.
And First and Second Corinthians,
Living for Christ in corrupt society.
In Galatians, Paul calls Christians
to faith and freedom in Christ.
In Eph,Paul strengthens believers by
explaining the purpose of the church.
In Philippians, Paul shows true joy
comes from Jesus Christ alone.
In Colossians, Paul shows believers
have everything they need in Christ.
In Thess, Paul encourages the church to persevere in midst of trials.
Paul’s two letters to Timothy give
advice for building strong leadership
and offer principles for discipleship.
In Titus, Paul gives pointers on
church supervision; while in Philemon, he urges forgiveness
and acceptance of erring brother.
Next, non Pauline epistles: Hebrews,
James, 1&2 Peter, 1-3 John & Jude.

Hebrews: Many Jewish believers
were tempted to renounce their
newfound faith and return to
Judaism to escape persecution.
The anonymous writer of Hebrews
appeals to them to pursue maturity
based on Christ’s superiority
to the Jewish religious system.
More is to be gained by suffering
for Christ than by reverting
to a system He came to fulfill.

James: In this epistle to Jewish
believers, the apostle James shows
how faith integrates with everyday
practical experience by stressing
that true faith produces doers
of the Word. For James, a faith
that produces no change in a
person’s life is really no faith at all.
True faith will bear fruit in deeds.
It endures trials, obeys the Word,
controls the tongue, separates
from the world and resists the devil.

In 1 Peter, Apostle Paul offers
encouragement to suffering
Christians. He begins by stressing
the riches of their salvation and
their need for holy lives. Then
he encourages them to develop
an attitude of submission and
humble dependence on God.
And in 2 Peter, Paul warns
Christians about false teachers
and to exhort them to grow in their
faith in and knowledge of Christ

In 1 John, the apostle writes to
help his spiritual brothers in their
walk with the God who is light,
love and life. He is a God of light
and believers must walk in integrity.
He is a God of love and believers
must manifest love for one another.
And He is a God of life and believers
are assured of eternal life in Christ.
In 2 John, the apostle emphasises
the basics of following Christ,
namely truth and love as well as
warns them against false teachers.
And in 3 John, the apostle commends Gaius for hospitality & encourages
him in his Christian life.

Jude: Alarmed by the presence
of false teachers in the church,
Jude is compelled to unmask
their deadly ways and to exhort
believers to stand firm for truth.
Jude who was the brother of James,
ends this short but powerful epistle
with a series of urgent commands:
Remember Christ’s words,
remain in God’s love and seek
to remove erring brothers from
the fiery danger of their ways.

Knowing God thru His Names

The purpose of the Gospel according
to John is to prove conclusively that
Jesus is the Son of God and all who
believes in Him will have eternal life.
This week we understand God better
thru knowing His attributes, mostly
related to His ability to meet needs.
On Monday, we learn from John 7
about Our Source of Living Water.
On Tues, we learn from John 8
about Christ the Light of the World.
On Wed, we learn from John 10
about Christ our Protective Door.
On Thursday, we learn from John 10
about Christ the Good Shepherd.
On Friday, we learn from Jn 11 about
Christ the Resurrection and the Life.
Let us humble ourselves and pray
and seek His face…In Jesus’ name.

Christ the Resurrection & the Life

Christ’s claim draw the attention
of more than the hungry and sick.
The Pharisees, religious leaders
concerned about status quo,
respond with angry resistance.
But how do you refute a Man
who preaches that He is the
Light of the World, then proves
it by giving sight to the blind?
who claims He is the Resurrection,
then validates that claim by raising
a man from the dead. The choice
is either believe Him or silence Him.

Lord, we’ll Persist to Wait In Faith:
Although Jesus loved Martha,
Mary & Lazarus, He Stayed where
He was for the next two days and
did Not Go to them. Finally after
two days, He said to his disciples:
Let’s Go to Judea again (Jn 11:5-7)
Jesus told (Martha): I am the
Resurrection and the life. Anyone
who believes in me will live, even
after dying. Everyone who lives
in me and believes in me will
never die (John 11:25-26).
Jesus said to Martha: If you would
believe you would see the glory
of God. Then Jesus looked up
and said: Father, I thank You that
You have Heard me… I said this for
the benefit of the people standing
here, that they may believe that
You sent me (Jn 11:41-42) Amen.

Lord, help me persist to Wait for U
in Hope & Perseverance, knowing
that You will come. Remind me
Lord of Lazarus that Your plan did
not suffer because of Your delay.
For the delay was part of Your
plan so that Your power would be
demonstrated in a greater way.
Grant me Lord patience and faith
in the waiting rooms of life. Amen.

Lord, I do believe in Your Word and help me believe in long waiting.
Help me respond in way that reflects genuine belief in Resurrection life.
Give me Lord the grace I need
to wait in hope and not as those
who have no eternal hope. And
praise You Lord for triumphing
over the grave and thank You that
I do not have to live in fear. Amen.

Father God, I thank You that I am
Your child & joint heir with Christ.
Because of that, I can trust that
You always Hear my prayers.
Help me to maintain ongoing
communication with You, just
like Jesus did, so that I may have
an abiding walk with You and
You will be glorified by my life.
In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.

Christ the Good Shepherd

Christ’s claims draw the attention
of more than the hungry and sick.
The religious leaders concerned
about maintaining the status quo,
respond with angry resistance.
But how do You refute a Man
who preaches that He is the
Light of the World, then proves
it by giving sight to the blind?…
The choice is to either believe
Him or seek to silence Him.

Lord, we’ll Hear & Follow You:
A Shepherd enters thro the gate.
He Calls his own sheep by name
and leads them out… He walks
ahead of them, and they Follow
Him because they recognise
His voice (John 10:2-4).
I have come that they may
Have Life and have it to the Full.
I am the good shepherd.
The good shepherd gives
His life for the sheep (v10-11).
I am the good shepherd; I know
my own sheep, and they know me,
just as my Father knows me and
I know the Father. So I sacrifice
my life for the sheep (v10:14-15).

Lord Jesus, Thank You for being
my good shepherd and making
me one of Your sheep. What
a privilege to belong to You!
Thank You for providing for me,
guiding me and protecting me.
You Call me by name and speak
to my heart. With all the voices
in the world, quieten my mind and
heart, so that I will recognise Your
Voice and Follow only You. Amen.

Lord Jesus, I am so blessed that
You are my caring Shepherd and
because of that I can Fear No Evil.
For You have always promised
to provide, lead and protect me.
Though evil may come, it has no
power over me and I can live with
confidence that I am Safe in You.
Keep me trusting You not worrying
& help me to stay close to You so
that I need not worry at all for You
will be Watching over me. Amen.

Lord Saviour like a shepherd lead us
Much we need Thy tender care;
In Thy pleasant pastures feed us
For our use Thy fold prepare;
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus!
Thou has bought us Thine we are.
Early let us seek Thy favour,
Early let us do Thy will;
Blessed Lord and only Saviour
With Thy love our bosoms fill;
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus!
Thou has loved us, love us still.Amen

Christ our Protective Door

Christ’s claims draw the attention
of more than the hungry and sick.
The religious leaders concerned
about maintaining the status quo,
respond with angry resistance.
But how do You refute a Man
who preaches that He is the
Light of the World, then proves
it by giving sight to the blind?…
The choice is to either believe
Him or seek to silence Him.

Lord, we will live a Full Life:
He who enters by the door is
the shepherd of the sheep…
Most assuredly I say to you,
I am the Door of the sheep…
If anyone enters by Me, he will
be saved and will go in and out
and find pasture. The thief comes
to steal and kill and to destroy.
I have come that they may have
life and that they may have it
more abundantly (John 10:2-10).

Lord, Your assurance to Your
followers as The Door is that
You will keep them from all evil.
Thank You Lord that though evil
may come, it has no power over me.
I believe that You will as promised, protect and preserve my life.
Keep me trusting You & not worry
for I want to live with confidence
that I’m safe in You The Door Amen.

Lord Jesus, You are the gate to
blessings in this world & the next.
You Lord as the gate is the way
to fulfilment of our dreams and
the way to enjoy life to the fullest.
Lord Jesus, You indeed is the
only true gate that leads to
salvation and joy. And we will
purpose to place our trust in You,
acknowledge You as our master
by following You and cooperating
with Your plan for our lives. Amen

Lord Jesus, You did not come
only to forgive our past deeds.
And You didn’t come just to offer
us the hope of heavenly glory.
For You came to give us a full,
meaningful and abundant life.
Draw me to seek You rather than
being too absorbed with earthly stuff.
Draw me to pursue things of eternal
value & further Yr kingdom, knowing You’ll provide all my needs. Amen.

Christ the Light of the World

Early in His ministry, Christ issues
a challenge: Search the scriptures
for they testify of me (Jn 5:39).
Now His public declarations and
miraculous demonstrations serve
to confirm what the Old Testament
said would be true of Him. Using
the Jewish feast days as public
forum, Jesus declares Himself
as the Bread of Life (6:35),
the Sent One of God (7:28),
the Forgiver of Sins (8:11) and
the Light of the World (8:12).

Lord, You are our Light of Life:
Jesus said: Woman where are
those accusers of yours? Has
no one condemned you? She said:
No one Lord. And Jesus said:
Neither do I condemn you; Go and
sin no more. Then Jesus spoke to
the people: I am the Light of the
World. He who follows Me shall
not walk in darkness, but have
the light of life (John 8:10-12).
To the Jews who had believed him,
Jesus said: If you hold on to my
teaching, u are really my disciples.
Then you will know the truth, and
the truth will set You free… So if
the Son sets you free, you will be
free indeed (Jn 8:31-36) Amen.

Father God, thanks for sending
Your light in Jesus, for lighting
up our difficult situations we face.
Though God has not promised
joy without sorrow or peace
without pain; He has promised rest
for the labour and light for the day.
And grant that we will Be Bearers
of Your light and so bring hope
and encouragement to someone
who needs You this day. Amen.

Lord, Thank You for the promise
that we can be released from
sin’s terrible penalty and power.
For You Christ came to set us free
from condemnation, shame and
trapped in destructive lifestyle.
And it is an amazing truth that
You have set us free to obey You.
Teach us Lord to believe that we
are most free when we are living
as Your servant. Help us to better
understand Your grace. Amen.

Lord, it is a phenomenal truth
that we are truly free in Christ;
but we may not always live it out.
Instead of joyful delight in Your
refreshing salvation, sometimes
we may feel like barely make it.
Help me Lord recognise Your light;
fill me with truth, guide my steps;
and teach me to live by the light of
Your Presence. In His name, Amen.

Our Source of Living Water

Early in His ministry, Christ issues
a challenge: Search the scriptures
for they testify of me (Jn 5:39).
Now His public declarations and
miraculous demonstrations serve
to confirm what the Old Testament
said would be true of Him. Using
the Jewish feast days as public
forum, Jesus declares Himself
as the Bread of Life (6:35),
the Sent One of God (7:28),
the Forgiver of Sins (8:11) and
the Light of the World (8:12).

Lord, You are our Source of Joy:
On the last day, the climax of the
festival, Jesus stood and shouted
to the crowds: If you are thirsty,
come and drink! For the Scriptures
declare the rivers of living
water will flow out from within.
When He said living water
He was speaking of the Spirit,
who would be given to everyone
believing in Him… Therefore
many from the crowd, when they
heard this saying, said: Truly
this is the Prophet. Others said:
This is the Christ (Jn 7:37-41).

Father God, I remember and
echo Jacob’s words: I will not
let You go until You bless me.
Lord, You honour persistence and
my thirst will not let me settle for
just a mediocre spiritual experience.
May the river of living water
flow freely in me so that I will
truly experience the joy that is
unspeakable. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Lord, we received not only Your
great salvation but also promise
of Your Spirit poured upon us.
Jesus, You are indeed our spiritual
thirst quencher, offering not just
a one-off drink but a never-ending
spring to meet our greatest longings.
Lord, even as we believe in You,
we will never thirst again. And
even as Your life flow through us,
let it fill us with deepest joy. Amen

Holy Spirit, flow through me like
a rushing river, filling me with
dreams and ideas from Your heart.
I want more than trickles of peace;
I want torrents of joy from You.
Help me discern the difference
between my thoughts and Yours.
Let me Lord not get stuck
in trying to analyse things.
Instead grant me faith to believe.
In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.

Saviour Satisfies Your Longings

Jesus’ ministry is not confined at
any time & in all places He is ready
with a word and a healing touch.
Nicodemus comes by night seeking
answers and finds the miracle of
the second birth. The Samaritan
woman comes seeking water
at the well and leaves to tell
her city about a source of living
water that will never run dry.
Jew or Samaritan, religious leader
or religious outcast, Jesus’
compassion knows no bounds.

Lord, You Satisfy Our Longings:
Jesus said to her: If you knew who
it is who says to u: Give Me a drink,
you would have asked Him and He
would have given you living water…
Whoever drinks of this water will
thirst again, but whoever drinks
of the water that I shall give them
will Never Thirst. Indeed the water
I give them will become in them
a spring of water welling up
to eternal life (John 4:10-14).
The woman left her water jar and
went back to the village and told
everyone: Come and meet a man
who told me everything I ever did!
Can this be the Messiah? So
the people came streaming from
the village to see Him (v28-30).
Then they said to the woman:
Now we believe, not because of
what you said, for we ourselves
have heard Him and we know
that this is indeed the Christ,
the Saviour of the world (v42).

Lord, You are the only one who
can satisfy the longings of my soul.
Remind me that nothing in this
temporal world can bring lasting
fulfilment to an immortal soul.
The life that You give is my internal
source of continual refreshment.
Teach me the discipline of looking
to You alone for whatever my
soul may need each day. Amen.

Lord, You are the only one who
can satisfy a thirsty soul. For
the life that You give supplies
continual refreshment. Teach me
the holy habit of looking to You
alone for whatever my soul is
thirsty for. And make me a source
of encouragement and help to
those who are spiritually dry. Amen.

Lord, forgive me when excitement
over knowing You has waned.
Grateful for what You had done,
I want others to know You and
experience Your work in their lives
& use me to spread the Good News.
Let me be so amazed by what You
reveal to me that I won’t hesitate
to share the hope with others;
especially to those who don’t
know You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

The Call to Brotherhood

On the run after committing
a wrong against his master;
Onesimus the slave sought refuge
among the masses in Rome.
There he crosses Paul’s path and
converts to faith in Jesus Christ.
Though he shows his gratitude
by serving Paul, he still must
reconcile with his master Philemon.
Paul writes this letter to Philemon
asking him to forgive Onesimus
and to accept him as a brother
in Christ. This short epistle
reminds believers of our heavenly
Father’s love and forgiveness.

Dear Lord, we learn from Philemon
that Christian relationships must
be full of forgiveness & acceptance
for in Christ we are one family. And
that persuasion accomplishes a
great deal more than commands
when dealing with people.
Help us to Be Bold to Share our Faith;
Help us to Be More Gracious; and
Help us to Be Forgiving. Amen.

Lord, we want to Share our Faith:
I hear about your faith in the Lord
Jesus & your love for all the saints.
I pray that you may be active
in Sharing your faith, so that
you will have a full understanding
of every good thing we have
in Christ (Philemon 1:5-6).
Lord, help me to get over any
inhibitions I may have about
sharing my faith with prebelievers.
For I know of no greater gift than
to Share someone Your love and
the good news of salvation in Christ.
But I always want to be sensitive
to Your leading so that I don’t
come off as insensitive to others.
Help me have perfect sense of timing and the right words to say. Amen.

Lord, we want to Be Gracious:
I am boldly asking a favor of you.
I could demand it in the name of
Christ because it is the right thing
for you to do. But because of our
love, I prefer simply to Ask of you.
Consider this as a Request from me
– Paul an old man and now also
a prisoner for the sake of Christ.
I Appeal to you to show kindness
to my child Onesimus (v8-10).
Lord, help me to show respect
and be gracious to people rather
than throwing weight around, telling
them straight what they should do.
Help me to give people opportunities
to put things right for themselves,
rather than taking matters right
away into our own hands. Amen.

Lord, we want to Be Forgiving:
It seems you lost Onesimus for
a little while… He is more than a
slave, for he is a beloved brother…
Now he will mean much more to
you,both as a man and as a brother
in the Lord. So if you consider me
your partner, Welcome him as
you would welcome me (v15-17).
Lord, help us not to be engrossed
with our rights; but rather to pay
attention to the fundamental law
for Christians, the law of love.
Help us to be forgiving and always
look to reconciling and welcoming.
Help us to do good to all people,
especially to those who belong
to the family of believers. Amen.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=C4qC05rOtlkp