Month: December 2021

God Provides Way Out (Dec 14)

Backgrounder to 1 Cor 7-15:
The Corinthian Church had sent
Apostle Paul a list of questions
on marriage, morality, liberty,
worship and resurrection.
Building on Old Testament
quotations and Christ’s teaching,
Paul answered them in a way meant
to correct abuses in the church
and to show how important it is
that they live what they believe.

Lord, help us Resist Temptation:
We should not lust after evil things…
And do not become idolaters…
Nor let us commit sexual immorality..
nor complain as some of them
complain (1 Corinthians 10:6-10).
Therefore let him who thinks
he stands take heed lest he fall.
No temptation has overtaken
you except what is common to
mankind. And God is faithful;
He will Not let u be Tempted
Beyond what you can bear.
But when you are tempted,
He will also Provide A Way Out
so that you can endure it (v12-13)
Therefore my beloved, flee
from idolatry. I speak as to the
wise; judge for yourselves (v14-15)

Lord, help us to be watchful of evil,
idolatry & immorality lurking around.
Whilst You God don’t promise
to protect us from temptations,
You promise Your help In Resisting
temptations when we face them.
Thank You Lord for Your promise
that No temptation will ever
be so strong that we can’t
stand up against it. Amen.

Lord, at times we may feel that
temptation is overpowering or
impossible to resist; but thank
You for Providing A Way Out.
Thank You for Holy Spirit to help
us recognise tempting situations
and show the way to escape.
Help us stay away from every
activity we know that is wrong.
Help us Lord to consciously
choose to do only what is right.
Help us O Lord for apart from
You we can do nothing. Amen.

Lord, Thank You for promising
that we can always escape the
temptation that comes our way.
We trust You O God to keep any
temptation from becoming so
strong that we have to give in to it.
Help us Lord to Resist temptation
or Flee from it as Joseph once did.
For although it’s not easy to escape
from temptation, it’s possible. Amen.

https://www.google.com.sg/search?q=song+for+1+Cor+10&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&hl=en-sg&client=safari#fpstate=ive&vld=cid:b8510aba,vid:OrR3VaUap_w,st:0

Spirit of God Gives Insights

Backgrounder on 1 Cor 1-6:
Churches aren’t perfect because
churches are full of imperfect pple.
Paul writes to the believers at
Corinth to correct errors in their
public & private behaviour which
are detracting from their witness.
These include factions, immorality
and lawsuits between believers.
And Paul set forth godly guidelines
for conduct consistent with the
grace of God given by Christ.

Lord, we Seek Your Insight:
God, no eye has seen, no ear heard,
no mind has conceived what You
have prepared for those who love
You, but You have revealed it to us
by Your Spirit. The Spirit teaches
us all things, even the deep thing
of God (1 Corinthians 2:9-10).
What we have received is..the Spirit
who is from God, so that we may
understand what God has freely
given us. This is what we speak…
in words taught by the Spirit,
explaining Spiritual Realities with
Spirit-taught words (1Cor 2:12-13)
Who can know the Lord’s thoughts?
Who knows enough to teach him?
But we understand these things,
for we have the Mind of Christ (v16)

Lord, as I bring issues before You
and consider the circumstances,
I see evidence of Your leading.
As I consider my convictions and
as I think about the things people
are saying, I can sense Your voice.
As I meditate Scripture each day,
they lead me to see Your direction.
When I take all these together, I get
a sense of how You’re leading me.
Confirm Lord the inner impression
with Your Secrets and peace. Amen.

Lord, when we need insights and
direction or facing challenge,
we tend to seek worldly counsel.
But there is a more reliable and
excellent source of ultimate
knowledge in the Holy Spirit.
Father, Thank You for giving us
Your Holy Spirit, who lives inside
us when we trust Jesus as Savior.
Spirit, please make clear spiritual
realities to us and enable us to
make correct decisions. Amen.

Lord, I want to see as You see
to enable me to act according to
Your vision. I need to know clearly
Your will for only then can I be
confident of doing the right thing.
Lord I am tired of trying to decipher
Your sovereign will. Please plant
Your thoughts within me & move me
as You desire; for Your Word says:
we have the mind of Christ. Amen.

God Acts on Prayer

Backgrounder on Acts 13-15:
Acts 13 marks the beginning
of Paul’s missionary career.
Returning to Antioch at the end
of their first missionary journey,
Paul and his travelling companion
Barnabas report to their home
church and seek to resolve
the issue of including Gentiles in
the previously all-Jewish church.

Lord, we’ll Seek You in Prayer:
As they ministered to the Lord
and fasted, the Holy Spirit said:
Separate to Me Barnabas and Saul
for the work to which I have called
them. Then having fasted & Prayed…
they sent them away (Acts 13:2-3)
They came to Antioch… On the next
Sabbath almost the Whole City came
to hear the word of God (v14, 44)
Paul & Banabas returned to Lystra,
Iconium and Antioch, strengthening
the souls of the disciples, exhorting
them to continue in the faith… So
when they had appointed elders
in every church and Prayed With
Fasting, they commended them
to the Lord… Now… they reported
all that God had done with them,
that He had opened the doors of
faith to the Gentiles(Acts 14:21-27)

Lord, we realise calling is revealed
in prayer; and tend to be defined
within a church body of believers.
For it’s tough to develop to one’s
full potential independent of others.
Grant us unity for it adds power
to our prayers and confidence
that God will answer in power.
And enable us to be set apart
for the work You’ve for me. Amen.

Lord, we realise whenever important
decisions had to be made, prayer
are often accompanied by fasting.
Lord, we know that with fasting,
our prayers can gain new power.
Help me Lord to do that whenever
I have to make important decisions
and need to have Your guidance.
Help me restart the discipline of
fasting & make me ready to handle
the opportunities ahead. Amen.

Lord, I will come to You in prayer
I will seek Your face
I will stand within the gap
There will I intercede…
For every time I pray
I move the hand of God
My prayer does the things
My hands cannot do.
For every time I pray
The mountains are removed
The paths are made straight
And nations turn to You…
I am weak and helpless Lord
You, my strength shall be
Guide me with Your gracious hand
There will my victory be… Amen.

Knowing God thru His Shepherding

The purpose of Acts is to give
an accurate account of the birth
and growth of the Christian church;
while for Romans is to introduce
Apostle Paul & give a sample of his message before he arrives in Rome.
This week we understand God better
thru seeing His Shepherding Ways.
On Monday, we learn from Acts 2
that God Provides Power Source.
On Tuesday, we learn from Acts 9
that God Gives Divine Encounter.
On Wed, we learn from Acts 13/14
that God Acts on Prayer.
On Thursday, we learn from Rom 3
that God Frees Us from Sin.
On Friday, we learn from Rom 8
that Christ Frees Us fr Condemnatn.
On Sat, we learn from John 17
that God Transforms & Renews.
Let us humble ourselves and pray
and seek His face…In Jesus’ name.

Knowing God thru His Shepherding

The purpose of Acts is to give
an accurate account of the birth
and growth of the Christian church;
while for Romans is to introduce
Apostle Paul & give a sample of his message before he arrives in Rome.
This week we understand God better
thru seeing His Shepherding Ways.
On Monday, we learn from Acts 2
that God Provides Power Source.
On Tuesday, we learn from Acts 9
that God Gives Divine Encounter.
On Wed, we learn from Acts 13/14
that God Acts on Prayer.
On Thursday, we learn from Rom 3
that God Frees Us from Sin.
On Friday, we learn from Rom 8
that Christ Frees Us fr Condemnatn.
On Sat, we learn from John 17
that God Transforms & Renews.
Let us humble ourselves and pray
and seek His face…In Jesus’ name.

God Transforms & Renews (Dec 11)

What u believe affect how u behave
For 11 chapters Paul has set forth
the doctrine of the Christian faith.
The balance of his letter moves
into the practical outworking of
that faith. For every assignment,
there is a enablement from God:
Serve one another using the gifts
God gave you; be subject to higher
authorities; be sensitive to needs
of weaker brothers; be united
in purpose & have mind of Christ.

Lord, we will Be Transformed:
Give your bodies to God. Let them
be a Living Sacrifice… When you
think of what he has done for
you, is this too much to ask?
Don’t copy the behaviour and
customs of this world, but let God
Transform you into a new person
by changing the way you think.
Then you will Know what God
wants you to do, and you will know
how good and pleasing & perfect
His will really is (Rom 12:1-2) Amen

Lord, I don’t really know what
these days will hold, but I offer
myself to U as a Living Sacrifice.
Fill me with Your spirit of love, joy,
peace and patience. Renew and
transform my mind with your truth.
Gently make me a new person, and
show me what You want me to do,
the person U want me to minister.
And all glory be unto You. Amen.

Lord, help me grow closer to You.
Help me understand the difference
between what You desire and
what the world offers. Teach me
not to apply the behaviours and
customs of this world but Be
Transformed into a new person.
As I seek to follow You, let me know
Your will. And help me stay on the
right track as I purpose to take
small steps of faith each day. Amen

Lord, I offer my life to You
Everything I’ve been through
Use it for Your glory.
Lord I offer my days to You
Lifting my praise to You
As a pleasing sacrifice
Lord I offer You my life.
Things in t past Things yet unseen
Wishes and dreams that
are yet to come true.
All of my hopes & all of my plans
My heart & my hands are lifted to U
Lord, I offer my life to You. Amen.

Christ Frees Us fr Condemnation

Backgrounder on Romans 6-8:
Paul anticipates questions arising
fr hearing gospel of grace. If God’s
grace is free, then am I free to sin?
If I am free from the law, then can
I ignore the ethical demands of
the law? Paul has no illusions that
becoming a Christian means the
end of your troubles. But the life
-giving Spirit provides confidence,
for victorious Christian living
in the storms of everyday life.

Lord, we’ll Flow with the Spirit:
There is No Condemnation for
those who are In Christ Jesus, who
do not walk according to the flesh
but according to the Spirit. For
the law of the Spirit of life in Christ
Jesus has made me free from the
law of sin and death (Rom 8:1-2).
The Spirit helps us in our weakness.
We do not know what we ought to
pray for, but the Spirit intercedes
for us with groans that words
cannot express. He who searches
our hearts… intercedes for the
saints in accordance with the
will of God (v26-27). And we know
that in all things God Works for
the Good of those who love Him,
who have been called according
to His purpose (Rom 8:28). Amen.

Father, forgive me for the times
that I wrongly think You want
to punish me for my failures.
For Jesus took my punishment
and gave me His righteousness.
Because of that Father U see me
as perfect and precious. And Lord,
help me to better understand Your
grace and mercy so that I might be
more gracious and merciful. Amen.

Lord Jesus, No Condemnation are
two of the most beautiful words.
Yet some days they are hard to
believe, hard to really take hold of.
On one hand, I may be quick some-
time to blame others for the problem
but deep down I condemn myself.
Help me Lord to live in the reality
of the freedom that comes from
Your grace and be at peace. Amen.

Holy Spirit, help me in my weakness
by interceding for me and thro me.
You know the will of the Father
and You know what to pray for.
Guide me and teach me especially
when I have exhausted all words.
Help me to communicate to God
my deepest thoughts, feelings,
fears and doubts, so that my
prayers are pleasing to God. Amen

• Christ Frees Us fr Condemnation

Backgrounder on Romans 6-8:
Paul anticipates questions arising
fr hearing gospel of grace. If God’s
grace is free, then am I free to sin?
If I am free from the law, then can
I ignore the ethical demands of
the law? Paul has no illusions that
becoming a Christian means the
end of your troubles. But the life
-giving Spirit provides confidence,
for victorious Christian living
in the storms of everyday life.

Lord, we’ll Flow with the Spirit:
There is No Condemnation for
those who are In Christ Jesus, who
do not walk according to the flesh
but according to the Spirit. For
the law of the Spirit of life in Christ
Jesus has made me free from the
law of sin and death (Rom 8:1-2).
The Spirit helps us in our weakness.
We do not know what we ought to
pray for, but the Spirit intercedes
for us with groans that words
cannot express. He who searches
our hearts… intercedes for the
saints in accordance with the
will of God (v26-27). And we know
that in all things God Works for
the Good of those who love Him,
who have been called according
to His purpose (Rom 8:28). Amen.

Father, forgive me for the times
that I wrongly think You want
to punish me for my failures.
For Jesus took my punishment
and gave me His righteousness.
Because of that Father U see me
as perfect and precious. And Lord,
help me to better understand Your
grace and mercy so that I might be
more gracious and merciful. Amen.

Lord Jesus, No Condemnation are
two of the most beautiful words.
Yet some days they are hard to
believe, hard to really take hold of.
On one hand, I may be quick some-
time to blame others for the problem
but deep down I condemn myself.
Help me Lord to live in the reality
of the freedom that comes from
Your grace and be at peace. Amen.

Holy Spirit, help me in my weakness
by interceding for me and thro me.
You know the will of the Father
and You know what to pray for.
Guide me and teach me especially
when I have exhausted all words.
Help me to communicate to God
my deepest thoughts, feelings,
fears and doubts, so that my
prayers are pleasing to God. Amen

God Frees Us From Sin (Dec 9)

Backgrounder on Romans 1-3:
Paul begins by describing the
helpless condition of humanity. A
rebellious nature has led to rejectn
of the Creator & worship of creation
God in turn has permitted the
sinful nature of human beings
to express the fullness of its
corruption and the whole human
race stands helpless before God.
Truly, all have sinned and come
short of the glory of God.

Lord, we’re Grateful for Your Mercy:
All have sinned; all fall short of
God’s glorious standard. Yet now
God in his gracious kindness
declares us Not Guilty. He has
done this through Christ Jesus,
who has Freed us by Taking Away
our sins. For God sent Jesus to
take the punishment for our sins..
We are made right with God
when we believe that Jesus
shed his blood, sacrificing His
life for us (Rom 3:23-25). Amen.

Father,thanks for loving us so much
that You make us right with You.
Because You are just and could not
overlook our sins, You sent Your
Son as the perfect sacrifice to take
the punishment our sins required.
Grateful we made right with U when
we trust Your Son take away our sins
and You remember them no more.
Because of Jesus’ death, You God
declares me Not Guilty; and sees
Christ’s righteousness instead of
my sin. Thanks for giving the Spirit
to empower me not to sin. Amen.

Lord, praise You for being Merciful.
And thank You for not giving us
the eternal death that we deserve;
instead we’re given life in Christ.
Jesus had said blessed are the
merciful for they shall obtain mercy
Teach me to Be Merciful also by
overlooking the wrongs of others.
Grant me grace to be willing to
bless those who don’t deserve it.
In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.

Lord, challenge us to sow seeds
of kindness so that people’s
hearts be softened & open to the
gospel which can set them free.
Open our spiritual eyes that we
might see those in our life who are
hurting & open to the Good News.
Grant us Lord courage to seize
every opportunity and share the
gospel message with them. Amen.