Month: November 2023

Trusting God thru His Promises

The purpose of Paul’s first letter to Timothy is to give encouragement
as well as instructions to Timothy,
a young leader; whilst that of Philemon is to convince him
to forgive his runaway slave
Onesimus, and to accept him
as a brother in the faith.

On Monday, we learn from 1 Tim 1
that God Is Patient towards You.
On Tuesday, we learn from 1Tim 2
that God desires Peace & Unity.
On Wed, we learn fr 1Tim 4 that
God desires us be Godly Example.
On Thu, we learn from 2Tim 5 that
God desires us to be Respectful.
On Friday, we learn fr 1Tim 6 that
God desires us be Eternal Minded.
On Sat, we learn fr Philemon that God desires Graciousness in family.

Let us humble ourselves and pray
and seek His face. Help us O God
be Christ’s disciples who trust You
for You truly keep Your promises
and You are patient towards us.
Help us Lord to be gracious and
respectful pursuing peace & unity.
Help us to set godly example
as well as to be eternal minded.
In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.

God Desires Grace in the Family

On the run after committing wrong
against his master; Onesimus
the slave sought refuge in Rome.
There he meets Paul and converts
to faith in Christ. Though he shows
his gratitude by serving Paul, he
still must reconcile with his master.
Paul writes to Philemon asking him
to forgive Onesimus and to accept
him as a brother in Christ.

Lord, we’ll be Gracious & Forgiving:
I pray u may be active in Sharing
Your Faith, so that you will have
a full understanding of every good
thing we have in Christ (Philem5-6)
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 (Ph 9-10).
He is more than a slave, for he is
now a brother in the Lord. Welcome
him as u would welcome me (v16).

Lord, help me to get over any
inhibitions about sharing my faith.
For there is no greater gift than
to share someone Your love & the
good news of salvation in Christ.
Help me to be sensitive to Your
leading so that I don’t come off
as insensitive to others. Help me
to have a good sense of timing
and the right words to say. Amen.

Lord, help me to show respect
and be gracious to people rather
than throwing weight around, telling
them straight what they should do.
And help me to give people
opportunities to put things right
for themselves, rather than
taking matters immediately
into my own hands. Amen.

Lord, help me not to be engross
with my rights; but rather pay
attention to the fundamental law
for Christians, the law of love.
Help me to be forgiving and always
look to reconciling & welcoming.
Help me do good to all people,
especially to those who belong
to the family of believers. Amen.

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

God Desires us Be Eternal Minded

Timothy ministered alongside
Paul as missionary & later received
the challenging assignment of
pastoring the church at Ephesus.
Paul’s 1st letter resembles a manual
for building the church leadership.
It also contains many principles
to impact the lives of others.

Lord, we’ll Fight the Good Fight:
Godliness with Contentment is
great gain…We can take nothing
out of (this world). If we have food,
we’ll be content (1 Tim 6:6-8).
Pursue righteousness, godliness,
faith, love, patience, gentleness.
Fight the Good Fight of Faith…
I urge you… that you keep this
commandment until our Lord
Jesus Christ’s appearing… the King
of kings and Lord of lords (v11-15)
Command those who are rich…
to do good… to be generous and
willing to share. By doing this
they will be storing up treasure
for the future so that they may
experience true life (v17-19).

Lord, You want Contentment to be
the virtue and goal for Your people.
Forgive me Lord for the times
when I get discontented with life.
Teach me to focus on all I have,
rather than on the things that I seem
to lack when comparing with others.
Teach me Lord to make connected
relationship with You and others be
priority over material things. Amen.

Lord, Thank You for Your promise
of eternal life in Your presence.
I realise that the road ahead
may not be easy; but I purpose
to hold fast and stay the course.
Help me not grow weary in battles;
seek and abide in You continually
as well as to Fight the good fight.
And grant me faithfulness and
perseverance. In Jesus name, Amen.

Lord, thank You for all You have
given including material provision.
Keep me from being covetous,
greedy or being selfish minded.
Help me Lord find balance in
the stewardship of the resources
that You have put in my care.
Show me practical ways to use the
resources to do good, bless others
and further Your kingdom. Amen.

God Desires us to Be Respectful

Timothy ministered alongside
Paul as missionary & later received
the challenging assignment of
pastoring the church at Ephesus.
Paul’s 1st letter resembles a manual
for building the church leadership.
It also contains many principles
to impact the lives of others.

Lord, we’ll treat pple with Respect:
Rebute not an elder but intreat him
as a father; and the younger men
as brethren; the elder women as mother’s; the younger as sisters,
with all purity. Honor widows…
Learn to show piety at home and
to repay their parents; for this is
good… before God (1 Tim 5:1-4).
If anyone does not provide for
his own and especially for those
of his household, he has denied
the faith and is worse than
an unbeliever (1 Tim 5:8).
Let the elders who rule well
be counted worthy of double
honor… God and Jesus… back
me up in these instructions.
Carry them out without favoritism,
without taking sides (v17, 21).

Lord, I purpose not to rebuke
an older man harshly, but exhort
him as if he were my father.
And I also purpose to treat
younger men as brothers,
older women as mothers, younger
women as sisters with purity.
For I want to treat individuals
in church with respect & love.
In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.

Lord, help us fulfill our roles and
responsibility to care for our families
and provide for their needs.
Grant us Your provision in our lives;
and we purpose to work diligently.
Help us to be good stewards of
the resources You have given us,
using them wisely and generously.
We also pray for those struggling
to provide for their families.
Open doors of livelihood & provide
them t means to meet needs. Amen.

Lord, help us live with integrity,
treating others with love & respect.
Help us to be impartial and following
Your example of truth and justice.
Help those in leadership to make       decisions that are in line with
Your will and for the benefit of all.
Give them wisdom and discernment   as they fulfil their responsibilities.
And may all our lives be a reflection
of Your love. In Jesus’ name, amen.

God Desires us be Godly Example

Timothy ministered alongside
Paul as missionary & later received
the challenging assignment of
pastoring the church at Ephesus.
Paul’s 1st letter resembles a manual
for building the church leadership.
It also contains many principles
to impact the lives of others.

Lord, we aim Be Godly Example:
Everything God created is Good
and nothing is to be rejected if
it is received with Thanksgiving,
because it is consecrated by the
word of God & prayer (ITim 4:4-5).
Train yourself to Be Godly. For
physical training is of some value,
but godliness for all things (v7-8).
Be An Example to all believers in
what you teach, in the way you live,
in your love, faith and purity…
Be diligent in these matters;
give yourself wholly to them so that
everyone may see your progress.
Watch your life and doctrine closely.
Persevere in them (1Tim 4:12-16).

Lord, Thank You for the wonderful
pleasures You have created for us.
Thank You Lord for Your beautiful
creation; for wind, rain & sunshine.
Thank You for the joy of friendship
and the intimacy of marriage.
Thank You for the enjoyment of
good, tasty and nourishing food.
Above all these joys, Thank You
for Your gift of salvation. Amen.

Lord, You want us to Be Godly,
though the world sees and thinks
external image is everything.
Forgive me for the times I’m overly
concerned with external things.
Grant me discipline to expend more
time & energy to care for the Soul.
Grant me grace so that You will be
pleased with my thots & intentions
as well as words & actions. Amen.

Lord, enable me to Be Example
of Your love, faith and purity.
Help me not to shy away from
using the gifts that You give me.
Thankful that Your opinion of me
is more important than any other.
Bless the work You do thru me will
be effective; for I purpose to depend
wholly on You, for You raise me
up to more than I can be. Amen.

God Desires Peace and Unity

Timothy ministered alongside
Paul as missionary & later received
the challenging assignment of
pastoring the church at Ephesus.
Paul’s 1st letter resembles a manual
for building church leadership.
It also contains many principles
to impact the lives of others.

Lord, we’ll Pray For People In Need:
I exhort First of all that… prayers,
Intercessions and giving of thanks
be made of ALL men. (1Tim 2:1).
(Pray for those) in authority so that
we can live peaceful & quiet lives…
… This pleases God, who wants
everyone to be saved (v2-4).
I desire therefore that… men pray
everywhere, lifting up holy hands,
without wrath and doubting (v8).

Merciful God, we bring before You,
the safety of peoples caught in war,
the needs of helpless refugees,
the hopelessness of the starving,
the frustrations of prisoners,
the helplessness of the weak,
the despondency of the weary,
the failing powers of the aged.
Draw near to each of them for
the sake of Christ our Lord, Amen.

Lord, it’s Your desire for all people
to be saved; and it is Your will that
believers could enjoy peace thus
enabling them to share the gospel.
Have mercy on Ukraine, and bring
about a quick end to the conflict.
Cause us Lord remember to pray
for civil authorities so that they
govern well and there be peace.
And may we use the opportunity
to share Christ to the lost. Amen.

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

God Is Patient towards You

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’s rich in principles for anyone who
wishes to impact the lives of others.

Lord, You are Patient towards Us:
This is a faithful saying that Christ
Jesus came into the world to save
sinners (and) display His Immense
Patience as an example for those
who would believe in Him and
receive eternal life (1Tim 1:15-16).
Now to the King eternal, immortal,
invisible, to God who alone is Wise,
be honour and glory forever (v17).
(May) the prophetic words spoken
earlier…help you fight well in the
Lord’s battles; having Faith and a
good conscience (v18-19). 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, You alone is wise and worthy
of all glory; thank You for all that
You have done for us; and out of
gratitude we want to serve You.
But we realise that right beliefs
and right behaviour are critical.
Help us be wholly committed to You,
help us Be Patient as You are; and
help us Hold On in Faith to Your
Word for us. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Lord, with all the distractions
and obstacles coming against us,
it will be difficult to stay on course
following the Master. When the
going gets tough, I’ll purpose to
Hold on to Your Word for my life.
I won’t depart from it, no matter
what contradictions I hear or think.
Help me to keep focused & pursue
the calling You’ve given me. Amen

God of Peace Sanctifies You

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’ll seek to Do Your Will:
Therefore conform each other
and edify one another….
Be at Peace among yourselves…
Comfort the fainthearted, uphold
the weak, be patient with all…
Pursue what is good both for
yourselves and for all (1Ths 5:11-15)
Rejoice always,
pray without ceasing,
in everything give thanks (v16-18).
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.
He who calls you Is Faithful,
who also Will Do it (v23-24) Amen

Lord, in this season of uncertainties,
many are searching for direction.
The Holy Spirit knows all needs,
know all things and inspires us
to build each other up with words
of comfort and words of edification.
O Spirit, use our imagination to write
Your will, impress Your thoughts
and speak into the hearts of Your
people through us. In Jesus’ name.

Lord, prompt us to rejoice always,
pray & give thanks without ceasing.
Lord God of peace, do Your holy
work of Sanctification within us
for we want to honour You with
our lives and to resist sin each day.
Preserve us Lord to be blameless.
Give us a deep love for You and
the zeal for Your glory that will
surpass any impure passion. Amen.

Lord, I believe the convictions and
longings in my heart are placed
there by You & I raise them to You. 
Use them Lord to accomplish
Your purposes; and I believe that
You will get me where I need to go.
I am prepared and available to work
out the calling You have for me.
For I know Lord that You are faithful
and that You will surely do it. Amen.

Trusting God thru His Promises

The purpose of 1st Thessalonians
is to strengthen the Christians
in their faith and give them
the assurance of Christ’s return;                 whilst that for the 2nd epistle is
to clear up the confusion about
the second coming of Christ.
Apostle Paul exhorts them to return           to work and to take advantage of
the time they have to do good.

On Monday, we learn from 1 Ths 1
that God Honours Faith In Him.
On Tuesday, we learn from 1Ths 2
that God Helps Walking Worthily.
On Wednesday, we learn fr 1Ths 5
that God of Peace Sanctifies You.
On Thursday, we learn from 2Ths 1
that God Enables Your Calling.
On Friday, we learn from 2Ths 2
that God Establishes Good Work.
On Saturday, we learn from 2Ths 3
that God Protects His Servants.

Let us humble ourselves and pray
and seek His face. Help us O God
be Christ’s disciples who trust You:
for You help us to walk worthily,
and as God of Peace sanctify us;
for You enable our calling, establish
good work & protect His servants;
for You honour those having faith
and You truly keep Your promises.
In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.

God Will Protect His Servants

In his 2nd 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’ll Share the Good News:
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).
And we have confidence in the Lord.
that you are doing and will continue
to do the things which we charge u.
May the Lord direct your hearts
into the love of God and into
the patience of Christ (v4-5).
We… exhort through our Lord Jesus
Christ that they work in quietness…
As for you brethren, do not grow
weary in doing good (v12-13).

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 Lord 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 Your 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 You. Amen.