Adoring God in Matthew 11
Under Construction
Adoring God in Matthew 10
Christ Empowers & Cares the Called
Inspiring hymn “Freely, Freely”
The hymn “Freely Freely” was
written by Carol Owens and was
released in the States in 1970 as
part of the album “He Touched Me.”
The tagline “freely” comes to Carol
one morning from Matthew 10:8:
“Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers,
raise the dead, cast out devils:
freely ye have received, freely give.”
Other words from the refrain
paraphrase the key ideas of the
great commission: “Go in my
name, and because you believe,
others will know that I live.”
The first stanza focuses on being
“born again” (John 3:7); whilst
Stanza 2 which begins with
“All power is given in Jesus’ name,
in earth and heaven in Jesus’
name,” paraphrases Matthew 28:18.
The song emphasizes the liberating
power of God’s love & forgiveness.
And it urges believers to freely share
this love with others & experience
the joy and freedom it brings.
Lord, we will Freely Freely Give
and Trust Your Loving Care of us:
When He had called His twelve
disciples… He gave them power
over unclean spirits, to cast them
out and to heal all kind of sickness
and all kinds of diseases… As you
go, preach saying: the kingdom
of God is at hand. Heal the sick…
cast out demons. Freely you have
received, freely give (Mt 10:1, 7-8).
Don’t Worry about… What to say.
God will give you the Right words
at the right time… It is not you
who will be speaking: it will be the
Spirit…speaking thru you (v19-20).
Not even a sparrow can fall to
the ground without your Father
knowing it. And the very hairs
on your head are all numbered.
So Don’t Be Afraid; you are
more valuable to Him than a
whole flock of sparrows (v29-31).
Lord Jesus, empower us with the
Holy Spirit and send us to proclaim
the good news of Your Kingdom.
Fill us Lord with compassion
for the lost and give us boldness
to share Your love with others.
Spur us to freely give what we’ve
received, not seeking personal
gain or worldly recognition.
Grant us the authority to heal
the sick, speak forth words of
grace, direction & encouragement
so that people be drawn to You.
In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
Lord, give me the Words to say,
not just in pressure situations
but in every relationship I have.
Enable my words be seasoned
with grace, truth and even power.
Use my mouth liberally as
You wish speaking through me.
And help me Lord make the
most of every opportunity for
Your purpose and glory. Amen.
Father, we come before you with
gratitude, knowing that You care
for us in every detail of our lives.
Thank You Lord for the assurance
that we as Your precious children,
are of really great value to You.
Help us to trust in Your sovereignty
and to find peace in knowing that
You are always watching over us.
Strengthen our faith and remove
any anxieties that weigh us down.
We lift our worries to You and place
our trust in Your loving care. Amen.
Adoring God in Matthew 8
God Blesses those who Believe
Matthew shared ten miracles to
demonstrate Jesus’ power over
disease, nature and the spirit world.
Christ then bestows that same
power and authority on His chosen
apostles and sends them out
as ambassadors of the kingdom…
The uplifting song “Still” by Hillsong
was first released in 2002.
The lyrics of Still convey a message
of trust and reliance on God’s
unwavering power and love.
In a world filled with uncertainties
and chaos, this song reminds us
of the truth that God is in control
and He holds our lives in His hands.
The song emphasizes the need
to be still and rest in His presence,
despite the storms around us.
Lord, we’ll Be Still & Pray In Faith:
When He came down from the
mountain, a leper worshiped Him…
Lord if You’re willing, You can make
me clean. Then Jesus put out His
hand and touched him saying: I am
willing, be cleansed. And instantly
the leprosy disappeared (Mt 8:1-3)
When Jesus entered Capernaum,
a centurion came pleading: Lord my
servant is lying at home paralysed…
Jesus said: I will come & heal him.
The centurion answered: Only speak
a word & my servant will be healed…
Jesus said to those who followed:
I have not found such great faith
in Israel… Then Jesus said to the
centurion: Go your way; as you‘ve
believed, let it be done for u (v5-13)
Suddenly a terrible storm came up
with waves breaking into the boat.
But Jesus was sleeping. The
disciples wake Him up shouting:
Lord, save us! And Jesus
answered: Why are you afraid?
You have so little faith(Mt 8:23-26)
Lord, You are Creator & Almighty and nothing is beyond You. From the account of the healing of the leper we know You are also compassionate and willing. Hear our cry to Heal our friends and loved ones who are unwell. Jehovah Rapha, our healer, You can make them whole, touch their lives so that they know You more deeply & love You more than before. Amen.
Lord we realise from the centurion account that our Faith determines our experience of Your power. What we expect in our hearts will largely determine what we will get in our actual experience. Help us Lord to expect You to make Yourself more real to us each day; and we wait with anticipation for You to do so. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Lord, sometimes we forget that
You are in the boat with us and
You rule over storms in our lives.
Increase our faith so that in the
midst of turbulence we will not
panic but trust You to care for us.
Enable us Lord to be able to rest
and Be Still, knowing You are God.
For Your presence is greater
than any stormy circumstance
we will face through life. Amen.
Lord Hide me now Under Your wings
Cover me Within Your mighty hand
When t oceans rise & thunders roar
I will soar with You above the storm
Father, You are King over the flood
I will be still, know You are God…
Find rest, my soul In Christ alone
Know His power
In quietness and trust
When t oceans rise & thunders roar
I will soar with You above the storm
Father, You are king over the flood
I will be still, know You’re God. Amen
Thought for the Week: Matthew 6
Father God Provides Our Needs
Inspiring song: Seek Ye First
“Seek Ye First” is a hymn written
by Karen Lafferty in the 1970s.
It is based on Matthew 6 about
how God takes care of the birds
of the air; and verse 33: Seek ye
first the kingdom of God and
His righteousness, and all these
things shall be added unto You.
Karen sang Seek Ye First into a tape
recorder, added “hallelujah” decant,
and in her words, “That was it.”
Seek Ye First was included on the
first Maranatha! Music praise album.
As a musicianary with YWAM, Karen
has received more than half of her
support from the publishing royalty
of “Seek Ye First” & the song opens
doors for her all over the world.
Karen says she feels privilege to
have written a tune that is so widely
used, but she carefully credits the
words to their true author: Jesus!
Lord, we Lift Up Our Needs to You:
Therefore I say to you, do not worry
about your life… Look at the birds of
the air, for they neither sow nor reap
nor gather into barns;yet yr heavenly
Father feeds them. Are you not of
more value than they? (Mt 6:25-26).
Do not worry saying: What shall
we eat…or What shall we wear?
For the pagans run after these
things and Your Heavenly Father
Knows that You Need them (v27).
But Seek First the Kingdom of
God and His righteousness,
and all these things will be given
to you as well. Therefore Do Not
Worry about tomorrow (v31-34).
Father, You promise and advise us
Not To Worry about basic needs
for You Will Provide them to us.
Grateful I don’t have to be drained
by worry; but I can be consumed
with You Lord and Your kingdom;
for You will take care of my needs.
So, I choose to keep anxiety from
cluttering my heart and instead
purpose to be filled with You. Amen.
Father, You are All-Knowing and
therefore You Know all our needs.
Praise You for Knowing everything
about us and every detail of our
situation; for nothing surprises You.
For Your Word says You Know
our needs and Will Provide them.
And so we can live peacefully and
cheerfully each day when we keep
Your kingdom as key concern. Amen
Loving Father, Thanks for caring
for us, including being our Provider.
Lead me to regularly Seek You First,
trust Your gracious promise and
keep from worrying about the future.
Guide me into the right perspective
and not worry over issues beyond
my control. Help me Lord to see the
difference between needs & wants;
and transform my inner being. Amen
Reflection on Matthew 1-7
Adoring God thru Thanks & Praise
The purpose of the gospel of Matthew is to prove that Jesus
is the Messiah, the eternal King.
Matthew 1-4 introducing the
arrival of the Messiah focuses
on the importance of obedience;
whilst Matthew 5-7 traditionally called the Sermon on the Mount
sees Jesus giving directions
for living in His kingdom.
On Tuesday, we learn from Matt 1
to Praise Immanuel Always with us.
On Wed, we learn from Matt 4
to Thank Lord Jesus for Calling Us.
On Thu, we learn from Matt 5 that
God Blesses those Depend on Him.
On Friday, we learn from Matt 6
that Father God Provides our Needs.
On Saturday, we learn fr Matt 7 to
Thank God for Rewarding Seekers.
Let us humble ourselves and pray
and seek His face. Help us O God
be Christ’s disciples who Adore You:
For You are worthy of our praise
being Immanuel Always with us;
For You are worthy of our Thanks
as You Bless, Provide & Reward us;
For Your partnership calling us
to further the Kingdom of God.
In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.
Adoring God In Matthew 7 (Feb 3)
Thank God for Rewarding Seekers
Jesus claimed to be the Messiah,
the king of the Jews. And Matthew
5 to 7 traditionally called the
Sermon on the Mount, essentially
presents His statement of heaven.
Relationship to God (not adherence
to ritual) and our inward attitude
(not outward action) become
the focus of Christ’s message.
Lord, we will Ask, Seek & Knock:
Ask and it will be given to you;
seek and you will find; knock and
the door will be opened to you.
For everyone who asks receives;
he who seeks finds; and
to him who knocks, the door
will be opened (Matthew 7:7-8).
If you then, being evil, know how
to give good gifts to your children,
how much more will your Father
who is in heaven give good things
to those who Ask Him (v11).
Without faith it is impossible
to please Him, for he who comes
to God must believe that He is,
and that He is a rewarder of those
who diligently seek Him (Heb 11:6).
Lord Jesus, thank You for promising
that those who ask receive and
that when we seek, we will find.
Grant me the grace to Persevere,
to Keep On asking, seeking and
knocking until the answer comes.
Grant me the power of Your Spirit,
and strength to Persevere In Prayer
especially when I am in my weakest
moment & felt like giving up. Amen.
Father God, I come to You in faith,
believing in Your Goodness and
that You want to bless Your children.
I Ask that the desires of my heart
be aligned with Your will so that
my prayer will surely come to pass.
And Lord I will keep asking You and
Knock on Your door, and anticipate
it being opened by You. Amen.
Lord, Your Word says it’s impossible
to please God without Faith.
And so we come to You believing
not only You exist but also
believing that You Will Reward
those who diligently seek You.
For the Father desires to give
good things to those who ask Him.
So I will come to You in prayer and
I will Seek Your face, In Jesus’ name.
Adoring God In Matthew 6 (Feb 2)
Father God Provides Our Needs
Inspiring song: Seek Ye First
“Seek Ye First” is a hymn written
by Karen Lafferty in the 1970s.
It is based on Matthew 6 about
how God takes care of the birds
of the air; and verse 33: Seek ye
first the kingdom of God and
His righteousness, and all these
things shall be added unto You.
Karen sang Seek Ye First into a tape
recorder, added “hallelujah” decant,
and in her words, “That was it.”
Seek Ye First was included on the
first Maranatha! Music praise album.
As a musicianary with YWAM, Karen
has received more than half of her
support from the publishing royalty
of “Seek Ye First” & the song opens
doors for her all over the world.
Karen says she feels privilege to
have written a tune that is so widely
used, but she carefully credits the
words to their true author: Jesus!
Lord, we Lift Up Our Needs to You:
Therefore I say to you, do not worry
about your life… Look at the birds of
the air, for they neither sow nor reap
nor gather into barns;yet yr heavenly
Father feeds them. Are you not of
more value than they? (Mt 6:25-26).
Do not worry saying: What shall
we eat…or What shall we wear?
For the pagans run after these
things and Your Heavenly Father
Knows that You Need them (v27).
But Seek First the Kingdom of
God and His righteousness,
and all these things will be given
to you as well. Therefore Do Not
Worry about tomorrow (v31-34).
Father, You promise and advise us
Not To Worry about basic needs
for You Will Provide them to us.
Grateful I don’t have to be drained
by worry; but I can be consumed
with You Lord and Your kingdom;
for You will take care of my needs.
So, I choose to keep anxiety from
cluttering my heart and instead
purpose to be filled with You. Amen.
Father, You are All-Knowing and
therefore You Know all our needs.
Praise You for Knowing everything
about us and every detail of our
situation; for nothing surprises You.
For Your Word says You Know
our needs and Will Provide them.
And so we can live peacefully and
cheerfully each day when we keep
Your kingdom as key concern. Amen
Loving Father, Thanks for caring
for us, including being our Provider.
Lead me to regularly Seek You First,
trust Your gracious promise and
keep from worrying about the future.
Guide me into the right perspective
and not worry over issues beyond
my control. Help me Lord to see the
difference between needs & wants;
and transform my inner being. Amen
Adoring God In Matthew 5 (Feb 1)
God Blesses those Depend on Him
Backgrounder on Matthew 5-7:
Jesus claimed to be the Messiah,
the king of the Jews. And this
section traditionally called the
Sermon on the Mount, presents
His statement of heaven.
Relationship to God (rather than
adherence to ritual) and inward
attitude (not outward action)
become the focus of His message.
Lord, we will Depend on You:
Blessed are the Poor in spirit
(and realise their need for Him)
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven…
Blessed are the Meek,
for they shall inherit the earth…
Blessed are the Merciful,
for they shall obtain mercy.
(Matthew 5:3, 5, 7). Amen.
Lord, the kingdom of God belongs
to those who realize they are
incapable of providing spiritually.
It’s in our weakness that God meets
us & displays Your power clearly.
So Lord, I freely admit that apart
from You, I am empty and weak.
Let my emptiness & helplessness
gives You room to fill me with
Your abundant blessings. Amen.
Lord, thank You for dealing with Your people gently, even though You are supreme, holy and just. I want to be a person of principle and also a person of gentleness. Realising my short comings, help me Be Meek & mild tempered. For people who have power in their thoughts & can control that power will be able to guide others into God’s wisdom, gently plod them do good & inherit blessings. Amen.
Lord, You are so merciful.
Thank You for not giving us
the eternal death we deserve but
instead You give us life in Christ.
To be truly right with You God,
help me to extend mercy to the
undeserving people in my lives.
Teach me to be lavish in willingness
to overlook wrongs & to bless those
who don’t deserve blessing. Amen.