Month: July 2024

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Adoring God In Ezekiel 11 (July 30)

God Gives You A New Heart

Backgrounder on Ezekiel 7-11:
In a series of visions, Ezekiel
foresees the what, why and how
of God’s judgment upon Judah.
The What: total destruction of
Jerusalem and the departure
of God’s glory from the temple.
The Why: generations of idolatry,
wickedness & spiritual indifference.
The How: through the cruel Baby-
lonians, God’s agents of judgment.
But the harshness of the sentence
is tempered by a tender reminder:
A remnant will survive, receive
sanctuary in a foreign country
and return to the Land of Promise.

Lord, Thank You for New Heart:
Tell the exiles, this is what the
Sovereign Lord says: Although
I’ve scattered you in the countries
of the world, I will be a Sanctuary
to you during your time in exile…
I will gather you… and give you
the land of Israel (Ezek 11:16-17).
I will give them an undivided Heart
and put a new spirit in them;
I will remove from them their
heart of stone and give them
a Heart of Flesh… Then they
will truly be my people, and
I will be their God (v19-20).
But as for those who long for idols,
I will repay them fully for their sins,
says the Sovereign Lord (v21).

Lord, thank You for Your promise
that You will be a Santuary to us
in tough times & grateful You are
always my home and my refuge.
Thank You for the promise of
Your Presence & Help in Psa 139.
Indeed I can never get away from
Your Presence; Your powerful
hand will guide me and Your
strength will support me. Amen.

Lord, make my heart be undivided
and take away hardheartedness
in me. Fill me Lord with Your love;
and help me to keep my heart
from wandering away from You.
I invite You to take charge of my
mind & emotions; and help me
to give complete control to You.
Light a flame of desire for You
and truly be Your people. Amen.

Lord, thank You that when we
become Christians, You did a
miracle by making us new inside.
You took out the hard cold hearts
and put in compassion to enable us
to serve, do good and help others.
Help us to have an ear for those
who need counsel or a kind word.
Help us to give practical helps
when someone has a real need.
Help us to intercede for people
in trouble or needs healing. Amen.

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Adoring God In Ezekiel 3 (Jul 29)

God Has Message For You!

While Jeremiah is preaching about
the judgment of God on Judah,
his contemporary Ezekiel is
in Babylon interpreting God’s
judgment to those Jews already
in captivity. Ezekiel’s preaching
also contains large doses of hope.
The 70 year exile will teach
God’s people “that I am the Lord”,
thus preparing them for restoration.

Lord, You Speak thru Your Word:
The voice said to (Ezekiel): Eat what
I am giving you – eat this scroll!
Then go and give its message to
the people… So I opened my mouth..
And when I ate it, it tasted as sweet
as honey in my mouth (Ezek 3:1-3).
Then He added: Let all My words
sink deep into your own heart first.
Listen to them carefully for yourself.
Then go to your people in exile
and say to them: This is what the
Sovereign LORD says (Ezek 3:10-11).
When I give u a message, I’ll loosen
your tongue and let you speak:
Then you will say to them: This is
what the Sovereign Lord says! (v27).

Lord, following Your voice is hard
for Your Words are difficult to obey.
Put Your truth in me, and let me
consume Your message in my
mouth so that it tasted like honey.
Help me Lord embody Your voice
and Your message in my being
and in my life. And let me speak
to others the words that comes
straight from Your heart. Amen.

Lord, thank You for the invitation
to embody Your Word of truth.
For I want to understand You Lord,
Your thoughts and feelings as
well as Your work and Your ways.
I want to do it because I love You
and because I want to experience
the benefits of Your love for me.
And I want to become one with You,
in principle & in experience. Amen.

Lord, thank You for the life message
You’ve given & the target audience.
Sovereign Lord, I ask for Your will
to be indeed my passion and desire.
And that include whom You want me
to serve & what You want me to say.
May revelation of these specifics
make me more passionate about
Your assignment for me; and Lord
do make the pathway straight. Amen

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Reflection on Jeremiah (July 28)

Adoring God thru Thanks & Praise

The purpose of the prophetic book
of Jeremiah is to urge God’s people
to turn from their sins & back to God
while that of Lamentations is to teach people that to disobey God
is to invite disaster and to show that God suffers when His people suffer.
Jeremiah was ministering under
Judah’s last five kings. Then the
nation was sliding quickly towards
destruction and was eventually
conquered by Babylon in 586BC.

On Mon, we learn from Jer 10 that
Our Maker is Great Eternal King.
On Tues, we learn from Jer 16
that the Lord Is Our Fortress.
On Wed, we learn from Jer 17
that God Blesses & Heals You.
On Thurs, we learn from Jer 29
that God Has Good Plans For Us.
On Friday, we learn from Jer 33
that God Grants Ready Access.
On Saturday, we learn from Lam 3
that God Is Great In Faithfulness.

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
as Our Maker is Great Eternal King
and You the Lord Is Our Fortress;
For You are worthy of our Thanks
as You our God Blesses & Heals Us
as well as Has Good Plans For Us;
For You God Grants Ready Access
and Great Is Thy Faithfulness.
In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.

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Adoring God In Lam 3 (July 27)

God Is Great In Faithfulness

God’s warning had come thru the
prophet Jeremiah, but the people
of Judah refused to listen.In 586BC
the Babylonian army attacked,
the people were carried into exile
and Jerusalem lay ruined & empty.
For days Jeremiah lamented over
the city and its future. As he cries
out in the darkness of destruction,
Jeremiah is given a spark of hope.
God promises forgiveness & grace;
the period of judgment is limited
and in His mercy God will restore
the city and return the captives.

Lord, we claim Your Faithfulness:
Through the Lord’s mercies
we are not consumed,
because His compassions fail not.
They are new every morning;
Great is Yr Faithfulness (L3:22-23)
The Lord is my portion…
Therefore I hope in Him!
The Lord is good to those who
Wait for Him, and seek Him.
It is good that one should hope
and Wait Quietly for the salvation
from the Lord (Lam 3:24-26).
Lord, You Remain the Same
forever… Why do You…
forsake us for so long a time?
Turn us back to You and we will
be restored (Lam 5:19-21). Amen.

Lord, praise You for being Faithful.
Your Word says You keep all Your
promises and none of them will fail.
In Your mercy and tender kindness,
reveal Your faithfulness Lord and
show me that there is hope in You.
Help me to triumph over adversities
by focusing on Your Faithfulness.
And help me exhibit faithfulness in
my relationship with others. Amen.

Lord, quieten my heart and mind
so that I am willing to Wait on You;
not with grumbling but with hope
and assurance that You will do
everything in Your perfect timing.
Grant me patience, and help me to
look for Yr answers to my requests.
And increase my faith that You
are working, even when I must
Wait for Your answer. Amen.

Lord, in the midst of severe trial,
we may wonder where are You.
But we will praise and exult You
that You are Still on Your throne.
And in an ever-changing world,
it’s comforting to remember
that You Remain the Same forever.
Unchanging God, we praise You for
Your faithfulness and unfailing love.
You’re working out Your purposes &
we hope in You for restoration. Amen

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Adoring God In Jer 33 (Jul 28)

God Grant Us Direct Access

God pledges to reestablish Judah
after it has been purified by the
discipline of exile. As a sign of His
promise, He orders Jeremiah to
buy a field that would soon belong
to the conquering Babylonians.
That land would one day become
part of the restored nation to be
ruled by the Righteous Branch,
David’s Messianic descendant.

Lord, we want to Hear from You:
The word of the Lord came to
Jeremiah while he was still shut
up in the court of the prison saying:
Thus says the Lord: the Lord who
made the earth and established it…
Call to Me, and I will answer you,
and show you great & mighty things
which you do not know (Jer 33:1-3)
Hear all the good that I do
to them… Praise the LORD
of hosts, for the Lord is good,
for His mercy endures forever(v9-11)
Behold the days are coming, says
the Lord, that I will perform that
good things which I’ve promised…
In those days… I will cause to grow…
a Branch of righteousness…
In those days Judah will be saved
& Jerusalem will dwell safely(v14-15)

Lord, I want to hear from You,
and hear with reasonable certainty.
I am asking You to speak in a way
that I can understand You clearly.
I may make mistakes and mishear
but I trust You to gently correct me.
I realise to hear You consistently
will require faith and patience. So,
help me ask with expectation and
wait patiently for Your voice. Amen.

Lord, we may find it challenging
to listen to those we interact with.
But we can hear Your voice because
You are not a cruel task master and
want to share great & mighty things.
Lord, I confess not being a good
listener and may not patiently
wait to hear what You have to say.
Teach me to hear Your voice & grant
me the faith to trust & obey. Amen.

Lord, we love to hear secret truths
that the world doesn’t know about.
It may be some promise in the Bible
which You enable us to understand
in a way we have never grasped.
Or it may be seeing deep into
a friend’s heart; or revelation over
the reason things happen to us.
Enable me Lord with such insights
which enhance understanding of
You & draw me close to You, Amen.

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Adoring God In Jeremiah 29 (Jul 25)

God Has Good Plans For Us

Jeremiah’s messages of judgment
arouse opposition in the palace.
During Jehoiakim’s reign, Jeremiah
is threatened with a death sentence.
While Zedekiah rules, Jeremiah don
a wooden yoke to portray Jerusalem
surrendering to Babylon. In midst of
turmoil, Jeremiah sends the exiles
in Babylon an encouraging letter;
urging them to settle down for
an extended period of captivity.

Lord, You have Good Plans For Us:
Thus says the LORD of hosts,
the God of Israel, to all who were
carried away captive, whom I have
caused to be carried away from
Jerusalem to Babylon (Jer 29:4).
After 70 years are completed at
Babylon, I will visit you & perform
My Good Word toward you and
cause you to return to this place.
For I know the Plans I have
for you, declares the Lord,
Plans to prosper you and not
to harm you, plans to give you
hope and a future (Jer 29:10-11).
Then you Will Call upon me and
come and Pray to me, and I will
listen to you. And you Will Seek Me
and Find Me, when you Search
for Me with all your heart. I will
be found by you, says the Lord,
and I will bring you back from
your captivity (Jer 29:12-14).

Lord, thank You for planning
a future and a hope for my life.
Because of Your Power and Your
Faithfulness, I know that nothing
in my life is outside Your Control.
Help me to willingly submit to Your
will for my future, draw me to look
for You and to pray wholeheartedly.
And grant my hope be grounded
in Your Unchanging character. Amen

Lord, thank You that Your plans
for me are for good to prosper me
and give me a Future and a Hope.
Lord, I realise that Your good plan
requires my participative prayer.
I seek You about my future and ask
You to help me to hear Your voice
leading me each step of the way.
Help me Obey You and not do any
thing that hinders Your plan. Amen.

Lord, noted that despite the depth
of Judah’s faithlessness, so great
is Your love that You Promised
to bring Your people home again.
Thank You Lord for Your Plans,
though I may not fully understand.
Thank You for the promise to listen
when I pray. Help me persevere
in seeking You; for I will find You &
You’ll fulfil Your plan for me. Amen.

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Adoring God In Jeremiah 17 (Jul 24)

God Blesses & Heals You

Jeremiah becomes object lesson
for what’s soon to befall Judah.
The prophet is commanded to
remain celibate and avoids feast
days; a reminder to his countrymen
that they will soon experience
involuntarily what Jeremiah is
called to experience voluntarily.
For loss of comfort and joy await
God’s rebellious people. But then
God’s discipline is still redemptive.

Lord, we will Trust & Cling to You:
Cursed is the man who trusts
in man and makes flesh his
strength, whose heart departs
from the Lord (Jeremiah 17:5).
Blessed is the one who Trusts in the
Lord, whose confidence is in Him.
They will be like a tree planted
by the water that sends out its
roots by the stream. It does not
fear when heat comes; its leaves
are always green. It has no worries
in a year of drought and never
fails to Bear Fruit (Jer 17:7-8).
Heal me O Lord & I will be Healed,
Save me and I shall be saved,
for You are the one I praise…
(for) You are my hope in the
day of doom (v14, 17). Amen.

Lord, let me not trust in man, but
rather put complete Trust in You.
Thank You Lord for Your promise
to bring forth fruit in my life;
and make my soul prosperous
even during the long dry spells.
Help me Lord not to turn from You;
instead regularly lead me to go
deep into You, even as I feed
on Your Word each day. Amen.

Lord, You are good & I trust in You
for You are my hope & confidence.
Draw me ever closer to You and
give me a passion to seek You.
Help me to Be Fruitful even during
life’s dry season and into old age.
Help me to put my roots deep
into You and Your Word that I be
able to endure hard times and wait
for Your sure deliverance. Amen.

Lord, really grateful that You came
as our Healer besides our Saviour.
In Your mercy, I ask for Your healing
touch upon my friends who need it,
especially those with severe illness.
Having experienced Your divine
healing several times, I know when
You heal, we can be healed fully.
At the same time, grant us the
discipline to take proper care
of our physical body. Amen.

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Adoring God In Jeremiah 16

The Lord Is My Fortress (Jul 23)

Jeremiah himself becomes object
lesson to his nation, for his very
life models the reality of what is
soon to befall the nation of Judah.
The prophet is commanded to
remain celibate and avoid funerals
and feast days – a reminder to his
countrymen they will experience
involuntarily what Jeremiah is
called to experience voluntarily.
Loss of family, comfort and joy await
God’s rebellious people – a message
that is finally heard; and results
on beatings and imprisonment
for the faithful prophet of God.

Lord, You are Our Fortress:
As surely as the LORD lives,
who brought the people of Israel
back to their own land… from all
the countries to which He had
exiled them. For I will bring them
back to this land that I gave
to their ancestors (Jer 16:15).
Lord (Jehovah), my strength
and my fortress (Mauzzi),
my refuge in time of distress,
to You the nations will come
from the ends of the earth and say:
Our ancestors possessed nothing
but false gods, worthless idols
that did them no good (v19-20).
Therefore behold… I will cause
them to know My hand and
My might; and they shall know
that My name is the Lord (v21).

Lord Jehovah Mauzzi, You are
my strength and my fortress,
my refuge in time of distress.
And on that day, all people will
come to You and bow their knees.
They will acknowledge You as
the one true God – the fortress
who stands higher & longer than
all man-made fortresses because
You’re the great eternal God. Amen.

Lord, I bless Your name for You are
my wall of defense and my fortress.
Forgive me for not praising You
as I should on some occasions
for protecting me from dangers.
In gratitude, allow me to testify that
You Lord is indeed my fortress when
You miraculously protect me from
severe physical harm yesterday.
I Thank, Praise & Adore You. Amen.

Lord, bring the nations to You
that they may know You and
see that the gods and idols
they trusted did them no good.
Give us wisdom to know the best
way to glorify Your name & spread
the word of Your firm protection.
Give us Lord boldness to make
a difference for Your kingdom so
that many people can experience
You as their fortress. In Jesus name.

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Adoring God In Jeremiah 10 (Jul 24)

Our Maker the Great Eternal King

Idolatry and hypocrisy have
permeated every fiber of Judah’s
national life. People, prophets and
priests alike practice worthless
worship in haughty indifference.
But through Jeremiah, God delivers
a ringing indictment. Their nation
with all its outward splendour –
will be reduced to a heap of ruins
because of the people’s arrogance
and idolatry. At the thought of
Judah’s imminent divine surgery,
Jeremiah weeps unashamedly
for his hardhearted countrymen.

Praise Eternal King & Maker of all:
You are great; and Your name
is great in might, Who would
not fear You, O King… For this
is Your rightful due (Jer 10:6-7).
The Lord is the true God;
He is the living God and the
everlasting King… He has made
the earth by His power, He establish
the world by His wisdom. For He
is the Maker of all things (v10-16).
O Lord I know the way of man
is not in himself; it is not in man
who walks to direct his own steps.
O Lord correct me…
not in Your anger, lest You
bring me to nothing (v23-24).

Lord, You are great and greatly
to be praised. Great is Your power.
You have stirred our hearts so that
we take pleasure in praising You.
You have created us and our hearts
are restless until they rest in You.
Lord, we affirm Your power over
the circumstances of our life. And
since You are powerful & wise, we’ll
give You all praise and glory. Amen

Lord, I contemplate Your great
power in creating the universe.
You have indeed the power over all
the natural forces that You created.
And I could not take a breath
or be sustained upon this earth
except by Your sustaining grace.
So I praise You for Your mighty
deeds and for excellent greatness.
Let every day of my life praise You;
In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.

Glory be to You O God the Father,
the Maker of the whole world.
Glory to You O God the Son,
the Redeemer of humankind.
Glory to You O God the Holy Spirit,
the sanctifier of Your people.
Lord, I am just work in process,
and so correct me in Your mercy.
In gratitude, I am offering You love
with my devotion; and giving You
worship with my whole life. Amen.

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Thought for the Week: Isaiah 43

God Makes Way Through Trial

The book of Isaiah has been likened
to a miniature Bible, its 66 chapters
paralleling the 66 books of Bible.
The first 39 chapters of Isaiah,
like the 39 books of OT proclaim
judgment upon sinful mankind.
God’s patience is great, but He
will not allow persistent sin go not
punished. The final 27 chapters of
Isaiah, like the 27 books of the NT,
proclaim a message of comfort
and hope. The Messiah is coming
to be the Saviour of sinful people.

Lord, You are With Us through Trial:
Do not fear, for I’ve redeemed you;
I have summoned you; you are mine.
When you go thru deep waters
and great trouble, I Will Be With you.
When you go through rivers of
difficulty, you will not drown!…
For I am the Lord your God…
your Savior (Isaiah 43:1-3).
Besides Me there is no saviour…
I have declared and saved…
Therefore you are My witnesses
says the LORD that I am God…
No one can snatch anyone
out of My hand (v11-13).
Behold I will do a new thing…
I will even made a road in the
wilderness & rivers in the desert…
I provide water in the desert and
streams in the wasteland, to give
drink to my people… that they
may Proclaim My Praise (v19-21).

Lord, thank You for Your promises
of presence, deliverance and
protection. Because You’ve said:
“I Will Be With you”, what have
I to fear? Help me to trust in You,
not only in the small details of life,
but also in times of great trouble.
For You are not only my Lord and
my God, You are indeed also my
Deliverer and my Savior. Amen.

Lord, Your Word says You are
with me in times of great trouble.
Help me hang on to Your promise
even when I cannot sense Your
presence. For nothing and no one
can altar Your declaration to save.
Give me strength to pass through
my trials and ultimately triumph so
that I will give witness Your power &
that Your name be glorified. Amen.

Lord, thank You for making a way
where there seems to be no way.
And grant Lord for You to do a new
thing to pave way to fulfilled prayer.
I Praise You for who You are and
for all You have done in my life.
Help me live every day with praise
and thanksgiving in my heart.
For my greatest calling on earth is
to worship and glorify You. Amen.