Month: February 2025

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

God Provides Our Needs

“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.
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

Hearing God thru His Word

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 of the Mount
sees Jesus giving directions
for living in His kingdom.

In Tuesday, we learn from Matt 1
that Immanuel God Always With us.
On Wed, we learn from Matt 4
that God Gives Word & Light.
On Thu, we learn from Matt 5
that we are called to be Salt & Light.
On Friday, we learn from Matt 6
that Father God Provides our Needs.
On Sat, we learn from Matt 7
that God Rewards Seekers.

Let us humble ourselves and pray
and seek His face. Help us O God
be Christ’s disciples who Hear You:
For You are worthy of our Praise
being Immanual Always With us;
For God Gives Word & Light
and Call us to be Salt & Light.
For God You Provide our Needs
and that You Reward Seekers.
In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.

God Rewards those who Seek Him

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… Therefore,
whoever hears these sayings of
Mine and does them, I will liken
him to a wise man who built
his house on the rock (V11, 24).
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.
Lord I will keep asking You and
anticipate You answering me.
And help me Lord be a wise person
who build on the rock. 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.

Father God Provides Our Needs

“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.
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

Christ Teaches Be Salt & Light

Jesus claimed to be the Messiah,
the King of the Jews. And you
will read in Matt 5-7 the Sermon
of the Mount, where He presents
His statement of heaven (Mt 5:3,10)
Relationship to God (not simply
adherence to ritual) and inward
attitude (not merely outward action)
become focus of Christ’s message
for a lifestyle of righteousness.

Lord, we purpose Be Salt & Light:
And seeing the multitude,
He went up on the mountain
and when He was seated His disciples came to Him. Then He…
taught them, saying: Blessed are
the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven (Mt 5:1-3).
You are the Salt of the earth.
But if the salt loses its saltiness,
It is no longer good for anything,
except to be thrown out (v13). 
You are the Light of the world.
A city on a hill cannot be hidden.
Neither do people light a lamp
and put it under a bowl. Instead
they put it on its stand & it gives
light to everyone in the house.
In the same way, let your light
shine before men, that they may
see your good deeds and praise
your Father in heaven (v14-16).

Lord, the kingdom of God belongs
to those who realize they are
incapable to provide for themselves.
It’s in our weakness that You meet
us and displays Your power clearly.
So Lord, we freely admit that apart
from You, we are empty and weak.
Let our helplessness & dependence
on You be the condition that gives
You room to fill us with Yourself and
Your abundant blessings. Amen.

Dear Almighty God, You sent
Jesus to save us from our sins;
give us eternal & abundant life;
and to be our Master and King.
Your standards are lofty; but in
deep gratitude of what You had
done, we Your people purpose to
Live a Lifestyle of the Kingdom,
Adopt Kingdom Perspectives and
Be Salt of the earth that reflect
Your holiness and perfection. Amen.

Lord it’s an awesome responsibility
to reflect Your image & Your glory
to the world; but it’s an awesome
privilege too. Give us opportunities
to do so & help us reflect You well.
Lead us Lord to what You’re doing
& use us to bear fruit in Your world.
Help us live in such a way as to
preserve biblical values and let
our light shine for Jesus. Amen.

Called to Be Salt & Light

Jesus claimed to be the Messiah,
the King of the Jews. And you
will read in Matt 5-7 the Sermon
of the Mount, where He presents
His statement of heaven (Mt 5:3,10)
Relationship to God (not simply
adherence to ritual) and inward
attitude (not merely outward action)
become focus of Christ’s message
for a lifestyle of righteousness.

Lord, we purpose Be Salt & Light:
And seeing the multitude,
He went up on the mountain
and when He was seated His disciples came to Him. Then He…
taught them, saying: Blessed are
the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven (Mt 5:1-3).
You are the Salt of the earth.
But if the salt loses its saltiness,
It is no longer good for anything,
except to be thrown out (v13). 
You are the Light of the world.
A city on a hill cannot be hidden.
Neither do people light a lamp
and put it under a bowl. Instead
they put it on its stand & it gives
light to everyone in the house.
In the same way, let your light
shine before men, that they may
see your good deeds and praise
your Father in heaven (v14-16).

 

 

 

Lord, the kingdom of God belongs

to those who realize they are

incapable to provide for themselves.

It’s in our weakness that You meet

us and displays Your power clearly.

So Lord, we freely admit that apart

from You, we are empty and weak.

Let our helplessness & dependence

on You be the condition that gives

You room to fill us with Yourself and

Your abundant blessings. Amen.

Dear Almighty God, You sent

Jesus to save us from our sins;

give us eternal & abundant life;

and to be our Master and King.

Your standards are lofty; but in

deep gratitude of what You had

done, we Your people purpose to

Live a Lifestyle of the Kingdom,

Adopt Kingdom Perspectives and

Be Salt of the earth that reflect

Your holiness and perfection. Amen.

Lord it’s an awesome responsibility

to reflect Your image & Your glory

to the world; but it’s an awesome

privilege too. Give us opportunities

to do so & help us reflect You well.

Lead us Lord to what You’re doing

& use us to bear fruit in Your world.

Help us live in such a way as to

preserve biblical values and let

our light shine for Jesus. Amen.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_FuW20MYAK4

God Gives Word & Light

Backgrounder on Matthew 1-4:
 Matthew begins his gospel with
the genealogy of Jesus Christ.
Whilst Genesis traces the creation
of man, Matthew shows the advent
of Jesus begins a new creation.
From the call of Abraham, God
has been moving to accomplish
His great redemption plan. Jesus
the prophesied Messiah, fulfills
 the OT promises in every facet of
His life: birth, boyhood & baptism.

Lord, Your Word keeps us from Sin:
Jesus was led into the wilderness
to be tempted by the devil. And
when He had fasted 40 days,
He was hungry. Now the tempter
came to Him and said: If You are
the Son of God command these
stones become bread. But (Jesus)
answered: It is written: Man shall
not live by bread alone but by
every Word that proceeds from
the mouth of God (Matt 4:1-4).
That it might be fulfilled which
was spoken by Isaiah the prophet:
The land of… Galilee of the Gentiles:
The people who sat in darkness
have seen a great Light (Mt 4:14-16)
From that time Jesus began to
preach and to say: Repent for the
kingdom of heaven is at hand (v17)

Lord, thank You of the temptation
account that shows our need for
Your Word. Psa 119:11 says I have
hidden Your Word in my heart
that I might not sin against You.
Grant me the wisdom to seek You
and to hide Your Word in my heart.
And grant me discernment to apply
Your truth to everyday situations,
especially in difficulties. Amen.

Lord, thank you for the Bible,
the word of God, which we can
use as the Sword of the Spirit.
Cause Your Spirit to enlighten
my mind to understand what
I read and how it applies to my life.
Help me draw that sword and
be ready when Satan attacks with
a lie, deviation or discouragement.
And give me Lord the wisdom to
use Your Word correctly. Amen.

Lord Thy Word is a Lamp unto
my feet and a Light unto my path.
I will not forget
Your love for me and yet
My heart forever is wandering.
Nothing will I fear
as long as You are near.
Please be near me to the end.
Thy Word is a Lamp unto my feet
and a Light unto my path.
You’re the Light unto my path. Amen

Immanuel God Always With Us

Matthew begins his gospel with
the genealogy of Jesus Christ.
Whilst Genesis traces the creation
of the universe and man, Matthew
now shows that the advent of
Jesus inaugurates a new creation.
From the call of Abraham, God
has been moving to accomplish
His great redemption plan. Jesus
the prophesied Messiah, fulfils
the OT promises in every facet of
His life: birth, boyhood and baptism.

Lord, You are With Us Always:
An angel of the Lord appeared
to (Joseph) in a dream, saying…
Do not be afraid to take Mary your
wife, for that which is conceived
in her is of the Holy Spirit.
She will bring forth a Son and
you shall call His name Jesus,
for He will save His people
from their sins (Matt 1:20-21).
So all this was done that it might
be fulfilled which was spoken by
the Lord thru the prophet saying:
Behold the virgin shall be with
child and bear a Son & they shall
call His name Immanuel, which is
translated: God With Us (v22-23).
(Jesus’ said): Go therefore and
make disciples… teaching them
to observe all things that I have
commanded you; and lo, I am
With you Always (Matt 28:19-20).

Lord, You’ve come to bring peace,
to be love, to be nearer to us.
You have come, to bring life,
to be light, to shine brighter in us.
Oh Emmanuel God with us.
Our Deliverer, You are Savior;
In Your presence we find
our strength over everything.
Our redemption God with us,
You are God With Us. Amen.

Lord, help me see what is already
true: that You are a constant
companion throughout the day.
Remind me You are not far away
but that You are nearby with me.
Grant me holy imagination that
Father is looking into my heart
with love; that Jesus is sitting
beside with a smile and that the
Spirit is hovering over me. Amen.

Lord Jesus, You clearly promised
Your disciples in Matthew 28:20
that You will be with them always.
Although busyness and activities
often disconnect me from others,
it will never separate me from You.
Your promise is reliable in a world
where most promises are not.
Thank You Lord for the permanent
nature of Your promise. Amen.

Hearing God thru His Word

The path to intentional discipleship
is to grow towards spiritual maturity
by nurturing key disciple attitudes.
So for past three years, we had been
Seeking God thru Biblical Prayers;
Trusting God thru His Promises and
Adoring God thru Thanks & Praise.
And for the past one month; we’ve
been Hearing God thru His Word.

“God Is Not Silent. It is the nature of
of God to speak, writes AW Tozer.
We could spend the rest of our lives
learning to recognise God’s voice.
We can be certain if we seek Him,
He will make Himself available to us.
If we listen, He will speak; and if we
believe what we have heard, He will
show us more! The God who speaks
is always seeking to take us deeper
into His Will & draw us closer to Him.

Henry Blackaby in his workbook
Experiencing God says God Speaks
by the Holy Spirit through the Word,
Circumstances and His Church.
In this current series, we will be
focussing on Hearing God through
His Word; but needless to say
we will also see God speaking
thru circumstances, the church
and many other ways. May God
bless our desire to hear Him. Amen.

We are meditating through the Bible,
which is organised by genres:
Laws, History, Poetry and Prophets…
Before we continue into OT History,
for variety sake we will have the
first Gospel interlude in Matthew.
But here’s the key thoughts from
the five books of Laws; which
provide instruction to the Israelites
in their relationship with God:
J6: Walking & Seeking God (Gen 5)
J13: God Can Do Anything (G17/18)
J20: Listen Carefully to God (Ex14)
J27: Lord Abounds in Mercy (Nu14)
F3: Lord Our Rock & Shield (Dt 32/3)
Navigation: Click PrayerThots.com
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