Praying thro John (April 28)

Comfort from the Son of God
(Prayer Walk thro John 13-17)

Backgrounder: The Upper Room
Discourse contains Jesus’
final words of instruction and encouragement to His disciples
before His death. Only John
records these intimate moments
between Jesus and His men as
He models true humility (chap 13),
describes the coming Holy Spirit
who will comfort and empower
them (chap 14-16) and intercedes
for the unity and protection of
His disciples worldwide (chap 17).

Dear Lord Jesus, in this world,
we can face many challenges.
But we thank you for Your final words of encouragement and
instructions at the Upper Room
which reveals yr heartbeat for us.
Lord, we receive your Gift of Peace
and Gift of the Spirit to help us.
We purpose to Remain in You; and
we pray for Unity among us. Amen.
Continue reading “Praying thro John (April 28)”

Preview on John Gospel (Apr 14)

We’ve Chronologically covered the
Old Testament, phase by phase:
OT1: Five Books of Laws incl Job.
OT2: Israel History to King David
from Joshua to 1 Chron + Psalms
as well as Reign of King Solomon
in 2nd Chron & Wisdom Poetry.
In OT Phase 3, we see decline
of the two Divided Kingdoms.
OT3A: 1 Kings & minor prophets.
OT3B: 2K1-17 & Prophets incl Isaiah
up to Israel’s Dispersion in 722BC.
OT3C: 2K18-25 & Prophets incl Jer
up to Judah’s Dispersion in 586BC.
Followed by Ezekiel & Daniel. And
then the Return from Exile, namely
Esther, Ezra & Nehemiah, as well as
Haggai, Zechariah and Malachi.
(All accessible in PrayerThots.com
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Having meditated on the synoptic
gospels in between OT phases,
we now continue with John. The
gospel of John is a gospel apart.
Mark, Matthew and Luke, despite
their different viewpoints, describe
many of the same events in
Jesus’ life. But John presents that
Jesus is God in the flesh, born to
die as the sacrifice for human sin.
Seven miraculous Signs,
Seven “I Am” Declarations and
Seven key Witnesses are cited
to show that “Jesus is the Christ,
the Son of God” (20:31).

We will cover the gospel of John
over 3 weekends under 6 divisions:
Coming of Son of God (J1-2)
Compassion of Son of God (J3-5)
Claims by the Son of God (J6-8)
Conflict with Son of God (J9-12)
Comfort from Son of God (J13-17)
Crucifixion of Son of God (J18-21)
Look Out for exposition on John
to prompt spiritual renewal and
have a reverent love of God.
Blessings/chris

Preview on Hag, Zac & Mal (Mar 31)

Return From Exile (Mar 31)

We have been covering the Bible
by time sequence, phase by phase
OT1: Five Books of Laws incl Job.
OT2: Israel History to King David
from Joshua to 1 Chron + Psalms
as well as Reign of King Solomon
in 2nd Chron & Wisdom Poetry.
In OT Phase 3, we see decline
of the two Divided Kingdoms.
OT3A: 1 Kings & minor prophets.
OT3B: 2K1-17 & Prophets incl Isaiah
up to Israel’s Dispersion in 722BC.
OT3C: 2K18-25 & Prophets incl Jer
up to Judah’s Dispersion in 586BC.
Followed by Ezekiel & Daniel.
And then the return from exile,
namely Esther, Ezra & Nehemiah.

Continuing, we will meditate on
the last three prophetic books
of the Old Testament following
the return from exile. Listed below
are the background condition and
issues during that period of time.

Haggai (520 BC)
“Consider your ways” and “Finish
what you have begun” are the
resounding calls of the prophet
Haggai as he tries to awaken the
people spiritually. They have just
returned from exile in Babylonia
and are discouraged by the
destruction in the city.But Haggai’s
message brings encouragement,
particularly to the governor,
Zerubbabel, who must inspire
the people. I am with you, declares
the Lord as the people are called
to rebuild and fight against future
oppression. There is hope and
future blessing for their obedience!

Zechariah (520 BC)
Using colourful visions and
consoling sermons to portray
God’s glorious future plans for
His covenant people, Zechariah
encourages the workers engaged
in rebuilding the temple. Although
early enthusiasm has waned,
the task is an important one,
for the temple will be the focal
point of the ministry of Israel’s
coming Messiah. God will keep
His promises to His people, and
fasting will turn to feasting when
Messiah arrives. So put away sin,
finish the temple, and await the
Messiah with eager excitement.

Malachi (440 BC)
Years after the restoration from
exile, the spiritual condition of
God’s people deteriorated. Again
they have lapsed into the same
sins that brought about captivity.
They tithe sporadically, ignore
the Sabbath and intermarry with
unbelievers. Their hearts have
grown hard and their love for God
has grown cold, yet Malachi comes
to remind the people of God’s love
for them. Malachi’ final warning
about the purifying Day of the Lord
marks the close of the OT period
which is followed by 400 years
of silence in the biblical record.

Friends, Look out for the expository
meditation as it shows God is
in control of situations and will
strengthen our faith in Him.
Shalom/chris

Prayer Thot for the Day (April 27)

God Saves & Rejoices Over You

Backgrounder on Zephaniah 1-3:
Writing at one of the lowest points
in the spiritual life of Judah,
Zephaniah’ primary concern is
the impending Day of the Lord.
That day signifies the final judgment of God on earth and the
ensuing time of blessing & peace.
Zephaniah knows when Judgment
is over God will once again look
with favour on His people: Restore
their fortunes, Rejoice over them
and dwell among them (Z3:14-18).

Lord, You are Mighty to Save:
In that day… do not fear; Zion,
let Not your hands be weak.
The Lord your God is With you,
He is Mighty To Save.
He will Take Great Delight in you,
He will quiet you with His love,
He will Rejoice over you with
singing (Zep 3:17-18). Amen,
Continue reading “Prayer Thot for the Day (April 27)”

Prayer Thot for the Day (April 26)

God Is Your Strength

Backgrounder on Habakkuk 1-3:
Habakkuk prophecies in Judah
before its final overthrow by
Babylonia. Honestly concerned
with how God could chasten Judah
by means of a nation even more
sinful than itself, Habakkuk deals
with some perplexing questions:
Why is a just God silent? Why do
the pleas of the faithful seem to
go unheard? The reply comes
in the statement of a timeless
principle of God’s sovereignty:
God will deal with the wicked
in His way and in His time.
Meanwhile righteous people
must continue to trust God (H2:4)

Lord, You are Our Strength:
How Long O Lord must I call
for help but You do not listen?
Or cry out to You… but
You do not save? (Hab 1:2).
I am filled with awe by the amazing
things You have done. In this time
of our need, begin again to help us,
as You did in years gone by. Show
us Your power to save us (Hab 3:2)
Even though the olive crop fails
and the fields lie empty & barren;
even though the flocks die in the
fields & the cattle barns are empty,
yet I Will Rejoice in the Lord!
I will be joyful in the God of
my salvation (Hab 3:17-18).
The Sovereign Lord is My Strength;
He makes my feet like the feet
of a deer, He enables me to tread
in the heights (Hab 3:19). Amen.
Continue reading “Prayer Thot for the Day (April 26)”

Prayer Thot for the Day (April 25)

God Brings You Out of Darkness

Backgrounder on Micah 6-7:
Micah describes God’s people
on trial as the charges are leveled
against Israel: halfhearted worship,
persistent rebellion, hypocrisy, greed, idolatry. The verdict
can only be guilty as charged.
The sentence: a generation of
exile in Babylon. Yet the message
of Micah is not complete until
he preaches the richness of
God’s forgiveness and grace.
He retains not his anger forever because he delights in mercy(7:18)

Lord will Bring Us Out of Darkness:
Do not gloat over me, my enemy!
Though I have fallen, I will rise.
Though I sit in darkness, the Lord
Will Be My Light. Because I have
sinned against him, I will bear
the Lord’s wrath, until He pleads
my case and upholds my cause.
He will bring me out Into the Light;
I’ll see His righteousness (Mic7:8-9)
Where is another God like You…
You will not stay angry with
your people forever, because you
delight in showing unfailing love.
Once again U will have compassion
on us. U will trample our sins under
your feet and Throw Them into the
depths of the Ocean (v18-19) Amen
Continue reading “Prayer Thot for the Day (April 25)”

Prayer Thot for the Day (April 24)

God Will Redeem the Time

Backgrounder on Joel 1-3:
Addressing hearts that have grown
cold to the things of God, Joel
confronts the people of Judah.
He reminds them of the recent
destruction brought by a plague
of locusts. Yet that disaster will
seem pale beside the castastrophe
still to come. Unless the nation
repents, it will be destroyed by
an army from the north. The only
hope of escape is for the people
to repent. If they do, then God
will divert judgment and will
deliver an unparalleled blessing –
judgment on all Judah’s enemies
and the gift of peace to Zion!

Lord, You Will Redeem the Time:
I Will Repay you for the years
the locusts have eaten… my
great army that I sent among you.
You shall eat in plenty and be satisfied, and praise the name of the Lord your God (Joel 2:25-26).
It shall come to pass afterward that
I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh..
Whoever Calls on the name of the
Lord shall Be Saved (v28-32) Amen
Continue reading “Prayer Thot for the Day (April 24)”

Prayer Thot for the Day (April 23)

God Builds Hedge of Protection

Backgrounder on Hosea 1-3:
To the nation of Israel, a land
steeped in idolatry, God sends
the prophet Hosea, whose name
means salvation. Just as God
foretold, Gomer deserts her
husband for other lovers -a graphic
depiction of Israel’s faithlessness
in response to God’s loyal love.
When Gomer sinks to the level
of a slave, Hosea is commanded
to buy her back, for she is still
his wife. In the same way the God
of Israel pledges His continuing
love for His people, even though
their spiritual adultery will result
in captivity and enslavement
at the hands of the Assyrians.

Lord, raise Yr Hedge of Protection:
I will Fence her in with thornbushes.
I will block the road to make her
lose her way. When she runs
after her lovers, she won’t be
able to catch up with them.
She will search for them but
not find them. Then she will say:
I will go and Return to my first
husband for then it was better
for me than now (Hos 2:6-7).
I Will Win her back once again…
I Will Be Faithful to you and
make you mine (v14, 20) Amen.
Continue reading “Prayer Thot for the Day (April 23)”

Praying thro John (April 22)

Response to the Son of God
(Prayer Walk thro John 9-12)

Backgrounder: Christ’s claim
draw the attention of more than
the hungry and sick. The scribes
and Pharisees, religious leaders
concerned about maintaining
the status quo, respond with
angry resistance. But how do
you refute a Man who preaches
that He is the Light of the World,
then proves it by giving sight to
the blind? … who claims He is
the resurrection & the life (J11:25),
then validates that claim by raising
a man from the dead. The choice
is clear: Either believe Him or seek
to silence Him once and for all.

Dear Lord, we learn from Jn 9-12
that the message that You Jesus
is the Son of God received mixed
reaction. Some worshiped You,
some shrank back while some
moved to silence You. Although
times have changed, people’s
hearts remain generally hard.
Grant that our response to
Your Word be appropriate and
that is to obey and worship You.
And help us Hear & Follow You;
help us to Pray In Faith; and
help us Live for Your Glory. Amen.
Continue reading “Praying thro John (April 22)”

PrayerThots Devotional
(Devotional with Prayer Focus)

PrayerThots Devotional Objectives

Promote Growth as Disciple
– Focusing Discipleship Devt
– Fostering Closer Walk with God
– Emulating God’s Nature
– Praising God for Who He Is
– Thanking God for What He Did
– Encouraging Obedience to God

Help Know Bible Better
– Systematic Coverage of Bible
– Be Familiar with Key Verses
– Passage Background Context
– Clear with Book Theme Devt
– Clear with Biblical Chronology
– Simplified Biblical Exposition

Foster Deepen Prayer Life
– Edited Scripture Prayers
– Three Para Prayer Pointers
– Spiritual Song Meditation
– Responding to Word of God
– Yielding our Will to God
– Claiming God’s Promises

In Essence
PrayerThots Devotional helps
Christians be Disciples of Christ
by fostering closer Walk with God,
emulating, praising & thanking Him;
Know God’s Word Better with good
appreciation of Biblical Context and
development of Biblical Themes;
and Deepen their Prayer Life thro
prayer points & meditation, Yielding
their Will & claiming His Promises.