Author: tanahmerah

The Living God Is In Control

The Jews are poised within view of
the land promised to their ancestors
& denied their unbelieving parents.
The task seems impossible:
a turbulent river; rough terrain to
cross and walled cities to conquer.
So God begins to prepare His people
for the days of warfare just ahead.
He reminds Joshua that careful
attention to His Word brings
blessing and success. Spies are
sent to survey Jericho, the first
obstacle in the land. The priests
bearing the ark of covenant lead the
pple across the rampaging Jordan.

Praise be Supreme God In Control:
Rahab: We have heard how the
Lord made a dry path for you
through the Red Sea. And we
know what you did to the two
Amorite kings east of the Jordan
River, whose people you completely
destroyed… For the Lord your God is
supreme God in heaven(Jos 2:10-11)
So Joshua said to the children of
Israel: This is how you will know
that the Living God… is among you
and that He will certainly drive out
the Canaanites, Hittites, Hivites…
Amorites and the Jebusites.
Behold, the ark of the covenant
of the Lord is crossing before
you into the Jordan (Jos 3:10-11).
As soon as the priests who carry
the ark of the Lord, the Lord of
All The Earth set foot in the Jordan,
its waters flowing downstream
will be cut off and stand up
in a heap (Joshua 3:13).

Lord God Almighty, You sit
on the throne in heaven above.
You are truly ruler over all; and
Power and might are in Your hand.
You God alone can go before us
to open doors we could not open
on our own, and lead in a path we
could not have created on our own.
Be gracious Lord towards us as we
lift up our eyes & look to You. Amen

O Living God, we praise You
for Your powerful life-giving name.
Thank You for being active and
engaged in our everyday life.
You are not a God who is distant
and not keen in what happens to us.
Just as You helped the Israelites,
You Lord are alive and moving in
the situations of our lives as well.
Grateful for Your loving care. Amen

Lord of All The Earth, we praise
& exalt You Lord for Your ability to
subdue all that’s in Your creation.
You are the great and awesome
God who still does mighty
acts on behalf of Your people.
It is so comforting to know that
nothing is too difficult for You or
removed from Your control. And
in You we can find peace. Amen.

Be Strong and Courageous !!

Moses has died and Joshua is
appointed by God to take the reins
of leadership. The people are
poised within view of the land
promised to their ancestors and
denied their unbelieving parents.
The time has come to cross over,
conquer and possess the land.
But will they succeed where their
fathers failed? The task seems
impossible: a swollen, turbulent
River and mighty walled cities.
So God begins to prepare His
people for the days of warfare
ahead. He reminds Joshua that
careful attention to His Word
brings blessing and success!

Lord, we will Be Courageous:
Be Strong and Courageous,
because You will lead these people
to Inherit the land I Swore to
their forefathers to give to them.
Be Strong and Very Courageous.
Be Careful To Obey all the law
my servant Moses gave you;
do not turn to the right or to the
left, that you may be successful…
Have I not commanded you?
Be Strong and Courageous.
Do not be terrified; do not be
discouraged, for the Lord your God
Will Be With You wherever you go.
(Joshua 1:6-9). Amen and amen.

Father God, I will be strong and
courageous, I shall not be afraid
for the LORD my God is the one
who goes with me. And You will
not fail me or forsake me. In fact
You have promised an inheritance.
And since U promised that It is the
Lord who goes before me. You
will be with me and will not leave me.
Therefore, I will not fear. Amen.

Lord, I pray that every time I read
Your Word, You will teach me
all I need to know. Help me to
understand Your truth & speak to
me specifically how each passage
relates to my life & lives of others.
Help me to meditate on Your Word,
Help me to be very courageous
and take steps of obedience so
that I can live in Your perfect will
and prosper as You promise. Amen

Lord, When I am afraid, I will put
my trust in You. And when I seek
You LORD, You will answer me,
and deliver me from all my fears.
Lord You have not given me a spirit
of fear, but of power. So I shall say, The Lord is my helper; I’ll not fear.
And now may the Lord of peace
Himself continually grant me
peace in every circumstance;
for You Are My Hiding Place. Amen.

Be Humble, Forgiving & Merciful

Matthew records many crucial
incidents from Jesus’ life in Matt
16-19. Though Christ takes time
to heal an epileptic boy, pay His
temple tax and confront hostile
Pharisees, His primary concern
is for His disciples, who will
continue the work He had begun.
Healings and discourses, miracles
and parables all focus on Jesus’
faithful followers to prepare them
for the difficult days just ahead.

Lord, we’ll be Meek & Gracious:
The disciples asked Jesus:
Who then is the greatest in the
kingdom of heaven? Jesus said:
Whoever takes the lowly position
of this child is the greatest in the
kingdom of heaven (Matt 18:1-4)
Then Peter asked Jesus: Lord,
how many times shall I forgive
my brother when he sins against
me? Up to seven times? Jesus
answered: I tell you, not seven
times, but 70 times seven (v21-22)
When the king heard about it,
he said to the man whose debt
he had forgiven: Shouldn’t you
have had mercy on your fellow
servant just as I had on u (v32-33)

Lord, You promise that those
who are humble will become
the greatest in Your kingdom.
Help us to learn to be gentle
and lowly in heart as You are.
And I pray that my humble faith
and service to U will accomplish
great things for Your kingdom.
In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.

Lord, You’ve forgiven me so many
times out of Your tender mercies.
Each time, I fail You, You lift me up
& put me in right standing with You.
So Lord, when I Owe Forgiveness,
remind me of the times You have
forgiven me. Help me be gracious
to each person who wrongs or
offends me. Help me to walk
in Forgiveness daily because
daily You readily forgive me. Amen

Lord, thank You for Your mercy
for I could not have been saved
otherwise. For You saved us
not because of righteous things
we had done but because of
His mercy. And because You God
is merciful, we too need to be
merciful. Help me extend mercy
to others, even when they don’t
deserve it. In Jesus’ name, Amen

Hearing God thru His Word

The purpose of the gospel of
Matthew is to prove that Jesus
is the Messiah, the eternal King.
Following ministry in Bethlehem
and Nazareth (Mt 1-7) and Galilee
(Matt 8-19), the final segment of
Jesus ministry was in Jerusalem.
We hear the Sermons of the Messiah
in Mt 16-19, Parables in Mt 20-23
and Prophesies in Matt 24-25,
before Seeing the Finished Work
of the Messiah in Matt 26-28.

On Monday, we learn from Mt 18 to
Be Humble, Forgiving and Merciful.
On Tuesday, we learn from Matt 19
that Christ Casts Eternal Mindset.
On Wed, we learn from Mt 20
that Christ Urges Servant Mindset.
On Thu, we learn from Mt 21 that
Christ Answers Prayers of Faith.
On Friday, we learn from Matt 22
to Seek and Love His Kingdom.
On Sat, we learn from Matt 24/28
Christ Charges Share the Gospel.
In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.

Let us humble ourselves and pray
and seek His face. Help us O God
be Christ’s disciples who Hear You:
For You Answer Prayers of Faith and
Want us to Be Forgiving & Merciful.
For You Christ Cast Eternal Mindset
as well as Urges Servant Mindset.
For You nudge us Love Yr kingdom
and Charge us to Share the Gospel.
In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.

Christ Charges Share the Gospel

Herod’s magnificent temple sets the
stage for Jesus’ Olivet Discourse,
a prophetic look at future events.
His followers are urged to watchful
expectation with faithful service
ahead of the return of Christ.
The events in the final two days of
Jesus’ earthly life carry shadows of
the cross: the anointing in Bethany,
the Passover Observance, Lord’s
Supper, the prayer in Gethsemane.
Jesus is arrested, tried, condemned
executed and placed in a tomb. But
in triumph, Jesus comes forth from
the grave in resurrection power.
The Kings of the Jews Lives again,
a message which His followers
are commissioned to share.

Lord, we’ll Do Your Assignment:
There will be famines, pestilences
and earthquakes in various places…
And… lawlessness will abound…
And this gospel of the kingdom
will be preached in all the world…
and then the end will come…
Immediately after the tribulation…
the sun will be darkened… Then…
they will see Son of Man Coming
on the clouds (Matt 24:7-14, 29-30).
Then the 11 disciples went to the
mountain which Jesus appointed.
And Jesus came to them and said:
Go and make disciples of all the
nations… teaching them to obey
everything I have commanded you;
and lo I am with you always, even
to the end of the age (Mt 28:16-20)

Lord, there is no doubt about
the task You had left for us to do.
Help me step out of comfort zone
to find people who need to know U.
Help me witness to the people You
hv placed in my sphere of influence.
Help me in my concern for the lost,
in words, deeds and attitudes.
Help me make disciples for Christ to
be like Him & further His Kingdom.
In Jesus’ preci

Lord, it’s easy to look at others and
think that I have nothing to offer.
But You have implanted passion
within me and blessed me with gifts
and talents that the world needs.
Help me to see where You God are
at work & watch for opportunities to
join U by sowing seeds of kindness.
Help those seeds to grow and in
due time reap a good harvest. Amen.

Lord, help us Keep Watch and
Be Ready for Your sure return
so that we may be able to give an
account of ourselves at any time.
Help us declare the word of t Lord
for righteousness being restored.
These are the days of the harvest,
The fields are as white in Yr world.
We are the labourers in Yr vineyard
Declaring the word of t Lord! Amen

 

Seeking & Loving His Kingdom

After Peter’s dramatic confession
of Jesus as the Christ, the Son
of the living God, Jesus began
to show to His disciples how He
must go to Jerusalem and suffer
many things of elders and chief
priests, be killed & be raised again
the third day. After preparing
His disciples for the unexpected
events which would soon take
place, Jesus begins His final
journey to Jerusalem. Arriving
to a hero’s welcome, He is hailed
as King while making His humble
entrance into the city. It’s now the
final week of Christ’s earthly life.

Lord, we will Seek Your Kingdom:
The kingdom of heaven is like
a king who prepared a wedding
banquet for his son. He sent his
servants to those who had been
invited; but they Refused to come…
They paid no attention & went off-
one to his field, another to his biz.
The king was enraged (Mt 22:1-7)
Jesus knowing their evil intent said:
Show me the coin used for paying
the tax… Whose portrait is this?..
Then He said: Give back to Caesar
what is Caesar’s and to God
what is God’s (Matt 22:15-22).
One Pharisees tested Jesus with
this question: Teacher, which is
the greatest commandment in the
Law? Jesus replied: Love the Lord
your God with all your heart and
with all your soul and with all your
mind. This is the first & greatest
commandment. And the second
is like it: Love your neighbour
as yourself (Mt 22:34-39). Amen.

Lord, we’ll Seek Your Kingdom.
Remind us not just pursue our
ambitions and ignore the things
of the kingdom. Remind us not
to treat the grace of God lightly,
for You expect us to change.
Grant us grace to seek Your
Kingdom by sharing the good news
and pursue Your righteousness.
In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.

Father God, You are so generous
that You gave it all freely to us,
including Your Son Jesus Christ.
Grant us the grace to respond
to You appropriately in gratitude.
And just as You love people and
people are Your concern, make
us to share in your care for people,
especially the weak & marginalised.
And help us bear good witness
to Your kingdom. In Yr name, Amen

Lord, I want to love You with all
my being, my thoughts, my will,
my emotions, my words & actions.
Help me maintain this desire
and help me to love You well.
And Lord, help me as I mature
in the faith that love will motivate
me to transmit grace to others.
For I purpose to love others as an
expression of love of You. Amen.

Christ Answers Prayers of Faith

After Peter’s dramatic confession
of Jesus as the Christ, the Son
of the living God, Jesus began to
show to His disciples how He
must go to Jerusalem and suffer
many things, be killed and raised
again the third day. After preparing
His disciples for the unexpected
events, Jesus begins His final
journey to Jerusalem. Arriving
to a hero’s welcome, He is hailed
as King while making His humble
entrance into the city. It’s now th
final week of Christ’s earthly life.

Lord, we’ll ask with believing heart:
As (Jesus) returned to the city,
He was hungry. And seeing a fig tree
by the road, He came to it and found
nothing on it but leaves, and said
to it: Let no fruit grow on you ever
again. Immediately the fig tree
withered away (Matt 21:18-19).
Jesus said: Assuredly I say to you,
if you Have Faith and do not doubt,
you will not only do what was done
to the fig tree, but also if you say
to this mountain: Be removed and
Be cast into the sea, it will be done.
And whatever things you ask
in prayer, Believing you will
receive (Matthew 21:21-22).
Jesus said: A man with two sons
told the older boy: Son go out
and work in the vineyard today.
The son answered: No, I won’t go
but later he changed his mind
and went anyway. Then the father
told the other son: You go and
he said: Yes sir I will. But he
didn’t go. Which of the two
did the will of the father?
They said: The first (v28-31).

Lord, take away any unbelief in us;
and increase our faith to believe
for great things. Help me to have
faith enough to not pray too small.
I know Lord it’s not about trusting
in faith itself but trusting in You.
It’s not about believing in my ability
to believe or perform, but rather
it is believing in Your ability and
promise to hear and answer. Amen.

Lord, help me not think that some
problems are too big and hence
best considered as lost causes.
Help me not to focus on the size
of the mountain but rather how
much power You Creator God have.
So, I leave the mountain of
challenge in Your hands. For You
Lord can do as You will; for the
mountain is not too big for U. Amen

Lord, help me obey You in action
and not merely assenting words.
Help me Lord to obey You where
You lead me and told me to do.
Help me not write off people
who walk away from Your calling
but pray that You draw them back.
Help me Lord lift up those who
have turned away; for You are able
to draw them back to You. Amen.

Christ Urges Servant Mindset

After Peter’s dramatic confession

of Jesus as the Christ, the Son

of the living God, Jesus began to

shew unto His disciples how He

must go to Jerusalem and suffer

many things of elders and chief

priests, be killed & be raised again

the third day. After preparing

His disciples for the unexpected

events which would soon take

place, Jesus begins His final

journey to Jerusalem. Arriving

to a hero’s welcome, He is hailed

as King while making His humble

entrance into the city. It’s now the

final week of Christ’s earthly life.

Lord, we aspire to serve like You:
Whoever wants to become great
among you must be your servant
and whoever wants to be first
must be your slave. Just as the Son
of Man did not come to be served,
but to serve, and to give his life as
a ransom for many (Matt 20:26-28)
Behold two blind men sitting by
the road, when they heard that
Jesus was passing by cried out…
Have mercy on us O Lord Son of
David! Then the multitude warned
them that they should be quiet;
but they cried out all the more…
Have mercy on us O Lord… Jesus
called them: What do you want
Me to do for you? They said:
Lord that our eyes may be opened.
So Jesus had compassion and
touched their eyes. And immediately
their eyes received sight (v29-34).

Lord, Your Word teaches that true
reward awaits those who humble
themselves in loving service.
Keep me Lord from the tendency
to be busy, to be too driven, to
step on others and to exalt myself.
Give me Lord instead the grace
to choose the way of servanthood;
for I want to be more like You
Help me to consider others’ needs
and desires besides my own. Amen.

Lord, You have given us freedom
and calling to serve. Thank You
for freeing me from my sinful
nature and giving the willingness
to reach out and serve others.
Show me where I can use my gifts
to really make a difference for
the advancement of Your kingdom.
May an attitude of humble service
infuse every part of my life. Amen

Lord, we learn from the two blind
men to seize the opportunity
to appeal for Your healing for
You wouldn’t pass that way again.
We also learn of their humility
to simply ask for Your mercy.
We also learn of their persistent
faith in praying for their need.
Help us to humbly come before
You with our need; for You are
almighty, compassionate and You
respond to prayer in faith. Amen.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=r6U8O_WnPZY in

• Be Humble, Forgiving & Merciful

Matthew records many crucial
incidents from Jesus’ life in Matt
16-19. Though Christ takes time
to heal an epileptic boy, pay His
temple tax and confront hostile
Pharisees, His primary concern
is for His disciples, who will
continue the work He had begun.
Healings and discourses, miracles
and parables all focus on Jesus’
faithful followers to prepare them
for the difficult days just ahead.

Lord, we’ll be Meek & Gracious:
The disciples asked Jesus:
Who then is the greatest in the
kingdom of heaven? Jesus said:
Whoever takes the lowly position
of this child is the greatest in the
kingdom of heaven (Matt 18:1-4)
Then Peter asked Jesus: Lord,
how many times shall I forgive
my brother when he sins against
me? Up to seven times? Jesus
answered: I tell you, not seven
times, but 70 times seven (v21-22)
When the king heard about it,
he said to the man whose debt
he had forgiven: Shouldn’t you
have had mercy on your fellow
servant just as I had on u (v32-33)

Lord, You promise that those
who are humble will become
the greatest in Your kingdom.
Help us to learn to be gentle
and lowly in heart as You are.
And I pray that my humble faith
and service to U will accomplish
great things for Your kingdom.
In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.

Lord, You’ve forgiven me so many
times out of Your tender mercies.
Each time, I fail You, You lift me up
& put me in right standing with You.
So Lord, when I Owe Forgiveness,
remind me of the times You have
forgiven me. Help me be gracious
to each person who wrongs or
offends me. Help me to walk
in Forgiveness daily because
daily You readily forgive me. Amen

Lord, thank You for Your mercy
for I could not have been saved
otherwise. For You saved us
not because of righteous things
we had done but because of
His mercy. And because You God
is merciful, we too need to be
merciful. Help me extend mercy
to others, even when they don’t
deserve it. In Jesus’ name, Amen