Author: tanahmerah

• 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

God Reveals His Will to us

A turning point occurs in Matthew
12 where mounting antagonism by
the Jewish religious leaders erupts
into open denunciation of Jesus.
Because of their rejection, Jesus
begins to speak to them in parables
and explained only to the disciples.
After a rude reception in His home
town of Nazareth, Jesus withdraws
across the Sea of Galilee to the
regions of Tyre and Sidon in order
to escape growing opposition.

Lord, we’ll Respond to Your Word:
You are permitted to understand
the secrets of the Kingdom of
Heaven but others are not (Mt 13:11)
That is why I use these parables
for they hear but don’t really listen.
The hearts of these people are
hardened… they can’t understand,
and they cannot turn to me and
let me heal them (Matt 13:13-15).
Immediately Jesus made His
disciples get into the boat and go
before Him to the other side while
He sent the multitudes away…(Then)
He went up the mountain by Himself
to pray. Now when evening came,
He was alone there (Matt 14:21-23)

Lord, help me to be a true seeker
to hear from the personal God.
Help me to have an open mind,
ever ready to listen to You and
to believe Your Word of truth.
Give me the heart that can hear
Your mysteries, understand them
and internalise Your eternal truths.
Help me root out any attitude that
might block my hearing You. Amen.

Lord, where my heart hardened at
times, tell me I have turned You out.
For it’s tough to recognise hardness
in myself, and so I need to know.
Soften me up Lord, where there’s
any area of insensitivity in my life.
Draw my attention & heighten my
spiritual senses to Your promptings.
Renew my mind with Your Word and
help me respond with my heart in
prayer of agreement & commitment.
In Jesus’ mighty name, Amen.

Lord, help me find the time I need
every day to be alone with You.
Escaping busyness and diversions
seems to be a constant struggle.
And I need greater ability to shut
out everything and find solitude
with You in prayer. Help me to
secure a place of peace and quiet
so that I can hear Your voice
speaking to my heart. 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, the second segment
of Jesus ministry was in Galilee.
In Matthew 8-15, we see Jesus
demonstrating His power over
sickness, nature and spirit world
& sending apostles as ambassadors
of the kingdom. And in Matt 16-19,
we see the Messiah preaching to
unveil Christ’s identity & priorities.

On Monday, we learn from Matt 8
that God Blesses those who Believe.
On Tuesday, we learn fr Matt 9
that Christ Models Compassion.
On Wed, we learn from Matt 10
that Christ Empowers & Cares.
On Thu, we learn from Matt 11
that Christ Gives Rest to the Weary,
On Friday, we learn from Matt 13/14
that God Reveals His Will to us.
On Saturday, we learn from Mt 17
that God Can Perform the Impossible.

Let us humble ourselves and pray
and seek His face. Help us O God
be Christ’s disciples who Hear You:
For God You Bless those who Believe
and that You Reveal Your Will to us;
For Christ Models Compassion,
as well as Gives Rest to the Weary;
For God Can Perform the Impossible
as well as Empowers & Cares for us.
In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.

God Can Perform the Impossible

Mathew records many crucial
incidents from Jesus’ life in M16-19.
Though Christ takes time to heal
an epileptic boy, pay His temple
tax and confront hostile Pharisees,
His key concern is for His disciples
to 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 Exercise Faith In You:
A man came to Him, kneeling…
and saying: Lord, have mercy on
my son, for he is an epileptic and
suffers severely… So I brought him
to Your disciples but they could
not cure him. Then Jesus said: O
faithless generation (Mt 17:14-17)
The disciples asked Jesus
privately: Why couldn’t we
cast out that boy’s demon?
So Jesus said to them: Because
of your unbelief; for assuredly
I say to you, if you Have Faith
as a mustard seed, you will say
to this mountain: Move from here
to there, and it will move; and
nothing will be impossible for you.
But this kind does not go except
by prayer & fasting (Mt 17:19-21).

Lord, You promise that With Faith
In You Nothing Is Impossible.
Thank You for being the God
of the possible; for You are the
Almighty who moves mountains.
Help me Lord to realize that
my faith, even though small
and weak, can do great things.
For it’s not the amount of faith but
the Focus of the faith In You. A-Men

Lord, although circumstances
seem challenging, yet You
are the source of my strength.
Although my faith seems small,
yet when placed in the Creator’s
hands, it can produce a greater
harvest than I could ever imagine.
Lord, take my tiny seed of faith
and multiply it with Your strength.
Thankful for assurance that there’s
nothing impossible with You. Amen.

Lord, help me to pray in faith
trusting You to do the impossible.
For I am weak and helpless;
but You my strength shall be.
Guide me with Your gracious hand;
and there will my victory be.
For every time I pray,
I move the hand of God.
My prayer does the things
my hands cannot do.
For every time I pray,
the mountains are removed.
The paths are made straight,
and people turn to You. Amen.

God Reveals His Will to us

A turning point occurs in Matthew
12 where mounting antagonism by
the Jewish religious leaders erupts
into open denunciation of Jesus.
Because of their rejection, Jesus
begins to speak to them in parables
and explained only to the disciples.
After a rude reception in His home
town of Nazareth, Jesus withdraws
across the Sea of Galilee to the
regions of Tyre and Sidon in order
to escape growing opposition.

Lord, we’ll Respond to Your Word:
You are permitted to understand
the secrets of the Kingdom of
Heaven but others are not (Mt 13:11)
That is why I use these parables
for they hear but don’t really listen.
The hearts of these people are
hardened… they can’t understand,
and they cannot turn to me and
let me heal them (Matt 13:13-15).
Immediately Jesus made His
disciples get into the boat and go
before Him to the other side while
He sent the multitudes away…(Then)
He went up the mountain by Himself
to pray. Now when evening came,
He was alone there (Matt 14:21-23)

Lord, help me to be a true seeker
to hear from the personal God.
Help me to have an open mind,
ever ready to listen to You and
to believe Your Word of truth.
Give me the heart that can hear
Your mysteries, understand them
and internalise Your eternal truths.
Help me root out any attitude that
might block my hearing You. Amen.

Lord, where my heart hardened at
times, tell me I have turned You out.
For it’s tough to recognise hardness
in myself, and so I need to know.
Soften me up Lord, where there’s
any area of insensitivity in my life.
Draw my attention & heighten my
spiritual senses to Your promptings.
Renew my mind with Your Word and
help me respond with my heart in
prayer of agreement & commitment.
In Jesus’ mighty name, Amen.

Lord, help me find the time I need
every day to be alone with You.
Escaping busyness and diversions
seems to be a constant struggle.
And I need greater ability to shut
out everything and find solitude
with You in prayer. Help me to
secure a place of peace and quiet
so that I can hear Your voice
speaking to my heart. Amen.

Christ Gives Rest to the Weary

Jesus came to earth to begin His
kingdom. Matthew focuses on 10
miracles in Mt8&9 demonstrating
Jesus’ power over disease, the
forces of nature & the spirit world.
Christ then bestows that same
power & authority on His chosen
apostles and sends them out
as ambassadors of the kingdom.
He first instructs them how to act,
then warns them of the dangers
they will face, as He calls them
to committed discipleship.

Lord, You Care for the Weary:
Jesus spoke to the crowds…
John came neither eating nor
drinking, and they say, ‘He has
a demon’; the Son of Man came
eating and drinking, and they
say, ‘Look, a glutton and a drunkard,
a friend of tax collectors
and sinners’ (Matt 11:16-19).
O Father Lord of heaven and earth,
thank You for hiding these things
from those who think themselves
wise and clever and for Revealing
them to the childlike (v25-26).
Jesus said: Come To Me, all of you
who are weary and carry heavy
burdens, and I will give you Rest.
Take my yoke upon you… and
you will Find Rest for your souls.
For my yoke is easy to bear, and the
burdens I give you is light (v28-30).

Lord, we tend to judge, dismiss and
reject people & we need Your help.
Reveal where we are called
to be more free of prejudices.
Reveal who are the sinners
that we are called to befriend.
Grant us wisdom to interpret
the truth and the call to change.
Grant us freedom that opens us
to follow Christ more closely. Amen.

Father, we want to hear Your voice
in the midst of life circumstances,
like Jesus did in His chat with You.
Apostle Paul tells us to “never stop
praying” and we can attempt that.
But hearing from God unceasingly
and picking up Your voice
consistently can be challenging.
Give us Lord the sensitivity to
hear from You clearly as well as
the boldness to believe. Amen.

Lord Jesus, thank You for Your
offer to carry my burdens for me.
I give them all to You and gladly
receive Your Rest that You give.
In Your infinite care You carried
the burden of my sins on the cross.
I thank You and praise You for
Your great love and compassion.
Help me Lord to walk in the ways
You have set before me. Amen.

Christ Empowers & Cares the Called

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.

Christ Models Compassion

Jesus came to earth to begin His. 
kingdom & Matthew focuses on 10
miracles in Mt 8/9 demonstrating
Jesus’ power over disease, the
forces of nature & the spirit world.
Christ then bestows that same
power & authority on His chosen
apostles and sends them out
as ambassadors of the kingdom.
He first instructs them how
to act, then warns them of the
dangers they will face, as He calls
them to committed discipleship.

Lord, make us Compassionate:
The Pharisees said: Why does
your Teacher eat with sinners?
When Jesus heard that, He said:
Those who are well have no need
of a physician but those who are
sick. Go and learn the meaning
of this scripture: “I want you to
be merciful; I don’t want your
sacrifices.” For I did not come
to call the righteous but sinners
to repentance (Matt 9:12-13).
Two blind men followed Him
crying Son of David have mercy
on us!… And Jesus said: Do you
believe that I am able to do this?
They said… Yes Lord. Then Jesus
touched their eyes, saying: Acc to
your faith let it be to you (v27-29).
Jesus felt great compassion for
the crowds because their problems
were so great and they didn’t know
where to go for help. They were like
sheep without a shepherd. He said:
The harvest is so great but the
workers are so few. Ask the Lord
to send more workers (v35-38).

Lord, we realise that You are
showing us that You desire us to
be merciful than make sacrifices.
Thank You for being my Great
Physician and for never being
too busy to attend to my needs.
Guide me to dispense to others
the good medicine that You have
given to me; and draw people to
Your saving grace. In Jesus’ name.

Lord, we note the touching prayer
offered by the two blind men:
‘Have Mercy on us.’ For they not only
implies faith that Christ could restore
their sight, but also appeals to
His compassion & lovingkindness.
We’ll note that in our point of need;
and make us O Lord as Your people
to be more trusting, merciful and
compassionate. In Jesus’ name.

Lord, send labourers to bring Your
healing and transforming power
to the lives of people who don’t
know You as Saviour & shepherd.
Lead us not be self-centred but be
compassionate enough to be open
to join You in the harvest fields.
Lord of the harvest, let us witness
Your kingdom here on earth as it’s
in heaven. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

 

 

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