Experiencing God In Joshua 4

Recall Memorials of God’s Deeds

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 task seems impossible: a
turbulent river and mighty walled
cities. So God prepares His people
by reminding Joshua that careful
attention to His word brings success.
Spies are sent to survey Jericho,
the first obstacle in the land.
The priests,bearing the ark of the
covenant, lead the people across
the rampaging Jordan without
even getting their sandals wet!
The stage is set for conquest.

Lord, we Remember Your Deeds:
Joshua said to the Israelites:
In the future your children will ask
What do these stones mean?
Then you can tell them: This is
where the Israelites crossed
the Jordan on dry ground.
For the Lord your God dried up the
river right before your eyes, and He
kept it dry until you were all across,
just as he did at the Red Sea…
He did this so all the nations of the
earth might know the Lord’s hand
is powerful and so you might fear
the Lord your God (Josh 4:21-24).

Lord, Your Word is full of reminders
to Your people of Your mighty deeds. 
In today’s verses, Joshua tells the
Israelites to build an altar which they
could return to when they needed
a reminder of what God had done.
Thanks for showing us Your mighty
power thro healing and deliverance.
Thanks Jesus for the saving work
on the cross & the reminder of the
Lord’s Supper of Your love. Amen.

Lord, U are calling us to remember
because looking at what You had
done in the past builds our faith
for the present and the future.
You are promising that the same
power You had demonstrated in
the past is available in the present.
So, we will remember Your deeds
of grace and Your lovingkindness.
In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.

Lord, Help us build altar of memory
stones for they will create in us an
alertness to Your hand in our lives.
Gear us to be always be on the
lookout for signs of God’s hand
in the circumstances of our lives.
Grant Lord our lives to be an altar
as well as a tangible expression
of Your power and provision.
In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

Experiencing God In Joshua 1

The Call To Be Courageous (Jun 15)

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.
The task seems impossible: a
turbulent river and mighty walled
cities. So God begins to prepare
His people for the warfare ahead.
He reminds Joshua that careful
attention to His word brings 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. In fact You have 
Promised An Inheritance; and You
will surely not fail nor forsake me. 
And since You promised that It is
the Lord who goes before me; You
will be with me & will not leave me.
Therefore, I shall not fear. Amen.

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

Lord, I can feel overwhelmed often;
but I know a glimpse of You can
radically change my perspective.
Thanks for Your promise of being
With Me no matter what happens.
Lord please overshadow my fears
and worries with Your strength.
Help me be strong and courageous
in every challenge that I may face.
In Jesus’ mighty name, Amen.

Post of the Week: Deut 30

Choosing to Obey the Lord (Jun 12)

Moses has come to a solemn and
climatic moment in his 3rd & final
address to the nation – the time for
a recommitment to the covenant.
He reminds the new generation
that the potential for God’s richest
blessing awaits them in the land,
as well as His severest judgment.
It all depends on their response
to the demands of the covenant.
Moses delivers the challenge: I have
set before u life & death; choose life.

Lord, we will Love & Obey You:
If you listen to these commands
of the Lord your God and carefully
obey them, the Lord will make you
the head & not the tail (Deut 28:13)
Return to the Lord… and the Lord
your God will circumcise your heart
to love the Lord your God with all
your heart… I have set before you
life and death, blessings & cursing;
(so) choose life that you…may live;
that u may love the Lord your God,
that you may obey His voice and
that you may cling to Him, for
He is your life (Deut 30:2-6, 19-20)

Father God, You have a good plan
and carved a path for me to follow.
But there’s an enemy who desires
I lose my way and seeks to destroy
the destiny You’ve planned for me.
I purpose to obey Your commands
and look forward to Your blessings.
Thank You Lord for the promise to
make me the head & not the tail.
In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.

Lord, You had challenged Israel
to choose obedience and thereby
continue to experience blessings.
Lord, when we stray, cause us to
return to You & change our hearts.
Transform us into people who obey
out of gratitude rather than demand.
And help us to choose to obey You
in our life situation again and again.
In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.

Lord, knowing Your Word is not
enough for we need to Obey You.
Help us to keep covenant with You
by obeying Your Word for we love U.
Help us to Commit to Obey to
Avoid Curses but Gain Blessings.
Help us Return to You when we fail
so that we can be transformed.
Grant us the grace as we express
our love by obeying You. Amen.

Meditating on Isaiah 13-27 (Jun 14)

Wholly Trusting in the LORD

After proclaiming coming judgment
for Judah with hope that the people
have seen the Messiah, Isaiah
proceeds to declare judgment on
the pagan nations. These include
Babylon and Moab (c13-16),
Ethiopia and Egypt (c17-20),
Jerusalem and Tyre (c21-23).
Finally, the prophet proclaims that
judgment will turn to jubilation.

Dear Sovereign Lord, You are Almighty, all Loving and You Care
for the welfare of Your people.
We learn from the passages from
Isaiah on Your judgment on the
nations & Your purposes are good.
Help us Trust Your Sovereign Plan;
Help us Not to Trust in Idols; and
Help us Entrust Our Future In You.
For You are the All Faithful God!!
In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.

Lord, we Trust Your Sovereign Plan:
The Lord Almighty has sworn this
oath: It will all happen as I have
planned. It will come about
according to my purposes…
I have a plan for the whole earth,
for my mighty power reaches thro
out the world. The Lord Almighty
has spoken – who can change
His plans? When His hand moves,
who can stop Him (Isa 14:24-27).
Lord, we praise You for Your perfect
wisdom and purposes. In the face
of broken dreams or disappointed
plans, we are grateful for Your Word.
In it we find encouragement that
nothing can thwart Your purposes.
And we know You will accomplish
Your perfect plan for my life. Amen.

Lord, we will Not Trust in Idols:
This message came to (Isaiah)
concerning Damascus: Look the
city of Damascus will disappear!
It will become a heap of ruins…
In that day a man will look to
his Maker and his eyes will have
respect for the Holy One of Israel.
He will not look to the altars,
the work of his hands; he will
not respect what his fingers
have made (Isaiah 17:1, 7-8).
Lord, we note people of Damascus
look to their idols and to their
own strength for all the answers.
Help us not depend on our own
knowledge to save us from ills.
Help us not to place our trust in
human technology for that’s idolatry.
Help us instead to put our trust
wholly in God. In Jesus name. Amen

Lord, we Entrust Our Future in You:
You will keep him in perfect peace,
whose mind is stayed on You,
because he trusts in You. Trust in
the Lord forever, for in Yah the Lord
is everlasting strength (Isa 26:3-4)
Lord, the reason I have peace
about the future is because
my future is found in You.
Even though I don’t know the 
details about what is to come,
I know You know everything,
and my future is in Your hands.
Help me to walk faithfully with You 
each day in Your Word and in prayer
so that I can move into the purposes
that You have for my life. Amen.

Meditating on Isaiah 8-12

Looking to the Prince of Peace

Isaiah’s family becomes a testimony
to the trustworthiness of his
prophecies (8:18). His firstborn son
Maher-shalal-hash-bash acts as
a constant reminder of the Assyrian
threat upon Jerusalem (8:1-4).
But in the face of trouble (8:22),
Isaiah proclaims a note of hope.
The people that walked in darkness
have seen a great light (9:2).
There is coming a Child whose very
names instill hope and confidence:
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Though shadows of judgment
darken the horizon, the redeemed
ones can sing His praises, for the
ultimate victory is already assured.

Lord, thanks for the book of Isaiah
which not only call the nation of
Judah back to God, but also tell us
of God’s salvation thro the Messiah.
Thanks for message of Isaiah 8-12.
As Isaiah looked at the prophetic
horizon, he saw defeat & destruction
for his nation. Judah would fall
because of her pride & wickedness.
But the war would not be lost! For
Messiah, the Prince of Peace, the
Righteous Branch of Jesse will come
to turn seeming defeat into victory.
Lord, we will Put Our Trust In You;
Lord, we will Call Upon You; and
Lord, we will Lift Our Praise to You.
In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.

Lord, we will Put Trust In You:
The Lord spoke to me…warning me
not to follow the way of this people.
He said: Do not fear what they fear…
The Lord Almighty is the one you
are to regard as holy, He is the one
you are to fear… and He will be
a sanctuary…I will wait for the Lord,
who is hiding His face from the
house of Jacob. I will put my trust
in Him. Here am I and the children
the Lord has given me. We are signs
and wonders in Israel… When men
tell you to consult mediums and
spiritists… should not a people
enquire of their God? (Isa 8:1-20).
Lord, grant us the peace we need
for fear can often cause us to make
bad decisions. Grant us the grace
to remember You are all powerful
and You will be a sanctuary to us.
Help us to put our trust in You
and to wait upon You God. Amen.

Lord, we will Call Upon You:
Unto us a Son is given; And the
govt will be upon His shoulder.
And His name will be called
Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace..
He will rule forever with fairness.
The commitment of Lord Almighty
will guarantee this (Isaiah 9:6-7)
Lord, grant my eyes to see You
in every situation of our life for 
I depend on You to rule not
only in my world but also me.
As Wonderful Counsellor, counsel
me clearly and give me wisdom.
As Mighty God, open my eyes
to see Your mighty deeds. 
As Everlasting Father, fill me
with Your power and help me live 
in all characteristics of Your life.
As Prince of Peace, restore the
losses with Your abundance and
shalom to every area of life. Amen

Lord, we will Lift Praise to You:
I will praise You O Lord. Although
You were angry with me, Your anger
has turned away and You have
comforted me. Surely God is my
salvation. I will trust & not be afraid.
The Lord, the Lord is my strength
and my song, He has become
my salvation (Isaiah 12:1-2).
Lord, even though I don’t always
do, say or think the right thing;
and I know sin displeases You;
I thank You that You always love
me and will hear my confession.
Give me the discernment to hide
myself in You when I see temptation
coming. You are my Saviour and
my Deliverer; and I lift up praise
to You Lord whenever I sense the
enemy trying to draw me away from
Your path. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Reflections on Sinai Years (Jun 13)

From Leviticus To Deuteronomy

During this week we learn several
lessons to position ourselves in
order to encounter His presence.
On Monday, we learn from the Day
of Atonement Experience in Lev 16
to be Grateful for God’s Grace to us.
On Tuesday, we learn from Num 14
to Remember His Miraculous Signs
and Choose Faith instead of Doubt.
On Wednesday, we learn from the
1st sermon of Moses in Deut 4 to
Pray in order to Draw Close to God.
On Thursday, we learn from the
2nd sermon of Moses in Deut 6 to
Follow God’s Word Wholeheartedly.
On Friday, we learn from the
3rd sermon of Moses in Deut 30
to Choose to Obey the Lord. Amen.

Experiencing God In Deut 30

Choosing to Obey the Lord

Moses has come to a solemn and
climatic moment in his 3rd & final
address to the nation – the time for
a recommitment to the covenant.
He reminds the new generation
that the potential for God’s richest
blessing awaits them in the land,
as well as His severest judgment.
It all depends on their response
to the demands of the covenant.
Moses delivers the challenge: I have
set before u life & death; choose life.

Lord, we will Love & Obey You:
If you listen to these commands
of the Lord your God and carefully
obey them, the Lord will make you
the head & not the tail (Deut 28:13)
Return to the Lord… and the Lord
your God will circumcise your heart
to love the Lord your God with all
your heart… I have set before you
life and death, blessings & cursing;
(so) choose life that you…may live;
that u may love the Lord your God,
that you may obey His voice and
that you may cling to Him, for
He is your life (Deut 30:2-6, 19-20)

Father God, You have a good plan
and carved a path for me to follow.
But there’s an enemy who desires
I lose my way and seeks to destroy
the destiny You’ve planned for me.
I purpose to obey Your commands
and look forward to Your blessings.
Thank You Lord for the promise to
make me the head & not the tail.
In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.

Lord, You had challenged Israel
to choose obedience and thereby
continue to experience blessings.
Lord, when we stray, cause us to
return to You & change our hearts.
Transform us into people who obey
out of gratitude rather than demand.
And help us to choose to obey You
in our life situation again and again.
In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.

Lord, knowing Your Word is not
enough for we need to Obey You.
Help us to keep covenant with You
by obeying Your Word for we love U.
Help us to Commit to Obey to
Avoid Curses but Gain Blessings.
Help us Return to You when we fail
so that we can be transformed.
Grant us the grace as we express
our love by obeying You. Amen.

Experiencing God In Deut 6

Be Wholeheartedly Committed

Moses’ second sermon opens with
a Repetition of Ten Commandments
(hence the name Deuteronomy
– second law). It exhorts the people
to obey the Lord from a heart of love
to teach their children obedience &
to be careful Not to Forget the Lord
in times of prosperity. Victory over
the pagan occupants of Canaan
is assured as long as the people
faithfully obey God’s commands.

Lord, we will Follow Your Word:
You must be careful to obey all
the commands of the Lord your
God, following His instructions
in every detail… that it may be
well with you (Deut 5:32-33).
You must love the Lord your God
with all your heart, all your soul
and all your strength. And you must
commit yourselves Wholeheartedly
to these commands that I am giving
you today. Repeat them Again and
Again to your children (Deut 6:5-7).

Lord, Your Word is the absolute
truth and our anchor in this world.
Help us not to treat Your Word
casually but follow it from our heart.
And we resolve to persevere and
not to lose heart, no matter what
obstacles stand in the way or
what fears to hold us back. And
please reward us clearly enough
and often enough to keep us 
coming to Your throne boldly. Amen

Lord, help me to love You with
all my heart, soul and strength.
For I have not yet been whole-
heartedly committed to Your
commands or made them a
consistent part of my life. Lord,
loosen my tongue to speak about
my need for Your grace and the
confidence that You’ll supply
both to me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Lord, we want to love You with
our whole heart; for this is Your
greatest desire for us and for
that is the reason we were made.
But You know how easily we can
be distracted by lesser things,
how forgetful we be and how
weak our love can be. Remind us
of Your great love; and help our
heart respond to You and love
You more wholeheartedly. Amen.

Experiencing God In Deut 4

Entering His Presence In Prayer

God has led his people out of
Egypt and across the great desert.
Now they stand ready to enter
the promised land. But before the
Israelites go into the land, Moses
has impt advice to them which he
delivers in 3 parts. In the 1st part,
Moses reviews the history of
Israel with the crucial lesson: that
obedience brings blessing while
disobedience results in judgment.

Lord, we’ll Pray to Draw Close to U:
Observe the laws carefully, for this
will show yr wisdom to the nations,
who will say: “Surely this great
nation is a wise and understanding
people.” What other nation is so
great as to have their god near
them the way the Lord is Near us
whenever we Pray to Him (D4:6-7)
The Lord Spoke to you from the
heart of the fire. You Heard the
sound of His words but Didn’t See
His form; there was Only A Voice.
So He declared to you His covenant
which He commanded u to perform
the Ten Commandments (v12-13).

Lord, we thank You for being Close
to us when we pray; and thank You
that You hear and will answer us.
Grateful that in Your presence there
will be transformation for my life.
I Draw Close to You and ask for an
increasing sense of Your presence.
I ask that You will help me to pray
more each day and grant me faith
to believe for the answers. Amen.

Lord, in our relationship, there will
be a constant interplay between
the hidden and the revealed.
You don’t compel our faith;
and we always have to choose
to see what You are revealing.
So even as I hear Your voice but
don’t see Your form, enable me to
accept as much of what You reveal.
Help me accept Your revelation and
trust what I can’t see beyond it.Amen

Lord, You want Your people to 
place holiness as a way of life and
be obedient to You in every action.
Help us always to Hallow Your laws,
to Draw Close to You and to pray.
Help us to purpose in our heart
Not be Afraid but Trust You God
by remembering Your mighty acts. 
Help us Accept Your revelation and
Trust what see don’t see yet. Amen.

Experiencing God In Numbers 14

Remember the Miraculous Signs

Following the Lord’s instructions,
Moses selects one rep from each
of 12 tribes to form a scouting party.
Their assignment: to spy out the
defenses of the land and bring
back a sample of the produce.
The 12 return with a divided report!
Ten see only the obstacles while
two see opportunities. The nation
disheartened & faithless, threatens
to stone Moses and return to Egypt
rather than face what lies ahead.
As a result, God condemns that
unbelieving generation to forty
years wandering the wilderness.

Lord,we’ll Choose Faith Not Doubt:
Two of men who had explored the
land, Joshua and Caleb, said to
the community of Israel: The land
we explored is a wonderful land!
The Lord will bring us safely into
that land and give it to us…Do not
rebel against the Lord and don’t
be afraid of the people of the land…
The Lord is with us (Num 14:6-9).
The Lord said to Moses: How long
will these people treat me with
contempt? Will they never believe
Me, even after all the miraculous
signs I’ve done among them (v11).
I have forgiven them as you asked.
Because these men who have seen
My glory and the signs I did in
Egypt and in the wilderness and
have put Me to the test 10 times
and have not heeded My voice,
they shall not see the land which
I swore to their fathers (v19-23).

Lord, open my spiritual eyes to
see those exceedingly good things
in my path. Forgive me for focusing
on the problems around me.
As I keep my eyes on You and
the purpose You’ve put before me,
may I go forth in faith, not in fear,
so that I don’t miss the beauty
and blessings each day. Amen.

Lord, it is so easy to let our
hearts be affected by negativity.
And I confess that I tend to live
by sight and not by faith. Please
help me reverse that tendency.
I purpose to hang on to Your truth,
even when it may contradict
the visible world and circumstance.
For I want to be a believer in
every way. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Lord, just as U delivered Your pple
out of Egypt, and You forgave them
and provided what they needed
every step of the way, I turn to You
for deliverance & forgiveness & ask
that You will provide for my needs.
Help me to never doubt that
You will always give me the
light I need for each step I take.
In Jesus’ mighty name, Amen.