Month: May 2016

John 1: 1-3 “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  He was in the beginning with God.  All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made.”

Dear God,

I give thanks for a new day, for life and the ability enjoy the day with its anticipated tasks and pursuits.  Thank You for salvation through Jesus Christ, Your one and only Son, sent by you, as the prophets predicted down through the ages. Please give me a deeper understanding of the significance of Christ, as revealed by John.  Christ who is called the ‘Word’ and has always been with God, and is Himself, fully God.  It is also advantages to contemplate, that Jesus created all things.  In making sure that we (I) fully understand these things, John restates it with ‘and without Him nothing was made, that was made.’

As I think upon this theme, I know for me today, and for all mankind, Jesus Christ bought us life, and the resulting life, was light to us, as well as giving us the opportunity to learn of salvation through Him.  His pure righteous life and teachings shines light into our spiritual darkness and any previous state of none understanding of God and His words, through the prophets and all His creation.  When Jesus was on earth (and very often now), because of the general moral darkness amongst us, there is certain darkened dullness and non-understanding of the mind in understanding of Jesus, our Light, which has affected our understanding, that He was the Word, sent from heaven as our Light; and also our understanding of His actions, miracles, words and interpretation of scripture.

Despite our dullness about anything spiritual, Jesus continued through the infilling of the Holy Spirit to shine out truth into a darkened world, and some souls responded to their Saviour and learned to love and follow Him.  Today looking back with knowledge of the happenings through the centuries, combined with free access to the reading of God’s word, I think what a privilege that I can read and know for myself.  I know that Jesus came from the closest position beside His Father, leaving heaven, so that He could spread His light and become the sacrifice for all.

How can I not accept Jesus and what He has to offer?  Please God, empower, strengthen and enlighten me through the Holy Spirit to obtain all Jesus has offered.

Amen

 

Luke 24: 45 “And He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures.”

Dear God,

I give thanks again for my life and a new day, and for the understanding of the scriptures that will be opened up for me today and all days because I have asked and I believe You have heard this prayer and will answer my need.

Jesus in fulfillment to what had been written under inspiration, commencing with Moses and continuing with other prophets and the Psalms came to earth in the manner and time as predicted.  He also lived, suffered, died and arose again on the third day, as predicted.   It is also necessary as a fulfillment of the inspired predictions by Your prophets that everyone on earth should know about the option they have to avoid automatic  eternal death, Luke 24: 47 “And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.”

Naturally Jesus sent His disciples to tell others about Himself and His good news.  He also knew that anyone on earth could not accomplish His commission in human wisdom and strength, and that the power of the Holy Spirit within the disciples was the only way, V49 “Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high.”  As they waited they did not gossip idly, but now knowing their need, they prepared their hearts with much prayer, and love and unity was theirs. Pentecost signified a powerful infilling of the Spirit.  Which came not just because they desired this, or for themselves alone, but as Jesus had said, the Spirit came mightily, so as to empower them to take the good news of Jesus to all who would listen in Jerusalem and other nations, despite difficult times and circumstances.  The disciples were never the same after Pentecost; for self-centredness was swept away, as in whole hearted purpose they upheld the risen Christ and the salvation message.

This was and is too good a story and reality for people to keep to themselves: and it is at the peril of our own souls if we do!   Romans 5: 8 “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

Today I know the same Holy Spirit, will prepare my heart and mind, not only for a deeper understanding of Jesus, but for me to tell, live and demonstrate His love and good news to others.  I only have to do as Jesus told His disciples to do, and that is to prepare my heart in much prayer and putting aside anything that would impede the love of Jesus and the Holy Spirit flooding into my soul and life, and then act and do as I am directed by heaven; never wavering or looking back.

I today commit myself to You God,

Amen

Acts 13: 39 “And by Him everyone who believes is justified from all things from which you could not be justified by the law of Moses.”

Dear God,

I thank You for all things that are good, pure and wholesome.  Sin decay and death originated from Satan, and not from You, the God Almighty.  It is only because of You, that I and all creation have life, and all declare that they were made by our Creator, God.

We cannot fully understand Your generosity and condescension, in allowing Your Son Jesus to come into this world.  It is so amazing that by His life and death we all can accept His sacrifice and be reconciled to You.  So in and for all things, I /we should thank, appreciate, honour, worship and adore You as The Living God.  It is You who loves all mankind despite the unworthiness of each of us.

Whilst on earth Jesus preached not only about how our sins were to be forgiven, but also how we could be justified through Him, V39 “And by Him everyone who believes is justified from all things from which you could not be justified by the Law of Moses.” Many of the faithful Jews did not ‘get it’ that the sacrifice of Jesus had occurred and could not be foretold any more through aspects of the ceremonial law of Moses to which these aspects pointed, meaning there longer was any value in bringing an animal sacrifice or going through the ritual ceremonies outside and inside the temple.

Paul reminds us how the Ten Commandment (moral) law is of value to us, Romans 7: 7”What shall we say then?  Is that law sin?  Certainly not!  On the contrary, I would not have known sin except through the law.  For I would not have known covetousness unless the law said, ‘You shall not covet.’”

Thank You God, that Your moral law reveals Your character and I can come closer to being able to manifest Your character, when I invite You into my heart and by Your strength come closer to living the way You do.  I am also grateful, that through Your inspiration of Paul, I am told that works or keeping Your law perfectly will never save me.  Galatians 2: 21 “I do not set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain.”  Please dear God, keep me from being deluded into thinking that it is my ‘goodness’ and corresponding deeds that will save me.

I ask Jesus to take my heart, so that He abides within me, and I in Him, and that I then will live righteously, ever able to give praise to Him, because it is Christ alone who saves me and fills me the desire to be ever in prayer to His Father as He was.

Amen

 

Luke 23: 42 “Then he said to Jesus, ‘Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.’

Dear God,

It is wonderful to be part of this new day, and to have life and the ability to enjoy life, by Your care and blessing.  I am thankful for the assurance that You will never leave us despite how dire our circumstances look and the answers from You at that time of need, do not seem to be coming.

I have been stirred whilst reading about some people, who were/are Your true and faithful servants occupied doing Your work, and often in poverty and difficult circumstances; necessitating them to even go from their families and young children for a time.  These wonderful people pressed on through hardship and severe health crisis for themselves and their children; with some sacrificing their lives.  All these sacrifices and application of effort was so they could establish Your church; rebuke fanaticism and hypocrisy, as well as encourage those taking baby steps of faith in the new found love of Jesus and belief that He was/is truly coming again.

Never wavering these pioneer believers and missionaries called upon You for rescue from the attacks of Satan (who does not want anyone to love and serve Jesus).  You heard their prayers, and they were given sufficient strength and means to continue.  Abilities and means often grew as they went on with their mission, secure that they were ever in Your love and care.  In so doing they experienced the peace that Jesus has promised to all who love and rely on Him.

Whilst on earth in human form, Jesus gave His whole heart to You, His beloved Father, and allowed the irreverent happenings that bought Him to Calvary‘s cross.  It seems that few appreciated what was really happening on the cross, to the Son of God.  Even during His blameless, merciful, life filled with compassion and miraculous healings of the sick, few appreciated Him for Himself.  Mostly their interest in Jesus was because of what they expected that they would receive when (as they expected) He set up a kingdom as king of Judah.

In each of us sinful humans, surely the spirit would be ever crushed if we had been in the place of Jesus, for none of us has yet demonstrated that we totally depend upon You, as He did. Despite the two thieves and Jesus being each on their individual cross together, which led to the same ending in death for each, one thief believed and expected that Jesus would still come into His heavenly Kingdom, and wanted to be a part of it.  His faith during these most trying circumstances was above most of those who proclaimed they were God’s children.  Jesus though fainting and weak, did not neglect to answer, in the affirmative, that he would be in Paradise with Him.

I pray dear Jesus, that as I ask You to have my heart again today, that I will allow You to grow and strengthen my heart, so that no matter the circumstances, I will be true to You.

Amen

Isaiah 1: 17 “Learn to do good; seek justice, rebuke the oppressor, defend the fatherless, plead for the widow.”

Dear God,

I determine to give You thanks and praise, even though today, I feel dull and retrained.  In my mind I rejoice that You love me, and always hear my prayers, therefore I am sure that You will lift me up and fill me with Your love and joy.  Thank You for hearing my prayers for forgiveness, and to be covered by the Righteousness of Jesus and filled by the Holy Spirit, so that I can be blessed by Him and be given fruits of the Spirit.  I learn more and more, that I have and am nothing that recommends me, but that You, God, are my righteousness and love me despite me being totally unworthy of Your love and condescension toward me.

I live in a world that is very wicked, as it was in the Old Testament times that Isaiah wrote in.  But You then as now, had a solution for their apostasy, and were willing to have them as Your own, if they would change their ways.  It is the same today for all of us in this wicked generation, for not only do we need to be forgiven and cleansed of sin, but we need to put away any evil habits and the doing of evil, Isaiah 1: 16 “Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean; put away the evil of your doings from before My eyes.  Cease to do evil.”  It is good to know, my prayer is heard and that I never will be abandoned to my deserved state.  V 18 “’ Come now, and let us reason together,’ Says the Lord, ‘Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall be as wool.’”

When we have been cleansed from our sins and You come into our hearts, we cannot refrain from spreading the good news about You around and will  follow the advice of V 17 “Learn to do good; seek justice, rebuke the oppressor, defend the fatherless; plead for the widow.”

I have found that happiness comes when I spread some of my blessings to others.  Not only do I then want to help others, but also tell of the passages in Your written word, that have guided me and brought comfort, so that others also can learn of Your goodness and have a relationship with You.

I am grateful, that I can ask and receive wisdom, strength, love and all that is needed to live in accordance with Your will, as well as to be able to reach out to others, and away from only focusing upon my needs and occupations.

I note that as always Your love of every person is so great that love overflows out of Your heart, toward us, because You delight to bestow good things upon us when we ‘straighten up our act’; V 19 “If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat of the good of the land.”

I choose You again today and am privileged and happy to be Your beloved child.

Amen

Luke 22: 42 “….’Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not my will, but Yours, be done.’”

Dear God,

Thank You for sending Your Holy Spirit to bless me and direct my thoughts to seek You, and understand more of Your words of life.

It is sad, that Jesus, the Son of God and Man, was not received with respect and care, by many on earth in His time and down through the ages since.  Yet He has served mankind in the love of heaven.  All on earth were treated by Him with love and respect, with many being healed of their physical and spiritual ills.  His life of simplicity and humble, pure living, serves as an example for us all.  In His humanity we are given an example of what we can achieve in the strength and enlightenment available for the asking from God, the Father and the Holy Spirit.

The opening passage comes from the time, when Jesus had been led by the Holy Spirit, into the Garden of Gethsemane, knowing what was before Him leading to His sacrificial death.  God, I think I (we) but barely take in, that there was no other way that could atone for our sins and avert the sure penalty by You for the sins we have committed over a lifetime.  I do understand that death only came into the world with sin, because it must always be the consequence of sin.  As well as, all humans begin to perpetuate the sins of Adam and Eve from babyhood on.

Your Son took the form of a human body, as we on earth all have, affected and weakened by the sin of 2 thousand years since creation.  Yet His Spirit was divine and He never sinned.  As He stood ready to enter the superhuman challenge for His soul and allegiance to You, from Satan, He dared not begin the pathway set before Him, until He was assured of You approval and support.

In the human part of Jesus, it was natural, that He mentally pulled back from all that He knew was ahead.  But in submission to You, His Father, He was prepared to go ahead, according to Your will.

I am thankful for the many examples of Jesus that instruct and strengthen us to also hang on with the approval and strength from heaven, through all circumstances.  He gave another example for us, when He was frequently in submissive, humble prayer with You Father God, before proceeding on in obedience to Your will.

It is sobering to realize that You, Jesus, allowed Yourself to be put to death in my stead.  I ask please, that in the strength of the Holy Spirit, that Your sacrifice never be in vain for me and that today, I will walk in joy, as Your true child, being able to reflect this gift of life and joy to all that I meet.

Sylvia

 

 

Luke 22:40 “When He came to the place, He said unto them, ‘Pray that you may not enter into temptation.’”

Dear God,

Thank You for this new day and for ability to read Your word, pray and worship You, on this clear, cool morning.  It is so sobering and uplifting to be able to read again of Jesus and the events leading up to His sacrifice upon the cross for my transgressions.  Jesus was always in constant communion with God in heaven, because the Holy Spirit was within Him.  As the time for His sacrificial death approached, God, His Father had revealed to Him what was ahead for Himself and for His disciples.  He knew that not only was Satan orchestrating the events against Himself, The Son of God, but also against His disciples and all who loved and followed Him.

Jesus in love, suggested to His disciples that they watch and pray, so that they did not fall into the temptation Satan was about to level at them.  In the garden to which Jesus had retired for serious prayer with His Father, the disciples were overcome by their tiredness and slept, and did not pray for themselves or their Master.  Probably they were not as deeply aware or affected by their danger, as was their Saviour.  The soul of Jesus craved their prayers and the comfort of knowing that those who loved Him were one with Him in connecting to heaven, for Him, as well as themselves.

Thank You Father, that down through the ages, You have on so many times warned those who are close to You, to call upon You for forgiveness and for protection.  Jesus, in the Bible has given us an example in the Lord’s Prayer found in Matthew 6:13, “And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil;”

Forgive me dear Jesus for when I also neglect to pray to be kept from temptation for myself and for others.  Also for the times when I also sleep, literally when on my knees, or the other times when I am asleep figuratively, when I have become self-focused or go into a dream; making my prayers disconnected.  I give thanks dear Jesus that You have heard my prayers and by the power of the Holy Spirit this is happening less often.

Amen