Month: June 2016

Acts 4: 29 “Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word.”

Dear God,

Again I am compelled to say, that You are greatly to be praised.  I ask again, that You fill my mind and mouth with words and songs of praise all through the day.  You have heard my needful prayer of yesterday, and delivered me from all I feared.  I am sorry that I allowed my lack of faith to come to the fore, which allowed anxiety to come over me.

In contrast to me the disciples Peter ad John had been imprisoned for their faith and promotion of Jesus Christ as Saviour of the entire world.  When commanded to stop doing the works of Christ, they had spoken up boldly in front of their accusers and afterwards could not keep from telling others about the Saviour, Jesus Christ.  Their prayer and determination that they be used for Jesus continued, Acts 4: 30 “By stretching out Your hand to heal and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of Your holy Servant Jesus.”

When I think of these disciples who started out with Jesus as fishermen, lacking in faith and belief, who then progressed in a real turn around ministry full of sure faith filled belief and boldness after the resurrection of Jesus.  This gives me hope, because I know You do not have favourites and I all can be blessed with increasing faith and effectiveness, through Jesus.  I pray that my faith will continue to increase and become the propelling force in my life.

I again give praises and thanks, because Your love is everlasting, toward this feeble servant.  I am reminded of several thoughts that have come to me, when I have been reading your word and praying.  I take courage from remembering them again, ‘don’t fear man, and fear the judgement’ ’and ‘worry changes nothing, but prayer does.’

Amen

Acts 4: 10 “Let it be known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by Him this man stands here before you whole.”

Dear God,

I praise Your name for another new day and for my life and ability to read Your word, meditate, worship, reverence and adore You.  How could I not?  You are God of the entire Universe, as well as Creator of universe and everything in it.  Because You are God, You are all powerful, all seeing, all knowing, ever present =Omnipotent; Omniscient and Omnipresent.

Alert us to the futility in the way we treat You and behave as if our knowledge and abilities are of our own building, and can somehow hold their own against Yours.  We are learning much about the minute details relevant to all living and inanimate matter in the universe;  but in the end most do not deny that there is a ‘something’ out there that is stronger than we, that gives evidence of knowing infinitely more than any human on earth can.  In my mind apart from You, I do not know anyone who can be in or know what is occurring in all places at the one time or 100% of the time accurately predicts the future!  Personally I have no problem accepting You as Almighty God, Creator of all!

I have noted that in the book of Acts there are accounts of the gladness in the disciples, when they were filled with the Holy Spirit.  Evidenced when giving their account to the religious leaders, of how a crippled man, begging at the temple, had been healed (Acts 3: 4-16).  It is exciting to contemplate, what had happened to these formally awkward disciples, once they were filled with the Holy Spirit, fearlessly testifying of their Saviour Jesus Christ, and doing His works.  Their work for the Saviour, caused many to believe, and the priests were powerless to stop the movement.

All praise to You, that many in simple communities, now have in their midst the same work and power evident.    As seen for example in parts of India and New Guinea; which reveals what happens when people set all aside and allow the Holy Spirit do Your work and others simply believe.

Though I am sometimes resistant and overly taken up with my own affairs, Your offer is that I too can be changed by the Holy Spirit and become humbly glad to be used by You.  This may by an out of the scene place, unknown by almost everyone, right through to a work that has great public exposure.

Thank You for that!  For I want only to be Your true child faithfully doing as empowered to do, with no need of notice or acclaim.  I rejoice with a whole mind, that as Almighty God it is no way‘beneath’ You, to love me and wish to commune with me and be part of my life.

Amen

Nehemiah 9: 3 “And they stood up in their place and read from the Book of the Law of their God for one fourth of the day; and for another fourth they confessed and worshiped the Lord their God.”

Dear God,

Praise Your holy and beautiful name, we can follow the example of the Israelites and also read Your Word and by so doing we will also receive the promised blessings and peace which come from remembering Your Your great works and laws for living.  For us also profound gladness comes, leading to a desire to worship in word and song.

Nehemiah and the other people were not half hearted, for I don’t think it was easy to stand up and listen to a reading for around 4 hours and confess and worship for the same time again.  They showed true dedication and perseverance, to learn Your word and do what was right.

Please fill me and others in these times, with the same stamina, spirit and open mind to seek to understand Your law, and be led to repentance from any apostasy or half-hearted reading and applying of Your words.

The same spirit of open mindedness and desire to do all You asked was in the early Acts church built up by the apostles of Jesus.  They and the converts studied Your word and put aside wrong doing and pooled their resources; because they now had hearts of love and like mindedness.  If these activities and spirit do not exist in our church fellowship we are all the poorer for this and cannot be vibrant and growing.

Nehemiah and all the people present began by celebrating the completion of the Jerusalem wall and then they celebrated Your goodness.

Thank You for the blessings for me (others) when we also celebrate Your goodness and what has been achieved each day.  This activity is so good for us, and it takes away the focus on self and places it upon all aspects of Your character and laws for living, successfully and with joy.

I have prayed a recommitment prayer and for Your enduring strength, so that it will be sufficient for the task You have given me.  Nehemiah 8: 6 “And Ezra blessed the Lord, the great God.  Then all the people answered, ‘Amen, Amen! While lifting up their hands.  And they bowed their heads and worshiped the Lord with their faces to the ground.”

Amen

 

Nehemiah 6:15, 16 “So the wall was finished……..And it happened, when all our enemies heard of it, and all the nations around us saw these things, that they were very disheartened in their own eyes; for they perceived that this work was done by our God.”

Dear God,

Within the sacred writings, I find instruction, information and life for my soul.  The recorded happenings of so long ago, give me spiritual food to feed on and assimilate, to be brought back to my mind as needed.  I can see that You have always given people a chance to choose to follow Your way.  People were never left to their own devices, without first being given a chance to do a U-turn and return to You and Your ways.  Therefore I have confidence that we (I) will not be abandoned by You in our present situations; especially when we endeavour to do Your bidding, or are in any situation that is in keeping with Your guidelines for living.

Nehemiah, the man I have contemplated today was obviously not perfect, as was the case for King David and all others in the Bible record: which in turn should make us feel ‘right at home.’  But Nehemiah showed that he did love, trust and obey, with a brave and true heart; which is what You want from us today.

In the account given in Chapter 4, I find Nehemiah was not deterred from working on the city wall, despite the real threats to the safety for himself and every other fellow worker.  Working effectively as the ‘foreman’ he ordered the other workers to protect themselves physically the best they could, and then by relying on faith in You to proceed on.  Nehemiah 4: 20”Wherever you hear the sound of the trumpet, rally to us there.  Our God will fight for us.”

This man of Yours, was not afraid to take the initiative against wrong doing, and rebuked the rich Jews because they had been oppressing their poorer brothers to such a degree that all their property and means had been taken.  He arranged for all to be restored, without reserve to these poorer ‘brothers’.

In Your strength he had stood for right and justice and in Your strength prevailed.  Even after four (red herring) invitations, he would not leave his work, to go answer the invitation of his enemies.  From previous experience he would not give any obstructionist, a chance to destroy or disrupt the rebuilding of the Jerusalem wall, for he knew it was Your project he undertook.  Neither would this courageous and upright man, use his position to gain property or money for himself.  He was an example to the men he worked with, and all who looked on from the surrounding country side; and down through history.

As Your child, I desire to live my life for You, no less fervently or productively, than faithful and industrious Nehemiah.  With You God, as my model and source of strength I pray that I individually will be all that You know I could be with You at the lead.

Amen

Nehemiah 2: 20 “So I answered them, and said to them.  ‘The God of heaven Himself will prosper us; therefore we His servants will arise and build……”

Ezra 7: 28 “………So I was encouraged, as the hand of the Lord my God was upon me; and I gathered leading men of Israel to go up with me.”

Dear God,

As I read of Your power bestowed upon foreign kings and those who did not worship You, to make possible the rebuilding of the Temple and walls of Jerusalem.  I have formed the opinion that these events should speak to me and others, of how important and true Bible prophecies are in revealing Your omnipotence and orchestration of events that cannot be answered in human terms. These undertakings and events, can always be anticipated as occurring in Your time and way.  When it is time for the event to happen, history shows that fulfillment has always occurred as predicted.

By Your great and marvellous hand the earth and heavens were spoken into existence and since that time all has been kept in place and working as it should; therefore to fulfill prophesied events is all part of what You do.

In the accounts of the rebuilding of the temple and Jerusalem, it is evident that You moved the mind of Cyrus king of Persia, so that he was obedient to promptings as referred to in Ezra 1:2 to ‘build Him a house in Jerusalem which is in Judah.  Who among you all His people?  May the Lord his God be with him and let him go up!’    Ezra a true man took up the challenge and led others back to Jerusalem, and the temple was commenced.

Despite Cyrus being obedient to Your promptings, the people who had not been taken into captivity and left behind in the area surrounding the city Jerusalem were not happy because it did not suit their purposes, and lifestyle.  Ezra who was ever a faithful to You his God and the temple project; prayed and fasted so that he would be given the answer on how to proceed with the rebuilding.  He then challenged all the Jews in the country of Judea to repent and turn from their disobedience back to Your way as given by Moses.  Most turned from their obstructive unrighteous living.

Nehemiah a captive back in Persia was another faithful man and when he heard of the ‘great distress and reproach’ represented in the broken down state of the wall around the city of Jerusalem; mourned, fasted and prayed.  His king remarkably did not chastise him or have him put to death for his sadness; which was usual.  You had a work for Nehemiah to do, and his life was preserved.  The king granted Nehemiah leave and sent him off with written authority for his travel and actions needed to rebuild the wall of the city of Jerusalem; plus money for the rebuilding.

The difficulties with the rebuilding project called for him to totally rely on You, his God, for he was subjected to much opposition form without, and with fear and trepidation from within.  He endured much hardship; food was scarce, as was sleep and freedom.  He and his helpers dared not sleep or leave the re-building, because of the threats made by the enemies of the rebuilding, to carry out destructive actions.

All throughout the rebuilding, progress was made with much prayer and thankfulness to You, with the project under constant treat of being halted.  Eventually the conniving of those people without the city was overcome, because the faithful men kept crying out to You for guidance and protection.  Eventually they prevailed over the opposition.  Nehemiah 4: 4 “Hear, O our God, for we are despised; turn their reproach on their own heads, and give them as plunder to a land of captivity!”

The re-builders were not half hearted in their love for You and commitment to the project.  They were not mincing their words either!

As we/I keep hanging on to You, please show us when it is right for us to proceed with ‘holy boldness’ in our activities.

I know You never sleep and will provide protection for all of us when we are in distress or need.  Please impress me/us to go to You first, and not because all else has failed.

Amen

 

John 20: 19 – 26”………. Jesus came and stood in the midst, and said to them, ‘Peace be with you.’”  V21 “So Jesus said to them again, ‘Peace to you!  As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.’”  V26 “……. Jesus came, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, ‘Peace to you!’”

Dear God,

I appreciate this crisp new day, with cold air that is invigorating.  Often it is my first inclination to sleep on, and not answer the call to get up early and read Your precious word for longer without distractions.  Sometimes it is my constant thought, ‘it is too soon to get up, I’ll just get back into bed for a few quite moments of reflection’; which turns into 30mins or an hour!  I feel the loss of time for longer communion with You.  Continue to strive with me Lord, so that I will be obedient to Your every call.

John retold the last events in the life of Jesus, who since coming back to life was rarely publically visible.  He appeared in certain places and to people of His fellowship, to comfort and verify His mission for those who would be left behind on earth.  Again Jesus gives them (us) a promise of peace, which at the time must have been so needed, following the turbulent events leading to the death of their beloved Master, through to them finally realizing the mission of Jesus on earth, was about  to finish.

You are a God of peace, and for every age, peace was/is available for anyone who believing comes to You.  Hallelujah, for us, You are our sanctuary in this troubling and troubled place we call home.  I again praise You for the times I have been given peace, even though the circumstances around me did not change.

This was and is not a peace in which I was bundled away or wrapped up.  It was a peace that allowed me to face the event and get on and do (in Your strength) what I had to do.  In fact John writes in chapter 20: 21”…..Peace to You!  ‘As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.’  He wants us to love others as He did and to reveal God to them, V22 “And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit.’”

It seems to me from experience and observation, that we of earth, are not truly happy in our skins, or head space, unless we have and are truly at peace.  God, You knew what we most needed, and so made available free forgiveness and the gift of peace.  It is a puzzle, that we who know about this, are so slow to ask for the gift of peace for ourselves, and to go tell everyone we can, that they can be released from the ‘knot’ they are in; to be replaced by the peace that Jesus promised. I read that the disciples after Jesus returned to heaven were not so constrained.  Neither need I be!

Please remind me, that when I am not at peace, it is because I have stepped out of Your encircling love and peace, and You long to re-direct me back.  I just have to ask!

Amen

 

John 20: 15 “Jesus said to her, ‘Woman, why are you weeping?  Whom are you seeking?’”

Dear God,

I praise Your wonderful name, as well as give thanks and praises for Your love and mercy which is ever present and everlasting; though we are undeserving.  Though we are absolutely sinful, we, each, are cared for and cherished for the sake of our salvation.  Everyone at the same time!  Only a divine being could undertake and accomplish such a thing!

Please cause me to remember in the light of such love and care, that always Your desire for me, is to be living in heaven with You, not within a frail, sin affected body, that often produces unhelpful thoughts and strange emotions; but in a sinless body, such as the bodies of Adam and Eve.  It will still be me, but with sanctified characteristics, recognizable to those who knew me on earth.  In the light of this prospect, it is a wonder that earth has such an attraction and pulls for each of us ‘earthlings’?  I believe You are taking care of that through Your process of sanctification.

I give thanks for the prospect of sharing Your home as a sinless person, who also will be able to socialize freely, with my sinless Creator, God and King.  These are thoughts that bring awe and deep joy to me, at least.

I never want to forget how much I am loved, as You instruct my mind and soul.  Even throughout bodily sicknesses.   By experience it seems to me, that often You allow sicknesses to take their course without miraculous healing, because of the many lessons in faith and dependence upon You we learn during the time.  You know the end from the beginning, and I believe You not only keep my physical body and soul in life, but beyond when we are hid in the grave.

Mary did not recognize her risen Lord at first, thinking He was the gardener, when He said, ‘Woman, why are you weeping?  Whom are you seeking?’  This was second time in a short space of time; Mary had been asked the same question.  The first time had, been by an angel, V 12 “and she saw two angels in white sitting, one at the head and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain.”  It seems as if Mary wanted to cherish Jesus in death, because she had loved Him so much in life. The angels however knew that the most triumphant and joyous event had occurred, and the knowledge of this, would still the tears of Mary, when she had comprehended the staggering truth.  V13 “Then they (2 angels) said to her, ‘Woman, why are you weeping?”  She said to them, ‘Because they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid Him.’”  Jesus did not leave Mary in her distress, and appeared personally to her, so as soon as possible she would know that there was no need for sorrowing tears or concerns about respectfully caring for his beloved body.   For He was alive, having burst through death and the tomb.  I am mindful and softened by these aspects of this story, which reveal great love, in a lesser extent by Mary for Her beloved Saviour and in a greater extent by Jesus for the whole world.   Jesus in His divinity did not neglect to bring comfort to Mary.

Jesus arose from His death as a complete person, who was the Son of God, able to ascend to His Father, and back again to earth.  His mission on earth had been completed, so He remained on earth for a short ‘wind up’ period with His disciples.  In their remorseful and distressed state, due to the events leading up to, during and for the first few days after His death, they all needed the love, healing of mind and spirit that only the Saviour could bring.   Hitherto the disciples had not understood the heavenly backing and purposes of the Messiah coming to earth, for they had been focused upon the popular conception around promoting the Jewish nation politically and had missed the full truth of the coming of their ‘Master’, though Son of God they believed Him to be.

Now Jesus would not only comfort and reassure them in their belief in Him, but instruct them for redirection, after He left this earth.

It has been promised that we who have loved Him in life will see Jesus again, 1 Corinthians 6: 14 “And God both raised up the Lord and will also raise us up by His power.”

Thank You for Your transforming love and remembrance of each of us, in life and in death.

Amen

John 19: 30 “…….He said, ’It is finished!’  And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit.”

Dear God,

I give thanks for all things, especially my life, which every day is filled with evidences of Your love; and salvation through Jesus.  I appreciate, that You are always tuned into my communications and delight to answer my prayers.  I do understand that not all my prayers will be or are answered as I asked or wanted.  This is likely when I ask in a way that is sinful, selfish, or from an unconverted heart at that time, or because my request would not be for my best good; any time or at the time of asking.  However I know and rejoice in the fact, that when I ask with a pure and humble heart, even if You do not fulfil my request, You will answer my heart need for comfort, or so I can set things right with You, through the love, wisdom and power of the Holy Spirit.  It is wonderful to serve a God, who not only provides me with my every need, but cleanses my heart, in the process of a re-model.  Then I will be able to receive the abundant heavenly blessings that You wanted have pour in all along.

I can have full confidence in the words of scripture, including the passages, describing what happened after the death of Jesus.  It is meaningful to read all portions of the Bible and consolidate my confidence about the way Jesus died and the events around His death.

Many years before Jesus lived; His manner of death was predicted by Your inspiration of some of the Old Testament writers.  And so it occurred!  It was predicted in Psalm 22: 18, how His clothes would be disposed, and confirmed in John 19: 24 “They said therefore among themselves, ‘Let us not tear it, but cast lots for it, whose it shall be,’ that the Scripture might be fulfilled which says: ‘They divided My garments among them, and for My clothing they cast lots.’”  It was also predicted by Your inspired writers, that his body would be handled differently from those of the two thieves, who had been crucified with Him.  They had their bones broken to hasten death, but as predicted, not those of Jesus, for He had already died.  Exodus 12: 46, Numbers 9: 12, and Psalm 34: 20 are quoted in John 19: 36 “For these things were done that the Scripture should be fulfilled, ‘Not one of His bones shall be broken’”

This morning my mind wants to grasp more of the meaning and significance of what Jesus completed on earth, when He said, ‘It is finished!’ and bowed His head, and died.  At that time Jesus proved He was stronger than Satan, and had wrested us from his grasp, and conquered sin and death.  I understand that all of the redemption story, could not be completed, until after He arose from the grave and returned to heaven.  Revelation 1: 18 “’I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forever more. Amen.  And I have the keys of hades and of death.’”

I am so glad that You have provided so much confirmation of what has happened and what will happen.  Historical evidence confirms the prophesied events that have already occurred as predicted.  Therefore we can have confidence that predicted events of the future will take place also.

I give praises, for You give me assurance and confidence during my life every day and in my hope for the future.

Amen

John 19: 11 “Jesus answered, ‘You could have no power at all against Me unless it had been given to you from above.  Therefore the one who delivered Me to you has the greater sin.’”

Dear God,

On this new day, I praise, worship, thank and love You.  For You are Almighty God of heaven, earth and universe, for all were created by You.  The most amazing and humanly unbelievable thing is, that Jesus allowed Himself to be part of the events leading up to the crucifixion, and then submitted to be nailed to the cross and die; all as part of Your agreed plan to save sinners from eternal death.  It is beyond my human comprehension, to imagine You as the all-powerful, all-knowing, and all present God, actually watching and experiencing with Jesus, that entire time He went through this ordeal.  I imagine that You must have identified with the purpose, purity and love that Jesus displayed throughout His trial, and subsequent crucifixion, because You and Your Son, are One in all things.

As a sinful human person, I am capable of only barely comprehending the physical and emotional pain that He endured, delivered by those who thought they were God’s representatives on earth: the priests and religious leaders of the day.  In sinful distorted thinking, that can be part of a self-absorbed person, they thought that someone who said they were the Son of God must die.  But further to that, they actually believed they were serving their God, by killing someone who claimed to be His Son!  In their concern about loss of power and hate, they had not reasoned, that if the claim of Jesus was not true, they were not at any risk, for the claim would have been due to mental issues, which would have become noticeable to all people after time.  If it were true, it would be a blasphemous act to betray the prophesied Messiah, the Son, of the God whom they worshiped.

They were so given over to the powers of evil, that their hearts were not softened by the sight of blood on Jesus from the scourging, as Pilate had thought they would be.  History is full of actions of murder, torture and terrorism by those who thought they were serving You.

The scriptures are filled with admonition to love You, and love our neighbour as ourselves and not kill any man, for all were made in Your image.  It is for me and all to be mindful, that hate towards another is included in Your admonition to us all: not just to refrain from having murderous thoughts or intentions toward any person!

Thank You that the Holy Spirit can bring me to a place of being able to overcome all wrong thoughts and deeds;  because Jesus died on the cross for each of us.

Amen

John 18: 36 “Jesus answered. ‘My kingdom is not of this world.  If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here.’”  “……’you say rightly that I am a king.  For this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth.  Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.’”

Dear God,

The blessings You bestow upon me are abundant, precious and undeserved.  I thank You for every gift, for answering my prayers, and for keeping myself and family safe.

I am very grateful for the freedom and peace I have to to be able to read Your precious Word.  Today the portion I have read has been about the mockery of a  trial that took place for Jesus, Your Son.  The treatment meted out was abominable, even if it had been perpetrated upon one of us, but for Your, Son: beyond belief.  You and Jesus both knew it was ahead, as well as the cost for Him, and yet went through with it anyway!

He had spent three years in ministry, after having grown up in a humble, poor home, in which His parents loved and obeyed You faithfully.

Later when Jesus took up His ministry, His disciples and those, to whom He ministered and accepted Him, were mainly poor folk.  The educated religious leaders hated and wanted to kill Him, and had plotted to do so, for most of His three years of public life.  When the timing had come for the trial planned by the priests designed to get the Romans to put Jesus to death; then it took place.  They could not honestly find just cause, and instead had to rely on deceit and paying bribes for trumped up evidence, to be able to proceed with the hearing.

Jesus had always known who He was and His purpose.  Jesus and You both had planned, that after His death and resurrection He would return to heaven, to be acclaimed as King because of His victory over sin and death.  He truly did/does deserve to be called our King.  He also knew according to plan and on a date that You alone know,  He would on that day come back to get His faithful children.  How precious, that because of Jesus all of Your followers are estimated to be worth taking to heaven.  We truly owe everything to You, and there is nothing You have not done or given, so that each could be saved out of sin.

Today again I choose You, which also means that I ask that You guide me and run my life.  I know as the Holy Spirit leads me to repent and confess my every sin, I in Your strength alone will be able to obey You; and go tell others that the good news of salvation through Jesus is for them also.

Amen