Month: October 2016

Titus 3: 1, 2 “Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing all humility to all men.”

Dear God,

For me at the beginning of each day, is Your time in which to set time aside especially to learn, pray and then to offer worship and praise to You my Lord and Saviour, in whom I rejoice.  Thank You for the words of Paul written out of his experiences, that reminds us of certain aspects within Christian living.  The rulers in Asia, of the localities in which he ministered, were pagan, and not without fault, yet he reminds us to be subject to the rules in the area and “to speak evil of no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing humility to all men.”

Evidently my behaviour if it were to reveal Your love, will be respectful to all and not full of anger and contention, that could invite a similar contentious response in others.  To undertake all interactions with others positively and peaceably, as suggested by the Apostle Paul, must in the end be more profitable for me and the society in which I find myself in.

Thank You for filling me (us) with Your Spirit, when we ask, so if it is our way to respond with heat or unkindness, I (we) will gradually overcome the sin tainted ways by Your strength alone.  We all have our different ways of being unloving, and I am glad, that I (us) have the hope of being more like You toward all people.

Amen

 

Hebrews 1: 1 “God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in times past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds.”

Dear God,

Your Son has told us, that He leads us to You, and through Him, we honour and revere You, and that in all ways He is like You, Hebrews 1: 3 (Clear Word Translation)”Christ is the out shining of God’s glory, the visible expression of God’s thought, the perfect representation of God’s own being.  He holds all things in the universe together by the power of His word.  He single handily saved us from the power of sin and is now seated on the right hand of the mighty God of the universe.”  I find it so amazing, that the Your Son, put Himself in the firing line of Satan, when He came in human flesh, so He could pay for our sins, by His own death.  It is beyond what a sinful human mind can fully comprehend, and so I must accept His love and sacrifice, with all my heart, along with the peace He gives with my acceptance of Him.

This chapter, and other scripture portions give us a word picture of the angels in heaven giving their adoration and worship, and this will be joined by more peons of  praise and worship ascending from the ransomed of earth.  to be in heaven bowing at the feet of Jesus is my sincere hope and anticipation, as is the thought of hearing and sharing in heavenly music.

Amen

 

Jeremiah 31: 19 Clear Word Translation “We turned away from You, but we want to come back.  We rebelled against You but now repent our sins.  We beat our breasts in shame.  We bear the disgrace of our youth.”

Dear God,

I praise You for the prophecies and words of advice that are written down for our warning, comfort, instruction and admonition in Your sacred word; by a number of different men inspired by You.  For example, messages of reassurance and love to Your people, through Jeremiah, 31: 3 “The Lord appeared of old to me, saying: ‘Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you.’”  These people of Israel had rejected, their God, but now they are coming back to You and their land, reassured of Your everlasting love and mercy.  God, it is true by historical evidence, that Your words never come back to You void; all of which can be applied to our present age.

Today I also take courage and comfort from the words of V25 “For I have satiated the weary soul, and have replenished every sorrowful soul.”   I am so grateful for the times when I have experienced Your rejuvenation to my soul, through Your love and power in answer to my needy prayers.

For Israel of old, You made sure that after times of censure for their wilful wickedness, that they returned to their houses and lands.  So often the words of comfort and hope for them are also applicable to the coming of Jesus, the first and second times.  In patience and compassion, You offered the people a new covenant, V33 “But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put my law in their minds, and write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.”

For we that love and serve You in these times of awaiting the second return of Jesus, I rest in the confidence, that Your law will be remembered by me in my mind and be in my heart, because that is what is promised and the Holy Spirit will do this for all those who believe and ask.  It is good to know this law spoken of is not a collection of no’s as taken by many, but the do’s for practice that reflect Your loving, truthful and righteous character.

Amen

 

John 12: 32 “And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw peoples to Myself.”

Dear God,

I am sustained by Your love, and today I have again repented of my sins, and have asked for and received Your forgiveness for them.  Now a burden of guilt has shifted off me, and I have been set free from condemnation from that load. Psalm 55: 22 “Cast your burden on the Lord, and He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved.”  It is a blessed thing, that You never tire from such prayers (or any prayer) and freedom from guilt comes when on our knees we make our requests known.  On the other hand, I am sure most of us have found, that guilt crushes our spirit, and takes us places mentally that is oppressive.  For us humans, all too often we hang onto an ever increasing load of guilt, and continue on with bravado, denial or non-recognition that some of our problems come from our own wrong doing.  Whether or not people admit it is so, they are to varying degrees unhappy without forgiveness by Jesus.

It has shown to be so, by the lives of many people when they do listen to the Holy Spirit and repent of their sins, and accept Jesus, it can be observed and they talk about now experiencing a release in their spirit, followed by true happiness which bubbles out of them spontaneously.  Ezekiel 36: 26 “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh, and give you a heart of flesh.”  How wonderful these times of renewed freedom have been for me.

I know that when people really listen to spoken words or read attentively about Jesus dying on the cross for the sins of the whole world; the Holy Spirit draws them to Him.  1 Corinthians 15: 57 “But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Dear God, as I interact with people who have not accepted You or appreciate who You are, I pray that I can make a difference to that person by example, whether I speak or not according to You leading.  In My own life, even in adverse circumstances I desire to be continuing patient and thoughtful; which will give a better opportunity for people to be drawn to the Jesus whom I serve.  Please gift me by Your Spirit, for I have not reliably or enduringly got these abilities.

When I mess up and do not reflect You as I should, I understand that it is not presumptuous that I flee for forgiveness and restoration, to Jesus my Saviour and Advocate.  Psalm 55: 22 “Cast your burden on the Lord, and He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved.”

Hallelujah, I praise Your glorious name.

Amen

 

Jeremiah 23: 5 “’Behold, the days are coming,’ says the Lord, ‘That I will raise to David a Branch of righteousness; a King shall reign and prosper, and execute judgement and righteousness in the earth.’”

Dear God,

In the past and more recent times of illness and challenges, I have especially known Your love, and answers to my prayers, and have felt loved and supported by You as well as strengthened and enabled to do things that seemed emotionally beyond me.  It is deeply rewarding to know and love You, and I am very thankful.

In many places people are experiencing the atrocities of war, persecution and natural disasters, as well as the ravages of disease.  Many of these people do not believe in You, and so do not have Your comfort and enabling in their lives; I can only imagine how black and hopeless all must seem to such a one.  Others who love and serve You, are running away to save their lives; leaving all behind, as they move away in the hope of finding safety.  These horrors are foreign to most in the Western world, and yet so real for 1000’s.  Because of how You have always been down through history we are assured that, anyone who calls upon You, will not be left without tangible evidence of Your love, with answers to their prayers, that give comfort and hope.  Thankfully You do not categorize things in the way we would, and answer a prayer of faith for everyone who asks, no matter their situation, whether the matter be small or life threatening or comes after years of neglect or down right rebellion toward You.

It is a serious thing to You, if one of Your children oppresses or defrauds another or does not do what they can to help another in need or share what they have with the less fortunate.  This is shown throughout history, and was the case in the times Jeremiah was writing to Your people in apostasy and serving other man made gods.  Through Jeremiah messages of rebuke about their lack of love and cruelty toward others, all of which they carried out, at the same time they went to the temple services like they were Your faithful people.  Their duplicity went further, because at the same time, they also served other gods, and carried on their deceitful lawlessness and cruelty.

For them and for me, the answer and our hope is in Jesus, who was to come, and did come as our righteous Saviour and is to come again, as King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

I choose Jesus again today, and desire to love and serve Him truly, and to show love towards others, without favour or deceit.

Amen

2 Timothy 4: 3, 4 “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.”

Dear God,

It is with a grateful heart, I reflect upon my blessings and for caring friends that You have provided for me. Please keep my blessings before me, lest I take them for granted.

I note as I read scripture, the faithful work of the stalwarts in the building up of the early church, as they lived out their gospel commission to go tell the Gentiles as well as the Jews, that Christ had indeed lived, died and risen again.  Because of the numerous writings of Paul, we know much of his activity, and evidently, the Holy Spirit had revealed to him, that difficult times were ahead for the Christian church; as is still the case in many parts of the world right now.  As well as that there would be falling away from true allegiance to You in nations called Christian, which should come as no surprise to me, as Satan is still very much with us on the earth, and has even more hate for Christ and less time to work on us, before Jesus comes and finishes off Satan’s chances.

These words of scripture have an application for us in these days as well, 2 Timothy 4: 1, 2 “I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: preach the word!  Be ready in season and out of season.  Convince, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and teaching.”  I understand that there is urgency in this charge, because it is predicted a time is coming when the listeners will want softer teaching, that won’t make them feel rebuked or acknowledge they are not living as given in scripture and need to humble themselves before God in sincere repentance.  I believe we in the Christian church are at risk of being caught sleeping, because it would seem the time for action is already upon us!

Lord I am not a preacher or teacher, but I do know You will provide for me opportunities to bring Your true life changing gospel to people who have not yet accepted Jesus as their Lord and Saviour.  I am glad for the examples of the many people who have gone before, with a life given over to You, spoke more to the  heart of another, in way a sermon would not have done.  I can appreciate more and more that a person, who is living the way of Jesus, will have the sweet influence of a life lived out in a way that reveals personally the life changing message of salvation.  To have a Christ centred influence on another soul, is never achieved by ‘pandering to self’, but more about by self-denial living their life in humility and obedience to Jesus.

Please be my power and wisdom, so I will be filled with Your love and power, enabling me to live in an attractive way the gospel message in truth, that will draw others to seek Jesus, so that they also have the opportunity to accept salvation.

Amen

2 Timothy 3: 16,17 “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof,  for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

Dear God,

I praise You for Your goodness, for hearing my prayers for help and giving me the ability to get through the good and the hard times.  I am so glad we have had good rains this winter, and that finally spring has become less rainy, though it is so welcome to have had the drought of last year apparently broken.  I am thankful, for the abundant blossoms upon my fruit trees, with the promise of fruit from December on.  It is good to anticipate, that because of the increased cold hours, the cherry trees promise much of their luscious fruit.

Paul in his New Testament books writes with insight about how the conditions will be in the last days of earth – in a word perilous; which does describe the physical conditions for millions of people, at present.  However it would seem we have more subtle threats in the Western world, for we are almost bathed in wickedness and Godlessness on the media and many places of pleasure (so called).  To such an extent that we can be desensitized and yet be unaware of our shift in belief and practice, as we gradually shift our allegiance and value system away from You God.  In the last days, scripture outlines the character traits of the people living then, 2 Timothy 3: 2-5 “For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power.  And from such people turn away.”  It is very easy to say that none of these attributes will be found in a church going girl like me, but sadly to some degree they have and will be found in me and others.

Please God, if there is any wrong attitude or behaviour that separates me from Yourself, please reveal them to me, so I can confess and ask You to be my strength for change; which I know I have done before, but thankfully, You ask us to come as often as we need, to press our case before You, and You will hear, and bring belief and attitudinal changes within us as we keep asking.  I never want to be described as, V5 “…having a form of Godliness, but denying its power….”  Because all scripture is given under inspiration, I am told my answer is; to get to know You, and Your inspired words of scripture; and remember to claim these truths as my own, and in perseverance live out the principles, given therein.

Again today, this is my resolve as I claim the enabling from heaven, so freely offered.

Amen

2 Timothy 1:7 “But God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and love and of a sound mind.”

John 14: 27 “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you, not as the world gives do I give, do I give to you.  Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”

Dear God,

A bright busy new day, my heart is lighted with the sounds, sights and smells of spring bursting.  I am grateful for the answers to my prayers, for peace and calmness that come to me and all of us, when we ask and believe all Your words and promises.  I have become even more mindful that Your words can only be fulfilled to us as promised; because You are Almighty God.  Isaiah 40: 8” The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God stands forever.”  1 Peter 1: 24 “All flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of the grass…….”

To take these words in brings reassurance and peace, for You are always tuned in to our needs and every word You have ever uttered, will be delivered; as historical writings about Your interactions with humans reveal.  I have found that when I focus away from me and my thoughts on the issue, and instead on You, as I give the issue, disquiet or worry to You to overturn, Your peace and quiet came as promised.  When I remember that it is only Satan who gives disquiet or anxiety, and that Jesus delights to release our bonds, when I (we) reach up and say I cannot deal with this and ask Him to do so, release and comfort flow into the heart.  Psalm 118:6 “The Lord is on my side; I will not fear.  What can man do to me?”  Another text that has given me real encouragement has been, Psalm 31: 24 “Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart, all you who hope in the Lord.”

Thank You, God for providing these inspired words for us, and for hearing and answering prayers.

Amen

 

Jeremiah 17: 14 “Heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved, for You are my praise.”

Dear God,

I am impressed by Jeremiah, Your faithful prophet and witness, though he did not like being reviled and living with death threats, because he delivered Your dire warnings of the coming death and destruction to the people of Jerusalem.  Even so, his heart was ever true to You, Lord all throughout, for he knew You loved him and had control of his life.  It is encouraging to realize that I also have You in my heart, and can stay true to You, even if I was to face persecution, and inhumane treatment.  I could do so by putting self aside, operating by Your strength and wisdom, being consecrated and enabled by You.

Praise Your glorious name, for You are Almighty God and all powerful. I suspect myself and many others, often do not know ourselves very well and may think we are strong for God, when our heart really is not fully committed to You.  This was the case with the apostle Peter, when he predicted that others may deny Jesus, but he never would, and within hours he denied his Lord, three times.  But Jesus did not leave him there, and he went on to become a fearless leader in establishing the new congregations of Christianity, after Jesus had returned to heaven.  He had then humbled his heart before Jesus, and put his boastful impetuous self aside.

You know us so well God and say in Jeremiah 17: 9, 10 “The heart is deceitful above all things; and desperately wicked; and who can know it?  I the Lord search the heart, I test the mind, even to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of is doings.”

You God, know me all through and know my heart need, please reveal to me my weakness and lack, so that I can repent, and You will heal me and I will come through trials, humbled and victorious in You.  Then You will be able to use me, to be Your representative.

Amen

 

1Timothy 6: 6, 7 “Now godliness with contentment is great gain.  For we bought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.”

Dear God,

I feel blessed as I meditate upon Your word in my quiet place, surrounded by roses with blue sky above.  I thank You for strengthening me physically, spiritually and emotionally over the past day, and for the gift of life and for my safe-keeping.

As I have read of the dire and terrible situation in Jerusalem recorded in Jeremiah 9: 10, 11, with the message prophesying forthcoming judgement, war and destruction, delivered by Jeremiah; all of which was bought on by the people’s wickedness and denial of God.  Thankfully, I have no personal first-hand experience of such horror, war and destruction.

Unfortunately right now, the horror of war, torture and murder are the common experience for 1000’s upon this earth.  With others dying from poverty, neglect and ravaging disease.  Please keep me sensitive to the needs of these people, and reveal to me, when I can help with my means and prayers for the intervention of aid workers.

For those who will listen, bring them back into balance and acceptance of all You say and offer, Jeremiah 9: 23, 24 “’Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, let not the mighty man glory in his might!  Nor let the rich man glory in his riches; but let him who glories glory in this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the Lord, exercising loving kindness, judgement, and righteousness in the earth, for in these I delight,’ says the Lord.”

It is so sad and sobering to note that in this age, when more people universally than previously, have as their god, wisdom, power and money, with surging unhappiness and wickedness all over our planet.  In these times, such conditions fulfil Your prophecies about the time of the end.  I pray that we who love You, will abide by Your word and commission to help others, and tell them about Your offer of salvation and internal peace; all the long keeping our characters unspotted by wickedness.

Scripture reminds us what truly matters, resulting in deep down happiness for the grateful and appreciative, as outlined in our two opening texts, followed by V8 “and having food and clothing, with these we shall be content.

Yes please, for me Lord.

Amen

 

James 1: 27 “Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this; to visit the orphans and widows in their trouble and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.”

Dear God,

I praise Your Holy name, for You have given me strength and acceptance for what is and quieted my fears of the new unknown.  I am thankful for Your love and for hearing our prayers in all situations; for I ask again to be kept in Your care, physically, spiritually and emotionally, so that I can draw closer to You my heavenly Father, and then to be able to reflect this to others that I know and meet.

It is good that James, the brother of Jesus, writes from his experience observing Jesus in all settings.  Jesus had not spent His time in the temple dressed for the part and pontificating.  He had indeed worshiped there as all faithful Jews did, but actually most of His time and work had been where most needed, which was with the poor and needy.  He taught with simplicity and love, along with encouraging, helping and healing the sick.  Whilst I would not have great numbers of poor and needy beckoning me out to help them, there are many opportunities available to assist those in need all over the world.

Please fill me with Your wisdom and sensitivity to know who to share my means with locally and around the world.  Considering there always are sick, poor, sad and needy all around me, most of which I will never hear about or know.  I and all of us, need Your wisdom, God, to find them, and to know when, what and how or if it all, it would be best to proceed in finding and helping certain people.

Open my (and all people I know) eyes and heart, so that I care more than myself about all people where ever they are; as step by step I am given increasingly a caring, compassionate attitude.  Very importantly that I pray for others in real need more fervently, and with true belief that doing so matters to You, me and them, Isiah 42: 16 “I will bring the blind by a way they did not know, I will lead them in paths they have not known.  I will make darkness light before them, crooked places straight.  These things I will do for them, and not forsake them.”

My heart rejoices I have the answer, and so does everyone who will listen and believe, John 8: 32 “You shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”

Amen

 

James 1:26 “If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one’s religion is useless.”

Dear God,

You are my Rock, and I thank You for hearing my prayers, and taking me to a more peaceful place, as well as enabling me to do what I would not do.  Psalm 57: 1 – 3 “Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me!  For my soul trusts in You; and in the shadow of Your wings I will make my refuge, until these calamities have passed by.  I will cry our to God Most High, to God who performs all things for me.  He shall send from heaven and save me; He reproaches the one who would swallow me up.  Sella.  God shall send forth His mercy and His truth.”

Today I am very tired, please be my strength and wisdom to do the essential tasks of the day, as well as fit in making a blouse to go with the very fancy skirt I have made for one of the children in my life.

I appreciate the words of James, who has good lessons for me (all) on Christian living, such as in the commencing text.  How easy it is to do the right things outwardly at church and look very religious, and yet indulge in a bad temper, grumpiness, unkind words, etc., to name just a few of the possible use of my (our) mouth and words.  It is worthy for me to note, that when I (we) indulge in such activities, we deceive ourselves, about how close we are to Jesus.

I believe this shows we have the wrong spirit within when we wound another in any way; for this has never been the way of Christ.  Father I know my words have not always revealed Your love and uplifted the other person I have spoken to or about.  Please forgive and strengthen me in overcoming any tendency to have an unbridled tongue.

I know also, that my Christian experience is not to be based on outward appearances, or following traditions, or just going to church by habit, and/or looking good once per week.  I also read in James, that I am to have Your love in my heart, and care about all Your people of every colour and country, whether or not they are prestigious, or the unfortunate, forgotten or the spurned and out cast.  It is so good to know that because of Your love toward me, and mine toward You, I will naturally listen to Your voice, and not be able to refrain from caring about the physical and spiritual well-being of others.  Then in Your strength and wisdom, I will offer the help I am able to give, James 1: 27 “Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit the orphans and widows in their trouble, and keep oneself unspotted from the world.”

If there are ‘orphans and widows’ in my vicinity that I have not yet discerned, please show me their needs, and Your desired actions from me; and give me the heart to be Your representative.

Amen