Month: December 2016

Revelation 5: 5 “But one of the elders said to me, ‘Do not weep.  Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Rood of David, has prevailed to open the scroll and to loose its seven seals.’”

Dear God,

Thank You for allowing Your Son to be the sacrifice for our sins, once and for all.  I pray that I will understand and fully appreciate that Jesus by His death and resurrection has provided a way for me to be reconciled to You, God His Father, despite the sins I have committed.  For evermore after His life, ministry and sacrifice on our behalf on earth, our Savour has had a special place in heaven, for He is God, yet is in our human form, with the marks of His crucifixion still upon Him.  His time on earth represents a sinless, victorious life on earth filled with the Holy Spirit, and ever in communication with You His heavenly Father, and in heaven Jesus has always lived a sinless pure life as You, God, for He and You are One in all things.

It is the power and wisdom of the Holy Spirit, who even today continues to convict us of sin and draw us to Christ our answer to our every need.  All of heaven is in awe and totally appreciative of what the Lamb of God-Jesus accomplished on earth for the salvation of man.  They cannot keep from giving Him their worship; the 24 elders are especially part of this scene with a harp and golden bowls full of perfume, which represents the prayers of Gods people.

I am impressed that I must pray more throughout the day, so that I also will make ongoing contributions to this perfume that arises to heaven.  I reflect that my prayers should not be for myself, family and friends only, but for all people groups, situations and world events, as well as for Your work of spreading the gospel.  In fact, You invite our prayers on all issues that affect me and others, as well as every situation for me and all the world, all through each day.  Please, as I go through each day fill me thoughts regarding people, events, situations and needs to pray for, that I have not thought about.

I humble my heart before You, Jesus in a new commitment, as well as for ongoing praise and thanks.
Amen

Revelation 3: 15 and 17”I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot.  I could wish that you were cold or hot.” “Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become worldly and have need of nothing – and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind and naked.’”

Dear God,

I am so grateful that You strengthened me physically and emotionally to be able to mind the children, and now the next day I pray for a new surge of energy, wisdom and patience for the morning tasks.  You’re infilling of love and care is to me very precious and grows more so every day.

We in the world today, are living in what most believe are the Laodicean times of Your church down through the ages, which means we are characterized by being lukewarm, and yet most do not know or really acknowledge this state, and instead believe that we are at the place You want us to be.

Father I sincerely pray, that You will not leave me, in a ‘wretched, miserable, poor, blind and naked’ spiritual condition, if this is how I am today?  I come to You knowing that You always have been and are still the answer for the spiritual needs of all of Your individual children.  You do and will provide and oversee my life experiences, so that I can obtain a faith that is pure and enduring like gold, which will be most valuable to me.  You have also promised to provide the robe of Christ’s Righteous to me, to cover my nakedness, for I have no natural righteousness of my own.  It is also the best news, that I need not stay blind to what You, God want me to see, because You have made the Holy Spirit freely available to all who ask, and He will provide the ‘eye salve’ to help me truly see and understand the things of God.  As with any growing child, I need teaching and correcting to achieve my growth potential.  V 19 “As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten.  Therefore be zealous and repent.”

Please Lord, strengthen me and give me the wisdom so that I can remove the excessive business and noise in my life, to enable me to hear Your voice and knocking at my heart and mind, and then to willingly say, ‘come right in.’  V 20 “Behold I stand at the door and knock.  If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.”

I invite You in today, dear Lord.

Amen

 

Revelation 1: 3 “Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of the prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near.”

Dear God,

This year I have made a special study of the Bible book Revelation, and I thank You for receiving the promised blessings that attend the reading of this book for these blessing from You are a gift for all who seek.  Very importantly You do have on offer for us, the wisdom and power of the Holy Spirit, and thereby, I wish to make a thorough preparation within my heart, so that with great joy I will greet Jesus when He comes again.  Revelation 1: 7 “Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him.  All tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him.  Even so, Amen”

I ask and pray, that all thought of myself will be taken away and that place will be filled with all that is needed to truly love You selflessly, so that I can overcome my natural reserve and tell others the glad news, that Jesus is indeed coming soon and that they also, can love Him and make preparation to greet Him with anticipation and joy.

Revelation 1: 8 ’’’I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End,’ says the Lord, ‘who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.’”

You Jesus, have always been, and will always be, and You have done all things good, pure and can and do all things in heaven and earth, that is righteous and filled with love, creative and powerful.  It is You who is my Saviour and Redeemer, but not only mine, but for everyone who chooses You.  You are coming soon, literally for each person who wills, and it is always time to prepare hearts and lives, so as to be counted worthy by You to be taken to heaven to live eternally.  Our opportunity to choose and live for You, finishes with our death, so it really always time to prepare, whether that is during a life time of being called Christian or at the end of a life of sin and disobedience, Your offer is open to all, such is Your love and desire to save each person unto Yourself; for there is no other way to get to heaven.

I praise You, Jesus for You are Creator and it is You who will resurrect the righteous dead to life, and it is Your dear face that will be the first view of a new life, learning about and being with You.  In the meantime, I have the words in Revelation to guide me (us) and give encouragement in our preparation to be ready always.

Amen

 

Jude 24-26 “Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, And to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy, to God our Saviour, Who alone is wise, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and forever.  Amen

Dear God,

I find it strange how the days of late start, at first grey and glowering and then at around 9 – 10 am, the bright sun bursts through, and then all the cloud goes.  It is a little like myself, who does not wake up bright and chirpy, but more in a  sluggish ‘grey’ manner, then suddenly energy and life comes, and I can with a sense of ‘lightness’ face the day.  I give You praise, for when in the sluggish state, I start my special time with You, in prayer and Bible study, I am filled with pleasure and joy, and it is during this time I am lifted out of my post sleep sluggishness.

I have enjoyed my reading in Jude this morning, who was a step brother of Jesus.  It is interesting to note that Satan did not leave the early church fellowship alone, as he does not leave our church fellowships alone, and Jude like the other New Testament writer’s, gave warning about those of dubious character and teachings.

Our defense, has always been from the early church fellowships down to these times, is when each member, individually stays focussed on Jesus and following His teachings alone, with no deviation or addition.  Jude strengthens his concerns by reminding the members, that God destroyed the rebellious Egyptians after the Israelite nation came out of Egypt, V 5 “But I want to remind you, though you once knew this, that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed those who did not believe.”  It is worth for we of a church fellowship remembering, that You, God, after giving many chances for change, had no option but to expel the rebellious angels out of heaven.  Later people living in the immoral rebellious cities of Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed; after being given many opportunities and warnings to repent and change their ways.

Destruction is never what You want, but in love for all caught up in rebellion and sin, that will take salvation from themselves and others, blatant sinful rebellion cannot be left unchecked.  So while Jude warns it best not follow and get ensnared by such people who attach themselves to our congregations, the salvation and welfare of they and all in the fellowship is paramount.

Jesus is our only true example in living for God.  I remember the meek and mild Jesus, our Saviour and how He lived when on earth, being ever obedient to His Father’s will; and thus we need to be, V 20, 21 “But you beloved, building your-selves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy spirit, keeping yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.”

I am encouraged that we are never left defenseless or without access to heavenly wisdom in these matters, as pointed out in the opening Bible passage (Jude 24 – 26), and Jesus, will accomplish this within me, as I give myself to Him and allow the Holy Spirit to do His work within and without.

Jesus again today, You are my joy, strength and hope,

Amen

Daniel 12: 1”At that time Michael shall stand up, the great prince who stands watch over the sons of your people…….”

Dear God,

Every intellectual, emotional and spiritual need that any of us have, is covered in Your sacred word, not always easily found or understood, therefore I am glad that when I ask, the Holy Spirit leads me to places in the Bible, that addresses my needs for that time.  As I read systematically a portion each day, I am again glad,  the Holy Spirit gives a heart conviction, and that You are with me all through.

I have been contemplating the events leading up to the second coming of Jesus, and believe He comes soon.  Down through the ages many of Your faithful followers have been persecuted and put to death, and many more believers have risen up by the stirring of the Holy Spirit; almost like beginning faith in individual people is consolidated by such evens and Your followers increase by leaps and bounds.  An example of this is revealed in the persecuted early Christian Church as given in Acts; after Jesus had returned to heaven.

Before Jesus comes a second time, there will be troublesome times upon earth, but because the fate of the righteous has been decided, and they will be miraculously saved from harm.  Daniel 12: 1 “……..And there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation, even to that time.  And at that time your people shall be delivered, everyone who is found written in the book.”

When You, God the Father, finally decide that the inhabitants of earth have had sufficient time to choose whether or not to make You first in their allegiance, and that the righteous should come home to heaven; Your Son, Michael, The Great Prince of heaven, will stand up and the outcome of the heavenly judgement of all peoples, will be revealed, for He will only bring the righteous to heaven.  The true followers of God, have the righteousness of Christ gifted to them, covering their own unrighteousness, and so are seen as righteous by God, and will see the second coming of Jesus with joy. Those without being covered by the righteousness of Jesus, cannot be taken to heaven, and have chosen everlasting death, V2 “And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, some to shame and everlasting contempt.”

To care about the welfare of others, physical and spiritual, will be a natural result within us, of loving You.  There are a number of records in the scriptures, about people having repented of their sins, then straight away going and telling of the change in their lives and the joy they had now Jesus had become the centre of their life and experience.  These people will have stars to represent souls they influenced to be saved, in the crowns that Jesus will give them.  V3 “Those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the firmament, and those who turn many to righteousness like the stars forever and ever.”

Father, I pray that the Holy Spirit, as He continues to strive with me, will bring forth much fruit in me, and I continue to choose You first in my mind and life practice. When I have made these choices, whether I go through the time of trouble or have been laid to rest before Jesus comes, I will have my name in the Book of Life, which is my strong desire.

Thank You for hearing my prayer.

Amen

Luke 12: 11, 12 “Now when they bring you to the synagogues and magistrates and authorities, do not worry about how or what you should answer, or what you should say.  For the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say.”

Dear God,

I am very thankful for Your loving care, and even though I have been a little unwell for a while, I know Your hand has been over me and I am grateful.  I appreciate the comfort and uplifting for my heart and mind that have come through prayer and the reading of Your word.  Also the care and love from my wonderful friends who are filled with Your love.  I can with assurance say, what a blessing to know You and to seek You at every occasion of my life

Today I especially contemplate the many people around the world, presently, and in the future (as has been foretold in prophecy) that when called upon, to give an account of their faith, have and are losing their lives from persecution and torture: even today, as I sit in my quiet house.  Please forgive me for not praying more intently and often for these people, and I ask the Holy Spirit to bring to my mind to the needs of others, so that I can not only pray for them, but when able, help financially.

Paul and other workers of the time are an example of disciples fearlessly doing Your work of spreading the gospel, as well as caring personally or arranging for the care of the poor that they met.  There was much opposition in Jerusalem and in most Gentile territory from devout Jewish leaders and priests, designed to terminate the preaching of the good news about the sacrifice and resurrection of Christ the Saviour; which meant that most early Christians found themselves in poverty and persecution.  It seems that adversity strengthens our faith, and so it was with these early Christians; an example being Paul who was unjustly imprisoned for two years, but never lost his faith.  He always spoke to all who would listen, and at every opportunity he gave his testimony and uplifted his Saviour Jesus Christ.  His ministry was anointed by the Holy Spirit with power, and filled Paul with love, wisdom, trust, with no fear for himself.

Even though presently in the place I live, we are not being persecuted, there are many times when I could have given my testimony, but did not.  Probably I did not give my testimony because of fear of adverse opinion, or ridicule; which now seems a shameful thing not speak on behalf of the One I call my best friend.  Please forgive me and fill me with Your Spirit so fear is gone and I am embolden to speak when I should, by Your wisdom, so they are not my thoughts and words that are spoken and may help another.  Thank you for hearing our prayers uttered in the right spirit, no matter how garbled or uninformed.

Amen

1 John 5:1 “Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God and everyone who loves Him who begot also loves him who is begotten of Him.”

Dear God,

John the Apostle, speaks to me again, and many other Bible readers through Your inspiration.  It is because it is so needed and not part of our essential character, that we (I) need to be often taught, that it is by loving You, that I not only learn what true love is, but also receive and give this gift of love to others.  I really long to be always filled with Your love and to act upon this love, as a chain reaction toward others;  and to think it all commenced in heaven, from my God; that is awesome!

1 John 5: 3”For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments.  And His commandments are not burdensome.”  The commandments are based on Your character of love, and therefore for all who love You truly, we will not love sin or intentionally keep doing things that we know are against what You have requested in the commandments.  The ‘world’ that Satan influences to be rebellious toward God and His commandments, leading us to sin intentionally, has been overcome by Jesus Christ, and by faith in Jesus, we all can have victory over the temptations and intentional sins presented alluringly to us by Satan and his angels.

I am sure that Jesus is my Saviour, and the divine Son of God, because He was baptized for us and shed His blood for us, for the remission of all sin.  Confirmed by the witness to these two events, by the Holy Spirit, who does not lie, because He is part of the Godhead, and God cannot lie; as well as this witness of the Holy Spirit, there was the witness from heaven by You, God the Father at both these events, as well as on earth, Jesus Christ stated that He was Jesus our Saviour; they were all three speaking with one voice.

Perhaps the biggest evidence that Jesus Christ is our Saviour, and the Son of God, is the change that happens within me (and others) when I am born again through Jesus Christ, then I (each) are a new person, with a new character, with new attitudes, actions, likes and dislikes; with no interest in deliberately sinning and pleasing ourselves.  Now I wish to be filled with God’s love, seeking to share this love with others, in an attitude of care and selflessness.

As You know my heart and desires toward You, please keep me faithful to You love and care for all people, for those I know and those I know about; even in the remotest part earth.

Amen