Read Romans 3:19-28
One of the fads of 1970s America was the motorcycle jump. This trend reached its high (and low) point on September 8, 1974. Thousands of spectators gathered around the Snake River Canyon in Idaho to see if Evel Knievel could jump across the chasm in a specially designed “sky cycle”. In the end, however, it was unsuccessful. Knievel made it only part way across the gulf before his parachute deployed and he dropped to the canyon floor below. Some spectators asked “How far across the canyon did he get?” But that wasn’t the point. He didn’t make it all the way across, so he fell short of his goal.
This scene is a good illustration of sin. The Bible talks about sin in Romans 3:23, where Paul declared, “All have sinned and fall short in the glory of God.” No one is capable of bridging the gap between God and ourselves by our own efforts, but the Saviour came to do just that on our behalf. Christ perfectly fulfilled God’s standards, then gave His life on the cross to pay for our failures and wrongdoing. Where we could only fall short, Christ’s work, offered in love, accomplished all that was needed.
Our response is to trust Him and receive this matchless gift of salvation.
Prayer:
Write down your prayer points in the space provided. Use today’s reading to help you get ideas.
Adoration:
Confession:
Thanks:
Supplication:
¥ Pray that God would work powerfully to drive sin far away from yourself and your church.
¥ Pray that each person in your congregation would be strengthened against sin and able to stand against temptation.
My Additional Prayer Points.
1/.
2/.
3/.
Friday 30 November 2012
Thursday 29 November 2012
Thursday November 29, 2012
The cross of Christ bridges the gap we could never cross on our own.
Read 1 Thessalonians 3:12 - 4:10
A rallying cry often heard today in our economically challenged world is “Less and less”. Governments are called to balance their budget. People are urged to use less energy and decrease consumption of limited resources. It is good advice that we should all heed. In the realm of faith. However, there are no shortages of love and grace and strength. Therefore, as followers of Christ, we are urged to demonstrate His love on our lives in ever-increasing measure.
In the apostle Paul’s first letter to the believers in Thessalonica, he urged them to “abound more and more” in a lifestyle that pleases God (vs 4:1). He also commended them for their demonstrations of love for each other and called them to “increase more and more” in brotherly love. (vs 10)
That kind of ever-increasing love is possible only because it comes from God’s limitless resources, not from our own dwindling supply.
Poet Annie Johnson Flint wrote:
His love has no limit, His grace has no measure,
His power has no boundary known to man;
For out of His infinite riches in Jesus,
He giveth, and giveth, and giveth again.
The apostle Paul expressed his desire for the believers: “May the Lord make you increase and abound in love to one another and to all, just as we do to you.” (vs 3:12)
How much should we love God and others? More and more!
Prayer:
Write down your prayer points in the space provided. Use today’s reading to help you get ideas.
Adoration:
Confession:
Thanks:
Supplication:
¥ Pray that your faith and the faith of your brothers and sisters in church would not go less and less but rather more and more. Pray that the believers in your church would be standing up and attempting great things for God because their faith is growing and maturing.
¥ Pray that God would pour out His Holy Spirit and give gifts to believers in the church as He promised. Pray that the church would make the most of these gifts and seek to bring blessing, challenge and repentance to the world.
My Additional Prayer Points.
1/.
2/.
3/.
Read 1 Thessalonians 3:12 - 4:10
A rallying cry often heard today in our economically challenged world is “Less and less”. Governments are called to balance their budget. People are urged to use less energy and decrease consumption of limited resources. It is good advice that we should all heed. In the realm of faith. However, there are no shortages of love and grace and strength. Therefore, as followers of Christ, we are urged to demonstrate His love on our lives in ever-increasing measure.
In the apostle Paul’s first letter to the believers in Thessalonica, he urged them to “abound more and more” in a lifestyle that pleases God (vs 4:1). He also commended them for their demonstrations of love for each other and called them to “increase more and more” in brotherly love. (vs 10)
That kind of ever-increasing love is possible only because it comes from God’s limitless resources, not from our own dwindling supply.
Poet Annie Johnson Flint wrote:
His love has no limit, His grace has no measure,
His power has no boundary known to man;
For out of His infinite riches in Jesus,
He giveth, and giveth, and giveth again.
The apostle Paul expressed his desire for the believers: “May the Lord make you increase and abound in love to one another and to all, just as we do to you.” (vs 3:12)
How much should we love God and others? More and more!
Prayer:
Write down your prayer points in the space provided. Use today’s reading to help you get ideas.
Adoration:
Confession:
Thanks:
Supplication:
¥ Pray that your faith and the faith of your brothers and sisters in church would not go less and less but rather more and more. Pray that the believers in your church would be standing up and attempting great things for God because their faith is growing and maturing.
¥ Pray that God would pour out His Holy Spirit and give gifts to believers in the church as He promised. Pray that the church would make the most of these gifts and seek to bring blessing, challenge and repentance to the world.
My Additional Prayer Points.
1/.
2/.
3/.
Wednesday 28 November 2012
Wednesday November 28, 2012
Read James 1:12-21
It wasn’t the first time it has happened in sports and it certainly won’t be the last. But perhaps mentioning it again can help keep us from making a similar shameful error.
A college coach, one noted for his Christian character, resigned in disgrace after it was discovered that he violated rules clearly spelled out by the National Collegiate Athletic Association. One magazine article concluded: “His integrity was one of the great myths of college football.”
This was certainly an embarrassing time for the coach but here’s the most sobering part: it can happen to any of us. The temptation to go behind the hidden door of secrecy in our lives and do things that dishonour the Lord haunts us all. Indeed we are all capable of turning our integrity into a myth—of turning our testimony for Jesus into a sham. No matter what the temptation, we are all vulnerable.
So how do we avoid giving in? We acknowledge the universality of temptation (1 Corinthians 10:13). We recognize the dangerous results of giving in to sin (James 1:13-15). We keep accountable to fellow believers (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12). And we plead with God for help not to fall (Matthew 26:41). Only God’s grace and power can keep us from falling and pick us up when we do.
Prayer:
Write down your prayer points in the space provided. Use today’s reading to help you get ideas.
Adoration:
Confession:
Thanks:
Supplication:
¥ Ask God to lead you through temptation. He has promised to uphold you and provide you a way out so that you can stand up under it. Pray that you would remain faithful and strong. Pray this for others in your congregation.
¥ Pray that God would work powerfully among your congregation this weekend. There are people there, no doubt, who need healing, wholeness, reconciliation or even a touch of the Lord’s loving hand. Pray that God would do this.
My Additional Prayer Points.
1/.
2/.
3/.
It wasn’t the first time it has happened in sports and it certainly won’t be the last. But perhaps mentioning it again can help keep us from making a similar shameful error.
A college coach, one noted for his Christian character, resigned in disgrace after it was discovered that he violated rules clearly spelled out by the National Collegiate Athletic Association. One magazine article concluded: “His integrity was one of the great myths of college football.”
This was certainly an embarrassing time for the coach but here’s the most sobering part: it can happen to any of us. The temptation to go behind the hidden door of secrecy in our lives and do things that dishonour the Lord haunts us all. Indeed we are all capable of turning our integrity into a myth—of turning our testimony for Jesus into a sham. No matter what the temptation, we are all vulnerable.
So how do we avoid giving in? We acknowledge the universality of temptation (1 Corinthians 10:13). We recognize the dangerous results of giving in to sin (James 1:13-15). We keep accountable to fellow believers (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12). And we plead with God for help not to fall (Matthew 26:41). Only God’s grace and power can keep us from falling and pick us up when we do.
Prayer:
Write down your prayer points in the space provided. Use today’s reading to help you get ideas.
Adoration:
Confession:
Thanks:
Supplication:
¥ Ask God to lead you through temptation. He has promised to uphold you and provide you a way out so that you can stand up under it. Pray that you would remain faithful and strong. Pray this for others in your congregation.
¥ Pray that God would work powerfully among your congregation this weekend. There are people there, no doubt, who need healing, wholeness, reconciliation or even a touch of the Lord’s loving hand. Pray that God would do this.
My Additional Prayer Points.
1/.
2/.
3/.
Tuesday 27 November 2012
Tuesday November 27, 2012
Read Matthew 6:5-15
In 1924 a boy named Johnny, who loved to play basketball, completed the eighth grade in a small rural school. His father, rich in love but short on money for a graduation gift, gave Johnny a card on which he had written his own 7 point creed, which he encouraged his son to start following daily. Three of the points were: Drink deeply from good books, especially the Bible. Make each day your masterpiece. Pray for guidance and give thanks for your blessings each day.
Jesus in what we often call the Lord’s Prayer (vs 9-13), taught us to approach our Father each day; it’s not something to be said once and forgotten. Through it we offer God praise (vs 9); seek His kingdom and His will; trust His provision (vs 11) and as for His forgiveness, power and deliverance (vs 12-13).
Throughout his life Johnny sought the Lord’s strength to live each day for Him. He became a three-time All-American basketball player at Purdue University and one of the greatest college coaches of all time. When Coach Johnny died at the age of 99, he was honoured most of all for his character, his faith and the many lives he touched.
By God’s grace, may we make each day our masterpiece for Him.
Prayer:
Write down your prayer points in the space provided. Use today’s reading to help you get ideas.
Adoration:
Confession:
Thanks:
Supplication:
¥ Pray that the life of each believer in your church would shine brightly for Jesus and draw many to Him for salvation. Pray that each person would be growing closer to Christ by His grace and mercy.
¥ Pray that there would be opportunities for the believers in Nigeria to share their faith, to make disciples and to witness to Christ. Pray that the church would grow and multiply. Pray that the Lord would protect the church from attack, from persecution and from destruction.
My Additional Prayer Points.
1/.
2/.
3/.
In 1924 a boy named Johnny, who loved to play basketball, completed the eighth grade in a small rural school. His father, rich in love but short on money for a graduation gift, gave Johnny a card on which he had written his own 7 point creed, which he encouraged his son to start following daily. Three of the points were: Drink deeply from good books, especially the Bible. Make each day your masterpiece. Pray for guidance and give thanks for your blessings each day.
Jesus in what we often call the Lord’s Prayer (vs 9-13), taught us to approach our Father each day; it’s not something to be said once and forgotten. Through it we offer God praise (vs 9); seek His kingdom and His will; trust His provision (vs 11) and as for His forgiveness, power and deliverance (vs 12-13).
Throughout his life Johnny sought the Lord’s strength to live each day for Him. He became a three-time All-American basketball player at Purdue University and one of the greatest college coaches of all time. When Coach Johnny died at the age of 99, he was honoured most of all for his character, his faith and the many lives he touched.
By God’s grace, may we make each day our masterpiece for Him.
Prayer:
Write down your prayer points in the space provided. Use today’s reading to help you get ideas.
Adoration:
Confession:
Thanks:
Supplication:
¥ Pray that the life of each believer in your church would shine brightly for Jesus and draw many to Him for salvation. Pray that each person would be growing closer to Christ by His grace and mercy.
¥ Pray that there would be opportunities for the believers in Nigeria to share their faith, to make disciples and to witness to Christ. Pray that the church would grow and multiply. Pray that the Lord would protect the church from attack, from persecution and from destruction.
My Additional Prayer Points.
1/.
2/.
3/.
Monday 26 November 2012
Monday November 26, 2012
Read Nehemiah 1
At a church the other day, a small child, only 7 year old, stood to pray. He stood in front of about 100 other children and some supervising adults and prayed:
“Jesus, thank You that some of us get to play football and go to church, and for safety on the drive here, and for forgiveness of our sins, and for eternal life. We love you, Jesus. Please don’t ever forget how much we love You!”
This prayer bought tears to the eyes of the adults as this boy expressed his heart to God. As adults, we may tend to try to polish our prayers a little thinking that it will sound better to God’s ears or those around us who might hear us. But I think God must delight in hearing just what’s on His child’s heart.
Nehemiah’s heart was filled with concern for the welfare of Jerusalem, his homeland, when he heard that the people were in great distress and that the wall around the city was broken down (vs 3). Wanting to do something, he talked to God about it. He praised God for who He is (vs 5), requested forgiveness for sin (vs 6), reminded Him of His promise (vs 9) and asked for mercy from the king (vs 11) . God watched over Nehemiah and His people through the whole building process.
What is on your mind? Thanks or burden? Whatever it is, your loving God wants to hear your heart.
Prayer:
Write down your prayer points in the space provided. Use today’s reading to help you get ideas.
Adoration:
Confession:
Thanks:
Supplication:
¥ Pray for 30 other people in your congregation that their love for Jesus would grow and mature and deepen. Pray that fruit would be born from this growing love for God.
¥ Pray that God would use Shiloh Church ministries to bring many to Christ through their proclamation of the gospel and their compassion to the poor and needy. Pray that many pastors would be raised up to pastor and teach the new comers
My Additional Prayer Points.
1/.
2/.
3/.
At a church the other day, a small child, only 7 year old, stood to pray. He stood in front of about 100 other children and some supervising adults and prayed:
“Jesus, thank You that some of us get to play football and go to church, and for safety on the drive here, and for forgiveness of our sins, and for eternal life. We love you, Jesus. Please don’t ever forget how much we love You!”
This prayer bought tears to the eyes of the adults as this boy expressed his heart to God. As adults, we may tend to try to polish our prayers a little thinking that it will sound better to God’s ears or those around us who might hear us. But I think God must delight in hearing just what’s on His child’s heart.
Nehemiah’s heart was filled with concern for the welfare of Jerusalem, his homeland, when he heard that the people were in great distress and that the wall around the city was broken down (vs 3). Wanting to do something, he talked to God about it. He praised God for who He is (vs 5), requested forgiveness for sin (vs 6), reminded Him of His promise (vs 9) and asked for mercy from the king (vs 11) . God watched over Nehemiah and His people through the whole building process.
What is on your mind? Thanks or burden? Whatever it is, your loving God wants to hear your heart.
Prayer:
Write down your prayer points in the space provided. Use today’s reading to help you get ideas.
Adoration:
Confession:
Thanks:
Supplication:
¥ Pray for 30 other people in your congregation that their love for Jesus would grow and mature and deepen. Pray that fruit would be born from this growing love for God.
¥ Pray that God would use Shiloh Church ministries to bring many to Christ through their proclamation of the gospel and their compassion to the poor and needy. Pray that many pastors would be raised up to pastor and teach the new comers
My Additional Prayer Points.
1/.
2/.
3/.
Saturday 24 November 2012
Saturday November 24, 2012
Read 1 Corinthians 3:1-10
The story is told of two shopkeepers who were bitter rivals. They spent each day keeping track of each other’s business. If one got a customer, he would smile triumphantly at his rival.
One night an angel appeared to one of the shopkeepers in a dream and said, “I will give you anything you ask, but whatever you receive, your competitor will receive twice as much. What is your desire?” The man frowned and then said, “strike me blind in one eye.” Now that’s jealousy of the worst kind!
The self-destruction emotion of jealousy had the potential of tearing apart the Corinthian church. Those believers had received the gospel but had not allowed the Holy Spirit to change their hearts. As a result, they became jealous of one another, which led to a divided community. Paul identified their jealousy as a sign of immaturity and worldliness (1 Corinthians 3:3). These believers were not acting like people who had been transformed by the gospel.
One of the clearest indicators that the Holy Spirit is working in our lives is our contentment and our thankfulness for what we have. Then, instead of experiencing jealousy, we are able to genuinely celebrate the gifts and blessings of others.
Prayer:
Write down your prayer points in the space provided. Use today’s reading to help you get ideas.
Adoration:
Confession:
Thanks:
Supplication:
¥ Pray that those in your church who are struggling with jealousy or unforgiveness or hatred or anger would resolve it today. Pray that there would be reconciliation, forgiveness and healing by God’s power today.
¥ Pray that you would be a peace monger among believers. Ask God to use you powerfully to bring healing and wholeness and reconciliation to others in your church or around you.
¥
My Additional Prayer Points.
1/.
2/.
3/.
The story is told of two shopkeepers who were bitter rivals. They spent each day keeping track of each other’s business. If one got a customer, he would smile triumphantly at his rival.
One night an angel appeared to one of the shopkeepers in a dream and said, “I will give you anything you ask, but whatever you receive, your competitor will receive twice as much. What is your desire?” The man frowned and then said, “strike me blind in one eye.” Now that’s jealousy of the worst kind!
The self-destruction emotion of jealousy had the potential of tearing apart the Corinthian church. Those believers had received the gospel but had not allowed the Holy Spirit to change their hearts. As a result, they became jealous of one another, which led to a divided community. Paul identified their jealousy as a sign of immaturity and worldliness (1 Corinthians 3:3). These believers were not acting like people who had been transformed by the gospel.
One of the clearest indicators that the Holy Spirit is working in our lives is our contentment and our thankfulness for what we have. Then, instead of experiencing jealousy, we are able to genuinely celebrate the gifts and blessings of others.
Prayer:
Write down your prayer points in the space provided. Use today’s reading to help you get ideas.
Adoration:
Confession:
Thanks:
Supplication:
¥ Pray that those in your church who are struggling with jealousy or unforgiveness or hatred or anger would resolve it today. Pray that there would be reconciliation, forgiveness and healing by God’s power today.
¥ Pray that you would be a peace monger among believers. Ask God to use you powerfully to bring healing and wholeness and reconciliation to others in your church or around you.
¥
My Additional Prayer Points.
1/.
2/.
3/.
Friday 23 November 2012
Friday November 23, 2012
Read Mathew 24:1-8
To many Londoners, 1666 looked like the year when Jesus would return. Prophecy enthusiasts had added 1000 years since Christ’s birth to 666, the
number of Antichrist, to arrive at the date 1666.
The world did seem to be on the verge of destruction when in 1665 a plague claimed the lives of 100 000 people in London. Then in September 1666, a
London fire destroyed tens of thousands of buildings. Some wondered, Didn’t the Bible predict catastrophes at the end of the world? (see Matthew 24:1-8) Yet the year 1666 passed and life went on seemingly as it had before.
Even in our own day, there are those who have predicted the end of the world. A date is predicted, the media covers the frenzy and then that day passes uneventfully.
In God’s wisdom, the actual time of Christ’s return has been kept from us. Jesus said, “Of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but my Father only.” (Matthew 24:36) This any-moment aspect of Jesus’ return helps keep believers motivated in Christian service and spiritual growth all the time—not just near a certain date (Matthew 25:13; 1John 3:2-3). Be assured, Christ’s personal return will take place. And as we await that day, our lives should be marked by “holy conduct and godliness” (2Peter 3:11).
Prayer:
Write down your prayer points in the space provided. Use today’s reading to help you get ideas.
Adoration:
Confession:
Thanks:
Supplication:
¥ Pray that your church would be a bright light in this dark and depraved world. Ask God to give your church great opportunities to be shining the light and sharing the faith in the local community of that church.
¥ Pray that there would be many opportunities for you personally to share your faith, to make disciples and to invite others into the kingdom. Pray specifically (ie by name) for those around you who don’t know Christ yet.
My Additional Prayer Points.
1/.
2/.
3/.
To many Londoners, 1666 looked like the year when Jesus would return. Prophecy enthusiasts had added 1000 years since Christ’s birth to 666, the
number of Antichrist, to arrive at the date 1666.
The world did seem to be on the verge of destruction when in 1665 a plague claimed the lives of 100 000 people in London. Then in September 1666, a
London fire destroyed tens of thousands of buildings. Some wondered, Didn’t the Bible predict catastrophes at the end of the world? (see Matthew 24:1-8) Yet the year 1666 passed and life went on seemingly as it had before.
Even in our own day, there are those who have predicted the end of the world. A date is predicted, the media covers the frenzy and then that day passes uneventfully.
In God’s wisdom, the actual time of Christ’s return has been kept from us. Jesus said, “Of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but my Father only.” (Matthew 24:36) This any-moment aspect of Jesus’ return helps keep believers motivated in Christian service and spiritual growth all the time—not just near a certain date (Matthew 25:13; 1John 3:2-3). Be assured, Christ’s personal return will take place. And as we await that day, our lives should be marked by “holy conduct and godliness” (2Peter 3:11).
Prayer:
Write down your prayer points in the space provided. Use today’s reading to help you get ideas.
Adoration:
Confession:
Thanks:
Supplication:
¥ Pray that your church would be a bright light in this dark and depraved world. Ask God to give your church great opportunities to be shining the light and sharing the faith in the local community of that church.
¥ Pray that there would be many opportunities for you personally to share your faith, to make disciples and to invite others into the kingdom. Pray specifically (ie by name) for those around you who don’t know Christ yet.
My Additional Prayer Points.
1/.
2/.
3/.
Thursday 22 November 2012
Thursday November 22, 2012
God’s whispers of comfort helps quiet the noise of our trials.
Read 2 Corinthians 1:1-7
The heartbreaking stories keep coming. The friend whose grown daughter has left her husband and kids. The parents who have lost their sons or daughters in car accidents. The pillar of the church whose retirement years have been marked by a string of bad medical news. You know the stories. You may have one of your own.
Where do we go for help when struggles and pain threaten to shake our faith and steal our last ounce of joy? 2 Corinthians 1:3 may be just the right destination. It is full of hope, help and possibilities.
Examine what that verse tells us: Paul lifts praise to God on two levels (and remember, Paul had more struggles and troubles than most of us could stand). First, he simply sends praise to God, who is not just our God, but the God and Father of Jesus Himself. Think about the power and the love behind that! Then he gives us even better news: Our heavenly Father is the God of mercy and compassion. He cares for us with an everlasting, gracious love. And there’s more—He is also the God of comfort.
Need compassion? Need comfort? Go to God. He has an endless supply and is ready to pour it on you in abundance. He is what we need in times of troubles!
Prayer:
Write down your prayer points in the space provided. Use today’s reading to help you get ideas.
Adoration:
Confession:
Thanks:
Supplication:
¥ Pray for people you know who are currently going through tough trials. Pray that they would seek God, trust God and rely on Him. Pray that God would deliver them safely through this refining fire and that their faith, their trust and their love for God would be strengthened through the trials.
¥ Pray that Student Life in Australia the counter part in NZ would be strengthened in numbers as they grow and make more disciples. Ask God to grant their respective leaders wisdom and insight into their daily work and future planning.
My Additional Prayer Points.
1/.
2/.
3/.
Read 2 Corinthians 1:1-7
The heartbreaking stories keep coming. The friend whose grown daughter has left her husband and kids. The parents who have lost their sons or daughters in car accidents. The pillar of the church whose retirement years have been marked by a string of bad medical news. You know the stories. You may have one of your own.
Where do we go for help when struggles and pain threaten to shake our faith and steal our last ounce of joy? 2 Corinthians 1:3 may be just the right destination. It is full of hope, help and possibilities.
Examine what that verse tells us: Paul lifts praise to God on two levels (and remember, Paul had more struggles and troubles than most of us could stand). First, he simply sends praise to God, who is not just our God, but the God and Father of Jesus Himself. Think about the power and the love behind that! Then he gives us even better news: Our heavenly Father is the God of mercy and compassion. He cares for us with an everlasting, gracious love. And there’s more—He is also the God of comfort.
Need compassion? Need comfort? Go to God. He has an endless supply and is ready to pour it on you in abundance. He is what we need in times of troubles!
Prayer:
Write down your prayer points in the space provided. Use today’s reading to help you get ideas.
Adoration:
Confession:
Thanks:
Supplication:
¥ Pray for people you know who are currently going through tough trials. Pray that they would seek God, trust God and rely on Him. Pray that God would deliver them safely through this refining fire and that their faith, their trust and their love for God would be strengthened through the trials.
¥ Pray that Student Life in Australia the counter part in NZ would be strengthened in numbers as they grow and make more disciples. Ask God to grant their respective leaders wisdom and insight into their daily work and future planning.
My Additional Prayer Points.
1/.
2/.
3/.
Wednesday 21 November 2012
Wednesday November 21, 2012
Read 3 John
Most people would agree that life is a painful mixture of good and bad. It is true in marriage, friendship, family, work and church. Yet we are surprised and disappointed when self-centeredness takes the stage within a fellowship of those who seek to worship and claim Christ together.
When the apostle John wrote to his friend Gaius, he commended the truthful living and generous hospitality of those in his church (vs 3-8). In the same fellowship, however, Diotrephes, “who wants to be had of everything” (vs 9) had created an atmosphere of hostility.
John promised to deal personally with Diotrephes on his next visit to the church. In the meantime, he urges the congregation: “Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. He who does good is of God, but he who does evil has not seen God.” (v 11) John’s words echo the instructions of Paul to the Christians in Rome: “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” (Romans 12:21).
In a heated conflict, we may be tempted to “fight fire with fire”. Yet John urges us to turn away from what is bad and follow what is good. This is the pathway that honours our Saviour.
Prayer:
Write down your prayer points in the space provided. Use today’s reading to help you get ideas.
Adoration:
Confession:
Thanks:
Supplication:
Pray that all your paths would bring honour and glory to the Lord, especially the paths you take when frustrated, angry or overwhelmed. Pray this for 20 other people in your congregation.
Pray that your Session and Committee of Management would be wise in the decisions they make and that they would bring glory to God through these decisions. Pray that your church would be growing through conversions.
My Additional Prayer Points.
1/.
2/.
3/.
Most people would agree that life is a painful mixture of good and bad. It is true in marriage, friendship, family, work and church. Yet we are surprised and disappointed when self-centeredness takes the stage within a fellowship of those who seek to worship and claim Christ together.
When the apostle John wrote to his friend Gaius, he commended the truthful living and generous hospitality of those in his church (vs 3-8). In the same fellowship, however, Diotrephes, “who wants to be had of everything” (vs 9) had created an atmosphere of hostility.
John promised to deal personally with Diotrephes on his next visit to the church. In the meantime, he urges the congregation: “Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. He who does good is of God, but he who does evil has not seen God.” (v 11) John’s words echo the instructions of Paul to the Christians in Rome: “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” (Romans 12:21).
In a heated conflict, we may be tempted to “fight fire with fire”. Yet John urges us to turn away from what is bad and follow what is good. This is the pathway that honours our Saviour.
Prayer:
Write down your prayer points in the space provided. Use today’s reading to help you get ideas.
Adoration:
Confession:
Thanks:
Supplication:
Pray that all your paths would bring honour and glory to the Lord, especially the paths you take when frustrated, angry or overwhelmed. Pray this for 20 other people in your congregation.
Pray that your Session and Committee of Management would be wise in the decisions they make and that they would bring glory to God through these decisions. Pray that your church would be growing through conversions.
My Additional Prayer Points.
1/.
2/.
3/.
Tuesday 20 November 2012
Tuesday November 20, 2012
Read Acts 17:22—31
A popular song from years ago titles “From a Distance” envisions a world of harmony and peace. It says, “God is watching us from a distance”. Indeed God is watching us, but not from a distance, right in front of you, gazing at you with unbounded love in His eyes.
I think of the example of Brother Lawrence, who spent long years working in a kitchen washing pots and pans and repairing the sandals of other monks. He wrote: “As often as I could, I placed myself as a worshiper before Him, fixing my mind upon His holy presence.
That is our task as well. But we forget and sometimes need reminders of His presence. I have driven an old homemade nail into the shelf over my desk to remind me that the crucified and resurrected Jesus is always present. Our task is to remember to “set the Lord always before [us]” (Psalm 16:8) - to know that He is with us to “the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20) and He is not far from each one of us” (Acts 17:27).
Remembering may be as simple as calling to mind that the Lord has promised to be with you all through the day and saying to Him, “Good morning”, or “Thank you”, or “Help!” or I love you”.
Prayer:
Write down your prayer points in the space provided. Use today’s reading to help you get ideas.
Adoration:
Confession:
Thanks:
Supplication:
¥ Pray that God would be among you and your congregation and not at a distance. Pray that He would honour His Word and walk among you and be powerfully present among you.
¥ Pray that God would continue to provide the needs of Mustard Seed Orphanage. They need finances, provisions and people support. Ask your Lord to provide.
My Additional Prayer Points.
1/.
2/.
3/.
A popular song from years ago titles “From a Distance” envisions a world of harmony and peace. It says, “God is watching us from a distance”. Indeed God is watching us, but not from a distance, right in front of you, gazing at you with unbounded love in His eyes.
I think of the example of Brother Lawrence, who spent long years working in a kitchen washing pots and pans and repairing the sandals of other monks. He wrote: “As often as I could, I placed myself as a worshiper before Him, fixing my mind upon His holy presence.
That is our task as well. But we forget and sometimes need reminders of His presence. I have driven an old homemade nail into the shelf over my desk to remind me that the crucified and resurrected Jesus is always present. Our task is to remember to “set the Lord always before [us]” (Psalm 16:8) - to know that He is with us to “the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20) and He is not far from each one of us” (Acts 17:27).
Remembering may be as simple as calling to mind that the Lord has promised to be with you all through the day and saying to Him, “Good morning”, or “Thank you”, or “Help!” or I love you”.
Prayer:
Write down your prayer points in the space provided. Use today’s reading to help you get ideas.
Adoration:
Confession:
Thanks:
Supplication:
¥ Pray that God would be among you and your congregation and not at a distance. Pray that He would honour His Word and walk among you and be powerfully present among you.
¥ Pray that God would continue to provide the needs of Mustard Seed Orphanage. They need finances, provisions and people support. Ask your Lord to provide.
My Additional Prayer Points.
1/.
2/.
3/.
Monday 19 November 2012
Monday November 19, 2012
Read Psalm 139:1-10
Creating a system by which an “eye in the sky” can help guide cars, planes and boats all the time is complicated. For instance, the Global Positioning System (GPS) that most people are familiar with works because there are always 24 to 32 satellites orbiting the Earth at an altitude of 12 500 miles (20 000 km). These satellites must maintain a constant speed and altitude if the guidance they provide is to be accurate.
Today’s complicated GPS is just a tiny analogy of what God can do. God promised the nation of Israel: “The Lord will guide you continually” (Isaiah 58:11). The psalmist was aware that there was no place he could go without God knowing where he was (Psalm 139: 7-8) Long before GPS, God sat “above the circle of the earth” (Isaiah 40:22) and saw everything.
The knowledge that there is someone who tracks you wherever you are, can bring fear to those who are trying to get away. But for the Christians, this brings great joy and assurance. No matter where he was, the psalmist was confident that God’s hand would lead him (Psalm 139:10).
God has promised to guide and lead you today. He’s the best Guide you could have and He wants to lead you along the right paths.
Prayer:
Write down your prayer points in the space provided. Use today’s reading to help you get ideas.
Adoration:
Confession:
Thanks:
Supplication:
¥ Pray that God would continue to be your GPS and guide you to places where you can be speaking up and living out your faith in Christ.
¥ Pray that your faith would grow and multiply and step out to do amazing things for God and His kingdom. Pray this for 10 other people in your congregation.
My Additional Prayer Points.
1/.
2/.
3/.
Creating a system by which an “eye in the sky” can help guide cars, planes and boats all the time is complicated. For instance, the Global Positioning System (GPS) that most people are familiar with works because there are always 24 to 32 satellites orbiting the Earth at an altitude of 12 500 miles (20 000 km). These satellites must maintain a constant speed and altitude if the guidance they provide is to be accurate.
Today’s complicated GPS is just a tiny analogy of what God can do. God promised the nation of Israel: “The Lord will guide you continually” (Isaiah 58:11). The psalmist was aware that there was no place he could go without God knowing where he was (Psalm 139: 7-8) Long before GPS, God sat “above the circle of the earth” (Isaiah 40:22) and saw everything.
The knowledge that there is someone who tracks you wherever you are, can bring fear to those who are trying to get away. But for the Christians, this brings great joy and assurance. No matter where he was, the psalmist was confident that God’s hand would lead him (Psalm 139:10).
God has promised to guide and lead you today. He’s the best Guide you could have and He wants to lead you along the right paths.
Prayer:
Write down your prayer points in the space provided. Use today’s reading to help you get ideas.
Adoration:
Confession:
Thanks:
Supplication:
¥ Pray that God would continue to be your GPS and guide you to places where you can be speaking up and living out your faith in Christ.
¥ Pray that your faith would grow and multiply and step out to do amazing things for God and His kingdom. Pray this for 10 other people in your congregation.
My Additional Prayer Points.
1/.
2/.
3/.
Saturday 17 November 2012
Saturday November 17, 2012
Read Hebrews 11; Revelation 13:12-15
You may not be aware but the Book to the Hebrews recites the tails of many of those who stood against Antiochus Epiphanes. The Hanukkah story reveals the names of the nameless martyrs mentioned in the book of Hebrews - people like Eleazar and Hannah and her sons. Hanukkah reminds us of those who stood in the faith and refused to be released so that they might gain a better resurrection. We are reminded that men and women and children have courageously stood up for their God.
At some point in the future the Anti-Christ will arise and will declare himself to be god. He will demand that everyone in the world worship himself. Like Antiochus, his predecessor, he will desecrate the temple. People will be called to bow down and worship him. Only those who receive his mark on their hand or forehead will be able to purchase food etc needed for survival. it will be a time of terrible persecution.
As frightening as it seems, that future should not worry us or scare us. God will remain in total and compete control of all that happens. Rather it should cause us to prepare and to be armed and ready. The best preparation is to be living for Christ here and now, day by day. If we can’t live for Jesus in the good times we will never live for Him in the tough times. If we can’t serve God when the road is smooth, we will never serve Him when the road becomes rocky.
Make a pact today with God that you will live for Him in every area of your life -
in your relationships, family, work, sports, hobbies, professional associations and even in your finances. That’s a dangerous pact because when we avail ourselves to God and promise to live for Him he does great things.
As one great theologian once said, ‘If you’ve got nothing worth dying for, you’ve got nothing worth living for.’ Are you living for God? Have you given yourself unreservedly to God? Are you ready to step out in faith each and every day?
Prayer:
Write down your prayer points in the space provided. Use today’s reading to help you get ideas.
Adoration:
Confession:
Thanks:
Supplication:
¥ Pray that tomorrow’s service in your church would grow the believers and draw each one closer to God. Pray that the Word would be faithfully preached and that the Holy Spirit would work powerfully through the Word.
¥ Pray that your church would grow as each individual makes disciples for Christ Jesus. Ask God to give each believer the courage of his/her convictions and that each believer would make the most of every opportunity to make disciples.
My Additional Prayer Points.
1/.
2/.
3/.
You may not be aware but the Book to the Hebrews recites the tails of many of those who stood against Antiochus Epiphanes. The Hanukkah story reveals the names of the nameless martyrs mentioned in the book of Hebrews - people like Eleazar and Hannah and her sons. Hanukkah reminds us of those who stood in the faith and refused to be released so that they might gain a better resurrection. We are reminded that men and women and children have courageously stood up for their God.
At some point in the future the Anti-Christ will arise and will declare himself to be god. He will demand that everyone in the world worship himself. Like Antiochus, his predecessor, he will desecrate the temple. People will be called to bow down and worship him. Only those who receive his mark on their hand or forehead will be able to purchase food etc needed for survival. it will be a time of terrible persecution.
As frightening as it seems, that future should not worry us or scare us. God will remain in total and compete control of all that happens. Rather it should cause us to prepare and to be armed and ready. The best preparation is to be living for Christ here and now, day by day. If we can’t live for Jesus in the good times we will never live for Him in the tough times. If we can’t serve God when the road is smooth, we will never serve Him when the road becomes rocky.
Make a pact today with God that you will live for Him in every area of your life -
in your relationships, family, work, sports, hobbies, professional associations and even in your finances. That’s a dangerous pact because when we avail ourselves to God and promise to live for Him he does great things.
As one great theologian once said, ‘If you’ve got nothing worth dying for, you’ve got nothing worth living for.’ Are you living for God? Have you given yourself unreservedly to God? Are you ready to step out in faith each and every day?
Prayer:
Write down your prayer points in the space provided. Use today’s reading to help you get ideas.
Adoration:
Confession:
Thanks:
Supplication:
¥ Pray that tomorrow’s service in your church would grow the believers and draw each one closer to God. Pray that the Word would be faithfully preached and that the Holy Spirit would work powerfully through the Word.
¥ Pray that your church would grow as each individual makes disciples for Christ Jesus. Ask God to give each believer the courage of his/her convictions and that each believer would make the most of every opportunity to make disciples.
My Additional Prayer Points.
1/.
2/.
3/.
Friday 16 November 2012
Friday November 16, 2012
Read 2 Chronicles 5:3, 7:1-22; John 10:22-30
There are many observances that show and encourage the people of Israel to remember the Lord’s deliverance through the faithful Maccabees. Modern Jewish homes use lights to celebrate the deliverance. Eight candles on a candelabra or Menorah are lit one by one each night until all 8 are lit to remind the people of the deliverance many years ago. In Jerusalem marathon runners are sent to Modin, the place of the original revolt. They light their freedom torches and carry the flame back to Jerusalem where the great Menorah is lit. Gifts are given and games are played in many households. Like most other celebrations around the world it is also a time for food and feasting.
The lights arose from Israel’s history. When Solomon dedicated the temple for the first time he did so at the Feast of Tabernacles. 2 Chronicles 5:3. During that dedication the glory of the Lord descended upon the temple and the light of the sacrificial altar was divinely lit 2 Chronicles 7:1. The Feast of Tabernacles later developed an impressive light celebration each night in the temple. Since Hanukkah celebrated the relighting of the fire upon the purified altar and was patterned after Tabernacles, the emphasis upon lights was kept.
During Hanukkah Jesus’ thoughts of national deliverance were high in people’s hearts. The people and the establishment looked for the ultimate deliverer, Messiah, who would remove foreign rule and establish the Kingdom of God forever. He would sit on David’s throne for ever and ever. Messiah would make it possible for the Shekinah glory to return to the temple as in Solomon’s day. It’s no wonder that they asked Jesus, "How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly."
But Jesus had shown them clearly and had verified it through the miracles. But they refused to listen because He refused time and time again to meet their messianic expectations of a military messiah that would immediately launch the offensive.
When Jesus challenged them and told them that He and the Father are one, they were so enraged that they sought to stone Him to death.
Prayer:
Write down your prayer points in the space provided. Use today’s reading to help you get ideas.
Adoration:
Confession
Thanks:
Supplication:
¥ Pray that God would be blessing and growing the work of the reformed Bible College in Myanmar. Pray that He would provide all their resources and needs so that the gospel is the main agenda and focus for teachers and students.
¥ Pray that God would be powerfully at work in the Student Life and University Impact organisations. Pray again that many would come to Christ through their ministry and that God again would prove Himself to be their provider.
My Additional Prayer Points.
1/.
2/.
3/.
There are many observances that show and encourage the people of Israel to remember the Lord’s deliverance through the faithful Maccabees. Modern Jewish homes use lights to celebrate the deliverance. Eight candles on a candelabra or Menorah are lit one by one each night until all 8 are lit to remind the people of the deliverance many years ago. In Jerusalem marathon runners are sent to Modin, the place of the original revolt. They light their freedom torches and carry the flame back to Jerusalem where the great Menorah is lit. Gifts are given and games are played in many households. Like most other celebrations around the world it is also a time for food and feasting.
The lights arose from Israel’s history. When Solomon dedicated the temple for the first time he did so at the Feast of Tabernacles. 2 Chronicles 5:3. During that dedication the glory of the Lord descended upon the temple and the light of the sacrificial altar was divinely lit 2 Chronicles 7:1. The Feast of Tabernacles later developed an impressive light celebration each night in the temple. Since Hanukkah celebrated the relighting of the fire upon the purified altar and was patterned after Tabernacles, the emphasis upon lights was kept.
During Hanukkah Jesus’ thoughts of national deliverance were high in people’s hearts. The people and the establishment looked for the ultimate deliverer, Messiah, who would remove foreign rule and establish the Kingdom of God forever. He would sit on David’s throne for ever and ever. Messiah would make it possible for the Shekinah glory to return to the temple as in Solomon’s day. It’s no wonder that they asked Jesus, "How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly."
But Jesus had shown them clearly and had verified it through the miracles. But they refused to listen because He refused time and time again to meet their messianic expectations of a military messiah that would immediately launch the offensive.
When Jesus challenged them and told them that He and the Father are one, they were so enraged that they sought to stone Him to death.
Prayer:
Write down your prayer points in the space provided. Use today’s reading to help you get ideas.
Adoration:
Confession
Thanks:
Supplication:
¥ Pray that God would be blessing and growing the work of the reformed Bible College in Myanmar. Pray that He would provide all their resources and needs so that the gospel is the main agenda and focus for teachers and students.
¥ Pray that God would be powerfully at work in the Student Life and University Impact organisations. Pray again that many would come to Christ through their ministry and that God again would prove Himself to be their provider.
My Additional Prayer Points.
1/.
2/.
3/.
Thursday 15 November 2012
Thursday November 15, 2012
Read Deuteronomy 20
The pain of the Jewish nation continued. In the small town of Modin, about 27 km north west of Jerusalem, an altar to Zeus was erected. The towns folk were called out to offer sacrifices to it. An aged Priest named Matthias was chosen from the crowd and was forced to offer the pig sacrifice in honour of the pagan god, Zeus. He refused. The crowd knew that after the sacrifice they would be forced to eat the unclean meat as an act of identification with their offering. While another Priest offered to make the sacrifice, Matthias ripped a sword from the hand of a Syrian officer and killed him. He also killed the apostate Priest. Matthias’ 5 sons joined in and killed the soldiers present. The revolution had begun. Soon Matthias died and his son Judah took over the reigns. He was a brilliant strategist and the rebel army grew in number. He was given the name Maccabee which many believe came from the Hebrew word which meant ‘Hammer’. The revolt raged for three years. The rebels fought hard and frustrated the Syrian army. They won many great victories and soon opened the way back to Jerusalem.
They were not prepared for the devastation and destruction they saw in Jerusalem. But none the less, they rebuilt the altar to the Lord three years to the day after it was desecrated.
Years after the event, a tradition arose that told of how the rebels found only a small vile of unpolluted oil to use in burning before the Lord. It contained one day’s worth of oil. But, the legend says, it burnt for 8 days until new batch of oil could be consecrated. Thus arose the explanation of why Hanukkah is celebrated for 8 days.
Sometimes the Lord calls us to battle against the world. When we are called to fight we fight boldly and confidently knowing that the Lord is with us and fighting on our behalf. At present the Lord has called us to battle for the truth. Genesis 1-12 is attacked and ridiculed by people both inside and outside the church. The Word of God in its entirety is being questioned and ridiculed and minimized. The God given institution of marriage is being attacked. The role and rights of parents are being eroded as is the Biblical concept of the family. We must fight for the truth and we must uphold the truth. We must be ready to defend the truth and to stand up for what we believe.
Prayer:
Write down your prayer points in the space provided. Use today’s reading to help you get ideas.
Adoration:
Confession:
Thanks:
Supplication:
¥ Pray that Christians would be ready to stand up for the truth of God’s Word. Pray that all believers would have the courage of their convictions and that there would be less and less compromise in the church. Pray that we would see the entire bible, cover to cover, as the reliable and infallible Word of God.
¥ Pray that God would raise up individuals and churches and leaders to champion the cause of marriage in this country. Pray that we would see a resurgence of people who wish to keep marriage as per the biblical definition. Pray that God would be strengthening families and marriages in our churches.
My Additional Prayer Points.
1/.
2/.
3/.
The pain of the Jewish nation continued. In the small town of Modin, about 27 km north west of Jerusalem, an altar to Zeus was erected. The towns folk were called out to offer sacrifices to it. An aged Priest named Matthias was chosen from the crowd and was forced to offer the pig sacrifice in honour of the pagan god, Zeus. He refused. The crowd knew that after the sacrifice they would be forced to eat the unclean meat as an act of identification with their offering. While another Priest offered to make the sacrifice, Matthias ripped a sword from the hand of a Syrian officer and killed him. He also killed the apostate Priest. Matthias’ 5 sons joined in and killed the soldiers present. The revolution had begun. Soon Matthias died and his son Judah took over the reigns. He was a brilliant strategist and the rebel army grew in number. He was given the name Maccabee which many believe came from the Hebrew word which meant ‘Hammer’. The revolt raged for three years. The rebels fought hard and frustrated the Syrian army. They won many great victories and soon opened the way back to Jerusalem.
They were not prepared for the devastation and destruction they saw in Jerusalem. But none the less, they rebuilt the altar to the Lord three years to the day after it was desecrated.
Years after the event, a tradition arose that told of how the rebels found only a small vile of unpolluted oil to use in burning before the Lord. It contained one day’s worth of oil. But, the legend says, it burnt for 8 days until new batch of oil could be consecrated. Thus arose the explanation of why Hanukkah is celebrated for 8 days.
Sometimes the Lord calls us to battle against the world. When we are called to fight we fight boldly and confidently knowing that the Lord is with us and fighting on our behalf. At present the Lord has called us to battle for the truth. Genesis 1-12 is attacked and ridiculed by people both inside and outside the church. The Word of God in its entirety is being questioned and ridiculed and minimized. The God given institution of marriage is being attacked. The role and rights of parents are being eroded as is the Biblical concept of the family. We must fight for the truth and we must uphold the truth. We must be ready to defend the truth and to stand up for what we believe.
Prayer:
Write down your prayer points in the space provided. Use today’s reading to help you get ideas.
Adoration:
Confession:
Thanks:
Supplication:
¥ Pray that Christians would be ready to stand up for the truth of God’s Word. Pray that all believers would have the courage of their convictions and that there would be less and less compromise in the church. Pray that we would see the entire bible, cover to cover, as the reliable and infallible Word of God.
¥ Pray that God would raise up individuals and churches and leaders to champion the cause of marriage in this country. Pray that we would see a resurgence of people who wish to keep marriage as per the biblical definition. Pray that God would be strengthening families and marriages in our churches.
My Additional Prayer Points.
1/.
2/.
3/.
Wednesday 14 November 2012
Wednesday November 14, 2012
Read Revelation 13:1-10
We sat around the dinner table chatting, having read our “devotion” from the well known book, ’Jesus Freaks’. My daughter commented that it would be very scary to die at the hands of a non-believer. How right she was! But after we reflected on the statement, we concluded that if God ever did call us to such an act of service He would give us the strength to glorify Himself through it.
Such was the case in the dark days of Antiochus the madman. Many faithful believers fled to the hills and to the caves and gave their lives in sacrifice to their God.
Eleazar was a 90 year old priest who had faithfully served and followed God all his life. He was killed in hand copying the Scriptures (hence he was a scribe). The mad ruler declared that he should eat swine, the epitome of unclean animals for the Jews. Eleazar refused. He was ordered to eat his own lawful meat as though it were swine. Again he refused, knowing that many would be deceived by his example. He was mercilessly beaten until the Lord took him home.
The Lord assures us that a time is coming when a world power will command all peoples to worship himself and his image. This is no different to what happened in the dark days of God’s silence. The ruler will declare war on the saints and many will be put to death. Even up to that day, many will be harassed and persecuted and ridiculed for their faith in Christ Jesus.
But do not fear. Do not fret and do not hide the light of Christ. The Lord will walk by you and He will strengthen you. He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear and when you are surely tempted, He will provide a way out so that you can stand up under that testing. If you are called to give your life as a dying testimony to your God, He will hold your hand the entire way. He will be by your side each and every second. He not forsake you. He will not leave you. Be confident in Him. Walk tall in Him. Stand up, speak out and shine for Him and because of Him.
Prayer:
Write down your prayer points in the space provided. Use today’s reading to help you get ideas.
Adoration:
Confession:
Thanks:
Supplication:
¥ Pray that God would strengthen and encourage and challenge believers to be speaking up and living out their faith in Christ. Pray that He would give more and more opportunities to share your faith and to model the love of Christ to many.
¥ Pray for the 5 non Christians you prayed for earlier this week. Pray that God would grant them repentance and faith.
My Additional Prayer Points.
1/.
2/.
3/.
We sat around the dinner table chatting, having read our “devotion” from the well known book, ’Jesus Freaks’. My daughter commented that it would be very scary to die at the hands of a non-believer. How right she was! But after we reflected on the statement, we concluded that if God ever did call us to such an act of service He would give us the strength to glorify Himself through it.
Such was the case in the dark days of Antiochus the madman. Many faithful believers fled to the hills and to the caves and gave their lives in sacrifice to their God.
Eleazar was a 90 year old priest who had faithfully served and followed God all his life. He was killed in hand copying the Scriptures (hence he was a scribe). The mad ruler declared that he should eat swine, the epitome of unclean animals for the Jews. Eleazar refused. He was ordered to eat his own lawful meat as though it were swine. Again he refused, knowing that many would be deceived by his example. He was mercilessly beaten until the Lord took him home.
The Lord assures us that a time is coming when a world power will command all peoples to worship himself and his image. This is no different to what happened in the dark days of God’s silence. The ruler will declare war on the saints and many will be put to death. Even up to that day, many will be harassed and persecuted and ridiculed for their faith in Christ Jesus.
But do not fear. Do not fret and do not hide the light of Christ. The Lord will walk by you and He will strengthen you. He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear and when you are surely tempted, He will provide a way out so that you can stand up under that testing. If you are called to give your life as a dying testimony to your God, He will hold your hand the entire way. He will be by your side each and every second. He not forsake you. He will not leave you. Be confident in Him. Walk tall in Him. Stand up, speak out and shine for Him and because of Him.
Prayer:
Write down your prayer points in the space provided. Use today’s reading to help you get ideas.
Adoration:
Confession:
Thanks:
Supplication:
¥ Pray that God would strengthen and encourage and challenge believers to be speaking up and living out their faith in Christ. Pray that He would give more and more opportunities to share your faith and to model the love of Christ to many.
¥ Pray for the 5 non Christians you prayed for earlier this week. Pray that God would grant them repentance and faith.
My Additional Prayer Points.
1/.
2/.
3/.
Tuesday 13 November 2012
Tuesday November 13, 2012
Read John 10:22-24; Daniel 8:1-12, 11:32-33
Hanukkah means ‘dedication’ and is celebrated in winter in the month of Kislev, roughly equivalent to our December. The apocryphal books* of 1 and 2 Maccabees are the earliest record of Hanukkah.
In 326BC Darius III came to power in Medo-Persian empire, the military super power of the world. In the west in Macedonia, Alexander also ascended to the throne. At only 20 years of age, he was already known as a brilliant commander. Within 3 years his military genius allowed him to defeat the great Darius III at Issus.
By his 30th birthday he had conquered all the known world from Europe to Egypt and to the boards of India. He unified the known world under the Greek culture and religion known as Hellenism.
Unfortunately Alexander died at 33 years of age without an heir to the throne. The vast empire was divided into four regions - Seleucus ruled Syria and Eastern Asia Minor, Ptolemy ruled Egypt, Lysimachus ruled Thrace and Western Asia Minor (Turkey) and Cassander ruled Macedonia and Greece.
In this fourfold division Israel sat between the Seleucid empire and the Egyptian or Ptolemaic empire. Whoever controlled Israel had a key strategic position. For almost 2 centuries the Promised Land was greatly fought over. In 171BC Antiochus IV came to the throne. This ruler was harsh, cruel and extreme. He called himself Antiochus Epiphanes (that’s right as in epiphany - it translates to ‘Antiochus the visible god) believing he was deity in the flesh. Using a pun, his enemies called him Antiochus Epimanes - Antiochus the madman! His goal was to unite all the people in his realm under the Hellenistic way of life and religion.
In Israel two parties developed. The Orthodox party wanted to be ruled by the Ptolemies in Egypt. This was the lesser of two evils because Hellenism deified natures, set up temples with many false gods and promoted immorality in the worship of these gods. The progressives saw no advantage in sticking to the faith of their fathers and saw only the economic and social benefits of embracing the Hellenistic way of life and religion. They thus desired rule by the Syrians -
those allied with the madman. The result was intrigue, assassination and internal strife that lasted for centuries.
Antiochus, suffering defeat at the hands of the Egyptians (who were supported by the Romans), ransacked Jerusalem and even attacked and desecrated the temple. A statue of Zeus was set upon the holy altar. He later sacrificed a pig, the most unclean animal to Jews, on that altar. He poured its broth over the holy scrolls and cut them to pieces and burned them. He even outlawed Judaism on pain of death. Sabbath could not be kept. Dietary laws were to be abandoned. Circumcision could not be performed. Entire families were put to death and babies and women were mercilessly killed.
How would God’s people react? How would they survive? How would they go forward?
* The apocrypha are a set of non-biblical books written between 200BC and 100AD. They present us with a valuable source of history.
Prayer:
Write down your prayer points in the space provided. Use today’s reading to help you get ideas.
Adoration:
Confession:
Thanks:
Supplication:
¥ Pray that God would raise up believers who are willing to stand firm on His Word and not to compromise on the Word or their application of the Word. Pray that a spirit of conviction would sweep through your church and the churches of this land.
¥ Pray that we would also see a spirit of generosity in our churches so that God would be glorified as we are revealed to be Jesus’ disciples and so that the churches can effectively reach out to the poor and needy.
My Additional Prayer Points.
1/.
2/.
3/.
Hanukkah means ‘dedication’ and is celebrated in winter in the month of Kislev, roughly equivalent to our December. The apocryphal books* of 1 and 2 Maccabees are the earliest record of Hanukkah.
In 326BC Darius III came to power in Medo-Persian empire, the military super power of the world. In the west in Macedonia, Alexander also ascended to the throne. At only 20 years of age, he was already known as a brilliant commander. Within 3 years his military genius allowed him to defeat the great Darius III at Issus.
By his 30th birthday he had conquered all the known world from Europe to Egypt and to the boards of India. He unified the known world under the Greek culture and religion known as Hellenism.
Unfortunately Alexander died at 33 years of age without an heir to the throne. The vast empire was divided into four regions - Seleucus ruled Syria and Eastern Asia Minor, Ptolemy ruled Egypt, Lysimachus ruled Thrace and Western Asia Minor (Turkey) and Cassander ruled Macedonia and Greece.
In this fourfold division Israel sat between the Seleucid empire and the Egyptian or Ptolemaic empire. Whoever controlled Israel had a key strategic position. For almost 2 centuries the Promised Land was greatly fought over. In 171BC Antiochus IV came to the throne. This ruler was harsh, cruel and extreme. He called himself Antiochus Epiphanes (that’s right as in epiphany - it translates to ‘Antiochus the visible god) believing he was deity in the flesh. Using a pun, his enemies called him Antiochus Epimanes - Antiochus the madman! His goal was to unite all the people in his realm under the Hellenistic way of life and religion.
In Israel two parties developed. The Orthodox party wanted to be ruled by the Ptolemies in Egypt. This was the lesser of two evils because Hellenism deified natures, set up temples with many false gods and promoted immorality in the worship of these gods. The progressives saw no advantage in sticking to the faith of their fathers and saw only the economic and social benefits of embracing the Hellenistic way of life and religion. They thus desired rule by the Syrians -
those allied with the madman. The result was intrigue, assassination and internal strife that lasted for centuries.
Antiochus, suffering defeat at the hands of the Egyptians (who were supported by the Romans), ransacked Jerusalem and even attacked and desecrated the temple. A statue of Zeus was set upon the holy altar. He later sacrificed a pig, the most unclean animal to Jews, on that altar. He poured its broth over the holy scrolls and cut them to pieces and burned them. He even outlawed Judaism on pain of death. Sabbath could not be kept. Dietary laws were to be abandoned. Circumcision could not be performed. Entire families were put to death and babies and women were mercilessly killed.
How would God’s people react? How would they survive? How would they go forward?
* The apocrypha are a set of non-biblical books written between 200BC and 100AD. They present us with a valuable source of history.
Prayer:
Write down your prayer points in the space provided. Use today’s reading to help you get ideas.
Adoration:
Confession:
Thanks:
Supplication:
¥ Pray that God would raise up believers who are willing to stand firm on His Word and not to compromise on the Word or their application of the Word. Pray that a spirit of conviction would sweep through your church and the churches of this land.
¥ Pray that we would also see a spirit of generosity in our churches so that God would be glorified as we are revealed to be Jesus’ disciples and so that the churches can effectively reach out to the poor and needy.
My Additional Prayer Points.
1/.
2/.
3/.
Monday 12 November 2012
Monday November 12, 2012
Weekly Challenge
Grab a note pad and write down throughout the week as many reasons as you can to explain the reasons why God would choose not to answer our prayers. Discuss with as many believers as you can throughout the week.
Read Malachi 4:1 - Matthew 1:17
Do you realise the momentous thing you have just done? Do you realise the significance of what has just happened? You’ve just read over 400 years of history and here’s the totally amazing and mind boggling bit - for most of that 400 years God was absolutely silent. There was no prophecy no Word from the Lord. There was no cry in the temple, ‘Thus says the Lord…’ There was no messenger sent from God. There were no visions and no angelic visits.
Often God is silent in our own world. We really don’t cope well. We live in a world that decries being still in God’s presence. We walk in a world that deplores inactivity and unproductiveness. We inhabit a world that demands answers and when God is loudly silent we crumble into despair. In desperation we cry out to God. We speculate upon the reasons for God’s silence. We comfort ourselves and often lie to ourselves. We look for God in every nook and cranny. We turn to substitutes, making them our temporary gods, be they drugs, alcohol, self pleasure or whatever. Yet through it all we feel hopeless because we are deafened by God’s silence.
It was during those 400 years of silence that many things happened. The synagogue service developed. The Pharisees and Sadducees developed. Rome became the dominating world power and gained control over the Bible lands. The stage was set for the fulfilment of all God’s plans. Everything was ready for Messiah to enter onto centre stage and bring all God’s promises and plans to fruition and fulfilment.
In times of God’s silence I don’t need to panic or seek to do it my way. I don’t need to take up plan B or C or D or E. I don’t need to run to another temporary god. I don’t need to fall into a heap. I need to trust God. I need to walk by faith. I need to be at peace in His presence. God has promised that ‘all things work for the good of those who love Him’ (Romans 8:28) and this certainly includes his times of silence. Trust God… Don’t force it. As Corrie Ten Boom would often say, ‘Nestle, don’t wrestle.’ Nestle into God’s love and grace. Don’t wrestle with Him.
Sometimes we are on a need to know basis and, put bluntly, in times of God’s silence we don’t need to know. We need to trust. We need to nestle into God’s loving arms. We need to stop wrestling with God. God hasn’t lost control. God hasn’t forgotten you. God hasn’t missed the moment. God is powerfully at work, albeit behind the scenes. God is doing something grand.
Prayer:
Write down your prayer points in the space provided. Use today’s reading to help you get ideas.
Adoration:
Confession:
Thanks:
Supplication:
¥ A small team is headed off to Myanmar very soon. Pray that God would use them powerfully to teach the students and to bring great blessing to them. Pray that the team would be unified and that they would work well together as they teach and preach. Pray that the students would be greatly blessed by the team’s presence in Myanmar.
¥ Pray that Christians all around the world would be ready and willing to make the most of the Christmas season in terms of reaching out and evangelising friends and family. Pray that we would see many conversions to Christ throughout the festive season. Pray specifically for 5 non-Christians in your life that you would love to see come to Christ in repentance and faith.
My Additional Prayer Points.
1/.
2/.
3/.
Grab a note pad and write down throughout the week as many reasons as you can to explain the reasons why God would choose not to answer our prayers. Discuss with as many believers as you can throughout the week.
Read Malachi 4:1 - Matthew 1:17
Do you realise the momentous thing you have just done? Do you realise the significance of what has just happened? You’ve just read over 400 years of history and here’s the totally amazing and mind boggling bit - for most of that 400 years God was absolutely silent. There was no prophecy no Word from the Lord. There was no cry in the temple, ‘Thus says the Lord…’ There was no messenger sent from God. There were no visions and no angelic visits.
Often God is silent in our own world. We really don’t cope well. We live in a world that decries being still in God’s presence. We walk in a world that deplores inactivity and unproductiveness. We inhabit a world that demands answers and when God is loudly silent we crumble into despair. In desperation we cry out to God. We speculate upon the reasons for God’s silence. We comfort ourselves and often lie to ourselves. We look for God in every nook and cranny. We turn to substitutes, making them our temporary gods, be they drugs, alcohol, self pleasure or whatever. Yet through it all we feel hopeless because we are deafened by God’s silence.
It was during those 400 years of silence that many things happened. The synagogue service developed. The Pharisees and Sadducees developed. Rome became the dominating world power and gained control over the Bible lands. The stage was set for the fulfilment of all God’s plans. Everything was ready for Messiah to enter onto centre stage and bring all God’s promises and plans to fruition and fulfilment.
In times of God’s silence I don’t need to panic or seek to do it my way. I don’t need to take up plan B or C or D or E. I don’t need to run to another temporary god. I don’t need to fall into a heap. I need to trust God. I need to walk by faith. I need to be at peace in His presence. God has promised that ‘all things work for the good of those who love Him’ (Romans 8:28) and this certainly includes his times of silence. Trust God… Don’t force it. As Corrie Ten Boom would often say, ‘Nestle, don’t wrestle.’ Nestle into God’s love and grace. Don’t wrestle with Him.
Sometimes we are on a need to know basis and, put bluntly, in times of God’s silence we don’t need to know. We need to trust. We need to nestle into God’s loving arms. We need to stop wrestling with God. God hasn’t lost control. God hasn’t forgotten you. God hasn’t missed the moment. God is powerfully at work, albeit behind the scenes. God is doing something grand.
Prayer:
Write down your prayer points in the space provided. Use today’s reading to help you get ideas.
Adoration:
Confession:
Thanks:
Supplication:
¥ A small team is headed off to Myanmar very soon. Pray that God would use them powerfully to teach the students and to bring great blessing to them. Pray that the team would be unified and that they would work well together as they teach and preach. Pray that the students would be greatly blessed by the team’s presence in Myanmar.
¥ Pray that Christians all around the world would be ready and willing to make the most of the Christmas season in terms of reaching out and evangelising friends and family. Pray that we would see many conversions to Christ throughout the festive season. Pray specifically for 5 non-Christians in your life that you would love to see come to Christ in repentance and faith.
My Additional Prayer Points.
1/.
2/.
3/.
Saturday 10 November 2012
Saturday November 10, 2012
Read John 7:14-53
Jesus was no slouch. He utilized every opportunity to teach and present the message of the Kingdom of God. During the Feast of Tabernacles Jesus again spoke revolutionary words.
On each day of the Feast, at the start of the day a water libation (sacrificial pouring out of a liquid) was offered to the Lord as a visual prayer for rain. Shortly after dawn, again each day, the High Priest was followed by a rejoicing crowd and worshippers down to the Pool or Siloam. He carried at golden pitcher and filled it at the Pool, taking it back to the Temple.
At the same time another group would gather willow branches and bring them back to the Temple and place them over the altar to form a drooping canopy over them.
As the High Priest entered the Temple through the Water Gate (so called because of this ceremony) three trumpet blasts would sound. The Priests would recite Isaiah 12:3 - With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation. The High Priest would ascend to the altar and pour out his libation. At the proper time the people would wave branches and sing Psalm 118:25 - a messianic Psalm that gave the Feast a messianic emphasis.
On the final and greatest day of the Feast, the temple services reached a climax. The water pouring ceremony took on great significance and there was a great anticipation of rain. Everything was exaggerated on this day. There were more trumpet blasts and more laps around the altar (7 circuits as opposed to 1) and Psalm 118:25 was sung with even greater gusto. It was called the Great Hosanna. Messianic fervour was at its pitch.
It is in the midst of such celebration and high pitched fervour that Jesus interrupted the Temple service, crying out, "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. Whoever believes in NMe, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him."
What was Jesus saying? Nobody present would have missed the point of Jesus’ words. Here I am. I am Messiah. I am the answer to your prayers. I am the one who can give you true, living water so that you never thirst for salvation again. No wonder we read in vs 44 that some wanted to seize Him. He had questioned their religious authority. He had claimed to be Messiah. The religious leaders called a hasty meeting and sent the Temple guard to arrest Jesus but they returned empty handed. They were too stunned by His response to arrest Him. “No one ever spoke like this man”, they replied. Indeed no one ever did and no one has ever since.
Will you listen to Jesus? Will you come to Him to get that living water? Will you allow Jesus to baptise you in the Holy Spirit? Will you submit to His teaching? Will you let His truth set you free? Will you bow the knee and confess Him as Lord?
Prayer:
Write down your prayer points in the space provided. Use today’s reading to help you get ideas.
Adoration:
Confession:
Thanks:
Supplication:
¥ Pray that God would pour out His living water through Christ Jesus in your community/local area. Pray that you would be a vehicle of pouring out into the lives of many around you. Pray that God would be glorified in Christ through this.
¥ Pray that this weekend’s church service would bring great glory to Christ. Pray that He would be powerfully present bringing healing where necessary and needed, faith to those who don’t believe and deep maturity to those who already do believe.
My Additional Prayer Points.
1/.
2/.
3/.
Jesus was no slouch. He utilized every opportunity to teach and present the message of the Kingdom of God. During the Feast of Tabernacles Jesus again spoke revolutionary words.
On each day of the Feast, at the start of the day a water libation (sacrificial pouring out of a liquid) was offered to the Lord as a visual prayer for rain. Shortly after dawn, again each day, the High Priest was followed by a rejoicing crowd and worshippers down to the Pool or Siloam. He carried at golden pitcher and filled it at the Pool, taking it back to the Temple.
At the same time another group would gather willow branches and bring them back to the Temple and place them over the altar to form a drooping canopy over them.
As the High Priest entered the Temple through the Water Gate (so called because of this ceremony) three trumpet blasts would sound. The Priests would recite Isaiah 12:3 - With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation. The High Priest would ascend to the altar and pour out his libation. At the proper time the people would wave branches and sing Psalm 118:25 - a messianic Psalm that gave the Feast a messianic emphasis.
On the final and greatest day of the Feast, the temple services reached a climax. The water pouring ceremony took on great significance and there was a great anticipation of rain. Everything was exaggerated on this day. There were more trumpet blasts and more laps around the altar (7 circuits as opposed to 1) and Psalm 118:25 was sung with even greater gusto. It was called the Great Hosanna. Messianic fervour was at its pitch.
It is in the midst of such celebration and high pitched fervour that Jesus interrupted the Temple service, crying out, "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. Whoever believes in NMe, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him."
What was Jesus saying? Nobody present would have missed the point of Jesus’ words. Here I am. I am Messiah. I am the answer to your prayers. I am the one who can give you true, living water so that you never thirst for salvation again. No wonder we read in vs 44 that some wanted to seize Him. He had questioned their religious authority. He had claimed to be Messiah. The religious leaders called a hasty meeting and sent the Temple guard to arrest Jesus but they returned empty handed. They were too stunned by His response to arrest Him. “No one ever spoke like this man”, they replied. Indeed no one ever did and no one has ever since.
Will you listen to Jesus? Will you come to Him to get that living water? Will you allow Jesus to baptise you in the Holy Spirit? Will you submit to His teaching? Will you let His truth set you free? Will you bow the knee and confess Him as Lord?
Prayer:
Write down your prayer points in the space provided. Use today’s reading to help you get ideas.
Adoration:
Confession:
Thanks:
Supplication:
¥ Pray that God would pour out His living water through Christ Jesus in your community/local area. Pray that you would be a vehicle of pouring out into the lives of many around you. Pray that God would be glorified in Christ through this.
¥ Pray that this weekend’s church service would bring great glory to Christ. Pray that He would be powerfully present bringing healing where necessary and needed, faith to those who don’t believe and deep maturity to those who already do believe.
My Additional Prayer Points.
1/.
2/.
3/.
Friday 9 November 2012
Friday November 9, 2012
Read Matthew 17:1-9
I’ve ended up with my foot in my mouth so many times that I wonder if I don’t suffer from foot in mouth disease. Peter is often described as a rash and impetuous believer. He often puts his foot in his mouth because he speaks before he thinks. Haven’t we all have suffered from this at some point in our lives?
But Peter wasn’t being rash and thoughtless. Being a devout and zealous Jew Peter knew that the new kingdom would come and the Feast of Booths would be celebrated by all and sundry. Perhaps he was wanting to get in first and to revel in the new kingdom that he thought was about to be inaugurated. The presence of Moses and Elijah may have confirmed in his mind that this was the time for the kingdom to be inaugurated.
And as soon as Peter suggested setting up three booths - which has nothing to do with resting for the night as many suggest (as if a heavenly being needed to rest for the night) - a glory cloud envelopes them and the heavenly voice tells the disciples that Jesus is the Son of God and that they must listen to Him. They must listen to Him.
The disciples need to learn that the Kingdom comes only through the death and resurrection of Messiah. He must die on the cross for the sins of the world. He must rise from the dead and ascend to the heavenly Father. The Holy Spirit must be poured out as well before the kingdom can come in all its glory and power. There is no short cut. There is no easy road. Jesus must suffer and die before the kingdom comes.
Sometimes we may be like Peter and the other 2 disciples - unwilling to listen to Jesus and wanting to take short cuts. How often do we pray for an end to hard times or for God to bless us in the dry times. How often do we want to run straight into the blessings of God. But like Peter we need to listen to Jesus. Sometimes there are no short cuts. Sometimes we have to walk the heavy road. Sometimes we have to carry a burden. But even so, the Kingdom will come. Jesus will be glorified and all peoples will bow the knee at His Lordship.
In the midst of your narrow road you can still praise the Lord.
Prayer:
Write down your prayer points in the space provided. Use today’s reading to help you get ideas.
Adoration:
Confession:
Thanks:
Supplication:
¥ Pray that as your church gathers this weekend to meet with God that He would be powerfully present and that He would grant every single person ears that hear the Word of the Lord. Pray that the non believers would hear the call of God and turn to Jesus in repentance and faith. Pray that the believers would hear the voice of God and walk in obedience to Him.
¥ Pray that God’s work in China would continue to grow and spread. Pray that God would rise up more and more people willing to serve Him and reach out further with the good news of Christ’s death and resurrection. Pray that this would happen in Australia as well.
¥
My Additional Prayer Points.
1/.
2/.
3/.
I’ve ended up with my foot in my mouth so many times that I wonder if I don’t suffer from foot in mouth disease. Peter is often described as a rash and impetuous believer. He often puts his foot in his mouth because he speaks before he thinks. Haven’t we all have suffered from this at some point in our lives?
But Peter wasn’t being rash and thoughtless. Being a devout and zealous Jew Peter knew that the new kingdom would come and the Feast of Booths would be celebrated by all and sundry. Perhaps he was wanting to get in first and to revel in the new kingdom that he thought was about to be inaugurated. The presence of Moses and Elijah may have confirmed in his mind that this was the time for the kingdom to be inaugurated.
And as soon as Peter suggested setting up three booths - which has nothing to do with resting for the night as many suggest (as if a heavenly being needed to rest for the night) - a glory cloud envelopes them and the heavenly voice tells the disciples that Jesus is the Son of God and that they must listen to Him. They must listen to Him.
The disciples need to learn that the Kingdom comes only through the death and resurrection of Messiah. He must die on the cross for the sins of the world. He must rise from the dead and ascend to the heavenly Father. The Holy Spirit must be poured out as well before the kingdom can come in all its glory and power. There is no short cut. There is no easy road. Jesus must suffer and die before the kingdom comes.
Sometimes we may be like Peter and the other 2 disciples - unwilling to listen to Jesus and wanting to take short cuts. How often do we pray for an end to hard times or for God to bless us in the dry times. How often do we want to run straight into the blessings of God. But like Peter we need to listen to Jesus. Sometimes there are no short cuts. Sometimes we have to walk the heavy road. Sometimes we have to carry a burden. But even so, the Kingdom will come. Jesus will be glorified and all peoples will bow the knee at His Lordship.
In the midst of your narrow road you can still praise the Lord.
Prayer:
Write down your prayer points in the space provided. Use today’s reading to help you get ideas.
Adoration:
Confession:
Thanks:
Supplication:
¥ Pray that as your church gathers this weekend to meet with God that He would be powerfully present and that He would grant every single person ears that hear the Word of the Lord. Pray that the non believers would hear the call of God and turn to Jesus in repentance and faith. Pray that the believers would hear the voice of God and walk in obedience to Him.
¥ Pray that God’s work in China would continue to grow and spread. Pray that God would rise up more and more people willing to serve Him and reach out further with the good news of Christ’s death and resurrection. Pray that this would happen in Australia as well.
¥
My Additional Prayer Points.
1/.
2/.
3/.
Thursday 8 November 2012
Thursday November 8, 2012
Read Zechariah 14:6-21
It breaks my heart to think that all those who practice evil and sin and those who revel in it and call these wicked things ‘good’ have no idea what really lays ahead for them. They have believed the lie that they will never be called to account for their lives. As I think of the coming judgment of the Lord, it breaks my heart to think that these people will face the wrath of God Almighty. I wonder, if they really knew what was coming up, would it scare the hell out of them? Would they repent and turn if they could see the Lord’s anger? Would they cease their lifestyle and choices if they knew what God had in store for them?
When the Lord God returns to judge the world, there will be great distress and carnage. God will fight against the nations that fight against His people. He will punish them and gain victory over them. Zechariah reveals horrid scenes of the Lord’s punishment upon those who fight against His people - their flesh will rot while they are still alive and their eyes will rot in their sockets and their tongues will putrefy in their mouths. Their animals will suffer a similar fate. It’s horrid.
On that day there will be one King, the Lord Himself, and He will be King over the whole earth. He will rule upon His throne in Jerusalem. Living water will flow out of Jerusalem, presumably flowing to bless the other nations and peoples that survive the judgment. Amazingly, the Feast of Tabernacles is mentioned here in this “perfect kingdom”. Those who survive the day of judgment will go up to Jerusalem to worship the King, the Lord Almighty and to celebrate the Feast of Booths.
When Jesus walked around the temple during the Feast of Tabernacles (John 7:2) He picked up on this imagery of living water flowing outwards. We read:-
On the last and greatest day of the Feast, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him."
This statement by Jesus means that each person has a choice to make. They can stand under the wrath of God or they can turn to Jesus in faith and receive the streams of living water that He spoke of and of which Zechariah prophesied. You can only be in one of two camps. Either you are under the wrath of God, or you are under the blessing of God. No single person is in neutral territory!
Where do you stand with God? Where will you be on the day of judgment?
Prayer:
Write down your prayer points in the space provided. Use today’s reading to help you get ideas.
Adoration:
Confession:
Thanks:
Supplication:
¥ Pray for the work of outreach that is happening through Extreme. Each 3rd Saturday of the month people gather and bring their children to our Extreme outreach and hear the Bible taught and are encouraged to put their faith in Jesus. Pray that we would see many families come to Christ through this.
¥ Pray for the work of Student Life as they continue to seek to win disciples across the nation in our universities. Pray that God would be pouring out His Holy Spirit upon the universities and bringing transformation to many students. Pray that these new believers would be quickly integrated into local churches and utilised for further kingdom work.
My Additional Prayer Points.
1/.
2/.
3/.
It breaks my heart to think that all those who practice evil and sin and those who revel in it and call these wicked things ‘good’ have no idea what really lays ahead for them. They have believed the lie that they will never be called to account for their lives. As I think of the coming judgment of the Lord, it breaks my heart to think that these people will face the wrath of God Almighty. I wonder, if they really knew what was coming up, would it scare the hell out of them? Would they repent and turn if they could see the Lord’s anger? Would they cease their lifestyle and choices if they knew what God had in store for them?
When the Lord God returns to judge the world, there will be great distress and carnage. God will fight against the nations that fight against His people. He will punish them and gain victory over them. Zechariah reveals horrid scenes of the Lord’s punishment upon those who fight against His people - their flesh will rot while they are still alive and their eyes will rot in their sockets and their tongues will putrefy in their mouths. Their animals will suffer a similar fate. It’s horrid.
On that day there will be one King, the Lord Himself, and He will be King over the whole earth. He will rule upon His throne in Jerusalem. Living water will flow out of Jerusalem, presumably flowing to bless the other nations and peoples that survive the judgment. Amazingly, the Feast of Tabernacles is mentioned here in this “perfect kingdom”. Those who survive the day of judgment will go up to Jerusalem to worship the King, the Lord Almighty and to celebrate the Feast of Booths.
When Jesus walked around the temple during the Feast of Tabernacles (John 7:2) He picked up on this imagery of living water flowing outwards. We read:-
On the last and greatest day of the Feast, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him."
This statement by Jesus means that each person has a choice to make. They can stand under the wrath of God or they can turn to Jesus in faith and receive the streams of living water that He spoke of and of which Zechariah prophesied. You can only be in one of two camps. Either you are under the wrath of God, or you are under the blessing of God. No single person is in neutral territory!
Where do you stand with God? Where will you be on the day of judgment?
Prayer:
Write down your prayer points in the space provided. Use today’s reading to help you get ideas.
Adoration:
Confession:
Thanks:
Supplication:
¥ Pray for the work of outreach that is happening through Extreme. Each 3rd Saturday of the month people gather and bring their children to our Extreme outreach and hear the Bible taught and are encouraged to put their faith in Jesus. Pray that we would see many families come to Christ through this.
¥ Pray for the work of Student Life as they continue to seek to win disciples across the nation in our universities. Pray that God would be pouring out His Holy Spirit upon the universities and bringing transformation to many students. Pray that these new believers would be quickly integrated into local churches and utilised for further kingdom work.
My Additional Prayer Points.
1/.
2/.
3/.
Wednesday 7 November 2012
Wednesday November 7, 2012
Read Deuteronomy 16:13-16
Aussies love to party, don’t they? Any excuse is a good excuse to party! In fact I think we love it too much! When I see hoards of drunk teenagers destroying homes and lives of others and when I see the violence created by excessive alcohol consumption I wonder if we party too much.
Imagine if God commanded the nation of Australia to party! Yet that’s exactly what’s happening in the Feast of Booths. God is telling the nation of Israel to party, to celebrate, to rejoice and to be glad. But it’s not to be a binge party or drug party or anything sinful like that. This is a week long celebration in gratitude to God for His gracious and loving provision. This is to be a thanksgiving party in which God remains the centre of attention.
The feast is fascinating in that Israel is told, or more correctly commanded, to rejoice during the feast. No where else does this occur during the feasts. People laugh and rejoice when Bobby McFerrin sings his hit song ‘Don’t worry, Be Happy’ but when God commands His people to rejoice, there’s an indignation and backing off. Some people actually get their knickers in a knot at this command and list all the possible reasons for not rejoicing.
In the New Testament we are also told, or more correctly, commanded, to rejoice. In Philippians 3:1 and 4:4 we are commanded to ‘Rejoice in the Lord’. In the second occurrence Paul says ‘Rejoice in the Lord ALWAYS’. Of course we rejoice in the good times. Of course we rejoice when life is going the way we have planned. Of course we rejoice when we are well off. But God says rejoice ALWAYS!!
How can that be possible? How can God command such things? How can a grieving widow rejoice? How can a believing man who just lost his job rejoice? How can a poor person rejoice? The key is to understand that joy (the root word of rejoice) is not equal to happiness. Happiness is an emotion built on and founded on external things. When life goes well we are happy. When things go the way we planned we are happy. When they don’t, we are not happy. Joy is not equal to happiness. Joy is an immovable confidence in God, knowing that all is in His control and that He is at work to bring about His purposes no matter what circumstance my life is presently in. I can rejoice when life is good, bad or somewhere in between!
What we need to do is develop an attitude of gratitude that learns to praise God in any and every situation. We need to learn to look to God, to trust God and to know Him intimately in good and bad times. That alone will lead to joy. If nothing else, you can and should always be praising God that nothing, absolutely nothing in this life or the next can take away the salvation you have in Christ Jesus.
Prayer:
Write down your prayer points in the space provided. Use today’s reading to help you get ideas.
Adoration:
Confession:
Thanks:
Supplication:
¥ Pray that this Sonday at your local church there will be an overflowing of thanks to the Lord for what He has done for you in Christ Jesus. Pray that an attitude of gratitude would be upon all who are present. Pray that the Lord would be glorified and exalted by the praises of your congregation.
¥ Pray that there would be provision for the believers in Vietnam who are currently in jail for their faith. Pray that the other prisoners would see Christ in these men and women of faith and that they would come to Christ in repentance and faith.
My Additional Prayer Points.
1/.
2/.
3/.
Aussies love to party, don’t they? Any excuse is a good excuse to party! In fact I think we love it too much! When I see hoards of drunk teenagers destroying homes and lives of others and when I see the violence created by excessive alcohol consumption I wonder if we party too much.
Imagine if God commanded the nation of Australia to party! Yet that’s exactly what’s happening in the Feast of Booths. God is telling the nation of Israel to party, to celebrate, to rejoice and to be glad. But it’s not to be a binge party or drug party or anything sinful like that. This is a week long celebration in gratitude to God for His gracious and loving provision. This is to be a thanksgiving party in which God remains the centre of attention.
The feast is fascinating in that Israel is told, or more correctly commanded, to rejoice during the feast. No where else does this occur during the feasts. People laugh and rejoice when Bobby McFerrin sings his hit song ‘Don’t worry, Be Happy’ but when God commands His people to rejoice, there’s an indignation and backing off. Some people actually get their knickers in a knot at this command and list all the possible reasons for not rejoicing.
In the New Testament we are also told, or more correctly, commanded, to rejoice. In Philippians 3:1 and 4:4 we are commanded to ‘Rejoice in the Lord’. In the second occurrence Paul says ‘Rejoice in the Lord ALWAYS’. Of course we rejoice in the good times. Of course we rejoice when life is going the way we have planned. Of course we rejoice when we are well off. But God says rejoice ALWAYS!!
How can that be possible? How can God command such things? How can a grieving widow rejoice? How can a believing man who just lost his job rejoice? How can a poor person rejoice? The key is to understand that joy (the root word of rejoice) is not equal to happiness. Happiness is an emotion built on and founded on external things. When life goes well we are happy. When things go the way we planned we are happy. When they don’t, we are not happy. Joy is not equal to happiness. Joy is an immovable confidence in God, knowing that all is in His control and that He is at work to bring about His purposes no matter what circumstance my life is presently in. I can rejoice when life is good, bad or somewhere in between!
What we need to do is develop an attitude of gratitude that learns to praise God in any and every situation. We need to learn to look to God, to trust God and to know Him intimately in good and bad times. That alone will lead to joy. If nothing else, you can and should always be praising God that nothing, absolutely nothing in this life or the next can take away the salvation you have in Christ Jesus.
Prayer:
Write down your prayer points in the space provided. Use today’s reading to help you get ideas.
Adoration:
Confession:
Thanks:
Supplication:
¥ Pray that this Sonday at your local church there will be an overflowing of thanks to the Lord for what He has done for you in Christ Jesus. Pray that an attitude of gratitude would be upon all who are present. Pray that the Lord would be glorified and exalted by the praises of your congregation.
¥ Pray that there would be provision for the believers in Vietnam who are currently in jail for their faith. Pray that the other prisoners would see Christ in these men and women of faith and that they would come to Christ in repentance and faith.
My Additional Prayer Points.
1/.
2/.
3/.
Tuesday 6 November 2012
Tuesday November 6, 2012
Read Leviticus 23:42-44
Aussies love to go out bush. Every Christmas and Easter letterboxes are filled with catalogues from outdoor and camping shops catering for the thousands upon thousands who love to get out for the weekend and enjoy the Great Outdoors. It’s so popular that a show ‘The Great Outdoors’ has aired for many years now.
But the Israelite's weren’t too keen on going bush. They didn’t have a love of the outdoors and going into the wild as we do. They preferred much more civilised houses and homes. But even so, they were told, or more correctly commanded, to camp out in booths for the week in memory of the way that God led His people through the wilderness for 40 years and provided daily for their needs.
The Feast of Booths, or Ingathering lasted from the 15th day to the 21st day of Tishri which corresponds to our September-October. During this feast the people were to live in simple booths made from branches and cloth and they were to rejoice in the goodness of God and in His daily provision. They recalled and experienced to some degree what it meant for that initial generation to spend 40 years in the wilderness, marching towards the Promised Land.
On the first day of the feast each Israelite was to take fruit from the trees, palm fronds, leafy branches, and poplars (23:39–40a). Although not explicitly stated in the text, we should assume that the branches from these trees would be used for the making of their wooden booths. The booths were a simple, three sided shelter. Throughout the history of Israel we see that they also waved the branches of palm, myrtle, willow and citron towards the four corners of the earth acknowledging that God is the Sovereign Lord of all the earth. They would also recite the Hallel (as in Hallelujah) Psalms (Ps 113-118) as they spent the week in their booths.
How often do you and I rejoice in the Lord’s provision? How often do we take time to think about God and the way that He has blessed us and provided for us? How often do we take the time to rejoice in God? Let me encourage you to make time to praise and thank God for His provision each and every single day. Develop an attitude of gratitude for what God has given you. Learn to count your blessings each and every single day.
Prayer:
Write down your prayer points in the space provided. Use today’s reading to help you get ideas.
Adoration:
Confession:
Thanks:
Supplication:
¥ Pray that God would provide for Straight Talk Australia and use them powerfully to bring the light of Christ to many students. Pray for open doors in various schools around the country. Pray that God would uphold and strengthen Jim and Faye in this vital ministry.
¥ Pray for the work of Shiloh Church Ministries in India. Pray that God would bless their work and provide for their daily needs.
My Additional Prayer Points.
1/.
2/.
3/.
Aussies love to go out bush. Every Christmas and Easter letterboxes are filled with catalogues from outdoor and camping shops catering for the thousands upon thousands who love to get out for the weekend and enjoy the Great Outdoors. It’s so popular that a show ‘The Great Outdoors’ has aired for many years now.
But the Israelite's weren’t too keen on going bush. They didn’t have a love of the outdoors and going into the wild as we do. They preferred much more civilised houses and homes. But even so, they were told, or more correctly commanded, to camp out in booths for the week in memory of the way that God led His people through the wilderness for 40 years and provided daily for their needs.
The Feast of Booths, or Ingathering lasted from the 15th day to the 21st day of Tishri which corresponds to our September-October. During this feast the people were to live in simple booths made from branches and cloth and they were to rejoice in the goodness of God and in His daily provision. They recalled and experienced to some degree what it meant for that initial generation to spend 40 years in the wilderness, marching towards the Promised Land.
On the first day of the feast each Israelite was to take fruit from the trees, palm fronds, leafy branches, and poplars (23:39–40a). Although not explicitly stated in the text, we should assume that the branches from these trees would be used for the making of their wooden booths. The booths were a simple, three sided shelter. Throughout the history of Israel we see that they also waved the branches of palm, myrtle, willow and citron towards the four corners of the earth acknowledging that God is the Sovereign Lord of all the earth. They would also recite the Hallel (as in Hallelujah) Psalms (Ps 113-118) as they spent the week in their booths.
How often do you and I rejoice in the Lord’s provision? How often do we take time to think about God and the way that He has blessed us and provided for us? How often do we take the time to rejoice in God? Let me encourage you to make time to praise and thank God for His provision each and every single day. Develop an attitude of gratitude for what God has given you. Learn to count your blessings each and every single day.
Prayer:
Write down your prayer points in the space provided. Use today’s reading to help you get ideas.
Adoration:
Confession:
Thanks:
Supplication:
¥ Pray that God would provide for Straight Talk Australia and use them powerfully to bring the light of Christ to many students. Pray for open doors in various schools around the country. Pray that God would uphold and strengthen Jim and Faye in this vital ministry.
¥ Pray for the work of Shiloh Church Ministries in India. Pray that God would bless their work and provide for their daily needs.
My Additional Prayer Points.
1/.
2/.
3/.
Monday 5 November 2012
Monday November 5, 2012
Weekly Challenge
At every meal you have this week, resolve to praise God and thank God for all His blessings and provisions. Try to praise God before every single meal this week.
Read Leviticus 23-34-36
Each year we look forward to Christmas. It’s not always in anticipation of celebrating Messiah’s birth either. The world stops at Christmas time and starts to celebrate. This celebrating and rejoicing has much in common with the Feast of Booths.
The final feast mentioned in Leviticus 23 is the Feast of Booths or Tabernacles, as it’s sometimes called. It’s a harvest festival also called the Feast of the Ingathering. It’s referred to in Hebrew as z’man simkhateinu - the season of our rejoicing. Seven days of continual rejoicing are followed by an 8th day solemn assembly.
The Feast of Booths became the culmination of the Biblical calendar because of its position at the end of the year and the final feast in much the same way that Christmas has become the culmination of the year for many westerners (though many don’t celebrate the birth of Messiah, they still celebrate and look forward to this time of year). By the time King Solomon ascended to the throne the Feast of Booths had simply become known as The Feast. See 1 Kings 8:2, 65.
As a harvest festival where crops were gathered in, it’s understandable that this festival reminds people of God’s wonderful provision for their lives and prophetically points forward to the end time harvest where God will gather in the people and provide eternally for them. Stay tuned for more throughout the week.
Prayer:
Write down your prayer points in the space provided. Use today’s reading to help you get ideas.
Adoration:
Confession:
Thanks:
Supplication:
¥ Pray that God would be leading and guiding the leadership in your congregation. Pray for the Session, the Committee of Management and other groups or committees that lead. Pray for each one specifically.
¥ Pray that God would make fellowship in your church this week so rich and so powerful that others are drawn into Christ and non believers willingly confess Jesus as their Lord and Saviour.
My Additional Prayer Points.
1/.
2/.
3/.
At every meal you have this week, resolve to praise God and thank God for all His blessings and provisions. Try to praise God before every single meal this week.
Read Leviticus 23-34-36
Each year we look forward to Christmas. It’s not always in anticipation of celebrating Messiah’s birth either. The world stops at Christmas time and starts to celebrate. This celebrating and rejoicing has much in common with the Feast of Booths.
The final feast mentioned in Leviticus 23 is the Feast of Booths or Tabernacles, as it’s sometimes called. It’s a harvest festival also called the Feast of the Ingathering. It’s referred to in Hebrew as z’man simkhateinu - the season of our rejoicing. Seven days of continual rejoicing are followed by an 8th day solemn assembly.
The Feast of Booths became the culmination of the Biblical calendar because of its position at the end of the year and the final feast in much the same way that Christmas has become the culmination of the year for many westerners (though many don’t celebrate the birth of Messiah, they still celebrate and look forward to this time of year). By the time King Solomon ascended to the throne the Feast of Booths had simply become known as The Feast. See 1 Kings 8:2, 65.
As a harvest festival where crops were gathered in, it’s understandable that this festival reminds people of God’s wonderful provision for their lives and prophetically points forward to the end time harvest where God will gather in the people and provide eternally for them. Stay tuned for more throughout the week.
Prayer:
Write down your prayer points in the space provided. Use today’s reading to help you get ideas.
Adoration:
Confession:
Thanks:
Supplication:
¥ Pray that God would be leading and guiding the leadership in your congregation. Pray for the Session, the Committee of Management and other groups or committees that lead. Pray for each one specifically.
¥ Pray that God would make fellowship in your church this week so rich and so powerful that others are drawn into Christ and non believers willingly confess Jesus as their Lord and Saviour.
My Additional Prayer Points.
1/.
2/.
3/.
Saturday 3 November 2012
Saturday November 3, 2012
Read Hebrews 10:19-25
;
We’re losing respect in the western world at a large rate of knots. Women are not respected. Even though we’ve had a feminist revolution and a desperate grab at sexual equality, women are increasingly being portrayed as sex objects and meat to please men. Parents are not respected. Children are rebelling against parental authority at younger ages. The elderly are not respected. More and more we are seeing them attacked, robbed, beaten up and sometimes even sexually assaulted. God is not respected in any sense as more and more people seek to remove the name and Word of God from any public place. Respect is dying.
;
Yet when we look to the Old Testament people of God, we see that they had an incredible respect for God. They would not even pronounce the Hebrew name, Yahweh (given to Moses as the personal name of God in Exodus) but would say, ‘Adonai’ or ‘Lord’ as a respectful substitute. They stood in awe outside the temple not daring to enter into the sanctuary, let alone the inner sanctuary where God Himself dwelt.
;
Sometimes I wonder if the awe and wonder of Hebrews 10:19 is lost on us because our lack of respect. Older folk may know something of what it means to stand in the presence of a great person, a king or a queen but we’ve lost that sense of awe and respect. Jesus has made it possible for you and I to enter into the inner sanctuary where God dwells. We can venture into the Most Holy Place where only 1 man in Israel could enter into and only once per year after much sacrifice for sins. Jesus has made it possible for you and I to stand before the living God, our Creator, the one who made atoms and astronomical wonders. We can approach the God who resembles a towering inferno.
;
Such an awe inspiring privilege has consequences and implications for our lives. Reread today’s passage and see if you can work out how this awesome privilege should change our lives. There are five implications - two relating to God and three relating to each other. See if you can find them in today’s passage.
;
Relating to God
1/.
;
2/.
;
Relating to Each Other
1/.
;
2/.
;
3/.
Now that you’ve found them, think about how you might be doing each one.
;
Prayer:
Write down your prayer points in the space provided. Use today’s reading to help you get ideas.
;
Adoration:
;
;
Confession:
;
;
Thanks:
;
Supplication:
¥ Pray that God would be leading and guiding the leadership in your congregation. Pray for the Session, the Committee of Management and other groups or committees that lead. Pray for each one specifically.
¥ Pray that God would make fellowship in your church this week so rich and so powerful that others are drawn into Christ and non believers willingly confess Jesus as their Lord and Saviour.
;
My Additional Prayer Points.
1/.
;
2/.
;
3/.
;
;
;
;
;
We’re losing respect in the western world at a large rate of knots. Women are not respected. Even though we’ve had a feminist revolution and a desperate grab at sexual equality, women are increasingly being portrayed as sex objects and meat to please men. Parents are not respected. Children are rebelling against parental authority at younger ages. The elderly are not respected. More and more we are seeing them attacked, robbed, beaten up and sometimes even sexually assaulted. God is not respected in any sense as more and more people seek to remove the name and Word of God from any public place. Respect is dying.
;
Yet when we look to the Old Testament people of God, we see that they had an incredible respect for God. They would not even pronounce the Hebrew name, Yahweh (given to Moses as the personal name of God in Exodus) but would say, ‘Adonai’ or ‘Lord’ as a respectful substitute. They stood in awe outside the temple not daring to enter into the sanctuary, let alone the inner sanctuary where God Himself dwelt.
;
Sometimes I wonder if the awe and wonder of Hebrews 10:19 is lost on us because our lack of respect. Older folk may know something of what it means to stand in the presence of a great person, a king or a queen but we’ve lost that sense of awe and respect. Jesus has made it possible for you and I to enter into the inner sanctuary where God dwells. We can venture into the Most Holy Place where only 1 man in Israel could enter into and only once per year after much sacrifice for sins. Jesus has made it possible for you and I to stand before the living God, our Creator, the one who made atoms and astronomical wonders. We can approach the God who resembles a towering inferno.
;
Such an awe inspiring privilege has consequences and implications for our lives. Reread today’s passage and see if you can work out how this awesome privilege should change our lives. There are five implications - two relating to God and three relating to each other. See if you can find them in today’s passage.
;
Relating to God
1/.
;
2/.
;
Relating to Each Other
1/.
;
2/.
;
3/.
Now that you’ve found them, think about how you might be doing each one.
;
Prayer:
Write down your prayer points in the space provided. Use today’s reading to help you get ideas.
;
Adoration:
;
;
Confession:
;
;
Thanks:
;
Supplication:
¥ Pray that God would be leading and guiding the leadership in your congregation. Pray for the Session, the Committee of Management and other groups or committees that lead. Pray for each one specifically.
¥ Pray that God would make fellowship in your church this week so rich and so powerful that others are drawn into Christ and non believers willingly confess Jesus as their Lord and Saviour.
;
My Additional Prayer Points.
1/.
;
2/.
;
3/.
;
;
;
;
Friday 2 November 2012
Friday November 2, 2012
Read Hebrews 10:12-18
GRACE is hard to wrap our puny minds around. It’s hard to deal with. It’s well illustrated by that American food company that produced what has been called the best tasting cake in history. But it proved to be a sales flop!! Why? Because the recipe only called for adding water and nothing else. People, it seems, want to be able to put in, to help out, to be active. Adding an egg or two and some milk and so on makes people feel better because they contributed something. We’re like that with GRACE. It’s hard to accept GRACE. We want to be able to put in, to help out and to contribute in some way, shape or form.
Yet it’s by GRACE that Jesus offered Himself as the once for all sacrifice. It’s by GRACE that God writes His Word, His law on our hearts. It’s by GRACE that God chooses to not remember our sins and to not punish us as we justly deserve. It’s by GRACE that God chooses to call us saints not sinners. It’s by GRACE that we are forgiven and need not offer any sacrifice for our sins.
It’s only when we experience that GRACE in our hearts that we will truly change and over come sin in our lives—be it the sin of self hatred or the sin of some addiction that has wrapped its tentacles around our heart. When we understand GRACE we come to realise and know that we can do nothing to free ourselves and to make ourselves acceptable to God. We realise and know deep in ourselves that in and of ourselves we are damnable in God’s presence. But we don’t dwell on the negative! We realise and accept and experience the truth of the gospel of GRACE. Jesus died and rose again for me, just as I am. Jesus suffered and died, accursed by God for me in my sinful state.
When we understand GRACE it’s understandable that we weep tears of agony at our sinfulness but also weep tears of joy at God’s love. When we experience GRACE we sing with joy in our hearts and dance with delight because some one has dared to love us. Someone has seen the rot, the darkness, the sinful core of my being and still loves me! Even more so, this someone has seen me to my core and loves me enough to do something about it. This someone hasn’t left me in my miserable state. He has conquered my heart. He has stolen my heart to himself. He has renewed me and made me perfect forever. He has done the impossible. If you’re not weeping tears of joy, please slap yourself into reality!!!
Prayer:
Write down your prayer points in the space provided. Use today’s reading to help you get ideas.
Adoration:
Confession:
Thanks:
Supplication:
¥ Pray that God would provide for the needs of the Reformed Bible College in Myanmar. Pray that the students and staff would be blessed with all the needed resources so that they can focus on learning, growing and reaching the world for Christ.
¥ Pray that the students who work in churches over the weekends would preach the Word powerfully and fearlessly. Pray that the Holy Spirit would work powerfully through the preached Word to grow the disciples and to bring many into the kingdom.
My Additional Prayer Points.
1/.
2/.
3/.
GRACE is hard to wrap our puny minds around. It’s hard to deal with. It’s well illustrated by that American food company that produced what has been called the best tasting cake in history. But it proved to be a sales flop!! Why? Because the recipe only called for adding water and nothing else. People, it seems, want to be able to put in, to help out, to be active. Adding an egg or two and some milk and so on makes people feel better because they contributed something. We’re like that with GRACE. It’s hard to accept GRACE. We want to be able to put in, to help out and to contribute in some way, shape or form.
Yet it’s by GRACE that Jesus offered Himself as the once for all sacrifice. It’s by GRACE that God writes His Word, His law on our hearts. It’s by GRACE that God chooses to not remember our sins and to not punish us as we justly deserve. It’s by GRACE that God chooses to call us saints not sinners. It’s by GRACE that we are forgiven and need not offer any sacrifice for our sins.
It’s only when we experience that GRACE in our hearts that we will truly change and over come sin in our lives—be it the sin of self hatred or the sin of some addiction that has wrapped its tentacles around our heart. When we understand GRACE we come to realise and know that we can do nothing to free ourselves and to make ourselves acceptable to God. We realise and know deep in ourselves that in and of ourselves we are damnable in God’s presence. But we don’t dwell on the negative! We realise and accept and experience the truth of the gospel of GRACE. Jesus died and rose again for me, just as I am. Jesus suffered and died, accursed by God for me in my sinful state.
When we understand GRACE it’s understandable that we weep tears of agony at our sinfulness but also weep tears of joy at God’s love. When we experience GRACE we sing with joy in our hearts and dance with delight because some one has dared to love us. Someone has seen the rot, the darkness, the sinful core of my being and still loves me! Even more so, this someone has seen me to my core and loves me enough to do something about it. This someone hasn’t left me in my miserable state. He has conquered my heart. He has stolen my heart to himself. He has renewed me and made me perfect forever. He has done the impossible. If you’re not weeping tears of joy, please slap yourself into reality!!!
Prayer:
Write down your prayer points in the space provided. Use today’s reading to help you get ideas.
Adoration:
Confession:
Thanks:
Supplication:
¥ Pray that God would provide for the needs of the Reformed Bible College in Myanmar. Pray that the students and staff would be blessed with all the needed resources so that they can focus on learning, growing and reaching the world for Christ.
¥ Pray that the students who work in churches over the weekends would preach the Word powerfully and fearlessly. Pray that the Holy Spirit would work powerfully through the preached Word to grow the disciples and to bring many into the kingdom.
My Additional Prayer Points.
1/.
2/.
3/.
Thursday 1 November 2012
Thursday November 1, 2012
Read Hebrews 9:7-15
A lot of Christians find it easy to forgive others but it hard, if not virtually impossible to forgive themselves! Are you in that group? Do you berate yourself and beat yourself up over some past mistake or sin that you committed? Do you hate yourself? Some believers hate themselves so much that they cut themselves or destroy their bodies by unhealthy binging or causing themselves to vomit after eating.
Wholeness and healing is found only in Jesus Christ. In the old system the High Priest would enter the inner room of the temple and seek forgiveness for the people of God. This was looking forward to the coming of Christ who is the true High Priest who alone can enter heaven (the true temple) on our behalf. He enters through His own blood, the blood of the perfect sacrifice, not the blood of goats and calves and lambs.
It is only the blood of the perfect ‘God-man’ that can clear and cleanse your conscience and put your mind at ease with perfect peace. Each one of us needs to come to that realisation that no matter how heinous or sinful our past deeds were, the blood of Christ has obtained for us eternal redemption. The sacrifices offered year after year could not cleanse the conscience of the worshipper but the blood of Christ could, and does!
Think of the Apostle Paul. Before he was a Christian he was a Christian-hating murderer. He was a violent man and a blasphemer. He dedicated his life to destroying the church, to wiping the name of Jesus off the face of the earth. Even so, he identified with and trusted in Jesus and His perfect sacrifice. He was washed clean by Jesus. And rather than hating himself, rather than berating himself, rather than beating himself up, he wrote for us these freeing words.
I care very little if I am judged by you or by any human court; indeed, I do not even judge myself.
Read the underlined bit again. Paul refused to judge himself. He refused to hate himself. He refused to condemn himself! He left that to God.
You too can be freed from self condemnation. Through the blood of Jesus you have permission to love yourself, to like yourself and to be at peace. You have permission to be happy. Jesus has redeemed you. He has freed you. Refuse to hate that which Jesus loves so preciously.
Prayer:
Write down your prayer points in the space provided. Use today’s reading to help you get ideas.
Adoration:
Confession:
Thanks:
Supplication:
¥ Pray that God would provide for the needs of the Reformed Bible College in Myanmar. Pray that the students and staff would be blessed with all the needed resources so that they can focus on learning, growing and reaching the world for Christ.
¥ Pray that the students who work in churches over the weekends would preach the Word powerfully and fearlessly. Pray that the Holy Spirit would work powerfully through the preached Word to grow the disciples and to bring many into the kingdom.
My Additional Prayer Points.
1/.
2/.
3/.
A lot of Christians find it easy to forgive others but it hard, if not virtually impossible to forgive themselves! Are you in that group? Do you berate yourself and beat yourself up over some past mistake or sin that you committed? Do you hate yourself? Some believers hate themselves so much that they cut themselves or destroy their bodies by unhealthy binging or causing themselves to vomit after eating.
Wholeness and healing is found only in Jesus Christ. In the old system the High Priest would enter the inner room of the temple and seek forgiveness for the people of God. This was looking forward to the coming of Christ who is the true High Priest who alone can enter heaven (the true temple) on our behalf. He enters through His own blood, the blood of the perfect sacrifice, not the blood of goats and calves and lambs.
It is only the blood of the perfect ‘God-man’ that can clear and cleanse your conscience and put your mind at ease with perfect peace. Each one of us needs to come to that realisation that no matter how heinous or sinful our past deeds were, the blood of Christ has obtained for us eternal redemption. The sacrifices offered year after year could not cleanse the conscience of the worshipper but the blood of Christ could, and does!
Think of the Apostle Paul. Before he was a Christian he was a Christian-hating murderer. He was a violent man and a blasphemer. He dedicated his life to destroying the church, to wiping the name of Jesus off the face of the earth. Even so, he identified with and trusted in Jesus and His perfect sacrifice. He was washed clean by Jesus. And rather than hating himself, rather than berating himself, rather than beating himself up, he wrote for us these freeing words.
I care very little if I am judged by you or by any human court; indeed, I do not even judge myself.
Read the underlined bit again. Paul refused to judge himself. He refused to hate himself. He refused to condemn himself! He left that to God.
You too can be freed from self condemnation. Through the blood of Jesus you have permission to love yourself, to like yourself and to be at peace. You have permission to be happy. Jesus has redeemed you. He has freed you. Refuse to hate that which Jesus loves so preciously.
Prayer:
Write down your prayer points in the space provided. Use today’s reading to help you get ideas.
Adoration:
Confession:
Thanks:
Supplication:
¥ Pray that God would provide for the needs of the Reformed Bible College in Myanmar. Pray that the students and staff would be blessed with all the needed resources so that they can focus on learning, growing and reaching the world for Christ.
¥ Pray that the students who work in churches over the weekends would preach the Word powerfully and fearlessly. Pray that the Holy Spirit would work powerfully through the preached Word to grow the disciples and to bring many into the kingdom.
My Additional Prayer Points.
1/.
2/.
3/.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)