Do Not Be Unbelieving But Believing

Do not be unbelieving, but believing - John 20:27.

                        Thomas had unbelief as he told that unless he sees the nail marks in Jesus’ hands and put his hands where His nails were, he will not believe when other disciples told that they saw Jesus. Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe.”And after eight days His disciples were again inside, and Thomas with them. Jesus came, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, “Peace to you!” Then He said to Thomas, “Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing.” - John 20:25-27.

                           Jesus told Thomas to not be unbelieving but believing as blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed. And Thomas answered and said to Him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” - John 20:28,29. Everything is possible for one who believes - Mark 9:23. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned - Mark 16:16.

                   Let us not be unbelieving but believing as an unbelieving heart is sinful and turns us away from God. See to it, brothers and sisters, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness - Hebrews 3:12,13. 

                                                                                                 

PRAYER: Dear Lord, Let us not be unbelieving but believing. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen. 

Not My Will But Yours Be Done

Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done - Luke 22:42.

Jesus did the will of God

               Jesus prayed in the garden of Gethsemane for the will of Father to be done in His life. He came down to earth and did the will of Father who sent Him. For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me - John 6:38. Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work - John 4:34.        

Do the will of God   

             God wants us to do His will to enter the kingdom of heaven. Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven - Mathew 7:21. Teach me to do your will, for you are my God - Psalm 143:10. Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us - 1John 5:14,15. Make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen - Hebrews 13:21.  

                Let us give ourselves to God and pray for His will to be done in our life. Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God - this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is - his good, pleasing and perfect will - Romans 12:1,2.                                                                            

PRAYER: Dear Lord, We give ourselves to You. Let your will be done in our life and not ours. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.

Prayer & Fasting

However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting - Matthew 17:20,21.

Jesus healed a demon-possessed boy

           And when they had come to the multitude, a man came to Him, kneeling down to Him and saying, “Lord, have mercy on my son, for he is an epileptic and suffers severely; for he often falls into the fire and often into the water. So I brought him to Your disciples, but they could not cure him.” Then Jesus answered and said, “O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I bear with you? Bring him here to Me.” And Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of him; and the child was cured from that very hour - Matthew 17:14-19. 

Except by prayer and fasting

           Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, “Why could we not cast it out?”. So Jesus said to them, “Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you. However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.” - Matthew 17:20,21.

Prayer

         Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful - Colossians 4:2. Pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests - Ephesians 6:18. Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know - Jeremiah 33:3. Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me - Psalm 50:15. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you - Jeremiah 29:12. The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth - Psalm 145:18.

Fasting

               I humbled myself with fasting - Psalm 35:13. Then I set my face toward the Lord God to make request by prayer and supplications, with fasting, sackcloth, and ashes - Daniel 9:3. But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so that you do not appear to men to be fasting, but to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly - Mathew 6:17, 18. 

                                                                                         

                                                                      

PRAYER: Dear Lord, Let us devote ourselves to prayer and fasting. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen. 

Never Be Lazy But Work Hard And Serve The Lord Enthusiastically

 Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically  - Romans 12:11. 

Never be lazy

Poverty

Lazy hands make for poverty, but diligent hands bring wealth - Proverbs 10:4. The soul of a lazy man desires, and has nothing; But the soul of the diligent shall be made rich - Proverbs 13:4. I went by the field of the lazy man, And by the vineyard of the man devoid of understanding; And there it was, all overgrown with thorns; Its surface was covered with nettles; Its stone wall was broken down.  When I saw it, I considered it well; I looked on it and received instruction: A little sleep, a little slumber, A little folding of the hands to rest; So shall your poverty come like a prowler, And your need like an armed man - Proverbs 24:30-34. Because of laziness the building decays, And through idleness of hands the house leaks - Ecclesiastes 10:18. 

Learn from ant

Go to the ant, you sluggard! Consider her ways and be wise, Which, having no captain, Overseer or ruler,  Provides her supplies in the summer, And gathers her food in the harvest - Proverbs 6:6-8. Ants are creatures of little strength, yet they store up their food in the summer - Proverbs 20:25.

Rise from sleep

Do not love sleep or you will grow poor; stay awake and you will have food to spare - Proverbs 20:13. How long will you slumber, O sluggard? When will you rise from your sleep? A little sleep, a little slumber, A little folding of the hands to sleep— So shall your poverty come on you like a prowler, And your need like an armed man - Proverbs 6:9-11. The lazy man says, “There is a lion in the road! A fierce lion is in the streets!” As a door turns on its hinges, So does the lazy man on his bed. The lazy man buries his hand in the bowl; It wearies him to bring it back to his mouth. The lazy man is wiser in his own eyes Than seven men who can answer sensibly - Proverbs 26:13-16. Laziness brings on deep sleep, and the shiftless go hungry - Proverbs 19:15.  

                                                                              Work hard

Work with your own hands

For even when we were with you, we would give you this command: If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat. For we hear that some among you walk in idleness, not busy at work, but busybodies. Now such persons we command and encourage in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living - 2 Thessalonians 3:10-12. But we urge you, brethren, that you increase more and more; that you also aspire to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you, that you may walk properly toward those who are outside, and that you may lack nothing - 1 Thessalonians 4:10-12.

Do the best

Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might - Ecclesiastes 9:10. Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men - Colossians 3:23. Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established - Proverbs 16:3. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him - Colossians 3:17. Diligent hands will rule, but laziness ends in forced labor - Proverbs 12:24. 

                                                                                   Serve the Lord enthusiastically

Serve the Lord enthusiastically 

Serve the LORD with gladness; Come before His presence with singing - Psalm 100:3. Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain - 1 Corinthians 15:58.

We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised - Hebrews 6:12.

PRAYER: Dear Lord, Let us not be lazy but work hard and do our best in all we do and serve You  enthusiastically. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen. 

Give to The Poor

He who gives to the poor will not lack, But he who hides his eyes will have many curses - Proverbs 28:27.

                An young man asked Jesus what good thing he must do to get eternal life and when Jesus told to sell his possessions and give the money to the poor to be perfect, he went away sad not obeying Him. He cared more about himself than giving money to the poor, and he loved his money more than God. Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth - Matthew 19:21, 22.

Where our treasure is, there our heart will be also

              Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will never fail, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also - Luke 12:33-34.

Do not put hope in uncertain wealth but put hope in God

              Instead of trusting our uncertain riches, let us put our hope in God who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment - 1Timothy 6:17.

                     Let us trust God who richly provides us everything and give to the poor. Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will reward them for what they have done - Proverbs 19:17. Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you - Matthew 6:33.

                                                                                                         

PRAYER: Dear Lord, Let us not trust our uncertain wealth but seek You first, put trust in You and give to the poor. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.

He Is Able To Help Us As He Himself Suffered When He Was Tempted

  Because He himself suffered when he was tempted, He is able to help those who are being tempted - Hebrews 2:18.

God is mindful of us and takes care of us

               God helps us as He is mindful of us and takes care of us. What is man that You are mindful of him, Or the son of man that You take care of him? You have made him a little lower than the angels; You have crowned him with glory and honor, And set him over the works of Your hands. You have put all things in subjection under his feet - Hebrews 2:6-8.

No fear as God is our Helper 

             There is no fear as God Himself who had suffered when tempted is able to help us in all situations. Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand - Isaiah 41:10. God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble - Psalm 46:1. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” So we may boldly say: “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?” - Hebrews 13:5,6.

Way of escape

               God helps us by providing a way of escape for us when tempted. No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it - 1 Corinthians 10:13.

Helps us in our weaknesses

                God the Spirit helps us in our weaknesses. Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose - Romans 8:26–28.

With confidence draw near to the throne of grace to receive help

               With confidence we can draw near to the throne of grace to receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need as Jesus has been tempted in every respect as we are. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need - Hebrews 4:15-16.

               Let us thank and praise God our Helper who is able to help us in all our situations. The Lord is my strength and my shield; My heart trusted in Him, and I am helped; Therefore my heart greatly rejoices, And with my song I will praise Him - Psalm 28:7. Our help is in the name of the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth - Psalm 124:8. Happy is he who has the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the Lord his God - Psalm 146:5.      

                                                                             

PRAYER: Dear Lord, You are our Helper. We thank You for helping us. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.

Joy

                          But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace,                          longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control - Galatians 5:22.

In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore - Psalm 16:11.

Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, O righteous, and shout for joy, all you upright in heart! - Psalm 32:11. 

Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! - Philippians 4:4.

Rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory - 1 Peter 1:8.

Surely this is our God; we trusted in him, and he saved us. This is the Lord, we trusted in him;  let us rejoice and be glad in his salvation - Psalm 25:9. 

The joy of the Lord is your strength - Nehemiah 8:10.

My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials - James 1:2.

A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones - Proverbs 17:22.

And Your word was to me the joy and rejoicing of my heart - Jeremiah 15:16. 

But let all those rejoice who put their trust in You; Let them ever shout for joy, because You defend them; Let those also who love Your name Be joyful in You - Psalm 5:11. 

In Him does our heart rejoice, because we have trusted in His Holy Name - Psalm 31:21.

Rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer - Romans 12:12.

The joy of the Lord is our strength. And my soul shall be joyful in the Lord; It shall rejoice in His salvation - Psalm 35:9.

This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it - Psalm 118:24.

I have set the Lord always before me; Because He is at my right hand I shall not be moved. Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoices; My flesh also will rest in hope - Psalm 16:8,9.

You have put more joy in my heart than they have when their grain and wine abound - Psalm 4:7.

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope - Romans 15:13.

Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice. Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always - Psalm 105:3-4. 

So the ransomed of the Lord shall return, And come to Zion with singing, With everlasting joy on their heads. They shall obtain joy and gladness; Sorrow and sighing shall flee away - Isaiah 51:11. 

When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dreamed. Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy. Then it was said among the nations, “The Lord has done great things for them.” The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy - Psalm 126:1-3.                                                                             

PRAYER: Fill us with joy. Let us rejoice in You always and be joyful in every circumstances. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.