The Significance of 40 In The Bible

Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry - Mathew 4:1,2.

            The 40-day period of Lent correspond to fasting of Jesus for 40 days in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1-11, Luke 4:1-13). During the flood, it rained for 40 days and 40 nights (Genesis 7:4, 12, 17; 8:6). The spies spent 40 days in the land of Canaan (Numbers 13:25; 14:34). The Israelites wandered in the wilderness for 40 years (Numbers 33:38, Deuteronomy 1:3). The three great kings Saul, David and Solomon ruled for 40 years.

         The prophet Elijah traveled for 40 days and nights to reach Horeb, the mountain of God (1 Kings 19:8). Moses was with the Lord for 40 days and nights without eating bread or drinking water on Mount Sinai to receive God’s laws (Exodus 34:28). They gained new insights in the God’s ultimate plan during the period of fasting.

          The prophet Jonah powerfully warned ancient Nineveh that destruction would come because of its many sins for forty days (Jonah 3:4). Jesus appeared 40 days to His disciples and others after resurrection. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God (Acts 1:3).

                                                              

PRAYER: Dear Lord, Teach us to number our days that we may gain a heart of wisdom. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.

Walk In Love

        Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma - Ephesians 5:1,2.

               To imitate God, we must be His beloved children and walk in His ways. David prayed in Psalm 25:4-5, “Make me know Your ways, O Lord; teach me Your paths. Lead me in Your truth and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation; for You I wait all the day.” We should also walk in love just as Christ loved us who gave Himself for us. He offered Himself as a sacrifice to God on our behalf as a fragrant aroma.

                God is love and we must walk in love to be like God. He who does not love does not know God for God is love. In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him - 1 John 4:8,9. Christ died for us while we were still sinners. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us – Romans 5:8.

                God has commanded us to love one another and we will be His disciples if we love one another. A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another - John 13:34. And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love - 2 John 1:6. Let us be the imitators of God by walking in love.

                                                                   

PRAYER: Dear Lord, Help us to walk in love just as You loved us. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.

God's Chosen Fast

Is this not the fast that I have chosen: To loose the bonds of wickedness, To undo the heavy burdens, To let the oppressed go free, and that you break every yoke? - Isaiah 58:6.

                 God’s chosen fast is to loosen the bonds of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, to let the oppressed go free and to break every yoke. God expects us to share our resources with people who are hungry, homeless and relatives who need our help. Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, And that you bring to your house the poor who are cast out; When you see the naked, that you cover him, And not hide yourself from your own flesh? - Isaiah 58:7.

             This is the fasting that matters to God. God promises light, healing, righteousness and His glorious protection for those who fast in this way. Then your light shall break forth like the morning, Your healing shall spring forth speedily, And your righteousness shall go before you; The glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard - Isaiah 58:8.

                 God will also answer our prayers, guide us continually, strengthen us and supply us continually when we help the people who are hungry. If you extend your soul to the hungry and satisfy the afflicted soul, then your light shall dawn in the darkness, and your darkness shall be as the noonday. The Lord will guide you continually, and satisfy your soul in drought, and strengthen your bones; You shall be like a watered garden, And like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail - Isaiah 58:10,11.

                                                    

PRAYER: Dear Lord, Help us to follow Your chosen fast by being mindful of other people. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.  

Ash Wednesday

Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me, and know my anxieties; And see if there is any wicked way in me, And lead me in the way everlasting - Psalm 139:23,24.

             The first day of lent is commonly called as Ash Wednesday. Lent season is the special season of 40 days before Easter. The word lent comes from the “lengthening” of daylight hours as we progress from the darkness of winter to the new light of spring. Lent is a time to evaluate ourselves in light of God’s Word and to walk closer with God in prayer and fasting.

              The 40 days of Lent represent the forty days and nights that Jesus fasted before He began His ministry on earth. Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted there by the devil. For forty days and forty nights He fasted and became very hungry - Matthew 4:1, 2. After fasting, Jesus overcame the temptations of Satan successfully and did His ministries mightily.

            Let us return to the Lord with a pure heart in prayer and fasting. Now, therefore,” says the Lord, “Turn to Me with all your heart, With fasting, with weeping, and with mourning. So, rend your heart, and not your garments; Return to the Lord your God, For He is gracious and merciful, Slow to anger, and of great kindness - Joel 2:12, 13. Be reconciled to God - 2 Corinthians 5:20.

                                                                

PRAYER: Dear Lord, We thank You for the gift of this lent season. Help us to walk with You on our journey throughout the season of lent. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.

God of Breakthrough

The Lord says, “I will give you back what you lost to the swarming locusts, the hopping locusts, the stripping locusts, and the cutting locusts” - Joel 2:25.

                  Our God is the master of breakthrough. God delivered Philistines into the hands of David and so David called that place Baal Perazim which means “Master of breakthroughs”.  So David went to Baal Perazim, and David defeated them there; and he said, “The Lord has broken through my enemies before me, like a breakthrough of water.” Therefore he called the name of that place Baal Perazim - 2 Samuel 5 :20.

               Elijah kept praying for rain and sent his servant to see if there is a rain for seven times. Finally a breakthrough happened in the seventh time. Then he said to his servant, “Go and look out toward the sea.” The servant went and looked, then returned to Elijah and said, “I didn’t see anything.” Seven times Elijah told him to go and look. Finally, the seventh time, his servant told him, “I saw a little cloud about the size of a man’s hand rising from the sea - 1 Kings 18:42,43.

                   Let us also keep praying till we receive a breakthrough from God. God will help us to receive a divine breakthrough. He will turn all our failures into glory. As He is our God of breakthrough, He will go before us and make a way for us. He who breaks through has gone up before them; they will break through and pass the gate and go out by it. Then their king will pass on before them, the Lord at their head - Micah 2:13. The God of breakthrough lives in us.

                                                   

PRAYER: Dear Lord, You are the God of breakthrough. We believe that You will make a way in our life. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.

Do Not Worry

Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on - Mathew 6:25.

              Worry will not change anything. Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature? - Mathew 6:27. Lack of faith in God causes us to worry. Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble - Mathew 6:34.

             Our heavenly father who created everything knows all our needs and He will take care of all our needs as we are more valuable for Him. He is the Lord who daily bears all our burdens. Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens - Psalm 68:19. God has promised us that He will never leave us nor forsake us.

               Let us turn all our worries into prayer and leave everything in the hands of God. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus - Philippians 4:6,7. Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you - 1 Peter 5:7.  

                                                   

PRAYER: Dear Lord, Let us not worry about anything in our life as You care for us. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.

Rejoice In The Lord Always

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

                It is the will of God for us to rejoice always. Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you - 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18. Each day given to us is the gift from God and so let us rejoice in the Lord regardless of the circumstances of our life. This is the day the Lord has made; We will rejoice and be glad in it - Psalm 118:24. 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.

             Habakkuk says that he will rejoice in the Lord, even though things around him desolate. Though the fig tree may not blossom, Nor fruit be on the vines; Though the labor of the olive may fail, And the fields yield no food; Though the flock may be cut off from the fold, And there be no herd in the stalls - Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation - Habakkuk 3:17,18. Our joy can be found in Christ alone.

               Though Paul went through various trials, he says us to rejoice in the Lord always from prison. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength – Philippians 12:13. Nothing can separate us from God’s love and so let us rejoice in the Lord always.

                                                       

PRAYER: Dear Lord, Help us to rejoice in You and be glad no matter what happens around us. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.

Living In Unity

           How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity - Psalm 133:1.

             Living together in unity is like oil poured on Aaron’s head and like the dew of Hermon falling on Mount Zion. God’s blessings flow down to us when we live in unity. How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity. It is like precious oil poured on the head, running down on the beard, running down on Aaron’s beard, down on the collar of his robe. It is as if the dew of Hermon were falling on Mount Zion. For there the Lord bestows his blessing, even life forevermore - Psalm 133: 1-3.

             As God’s chosen people, let us be humble, gentle and patient. Let us also forgive one another and bear with one another in love to maintain the spirit of unity. Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.  And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity - Colossians 3:12-14. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace - Ephesians 4:2-3.

           Selfishness is a hindrance to unity. Being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others - Philippians 2:2-4. As we follow Christ, God will give us the spirit of unity to worship Him with one heart. Paul says in Romans that “Now may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be like-minded toward one another, according to Christ Jesus, that you may with one mind and one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ” - Romans 15:5-6.

                                                       

PRAYER: Dear Lord, Help us to live together in unity. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.

God's Hedge of Protection

Keep me as the apple of Your eye; Hide me under the shadow of Your wings - Psalm 17:8.

               God keeps us safe by putting His hedge of protection around us. You have hedged me behind and before, and laid Your hand upon me - Psalm 139:5. God encircles us, instructs us and keep us as the apple of His eye. He encircled him, He instructed him, He kept him as the apple of His eye - Deuteronomy 32:10. God is the wall of fire around us. For I says the Lord, will be a wall of fire all around her, and I will be the glory in her midst - Zechariah 2:5.

                As God is our refuge, nothing can enter our life to harm us. Because you have made the Lord, who is my refuge, Even the Most High, your dwelling place, No evil shall befall you, Nor shall any plague come near your dwelling; For He shall give His angels charge over you, To keep you in all your ways - Psalm 91:7-11. God sends His angels to encamp around us. The angel of the Lord encamps all around those who fear Him, and delivers them - Psalm 34:7.

            God hides us and shields us in Himself. He shall cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you shall take refuge. His truth shall be your shield and buckler. You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, nor of the arrow that flies by day, nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness, nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday - Psalm 91:4. We are very safe with God's hedge of protection as our life is hidden with Christ in God. Your life is hidden with Christ in God - Colossians 3:3.

                                                

PRAYER: Dear Lord, Keep us as the apple of Your eye and hide us under the shadow of Your wings. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.

God of Increase

You shall increase my greatness, and comfort me on every side - Psalm 71:21.

                 It is the God who gives us the increase. God increases our strength when we are weak. He gives power to the weak, and to those who have no might He increases strength - Isaiah 40:29. He increases the power of godly people. For God says, "I will break the strength of the wicked, but I will increase the power of the godly"- Psalm 75:10. He increases us and our children more and more. May the Lord give you increase more and more, You and your children. May you be blessed by the Lord, who made heaven and earth - Psalm 115:14,15.

                  Isaac continued to increase though there was a great famine in the land as the Lord blessed Him. Then Isaac sowed in that land, and reaped in the same year a hundredfold; and the Lord blessed him. The man began to prosper, and continued prospering until he became very prosperous; for he had possessions of flocks and possessions of herds and a great number of servants - Genesis 26:12-14. God blesses us, increases us and multiplies us. Now may He who supplies seed to the sower, and bread for food, supply and multiply the seed you have sown and increase the fruits of your righteousness - 2 Corinthians 9:10.

                   It is only the God who gives the increase although we do great things for God. I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase. So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase - 1 Corinthians 3:6,7. Then the earth shall yield her increase; God, our own God, shall bless us - Psalm 67:6. The Lord makes our love increase and overflow for each other. May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you - 1 Thessalonians 3:12.

                                                              

PRAYER: Dear Lord, You are the God of increase. We thank You for increasing us in every area of our life. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.

Praying In Authority

Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need - Hebrews 4:16.

                    There is power in prayer when we pray in authority. God has given us authority over all the power of enemies. Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you - Luke 10:19. We pray in Jesus’ name and speak through His authority as there is abundant power in the name of Jesus. He disarmed the spiritual rulers and authorities. He shamed them publicly by his victory over them on the cross - Colossians 2:15.

                God’s power can move the mountains in our life when we pray in authority. So Jesus answered and said to them, Have faith in God. For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says - Mark 11:22,23. And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in My name, I will do it - John 14:13,14.

                     Jesus demonstrated His authority over nature by calming a storm on the sea of Galilee. Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!” And the wind ceased and there was a great calm - Mark 4:39. Great miracles happened when Jesus commanded with authority and healed the sick people. Let us exercise our authority in prayer for God to work in a powerful way.

                                                              

PRAYER: Dear Lord, Help us to experience great miracles in our life by praying in authority. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.

Meditating God's Word

                 I will meditate on your precepts and fix my eyes on your ways - Psalm 119:15.

              God speaks to us through His living and active Word when we meditate on it. We are blessed and whatever we do will prosper when we meditate God’s word day and night. But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law, he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers - Psalm 1:2,3. Your testimonies are my delight; they are my counselors - Psalm 119:24.                 

            The word of God refreshes our soul, makes us wise, gives joy to our heart and gives light to our eyes. The law of the Lord is perfect, refreshing the soul. The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple. The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes - Psalm 19:7,8. There will be a great peace for those who love the laws of God. Great peace have those who love Your law - Psalm 119:165. 

             God’s word is the medicine to our flesh. For they are life to those who find them and health to one’s whole body - Proverbs 4:22. Let us meditate the word of God and speak them out over our life. This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success - Joshua 1:8.

                                                     

PRAYER: Dear Lord, Help us to meditate Your word day and night. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.

Fruit of The Labor

The blessing of the Lord makes one rich, And He adds no sorrow with it - Proverbs 10:22.

             When we fear and honor God and walk in His ways, we will enjoy the fruit of our own labor and blessings and prosperity will be ours. Blessed is everyone who fears the Lord, who walks in His ways. When you eat the labor of your hands, you shall be happy, and it shall be well with you - Psalm 128:1,2. It is the blessing of the Lord that makes us rich and so let us glorify God by our work. And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men - Colossians 3:23.

           It is truly a gift of God for us to be blessed with prosperity and to be happy. Here is what I have seen: It is good and fitting for one to eat and drink, and to enjoy the good of all his labor in which he toils under the sun all the days of his life which God gives him; for it is his heritage. As for every man to whom God has given riches and wealth, and given him power to eat of it, to receive his heritage and rejoice in his labor - this is the gift of God - Ecclesiastes 5:18, 19.

           It is the God who gives us the increase and the power to get wealth. And you shall remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth - Deuteronomy 8:18.  Revelation 4:11 says, “You are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power: for you have created all things, and for your pleasure they are and were created.” As we enjoy the very goodness of God’s creation, let us bring glory to God.

                                              

PRAYER: Dear Lord, You are the Lord who blesses us. We thank You for giving us the ability to enjoy the fruit of our labor. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.

Make A Joyful Shout To The Lord

Make a joyful shout to the Lord, all you lands! Serve the Lord with gladness; Come before His presence with singing - Psalm 100:1, 2.

                   David praised God by singing praises and dancing before the Lord with all his might (2 Samuel 6:14). Miriam played the tambourine and sang to the Lord with dances (Exodus 15:20–21). The children of Israel shouted and sang praises to God (2 Chronicles 15:14). Solomon lifted his hands and praised before the Lord in the presence of Israelite people (1 Kings 8:22). Paul and Silas prayed and sang hymns loudly in jail (Acts 16:25). Jesus was welcomed into Jerusalem with loud shouts of joy by people (John 12:13).

                  We are created by God to declare His praises. This people I have formed for Myself; They shall declare My praise (Isaiah 43:21). O come, let us sing unto the LORD: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation. Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms (Psalm 95:1, 2). Let us not honor God only with our lips being our hearts far from God. These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me (Isaiah 29:13).  He wants us to sing praises joyfully to Him with a pure heart.

                     God delights in our joyful praises when we worship Him in spirit and truth. Let us be filled with the spirit and make melodies in our heart to the Lord for His goodness. Be filled with the spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord (Ephesians 5:18, 19). Instead of letting our heart to be troubled by various circumstances, let us sing praises to the Lord joyfully as there is power in praises. Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all the earth: make a loud noise, and rejoice, and sing praise (Psalm 98:4).

                                                        

PRAYER: Dear Lord, You are worthy of our praises. Let us sing praises joyfully to Your name with a true heart. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.

Prayer of Jabez

Now Jabez was more honorable than his brothers, and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, “Because I bore him in pain.” - I Chronicles 4:9.

              The Bible says that Jabez was more honorable to God. Jabez was given his name because of the pain his mother went through at birth. And Jabez called on the God of Israel saying, “Oh, that You would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory, that Your hand would be with me, and that You would keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain!” So, God granted him what he requested -1 Chronicles 4:10.

             First Jabez called on the God to bless him. Next, he asked God to enlarge his territory. He asked for God’s hand to be with Him. He also asked God to protect Him. The Lord granted him what he requested by blessing him, enlarging him, guiding him and protecting him. The Lord longs to fulfill the longings of our heart. Prayer is a privilege graciously given to us by God. God says, “You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you, says the Lord, and I will bring you back from your captivity - Jeremiah 29:13,14

               James reminds us, “You do not have, because you do not ask” (James 4:2). The Lord has promised us, ‘Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened’ - Matthew 7:7-8. Like Jabez, let us also claim God’s blessings in our life by asking God in prayer.

                                                        

PRAYER: Dear Lord, You are the Lord who blesses us. Bless us, Enlarge us, Be with us and Protect us. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.

God's Unique Love

 God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him – 1 John 4:16.

                 God’s great love is unique and constant. His love to us is not influenced by what we do to Him. We love Him because He first loved us - 1 John 4:19. God loved the world so much that He gave His only son for us. For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life - John 3:16. God’s love never fails. He will never leave us nor forsake us.

             God’s love is everlasting and unconditional. The love that God has for us is far beyond our comprehension. God says, “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving kindness” (Jeremiah 31:3). His love is great for those who fear Him. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His love for those who fear him - Psalm 103:11.

                 God has poured out His love in our hearts through the Holy Spirit. God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us - Romans 5:5. Just as Christ loved us, let us also walk in love. Walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God- Ephesians 5:2.

                                                      

Prayer: Dear Lord, We thank You for the amazing unique love You extend to us. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.

Arise & Shine

Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you - Isaiah 60:1.

               Once we were dead to sins but now, we are alive for Christ as we have received the light of the gospel. Awake, you who sleep, arise from the dead, and Christ will give you light - Ephesians 5:14. Let us remove from our path of life the things that hinder us to arise for the glory of God. The Lord is our light who gives us light and so let us arise from all circumstances that made us to fall. Do not rejoice over me, my enemy; When I fall, I will arise; When I sit in darkness, The Lord will be a light to me -Micah 7:8.

                 We are called out of darkness into the marvelous light of God to shine for Him. But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light - 1 Peter 2:9. By living a righteous life, we can shine for the glory of God. But the path of the just is like the shining sun, that shines ever brighter unto the perfect day – Proverbs 4:18.

                Jesus tells us that we are the light of the world. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven - Mathew 5:16. Let us shine for God by giving the light of the gospel to others. How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? - Romans 10:14. Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn - Isaiah 60:3.

                                                         

PRAYER: Dear Lord, Let us arise and shine in our life for Your glory. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.

Open Door

Behold, I have set before you an open door, which no one is able to shut - Revelation 3:8.

                 God uses the closed doors of our life to lead us to a greater door of blessing. Whenever there is a closed door in our life, it means that God is opening another door for us that is greater than we can think or imagine. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts - Isaiah 55:9. All the closed doors in our life are for our good. Romans 8:28 says that, “And we know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.”                         

             Joseph had many closed doors in his life. He was sold into slavery by his own brothers which was a closed door in his life. Being falsely accused and thrown into a prison was a closed door for him. Waiting for many years and being forgotten was another closed door for him. Yet all those closed doors were actually the open doors for Joseph which led him to a greater blessing. Later in life, when Joseph saw his brothers, he said them that, “What you meant for evil, God meant for good” - Genesis 50:20.     

                 God always opens a door in our life that no man can shut and closes the door which no man can open. What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open - Isaiah 22:22. God will go before us and break all the obstacles in our life. I will go before you and make the crooked places straight; I will break in pieces the gates of bronze and cut the bars of iron - Isaiah 45:2. Our eyes will marvel to see the great things what God has prepared for us. Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him – 1 Corinthians 2:9.

                                                           

PRAYER: Dear Lord, We thank You for all the closed doors in our life as they are going to lead us to an open door of greater blessings. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.

Commitment

And may your hearts be fully committed to the Lord our God, to live by his decrees and obey his commands, as at this time - 1Kings 8:61.

           Commitment is a process that begins with an action. God will help us when we first commit all our ways to Him and trust Him. Commit your way to the Lord, trust also in Him, And He shall bring it to pass - Psalm 37:5. Our hearts will be fully committed to the Lord when we obey the commands of God and walk in His statutes. With whom and what we spend our time defines what we are really committed to. Let us commit our time in meditating the word of God and prayer.  

          Let us be committed to our family in a way how the Bible has defined a family should be. Wives, submit to your own husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives and do not be bitter toward them. Children, obey your parents in all things, for this is well pleasing to the Lord - Colossians 3:18-20.

             Let us also be committed to soul winning. The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who wins souls is wise – Proverbs 11:30. As God had commanded us, let us commit ourselves to go into the world and make disciples. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit - Mathew 28:19.

                                                                  

PRAYER: Dear Lord, We commit ourselves and our life into Your hands. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.

Pleasing God

Find out what pleases the Lord - Ephesians 5:10.

             God wants us to please Him with our lives. Even though Enoch lived in an increasingly wicked world, he walked with God and pleased God. By faith Enoch was taken from this life, so that he did not experience death: “He could not be found, because God had taken him away.” For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God – Hebrews 11:5. We are not servants of God if we are striving to please people. If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ - Galatians 1:10.

                Instead of pleasing people, let us please God who tests our hearts. We are not trying to please people but God, who tests our hearts - 1 Thessalonians 2:4. Let us please God by our faith. And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him - Hebrews 11:6. God is pleased when we fear Him. The Lord takes pleasure in those who fear Him, in those who hope in His mercy - Psalm 147:11.

            God makes our enemies to be at peace with us when our ways please Him. When a man’s ways please the Lord, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him -Proverbs 16:7. Let us also please God with our words and thoughts. May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer - Psalm 19:14. So we make it our goal to please Him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it - 2 Corinthians 5:9.

                                                          

PRAYER: Dear Lord, Help us to live and conduct ourselves in a way that pleases You. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.

God Of Patience

     Now may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be like-minded toward one another, according to Christ Jesus - Romans 15:5.

              God has been patient with us. He tarries from returning due to His patience with sinful mankind that yet some more people will repent and turn to Him for salvation. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance - 2 Peter 3:9.

                  God patiently waited in the days of Noah for people to repent. To those who were disobedient long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built - 1 Peter 3:20. Still God is patiently waiting for all people to be saved and not to be perished. Bear in mind that our Lord’s patience means salvation - 2 Peter 3:15.

            The Lord is slow to anger and abounding in loving kindness. The Lord is compassionate and gracious, Slow to anger and abounding in loving kindness - Psalm 103:8. Let us be grateful to God for His patience with us and direct our hearts to Him. Now may the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the patience of Christ - 2 Thessalonians 3:5.

                                                        

PRAYER: Dear Lord, You are the God of patience. Direct our hearts into Your love and patience. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.

Our God Is Able

And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work.” II Corinthians 9:8.

                    Our God has the ability and power to do everything in our life. Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-Nego believed that God is able to deliver them from the burning fiery furnace. If that is the case, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand, O king - Daniel 3:17. God delivered them and the fire did not hurt them. Look!” he answered, “I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire; and they are not hurt, and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God - Daniel 3:25.

                        Our God is able to heal us. Nothing is too hard for Him. And when He had come into the house, the blind men came to Him. And Jesus said to them, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?” They said to Him, “Yes, Lord.” - Mathew 9:28. God is able to keep us from falling. Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, And to present you faultless Before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy - Jude 24. Because He himself suffered when he was tempted, He is able to help those who are being tempted - Hebrews 2:18.

                          Our God is able to do far more abundantly beyond we ask Him. Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us - Ephesians 3:20. He is able to perform what He had promised us. And being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform - Romans 4:21. Let us always remember that our God is able to great things in our life.

                                                            

PRAYER: Dear Lord, We praise You as You are able to make all grace abound toward us. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.