Christ Suffered For Us

 For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit - 1 Peter 3:18.

               Jesus was punished that we might be forgiven. Surely He took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered Him stricken by God, smitten by Him, and afflicted. But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him - Isaiah 53:4,5.

             Jesus was wounded that we might be healed. But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, By His stripes we are healed - Isaiah 53:5.    

             Jesus endured the cross and bore our shame for us to share His glory. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God - Hebrews 12:2.

             Jesus became the curse to redeem us from the curse and enter into blessing. Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree” Galatians 3:13.  

             Jesus tasted death for us to receive life. But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, for the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that He, by the grace of God, might taste death for everyone - Hebrews 2:9.                                              

PRAYER: Dear Lord, We thank You for all the sufferings You have endured for us to be forgiven, healed, saved and redeemed. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Your Promise Preserves My Life

                                       Your promise preserves my life - Psalm 119:50.

Do not be anxious

Do not be anxious about anything, 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 your minds in Christ Jesus - Philippians 6:6-7.

Do not be discouraged

The Lord Himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged - Deuteronomy 31:8.

Do not fear

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand - Isaiah 41:10.

Be strong and courageous

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God goes with you wherever you go - Joshua 1:9.

Delight yourself in the Lord

Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart - Psalm 37:4.

Put trust in God

When I am afraid, I will put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise - in God I trust and am not afraid. What can mere mortals do to me? - Psalm 56:3-4.

Call God

I will cry out to God Most High, To God who performs all things for me - Psalm 57:2.

Give Thanks

In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. - 1 Thessalonians 5:18.                                                          

PRAYER: Dear Lord, We thank for Your wonderful promises that revives us. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

 

Prayer At Gethsemane

 He went a little farther and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, “O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will” - Mathew 26:39.

              Jesus went to the garden of Gethsemane to pray and to be alone with the Father on the day before he was crucified. Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and said to the disciples, “Sit here while I go and pray over there.” And He took with Him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and He began to be sorrowful and deeply distressed - Matthew 26:36,37.

                 Jesus prayed for the will of the Father to be done in His life. Oh My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will - Matthew 26:39. He was persistent in prayer. So He left them, went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words - Mathew 26:44. Then an angel appeared to Him from heaven, strengthening Him. And being in agony, He prayed more earnestly. Then His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground - Luke 22:43-46.

               Jesus found His disciples who came with Him sleeping and told them to watch and pray. Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak - Matthew 26:41. Prayer is the key to overcome temptations. It strengthens us and helps us to do the will of God. Let us be watchful in prayer and surrender ourselves to the will of God. Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving - Colossians 4:2.                                              

PRAYER: Dear Lord, Help us to watch and pray. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Overcoming Temptations

 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are - yet he did not sin - Hebrews 4:15.

Be filled with the Holy Spirit

                   When Jesus was led by the Spirit to be tempted, he was filled with the Holy Spirit. Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh - Galatians 5:16. The Holy Spirit helps us in our weaknesses. Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses - Romans 8:26.

Be prayerful

                    As Jesus prayed and fasted for forty days, He was able to overcome Satan. Let us be always watchful in prayer. Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak - Matthew 26:41. Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit - Ephesians 6:18.

Use the Word of God

                    Jesus overcame the temptations of devil by the word of God. Then the devil left Him, and behold, angels came and ministered to Him - Mathew 4:12. The word of God is the main weapon to be used by us to attack the devil. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God - Ephesians 6:17.  Submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you - James 4:7.

                                       

PRAYER: Dear Lord, Let us be always filled with Your Spirit. Help us to overcome all the temptations by Your Word and prayer. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

The Love of Money

 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows - 1 Timothy 6:10.

           The love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. Judas, one of the twelve disciples of Jesus had the love for money. But one of His disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, who would betray Him, said, “Why was this fragrant oil not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?” This he said, not that he cared for the poor, but because he was a thief, and had the money box; and he used to take what was put in it - John 12:4-6.

            Judas' greed for money had given the devil an opportunity to enter into him. And supper being ended, the devil having already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray Him - John 13:2. Then one of the twelve, who was called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, 'What will you give me if I betray him to you?' They paid him thirty pieces of silver. And from that moment he began to look for an opportunity to betray him - Matthew 26: 14-16.

            Judas betrayed Jesus for thirty pieces of silver. The Son of Man indeed goes just as it is written of Him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been good for that man if he had not been born - Matthew 26:24. Let us not have the love for money and give the devil a foothold in our life as it is the root of all kinds of all evil. Do not give the devil a foothold - Ephesians 4:27. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also - Matthew 7:21.

                                             

PRAYER: Dear Lord, Let us not love money as it is the root of all kinds of evil. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Fasting

Declare a holy fast; call a sacred assembly. Summon the elders and all who live in the land to the house of the Lord your God, and cry out to the Lord - Joel 1:14.

             Fasting is the time to return to the Lord. 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; And He relents from doing harm - Joel 2:12,13.

         Fasting is worshiping and praying to God. While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them”. Then, having fasted and prayed, and laid hands on them, they sent them away - Acts 13:2,3.

            Fasting is having fellowship with God to seek God’s guidance. Moses fasted and received the Ten commandments from God. Moses fasted for forty days and forty nights. So he was there with the Lord forty days and forty nights; he neither ate bread nor drank water. And He wrote on the tablets the words of the covenant, the Ten Commandments - Exodus 34:28.

                                          

PRAYER: Dear Lord, Let us return to You in fasting and seek Your guidance in our lives. In Jesus, name we pray. Amen.

 

Temptations of Jesus

 Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil - Mathew 4:1.

First Temptation

            The devil tempted Jesus to make the stones become bread. But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God’” - Mathew 4:3,4. So He humbled you, allowed you to hunger, and fed you with manna which you did not know nor did your fathers know, that He might make you know that man shall not live by bread alone; but lives by every word that proceeds from the mouth of the Lord - Deuteronomy 8:3.

Second Temptation

            Then the devil took Jesus to Jerusalem to the highest point of the temple and told Him to throw Himself down. Then the devil took Him up into the holy city, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down. For it is written: ‘He shall give His angels charge over you,’ and, ‘In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone.’ ” Jesus said to him, “It is written again, ‘You shall not tempt the Lord your God’ - Mathew 4:5-7. You shall not tempt the Lord your God as you tempted Him in Massah - Deuteronomy 6:16.

Third Temptation

               Finally, the devil tempted Jesus with power. Again, the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And he said to Him, “All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me.” Then Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve’” - Mathew 4:8-11. You shall fear the Lord your God and serve Him - Deuteronomy 6:13.

              Jesus overcame all temptations of devil by God’s Word. Then the devil left Him, and behold, angels came and ministered to Him - Mathew 4:11. Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you - James 4:7. These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world - John 16:33.                                         

PRAYER: Dear Lord, Help us to overcome all temptations of devil like You by Your Word. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

The Obedience of Christ

 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross - Philippians 2:8.

                  Jesus laid aside His glory as God and came to the world in the appearance of man. God calls us to have the same attitude as Christ. Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men - Philippians 2:5-7.

                Jesus obeyed the plan of the Father about Him being sent to the world as Savior. We have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world - 1 John 4:14. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him - John 3:17. Jesus also humbled himself and became obedient to death, even death on a cross. Though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered - Hebrews 5:8.

                 God exalted Jesus to the highest place and gave Him the name above every name as the result of His obedience. Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father - Philippians 2:9-11. For you, O LORD, are the Most High over all the earth; you are exalted far above all gods - Psalm 97:9.                                           

PRAYER: Dear Lord, You are the most High God. Let us have Your mind of obedience. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

God's Love

 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.

Everlasting Love

I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness - Jeremiah 31:3.

Great Love

How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! - 1 John 3:1.

But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions - it is by grace you have been saved - Ephesians 2:4,5.

Unfailing Love

Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed," says the Lord, who has compassion on you - Isaiah 51:10.

I will be glad and rejoice in Your unfailing love, for You have seen my troubles, and You care about the anguish of my soul - Psalm 31:7.

Faithful Love

The faithful love of the LORD never ends! His mercies never cease - Lamentations 3:22.

Abounding in love

But you, Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness - Psalm 86:15.

Endures Forever

Give thanks to the God of heaven. His love endures forever - Psalm 136:26.

Sacrificial Love

This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins - 1 John 4:9,10.

Covenant of Love

Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commandments – Deuteronomy 7:9.

God first loved us

We love Him because He first loved us - 1 John 4:19.

Christ died for us 

But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us - Romans 5:8.

                                                      

PRAYER: Dear Lord, We thank You for Your amazing love. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Return To The Lord

                Return to Me, and I will return to you says the Lord of Hosts - Malachi 3:7.

                  God wants us to return to Him. O Israel, return to the Lord your God, For you have stumbled because of your iniquity - Hosea 14:1. When we return to the Lord and obey His voice, He will return to us. Return to the Lord your God and obey His voice, according to all that I command you today, you and your children, with all your heart and with all your soul - Deuteronomy 30:2. Return to the Lord your God, For He is gracious and merciful, Slow to anger, and of great kindness; And He relents from doing harm - Joel 2:13.

                God will heal us and bind us up as we return to Him. Come, and let us return to the Lord; For He has torn, but He will heal us; He has stricken, but He will bind us up - Hosea 6:1. He will hear us, forgive our sins and heal our land as we humble ourselves and return to Him. If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land - 2 Chronicles 7:14. For you were like sheep going astray, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls - 1 Peter 2:25.

                 God promises abundance, blessings and fruitfulness when we return to the Lord. I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely, For My anger has turned away from him. I will be like the dew to Israel; He shall grow like the lily, And lengthen his roots like Lebanon. His branches shall spread; His beauty shall be like an olive tree, And his fragrance like Lebanon. Those who dwell under his shadow shall return; They shall be revived like grain, And grow like a vine. Their scent shall be like the wine of Lebanon - Hosea 14:4-7.                                               

PRAYER: Dear Lord, Let us return to You and receive healing, blessings and abundance from You. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Pray Secretly

 But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly - Mathew 6:6.

                There is power in prayer. God hears the prayer of all those who come to Him. O You who hear prayer, To You all flesh will come - Psalm 65:2. But know that the Lord has set apart for Himself him who is godly; The Lord will hear when I call to Him - Psalm 4:3. Jesus spent time in prayer very early in the morning in a secret place. Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed - Mark 1:35. 

               Hannah went to the house of the Lord and prayed for God to bless her with a child. And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed to the Lord and wept in anguish - 1 Samuel 1:10. Now Hannah spoke in her heart; only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard - 1 Samuel 1:13. God answered her secret prayer and blessed her with a son. So it came to pass in the process of time that Hannah conceived and bore a son, and called his name Samuel, saying, “Because I have asked for him from the Lord” -1 Samuel 1:10. Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you - 1 Peter 5:7.

                The rewards of secret prayer are joy and peace. Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete - John 16:24. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus - Philippians 4:6,7. God will answer us and show us great and mighty things which we never know when we pray to Him.                                                      

PRAYER: Dear Lord, We thank You for answering all our prayers that are prayed in secret. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Ash Wednesday

 Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord - Acts 3:19.

                  Lent starts on Ash Wednesday and extends for forty days before Easter. Lent comes from the old English word “lencten” which means Spring. Forty days correspond to the fasting of forty days of Jesus in the wilderness as he began the ministry. Lent season is the springtime in our life to grow more in Christ. Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ - 2 Peter 3:18.

             Lent season is a time to evaluate ourselves in the light of God’s Word. It is the time to grow in close relationship with God. It is the season to find the purpose of God for our lives and return to God. Return to Me, and I will return to you - Malachi 3:7. 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; And He relents from doing harm - Joel 2:13.

            Lent is the season of prayer, fasting and almsgiving. It’s a time to renew our desire to serve God. It is the time to share the hope found in the relationship of Christ in us to others. To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory - Colossians 1:27. It’s the time to receive God’s strength to lead a victorious life.                                                                         

PRAYER: We thank You for this season of lent that helps us to grow more in You. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Mercy And Truth

 Mercy and truth have met together; Righteousness and peace have kissed - Psalm 85:10.

Mercy

            Our God is a God of mercies. But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us - Ephesians 2:4. Moses asked God  who is rich in mercies for mercy. For the Lord your God is a merciful God, He will not forsake you nor destroy you, nor forget the covenant of your fathers which He swore to them - Deuteronomy 4:31. Let us receive the mercies of God that are new every day in our life and be merciful to others.                   

Truth

             God desires and loves truth. Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all the day long - Psalm 25:5. Let us do what is right and be true in everything. Let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth - 1 John 3:18. O God, in the multitude of Your mercy, Hear me in the truth of Your salvation - Psalm 69:13. For the Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting, And His truth endures to all generations - Psalm 100:5.

Mercy & Truth

               The paths of the Lord are mercy and truth. All the paths of the LORD are mercy and truth - Psalm 25:10. Let mercy and truth do not leave our life. Let not mercy and truth forsake you; Bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart - Proverbs 3:3. Mercy and truth belong to those who devise good - Proverbs 14:22. In mercy and truth, atonement is provided for iniquity - Proverbs 16:6. There will be mercy of God where there is truth and there will be peace where there is righteousness. Let mercy and truth multiply in our life. God shall send forth His mercy and His truth - Psalm 57:3.   

                                              

PRAYER: Dear Lord, Let mercy and truth endure in our life. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Experience The Peace of God

           For God is not the author of confusion but of peace - 1 Corinthians 14:33.

                The pathway to experience peace in our life begins by having conversation with the loving God who cares for us. Do not be anxious about anything, 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 your minds in Christ Jesus - Philippians 6:6-7.

                We can experience perfect peace and great peace in all situations when we trust God and love the Word of God. You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You - Isaiah 26:3. Great peace have those who love Your law, and nothing causes them to stumble - Psalm 119:175. There is peace in the presence of God. May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit - Romans 15:13.

                Let us experience peace starting with our God of peace in prayer. Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid - John 14:27. The peace that God gives us will strengthen us in every way. Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace always in every way - 2 Thessalonians 3:16.                                                                                                                                   

         

PRAYER: Dear Lord, You are the God of Peace. We thank You for filling us with Your peace. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Love Is Patient And Kind

Love is patient, love is kind - 1 Corinthians 13:4.

  Love           

                God is love. Let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love - 1 John 4:7. Let us love one other like how God loved us. We love because he first loved us - 1 John 4:19. Love covers multitude of sins. Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins - 1 Peter 4:8.

Love is patient

                Love is patient. God is love and He is patient with us. 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. Let us be patient with everyone. Be patient with everyone - 1 Thessalonians 5:14. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love - Ephesians 4:2.

Love is kind

               Love is kind to others. God’s kindness towards us is great. Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance? - Romans 2:4. Let us be Kind to one another. An anxious heart weighs a man down, but a kind word cheers him up - Proverbs 12:25.  Be kind and compassionate to one another - Ephesians 4: 32.                                                  

PRAYER: Dear Lord, Let us love each other deeply. Help us to be patient and kind with everyone. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

God Is Able

                                 Do you believe that I am able to do this? - Matthew 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.

God is able to make all grace abound toward us

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 - 2 Corinthians 9:8.

God is able to establish us

Now to Him who is able to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery kept secret since the world began - Romans 16:25.

God is able to deliver us

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

God is able to do more than we ask or think

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.

God is able to save us

Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them - Hebrews 7:25.

God is able to do what He had promised

What He had promised He was also able to perform - Romans 4:21.

                                           

PRAYER: Dear Lord, You are able. Nothing is too hard for You. We thank You for establishing us, providing us, saving us and delivering us. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Prayers of Cornelius

              Your prayers and your alms have come up for a memorial before God - Acts 10:4.

                  Cornelius was a centurion and God-fearing man who prayed always. He gave alms generously to the people. There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of what was called the Italian Regiment, a devout man and one who feared God with all his household, who gave alms generously to the people, and prayed to God always - Acts 10:1,2.

              An angel appeared and told Cornelius that God had heard his prayers and remembered his gifts to the poor. The angel also instructed Cornelius to send for the Apostle Peter. Now send men to Joppa, and send for Simon whose surname is Peter - Acts 10:5. Cornelius immediately obeyed the instruction of the angel and sent the men to get Peter. His obedience to God brought the blessing of God to his life and family.

                 Cornelius waited with his friends and family in God’s presence to hear what Peter would tell them. The Holy Spirit was poured upon them and the entire house hold of Cornelius was baptized after Peter’s preaching. Cornelius was the first gentile to receive the gospel. God desires that all people should be saved. Not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance - 2 Peter 3:9. Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit - Ephesians 6:18.

                                                                                                                 

PRAYER: Dear Lord, Like Cornelius, let us pray always and be generous to people. Save all our household by Your grace. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

The Gifts of The Holy Spirit

 There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them - 1 Corinthians 12:4.

                      The Word of wisdom, the word of knowledge, faith, gift of healings, working of miracles, prophecy, discerning of spirits, different kinds of tongues and interpretation of tongues are the different kinds of gifts of the Holy Spirit. For to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues - 1 Corinthians 12:8-10.

                  Each of us are given different spiritual gifts according to the grace of God and His will. We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us - Romans 12:6. But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills - 1 Corinthians 12:11. We should use whatever gift we have received for the profit of all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all - 1 Corinthians 12:7.

                     Let us desire the spiritual gifts eagerly. But earnestly desire the best gifts - 1 Corinthians 12:31. God had given us the spiritual gifts to serve others. Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms - 1 Peter 4:10. May we discover the spiritual gift given by God to us and use it with humility for His glory. Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you - 1 Timothy 4:14.

                                              
PRAYER: Dear Lord, We thank You for the spiritual gifts You have given us to glorify You. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Being In The Presence of God

 In Your presence is fullness of joy - Psalm 16:11.

                   There is fullness of joy in the presence of God. You will make me full of joy in Your presence - Acts 2:28. There is no greater joy in this world than being in the presence of God.  God is omnipresent and He is present everywhere. Where can I go to escape your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to heaven, you are there; if I make my bed in Sheol, you are there - Psalm 139:7-8.

               God’s presence will be in our midst when we gather together in prayer. For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them - Matthew 18:20. Moses had a very close relationship with God. He said to God that he can do nothing without His presence. And He said, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” Then he said to Him, “If Your Presence does not go with us, do not bring us up from here” - Exodus 33:14,15. He wanted more of God’s presence and prayed to the Lord to show His glory.

                 Let us seek the presence of God more in our life. God will exalt us when we humble ourselves in His presence. Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you - James 4:10. No enemy can harm us when the presence of God is with us. No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life; as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you nor forsake you - Joshua 1:5.     

                                        

PRAYER: Dear Lord, Help us to be in Your presence always. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Identifying Wolves In Sheep's clothing

 Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves - Mathew 7:15.

            God wants us not to be deceived by false prophets who are wolves in sheep’s clothing. For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect - Matthew 24:24. They covet and seek their own glory. By covetousness they will exploit you with deceptive words - 2 Peter 2:3. He who speaks from himself seeks his own glory; but He who seeks the glory of the One who sent Him is true, and no unrighteousness is in Him - John 7:14.

             It is our responsibility to identify false prophets and teachers. We can recognize them by their fruit of the spirit. You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thorn bushes or figs from thistles? Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Therefore by their fruits you will know them - Matthew 7:16-20.            

             God gives us His Spirit to guide us in discernment. When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth - John 16:13. Let us not believe every spirit but instead be led by God. Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world - 1 John 4:1. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of the heart - 1 Corinthians 4:5.                                      

PRAYER: Dear Lord, Help us to be aware of false prophets and teachers. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Temporary World

 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us - Romans 8:18.

                   Everything in the world is temporary. The sufferings of this present time in the world are temporary and they are not worthy compared with the glory to be revealed in us. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal - 2 Corinthians 4:17,18. We live in a temporary world but our God is eternal and He had promised us eternal life. Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life - John 3:36.

                  Even though we live in this world, we are not of the world. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world - John 17:16. For here we do not have an enduring city, but we are looking for the city that is to come - Hebrews 13:14. Our citizenship is in heaven and not in this temporary world. For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ - Philippians 3:20. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world - John 16:33.

                   There may be tribulations in the world but let us just be still as our God had overcome the world. Be still and know that I am God - Psalm 46:10. Nothing can harm us as God is with us. Let us fix our eyes on Christ and not on our problems. Let us thank God regardless of our situations as all things work good for those who love Him. In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you - 1 Thessalonians 5:18. 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 8:28.                                                 

PRAYER: Dear Lord, Help us to endure the temporary sufferings of this present time with joy as it is nothing compared to the glory to follow. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.

Better Is One Day In Your Courts

 For a day in Your courts is better than a thousand. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God Than dwell in the tents of wickedness - Psalm 84:10.

               It is better to be in the house of God than anywhere else. I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go into the house of the Lord”- Psalm 122:1. It is so blessed to be in the house of God. How lovely is Your tabernacle, O Lord of hosts!  My soul longs, yes, even faints for the courts of the Lord; My heart and my flesh cry out for the living God - Psalm 84:1,2.

            When Hannah was barren, she went to the house of God and poured out her soul before the Lord. The Lord remembered her and blessed her with Samuel. So it came to pass in the process of time that Hannah conceived and bore a son, and called his name Samuel, saying, “Because I have asked for him from the Lord” - 1 Samuel 1:20. Now My eyes will be open and My ears attentive to prayer made in this place - 2 Chronicles 7:15.

             It is a great privilege for us to praise and worship God in the house of God. Blessed are those who dwell in Your house; They will still be praising You - Psalm 84:4. Then I will go to the altar of God, To God my exceeding joy; And on the harp I will praise You, O God, my God - Psalm 43:4. Let us always seek and long to be in the house of God which is lovely. One thing I have desired of the Lord, That will I seek: That I may dwell in the house of the Lord All the days of my life, To behold the beauty of the Lord, And to inquire in His temple - Psalm 27:4.                                                  

PRAYER: Dear Lord, It is better for us to be in Your courts a day than a thousand. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.