Heavenly Father,
Thank you for giving a perfect example for your children and making your expectations clear to us. You have shown us the ways of righteousness and inspired us to know the fruits of the Holy Spirit. Not only this, but you have enabled us to move towards your Holiness: to do these things and greater things in glory to your name by being with us and leading us by your righteous and loving right hand.
Please continue to help transform us: to grow in the Holy Spirit and decrease in the flesh with the daily renewing of our minds. Help us to reflect your light to the world brighter and brighter so that all the people will fear, love and praise your name and be converted. Take our reigns: empower and wield us to yield good fruit abundantly, way beyond our expectations and imaginations.
Please help us to be the best servants possible. All glory and praise to your perfect name Lord Jesus.
Amen.
Thursday 30 November 2017
Jesus our Model
John 14:12 ...He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also...
What Would Jesus Do? May seem cliche and over-used, however it is not without its merits: as Christians we should walk in the Holy Spirit, the same Spirit that was in our Lord. This means behaving like Christ would. The Bible teaches all about godly behaviour: to do good and hate evil.
John 13:15 For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.
It almost goes without saying that I do not mean to develop false piety or messianic delusions: Jesus is the only begotten Son of God, we are not. From birth to death, he lived entirely without sin: we have not. Jesus is honest and humble: never thinking nor claiming to be something that he is not.
Luke 9:23 And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.
I struggle to summarise Jesus' behaviour in one word, but several come to mind: love, sacrifice, obedience, righteousness, humility, forgiveness, faithfulness... saying this, perhaps there is a word: perfection. This is what the Holy Spirit in believers is guiding us towards, being completely perfect, as he was and increasing in all of these attributes and decreasing in our sinful behaviours.
John 3:30 He must increase, but I must decrease.
If the Son of God is perfection personified in the flesh, we are but imperfection personified in the flesh. For us to be completely perfect we must give up our own ways and adopt God's ways, letting His Holy Spirit grow within us and in turn letting our sinful flesh shrink and wither away.
John 14:20 At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you.
Thank God this is not by our own strength, this is not us who does the works but the Holy Spirit who dwells in us. All the glory belongs to Him, all we have to do is yield to God and get out of the way. D.L. Moody said ""I" is the center of S-I-N. It is the medium through which Satan acts. And so the worst enemy you have to overcome, after all, is yourself."
Matthew 5:14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
When you become an instrument of the Holy Spirit and are wielded by God you are acting as the light of the world, and what an honour to share in such a glorious title as our Lord Jesus Christ, who is the light of the world and the light of life who dispels the darkness of this world. Keep reading the Holy Bible and learn about the many ways to let the glory of God shine through you.
Luke 18:43 And immediately he received his sight, and followed him, glorifying God: and all the people, when they saw it, gave praise unto God.
What Would Jesus Do? May seem cliche and over-used, however it is not without its merits: as Christians we should walk in the Holy Spirit, the same Spirit that was in our Lord. This means behaving like Christ would. The Bible teaches all about godly behaviour: to do good and hate evil.
John 13:15 For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.
It almost goes without saying that I do not mean to develop false piety or messianic delusions: Jesus is the only begotten Son of God, we are not. From birth to death, he lived entirely without sin: we have not. Jesus is honest and humble: never thinking nor claiming to be something that he is not.
Luke 9:23 And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.
I struggle to summarise Jesus' behaviour in one word, but several come to mind: love, sacrifice, obedience, righteousness, humility, forgiveness, faithfulness... saying this, perhaps there is a word: perfection. This is what the Holy Spirit in believers is guiding us towards, being completely perfect, as he was and increasing in all of these attributes and decreasing in our sinful behaviours.
John 3:30 He must increase, but I must decrease.
If the Son of God is perfection personified in the flesh, we are but imperfection personified in the flesh. For us to be completely perfect we must give up our own ways and adopt God's ways, letting His Holy Spirit grow within us and in turn letting our sinful flesh shrink and wither away.
John 14:20 At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you.
Thank God this is not by our own strength, this is not us who does the works but the Holy Spirit who dwells in us. All the glory belongs to Him, all we have to do is yield to God and get out of the way. D.L. Moody said ""I" is the center of S-I-N. It is the medium through which Satan acts. And so the worst enemy you have to overcome, after all, is yourself."
Matthew 5:14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
When you become an instrument of the Holy Spirit and are wielded by God you are acting as the light of the world, and what an honour to share in such a glorious title as our Lord Jesus Christ, who is the light of the world and the light of life who dispels the darkness of this world. Keep reading the Holy Bible and learn about the many ways to let the glory of God shine through you.
Luke 18:43 And immediately he received his sight, and followed him, glorifying God: and all the people, when they saw it, gave praise unto God.
Prayer for Leaders
Heavenly Father,
Thank you for our leaders, those doing good or evil in your sight. We know that all things you do work for the good of those who believe. We thank you that in countries where Christians are free we can enjoy minimal persecution in the practice of our faith, and we thank you that in countries where Christians suffer hardship on account of their faith that you are doing great things to strengthen them and bring glory to you.
We pray for our leaders, that sin and wrongdoing can be cleansed from them and they can become great examples, from King David to King Nebuchadnezzar, but especially like you the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Please bless the deeds of those serving you, and for those who you will harden: work miracles to free believers from their tyranny and show the land that you are the Lord.
Please use all the leaders for your glory. All praise and glory to your sovereign name Lord Jesus.
Amen.
Thank you for our leaders, those doing good or evil in your sight. We know that all things you do work for the good of those who believe. We thank you that in countries where Christians are free we can enjoy minimal persecution in the practice of our faith, and we thank you that in countries where Christians suffer hardship on account of their faith that you are doing great things to strengthen them and bring glory to you.
We pray for our leaders, that sin and wrongdoing can be cleansed from them and they can become great examples, from King David to King Nebuchadnezzar, but especially like you the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Please bless the deeds of those serving you, and for those who you will harden: work miracles to free believers from their tyranny and show the land that you are the Lord.
Please use all the leaders for your glory. All praise and glory to your sovereign name Lord Jesus.
Amen.
Haters of Government
Romans 13:1 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. 2 Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. 3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil...
In a number of Western countries it has become increasingly common for people to have a disdain for the government and the leadership. Sometimes even treason and discord is viewed as a form of patriotism. This is not to say that as Christians we should have blind obedience to them, our loyalty is to God first, such as it was for Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego in the face of persecution, or even our Lord Jesus Christ in the hand of Pontius Pilate and King Herod.
John 19:11 Jesus answered, Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above...
It is true that earthly nations are ruled by imperfect people, even in the days of ancient Israel we see how King David and Solomon - some of the great figures of the Old Testament - got some things horribly wrong. However despite this they were ordained by God, and He was always with them and Israel still prospered greatly under their leadership. We can read through the book of Psalms how heavy a toll this had on King David, where he is often ruthless in depreciating and humbling himself.
Psalm 22:6 But I am a worm, and no man; a reproach of men, and despised of the people.
Ungodly leaders can be a curse on their nation, for example the hard heart of Pharaoh of ancient Egypt in the days of Moses brought much hardship to his people. However God used him to demonstrate his power against the wickedness of Pharaoh. Moses did not ask God to punish Pharaoh's household who raised him, at first he resisted God, saying the people would not believe him, that he was unable to speak etc, he only moved after God got angry with him in Ex. 4:14.
Exodus 7:3 And I will harden Pharaoh's heart, and multiply my signs and my wonders in the land of Egypt.
God repeatedly petitioned and warned Pharaoh to change course and do right, showing all manner of signs to him. We could look at King Saul and how merciful and loyal David was to him, even when Saul sought to take his life. Or King Nebuchadnezzar, who despite persecuting God's people was given great prophetic signs by God through Daniel, he was punished with temporary madness - believing he was an animal - but he came to his senses and became a great story of conversion.
Daniel 4:34 And at the end of the days I Nebuchadnezzar lifted up mine eyes unto heaven, and mine understanding returned unto me, and I blessed the most High, and I praised and honoured him that liveth for ever, whose dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom is from generation to generation
Though we are subject to the powers that be, God is no respecter of persons, and as such we should not treat them any less than we would anyone else. We should always be praying for them, forgiving them, showing them love and patience. If they stray from God we should take steps to warn them of the consequences and petition them to repent repeatedly, and even if God hardens their heart, it will all work for His glory. There will be no perfect kingdom until the millennial kingdom of Christ.
1 Timothy 2:1 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; 2 For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.
In a number of Western countries it has become increasingly common for people to have a disdain for the government and the leadership. Sometimes even treason and discord is viewed as a form of patriotism. This is not to say that as Christians we should have blind obedience to them, our loyalty is to God first, such as it was for Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego in the face of persecution, or even our Lord Jesus Christ in the hand of Pontius Pilate and King Herod.
John 19:11 Jesus answered, Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above...
It is true that earthly nations are ruled by imperfect people, even in the days of ancient Israel we see how King David and Solomon - some of the great figures of the Old Testament - got some things horribly wrong. However despite this they were ordained by God, and He was always with them and Israel still prospered greatly under their leadership. We can read through the book of Psalms how heavy a toll this had on King David, where he is often ruthless in depreciating and humbling himself.
Psalm 22:6 But I am a worm, and no man; a reproach of men, and despised of the people.
Ungodly leaders can be a curse on their nation, for example the hard heart of Pharaoh of ancient Egypt in the days of Moses brought much hardship to his people. However God used him to demonstrate his power against the wickedness of Pharaoh. Moses did not ask God to punish Pharaoh's household who raised him, at first he resisted God, saying the people would not believe him, that he was unable to speak etc, he only moved after God got angry with him in Ex. 4:14.
Exodus 7:3 And I will harden Pharaoh's heart, and multiply my signs and my wonders in the land of Egypt.
God repeatedly petitioned and warned Pharaoh to change course and do right, showing all manner of signs to him. We could look at King Saul and how merciful and loyal David was to him, even when Saul sought to take his life. Or King Nebuchadnezzar, who despite persecuting God's people was given great prophetic signs by God through Daniel, he was punished with temporary madness - believing he was an animal - but he came to his senses and became a great story of conversion.
Daniel 4:34 And at the end of the days I Nebuchadnezzar lifted up mine eyes unto heaven, and mine understanding returned unto me, and I blessed the most High, and I praised and honoured him that liveth for ever, whose dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom is from generation to generation
Though we are subject to the powers that be, God is no respecter of persons, and as such we should not treat them any less than we would anyone else. We should always be praying for them, forgiving them, showing them love and patience. If they stray from God we should take steps to warn them of the consequences and petition them to repent repeatedly, and even if God hardens their heart, it will all work for His glory. There will be no perfect kingdom until the millennial kingdom of Christ.
1 Timothy 2:1 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; 2 For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.
Wednesday 29 November 2017
Prayer for Temptation
Heavenly Father,
Thank you for supporting us through temptations and being gracious towards us despite our sins.
You have been working to defend us even when we cannot see it and especially when we need it.
Please give us strength to mortify the lusts of the flesh, to overcome and shun the many temptations of this world. Help make us perfect, living through your Holy Spirit: pure as you would like us to be.
Have mercy on us in our times of weakness and whenever we stumble lift us back up, stronger than ever. Grant us victory to be as a shining example of your strength and transformative power.
Help us to be a living testimony of the power of being born again through your Holy Spirit. Help us to be worthy of being called Christians and an example for others to live godly and pure lives.
Please purify all who desire a righteous life. All praise and glory to your triumphant name Lord Jesus.
Amen.
Thank you for supporting us through temptations and being gracious towards us despite our sins.
You have been working to defend us even when we cannot see it and especially when we need it.
Please give us strength to mortify the lusts of the flesh, to overcome and shun the many temptations of this world. Help make us perfect, living through your Holy Spirit: pure as you would like us to be.
Have mercy on us in our times of weakness and whenever we stumble lift us back up, stronger than ever. Grant us victory to be as a shining example of your strength and transformative power.
Help us to be a living testimony of the power of being born again through your Holy Spirit. Help us to be worthy of being called Christians and an example for others to live godly and pure lives.
Please purify all who desire a righteous life. All praise and glory to your triumphant name Lord Jesus.
Amen.
Lusts of the World
1Peter 2:11 Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul
Christians have a duty to abstain from wicked lusts. It it a battle that many of us face daily, perhaps more than ever before: this fallen world keeps waxing worse thanks to the culture, clothing and internet. Being tempted is easy, often just a click away from us and it takes seconds to fall into sin.
Matthew 26:41 Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.
Thanks to God this can all be overcome: we can pray for Him to deliver us from temptation, by this the Lord will help us in His own ways. For example, He might take us out of scenarios where we may fall into sin. In addition to this, we can also exercise our self-control "muscles" through fasting; this is a practice that denies the flesh its cravings and puts it under subjugation.
Romans 8:13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.
We need to guard ourselves take precautions against each temptation. It is common for many to fall at times and lose battles, but we can get back up and win the war. It can just take small steps, things like avoiding sitting next to people you find yourself attracted to, putting an adult lock onto internet pages or only use the computer in the presence of your family, or instead of looking at someone attractive, pick up the Bible and study the word.
Phil 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
If you do fall, remember that God has seen this and hates it. Sin is serious business and if left unchecked it can subjugate you to it and slowly but surely it may get worse and worse. Addictions can form and harden and you may get into trouble, you may be punished. Your guilt may increase and you might end up needing to be chastised to be brought to repentance with a contrite spirit.
Revelation 3:19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.
Hidden things will be brought to the light: just imagine if some of your darkest thoughts were made public, the humiliation you would feel if your loved ones saw it. Keep living in sin and this might happen to you. None of us are beyond God's punishment, what a man sows he will reap, however as Christians this applies even more so, we are expected to live by a higher standard than the worldly.
2 Corinthians 7:3 I speak not this to condemn you: for I have said before, that ye are in our hearts to die and live with you.
Finally, I know it is not easy and falling is a reality that gives the devil a foothold from which to attack. Do not be discouraged, confess to the Lord and ask to be purified and He will forgive and cleanse you of your sins, but do not take His great love and grace for granted: go and sin no more.
Christians have a duty to abstain from wicked lusts. It it a battle that many of us face daily, perhaps more than ever before: this fallen world keeps waxing worse thanks to the culture, clothing and internet. Being tempted is easy, often just a click away from us and it takes seconds to fall into sin.
Matthew 26:41 Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.
Thanks to God this can all be overcome: we can pray for Him to deliver us from temptation, by this the Lord will help us in His own ways. For example, He might take us out of scenarios where we may fall into sin. In addition to this, we can also exercise our self-control "muscles" through fasting; this is a practice that denies the flesh its cravings and puts it under subjugation.
Romans 8:13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.
We need to guard ourselves take precautions against each temptation. It is common for many to fall at times and lose battles, but we can get back up and win the war. It can just take small steps, things like avoiding sitting next to people you find yourself attracted to, putting an adult lock onto internet pages or only use the computer in the presence of your family, or instead of looking at someone attractive, pick up the Bible and study the word.
Phil 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
If you do fall, remember that God has seen this and hates it. Sin is serious business and if left unchecked it can subjugate you to it and slowly but surely it may get worse and worse. Addictions can form and harden and you may get into trouble, you may be punished. Your guilt may increase and you might end up needing to be chastised to be brought to repentance with a contrite spirit.
Revelation 3:19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.
Hidden things will be brought to the light: just imagine if some of your darkest thoughts were made public, the humiliation you would feel if your loved ones saw it. Keep living in sin and this might happen to you. None of us are beyond God's punishment, what a man sows he will reap, however as Christians this applies even more so, we are expected to live by a higher standard than the worldly.
2 Corinthians 7:3 I speak not this to condemn you: for I have said before, that ye are in our hearts to die and live with you.
Finally, I know it is not easy and falling is a reality that gives the devil a foothold from which to attack. Do not be discouraged, confess to the Lord and ask to be purified and He will forgive and cleanse you of your sins, but do not take His great love and grace for granted: go and sin no more.
Tuesday 28 November 2017
Prayer for Works
Heavenly Father,
Thank you for expressing your love for us in everything that you do. Your love is the greatest and purest that we could imagine. You do so much for us every single day and to show our gratitude please help us to reflect your glory by being faithful servants in everything that we do.
Help lead us by faith into performing great works that we never would have considered: guide us to skillfully use the talents you have given us, to serve others through our actions. Direct us to serve as many people as possible to the best of our ability. Shield us from selfish intent, covetousness, pride and other darts the enemy may throw at us to hinder or corrupt works carried out in your name.
Above all, give us the strength to do and give whatever - big or small - you want in serving you.
Thank you for expressing your love for us in everything that you do. Your love is the greatest and purest that we could imagine. You do so much for us every single day and to show our gratitude please help us to reflect your glory by being faithful servants in everything that we do.
Help lead us by faith into performing great works that we never would have considered: guide us to skillfully use the talents you have given us, to serve others through our actions. Direct us to serve as many people as possible to the best of our ability. Shield us from selfish intent, covetousness, pride and other darts the enemy may throw at us to hinder or corrupt works carried out in your name.
Above all, give us the strength to do and give whatever - big or small - you want in serving you.
Please bless all those who watch and pray. All praise and glory to your mighty name Lord Jesus.
Amen.
Giving
The sales have opened up the festive season and I am sure you saw lots of nice things for sale and a desire to treat others with them. I hope you are in a position to give nice things to others, if not - or even if you bought the entire store - I pray you do not concern yourselves with covetousness and remember that there is much more to give than physical items. The best things you can give are from the Holy Spirit, often no money is needed: we can simply give time to work for noble causes.
We can gift encouragement to those who are discouraged, teaching to those craving knowledge, give a simple prayer to those who need it; we can give a psalm to someone without the word, we can give company to a lonely prisoner or hospital patient, we can give food and shelter to the homeless, water to people from the poorest parts of the world; we can send missions to godless places, we can promote peace to war torn lands, we can give medicine to countries ravaged by disease, and safety to vulnerable victims of crime. We can do a simple chore to make someones life a little easier.
One of my favourite characteristics of the Lord Jesus was his selfless actions: giving everything, including his very life for us. It is written how he spent most of his days serving the needs of others: healing the sick, teaching, casting out devils; and when necessary he also provided an abundance of food and the finest drink. He did not boast about it, serving obediently and with humility.
Not only did he inspire others, make believers, and bear testimony to the power and love of God: through his actions he was setting an example for us to follow. This was all he asked of us: to do the same in return out of thanks and love: to give glory to God by letting His light shine through us.
Acts 20:35 I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.
We can gift encouragement to those who are discouraged, teaching to those craving knowledge, give a simple prayer to those who need it; we can give a psalm to someone without the word, we can give company to a lonely prisoner or hospital patient, we can give food and shelter to the homeless, water to people from the poorest parts of the world; we can send missions to godless places, we can promote peace to war torn lands, we can give medicine to countries ravaged by disease, and safety to vulnerable victims of crime. We can do a simple chore to make someones life a little easier.
One of my favourite characteristics of the Lord Jesus was his selfless actions: giving everything, including his very life for us. It is written how he spent most of his days serving the needs of others: healing the sick, teaching, casting out devils; and when necessary he also provided an abundance of food and the finest drink. He did not boast about it, serving obediently and with humility.
Not only did he inspire others, make believers, and bear testimony to the power and love of God: through his actions he was setting an example for us to follow. This was all he asked of us: to do the same in return out of thanks and love: to give glory to God by letting His light shine through us.
Acts 20:35 I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.
Monday 27 November 2017
Prayer for Guidance
Heavenly Father,
Thank you so much for everything that you do: For leading us and helping to guide our steps.
Please continue to further lead us by your righteous right hand and direct us towards your calling and great plan for our lives. Bless our hands with every blessing and help us to be successful in our endeavours and to reach as many people as possible: To save the lost and edify the brethren; To strengthen the weak and embolden the timid; To heal the sick and make the foolish wise. Graft and shape us into your mighty tree that yields good fruit abundantly with your Holy Spirit.
Please bless and encourage all who read this. All praise and glory to your mighty name Lord Jesus.
Amen.
All Glory to God
Today as I was reading Moody's The Overcoming Life one incredibly powerful part that really stuck with me and encouraged me to write was when he was speaking of the dead and their works, he said "there is one thing you cannot bury with a good man; his influence still lives." echoing:
1 Cor. 3:13 Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. 14 If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. 15 If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.
Works that burn are material: they will burn up with this world, but works that survive are spiritual.
2 Cor. 4:18 ..things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.
The influence of Moody lives on in his writings just as the influence of Biblical authors and characters live on. Words have incredible power, and I want to use them for the glory of God, and I want you to see the power that your words can have too. Sharpen your pencils with the Holy Spirit and make some works that will last long after the flesh fails, spiritual goods to last for eternity.
John 6:63 It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.
1 Cor. 3:13 Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. 14 If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. 15 If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.
Works that burn are material: they will burn up with this world, but works that survive are spiritual.
2 Cor. 4:18 ..things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.
The influence of Moody lives on in his writings just as the influence of Biblical authors and characters live on. Words have incredible power, and I want to use them for the glory of God, and I want you to see the power that your words can have too. Sharpen your pencils with the Holy Spirit and make some works that will last long after the flesh fails, spiritual goods to last for eternity.
John 6:63 It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)