January 1 2007 – New Beginnings

Thank God for the New Year. Jesus says:

“I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.” Revelations 1v8

“And He said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto Him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.” Revelations 21v6

Jesus is Alpha and Omega, He is the beginning and the ending, before we were, He was. He says that if anyone is athirst, He will give of the fountain of the water of life freely. In this New Year, come to Jesus, daily, and let your sustenance be from Him.

Have a very wonderful year.

Verse for thought:
“All that the Father giveth Me shall come to Me; and him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out.” John 6v37

Verse for praise:
“And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.” Psalm 1v3

December 31 – “Where they have been.”

Dear all,

Have a happy new year. Indeed in the year 2006, God was faithful and He will continue to be faithful to us in 2007 in Jesus name, Amen. He is merciful He is true, He is faithful He is kind, blessed be His holy name forevermore. Amen.

And Father we thank You so much for Your mercies for Your blessings for Your goodness upon our lives in this past year. If we begin to count all our blessings, they are too much, more than can be counted up to You. We are grateful, we are thankful, we appreciate all that You do and continue to do. In this year 2007, Lord go through with us, let Your hand of mercy and love be upon us, let us show forth Your light and Your love, and let all the glory be to Your Holy name in Jesus name, Amen. Be exalted O Lord in Jesus name. Lord Jesus, we reverence You, Holy Spirit, we appreciate You, Father, we adore You. Thank You so much for 2006, we are so very grateful, we love You and praise Your Holy name now and forevermore in Jesus mighty name we pray, Amen.

Verses for praise:
“How precious also are Thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them!

If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I awake, I am still with Thee.” Psalm 139 v 17&18

December 30 – Some prayers

Some verses I did not know were in the Bible and astound me each time I see them and could very well be prayers:

“And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ.” 2 Thessalonians 3v5

“Now the Lord of peace Himself give you peace always by all means. The Lord be with you all.” 2 Thessalonians 3v16

May it be so in Jesus name, Amen.

December 29 – No more cramps.

So earlier this night, I was sitting with my parents and brothers and all of a sudden I started having serious cramps in my stomach – like when you eat a large apple on an empty stomach i.e. acid. Something said to ask for prayers, and a prayer was said, and afterwards something else said get up. Now in a situation like that it is easy to want to stay laid down and curled up and bear the pain in comfort. But the pain is all gone, and we thank God:

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:” Ephesians 1v3

“Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of His knowledge by us in every place.” 2 Corinthians 2v14

And the way we think ought also to be different. For instance, WWJD – What Would Jesus Do?

“For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct Him? But we have the mind of Christ.” 1 Corinthians 2v16

December 28 – Why care when He cares.

One song we used to sing when we were younger, and perhaps even now is cast your burden unto Jesus for He cares for you... But sometimes I forget. That’s when worry and anxiety and thoughts begin to fly about. But the word says:

“Casting all your care upon Him; for He careth for you.” 1 Peter 5v7

Is it a care? Then give it to Him. Is it causing you to think, then give it to Him. But it takes humility to give it up, talk less of casting it to someone else as we see in the previous verse 1 Peter 5v6:

“Therefore humble yourselves [demote, lower yourselves in your own estimation] under the mighty hand of God, that in due time He may exalt you,” (Amplified Bible)

“If you will humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, in His good time He will lift you up.” (The Living Bible).

His hand is mighty, and He is mighty to save.

Have a wonderful day.

--
Verses for praise:
“I know that, whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever: nothing can be put to it, nor any thing taken from it: and God doeth it, that men should fear before Him.” Ecclesiastes 3v14

“For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and His ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.” 1 Peter 3v12

December 27 – Be ye not slothful.

“That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.” Hebrews 6v12

“In order that you may not grow disinterested and become [spiritual] sluggards, but imitators, behaving as do those who through faith (by their leaning of the entire personality on God in Christ in absolute trust and confidence in His power, wisdom, and goodness and by practice of patient endurance and waiting are [now] inheriting promises.” Hebrews 6v12 (Amplified Bible).

“Then, knowing what lies ahead of you, you won’t become bored with being a Christian nor become spiritually dull and indifferent, but you will be anxious to follow the example of those who receive all that God has promised them because of their strong faith and patience.” Hebrews 6v12 (The Living Bible).

Yesterday, I was mentioning to my family how in church on Sunday, for one moment, the thought of, oh, I really would like to go home now or how much longer do we have to be here for, came to mind. And I was scared. I really was. I thought to myself, how easy it is to become complaisant about the things of God or about God Himself, and then I became sober. Before vs. 12, Paul says:

“For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward His name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.” Hebrews 6v10

God is not unfaithful, He remembers. He remembers our deeds, the good things we do towards His name, our helping of His children. Our transgressions He removes as far as the east is from the west, and the north from the south, and does not remember, but our labour of love, He doesn’t.

Yet, when we turn back, His heart is very much saddened, and His soul displeased with us. Paul’s remedy, don’t be slothful i.e. don’t become lazy. Two, look at what lies ahead, following the examples of others who have gone on before us including Jesus, in patience and in faith, and may God help us all in Jesus name. Amen.

Have a grace-full day.

December 26 – WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR?

“And the scribes and Pharisees watched Him, whether He would heal on the sabbath day; that they might find an accusation against Him.” Luke 6v7

Intentions, intentions, intentions. Now looking or rather watching Jesus was not bad in and of itself, but the reason behind it, their intention – to find an accusation against Him was. Many times we carry out an action let’s say in form of a verb e.g. cook, clean, serve, worship, adore, sacrifice which are not bad in and of themselves, but the that they might, like the Pharisees, to accuse Him or perhaps to prove others wrong, or to make yourself look good or ... the list is unending could be.

But we know that regardless that love in and of itself “is kind ... seeketh not her own, hopeth all things, believeth all things, suffers long, endureth all things, beareth all things,”

In particular, we see in 1 Corinthians 13v6-7 that as for love,

“It is never glad at injustice, but rejoices whenever truth wins out. If you love someone, you will be loyal to him no matter what the cost. You will always believe in him, always expect the best of him, and always stand your ground in defending him.” 1 Corinthians 13v6-7 (The Living Bible).

--
Verse for praise:
“If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.” John 8v36

Verse for thought:
“So when they continued asking Him, He lifted up Himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let Him first cast a stone at her.” John 8v7

December 25 – Merry Christmas

2000 years ago... and over, was the day Christ was born in Bethlehem:

“That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.
He was in the world, and the world was made by Him, and the world knew Him not.
He came unto His own, and His own received Him not.
But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name:” John 1v 9-12

December 24 – How Isaac knew Him.

“And Isaac spake unto Abraham his father, and said, My father: and he said, Here am I, my son. And he said, Behold the fire and the wood: but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?

And Abraham said, My son, God will provide Himself a lamb for a burnt offering: so they went both of them together.” Genesis 22v7&8

The next thing Isaac knew, he was the lamb, all bound up and about to bear the brunt of his father Abraham’s knife. But then the God whom His Father served, who had ordained this mission, caused his father Abraham to still his hand against him. And that was one of the first recorded encounters that Isaac had with the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob. Isaac knew Him as a God who was merciful but at the same time demanded total loyalty and obedience which when given the blessings just overflowed. Isaac knew Him as a God who may take you to the end of your human strength, a point when all your heart can do is beat loudly saying Lord have mercy, Daddy I am trusting in You, when will You show up.

And then he knew Him as his Rehoboth – meaning for now the LORD hath made room for us, and we shall be fruitful in the land. And then He knew Him as one who brought good things to His doorstep even as He worshipped Him like He brought Rebekah to him as he went out to meditate in the field in the eventide.

How do you know Him?

--
Verses for thought:
“That I may know Him, and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being made conformable unto His death;” Philippians 3v10

“Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.” Philippians 4v6

December 23 – Indeed it is pleasant

A Bible verse much quoted is Psalm 133v1 which says:

“BEHOLD, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!” The love of God has been shed abroad in our hearts by His Holy Spirit who lives in us and dwells in us. Don’t resist love. Even this Christmas season, be open to love from others and fellowshipping with them and most importantly to the tugs of the Father to spend time with His children.

Have a lovely day.

Verses for thought:
“Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.” Romans 13v10

“That they all may be one; as Thou, Father, art in Me and I in Thee, that they also may be one in Us; that the world may believe that Thou hast sent Me.” John 17v21

December 22 - How different?

In Luke 6v32-34, Jesus asks His disciples:

“For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them.

And if ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye? for sinners also do even the same.

And if ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again.

What makes us different? What makes us stand out? What makes us different from every other person who do not know and have not experienced the love of God?

Have a glorious day.

--
Verses for thought:
“But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be children of the Highest: for He is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.” Luke 6v35

“The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.” Psalm 103v8

December 21 – From Ephesians: Such Grace

Hello everyone,
How are you doing on this day? I hope well. It is indeed a beautiful day that the Lord has made and we can rejoice and be glad in it, and I will be. The song “Friend of God” by Israel and the New Breed just came on and it depicts this verse that Paul wrote to the Galatians:

“If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward:” Ephesians 3v2.

Grace – unmerited favour. Something that we do not deserve, and God just showers upon us. Just as we see too in Zephaniah 3v17:

“The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; He will save, He will rejoice over thee with joy: He will rest in His love, He will joy over thee with singing.” Zephaniah 3v17.

Such grace available for us from God. Let us praise Him for it, shouting a joyful noise unto Him for indeed He is worthy to be praised.

--
Verses for praise:
“I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.” Galatians 2v21

“For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.

Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4v15&16

December 20 – As children of light

“For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:
(For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;)” Ephesians 5v8&9 (King James Version)

“For the fruit (the effect, the product) of the Light or the Spirit [consists] in every form of kindly goodness, uprightness of heart, and trueness of life.” Ephesians 5v9 (Amplified Bible)

“For this light within you produces only what is good and right and true.” Ephesians 5v19 (New Living Translation)

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.” Galatians 5v22&23

And the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth.

Have a wonderful day.
Verse for praise:
“They are brought down and fallen: but we are risen, and stand upright.” Psalm 20v8

Verse for thought:
“And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.” 2 Corinthians 6v16

December 19 - We rejoice

December 19 – We rejoice

Hello everybody,
How are you doing on this day? I hope well. I am fine, in school and counting down days to go home. Now from Philippians, we see in chapter 3v1 where Paul says to the Philippians:
“FINALLY, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord…”

Rejoicing in the Lord may not always seem easy especially when things are not going well. It could be you are walking in the bitingly freezing cold, with no gloves and carrying a shopping bag in hand, while your teeth are chattering- it may really be hard to shout halleluyah. Yet we ought to rejoice:

“Rejoice evermore.” 1 Thessalonians 5v16

One can ask why rejoice? No use sulking when you know that your redeemer liveth, when you know that weeping may endure for a night but joy cometh in the morning, when you know that if God be for you, who can be against you? No use, no use. And besides we rejoice because we hope in the salvation of the Lord, and in His goodness. One song I listened to recently, had the introduction that we praise God because He has been too good for us not to, and it mentioned something about do we think God does not care when we do not?

Have a glorious day.

Verse for thought:
“Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:

But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when His glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.” 1 Peter 4 v 12&13

December 18 - In love

“According as He hath chosen us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love:” Ephesians 1v4

And we know that love – suffereth long; is kind; envieth not; vaunteth not itself; is not puffed up; behaves not itself unseemly; seeketh not her own; is not easily provoked; thinketh no evil; rejoiceth not in iniquity but rejoiceth in the truth; beareth all things; believeth all things; hopeth all things; endureth all things; never fails; of faith, hope and love, it is the greatest.

So God chose us in Christ Jesus before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before God in love. This could mean in love God chose us, or that as we walk before God we should live in a bubble of love. As we see in 1 John 4v7-9:

“Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God: and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.

He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.

In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him.”

Here we see a manifestation of God’s love, in that He sent Jesus to die for us so that we might live through Him. And we know too that in Him we live, and move and have our being.

Have a glorious day.