Read Job 1:1-5
Job 1:5
When a period of feasting had run its course, Job would make arrangements for them to be purified. Early in the morning he would sacrifice a burnt offering for each of them, thinking, “Perhaps my children have sinned and cursed God in their hearts.” This was Job’s regular custom.
This morning I woke up to this particular verse – even before I opened my Bible. The verse just came as I was washing my face. What was I thinking then? Actually I don’t think I was thinking at all – to be honest. (It usually takes me about a good half an hour after I wake up for my brain cells to start working).
So – what was happening here? I believe that this is God’s Spirit speaking to me – period. I have known this passage and verse before but today the Spirit is trying to tell me something. Of course I immediately prayed for my children (the plain text says so). Then during my devotion, weird (not really – God is just real – not weird), the devotional prayer book I have been using directed me to Job again!! It was Job again but Job 16:19-21 – talking about our intercessor in heaven – our Lord Jesus…
3 things hit me again today (well, Job 1:5 was more like a lightning bolt hit)…
1. God’s Spirit speaks to our spirit – question is “are we sensitive to His prompting and whisper?”
2. God’s Word is “alive and alive, sharper than any double-edged sword…” (Heb 4:12)
3. God’s fellowship is so very real – I won’t trade my relationship with Him for anything.
But this experience comes to nothing if I do not apply His word. So I
1. Pray for my children – biological and spiritual children
2. Pray that I will be like Job – to be consistent in my prayer-life and discipline and love for my children. To be like Job – that God may ‘boast’ of me to Satan
3. Praise God for the Spirit’s active intercession for me (Rom 8:26,27)
Friday, August 12, 2011
Thursday, August 11, 2011
The untapped Resource
Prayer is the most powerful resource in the hands of the Church.
Prayer inspires – it fuels courage, instils faith and shatters lies. Prayer works – it moves mountains, tears down strongholds and accomplishes feats. Prayer moves the hands of God who holds the universe.
Prayer is also the least utilised tool among God’s people.
It is the last resort after we have tried everything. It is the passive act after all our activities. It is the negligible consultation session after men’s idea. YET the greatest exploits ever undertaken by men for God are achieved in, through and because of prayer.
In prayer, we think God’s thoughts, hear God’s voice and experience God’s Presence. In prayer, we acquire God’s wisdom, see God’s vision and taste God’s goodness. In prayer, we engage the Divine, overcome our flesh and make spiritual advances.
In prayer, the church comes together as a body, unites as a body and moves as a body. In prayer, the church acknowledges our connection to one Lord and depends on each other for sustenance. We laugh, cry and groan as a family.
Prayer works.
Prayer is the power-house of the church
Prayer inspires – it fuels courage, instils faith and shatters lies. Prayer works – it moves mountains, tears down strongholds and accomplishes feats. Prayer moves the hands of God who holds the universe.
Prayer is also the least utilised tool among God’s people.
It is the last resort after we have tried everything. It is the passive act after all our activities. It is the negligible consultation session after men’s idea. YET the greatest exploits ever undertaken by men for God are achieved in, through and because of prayer.
In prayer, we think God’s thoughts, hear God’s voice and experience God’s Presence. In prayer, we acquire God’s wisdom, see God’s vision and taste God’s goodness. In prayer, we engage the Divine, overcome our flesh and make spiritual advances.
In prayer, the church comes together as a body, unites as a body and moves as a body. In prayer, the church acknowledges our connection to one Lord and depends on each other for sustenance. We laugh, cry and groan as a family.
Prayer works.
Prayer is the power-house of the church
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
God Speaks - a sample
Read Mark 11:20-25
God speaks to me through His word this morning: How? Let me show you…
In Mark 11:22-24 (the words in bold font are the verses – the ones in italics are my interaction with God)
“Have faith in God,” (not the program, not in myself, or any system)
Jesus answered. 23 “Truly I tell you, (this phrase often means ‘pay attention, no kidding – take note. In King James version, ‘Verily, I say unto you”. Matter-of-fact, no speculation, no guessing work here, I am not lying – Okay Lord, I get it – YOU are serious here
if anyone (that means me- yes, Lord, ‘if I”) says (not do, not work harder, but just open my mouth – kind of like what you did at creation huh? “let there be light – and there was light”? COOL), >to this mountain, (big obstacle, the ‘Goliath’, ‘the impossible’ task to ignore or get around…)
‘Go, throw yourself (haha – speak to the obstacle, challenge – to remove itself – I don’t have to lift a finger. I don’t move, the problem is to move and not me!! what God says to ‘stand firm’ and ‘take my place’) into the sea,’
and does not doubt in their heart but believes (Lord, I believe, even then, help my unbelief – okay, I believe not in the mountain but in YOU Lord, take my eyes off the mountain but onto YOU alone) that what they say will happen, (wow! It is done!!) it will be done for them. (God, you are gonna do it, aren’t You? Yes! Yes! I didn’t do it – You did it for me! How much You must love me!! My self-worth just got a booster shot)
Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. (Lord, a promise!! I bank in this promise cheque today!!)
Of course, verse 25 talks about the requirement to get God’s promise – we must not harbour unforgiveness in our hearts – O Lord, thank you – so mountain, be moved in Jesus’ Name. AMEN!
God speaks to me through His word this morning: How? Let me show you…
In Mark 11:22-24 (the words in bold font are the verses – the ones in italics are my interaction with God)
“Have faith in God,” (not the program, not in myself, or any system)
Jesus answered. 23 “Truly I tell you, (this phrase often means ‘pay attention, no kidding – take note. In King James version, ‘Verily, I say unto you”. Matter-of-fact, no speculation, no guessing work here, I am not lying – Okay Lord, I get it – YOU are serious here
if anyone (that means me- yes, Lord, ‘if I”) says (not do, not work harder, but just open my mouth – kind of like what you did at creation huh? “let there be light – and there was light”? COOL), >to this mountain, (big obstacle, the ‘Goliath’, ‘the impossible’ task to ignore or get around…)
‘Go, throw yourself (haha – speak to the obstacle, challenge – to remove itself – I don’t have to lift a finger. I don’t move, the problem is to move and not me!! what God says to ‘stand firm’ and ‘take my place’) into the sea,’
and does not doubt in their heart but believes (Lord, I believe, even then, help my unbelief – okay, I believe not in the mountain but in YOU Lord, take my eyes off the mountain but onto YOU alone) that what they say will happen, (wow! It is done!!) it will be done for them. (God, you are gonna do it, aren’t You? Yes! Yes! I didn’t do it – You did it for me! How much You must love me!! My self-worth just got a booster shot)
Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. (Lord, a promise!! I bank in this promise cheque today!!)
Of course, verse 25 talks about the requirement to get God’s promise – we must not harbour unforgiveness in our hearts – O Lord, thank you – so mountain, be moved in Jesus’ Name. AMEN!
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