Awesome God

Bible Text: Psalm 47:2

The Awesomeness of God cannot be described. However there are things and situations that reveal a glimpse of this awesomeness.

Nature reveals this awesomeness. The heavens declare the glory of God;
    the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
2 Day after day they pour forth speech;
    night after night they reveal knowledge (Psalm 19:1-2)

His awesome power sustains life on earth, the birds never lack food, the flowers of the field he clothes with beautiful colors. Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; 29 and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. (Matthew 6:28-29)

His Awesome power was seen in the life of the widow of Zarephath, through her obedience to the prophet Elijah her jar of flour and jug of oil never ran out. (1 Kings 17:7-16 ). In the life of Abraham his awesome power was revealed through the birth of Isaac to Abraham and Sarah in their old age  (Genesis 21:1-7) and the provision of a ram for sacrifice in the stead of Isaac. (Genesis 22:1-19)

His Awesome power was revealed for the Israelites with the Red Sea in front of them, and Pharaoh and his army behind them. They had no where to run to. God made a way for them, by dividing the Red Sea for them to crossover on dry ground but swept Pharaoh and his army into the Red Sea.(Exodus 14)

Ultimately his awesome power was revealed when he sent his only begotten son to die in our place, so that we may have life and have it abundantly. "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." (John 3:16)

Our God is an awesome God. None can compare to him. Besides him there is no one. To whom then will ye liken God? or what likeness will ye compare unto him? (Isaiah 40:18)

Prayer: Lord Jesus, I commit my life in your hands. You are the Awesome God, show me your Glory today!

And unto Him who is able to do exceedingly, abundantly, above all that we could ever ask or think, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever.  

Amen!

Full Armour of God

Bibe Text: Ephesians 6:10-18

For every occasion we have to be dressed accordingly. Likewise we who are in a spiritual warfare should be dressed for battle.  For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. (Ephesians 6:12)

The devil is going up and down seeking whom to devour. We are therefore to stand firm in God and in His mighty power and equip ourselves fully with God's full armour to be ready for the day of evil.  (1 Peter 5:8)

The full armour of God consist of the following: 

 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit,which is the word of God.

18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. (Ephesians 6:14-18)

When we have the full armour of God on we will be able to stand our ground when the day of evil comes. When we have the belt of truth, our trust will be in Jesus who is the truth and will not be deceived by the devil's lies (John 14:6). With the breastplate of righteousness on we will live lives that please God and in so doing God abides with us and we will never be shaken (Psalm 16:8). When we have the shield of faith, we will seek God and believe that He will protect us from all harm (Hebrews 11:6). With the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, we will have God's word in our hearts and mouths always, and be deeply rooted not to be shaken by any circumstances (Joshua 1:8). And last but not the least, when we pray in the Spirit always we build ourselves up ready for battle. (Jude 20)

Prayer: Lord Jesus, I commit my life in your hands. To be able to stand firm in the day of evil, Lord help me to equip myself with the full armour of God. 

And unto Him who is able to do exceedingly, abundantly, above all that we could ever ask or think, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever.

Amen!

No Weapon Formed Against You Prosper

Bible Text: Isaiah 54:17

Haman had evil intensions for Mordecai. This was as a result of Mordecai's refusal to bow down to Haman. Haman had everything set in place to destroy Mordecai and the whole Jewish nation. He had received a green light from King Ahasuerus to annihilate the Jews on basis that they had different rules and did not obey the King's laws. For Mordecai he had a special gallows made ready to hang Mordecai. (Esther 3)

What Haman did not see coming was that God himself will intervene for the Jews to save them. God through Esther delivered his people from the evil plot against Mordecai and the Jews. (Esther 7)

The table had turned in the favor of Mordecai and the Jews, and rather Haman was hanged in the very gallows he had prepared for Mordecai. The decree against the Jews was also revoked. As the word left the king’s mouth, they covered Haman’s face. 9 Now Harbonah, one of the eunuchs, said to the king, “Look! The gallows, fifty cubits high, which Haman made for Mordecai, who spoke good on the king’s behalf, is standing at the house of Haman.” Then the king said, “Hang him on it!” So they hanged Haman on the gallows that he had prepared for Mordecai. Then the king’s wrath subsided (Esther 7:9-10)

Let the wicked fall into their own nets, while I pass by in safety. 

(Psalm 141:10)

When we dwell in the secret place of the Most High God, we will abide under the shadow of the Almighty. Our protection is from above. Psalm 91 says He shall give his angels charge over you

to keep you in all your ways. The weapon Haman fashioned, formed and forged against Mordecai and the Jews did not prosper. Rather his demise was what he had planned against God's people.

No weapon formed against you shall prosper,

And every tongue which rises against you in judgment

You shall condemn.

This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord,

And their righteousness is from Me,”

Says the Lord.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, I commit my life in your hands. 

And unto Him who is able to do exceedingly, abundantly, above all that we could ever ask or think, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever.

Amen!

He never Sleeps

Bible Text: Psalm 121:3-4

Sleep here shows a pause in our normal activities. Irrespective of whether we sleep talk or sleep walk, we are still very much asleep. When asleep we are mostly unawares of our environment.

There is One who never sleeps, always active, always working, the Most High God.
He will not let your foot slip—he who watches over you will not slumber; Indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. (Psalm 121:3-4)

God is ever present, 24/7. And the icing on the cake is that He deals with us on a personal basis. He never forgets to wake us up, he never forgets to supply us with just the amount of Oxygen. With God it is not a one-to-many relationship. It is a one-to-one relationship. 

Out of fear we may think God will not see us through the situations that overwhelms us. Like Sarah we may laugh off the news of good things God can do for us out of doubt. (Genesis 18:12) But we have a God who never sleeps, he is always putting the pieces of our lives together to bring out a beautiful picture each and every day. His plans are to bring us success and an expected end. For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. (Jeremiah 29:11)

God never sleeps means our prayers reach him in real-time. He knows what we need before we even open our mouths or hearts to place our request.  So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. (Matthew 6:31-32)

 God never sleeps means he is always Protecting, always Loving, always Providing, always Healing, always Beautifying our lives. Put your trust in this God who never sleeps and never slumbers and you will not regret it.

Do you feel that the Lord has forgotten your need. 

Just remember that God is always working in ways you cannot see.

Our God is able. 

He is mighty. 

He is faithful.

And He never sleeps, He never slumbers. 

He never tires of hearing our prayer. 

When we are weak He becomes stronger. 

So rest in His love and cast all of your cares on Him.

(Don Moen - He never sleeps)

Prayer: Lord Jesus, I commit my life in your hands. I put my trust in put for you are working in ways I cannot see. You are the God who never sleeps and never slumbers.

And unto Him who is able to do exceedingly, abundantly, above all that we could ever ask or think, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever.

Amen!

Created for Good Works

Bible Text: Ephesians 2:10

There is a story of a woman who had two pots, one good one and a cracked one. However everyday she used both to fetch water at the stream. The good one gave her much water once she reached home but the cracked one had leaked throughout the journey home. Then one day, the cracked one asked her mistress, Please why do you keep taking me to the stream although I give you just half the water you fetch? The mistress replied: I had planted some flowers by the side of the road, so as your water pours out it waters the flowers and I harvest them later to beautify the living room.

Everyone has a purpose here on earth. As hard as it is to believe, it is true. No one is a mistake. The story of the two pots illustrates this.

We too like the pots have a purpose. God who is the potter has moulded us to serve a specific purpose. Yet you, LORD, are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand. (Isaiah 64:8) . Ephesians states that this purpose was prepared in advance for us to do. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. (Ephesians 2:10)

We can only fulfil this purpose when we are in Christ and live according to his will. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will. (Romans 12:2) . 

We have to fulfil our calling according to the Great Commission. Preaching the Good News of the death and Resurrection of Jesus for our sins to the whole world. We have to be Christ here on earth, the light of the world and the salt of the earth. Taking care of the needy and less privileged as much as we can should be our top priority. 

Our creator has assigned us a specific duty and we his creatures have a task to perform and be up to task. 

Prayer: Lord Jesus, I commit my life in your hands. Help me to know my purpose here on earth and fulfil it. 

And unto Him who is able to do exceedingly, abundantly, above all that we could ever ask or think, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever.  

Amen!

God is Good!

Bible Text: Psalm 34 

The Psalmist begins on a note of praise to God for the things he had done. The Lord had delivered him from his fears. He was thankful to God, telling of His goodness to everyone. Glorify the Lord with me; let us exalt his name together. I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears.

Thanksgiving should be an integral part of God's children. Most people do not see the need to publicly tell of the wonders of God in their lives. I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame. (Psalm 34:4-5)

Here we see how a word of encouragement is brought out of giving thanks to God and testifying about His goodness. We are to testify of God's goodnesss no matter how small we think it is. There may be someone struggling to keep up his faith in God. A word of thanksgiving telling of God's marvelous works would encourage such a person that God can also come through for him.

 In verse 9 we see that it is only those who fear the Lord who receive something from him. In thanking God a word of advice is brought out. A call to fear God is made. Noting clearly that those who fear God will lack nothing. They too will eventually have a cause to Give God thanks.

The Psalmist who had experienced God's goodness calls on us to likewise Taste and See that God is good. In order to taste we have to trust that the one we call upon is able. When we taste we let go of all doubts, closing our eyes to the world and focusing on Jesus, ready to enjoy the delicious flavor of his goodness. Tasting is believing in the amazing Power of the I AM.

When we taste, we will see that he is good. There will be physical evidence of this goodness. Moses tasted and the Red Sea was divided (Exodus 14), Joseph tasted and he was released from prison to be placed in charge of Egypt (Genesis 41:41-43), Elijah tasted and the Lord answered him by fire (1 Kings 18:16-39).

Do not delay, open up your heart, taste and see that the Lord is good. 

Prayer: Lord Jesus, I commit my life in your hands. You are God and there is none like you. Help me to put my trust in You that I may taste and see your goodness.

And unto Him who is able to do exceedingly, abundantly, above all that we could ever ask or think, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever.

Amen!

Rise Up and Pray

Bible Text: Matthew 25:1-13

When given an invitation to an event, the time, venue and sometimes dress code is made available. Likewise God has invited to the Second Coming of Christ. However we have not been given a time, all that reads on the invitation is Watch and Pray. This is very little information to work with. We are used to knowing when something is to happen so we can better prepare ourselves. But things are different in this case. We do not know the day or hour Christ shall come again. But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father. (Mark 13:32)

The Ten virgins were waiting for the bridegroom. They had prepared, ready with their lamps, waiting for the arrival of the bridegroom. They fell asleep after a long wait and still no bridegroom. The wise ones had brought oil for the lamps but the foolish ones did not. When the bridegroom finally arrived they had run out of oil, the wise ones had extra oil but the foolish ones were found wanting.

So it is with the instructions we have been given. Watch, Be on guard, Be alert. We watch through obedience to the Word of God. "Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak." (Matthew 26:41) This alertness will keep us from falling. Watching is similar to a watchman of a house keeping close watch over the house for any suspicious activities. This obedience to the Word of God will keep us safe as we wait for the second coming of Christ. (James 1:25)

It is natural to grow weary of watching and waiting for someone. We may keep up the watching attitude for a while but soon to grow weary and distracted. As we pray, keeping a continuous link with God, He will strengthen us to keep watch for his second coming. 

Prayer: Lord Jesus, I commit my life in your hands. I want to be like the wise virgins, help me to have enough oil for my lamp when you arrive. 

And unto Him who is able to do exceedingly, abundantly, above all that we could ever ask or think, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever.  

Amen!