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Day 10 -Your gates will always stand open…

11 Wednesday Jan 2017

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Your gates will always stand open,
    they will never be shut, day or night,
so that people may bring you the wealth of the nations—
    their kings led in triumphal procession. Isaiah 60:11

Peace will reign in the future of glory for Jerusalem! There will be no need to shut the gates to protect the City because she will have no enemies. The splendor bestowed upon the City by the Lord will turn the enemies to servants. Only those who come to bring glory and honor will show up.

“The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their splendor into it.  On no day will its gates ever be shut, for there will be no night there. The glory and honor of the nations will be brought into it. Revelation 21:24-26 NIV

If only we knew what the future brings, we would lie down in peace and rest. We worry about our days, we do not rest at night. We know not who is for us or who is against us.

God in His mercy and grace, has endowed us with His splendor, His Son.  He is our Redeemer, our Deliverer, our Defender.  His Presence in us makes us safe, gives us hope, opens the way for blessings.

Pray.

Heavenly Father, You are my Light and my Salvation, You are the stronghold of my life. I do not need to fear or be afraid (Psalm 27:1).   I trust in You, Lord!  Your Presence in me draws others to You and prepares a way for great blessing. My future in You does not compare to my past and those who once thought ill of me, will seek me out. I praise You God for Your compassion for me!

You’re the Hero of My Story Click on the link to pray with song.

 

Day 9 -I will show you compassion…

11 Wednesday Jan 2017

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“Foreigners will rebuild your walls,
    and their kings will serve you.
Though in anger I struck you,
    in favor I will show you compassion.”  Isaiah 60:10

The Prophet announces to the nation of Israel that foreigners, those who gave their allegiance to other deities, even they will come to help them restore Jerusalem. The Lord had oftentimes allowed Israel to suffer the consequences of her disobedience and still He loved and favored Israel. And in His favor He shows compassion.

When we find ourselves broken down, in disarray or in need of restoration, we often expect or at least hope that those around us, who know us best, would come to our aide. That’s the natural. The supernatural is when God steers the way of strangers, those far away from us, and leads them to edify us, bring us harmony or renewal.

Often times as a result of our disobedience, we find ourselves estranged from God, hiding from His presence, as if we could ever be able to do that. (Jeremiah 23:24)

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

Can you imagine that those who do not know you will come to assist you in rebuilding, restoration, repair; even those in high places?

Will you believe that even though we may have fallen short at times, God’s favor is upon us and He shows us compassion?

Pray.

Heavenly Father, I am awed at your goodness and your mercies. Though I fail You, you’ve never failed us. And in my brokenness and in my need, You use whomever You need to use to bring healing, refreshing and renewal to my life.  Thank you for being compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love (Psalm 103:8) .

You Make Me New Click on link to pray with song.

 

Day 8 -Bringing your children from afar…

10 Tuesday Jan 2017

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Surely the islands look to me;
    in the lead are the ships of Tarshish,
bringing your children from afar,
    with their silver and gold,
to the honor of the Lord your God,
    the Holy One of Israel,
    for he has endowed you with splendor. Isaiah 60:9

The Prophet Isaiah continues to declare the coming days of glory for Jerusalem as a result of Jerusalem arising, shining and recognizing that the light, the Messiah, the Redeemer, the Deliverer had come.  As a people who as wanderers became a nation, Israel was not seen as much. The time will come when those from far away will look to Israel and will return their inheritance. All this because God has brought splendor to the nation.

There was a time when others did not even take a second look at you because you were distraught and in disarray.  But soon they will be looking at you and will return to you what belongs to you. The darkness will not be able to contain your children and it will let them go! All this because God has brought splendor to your life!

Pray.

Heavenly Father, thank you for sending your Son to seek me out and save me. Thank you that Jesus died for the Jewish nation and “not only for that nation but also for the scattered children of God, to bring them together and make them one.” (John 11:51-52)
Thank  you for loving us so much that we are called your children and although the world may not look to us know they will when your Son is once more revealed. (1 John 3:1-2) We ask that your light will also come to our children and our children’s children. Help us to declare their salvation without hesitation and with courageous faith.

Then They Will Know  Click on the link and declare God’s salvation with this Song!

 

 

Day 6 -Proclaiming the praise of the Lord

07 Saturday Jan 2017

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Herds of camels will cover your land,
    young camels of Midian and Ephah.
And all from Sheba will come,
    bearing gold and incense
    and proclaiming the praise of the Lord.
7 All Kedar’s flocks will be gathered to you,
    the rams of Nebaioth will serve you;
they will be accepted as offerings on my altar,
    and I will adorn my glorious temple. Isaiah 60:6-7 NIV

What a sight? Herds of camels everywhere and from everywhere, loaded down with treasures from those proclaiming the praise of the Lord. Camels from places where the inhabitants lived in tents. Camels that bring gifts from people who made their living by plundering, trading, and the keeping of flocks.

Kedar and Nebaioth were descendants of Ishmael (Genesis 25:13). Ishmael was a half brother to Issac. The descendants of Ismael and the descendants of Issac, both children of Abraham, contribute to the dissension in the Middle East today.  They don’t get along.

Imagine that the gifts of those whom you don’t get along, those with whom you do not relate, will be accepted as offerings on God’s altar. They will adorn God’s temple. 

God’s  temple, God’s house, no longer built with stones but with you and I (Ephesians 2:19-22), adorned by gifts brought by those proclaiming the praise of the Lord.  Gifts accepted as offerings on God’s altar.

As we arise, shine and bring light to the darkness, we are not alone. Others close by and others far away will also arise and shine. Some closer than a brother and sister and others with whom we have not even related will rise and shine. And we will be God’s dwelling place

“Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.  There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called;  one Lord, one faith, one baptism;  one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.”  Ephesians 4:2-6 NIV

As children of God we do not have to pray the same way, sing the same, preach the same or serve the same. As long as we are proclaiming the praise of the Lord, our gifts will be accepted. 

Why then do we look down on other children of God?  Why do we seek to point out our differences? Do we not realize that we as “living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ”?

As we proclaim the praises of the Lord, let us seek the unity among His children.

Pray.

Heavenly Father, thank you for your love for us that is no respecter of person but accepts all and blesses those who are committed followers of Your Son, Jesus.  Help us to rejoice as we witness your children from different congregations worship You with their gifts. Let your love abound in us as we proclaim your praises.

Make Us One Click on the link to pray in song.

 

Day 5 – Throb and swell…

06 Friday Jan 2017

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Then you will look and be radiant,
    your heart will throb and swell with joy;
the wealth on the seas will be brought to you,
    to you the riches of the nations will come.  Isaiah 60:5 NIV

The Israelites had gone through slavery, wandering in the desert, exile and even defeat on occasion. They may have forgotten the promises of God, they couldn’t possibly think that they would ever become that blessed nation through whom other nations would be blessed, ( Genesis 26:4). The prophet Isaiah is awakening them to the truth. It’s going to happen. Get up and get going! Look up and look about you! You’ll be awed.

So many times we keep our head down because we want to hide within ourselves. We’ve gone through so much that we’ve lost our oomph. Other times we are fearful of what we are going to see if we look up. Perhaps we want to pretend we are not present so that we do not have to answer for the need that is around us. We’ve lost our oomph.

Yet when Jesus comes,  when we commit to follow Him, His glory envelops us and we carry His presence wherever we go. We can look up and be radiant; our hearts beating as if to explode, joyous, and in awe. We get our oomph back. Why?

What God said He would do He does. He brings salvation, redemption, transformation, resources, provision, acknowledgment and His generosity will make your heart throb.

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.  Ephesians 3:20-21 NIV

That’s it, you see. We can’t possibly imagine what God has for us as His obedient children. We serve a God who gives. He gave His only Son for us. (John 3:16)

The gift of salvation through His Son Jesus leads us to sometimes think  that is a big enough gift. And yes it is HUGE. Still God is a HUGE God with a HUGE love that surprises us in a HUGE way.

Throb and swell! Brace yourself. God does what He says He is going to do. He will open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it. (Malachi 3:10)

God does what He says He is going to do, when we do what He asks us to do. Pray continually (1 Thessalonians 5:17). Bring the whole tithe (Malachi 3:10). Serve one another (Galatians 5:13). Go! Make disciples of Jesus (Matthew 28:19-20)

Then you will look and be radiant, your heart will throb and swell with joy:

Pray.

Heavenly Father, I exalt you because You are a faithful God. Your promises are yes and amen. (2 Corinthians 1:20). Forgive me for not being faithful to You in my obedience of your commands. Give me wisdom, courage and oomph to do what I need to do. I want to position myself to be awed, to swell and throb as I receive the blessings You have promised to those who obey You. Work in me the will to pray, serve, give and go as You have commanded.

We Carry Your Presence  Click on the link to worship in song.

 

 

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Day 20 – In the name of…

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“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,” Matthew 28:19

Jesus’ command to His disciples when He met with them after His resurrection and before ascending to the Father was that they go and make disciples, that they baptize them in the name of God–the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.

Jesus did not ask them to baptize them in the name of the Pharisees or Sadducees. He didn’t ask them to baptize them in the name of the Sanhedrin.

The Sanhedrin was the ruling council of the Jewish people. It was made up of Pharisees and Sadducees. The Pharisees were mostly middle class while the Sadducees were aristocrats.  They were the religious leaders at the time of Jesus. They represented the Law of God but Jesus rebuked them numerous times.

When Jesus commanded His disciples to baptize others, He told them to baptize them “in the name” of God – the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.

Can you imagine a time when the church – committed followers of Jesus, would go by the riverside and baptize thousands “in the name” of God? No church name, no denomination, no distinction of class, race or social status. In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.  What would it look like? How would it affect your sharing the gospel?

Jesus prayer for His disciples, for us, was that we would all be one, just as the Father and He are one. John 17

What can you do to promote the unity of the church? How can you encourage committed followers of Jesus to focus on sharing the gospel for the sake of humanity? Build up God’s kingdom and not anyone else’s kingdom?

Go and make disciples of Jesus. Go and baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.

Pray Psalm 133 John 17:23 Colossians 3:12-14

Heavenly, Father, how pleasant and good it is when Your children live together in unity. Help us to put aside our worldly differences and realize that we are all created in Your image, redeemed by Your Son’s sacrifice.

Bring us to complete unity that the world will know that we are Your children, loved by You.

Holy Spirit empower us to clothe ourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Help us bear with each other and forgive one another just as the Lord forgave us. Let your perfect love, O God, bind us all together in perfect unity.

God, help us to obey your command to go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. We will do it as one body.

The Body of the Most High! (click on the link to worship in song)

 

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Day 19 – Therefore Go…

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“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,”  Matthew 28:19 NIV

Jesus met up with His disciples after His resurrection. The disciples responded by worshipping even though some of them had their doubts about this man they had seen crucified just 3 days before. He was alive! He is risen!

Jesus addressed them and let them know that all authority had been given to Him. He didn’t take it. He didn’t usurped it. It was given. It was given to Him because He didn’t bank on being God when He came to live among us, instead He humbled Himself and was obedient to the Heavenly Father even to death on the cross.

Following His statement that all authority had been given to Him, Jesus said, “Therefore” –for that reason, consequently, as a result, “Go”.

“Go”, move, leave, depart!

“Make disciples”. Disciples—mathēteuō (original greek)—a learning believer.  Make, form, produce learning believers!

Go, move, leave, depart and make, form, produce learning believers!

Jesus is saying, “I have been given all the authority and for that reason I am telling you to get going, don’t stay in place, move to form growing, learning believers!

How many times have you asked God to put people in your path so that you can share the good news? How many times do you wait for people to ask you about your faith? Ever used the statement “preach the gospel at all times and whenever necessary use words?

Have you ever considered that waiting is the opposite of “go”? How will you form learning believers, if you don’t teach them? How can you teach without using words?

“Therefore, Go”  share the good news of God’s love -Jesus –  with everyone who would hear and bring them along in the understanding of what it is to follow Jesus.

Pray Romans 10:1  2 Corinthians 5:20 Ephesians 6:19

Heavenly Father, make my heart’s desire and my prayer be for those who need salvation. You have trusted me to be an ambassador for Christ. Let me not cease to beg on behalf of Christ that those who are not yet Your children, be reconciled to You.

I want to be bold and “go” and speak! And I pray that when I begin to speak, the right words will come to me. Then I will boldly make known the secret of the gospel. 

Thank you, Lord for backing me up with all authority to be able not just to share the good news of salvation, but to help people grow as followers of your Son, Jesus.

Let it not be said of our congregation that our feet are not going, if we are the body. (click on this link for today’s song for you to worship in song)

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Day 18 – All authority…

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Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Matthew 28:18 NIV

Before Jesus was crucified, He taught from the Hebrew Scriptures with authority. He healed with authority. He did miracles with authority. After His resurrection, Jesus appears to His disciples in Galilee and He says to them I have ALL authority; it has been given to me.

Imagine Jesus was saying,  “I have overcome mockery, whippings, piercings, crucifixion, death. The tomb could not hold my body. I have conquered death! ALL authority is mine!”

Wouldn’t you like to align yourself to someone like that? Nothing is in His way. Everything He wants to do, He can do. He has ALL authority in heaven and on earth. He can calm the storm, silence the seas, make the mute speak, the deaf hear, the dead come to life. He can save the lost, deliver the captive, heal the sick, bring hope to the hopeless and bring joy to the sorrowful.

All authority – jurisdiction, privilege, capacity, freedom, influence, force, and right, besides authority and power, now belongs to Jesus!

If anyone can, Jesus can! He has ALL authority!

Jesus was given All authority because he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even death on a cross! God exalted him to the highest place! Gave Him ALL authority! Philippians 2:8-11

Are you powerless over your circumstances? Are you facing challenges that have gotten the better of you? Are you willing to humble yourself? Are you being obedient?

Take your cue from Jesus and “In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;  rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.” Philippians 2:5-7

Humility and obedience is the key to authority in the Kingdom of God.

Pray  Luke 10:19 1 Peter 1: 14 2 Corinthians 10:5

Our Father, who loves us and sent your Son to provide a means of reconciliation with you, thank you! Thank you for His victory on the cross, His victory over death, has given us all authority to overcome all the power of the enemy.

Holy Spirit empower me to be obedient and to not conform to the evil desires of my past life or of this world.

I demolish all arguments and every pretension that sets itself against you o God! I bring every thought captive to the obedience of Jesus Christ.

I humble myself before you, o Lord, King of kings, Lord of lords! I want to walk in your authority to honor and please you.

I want to be close to you, The Great I am! (click on this link for today’s song for you to worship in song)

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Day 17 -Some doubted…

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When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. Matthew 28:17 NIV

After Jesus’ resurrection, His disciples went to the mountain in Galilee to meet up with Him. This was the first time they would see Him since He was crucified. They had heard from the women who had gone to the tomb that He had risen. The women also told them that Jesus had met up with them. Jesus had instructed the women to tell the disciples to go to the mountain. He would see them there.

The disciples went to the mountain. And lo and behold, Jesus met them there. Their response was a mixed one. They worshipped Him and “some doubted”.

Imagine this. The disciples worshipped Him. “Some doubted. It doesn’t say some worshipped and some doubted. No, it says the disciples worshipped him; “but some doubted“.

Have you ever prayed to God doubtful that He would answer you or that He would even hear you?  Have you ever confessed your faith in God even when you’ve doubted? Do you worship (live according to His Word, give Him honor, praise Him) in the midst of your doubt?

David, the Psalmist, was riddled with doubts about God being there for him. He called out to God, “How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and day after day have sorrow in my heart?” Psalm 13

Peter doubted Jesus when He told Him that he would deny Him three times. Peter denied Jesus. Matthew 26 It was Peter that the Holy Spirit used to stand up and address the crowd to testify about who Jesus was. Acts 2:14-38

To have faith does not mean that we will not have doubt. And even when we are faithless, He is still faithful. 2 Timothy 2:13

Pray Mark 9:24 Hebrews 11:1 Ephesians 3:16-17

Lord, I believe. Help me overcome my unbelief! I want to have confidence in what I hope for and believe even when I do not see.  Help me to walk by faith and not by sight. I do not want to look at my circumstances and question You, O God. I want to look to You and question my circumstances.

I pray that out of Your glorious riches You may strengthen me with power through Your Spirit in my inner being, so that Christ may dwell in my heart through faith. And I pray to be rooted and established in love.

Help my Unbelief!

 

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Day 16 -To the mountain…

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“Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go.” Matthew 28:16 NIV

An angel of the Lord told the women at the tomb of Jesus that Jesus was risen and to go and tell the others. On the way to tell the others, Jesus met up with them and told them to “Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.” (Matthew 28:10 NIV)

The women relayed the message to the disciples and they went to Galilee.  Whether out of faith or out of curiosity, the disciples went “to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go.”

Perhaps they thought about the times they went “to the mountain” with Jesus and figured that even if He wasn’t there, they could reminisce about it.  Perhaps the women’s instructions reminded them of their patriarchs and ancestral fathers, Abraham and Moses, who would go to the mountain to encounter God.

Regardless of the reason,they went “to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go.”

It was “to the mountain” that Jesus took His disciples to share with them His take on the Ten Commandments – How to love God and love others. There they witnessed His authority in teaching the Law. Matthew 5, 6, 7. It was “to the mountain” that the multitudes followed and the disciples witnessed His compassion and His miracles. Matthew 15:29-39.

It was “to the mountain” that Jesus led His disciples. There He was transfigured and revealed Himself to them as the Son of God. Matthew 17.

Going “to the mountain” was familiar to them. Going “to the mountain” represented a place of revelation, intimacy and power.

Where do you go “to the mountain”? Where is that place, space or time, where God revealed Himself to you? Where you received instruction from Him? Where His compassion, His intimacy and power were made real to you?

Pray Psalm 15 

Lord, I want to dwell in the sacredness of Your Presence, live on your holy mountain -consistently submerged in Your love, compassion, righteousness, holiness.

Help me to walk blameless, to do what is right, to speak the truth from my heart. Keep my tongue from slandering. Keep me from doing wrong against others. Let me not sit by idly as others do wrong, but help me to honor, respect, follow those who honor You.

Empower me through Your Holy Spirit to do what is right even when I don’t feel like it.

I want to go “to the mountain”.

I Want to Meet You There!

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