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PRAYER_by_navalatanjjnn

Pleasing Our God and Savior

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1 Timothy 2 scripture image

  • What is going on in these verses?
    • Paul wrote to instruct Timothy concerning the care of the church at Ephesus.
    • This is a formal instructive letter that deals mostly with the nature of pastoral conduct.
      • Nothing is more important than to use prayer, this means of grace that gives us access to God. Christians should pray especially for all of those in authority.
      • In urging Timothy to pray, Paul reminded him that God ‘desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth’. Christ ‘gave himself a ransom for all’ and this involves not only preaching but, praying, which should be done peacefully and faithfully everywhere. The message to preach and to support in prayer is of ‘one God, and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus’.
      • Timothy must’ve taken care that this was done.
    • There must be prayers for ourselves for one; it’s implied. We must also pray for all men, for the world of mankind in general, and for particular people who need or desire our prayers.
    • Our duty as Christians is summed up in two words: godliness, that is, the right worshipping of God; and honesty, that is, good conduct toward all men. These two must go together; we’re not truly honest if we’re not godly and don’t render to God His due, and we’re not truly godly if we’re not honest.
    • Prayer consists of various parts, of supplications, intercessions, and thanksgivings; because we must pray for the blessings we want, as well as be thankful for blessings already received; and we’re to take to task judgments which our own sins or the sins of others deserved; which means we’re to stop sinning and correct the wickedness of sin.
    • That which is acceptable in the sight of God our Savior we should do, and should be abounding in.
    • One reason why all men are to be prayed for is because there is one God and that God bears a goodwill to all mankind. There is one God and one only, there is no other, there can be no other because there can only be one immortally infinite. There is one Mediator, Jesus, and that Mediator gave Himself a ransom for all.

The design of the Christian religion is to promote prayer; and the disciples of Christ must be praying people. Pray always with all prayer, Ephesians. 6:18.
-Matthew Henry

  • What is God’s word saying?
    • I may not be a preacher or minister to a church body, but I am a women’s ministry leader. I need to be in prayer always.
    • I need to work diligently at not sinning; because I have a Savior who has wiped away sin. I must accept any judgment against my sin.
    • I need to lift up the leaders and pray for them.
    • I praise GOD for sending Jesus, the Messiah, to be my once and for all Savior. He is my Redeemer. I am redeemed by the blood of the Lamb, Jesus.
    • There’s no special specific cookie cutter prayer… I simply need to include:
      1. praise and worship; devotion
      2. requests
      3. thanksgivings
      4. always end prayer: In Jesus’ name, amen (or some variation of it.)

Prayer: Dear ABBA YAH, I praise and worship You. I ask and lift up my leaders and others who need it. You know them intimately in detail. I do not. I thank  You for placing me in this position and that You use me for Your grand purpose and plan. Thank You for meeting my needs and others. You are awesome and amazing, YAH. I lift up the readers that they will learn from this blog and seek You and be open to You in their lives. In Jesus’ name, amen.

No Weapon Formed Against Me Shall Stand image

No Weapon Turned Against You Will Succeed

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Isaiah 54 scripture image

  • What is going on in these verses?
    • The prophet Isaiah knew people who lived double lives—his fellow Israelites—and he shared God’s hatred for their deceitful compromise. Isaiah challenged them to shape up and love God with all their hearts and minds.
    • Isaiah wants his readers to see their hypocrisy and change their ways.
    • In our experience, the mountains and hills seem permanent and unchanging, but the commitment of God to His people will remain when they are gone.
    • Matthew Henry states this:
      Very precious promises are here made to the church in her low condition, that God would not only continue his love to his people under their troubles as before but that he would restore them to their former prosperity, no, that he would raise them to greater prosperity than any they had yet enjoyed. Here we have the humiliation and exaltation of the church; for, if we suffer with him, we shall reign with him.
    • First, God won’t own them  (evildoers), won’t give them either commission or countenance; they gather together, hand joins in hand, but it is not by me (God). God gave them no such order  And so, secondly, their attempt will end in their own ruin.
    • The truth is they have no power but what is given them from above, and he that gave them their power can limit and restrain them.
    • God will protect them from their adversaries both in camps and courts.
  • What is God’s word saying?
    • Wow! There’s a lot going on in this scripture. I’m comforted and reassured that God will protect me from evildoers. If I have any hypocrisy, I pray that I repent and turn away and change my ways. So far, so good, though. How about you, reader?
    • I’m also reassured that God’s commitment to me will never go away.
    • I am so thankful for God’s promises to me and His children. I’m indebted and grateful that God provided a savior to redeem me back to Him.

Prayer: Praise You, Father God. Thank You for Your promises, Your grace and mercy, and Your gift of salvation. I pray that lost souls will seek You and know that they also will inherit these things too. I lift up all the ill (physically, mentally, and spiritually), as well as, all the lost souls ruling on the earth who have us in such a turmoil as we scramble to do what we need to do, for You, God. I pray that we, Your children, will be helpers to the widows and orphans who truly need it. In Jesus’ name, amen.

The Good News – Series, Prt 3

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2 Timothy 2_8-10 scripture image

  • What is going on in these verses?
    • In my reading and research, I find that the book of 2 Timothy was a letter written to Timothy, a disciple of Jesus,  by Paul; to encourage Timothy in suffering for Christ’s sake. It was Paul’s comfort that God’s word was not bound. The Good News of the Gospel is, that Jesus was raised from the dead.
    • Next to the salvation of our own souls, we should be willing to do and suffer anything to encourage the salvation of the other’s souls.
This is the great proof of his divine mission, and therefore a great confirmation of the truth of the Christian religion; and the consideration of it should make us faithful to our Christian profession, and should particularly encourage us in suffering for it. Let suffering saints remember this. Matthew Henry
  • What is God’s word saying?
    • While it’s tough to go through suffering and hardship, doing it for the Lord’s sake makes it all worth it. It’s comforting to know and experience an unbound God’s word. There is nothing that can hold it down, nor hide it.
    • I need to be available to allow the Holy Spirit to work in and through me. My suffering for Jesus is nothing compared to the suffering He went through to become my Savior. I’m willing to endure suffering for Jesus to bring lost souls to Him so He can save them.

Prayer: Thank You, dear God, for the salvation of my soul and others. Use me, Lord. I’m here. I offer myself to You. I pray all of Your children will do so. In Jesus’ name, amen.

aaron burden unsplash image

The Good News – Series, Prt 2

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Mark 38_34-38 scripture image

“They shall not share with Him in His glory then, that were not willing to share with Him in his disgrace now.” Matthew Henry
  • What are the details in these verses?
    • I observe that Jesus is with His disciples and telling them that they must give up their own way, take up their cross [note: whatever is going on that seems to be unbearable life circumstances], and follow Him. If they don’t give it up and follow Him, they’ll lose their life [spiritual death]. For the sake of the “Good News”, they will save their life if they give it up [spiritually alive]. If they lose their soul, what good is having the whole world? If they’re ashamed of Jesus and the message of the “Good News” in these sinful times, Jesus will be ashamed of them when He returns in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.
    • It’s eye-opening to see how life is affected when I’m not following Jesus and not sharing His Good News. When I’m disobedient to Him, my life is in chaos and turmoil. Don’t get me wrong, there are still burdens to bear, but they either make me stronger in faith or weaker. I’d rather not lose my soul to the world. It’s not worth it!
  • How can this be applied in life?
    • I should not be ashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
    • I need to share the Good News of the Gospel with lost souls.
    • I need to get out of God’s way and stop trying to control everything in my own way and understanding. My way is sorely lacking!
  • What changes need to be made?
    • Read His word more
    • Pray to Him ceasingly
    • Allow the Holy Spirit to pour over me and use me.
  • What actions need to be taken?
    • Share the Good News of the Gospel more
    • Basically, get out of God’s way!
    • Just Do It!

Prayer: Show me the way, God. Remove my blinders and let me see what You want me to see. Shove me out of Your way and use me for Your purpose so that the Good News of the Gospel can be spread to lost souls. Thank You, God. I pray that the readers of this devotional will move out of Your way so You can use them too. For those who are in the way, that is. Thank You, Jesus, for being the Messiah and being the Savior. In Jesus’ name, amen.

aaron burden unsplash image

The Good News – Series, Prt 1

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Isa-61_1-3 scripture image

  • What are the details in these verses?
    • I observe in this scripture that Isaiah the prophet is sharing about Yahweh’s Spirit and preaching the “Good News” to the humble. He is sharing that Yahweh sent him to proclaim the Good News of Yahweh and to proclaim Yahweh’s favor and to give them joy and praise that He may be glorified. The Good News is about Jesus coming to save God’s people.
The good news is about the living God overcoming all the powers of the world to establish His rule of justice and peace, on earth as in heaven. N.T. Wright, Simply Good News: Why the Gospel Is News and What Makes It Good
  • What is God’s word saying to me?
    • I find it amazing that Jesus is in and throughout the old testament. Discerning this in my reading will open my heart to God and the Gospel. Taking time from the daily grind and recharging by being in His word and listening to what it is saying will help me to be able to share the gospel with the lost and dead souls. I need to be available and not distracted by the world so that God can use me.

What about you? What do you observe in the scripture above? What do you discern God is saying to you in this scripture?

Prayer: Thank You, Yahweh, for Your word and speaking to me and those who read it. I pray that I and the readers of this will be open to hearing from Your word and helping us to apply what we learn to our lives and to be a vessel for You to reach out to the lost souls to bring them to You through sharing The Good News of the Gospel. I lift up our world leaders and pray that they will be proper leaders and not tyrants terrorizing the citizens. Thank You for Your blessings and promises in Your word. In Jesus’ name, amen.

devotion bible image

Be Jubilant With Joy!

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Psalm 68 scripture image

  • What are the details in these verses?
    • I observe that David sang and prayed a song of triumphant joy before God; singing praises to God; to His name and that God would appear in His glory. God is the God of widows, orphans, and the broken-hearted. God has relocated from God with us to God in us.
Those who rejoice in God have reason to rejoice with exceeding joy; and this joy we ought to wish to all the saints, for it belongs to them.
– Matthew Henry
  • What is God’s word saying to me?”
    • I need to show triumphant joy before God Almighty. I need to be praising and worshiping His holy name, YAH!
    • I need to remove all distractions and roadblocks. I need to “Just Do It!”

Prayer: Dear YAH, thank You immensely for who You are, for what You do and continue to do, and for your promises and blessings in my life and the lives of Your saints. I lift up the spiritually, mentally, and physically ill to You. I pray that whatever happens that You will be honored and glorified and that those who are ill will find peace of mind in You. In Jesus’ name, amen.

NOTE: Starting 4/4, there will be a new series leading up to Resurrection Sunday, called: Bringing the Good News. Watch for it!

PRAYER_by_navalatanjjnn

The Call – Not From Any Human Source

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Galatians 1 image

To serve God is the deliberate love-gift of a nature that has heard the call of God. -Oswald Chambers

According to Paul, in the scripture, and Oswald Chambers, God’s call on our lives happens without our choosing. Paul mentions in verse 12 that he received revelation directly from Jesus Christ. Then in verse 15, it says: But even before I was born, God chose me and called me by his marvelous grace.

We are God’s vessels. He uses each of us for his grand purpose. To share the Good News of the Gospel to save lost souls for Christ.

What are you doing to prepare yourselves for God to place a ministry on your hearts? Paul went away and spent time preparing himself. Then, he came back to spend time with Peter to learn to be a disciple of Jesus. God doesn’t need ours or any other human source to do HIS will in our lives. HE simply wants each of us to give HIM time. HE wants to use each of us. HE will use each of us with or without our permission. It’s HIS prerogative!

Dear Father YAH, thank YOU for the call on my life and pray for all the others YOU call on to be on board with YOU and not resist it. Show us, LORD, what we need to do to honor YOU and to glorify YOU. I pray each person reading this will be convicted to seek and surrender fully to YOU. I pray also, Father YAH, for the sick. I pray for healing and recovery according to YOUR will. Thank YOU, in Jesus’ name, amen.

The King is Coming!

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Scripture

Jesus, He’s our King. He’s coming!

“He is the God of salvation; treasures of salvation are in him.”

Matthew Henry

So amazing! REJOICE, O’ people. SHOUT in triumph.

Aren’t you excited and joyful of the coming King? How are you celebrating Jesus? Me?

I celebrate Jesus every day of the year. I pray, share Him with everyone I can, and serve when I can. HE was the ultimate servant. He washed his disciple’s feet.

Your turn! GO!

Prayer:

Dear Abba Yah, I pray for the readers of this blog and lift them up to You. I pray that they accept Jesus as their savior and they shout and rejoice Jesus coming as their King. In Jesus’ name, amen.

GOD; He Delivered Us!

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Scripture

“Let us trust in that God who has often delivered us to do it still, to do it now! Let us not be so stunned, but have an eye to God in His word, not in an image; let us depend upon that, and upon the promises and predictions of it, and God’s power to accomplish them all. And let us know that the unbelief of man shall not make the word of God of no effect.” ~ Matthew Henry

God is my creator! There is none like Him and none can compare. There is no equal. He alone is The Almighty, omnipotent (infinite in power), omniscient (having complete or unlimited knowledge, awareness, or understanding; perceiving all things), omnipresent, (present everywhere, at all times, at the same time) God.

God, Yahweh, is my deliverer, now and always. He will manage with our without me. He has all control. He doesn’t need me to accomplish His plan. There is nothing I can offer Him to accomplish His plan.

All I need to do it trust, obey and have faith in Him and Him alone. What does that mean for me? How does it apply to my life? How can I apply it to my life? Here are my thoughts:

  1. Stop being selfish and thinking I can handle my life without God; because it’s not possible.
  2. Pray
  3. Be in His Word
    1. It is alive. Every time I read it God stretches me to learn more to apply more to my life.
  4. Have Christian fellowship with like-minded brothers and sisters in Christ knowing that God will use those relationships to sharpen me to more Christ-like.
  5. Stop believing the lies of the devil.
    1. If you need guidance here, message me and I’ll help.
  6. Live by example! Be Christ’s example to a lost world.

Dear Abba Yah, show me the way because a lot of times I’m so lost I’m unable to find my way. I trust You. I know You will never mislead me. I pray for the readers of this blog. I lift each of them up to You. I pray that they will earnestly surrender to You and divest themselves of all worldly things and follow You 100%. I pray this for myself as well. It’s easy to get distracted and veer off the path. Thank You in advance for hearing and answering my prayers, Yahweh. In Jesus’ name, amen.

A Vow

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Scripture To read the full text of this scripture go to Judges 11:29-40

A vow is of vital importance. That’s one main reason why vows are also used in a wedding ceremony. God’s word holds vows to a high standard.
Deuteronomy 23:21-23 says this:
“When you make a vow to the Lord your God, be prompt in fulfilling whatever you promised him. For the Lord your God demands that you promptly fulfill all your vows, or you will be guilty of sin. However, it is not a sin to refrain from making a vow. But once you have voluntarily made a vow, be careful to fulfill your promise to the Lord your God.

Jephthah was no different. He kept his vow. His one and only child, his daughter, accepted and was ok with the vow her father made. She made only one request and he granted her that request. He waited for her return home before he fulfilled the vow he made to God.

My friend, Andrea, and a bible reading group member, made an astute observation and insight on this scripture reading. She said, “I think God wanted us to understand what it was like to sacrifice one’s only child through this story. Jephthah’s daughter was his only child and a virgin. She was also willing to die. It’s kind of a foreshadowing of Jesus Christ.”

God will work out His plan in our lives’ with or without us being on board. Jephthah’s daughter was on board. What a great child. Jesus was also on board. He was willing to give His life for the salvation of all people of all time. Not everyone will accept that free gift. But, that is also part of God’s plan. How has accepting Jesus’ free gift of salvation affected your life?

How does this apply to our lives today? How do we apply it to our lives today?

Here’s what I believe:

  1. We must take God seriously.
    • He’s not just some fairytale that we tell stories from.
    • He’s real; He’s alive and so is His word.
      • Each time we read His word they must feel like they’re jumping off the pages at us and speaking directly to us. What we read one time and gain insight from may not be the same the next time. He may be telling us something else the next time. That’s how dynamic His word (The Holy Bible) is.
  2. We must be about the Father’s business.
    • We must be so in tune with the Father that we don’t even realize or know anything else about everyone and everything that is going on around us. He’ll meet our needs. Trust Him!
    • Here’s a quoted story as an example:
      A lady went to her Pastor and said: “Pastor, I won’t be going to your church anymore.” The Pastor responded, “But why?” The lady said “Ah! I saw a woman gossiping about another member; a man that is a hypocrite; the worship team living wrong; people looking at their phone during service; among so many other things wrong in your church.” 
      The Pastor replied, “OK. But before you go, do me a favor: take a full glass of water and walk around the church three times without spilling a drop on the ground. Afterward, leave the church if you desire.” The lady thought: too easy! She walked three times around the church as the Pastor had asked. When she finished she told the Pastor she was ready to leave. 
      The Pastor said, “Before you leave I want to ask you one more question. When you were walking around the church, did you see anyone gossiping?” The lady replied “No.” “Did you see any hypocrites?” The lady said “No.” “Anyone looking at their phone?” “No.” “You know why?” “No.” 
      “You were focused on the glass, to make sure you didn’t stumble and spill any water. It’s the same with our life. When we keep our eyes on Jesus, we don’t have time to see the mistakes of others. We will reach out a helping hand to them and concentrate on our own walk with the Lord.”
  3. What else can you come up with? I look forward to hearing from you.

Dear Jesus, thank You for this great insight. Thank You for the gift of salvation. Thank You for Your grace. I lift up all those who read this post and pray for their needs to be met; no matter what they are. You’re the Almighty, Who can make anything happen. I pray that those who read this devotion with fully surrender to You and fully seek You. Thank You in advance for hearing and answering this prayer. In Jesus’ name, amen.