Contributors
Welcome to our 'Contributors Page'. These short teachings come from our team of Mentors who work with the students participating in our online Global Training for Life course. Please keep checking back as this page is continually updated. The older teachings are deleted and replaced with fresh teaching that we believe conveys God's current word for us today. Please feel free to send us a comment or query using the form at the bottom of this page. Thank you.
Comfort
2 Corinthians 1:3-5 KJV….. Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ.
I read and meditate on these verses and I think of those families and friends who lost loved ones in the horrific mass shooting in Colorado. I think of how these verses could help in so many ways, if they put their complete faith in them. I think of the love that God has for each and every one of them and if we look at these verses, how they can bring comfort to them, or anyone that is dealing with pain and suffering.
We don’t know why God allows some things to happen in our lives, but we do know that God is and always will be in control. When we read these verses, we have to remember that He (God) allowed His own Son (Jesus) to be brutally beaten, humiliated and killed and to experience all the pain and suffering that each and every one of us will ever go through. It also tells me that because of Christ living in me that I can be used to comfort those who are hurting, because of Jesus who dwells within me.
Heavenly Father, I thank You for Your promises in Your Word. Father, I pray for those who are hurting from this senseless act of evil. Lord, I pray for Your blessings to be poured out upon the family and friends of those tragically killed and give them peace and comfort and understanding through this time of grief, to bring them closer to You.
In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
I read and meditate on these verses and I think of those families and friends who lost loved ones in the horrific mass shooting in Colorado. I think of how these verses could help in so many ways, if they put their complete faith in them. I think of the love that God has for each and every one of them and if we look at these verses, how they can bring comfort to them, or anyone that is dealing with pain and suffering.
We don’t know why God allows some things to happen in our lives, but we do know that God is and always will be in control. When we read these verses, we have to remember that He (God) allowed His own Son (Jesus) to be brutally beaten, humiliated and killed and to experience all the pain and suffering that each and every one of us will ever go through. It also tells me that because of Christ living in me that I can be used to comfort those who are hurting, because of Jesus who dwells within me.
Heavenly Father, I thank You for Your promises in Your Word. Father, I pray for those who are hurting from this senseless act of evil. Lord, I pray for Your blessings to be poured out upon the family and friends of those tragically killed and give them peace and comfort and understanding through this time of grief, to bring them closer to You.
In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
Let Not Your Heart Be Troubled
John 14:1-3 KJV….. Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in Me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto Myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
What an awesome promise Jesus told His disciples and for all that call on Him to be Lord and Savior. What an awesome expectancy that Jesus loved us so much that He laid down His own, sinless and unselfish life so that we could have a relationship with God the Father and to spend eternity with Him. He loves us so much that He is preparing our house for each and every one of us that believe and are obedient to Him and is coming back to draw us to Him and take us home. Thank You Jesus.
Friends, if you are not sure where your home is when you leave earth, take this time, not tomorrow, because no one knows if tomorrow will ever come here on earth, to call unto the name of Jesus. Confess your sins to Him and turn from them. Let Him be the Lord of all your life.
It is the biggest, most important decision you will ever make. Then when that time comes when we are called up yonder, we will live a life with no more pain and suffering. A time to worship the King of all kings. And rejoice with all our friends and family members that also made that decision.
Heavenly Father, I thank You for being such an awesome God and for all the promises You have left us with. Lord, I thank You that You loved us so much that You gave Your live for me and everyone that called on You to be their Savior. Lord, even though the hurt still remains of losing my dad here on earth, I am joyful that I will see him again when my time is done here on earth. Thank You Jesus and in Your name I pray, amen.
What an awesome promise Jesus told His disciples and for all that call on Him to be Lord and Savior. What an awesome expectancy that Jesus loved us so much that He laid down His own, sinless and unselfish life so that we could have a relationship with God the Father and to spend eternity with Him. He loves us so much that He is preparing our house for each and every one of us that believe and are obedient to Him and is coming back to draw us to Him and take us home. Thank You Jesus.
Friends, if you are not sure where your home is when you leave earth, take this time, not tomorrow, because no one knows if tomorrow will ever come here on earth, to call unto the name of Jesus. Confess your sins to Him and turn from them. Let Him be the Lord of all your life.
It is the biggest, most important decision you will ever make. Then when that time comes when we are called up yonder, we will live a life with no more pain and suffering. A time to worship the King of all kings. And rejoice with all our friends and family members that also made that decision.
Heavenly Father, I thank You for being such an awesome God and for all the promises You have left us with. Lord, I thank You that You loved us so much that You gave Your live for me and everyone that called on You to be their Savior. Lord, even though the hurt still remains of losing my dad here on earth, I am joyful that I will see him again when my time is done here on earth. Thank You Jesus and in Your name I pray, amen.
Abide in Him
John 15:7 (NKJV) “If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.”
Jesus is continues after talking to His disciples about His being the ‘True Vine’ and those who do not bear fruit are pruned off by the Father. Those who are ‘in Jesus’, that is, cleaved to Him, will trust in His strength and guidance for everything they are led to say and do and they will bear fruit.
Someone who supports a football team becomes immersed in being identified with them through wearing their team’s football shirt, badges, hanging their posters on walls and going to as many games as they can. They want everyone to know they are a supporter. The more we focus and rely on Jesus to lead us on His path, the more we are transformed into His likeness. The result of following His will, is that we want what He wants, and so our prayers and desires will reflect this. His Holy Spirit guides us and we follow. We become like Him in every way and say and do only what He wants. The result is we bear fruit – we touch lives. Are you touching someone’s life today? Are you bearing fruit? For this is what He commands.
Lord Jesus, help me to abide in You and, in doing so, to be transformed into Your likeness, so that I may bear fruit, and glorify Your Name. Amen
Jesus is continues after talking to His disciples about His being the ‘True Vine’ and those who do not bear fruit are pruned off by the Father. Those who are ‘in Jesus’, that is, cleaved to Him, will trust in His strength and guidance for everything they are led to say and do and they will bear fruit.
Someone who supports a football team becomes immersed in being identified with them through wearing their team’s football shirt, badges, hanging their posters on walls and going to as many games as they can. They want everyone to know they are a supporter. The more we focus and rely on Jesus to lead us on His path, the more we are transformed into His likeness. The result of following His will, is that we want what He wants, and so our prayers and desires will reflect this. His Holy Spirit guides us and we follow. We become like Him in every way and say and do only what He wants. The result is we bear fruit – we touch lives. Are you touching someone’s life today? Are you bearing fruit? For this is what He commands.
Lord Jesus, help me to abide in You and, in doing so, to be transformed into Your likeness, so that I may bear fruit, and glorify Your Name. Amen
The Palm Tree
Psalm 92:12.... The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon…
I have been pondering on this scripture…. Why flourish like a palm tree? What has a palm got to do with our faith I asked. I heard recently that palm trees flourish in the wind. It is said that when a storm comes they bend, sometimes double, in the wind; even in extreme storm conditions like hurricanes. Other trees like the mighty oak have been uprooted and or damaged. Yet, I have heard it said that the palm’s root system becomes even stronger through the adversity, after which the tree grows even taller.
We need to be like the palm tree and bend in the storms of life. Things don’t always go as planned. Instead of allowing frustration and anger in, or sticking to our pre-conceived ideas of life that sometimes fail and cause upset, let us be flexible like the palm tree. They don’t fret or stress in the storms. They bend and let their roots grow stronger and they grow taller.
Lord! Let us flourish like the palm tree. Let us see that the storms of life are often sent to strengthen our roots and allow personal growth. I pray that we bend and not break but stand tall and, like the palm, look upward to you not around us at the circumstances of life. Amen.
I have been pondering on this scripture…. Why flourish like a palm tree? What has a palm got to do with our faith I asked. I heard recently that palm trees flourish in the wind. It is said that when a storm comes they bend, sometimes double, in the wind; even in extreme storm conditions like hurricanes. Other trees like the mighty oak have been uprooted and or damaged. Yet, I have heard it said that the palm’s root system becomes even stronger through the adversity, after which the tree grows even taller.
We need to be like the palm tree and bend in the storms of life. Things don’t always go as planned. Instead of allowing frustration and anger in, or sticking to our pre-conceived ideas of life that sometimes fail and cause upset, let us be flexible like the palm tree. They don’t fret or stress in the storms. They bend and let their roots grow stronger and they grow taller.
Lord! Let us flourish like the palm tree. Let us see that the storms of life are often sent to strengthen our roots and allow personal growth. I pray that we bend and not break but stand tall and, like the palm, look upward to you not around us at the circumstances of life. Amen.
We Have Been Redeemed from All Curses
Galatians 3:13-14 (KJV)……Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.
I get so exited over these two verses for many reasons. He, Jesus, who is our redeemer, came to earth, died on a cross as a man that knew no sin to wash away all your sin and mine, if we call out to Him to be our Lord and Savior and confess all our sins to Him.
That is exciting. After Adam and Eve fell into temptation in the Garden of Eden, we became separated from God the Father. Now, because of Jesus showing His love for us, to die for us, to not just cover our sin with His blood, but completely wash it all away. There is so much more to look at here.
Go back to Deuteronomy and you will find all the curses that God would have put on the Jewish people. Yet in Galatians 3:13 and 14, first notice, it isn’t just the Jews that are redeemed, it is also the gentiles. Friends that is you and me, if we believe that Jesus is who the Bible says He is and if we become born again. I’m still not done.
If we are redeemed from all the curses, then every sickness, disease and so on, then we have also been redeemed from cancer, diabetes, colds too. If you look at Deuteronomy 28:61 KJV…..Also every sickness, and every plague, which is not written in the book of this law, them will the LORD bring upon thee, until thou be destroyed. Galatians 3:13 says we have been redeemed from the curses.
Friends this is such great news. Do you know Jesus personally? Most importantly, does He know you? If so, get into your Bible daily and find the truths that are in it. Then pray and stand in faith in all the promises that God has given to us.
Heavenly Father, I thank You for Your Word. Lord, I thank You for hearing my prayers and giving me the mind of Christ.
I get so exited over these two verses for many reasons. He, Jesus, who is our redeemer, came to earth, died on a cross as a man that knew no sin to wash away all your sin and mine, if we call out to Him to be our Lord and Savior and confess all our sins to Him.
That is exciting. After Adam and Eve fell into temptation in the Garden of Eden, we became separated from God the Father. Now, because of Jesus showing His love for us, to die for us, to not just cover our sin with His blood, but completely wash it all away. There is so much more to look at here.
Go back to Deuteronomy and you will find all the curses that God would have put on the Jewish people. Yet in Galatians 3:13 and 14, first notice, it isn’t just the Jews that are redeemed, it is also the gentiles. Friends that is you and me, if we believe that Jesus is who the Bible says He is and if we become born again. I’m still not done.
If we are redeemed from all the curses, then every sickness, disease and so on, then we have also been redeemed from cancer, diabetes, colds too. If you look at Deuteronomy 28:61 KJV…..Also every sickness, and every plague, which is not written in the book of this law, them will the LORD bring upon thee, until thou be destroyed. Galatians 3:13 says we have been redeemed from the curses.
Friends this is such great news. Do you know Jesus personally? Most importantly, does He know you? If so, get into your Bible daily and find the truths that are in it. Then pray and stand in faith in all the promises that God has given to us.
Heavenly Father, I thank You for Your Word. Lord, I thank You for hearing my prayers and giving me the mind of Christ.
God's Strategy for Battle
1 Sam 14:6-8….. Jonathan said to his young armour-bearer, “Come, let’s go over to the outpost of those uncircumcised men. Perhaps the LORD will act in our behalf. Nothing can hinder the LORD from saving, whether by many or by few.” “Do all that you have in mind,” his armour-bearer said. “Go ahead; I am with you heart and soul.” Jonathan said, “Come on, then; we will cross over toward them and let them see us. If they say to us, ‘Wait there until we come to you,’ we will stay where we are and not go up to them. But if they say, ‘Come up to us,’ we will climb up, because that will be our sign that the LORD has given them into our hands.”
I was struck by this scripture after reading that the Philistines in the previous chapter, 13, had effectively made sure that Saul’s armies would find no blacksmiths for them to sharpen their weapons. Saul and Jonathan were the only ones, to have sharpened swords and spears. Not much use in battle one might say. Later whilst Saul and about 600 men were resting it would seem, Jonathan and his armour bearer had a plan. They had a strategy that seemed ridiculous but was of the Lord. They killed 20 of the enemy in an area of about half an acre. Amazing!!
This is a lesson for us all, firstly we must make sure that our weapons of warfare are sharpened for the battle before us. We need a strategy, not of our own choosing but of God. Even if the whole idea seems ridiculous to us, if we follow the Lord’s plan we cannot fail. Think of it; there was only Jonathan and his armour bearer, Saul and his men were somewhere else resting under a tree. It is fantastic what God can do. Two of us plus God is a majority. The bible says one can put a thousand to flight and two ten thousand (Deuteronomy 32:30).
Thank you Lord, you are on our side and if you are for us who can be against us, with you Lord and your strategy we can defeat the enemy. Lord cause us to enquire of you and get your plan and to move in the power of the Spirit not in our own strength. Let us always be ready for battle. Help us see that with you all things are possible. Amen.
I was struck by this scripture after reading that the Philistines in the previous chapter, 13, had effectively made sure that Saul’s armies would find no blacksmiths for them to sharpen their weapons. Saul and Jonathan were the only ones, to have sharpened swords and spears. Not much use in battle one might say. Later whilst Saul and about 600 men were resting it would seem, Jonathan and his armour bearer had a plan. They had a strategy that seemed ridiculous but was of the Lord. They killed 20 of the enemy in an area of about half an acre. Amazing!!
This is a lesson for us all, firstly we must make sure that our weapons of warfare are sharpened for the battle before us. We need a strategy, not of our own choosing but of God. Even if the whole idea seems ridiculous to us, if we follow the Lord’s plan we cannot fail. Think of it; there was only Jonathan and his armour bearer, Saul and his men were somewhere else resting under a tree. It is fantastic what God can do. Two of us plus God is a majority. The bible says one can put a thousand to flight and two ten thousand (Deuteronomy 32:30).
Thank you Lord, you are on our side and if you are for us who can be against us, with you Lord and your strategy we can defeat the enemy. Lord cause us to enquire of you and get your plan and to move in the power of the Spirit not in our own strength. Let us always be ready for battle. Help us see that with you all things are possible. Amen.
Witnessing for Jesus
Matt 24:11-14 NKJ…. Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. But he who endures to the end shall be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.
Jesus sits on the Mount of Olives once again to speak to His disciples, this time concerning the things that will signal the last days. Just before our text Jesus assures His disciples that those “who endure to the end will be saved”. Jesus is warning the disciples against mistaking the signs and that they should focus on the work that Jesus has given them. Amidst persecution and trouble, natural disasters and lawlessness, the gospel will still be preached in all nations.
Today we can see some of those signs that Jesus is speaking of, ‘birth pains’ (verse 8 NIV) in the world to herald what is to come. There is much fear and talk about these end times, but Jesus wants His disciples to beware of misreading these signs, of being led astray by false teachings, not to worry, but rather to keep their eyes on Him and the task in hand, which is and always has been, to preach the gospel.
We are His voice today; His followers and His witnesses. Witnesses speak of what they have seen and heard. Instead of being caught up in all the scare mongering going on around us we, like those early disciples, are being called to speak out and witness for Jesus. Let us ensure that His gospel message goes to our neighbours and all nations of the world. The end will not come until all the world has heard the gospel. God Himself will decide when the end will come, not man. So focus on Him and be true to your Christian calling. Be His voice wherever you are, so that others may come to know Jesus and be saved..
Lord Jesus, help us to be your lights in the darkness of this world; help us to boldly speak out for you as we meet people around us, neighbours, friends, strangers in need, so that Your gospel message reaches all the world. Amen.
Jesus sits on the Mount of Olives once again to speak to His disciples, this time concerning the things that will signal the last days. Just before our text Jesus assures His disciples that those “who endure to the end will be saved”. Jesus is warning the disciples against mistaking the signs and that they should focus on the work that Jesus has given them. Amidst persecution and trouble, natural disasters and lawlessness, the gospel will still be preached in all nations.
Today we can see some of those signs that Jesus is speaking of, ‘birth pains’ (verse 8 NIV) in the world to herald what is to come. There is much fear and talk about these end times, but Jesus wants His disciples to beware of misreading these signs, of being led astray by false teachings, not to worry, but rather to keep their eyes on Him and the task in hand, which is and always has been, to preach the gospel.
We are His voice today; His followers and His witnesses. Witnesses speak of what they have seen and heard. Instead of being caught up in all the scare mongering going on around us we, like those early disciples, are being called to speak out and witness for Jesus. Let us ensure that His gospel message goes to our neighbours and all nations of the world. The end will not come until all the world has heard the gospel. God Himself will decide when the end will come, not man. So focus on Him and be true to your Christian calling. Be His voice wherever you are, so that others may come to know Jesus and be saved..
Lord Jesus, help us to be your lights in the darkness of this world; help us to boldly speak out for you as we meet people around us, neighbours, friends, strangers in need, so that Your gospel message reaches all the world. Amen.
Walk Worthy
Jim Kinson
Colossians 1:10 KJV….. That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God….
Apostle Paul said a lot in this one verse. Christians are called out of the darkness of sin to walk in the newness of life. In order to walk worthy of that calling, we have to put off the old man. We must walk in a way that honors the Lord and not our flesh. We have been bought with a price. He wants us to fully live for Him. Christ paid the full price for ours sins, Christ didn't die so that we would live mostly for Him and a little for ourselves. He wants all of us! He died for all of our sins and demands our entire lives for His glory in return.
As Christians, we don't belong to the world, we belong to Christ. We are not here to indulge the old, sinful nature. We have been saved by His grace so that we will live a life worthy of the Lord. The Lord wants us to thrive in every single thing that honors Him. Being fruitful in every good work is hardly doing a little of everything. It isn't about good works: a little love, a little patience, a little kindness, and a tiny bit of humility with more in the back for later. Instead, we should abound in good works! We should abound in the fruit of the Spirit. We should exemplify every good work and Christ-like behavior.
If we say we love the Lord, we need to spend time with Him. If we really want to love God, we have to draw near to Him and then He will draw near to us. If we want to increase in the knowledge of our Savior and King, we have to spend time with Him.
Heavenly Father I thank You for Your Word. I thank You for the Holy Spirit who helps us to understand You and guides us to live a life that is pleasing to You. Lord guide us in our time of learning about You and draw us nearer. In Jesus name, amen
Apostle Paul said a lot in this one verse. Christians are called out of the darkness of sin to walk in the newness of life. In order to walk worthy of that calling, we have to put off the old man. We must walk in a way that honors the Lord and not our flesh. We have been bought with a price. He wants us to fully live for Him. Christ paid the full price for ours sins, Christ didn't die so that we would live mostly for Him and a little for ourselves. He wants all of us! He died for all of our sins and demands our entire lives for His glory in return.
As Christians, we don't belong to the world, we belong to Christ. We are not here to indulge the old, sinful nature. We have been saved by His grace so that we will live a life worthy of the Lord. The Lord wants us to thrive in every single thing that honors Him. Being fruitful in every good work is hardly doing a little of everything. It isn't about good works: a little love, a little patience, a little kindness, and a tiny bit of humility with more in the back for later. Instead, we should abound in good works! We should abound in the fruit of the Spirit. We should exemplify every good work and Christ-like behavior.
If we say we love the Lord, we need to spend time with Him. If we really want to love God, we have to draw near to Him and then He will draw near to us. If we want to increase in the knowledge of our Savior and King, we have to spend time with Him.
Heavenly Father I thank You for Your Word. I thank You for the Holy Spirit who helps us to understand You and guides us to live a life that is pleasing to You. Lord guide us in our time of learning about You and draw us nearer. In Jesus name, amen
Take Yourself Out of Your Own Keeping
June Brown
Acts 16:25-31……But about midnight, as Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns of praise to God, and the [other] prisoners were listening to them, suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the very foundations of the prison were shaken; and at once all the doors were opened and everyone's shackles were unfastened. When the jailer, startled out of his sleep, saw that the prison doors were open, he drew his sword and was on the point of killing himself, because he supposed that the prisoners had escaped. But Paul shouted, Do not harm yourself, for we are all here! Then [the jailer] called for lights and rushed in, and trembling and terrified he fell down before Paul and Silas. And he brought them out [of the dungeon] and said, Men, what is it necessary for me to do that I may be saved? And they answered, Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ give yourself up to Him, take yourself out of your own keeping and entrust yourself into His keeping] and you will be saved, [and this applies both to] you and your household as well. (Amplified Bible)
Paul and Silas were not only thrown into prison but the Amplified Bible says the ‘dungeon’ with their feet in stocks.
What did they do, did they grumble and complain at their circumstances and problems, get angry with God? No! they sang hymns and praise to God. After a while the power of God shook the foundations and the prison doors were flung open and their chains fell off. The bible tells us the jailer awoke from his sleep and was about to kill himself but Paul and Silas spoke out, ‘We are here’. After this the jailor wanted to be saved and he and his whole house were saved and baptised. Amazing!! Notice the verse that says ‘Believe on the Lord Jesus (give yourself up to Him, take yourself out of your own keeping and entrust yourself into His keeping).
I find this these passages amazing. Here Paul and Silas didn’t complain or grumble at their circumstances or their God. When they had the chance to escape from their prison they had compassion on the jailor who was going to kill himself and, as a result, souls were won for the Lord. This speaks realms to me about the situations and circumstances that we find ourselves in when we should focus on God in praise and worship. Sometimes we need our foundations to be shaken to make way for a miracle. The jailor was told here in the Amp Version to “give yourself up to him, take yourself out of your own keeping.” Surely, we need to do this too….
Lord Jesus, we know you are the answer the all our problems and concerns, you tell us to give you all our burdens, that we do not need to carry them because you will carry them for us. We are to look to you, the author and finisher of our faith. Help us to take ourselves out of our own keeping and give ourselves wholly unto you. Help us Lord to focus on not our circumstances but on you, praising and worship you with all our hearts. Amen.
Paul and Silas were not only thrown into prison but the Amplified Bible says the ‘dungeon’ with their feet in stocks.
What did they do, did they grumble and complain at their circumstances and problems, get angry with God? No! they sang hymns and praise to God. After a while the power of God shook the foundations and the prison doors were flung open and their chains fell off. The bible tells us the jailer awoke from his sleep and was about to kill himself but Paul and Silas spoke out, ‘We are here’. After this the jailor wanted to be saved and he and his whole house were saved and baptised. Amazing!! Notice the verse that says ‘Believe on the Lord Jesus (give yourself up to Him, take yourself out of your own keeping and entrust yourself into His keeping).
I find this these passages amazing. Here Paul and Silas didn’t complain or grumble at their circumstances or their God. When they had the chance to escape from their prison they had compassion on the jailor who was going to kill himself and, as a result, souls were won for the Lord. This speaks realms to me about the situations and circumstances that we find ourselves in when we should focus on God in praise and worship. Sometimes we need our foundations to be shaken to make way for a miracle. The jailor was told here in the Amp Version to “give yourself up to him, take yourself out of your own keeping.” Surely, we need to do this too….
Lord Jesus, we know you are the answer the all our problems and concerns, you tell us to give you all our burdens, that we do not need to carry them because you will carry them for us. We are to look to you, the author and finisher of our faith. Help us to take ourselves out of our own keeping and give ourselves wholly unto you. Help us Lord to focus on not our circumstances but on you, praising and worship you with all our hearts. Amen.
Prayer (1)
Tommy Thomson
Luke 11:2-4 NKJV……Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us day by day our daily bread. And forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who is indebted to us. And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
Jesus responded to the request of the disciples to teach them how to pray with this prayer - the ‘Lord’s Prayer’ which has become a model for our prayers. We are to glorify God and seek His earthly intervention in our lives and situations so that we remain faithful to Him.
Jesus placed high importance on prayer. It is our breath of life as we serve God in this world. It is the means by which we get right with God, and how we intercede for the world and fight against the principalities and powers that infiltrate this world. Therefore, we need to be first and foremost people of prayer. Someone once defined prayer as the ‘Christian’s vital breath’. It surely is! (See also 2 Chronicles 7:14).
Lord Jesus, help us to be people who pray regularly, to work in partnership with You as we seek to do Your will on this earth. Amen.
Jesus responded to the request of the disciples to teach them how to pray with this prayer - the ‘Lord’s Prayer’ which has become a model for our prayers. We are to glorify God and seek His earthly intervention in our lives and situations so that we remain faithful to Him.
Jesus placed high importance on prayer. It is our breath of life as we serve God in this world. It is the means by which we get right with God, and how we intercede for the world and fight against the principalities and powers that infiltrate this world. Therefore, we need to be first and foremost people of prayer. Someone once defined prayer as the ‘Christian’s vital breath’. It surely is! (See also 2 Chronicles 7:14).
Lord Jesus, help us to be people who pray regularly, to work in partnership with You as we seek to do Your will on this earth. Amen.
Your Name is Written on God's Hands
June Brown
Isaiah 49:14-16….But the city of Zion said, "The Lord has deserted me. The Lord has forgotten me." The Lord answers, "Can a mother forget the baby who is nursing at her breast? Can she stop showing her tender love to the child who was born to her? She might forget her child. But I will not forget you. I have written your name on the palms of my hands. Your walls are never out of my sight. NIRV
Here the Lord has been speaking to His people Israel. He is reassuring them, that in the midst of all their troubles He has not forgotten them, He speaks of restoration for the nation but this also speaks of restoration for each one of us. He assures us that whatever we are going through or have gone through, there is hope and restoration.
He tells us that He ‘Almighty God’ has written ‘our’ name in the palm of His hands.
Wow, isn’t that so amazing that your name is written in the palm of God’s own hand. We often ask for an autograph from famous people; celebrities as they are called today. We treasure them and remember them. This is even more special, you can’t get any higher than this, God himself writing your name in His hand; written in a kind of indelible ink.
The dictionary explanation is: indelible ink - ink that cannot be erased or washed away
Father God, thank you so much for this amazing revelation, you love us and care for us so much. You will never ever leave us or forsake us, even if our nearest and dearest do. You always have a plan of hope and a great future for us. You always plan to rescue us and restore us. You cannot forget us. Our names are forever before you, written on your hands. Amen.
Here the Lord has been speaking to His people Israel. He is reassuring them, that in the midst of all their troubles He has not forgotten them, He speaks of restoration for the nation but this also speaks of restoration for each one of us. He assures us that whatever we are going through or have gone through, there is hope and restoration.
He tells us that He ‘Almighty God’ has written ‘our’ name in the palm of His hands.
Wow, isn’t that so amazing that your name is written in the palm of God’s own hand. We often ask for an autograph from famous people; celebrities as they are called today. We treasure them and remember them. This is even more special, you can’t get any higher than this, God himself writing your name in His hand; written in a kind of indelible ink.
The dictionary explanation is: indelible ink - ink that cannot be erased or washed away
Father God, thank you so much for this amazing revelation, you love us and care for us so much. You will never ever leave us or forsake us, even if our nearest and dearest do. You always have a plan of hope and a great future for us. You always plan to rescue us and restore us. You cannot forget us. Our names are forever before you, written on your hands. Amen.
A New Life
Tommy Thomson
Galatians 2:20 NKJ…. “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.”
Paul is telling the Galatians that their old lifestyle is finished now and that they have a new life in Christ Jesus and if they return to the old ways then they are guilty of sin. If they obey the Law instead of being obedient to God’s will for them in Christ, they will be transgressing against God. Christ has put His seal, the Holy Spirit, within them. They are to follow Christ’s teachings.
When we heard the call of God we opened the door to our hearts and invited Jesus in and He came in. He lives in us by the power of the Holy Spirit, who brings us the revelation of His teachings and helps lead and guide us into all the truth; the ‘Truth that will set us free’. We have been changed to live a ‘new life’, but we are also being changed as He builds and renews us daily. We feed on His words so that we can have the mind of Christ in all that we do or say as we follow Him.
For Christ to control and direct our lives, though, we have to let go of our old former lives. Things will never be the same for us again yet so many of us try to cling to ‘old habits’. These only hinder and oppose our growth in Christ. Paul said for us to return to our old ways was sinful and a violation of what God has done through His Son, Jesus. We must let go. We have been born again. Therefore, we want Christ to transform us inwardly so that we can be all that God wants us to be.
Lord Jesus, I have been ‘born again’ to a new life. Help me to live this new life and to let go of the old things that hinder my growth. I want to serve you more fully. Amen.
Paul is telling the Galatians that their old lifestyle is finished now and that they have a new life in Christ Jesus and if they return to the old ways then they are guilty of sin. If they obey the Law instead of being obedient to God’s will for them in Christ, they will be transgressing against God. Christ has put His seal, the Holy Spirit, within them. They are to follow Christ’s teachings.
When we heard the call of God we opened the door to our hearts and invited Jesus in and He came in. He lives in us by the power of the Holy Spirit, who brings us the revelation of His teachings and helps lead and guide us into all the truth; the ‘Truth that will set us free’. We have been changed to live a ‘new life’, but we are also being changed as He builds and renews us daily. We feed on His words so that we can have the mind of Christ in all that we do or say as we follow Him.
For Christ to control and direct our lives, though, we have to let go of our old former lives. Things will never be the same for us again yet so many of us try to cling to ‘old habits’. These only hinder and oppose our growth in Christ. Paul said for us to return to our old ways was sinful and a violation of what God has done through His Son, Jesus. We must let go. We have been born again. Therefore, we want Christ to transform us inwardly so that we can be all that God wants us to be.
Lord Jesus, I have been ‘born again’ to a new life. Help me to live this new life and to let go of the old things that hinder my growth. I want to serve you more fully. Amen.