(Today's devotion is brought to you by Paul)
Scripture Reference: 2 Corinthians 5:20-21 (NKJV)
"Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God. For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him."
Did you know that whenever you confess "I am the righteousness of God", you are recognizing Christ's death and His work on the cross? 2 Cor 5:21 says that Christ, who was sinless, became sin on our behalf, that we might become the righteousness of God!
As I meditate on this verse, I know my position as God's child. These are the few things that I have, and I am:
1. I am reconciled to God, I have no feud or anger towards Him whatsoever (v20)
2. I acknowledge that Christ's death on the cross took away my sin. He has put it on Himself, so I am sinless.
3. I am fully aware that Christ's death, with His blood poured out for me, has washed me clean.
4. Therefore, I am qualified to become God's righteousness!
Brothers and sisters, remember this: always know that you are the righteousness of God already. By acknowledging it, you are laying hold of what Jesus has done for you on the cross. His death is not wasted on you. You show your gratitude by confessing your righteousness in Him!
Don't try to BE Christ by suffering. I know many people, including some of my cell members, who are so plagued by their sins of the past, that they are unable to rise up to serve God, and are spiritually crippled. God has taken away our sins, He has suffered on our behalf and He "remembers them no more" (Isa 43:25). So you are free to serve Him, to dance for joy, to sing in praise of Him!
(Today's devotion is brought to you by Paul)
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
Sunday, May 13, 2007
Ordinary Person + Extraordinary God = Extraordinary People
(Today's devotion is brought to you by Paul)
Scripture Reference: Genesis 18:14 (NKJV)
"Is anything too hard for the LORD? At the appointed time I will return to you, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son"
What you are going to read next, is something that happened just these past 3 weeks, and are things that happened, true to the point of my knowledge...this will be a tad long but I'm sure you will be blessed.
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3 weeks ago, one of the ladies in my customer service team (her name is Jennifer) called me and told me that her husband got dengue fever, but didn't realise it until 3 days after. So he was warded in TTSH. Water got into his lungs but the doctors said that was a small problem. But later on they found some problems with his liver and kidney.
My staff is a 52-yr old Christian lady, formerly from FCBC but now in another church. I am very close with her because we belong to the same dialect and she is a very efficient worker, so I trust her a lot and talk to her a lot.
Jennifer's husband is a heavy drinker, though Christian, and that is one of the reasons for the liver problems. One week later her husband suddenly had difficulty breathing one day and collapsed. So he was immediately rushed to the hospital and put in ICU. Jennifer called me the next day and she was crying over the phone. A man who has spent more than 20 years in marriage with her, now on the verge of leaving unexpectedly...how could she not be upset?
So as she shared with me, I was heartbroken for her because I see her almost like my own mother. Her husband even told her that should he die, he would not want to have a funeral wake and he wanted to be cremated straightaway (his is a rather isolated kind of character). So I prayed for her and claimed God's promise that despite all the talk from the relatives, there "WILL BE NO FUNERAL. In fact, God, Jennifer will not even have to spend much on hospital bills because You are going to give him a new kidney and new liver and he will be discharged!"
After the prayer she was crying over the phone and I cried with her, knowing her heartbrokenness. But this was when I remembered the Scriptures saying that Nothing is too hard for God. So I claimed daily that even though the world may think that getting healed is supernormal, to God it's only NORMAL, because God WANTS to heal.
One week later (which was last Sunday, 7 days ago), Sister Jennifer called me to update me, this time in tears again because the doctors are now giving her husband only one more week, before asking her to make the decision to pull the life support system out of him. I told her straight that though outwardly, to man, he was dying, but somehow this boldness came over me and I just told her that NO he will not die, and he will wake up, move to normal ward, and be discharged in no time because healing belongs to God. She agreed with me and never have I seen a woman as strong as she is (with exception of course, my very own mother).
Last night, at the Jackie Pullinger conference, Jennifer called me and yelled into my phone. I could not hear what she was saying and had to come out of the auditorium. Her husband had woken up and moved to the normal ward! He now no longer needs to insert an oxygen tube (he was previously relying fully on 100% oxygen from the system) and now am only wearing an oxygen mask. He can talk and when he's tired, he will write on the board to tell the family what he wants to. Against all that the doctors have said, Jennifer's husband has survived!
I cried with tears of joy together with Jennifer and all I kept saying was "Hallelujah PRAISE THE LORD!"
-----------------------------------
In the Scriptures, Sarah was without child, but the Lord promised her a child, even in old age.
Brothers and sisters, what is deemed many times impossible by humans, is nothing to God. HE will do it, we just need to ask Him. And the Bible also says that "the prayer of faith will save the sick" (James 5:15, NKJV), so we really just need to believe when we pray.
I'm going to give Jennifer a big hug when she comes back to work, after her husband is discharged. =)
(Today's devotion is brought to you by Paul)
Scripture Reference: Genesis 18:14 (NKJV)
"Is anything too hard for the LORD? At the appointed time I will return to you, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son"
What you are going to read next, is something that happened just these past 3 weeks, and are things that happened, true to the point of my knowledge...this will be a tad long but I'm sure you will be blessed.
----------------------------------------------
3 weeks ago, one of the ladies in my customer service team (her name is Jennifer) called me and told me that her husband got dengue fever, but didn't realise it until 3 days after. So he was warded in TTSH. Water got into his lungs but the doctors said that was a small problem. But later on they found some problems with his liver and kidney.
My staff is a 52-yr old Christian lady, formerly from FCBC but now in another church. I am very close with her because we belong to the same dialect and she is a very efficient worker, so I trust her a lot and talk to her a lot.
Jennifer's husband is a heavy drinker, though Christian, and that is one of the reasons for the liver problems. One week later her husband suddenly had difficulty breathing one day and collapsed. So he was immediately rushed to the hospital and put in ICU. Jennifer called me the next day and she was crying over the phone. A man who has spent more than 20 years in marriage with her, now on the verge of leaving unexpectedly...how could she not be upset?
So as she shared with me, I was heartbroken for her because I see her almost like my own mother. Her husband even told her that should he die, he would not want to have a funeral wake and he wanted to be cremated straightaway (his is a rather isolated kind of character). So I prayed for her and claimed God's promise that despite all the talk from the relatives, there "WILL BE NO FUNERAL. In fact, God, Jennifer will not even have to spend much on hospital bills because You are going to give him a new kidney and new liver and he will be discharged!"
After the prayer she was crying over the phone and I cried with her, knowing her heartbrokenness. But this was when I remembered the Scriptures saying that Nothing is too hard for God. So I claimed daily that even though the world may think that getting healed is supernormal, to God it's only NORMAL, because God WANTS to heal.
One week later (which was last Sunday, 7 days ago), Sister Jennifer called me to update me, this time in tears again because the doctors are now giving her husband only one more week, before asking her to make the decision to pull the life support system out of him. I told her straight that though outwardly, to man, he was dying, but somehow this boldness came over me and I just told her that NO he will not die, and he will wake up, move to normal ward, and be discharged in no time because healing belongs to God. She agreed with me and never have I seen a woman as strong as she is (with exception of course, my very own mother).
Last night, at the Jackie Pullinger conference, Jennifer called me and yelled into my phone. I could not hear what she was saying and had to come out of the auditorium. Her husband had woken up and moved to the normal ward! He now no longer needs to insert an oxygen tube (he was previously relying fully on 100% oxygen from the system) and now am only wearing an oxygen mask. He can talk and when he's tired, he will write on the board to tell the family what he wants to. Against all that the doctors have said, Jennifer's husband has survived!
I cried with tears of joy together with Jennifer and all I kept saying was "Hallelujah PRAISE THE LORD!"
-----------------------------------
In the Scriptures, Sarah was without child, but the Lord promised her a child, even in old age.
Brothers and sisters, what is deemed many times impossible by humans, is nothing to God. HE will do it, we just need to ask Him. And the Bible also says that "the prayer of faith will save the sick" (James 5:15, NKJV), so we really just need to believe when we pray.
I'm going to give Jennifer a big hug when she comes back to work, after her husband is discharged. =)
(Today's devotion is brought to you by Paul)
Friday, May 11, 2007
Prayer Is More Powerful Than Kungfu (Third Level)
(Today's devotion is brought to you by Paul)
Scripture Reference: 1 Thess 5:16-18, Phil 4:6 (NKJV)
"Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." (1 Thess 5:16-18, NKJV)
Note the words "in everything give thanks", and that is not all: this is "the will of God in Christ Jesus for you"! Did you know that it is God's will for you to give thanks? And the best part is, God wants you to be give thanks in all circumstances, and to rejoice always!
Brothers and sisters, this verse is one of my favourite verses and I pray that it will speak to you much. If God's will for us is to give thanks to Him, wherever we go, whatever we do, in all circumstances, we will always have things to give thanks for, right?
Remember, God is a God who is powerful and Almighty. So do know this: if God wants you to rejoice always, do you think He will not want to give you the things to have cheer over? The Bible says "In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33, NKJV).
God has already overcome the world! Be of good cheer and rejoice always! In the midst of all these He also says "pray without ceasing". God calls us to pray nonstop, as and when we remember and can.
"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God" (Phil 4:6, NKJV)
Remember, seek first the kingdom of God and His Righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. We all just need to ASK.
In those martial arts movies we see the hero always using his most powerful move, only when he has tried all previous methods and they don't work. He uses his first 9 levels of kungfu but to no avail. The enemy is too strong for him. Only when he uses the level 10, does he defeat his enemy and kill him.
Prayer is your most powerful weapon, and please, do not let it become your last resort. Cut short your battle with the devil today because the longer you drag, the more danger you may come to. Use prayer as your first resort and leave him no way out. Have victory today, and have it your way.
(Today's devotion is brought to you by Paul)
Scripture Reference: 1 Thess 5:16-18, Phil 4:6 (NKJV)
"Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." (1 Thess 5:16-18, NKJV)
Note the words "in everything give thanks", and that is not all: this is "the will of God in Christ Jesus for you"! Did you know that it is God's will for you to give thanks? And the best part is, God wants you to be give thanks in all circumstances, and to rejoice always!
Brothers and sisters, this verse is one of my favourite verses and I pray that it will speak to you much. If God's will for us is to give thanks to Him, wherever we go, whatever we do, in all circumstances, we will always have things to give thanks for, right?
Remember, God is a God who is powerful and Almighty. So do know this: if God wants you to rejoice always, do you think He will not want to give you the things to have cheer over? The Bible says "In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33, NKJV).
God has already overcome the world! Be of good cheer and rejoice always! In the midst of all these He also says "pray without ceasing". God calls us to pray nonstop, as and when we remember and can.
"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God" (Phil 4:6, NKJV)
Remember, seek first the kingdom of God and His Righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. We all just need to ASK.
In those martial arts movies we see the hero always using his most powerful move, only when he has tried all previous methods and they don't work. He uses his first 9 levels of kungfu but to no avail. The enemy is too strong for him. Only when he uses the level 10, does he defeat his enemy and kill him.
Prayer is your most powerful weapon, and please, do not let it become your last resort. Cut short your battle with the devil today because the longer you drag, the more danger you may come to. Use prayer as your first resort and leave him no way out. Have victory today, and have it your way.
(Today's devotion is brought to you by Paul)
Tuesday, May 8, 2007
Prayer Is More Powerful Than Kungfu! (Second Level)
(Today's devotion is brought to you by Paul)
Scripture Reference: Still on James 5:16 (NKJV)
"Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much."
In the last blog, I mentioned that there is a place where we can receive and get the righteousness of God, through faith in Christ. So, that's good. But what's next?
Notice the word "effective" in James 5:16? How can we make effective prayers? Read on.
"Again, the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And he said to Him, 'All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me.' Then Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the LORD your God, and Him only you shall serve.’” Then the devil left Him, and behold, angels came and ministered to Him. (Matt 4:8-11, NKJV)
Notice the word "For it is written..." (v10). Do you know that even Jesus quotes from the Scriptures? He is no different from us! Here, our Lord was being tempted by the devil but He used the Word and the important thing is this...He SAID it. He voiced it. Basically He told satan off using the Word of God! And what happened next, was that the devil left Him, and behold! Angels came and ministered to Him!
Brothers and sisters, do you notice that when you watch those period dramas, those pugilists and those well-versed in martials arts, loved to say the stance when they display it? For example, when one is using the Drunken Fist, he will say it out loud and clear, "Haha, let me show you my Drunken Fist!" and he proceeds to show his Drunken Fist.
There is great truth in this: The Bible teaches us that when we learn to make prayers, we learn to pray prayers that are of God's Word.
For example, when you are not well, don't just pray "Father, I pray that I will recover soon". This is good but it can be better! Pray "Father, Your Word in Isa 53:5 says that by Your Stripes we are healed. Not just 'going to be healed', not just healed 'soon', but that we ARE healed! Thank Your for Your Promise, the Bible says it, I believe it, that settles it!"
Today, learn to pray Biblical prayers, pray the verses and promises of God as you are praying for something in your life. As you pray these verses and promises, you are reminding God of His claims. Numbers 23:19 says that "God is not a man, that He should lie...". He will never sabo you, He will keep His promises and He will bless you. As you practice your kungfu, speak out the stance that you're displaying. Satan will be in fear!
(Today's devotion was brought to you by Paul)
Scripture Reference: Still on James 5:16 (NKJV)
"Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much."
In the last blog, I mentioned that there is a place where we can receive and get the righteousness of God, through faith in Christ. So, that's good. But what's next?
Notice the word "effective" in James 5:16? How can we make effective prayers? Read on.
"Again, the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And he said to Him, 'All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me.' Then Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the LORD your God, and Him only you shall serve.’” Then the devil left Him, and behold, angels came and ministered to Him. (Matt 4:8-11, NKJV)
Notice the word "For it is written..." (v10). Do you know that even Jesus quotes from the Scriptures? He is no different from us! Here, our Lord was being tempted by the devil but He used the Word and the important thing is this...He SAID it. He voiced it. Basically He told satan off using the Word of God! And what happened next, was that the devil left Him, and behold! Angels came and ministered to Him!
Brothers and sisters, do you notice that when you watch those period dramas, those pugilists and those well-versed in martials arts, loved to say the stance when they display it? For example, when one is using the Drunken Fist, he will say it out loud and clear, "Haha, let me show you my Drunken Fist!" and he proceeds to show his Drunken Fist.
There is great truth in this: The Bible teaches us that when we learn to make prayers, we learn to pray prayers that are of God's Word.
For example, when you are not well, don't just pray "Father, I pray that I will recover soon". This is good but it can be better! Pray "Father, Your Word in Isa 53:5 says that by Your Stripes we are healed. Not just 'going to be healed', not just healed 'soon', but that we ARE healed! Thank Your for Your Promise, the Bible says it, I believe it, that settles it!"
Today, learn to pray Biblical prayers, pray the verses and promises of God as you are praying for something in your life. As you pray these verses and promises, you are reminding God of His claims. Numbers 23:19 says that "God is not a man, that He should lie...". He will never sabo you, He will keep His promises and He will bless you. As you practice your kungfu, speak out the stance that you're displaying. Satan will be in fear!
(Today's devotion was brought to you by Paul)
Sunday, May 6, 2007
Prayer Is More Powerful Than Kungfu!
(Today's devotion is brought to you by Paul)
Scripture Reference: James 5:16 (NKJV)
"Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much."
I especially love the Chinese version of this verse. It means "the kind of power that a righteous man's prayer releases, is impactful and effective".
I remember when I was very young, I used to be so fascinated watching all those kungfu shows, the period dramas. Especially those where a ray of colour would be beamed from one martial arts expert's hand, and it would be "fired" towards the enemy's body, and the enemy would be hurt by the internal prowess and bounce backwards about a metre or two.
As I meditate on this verse, I was thinking to myself, so what counts as righteousness and WHO, is the righteous man who can make prayers like this?
"But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe..." (Romans 3:21-22, NKJV)
James 5:16 tells us that only the righteous man can make such effective, fervent prayers. And Romans 3:21 and 22 say that this righteousness is from God. Great, now there is a place in which we can get righteousness, and that is from God.
But that's not all. Verse 22 says that it comes through faith in Christ. So in short, we need to receive the righteousness of God through faith, by believing in Jesus!
"So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." Romans 10:17 (NKJV)
Brothers and sisters, as you read more and more of our blog, you will realize that our answer to all these, is the Word! Without the Word, you won't receive faith because it comes by hearing the Word of God. The very day we accept Christ into our lives, is the very day that we have accepted the righteousness of God into us.
Isa 43:25 tells us that God forgives our sins and remembers them no more. After we acknowledge the blood of Jesus has cleansed us of our iniquities, God looks at us as though we have no sin. YOU are the one who have all the rights and authority now, to make effective, fervent prayers! Or in the Chinese Bible, impactful and powerful prayers.
Lift up your hands and make the prayers that you need today. Want to see the devil get hurt by the beaming powers that are released from your hand like the kungfu show that I watched? You can do it today. Just raise both hands towards heaven, and start making your prayers and petitions to the Lord today!
(Today's devotion was brought to you by Paul)
Scripture Reference: James 5:16 (NKJV)
"Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much."
I especially love the Chinese version of this verse. It means "the kind of power that a righteous man's prayer releases, is impactful and effective".
I remember when I was very young, I used to be so fascinated watching all those kungfu shows, the period dramas. Especially those where a ray of colour would be beamed from one martial arts expert's hand, and it would be "fired" towards the enemy's body, and the enemy would be hurt by the internal prowess and bounce backwards about a metre or two.
As I meditate on this verse, I was thinking to myself, so what counts as righteousness and WHO, is the righteous man who can make prayers like this?
"But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe..." (Romans 3:21-22, NKJV)
James 5:16 tells us that only the righteous man can make such effective, fervent prayers. And Romans 3:21 and 22 say that this righteousness is from God. Great, now there is a place in which we can get righteousness, and that is from God.
But that's not all. Verse 22 says that it comes through faith in Christ. So in short, we need to receive the righteousness of God through faith, by believing in Jesus!
"So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." Romans 10:17 (NKJV)
Brothers and sisters, as you read more and more of our blog, you will realize that our answer to all these, is the Word! Without the Word, you won't receive faith because it comes by hearing the Word of God. The very day we accept Christ into our lives, is the very day that we have accepted the righteousness of God into us.
Isa 43:25 tells us that God forgives our sins and remembers them no more. After we acknowledge the blood of Jesus has cleansed us of our iniquities, God looks at us as though we have no sin. YOU are the one who have all the rights and authority now, to make effective, fervent prayers! Or in the Chinese Bible, impactful and powerful prayers.
Lift up your hands and make the prayers that you need today. Want to see the devil get hurt by the beaming powers that are released from your hand like the kungfu show that I watched? You can do it today. Just raise both hands towards heaven, and start making your prayers and petitions to the Lord today!
(Today's devotion was brought to you by Paul)
Thursday, May 3, 2007
Ready To Face The Giants Together?
(Today's devotion is brought to you by Paul)
Scripture Reference: Luke 5:4-11 (NKJV)
Allow me to tell you a bit of the story... According to Scriptures, Jesus got onto Simon's boat and started to teach the multitudes from the boat. After speaking He told Simon to "launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch" (v4).
Simon obeyed with a simple obedience and faithfulness. Now why do I say that? He had been toiling all night, but to no avail. But upon the Lord's word, he obeyed and went ahead.
What followed after, remains one of the most compelling stories told until today.
Simon and gang caught a great catch that day, and it was so much that he had to call to his partners from the other boat to help catch the fish.
"But Paul, so many fish, ikan bilis ah?"
No my friends, this is what the Scriptures say, Simon and the rest "caught a great number of fish, and their net was breaking" (v6). In fact, his boat started to sink! So these are BIG FISH!
Just earlier today I had a good friend who called me, and asked me to sit in with her this coming Sunday at Youth Service. She is bringing a colleague, so she needs help to make him feel comfortable. This friend of hers has been coming to service a couple of times now and is open to the Gospel. But because my friend is a lady, and so she was not so comfortable reaching out to him too much, I offered to help.
Dear brothers and sisters, in the coming months we are going to see and experience many many people coming to know the Lord, but this is the season where, by one person's strength, is definitely not enough. That is why in Luke 5, God always provides us with friends, that when the "fish" gets too many, and you cannot cope, and you're sinking, your friend will come by with the next boat to help!
Read verse 4 again. “Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.” (NKJV)
We need to let down our nets into places, and reach out to people where our friendships are already firmly rooted, because this is the Lord's heartbeat for many of us. These are the people who are close to our hearts. And we need to go deep.
If you are worried that you will lose the friendship, fret not. At most they will say "err...no thanks, I need to stay home and help my mom with the dishes". You won't lose the friendship with them because they know you long enough.
Jesus ended with this, “Do not be afraid. From now on you will catch men.” (Luke 5:10, NKJV)
And we need to catch those who matter to us because "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." (Luke 12:34)
If they matter to you, they matter to God too.
(Today's devotion is brought to you by Paul)
Tuesday, May 1, 2007
Do You Dare?
(Today's devotion is brought to you by Paul and Barney)
Scripture Reference: Proverbs 10:22 (NKJV)
Just yesterday I was walking along at Bishan Junction 8, and I saw a former colleague. He was walking with his 6-year old daughter (think her name is Ashley). So I asked how he is and stuff. He said good, he's working now in the media industry. The job is tough but he'll get by.
So I asked where his wife was and he said that his wife just gave birth to a pair of twins, both daughters. He followed up by sharing that he wasn't expecting twins, now expenses are doubled and he is looking for another job.
My former colleague sounded real troubled, so I assured him by saying this (and when I said this, I did not expect to say it in this manner).
"Hey man relax, if God dares to give you twins, He will dare to provide the finance for you! Haha...!"
The light on my friend's face suddenly returned and he laughed heartily, agreeing with me.
Well, the Bible in Matthew 6:33 says that,
God wants us to have these things, in fact, He wants these things to be added to us. Of course, the key is not to seek our own righteous, but to seek His kingdom and His righteousness.
But what is righteousness? It is not right behaviour. It is a gift from God (Romans 5:17, NKJV - go read it!). At the cross, Jesus did not just take away our sins, He also gave us righteousness for us who believe. so that today, we can seek His righteousness and have these things (financial needs, health needs etc) added to us.
(Today's devotion is brought to you by Paul and Barney)
Scripture Reference: Proverbs 10:22 (NKJV)
"The blessing of the LORD makes one rich, And He adds no sorrow with it."
Just yesterday I was walking along at Bishan Junction 8, and I saw a former colleague. He was walking with his 6-year old daughter (think her name is Ashley). So I asked how he is and stuff. He said good, he's working now in the media industry. The job is tough but he'll get by.
So I asked where his wife was and he said that his wife just gave birth to a pair of twins, both daughters. He followed up by sharing that he wasn't expecting twins, now expenses are doubled and he is looking for another job.
My former colleague sounded real troubled, so I assured him by saying this (and when I said this, I did not expect to say it in this manner).
"Hey man relax, if God dares to give you twins, He will dare to provide the finance for you! Haha...!"
The light on my friend's face suddenly returned and he laughed heartily, agreeing with me.
Well, the Bible in Matthew 6:33 says that,
"But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you."
God wants us to have these things, in fact, He wants these things to be added to us. Of course, the key is not to seek our own righteous, but to seek His kingdom and His righteousness.
But what is righteousness? It is not right behaviour. It is a gift from God (Romans 5:17, NKJV - go read it!). At the cross, Jesus did not just take away our sins, He also gave us righteousness for us who believe. so that today, we can seek His righteousness and have these things (financial needs, health needs etc) added to us.
Today, if God "dares" to give you a situation, He will "dare" to bring you great success, but will you seek first His kingdom and His righteousness? If you do, He will add to you bountifully.
(Today's devotion is brought to you by Paul and Barney)
Christ In You The Hope Of Glory
(Today's devotion is brought to you by Paul & Josiah)
Scripture Reference: Haggai 2:3-9 (NKJV)
At the start of the year, God promised us a Year of Victory, and we entered the year excited about it. However along the way we may have encountered setbacks and difficulties that slowly ate into our confidence and we start to get discouraged.
Well not surprisingly, the evil one’s tactics has not changed much since the days of the Old Testament. And one such story can be found in the rebuilding of the temple. You see the Israelites were conquered because of their sins and were exiled to Babylon. Years later God brought them back from their captivity and they began to rebuild the temple. However they got discouraged by their enemies. This was what was written in the Book of Haggai,
“‘Who is left among you who saw this temple in its former glory? And how do you see it now? In comparison with it, is this not in your eyes as nothing? (Haggai 2:3 NKJV)’”
He says that though we do not see it,
“ ‘Yet now be strong, Zerubbabel,’ says the LORD; ‘and be strong, Joshua, son of Jehozadak, the high priest; and be strong, all you people of the land,’ says the LORD, ‘and work;...” (Haggai 2:4 NKJV)
We should therefore be strong and work hard, believing Him.
“for I am with you,’ says the LORD of hosts. ‘According to the word that I covenanted with you when you came out of Egypt, so My Spirit remains among you; do not fear!’” (Haggai 2:4-5 NKJV)
And we will not fear for God's spirit is with us.
“For thus says the LORD of hosts: ‘Once more (it is a little while) I will shake heaven and earth, the sea and dry land; and I will shake all nations, and they shall come to the Desire of All Nations, and I will fill this temple with glory,’ says the LORD of hosts. ‘The silver is Mine, and the gold is Mine,’ says the LORD of hosts. ‘The glory of this latter temple shall be greater than the former,’ says the LORD of hosts. ‘And in this place I will give peace,’ says the LORD of hosts.” (Haggai 2:6-9 NKJV)
He will "shake the heavens and the earth" and fill it with His glory and it will be greater than that of the past though physically it looks like nothing presently. You see, the moment we focus elsewhere for strength, we are not able to complete or overcome the tasks that God has put in your life. Yet the minute we focus back on Christ, our Father has promised to blessed us like the way when the Israelites started building God’s temple. Today, you and I can rest assure that He will bless us because Christ completed building the temple when He died on the cross. Today we are His walking living temples, because He has placed it all in us. We are destined for victory!
Because of Christ’s great work, He wants to honour us by shaking “heaven and earth, the sea and dry land; and I will shake all nations, and they shall come to the Desire of All Nations, and I will fill this temple with glory,’ says the LORD of hosts.”
Prayer: My heavenly Daddy, by the work of Christ, Your temple is embodied in me. I receive your word in Haggai 2, believing and confessing that You will shake heaven and earth, the sea and the dry land for my sake so as to bless me. Today I can expect to fully enjoy all your blessings and benefits because Christ completed building the temple when He died on the cross. Regardless of how much I have experienced thus far, I fully walk in your promises for me and my life. I am prepared to reap the victory that You have for me in this Year of Victory. Your name will be glorified! In Jesus name, Amen!
(Today's devotion is brought to you by Paul & Josiah)
Scripture Reference: Haggai 2:3-9 (NKJV)
At the start of the year, God promised us a Year of Victory, and we entered the year excited about it. However along the way we may have encountered setbacks and difficulties that slowly ate into our confidence and we start to get discouraged.
Well not surprisingly, the evil one’s tactics has not changed much since the days of the Old Testament. And one such story can be found in the rebuilding of the temple. You see the Israelites were conquered because of their sins and were exiled to Babylon. Years later God brought them back from their captivity and they began to rebuild the temple. However they got discouraged by their enemies. This was what was written in the Book of Haggai,
“‘Who is left among you who saw this temple in its former glory? And how do you see it now? In comparison with it, is this not in your eyes as nothing? (Haggai 2:3 NKJV)’”
He says that though we do not see it,
“ ‘Yet now be strong, Zerubbabel,’ says the LORD; ‘and be strong, Joshua, son of Jehozadak, the high priest; and be strong, all you people of the land,’ says the LORD, ‘and work;...” (Haggai 2:4 NKJV)
We should therefore be strong and work hard, believing Him.
“for I am with you,’ says the LORD of hosts. ‘According to the word that I covenanted with you when you came out of Egypt, so My Spirit remains among you; do not fear!’” (Haggai 2:4-5 NKJV)
And we will not fear for God's spirit is with us.
“For thus says the LORD of hosts: ‘Once more (it is a little while) I will shake heaven and earth, the sea and dry land; and I will shake all nations, and they shall come to the Desire of All Nations, and I will fill this temple with glory,’ says the LORD of hosts. ‘The silver is Mine, and the gold is Mine,’ says the LORD of hosts. ‘The glory of this latter temple shall be greater than the former,’ says the LORD of hosts. ‘And in this place I will give peace,’ says the LORD of hosts.” (Haggai 2:6-9 NKJV)
He will "shake the heavens and the earth" and fill it with His glory and it will be greater than that of the past though physically it looks like nothing presently. You see, the moment we focus elsewhere for strength, we are not able to complete or overcome the tasks that God has put in your life. Yet the minute we focus back on Christ, our Father has promised to blessed us like the way when the Israelites started building God’s temple. Today, you and I can rest assure that He will bless us because Christ completed building the temple when He died on the cross. Today we are His walking living temples, because He has placed it all in us. We are destined for victory!
Because of Christ’s great work, He wants to honour us by shaking “heaven and earth, the sea and dry land; and I will shake all nations, and they shall come to the Desire of All Nations, and I will fill this temple with glory,’ says the LORD of hosts.”
Prayer: My heavenly Daddy, by the work of Christ, Your temple is embodied in me. I receive your word in Haggai 2, believing and confessing that You will shake heaven and earth, the sea and the dry land for my sake so as to bless me. Today I can expect to fully enjoy all your blessings and benefits because Christ completed building the temple when He died on the cross. Regardless of how much I have experienced thus far, I fully walk in your promises for me and my life. I am prepared to reap the victory that You have for me in this Year of Victory. Your name will be glorified! In Jesus name, Amen!
(Today's devotion is brought to you by Paul & Josiah)
