28/8/09         THE TREE OF LIFE              

 Scripture – Rev 2:7 – “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will gives to eat from the tree of life which us in the midst of the Paradise of God”

 Observation – Those who overcome the temptation to leave their first love get to eat from the tree of life. The tree of life is about revelation. They “eat” living bread. To live a diligent, well principled Christian life, although good, does not by itself please the Lord. Such people can become legalists who judge others by their own standards, but fail to hear what the Spirit is saying.

 Application – It is easy to neglect the first works – the first love and intimacy with the Lord. A works mentality can easily replace a life lived in intimacy with God. This tree is in the midst of the Paradise of God, not on the outskirts! One need to press in and seek out the Lord. We should be people with a life-style of intimacy with God, rather than leaving such a thing for special occasions or neglecting it all together.

 Prayer – Lord help me to keep my first love. Right now I cast aside everything else just to spend time with you – to hear your voice; and to keep the channels open throughout the day.

 27/8/09         FOR HIS NAME’S SAKE              

 Scripture – Psalm 143:11 – “Revive me, O Lord, for Your name’s sake! For your righteousness sake bring my soul out of trouble. In Your mercy cut off my enemies and destroy all those who afflict my soul; for I am Your servant.”

 Observation – David has been going through a hard time and he calls out to the Lord to revive him. He doesn’t start by saying for ‘my sake’ but for the sake of God’s name and righteousness. There is nothing much here about “I deserve it” but rather he goes back to God’s faithful and goodness.

Application – There are certainly times when I feel just like David, as I need reviving and I need my enemies cut off. When sickness or depression hit me I can say like David ‘Revive me O Lord, for Your name’s sake and for your righteousness sake!’ God is a God of mercy and aHe is faithful to His word. If we expect something because of our righteousness we shall fail. He is not impressed by our righteousness (PS. 143:2) He is moved because of mercy and because of His Name. In Christ we can confidently ask in the Name of Jesus and declare we are the ‘righteousness of God in Christ Jesus’.

 Prayer – Lord because of Your Name, Your righteousness and your mercy  kepp me well, revive me and deliver me from the enemy.

26/8/09        PROSPERITY AND HEALTH              

 Scripture – 3 John 2 – “Beloved I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.”

 Observation – John recognises that the people are prospering in their souls. They are demonstrating love and walking in the truth and being generous and hospitable to visitors. John obviously believes that prosperity and health are God’s will for people and are a blessing to enjoy.

 Application – We should not just be satisfied with prosperity of soul, which is wonderful, but also expect for ourselves and for others that they enjoy prosperity in all things as well as health. This is not just a nice prayer or human blessing. It is the will of God and has been purchased by Jesus Christ for us. This is a blessing that when spoken can confidently be expected to eventuate.

 Prayer – Lord, right now I ask for prosperity and health for my life and all those around me.  May my life be a blessings and may I remember to pronounce this blessing upon people as I live this life.

24/8/09         THE REVEALER OF GREAT AND MIGHTY THINGS  

Scripture – Jeremiah 33:3 “Call to me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know”

 Observation – God takes pleasure in revealing His hidden things to His people who seek Him .We live (and are supposed to live) out of the tree of life – where we can get to know great and mighty things that cannot be received from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. We are exhorted to call out to God. If we will do this He will answer us and tell us things that we could not possibly know without Him. What will HE show us? Wisdom, knowledge, understanding, signs, miracles, wonders – His ways.

 Application – We need to be calling and asking. “We receive not because we ask not.” We should be listening and looking for His answers. We should live in constant expectation of hearing and seeing great and mighty things.

 Prayer – Show me your great and mighty ways. I call to you. Reveal to me the ways of healing and receiving from you. You are my revealer. Revelation Lord. I call to you for divine healing and prosperity. Let rivers flow from us Lord.

NOTHING IS TOO DIFFICULT FOR GOD   23/8/09  

 Scripture – Jeremiah 32:27 “Behold I am the Lord, the God of all flesh. Is there anything too hard for me?”

 Observation – We should not limit the Lord by our unbelief because nothing is too difficult for Him. We make our own lists of what is easy and what is difficult and then mistakenly apply it to God. The impossible in our mind is not difficult at all for the Lord.

 Application – When we backslide, sin or mess up, condemnation hits us and we find it difficult to accept that straight away we could enter into the full forgiveness of God. If our heart condemns we do not have confidence towards God. It is our unbelief and lack of understanding, not God, that prevents. God is so full of mercy and compassion towards us. When we repent we can enter straight into His presence.

 Prayer – Help me Lord to believe You and Your words. Help me to not limit You, the mighty God. I believe, help my unbelief. We want to believe and not doubt. Nothing is too difficult for You.

20/8/09 WALKING IN THE LIGHT 

 Scripture – 1 John 1:7 “If we walk in the light, we have fellowship on with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His son cleanses us from all sin.”

Observation – Walking in the light is a key to a joyous, loving, pure and fruitful life. There is a condition mentioned. This means we have a choice. We can walk in darkness or light. It is not so much a matter of what we ‘say’ but what we actually do. Walking in the light is walking with the Light. As we walk open humble and obedient to Him we are cleansing, filled, empowered and envisioned. His word is light. As we abide in Him and allow His word to abide in us, we are walking in the light.

Application – Reading His word with an open heart, listening and waiting on Him takes a commitment of time and shows and openness of heart and a right attitude.

Prayer – Help me to walk constantly in the light of your word and in fellowship with you, Lord. We are surrounded by darkness. Help us to make the right choices. Your face I seek, your words I desire. Shine your light upon me.

19/8/09        MIND YOUR OWN BUSINESS      

Scripture – John 21:22 ‘Jesus answered, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me.” ‘

 Observation – Peter wants to know if John will remain alive until Jesus’ return. Jesus does not answer the question. He basically says, ‘That’s none of your business, you don’t need to know that’. He wants Peter to stay focused on what He has been speaking to him about. That is, following Him.

 Application – It is easy for us to get side-tracked onto things that are side-issues that are not any of our business and are in no way helpful to our lives. Information is not what is important. Revelation is far more important. Revelation comes from what God is saying to us.  He is revealing His will. His will is always for our benefit and for the benefit of the kingdom. If we will continue to follow Jesus we willl be doing the best thing we could be doing.

 Prayer – Lord, I am easily side-tracked! Help me to remain focused on you and flowing with you. May your words be my desire. May I hear what you are saying above the voices in this world that call for my attention! Help me to live from your tree of life!

18/8/09        CHOOSING TO BELIEVE      

 Scripture – John 20:27 “Do not be unbelieving but believing”

 Observation – Jesus is speaking to Thomas who has said he wouldn’t believe that Jesus had risen from the dead unless he saw Him and the nail prints in His hands and feet and the wound in His side and could reach in his hand and feel them. Thomas has chosen to live by his senses. Jesus makes it clear he wants us to choose to believe. There is indication here that belief or unbelief is in some way a choice.  We can choose to believe and should be choosing to believe God’s words in spite of our senses.

 Application – When it comes to believing there are two parts – Gods and ours. Faith comes from hearing but then we choose to believe it – adhere to it, hold fast to it. If it is in God’s word and is relevant to us we should choose to believe it and not doubt it. Confession is an important part of this process as is action. If we choose to believe we should confess that belief and if possible act on our faith – faith without works is dead.

 Prayer – Lord, I choose to believe that your word is truth and no matter what I see, hear, feel, or smell I choose to believe. Help me, Lord!

16/8/09  BLESSINGS OF THE RIGHTEOUS 

 Scripture – Psalm 122:1 “Praise the Lord! Blessed in the man who fears the Lord, who delights greatly in His commandments.”

Observation – The righteous man is blessed by the Lord. These are promises that we can receive as the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus and because all the promises are Yes! And Amen in Christ.

Here is a list of blessings 

1. Descendants be great in the earth

2. Wealth and riches shall be in his house

3. Light arises in darkness

4. He is gracious, full of compassion and righteous

5. Deals graciously and lends

6. Guides his affairs with direction

7. Shall never be shaken

8. Shall not be afraid of evil

9. Heart is established – trusting in the Lord

10. He will not be afraid

11. Disperses abroad and gives to the poor.

12. Strength increased and honoured.

Application – by faith I receive the blessing and by faith and obedience to the Holy Spirit I carry out righteous works.

Prayer – Lord, help me to be gracious, full of compassion, deal righteously and graceiously with people, lend and not borrow, give to the poor, and give everywhere – let my strength and honour abound as I serve You and fear You, Thanks, Lord!

13/8/09                   ABIDING IN THE VINE          

 Scripture – John 15:4  “Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in Me.”

 Observation – The key to fruitfulness is to abide (remain) in Jesus. It is the branch that bears the fruit, but only as it abides in the vine. Abiding in the world (system) in the flesh (our desires) – accomplishes no fruit for the kingdom of God. We abide in Him by allowing His words abide in us, by listening, by holding fast to Him.

Application – This section of scripture is of paramount importance to every Christian. Abiding is not automatic. It is something we must choose to do. It is a decision of the will. It is a daily decision. In fact it is a continual decision. Abiding should be like breathing eating and drinking. If we fail to breathe, eat and drink we die (naturally). If we fail to abide and fail to allow this words to abide is us, we die (spiritually).

 Prayer – Lord, I choose to abide in you this day. I choose to listen, to watch and to obey you. May this word abide in me throughout the day. Strengthen me according to this word.