Be Steadfast To Love And Encourage For He Is Faithful

Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. Hebrews 10:23-25 ESV

Reflection: To love and encourage one another towards good works truly pleases God for Christ's return is getting closer each day.

Dear Heavenly Father, i ask for your divine guidance and the wonderful touch of unconditional love upon those whom i shall meet today, enabling them to experience the refreshing heavenly dew in a profound way. Amen.

Jesus Could Not Carry His Cross To Calvary

And they compelled a passerby, Simon of Cyrene, who was coming in from the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to carry his cross. Mark 15:21 ESV

To think of our Lord's body which was so bruised, beaten and battered that He could not carry the heavy wooden cross to Calvary should make us reflect more deeply on His immense suffering on our behalf in order that we may have sins forgiven and relationship with God restored.

Dear Heavenly Father, grant me spiritual understanding of Christ's painful journey of crucifixion and death so that my heart desire shall always be in alignment with Christ's mission of love and forgiveness towards fallen humanity.

God-pleaser Versus Man-pleaser

So Pilate, wishing to satisfy the crowd, released for them Barabbas, and having scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified. Mark 15:15 ESV

Reflection: Christians who are man-pleasers grieve the Holy Spirit and retard the spiritual growth and maturity towards Christlikeness.

Dear Heavenly Father, i ask for your wisdom to make decisions that pleases you and for strength to overcome every human obstacle that may deter me from doing the things that glorify you. Amen.

Breaking The Heart Of God

And immediately the rooster crowed a second time. And Peter remembered how Jesus had said to him, "Before the rooster crows twice, you will deny me three times." And he broke down and wept. Mark 14:72 ESV

Reflection: Breaking the heart of God is a very serious matter and should cause us to feel truly sorry and repentant because of our disobedience, so that our fellowship with Him can be restored immediately avoiding possible hardening of conscience.

Dear Heavenly Father, help me to be very mindful of the fleshy behaviour, whether in thought or speech, that can subtlely deviate me from walking with a pure heart that is pleasing you. In Jesus' name i pray.

Jesus' Suffering Is Beyond Human Words And Understanding

And he said to them, "My soul is very sorrowful, even to death. Remain here and watch." Mark 14:34 ESV

Reflection: Although Christians may not fully appreciate and understand God's ultimate outpouring of His great love through Christ's suffering on the cross and His eventual death till we meet Him face to face, we must live out Christ's sacrifcial love to continue His mission of giving eternal life and hope to whoever will believe.

Dear Heavenly Father, may my life reflect the goodness and compassion of Christ at work, home and in the community. In Jesus' worthy name i pray.

God Is Always Faithful In His Love And Mercy

The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. Lamentations 3:22-23 ESV

Reflection: To us who believe Jesus as our Saviour and Lord shall wake up every morning and find Him steadfast in His love and mercy towards us for He is forever our faithful God.

Dear Heavenly Father, i bow my heart and acknowledge who you are to me - loving and merciful all the times. I worship you. I praise you. May i be faithful to trust you and love you. In Jesus' lovely name i give thanks.

Spirit Willing Flesh Weak

But he said emphatically, "If I must die with you, I will not deny you." And they all said the same. Mark 14:31 ESV

Reflection: Having being regenerated by the Spirit Of God and a renewed mind to understand and partake the things of God, our bodies or flesh in earthen vessels will continue to be imperfect and need the divine strength to obey and trust God at all times.

Dear Heavenly Father, i pray for deeper awareness of my shortcomings and greater reliance on your grace to run the race from beginning to the end releasing the sweet aroma of love, healing  and compassion to many along the way. Amen.

A Day Ordained By Jesus To Partake The Lord Supper With Him

And he said to them, "This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many. Truly, I say to you, I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God." Mark 14:24-25 ESV

Reflection: Every child of God shall enter the Kingdom of God to have the Lord Supper with our Lord Jesus as He has ordained it.

Dear Heavenly Father, i look forward to this day when i shall partake the Lord Supper with Jesus to celebrate the victory, reunion and the fulfillment of the Kingdom of God. Amen.

Good Work Motivated By Love Is A Beautiful Thing To Jesus

But Jesus said, "Leave her alone. Why do you trouble her? She has done a beautiful thing to me. Mark 14:6 ESV

Reflection: Every piece of good work motivated by the love of God is a beautiful thing to Jesus for it brings healing and restoration to the hurting, harrassed and hungry.

Dear Heavenly Father, may your love permeate my whole being and energise my heart to touch others with your goodness and compassion bringing them hope and joy in Christ Jesus. In Jesus' name i pray.

Giving Jesus The Best And For The Glory Of God

And while he was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he was reclining at table, a woman came with an alabaster flask of ointment of pure nard, very costly, and she broke the flask and poured it over his head. Mark 14:3 ESV

Reflection: Whatever we do, we put our heart to it for everything we do is to Jesus and for the glory of God.

Dear Heavenly Father, may the resources given to me be used with a pure heart and simple faith so that the wonderful good news of Jesus be experienced by many especially the poor and the sick. In Jesus' blessed name i give thanks.

Ability To Understand What God Freely Gives

Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God.  1 Corinthians 2:12 ESV

Reflection: Holy Spirit makes us understand in our spirit everything God freely gives to us for we have the the Spirit of God.

Dear Heavenly Father, my heart is grateful to have the spiritual understanding for the provisions, guidance, gifts, wisdom, insight, and countless blessings freely given to me. May i treasure each of them dearly. In Jesus' name i pray.

God's Word Is The Most Precious Treasure On Earth

Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. Mark 13:31 ESV

Reflection: God's Word in our heart is the most precious treasure on earth for it is the voice of God guiding, empowering, correcting, instructing and protecting us towards spiritual growth and maturity in Christ.

Dear Heavenly Father, may i read, meditate, keep and obey your Word with humility, joy and courage daily. In Jesus' name i ask and pray.

Christ Shall Return In Great Power And Glory

And then they will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory. And then he will send out the angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven. Mark 13:26-27 ESV

Reflection: Our Lord Jesus shall return in great power and glory for the reunion of all who have believed in Him for forgiveness of sins and the salvation of spirit, soul and body.

Dear Heavenly Father, such awesome manifestations of Christ's second coming of who my Lord and Saviour Is - omnipresent, omniscient and ommipotent. In Jesus' name i give thanks.

Guarding The Heart Against Endtime Deception

For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform signs and wonders, to lead astray, if possible, the elect. But be on guard; I have told you all things beforehand. Mark 13:22-23 ESV

Reflection: To guard against falsehood and deception requires every born again believer to put on the full armour of God and remain steadfast in prayer.

Dear Heavenly Father, may i be rooted and grounded in your love and Word in order to discern the works of the enemy. In Jesus' name i pray.

Running The Race Focusing On Jesus Alone

And you will be hated by all for my name's sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. Mark 13:13 ESV

Reflection: Christian life is like running a race with patience and perseverance focusing on Jesus alone, who is the Author and Finisher of our faith.

Dear Heavenly Father, i thank you for Jesus who had run the race with endurance to  save and deliver me from sins, sickness and Satan. I am forever grateful that eternal life with a glorified body awaits me. May i be faithful to complete my race to fulfill your perfect will for my life. In Jesus' worthy name i give thanks.

God Sees The Heart

And he called his disciples to him and said to them, "Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the offering box. For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on." Mark 12:43-44 ESV

Reflection: God sees our heart from which every act of goodness or generosity is judged.

Dear Heavenly Father, may my words and deeds today come from a heart of purity, sincerity and charity to reflect your divine love touching the crying, confused, and challenging. In Jesus' name i pray.

I Love Because He First Loves

The second is this: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no other commandment greater than these." Mark 12:31 ESV

Reflection: God's love in me is so real, unconditional and divine enabling me to truly love myself, and empowering me to love others with His amazing love.

Dear Heavenly Father, indeed beautiful and lovely are all your creations especially man for they reflect your image and likeness. May i embrace your divine love with gratefulness and let it flow through me and bring smile, joy and even life to others today. In Jesus' lovely name i pray.

Loving God With Purity And Pleasure

Jesus answered, "The most important is, 'Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.'  Mark 12:29-30 ESV.

Reflection: To love God is the purest thing every born again child of God can enjoy where divine intimacy is experienced bringing pleasure to both God and man.

Dear Heavenly Father, i love you with everything i have been given - time, treasure, talents. May my heart be pure and faith simple as i enjoy this blessed privilege of divine intimacy with you In Jesus' lovely name i pray.

God Is A Personal, Living And Eternal God

And as for the dead being raised, have you not read in the book of Moses, in the passage about the bush, how God spoke to him, saying, 'I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob'? He is not God of the dead, but of the living. You are quite wrong." Mark 12:26-27 ESV

Truth: God is a personal, living and eternal God who raises the dead, and gathers those have received Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord through repentance and forgiveness of sins by the blood of Christ, to live with Him throughout eternity.

Dear Heavenly Father, what an assurance and a joy to be reminded that you are a living God actively involved in my daily life so that i may know you and love you for this is the purpose for creating me. May this joy be shared with someone today. In Jesus' blessed name i pray.

Knowing God's Word And His Power

Scripture
Jesus said to them, “Is this not the reason you are wrong, because you know neither the Scriptures nor the power of God?” For when they rise from the dead, they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven.  Mark 12:24-25 ESV.

Truth
Every soul shall be raised after physical death to face God for there is accountability of life given and spent on earth.

Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father, may I read and meditate your Word in my heart and mind daily, and experience the power of your love, healing and deliverance to be a blessing to the sick in spirit, soul and body. Help me to take my walk with you seriously as this precious life is bought by the blood of Jesus. May I present to you a living sacrifice with a fragrance that is pleasing to you.  In Jesus’ wonderful name I pray.

Godliness And Worldliness Don't Mix

Jesus said to them, "Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's." And they marveled at him. Mark 12:17 ESV.

Truth: My Christian values and beliefs separate me from the carnal and temporal things of this world.

Dear Heavenly Father, may my values be heavenward characterised by righteousness, love and joy in the Holy Spirit so that i shan't be tempted, deceived and led astray by the spirit of materialism, falsehood and greed. In Jesus' worthy name i pray.

I Am Assured Of God’s Power And Presence

And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20 ESV.

Truth: God’s presence and power shall be with every disciple who is sharing the good news of Jesus Christ to the lost, and teach and guide them to become disciples who will love and obey God.

Dear Heaven Father, I thank you for this promise, assurance and reminder that your presence and power shall go with me as I seek to share Christ with my loved ones, friends, colleagues and even strangers.  May this blessed experience keep encouraging me to love you wholeheartedly and serve you faithfully. In Jesus’ awesome name I pray.

Prayer Brings Divine Peace

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7 ESV.

Dear Heavenly Father, I thank you for abundant life and for walking with me daily.  Your abiding presence is assuring and encouraging as you empower me to live a life of holiness, righteousness and gladness. If there is any anxiety in me today, I am reminded that I am just a prayer away to experience your divine peace.  You shall manifest your divine peace in my heart and mind. Father, thank you for this promise of divine peace in my spirit through prayer and supplication with thanksgiving.  In Jesus’ blessed name I pray and give thanks.

God's Wisdom Is Given To Glorify Him And Edify Men

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. James 1:5 ESV.

Dear Heavenly Father, i ask for this daily experience of receiving divine wisdom from you to make wise decisions, to encourage others and to glorify you in words and deeds. Let my faith in you keep increasing and relationship with you deepening every day. In Jesus' blessed name i ask and pray.

Everything My Hands Laid Upon Is Unto The Lord

Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ. Colossians 3:23-24 ESV.

Dear Heavenly Father, I thank you for this great spiritual truth that reminds me to look into my heart and my true intention in all the things that I do, be it at home, work, church, ministry and the community at large. I am once again encouraged by your assuring Word in that everything my hands laid upon is unto you Lord. It is you whom I please and it is you whom I am accountable to knowing that you are impartial, just and righteous.  May I also be reminded not to show favouritism or prejudice in my work and especially with people.  I commit today and all that you have me to do into your loving hand.  In Jesus’ name I pray and give thanks!

Getting Rid Of The Things That Break God's Heart

And they came to Jerusalem. And he entered the temple and began to drive out those who sold and those who bought in the temple, and he overturned the tables of the money-changers and the seats of those who sold pigeons.  And he would not allow anyone to carry anything through the temple. And he was teaching them and saying to them, “Is it not written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer for all the nations’? But you have made it a den of robbers.” Mark 11:15-16 ESV.

Dear Heavenly Father, there are so many things in my life that can break your heart when disobedience takes over. I confess to you all my sins and shortcomings, and ask for your forgiveness and cleanse me from all unrighteousness and things that displease you. May my heart and mind focus on a life of obedience, faith and intimacy with you. I thank you for your bountiful grace and great mercy every day without which I would have lost again in this increasing troubled world, where temptations, distractions and all sorts of vices are everywhere.  Father, I ask for your divine protection and provision as I seek to walk with you all the days of my life.  In Jesus’ wonderful name I pray.

I Belong To An Eternal Kingdom

Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David! Hosanna in the highest!" Mark 11:10 ESV

Dear Heavenly Father, everything on earth and the whole universe belong to you for you created them for your pleasure, purpose and glory. I know i am yours forever and belong to your eternal kingdom. Jesus, you are my king, a wonderful and blessed priviilege. I know this divine truth has not sunk fully into my heart. May i live victoriously here on earth while looking to your return to set up the kingdom on earth as it is in heaven. In Jesus' wonderful name i pray and give thanks.

God's Faithfulness And Ours

When God makes a covenant with us, God says: "I will love you with an everlasting love. I will be faithful to you, even when you run away from me, reject me, or betray me." In our society we don't speak much about covenants; we speak about contracts. When we make a contract with a person, we say: "I will fulfill my part as long as you fulfill yours. When you don't live up to your promises, I no longer have to live up to mine." Contracts are often broken because the partners are unwilling or unable to be faithful to their terms.

But God didn't make a contract with us; God made a covenant with us, and God wants our relationships with one another to reflect that covenant. That's why marriage, friendship, life in community are all ways to give visibility to God's faithfulness in our lives together.

Henri Nouwen

Faith Is Seen In Earnest Plead For Healing

And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" And many rebuked him, telling him to be silent. But he cried out all the more, "Son of David, have mercy on me!" Mark 10:47-48 ESV.

Dear Heavenly Father, this is an earnest plead of a visually handicapped man whose faith hinges on Jesus and Him alone for his complete healing. Despite his adverse circumstances, he perhaps had taken the only opportunity in his entire life to get his deepest human need met which is to see physically. Father, you are gracious and compassion towards him in that his faith in you is all that is needed to bring joy to his life. I thank you for the wonderful yet powerful touch you would give to any earnest seeker who desires a touch from you. In Jesus' name i give thanks.

True Leader Is A True Servant

For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." Mark 10:45 ESV.

Dear Heavenly Father, it is a timely reminder and an affirmation that everyone under my care, be it children, family, colleagues, friends or even strangers, should receive genuine love, help and support to enable them to develop and grow healthily. May my attitude align with the heart of the servant of the Lord. In Jesus' name i pray. In Jesus' name i pray.