6th October 2024

Life Can Be Hard

Put on the whole armour of God . . .

Ephesians 6:11

Not one account in the Bible tells us that living for God will be easy. Look at Joseph. He did the right thing and fled from temptation and ended up in prison. Look at the three Hebrews in the book of Daniel. They refused to worship anyone other than Almighty God and they were thrown in the fiery furnace by a pagan king. David the shepherd boy stood before the great giant Goliath and said, “I come to you in the name of the Lord” (1 Samuel 17:45). When we encounter difficulties, if we rely on the Lord to strengthen us and teach us, He will be with us through it all and victory will be won.

There is nothing easy about the Christian life. It does not mean that Christians cannot have fun times, but for Christians, life is more about living joyfully no matter our circumstances. This is where we have the opportunity to show others that our strength comes from the Lord.

Reflect on Ephesians 6:11; “Put on the whole armour of God, that you may be able to stand.” Ask the Lord to change your sadness into joy because He will use everything in your life to make you fit to serve Him faithfully. God can take anything that happens to us, even bad things, and use them to shape us and make us into the person He desires, if we will allow Him. Walk with Him and let your light shine.

Bible Reading

Ephesians 6:10-20.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, Help me each day to remember, that when the going gets tough, You are always there to help. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.

5th October 2024

How To Pray

Majestic in holiness, awesome in glory.

Exodus 15:11

Prayer is one of our greatest privileges, and also one of our greatest responsibilities, which is why we should take it very seriously. After all, if Jesus, the Son of God, made prayer an important part of His life, should we not also? 

How can you keep your mind from wandering when you pray? The first step, I believe, is to realise to whom you are praying. You are not praying to yourself or another person; you are praying to God, the all-powerful and glorious Creator of the universe. If you were asked to speak to the King of the Netherlands or the Queen of England, or a president, would you fall asleep or allow your mind to wander? I doubt it. How much greater is God! He alone is “majestic in holiness, awesome in glory” (Exodus 15:11). 

Then take time when you pray to praise God, and thank Him for His goodness. All too often, we only come to God with a list of things we want Him to do. But begin by thanking Him for His Son, and His love so great that He sent His Son into the world to die for you. Thank Him too for the blessings He gives you every day. 

In addition, many find it helpful to keep a prayer list, a written record of those for whom they are praying. Not only will this keep your mind from wandering, but you will rejoice when God answers a specific prayer. 

Give God the best moments of your day. And remember: because of Christ, we “have access to the Father” (Ephesians 2:18). 

Bible Reading

Philippians 4:1-7.

Prayer

Dear Creator God, I believe I exist only because of You and I want to thank You for the gift of life. Help me each day to draw near to You in prayer, in Jesus name I pray. Amen.

4th October 2024

Sowing And Reaping

Whatsoever a man sows, that he will also reap.

Galatians 6:7

The Lord Jesus talked a lot about farming. Every person is a sower and a reaper. The Bible tells us plainly that whatever one sows, they will reap the same (Galatians 6:7). For example, the book of Proverbs warns about sowing discord among others.

Throughout history, many people have faced the same fate they intended for others. Maxentius built a false bridge across the Tiber river to drown Constantine, but he drowned himself in the Tiber. The Bible records accounts of people sowing and reaping, like the mighty man Samson in the book of Judges. He fell from his greatness by the lust of his eyes, and the Philistines put his eyes out. Samson sowed and reaped. In the book of Esther the wicked man Haman erected gallows to hang Queen Esther’s relative Mordecai, but it was Haman, instead, who was hanged on the same gallows. Haman sowed and reaped. Daniel’s accusers were thrown into the same lion’s den in which they had thrown him. They sowed and reaped. In a very different way, Joseph sowed by storing up food before a great famine spread through the land, and he reaped the benefits of saving his own people from starvation.

In the book of Hosea 10:12, the Bible says, “Sow for yourselves righteousness; reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground, for it is time to seek the Lord, till He comes and rains righteousness on you.”

Those who trust the Lord Jesus as Saviour are clothed in the righteousness of God. It means being covered in the righteous blood that Jesus shed on the cross to cover our sin. We sow sin, but through His sacrifice on the cross we reap His righteousness. Every person comes into this world a sinner, but by God’s wonderful grace, we can leave this world having reaped the salvation that God offers to all.

Bible Reading

Galatians 6:6-10.

Prayer

Almighty and Everlasting Lord God, Help me to sow Your love and the Gospel with those I meet. I ask this prayer in Jesus name. Amen.