If you want faith then hear by the Word of God
If you want faith then hear by the Word of God. Yes don’t bother to increase your faith by worldly ways and neither by vain traditions of man.
The Holy Bible teaches us ; ‘So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.’ (Romans 10:17)
Dear believer in Christ, do not trust everything blindly. Not everything can bring up faith. You need to take that time out to listen to the Word of God. Here a few things that you can try out in this regard:
1) Read the Bible for yourself, especially the Psalms and the book of Proverbs and the Gospels and the book of the Revelation. You may even read the other books of the Bible but make sure that you don’t miss out on reading the one’s I mentioned especially never miss out on the Gospel.
2) Read the Bible aloud when in a private place such as your home. This will give you the opportunity to both hear and memorize the Word of God to increase your faith
3) If you can use Bible apps such this one (click here) given on this blog, it has no charge for usage on Android based phones. Or you can use any other Bible app similar to this, which has the feature of text to speech by which you can hear the verses of the Bible being automatically read out to you at the touch of a button. This comes in handy, especially if you are having earphones to maintain your focus as you hear the Word of God.
4) There are various Christian podcasts available online or for download that preach the Word of God. Pray to the Lord God for discernment and hear them out whenever you get the chance.
5) Most importantly, you can visit your local church / preaching center where the Word of God is preached so that your faith in God increases and also that it brings edification to you as the people of God encourage you in the Word of God.
Verses for Reflection:
- What then, brothers? When you come together, each one has a hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. Let all things be done for building up. (1 Corinthians 14:26)
- Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. (Colossians 3:16)
- How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? (Romans 10:14)
Psalm 37 – Exhortation to Patience and Trust
A Psalm of David (Psalm 37) – Exhortation to Patience and Trust
37 Fret not yourself because of the wicked,
be not envious of wrongdoers!
2 For they will soon fade like the grass,
and wither like the green herb.
3 Trust in the Lord, and do good;
so you will dwell in the land, and enjoy security.
4 Take delight in the Lord,
and he will give you the desires of your heart.
5 Commit your way to the Lord;
trust in him, and he will act.
6 He will bring forth your vindication as the light,
and your right as the noonday.
7 Be still before the Lord, and wait patiently for him;
fret not yourself over him who prospers in his way,
over the man who carries out evil devices!
8 Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath!
Fret not yourself; it tends only to evil.
9 For the wicked shall be cut off;
but those who wait for the Lord shall possess the land.
10 Yet a little while, and the wicked will be no more;
though you look well at his place, he will not be there.
11 But the meek shall possess the land,
and delight themselves in abundant prosperity.
12 The wicked plots against the righteous,
and gnashes his teeth at him;
13 but the Lord laughs at the wicked,
for he sees that his day is coming.
14 The wicked draw the sword and bend their bows,
to bring down the poor and needy,
to slay those who walk uprightly;
15 their sword shall enter their own heart,
and their bows shall be broken.
16 Better is a little that the righteous has
than the abundance of many wicked.
17 For the arms of the wicked shall be broken;
but the Lord upholds the righteous.
18 The Lord knows the days of the blameless,
and their heritage will abide for ever;
19 they are not put to shame in evil times,
in the days of famine they have abundance.
20 But the wicked perish;
the enemies of the Lord are like the glory of the pastures,
they vanish—like smoke they vanish away.
21 The wicked borrows, and cannot pay back,
but the righteous is generous and gives;
22 for those blessed by the Lord shall possess the land,
but those cursed by him shall be cut off.
23 The steps of a man are from the Lord,
and he establishes him in whose way he delights;
24 though he fall, he shall not be cast headlong,
for the Lord is the stay of his hand.
25 I have been young, and now am old;
yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken
or his children begging bread.
26 He is ever giving liberally and lending,
and his children become a blessing.
27 Depart from evil, and do good;
so shall you abide for ever.
28 For the Lord loves justice;
he will not forsake his saints.
The righteous shall be preserved for ever,
but the children of the wicked shall be cut off.
29 The righteous shall possess the land,
and dwell upon it for ever.
30 The mouth of the righteous utters wisdom,
and his tongue speaks justice.
31 The law of his God is in his heart;
his steps do not slip.
32 The wicked watches the righteous,
and seeks to slay him.
33 The Lord will not abandon him to his power,
or let him be condemned when he is brought to trial.
34 Wait for the Lord, and keep to his way,
and he will exalt you to possess the land;
you will look on the destruction of the wicked.
35 I have seen a wicked man overbearing,
and towering like a cedar of Lebanon.
36 Again I passed by, and lo, he was no more;
though I sought him, he could not be found.
37 Mark the blameless man, and behold the upright,
for there is posterity for the man of peace.
38 But transgressors shall be altogether destroyed;
the posterity of the wicked shall be cut off.
39 The salvation of the righteous is from the Lord;
he is their refuge in the time of trouble.
40 The Lord helps them and delivers them;
he delivers them from the wicked, and saves them,
because they take refuge in him.
Good Friday Blessings!
Jesus Christ the Son of God, became the son of man. Because all of humankind by itself cannot atone for their sins. However God in his great mercy sent Jesus Christ his own son, to live among us. And as he lived among us he was tempted in all ways like us but didn’t sin. He knew he came from God and was going back to God. By his redemptive suffering on the cross he obtained for us forgiveness of sins that it not only gives us everlasting life but also restores our friendship with God. Adam and Eve’s sin was rebellion against the Word of God. And God by his Word redeems all those who repent of their sin and believes in the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Jesus didn’t come from heaven to earth for his own glory. He didn’t come to sit on the Throne of David. He only came in humility to preach the Good news and die for the sins of the world on the cross.
God created time through His Word. And the same Word of God in the flesh, was subject to the limit of time and human experience. Yes the day and hour Jesus was nailed to the cross, he wasn’t punished because he sinned but rather became a victim to take upon himself the sins of the world. In those moments when Jesus died all the punishment that is due for the people who sin, he took upon Himself. Therefore God has ordained that whomsoever believes in His Son Jesus Christ would not perish but have everlasting life. Yes such is the love of God for all the children of Adam and Eve which shows up as we remember our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ on Good Friday!
If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
O believers in Jesus Christ the Son of the Living God, take heed that though we are in world we are not of this world. For this world rejects God and rebels against the Word of God. But we are called to repent and believe in the Gospel. Honor God and give glory to God because He deserves and the judgements of God are true.
We are not to hate people but instead to hate the deceptions that they hold dear without ourselves getting overwhelmed by the temptations they give into. Don’t enticed by the clothes of sinners nor their debauchery. We can preach the Gospel of Jesus to those we encounter but we must never give up on the Gospel ourselves no matter what the outcome.
But you, beloved, build yourselves up on your most holy faith; pray in the Holy Spirit; keep yourselves in the love of God; wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. And convince some, who doubt; save some, by snatching them out of the fire; on some have mercy with fear, hating even the garment spotted by the flesh. (Jude 1:20-23)
Your mind and heart must always be focused on giving glory to God by believing and upholding the Word of God in your thoughts, words and actions. Loving the world becomes a snare for those who want to confirm to this world of sin and vanity. Never ever give up on believing that Jesus is the Son of God just because your want to keep your friends and neighbors happy and end up losing your friendship with God. No wonder God through his Holy Word has already warned us, so that we do not stray away from God but rather remain in the will of God.
Verses for reflection:
- Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God. (Romans 12:2)
- Pure and undefiled religion before our God and Father is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. (James 1:27)
- Unfaithful creatures! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. (James 4:4)
- For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that overcomes the world, our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? (1 John 5:4-5)
A Woman Washes Jesus’ Feet
Praise be to the Lord Jesus Christ. Let us prayerfully read Luke 7:36-50 :
36 One of the Pharisees asked him to eat with him, and he went into the Pharisee’s house, and took his place at table. 37 And behold, a woman of the city, who was a sinner, when she learned that he was at table in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster flask of ointment, 38 and standing behind him at his feet, weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears, and wiped them with the hair of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment. 39 Now when the Pharisee who had invited him saw it, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would have known who and what sort of woman this is who is touching him, for she is a sinner.” 40 And Jesus answering said to him, “Simon, I have something to say to you.” And he answered, “What is it, Teacher?” 41 “A certain creditor had two debtors; one owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. 42 When they could not pay, he forgave them both. Now which of them will love him more?” 43 Simon answered, “The one, I suppose, to whom he forgave more.” And he said to him, “You have judged rightly.” 44 Then turning toward the woman he said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house, you gave me no water for my feet, but she has wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. 45 You gave me no kiss, but from the time I came in she has not ceased to kiss my feet. 46 You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment. 47 Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much; but he who is forgiven little, loves little.” 48 And he said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” 49 Then those who were at table with him began to say among themselves, “Who is this, who even forgives sins?” 50 And he said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”
Reflection:
- Jesus Christ knows who is a sinner and what is the sin committed by that person. For being the Son of God he knows what’s in the heart of each created being.
- Jesus allowed the woman who was washing his feet with her hair and alabaster flask of ointment, to kiss his feet while she cried out in tears for her sins. But Simon felt in his heart that Jesus didn’t realize the true nature of this woman despite other’s believing Jesus to be a Prophet of God.
- So then, Jesus who understood what was in the heart of the Pharisee named Simon, who was distrustful of Jesus, decided to bring to light to this issue so that it was clear that Jesus was not ignorant and neither did Jesus do anything wrong in allowing this woman to anoint his feet before his time had come for his death by crucifixion and then this glorious resurrection for the salvation of all humankind to the glory of God.
- Christ Jesus spoke of the parable of the two debtors whom the creditor had forgiven both of their debts. Simon the Pharisee was right in saying that one debtor who had been forgiven more will love the creditor even more. Even Jesus agreed with Simon on this.
- Jesus then admonished Simon for not having done his part of giving Jesus water to wash his feet but instead the woman washed the feet of Jesus with her tears. Also Jesus reminded Simon that as per the custom of that time, that Simon didn’t anoint the head of Jesus with oil but the repentant woman anointed the feet of Jesus with ointment. Simon was so much focused on doubting Jesus that he neglected to do what is right.
- Sometimes like Simon, people doubt Jesus so much that they neglect doing what is good to others. Blessed are those who instead trust the Lord and do not neglect to take care of others in a good way.
- Jesus Christ has the power to forgives sin and is seated at the right hand of God and so he has the authority to forgive sins. Blessed are those who’s sins are forgiven.
- Finally know that that Jesus didn’t forgive the woman for her good deeds towards him but rather Jesus said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.” So take heart taht good deeds do have their place in eyes of God but remember that its your faith is what Jesus Christ looks at, for he knows the intentions of each man, woman and child, especially the intentions of the heart. Therefore be of good intent when coming to the Lord and repent wholeheartedly, so that the Lord God has mercy on you!
The Parable of the Prodigal Son
Jesus calls men, women and children to repentance. There are many who have not yet come to Lord God, and there are some who have chosen to leave the Lord God and go into a world of sin and deception. The Parable of the Prodigal Son brings to mind the stark reality of the consequences of leaving God and misusing the benefits that God has given you. Let’s read this parable as mentioned below in Luke 15:11-30 :
11 And Jesus said, “There was a man who had two sons. 12 And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of property that is coming to me.’ And he divided his property between them. 13 Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took a journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in reckless living. 14 And when he had spent everything, a severe famine arose in that country, and he began to be in need. 15 So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs. 16 And he was longing to be fed with the pods that the pigs ate, and no one gave him anything.
17 “But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger! 18 I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants.”’ 20 And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. 21 And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ 22 But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. 23 And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate. 24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.’ And they began to celebrate.
25 “Now his older son was in the field, and as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 And he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant. 27 And he said to him, ‘Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fattened calf, because he has received him back safe and sound.’ 28 But he was angry and refused to go in. His father came out and entreated him, 29 but he answered his father, ‘Look, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed your command, yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might celebrate with my friends. 30 But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him!’ 31 And he said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. 32 It was fitting to celebrate and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found.’”
Reflection:
- Leaving the presence of God the Father by living in sin has its negative consequence. It may not immediately bear fruit but eventually the evil fruit shows up. It may show as poverty, despondency and bad health but even if these never show up, the final outcome is always death and damnation.
- Never misjudge this that no evil befalling anyone due to being sin as a sign of God’s approval but rather that its the mercy of God for that person to repent before its too late.
- The quicker you realize that throwing yourself to the mercy of humans instead of God the Father is futile, the lesser time you will waste in vain pursuits and instead come to the mercy of the Living God!
- Unlike the older son who undoubtedly did good deeds but couldn’t grasp the Prodigal Son’s repentance nor his father’s love for the younger son, Jesus Christ clearly understands God the Father’s love for each repentant sinner. Jesus waits along with God the Father for the return of those who repent of their sinful deeds.
- Like the Prodigal Son acknowledge your sinfulness before God so that you can receive his mercy. For there are many who refuse to call sin as sin and neither feel the need to repent and so end up in hell forever.
- Humble yourself greatly for the punishment of sin is death and hell.
- Accept and don’t run away the mercy of the Lord God but most importantly be dead to sinfulness but alive to God’s will in your life!
Psalm 35 – Prayer for Deliverance from Enemies
1Contend, O Lord, with those who contend with me;
fight against those who fight against me!
2 Take hold of shield and buckler,
and rise for my help!
3 Draw the spear and javelin
against my pursuers!
Say to my soul,
“I am your deliverance!”
4 Let them be put to shame and dishonor
who seek after my life!
Let them be turned back and confounded
who devise evil against me!
5 Let them be like chaff before the wind,
with the angel of the Lord driving them on!
6 Let their way be dark and slippery,
with the angel of the Lord pursuing them!
7 For without cause they hid their net for me;
without cause they dug a pit for my life.
8 Let ruin come upon them unawares!
And let the net which they hid ensnare them;
let them fall therein to ruin!
9 Then my soul shall rejoice in the Lord,
exulting in his deliverance.
10 All my bones shall say,
“O Lord, who is like thee,
thou who deliverest the weak
from him who is too strong for him,
the weak and needy from him who despoils him?”
11 Malicious witnesses rise up;
they ask me of things that I know not.
12 They requite me evil for good;
my soul is forlorn.
13 But I, when they were sick—
I wore sackcloth,
I afflicted myself with fasting.
I prayed with head bowed on my bosom,
14 as though I grieved for my friend or my brother;
I went about as one who laments his mother,
bowed down and in mourning.
15 But at my stumbling they gathered in glee,
they gathered together against me;
cripples whom I knew not
slandered me without ceasing;
16 they impiously mocked more and more,
gnashing at me with their teeth.
17 How long, O Lord, wilt thou look on?
Rescue me from their ravages,
my life from the lions!
18 Then I will thank thee in the great congregation;
in the mighty throng I will praise thee.
19 Let not those rejoice over me
who are wrongfully my foes,
and let not those wink the eye
who hate me without cause.
20 For they do not speak peace,
but against those who are quiet in the land
they conceive words of deceit.
21 They open wide their mouths against me;
they say, “Aha, Aha!
our eyes have seen it!”
22 Thou hast seen, O Lord; be not silent!
O Lord, be not far from me!
23 Bestir thyself, and awake for my right,
for my cause, my God and my Lord!
24 Vindicate me, O Lord, my God, according to thy righteousness;
and let them not rejoice over me!
25 Let them not say to themselves,
“Aha, we have our heart’s desire!”
Let them not say, “We have swallowed him up.”
26 Let them be put to shame and confusion altogether
who rejoice at my calamity!
Let them be clothed with shame and dishonor
who magnify themselves against me!
27 Let those who desire my vindication
shout for joy and be glad,
and say evermore,
“Great is the Lord,
who delights in the welfare of his servant!”
28 Then my tongue shall tell of thy righteousness
and of thy praise all the day long.
Confess your sins
Remember that no matter what you think or feel, when it comes to confessing your sins unto God, do not fear but only believe that you need mercy and grace from God. Don’t be ashamed to repent. Confess your sins unto God so that the Lord God can then bless you with his great mercy in this life and the next. May God give you the discernment needed to confess your sins!
Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy.(Proverbs 28:13)
Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord.”
And you forgave the guilt of my sin. (Psalm 32:5)
Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.(James 4:8)
Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. (James 5:16)
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
(1 John 1:9)
For this reason, holy brothers, partakers of a heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and Chief Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus (Hebrews 3:1)
Jonah preached and Nineveh repented
The prophet Jonah received God’s voice again,
And this time he went to Nineveh’s domain.
Grateful to the Lord in his heart and mind,
Jonah boldly preached to Nineveh’s humankind.
“Forty days from now Nineveh will be destroyed!” ,
Thus Jonah proclaimed but it didn’t go void.
For the Ninevites believed God all in all,
Right from their king to the small.
They fasted in sackcloth and prayed,
And from sinning they all stayed.
They gave up their violence and evil ways,
And unto God most merciful they gave praise.
The eyes of Jehovah are sharper than all,
He knows the heart of the rich and the small.
Then the Lord God in his mercy towards them relented,
From his holy judgement, for they had repented.
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And God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God repented of the evil, that he had said that he would do unto them; and he did it not. (Jonah 3:10)
Prayer points for 2024
This year 2024 let’s come together in faith asking the Lord God the father of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ to be our refuge against the powers of darkness in the world both visible and invisible. For greater is HE that is in us than he is in the world and we shall prevail against all evil for the greater glory of God
Let’s therefore pray the following prayer points with full faith in the Lord Jesus Christ for the year 2024:
O Lord Jesus we come before you today, and we repent of all our sins and forgive all those who have sinned against us. We renounce each and every thing that is sinful and reject the temptations of the world and also reject the false promises of Satan.
We thank you for all the prayers answered in the year 2023. We thank for each blessing we received in the year 2023.
We together confess and claim the following Psalm verses as our heritage in Jesus :
To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul.
2 O my God, in you I trust;
let me not be put to shame;
let not my enemies exult over me.
3 Indeed, none who wait for you shall be put to shame;
they shall be ashamed who are wantonly treacherous. (Psalm 25:1-3)
Bring joy to Your servant, for to You, O Lord, I lift up my soul. (Psalm 86:4)
Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love, for in you I trust. Make me know the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul. (Psalm 143:8)
We also pray the following and know that you O Lord God will guide us by your Holy Spirit against all of our oppressors including those who scheme against the Church and Israel.
Teach me your way, O Lord,
and lead me on a level path
because of my enemies.
12 Give me not up to the will of my adversaries;
for false witnesses have risen against me,
and they breathe out violence.
13 I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the Lord
in the land of the living!
14 Wait for the Lord;
be strong, and let your heart take courage;
wait for the Lord! (Psalm 27 : 11-14)
O Lord Jesus we ask that you intercede for us all the right hand of God and interrupt the plans of the Evil One in all areas of our life, including our prayer life, our finances, our health, our physical and spiritual security and our intellect. We ask and thank you in faith O Lord Jesus that you will work might miracles of deliverance for our families and friends and also each of our countries in which your Holy Name is praised.
O Holy Spirit of the Living God, come in our lives and take away all false counsel and lies of the Enemy. We ask in faith that the Gospel of Jesus continues to be proclaimed so that people come to receive salvation through the Lord Jesus.
O Lord God you who are the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, we give you the praise for there is none like you, there is no one greater than you! We ask in faith in your loving mercy that you save the children of the church and of the world from all evil predators who have been escaping due justice. We pray that you cause the people of the church and of the world to contend against all those who prey on the innocence of children whether its in person or on social media!
We also pray to that we get the breakthroughs that we need and also what we have been praying for all these years, for we take delight in You and trust in your Holy Word. Amen!
Disciples of hope 