29 January - Acts 13:52 ~ God fills His children with joy

In spite of their persecution (Acts 13:50), the disciples were filed with joy (Acts 13:52). Joy is the opposite of despair and despondency. It was an adequate and timely antidote for their suffering (Acts 13:50). They fact that they were filled with it while under suffering means that God gave it to them (see Acts 14:17; 1 Thess. 1:6). It also means He gave it to them in abundance, more than enough for their suffering. While enemies persecuted them on account of the gospel (Acts 13:50), God cushioned off the effect of their persecution by filling them with joy (Acts 13:52). This joy enabled them to persevere in the work of the gospel, in spite of severe suffering. God is with His children even in suffering. He will never abandon them to despair. This joy is also available to us today, especially in moments and times of suffering on account of the gospel. We all need it in order to overcome the storms of life and persevere to the end, even to death.

PRAYER: 1. Father, please fill me with your own joy, as you filled the early disciples.
2. Father, please enable me to be wholly dependent on you always, even in suffering

30 January - 1 Cor.1: 2 ~ The Church must be sanctified

This passage describes the Church in Corinth as those sanctified in Christ (1 Cor. 1:2). This description is quite pertinent. When some people think of the Church, they do so in terms of a particular building or denomination. This is quite wrong. The Church is not a building or denomination but those whom Christ has set apart for Himself on account of their faith in Him (Jn. 1:12-13). Those not so set apart do not belong to the Church. True Church membership depends on being set apart by Christ on account of one Church, not to a building or denomination. This indeed is the true Church. This is the only right Church to belong to. Anyone who does not belong to this Church is not a member of the true Church, his denomination notwithstanding.

PRAYER: 1. Father, please make me a member of the true Church
2. Father, please take away whatever it is that can keep me from being a member of the true Church

31 January - Matt. 1:22-23 ~ Jesus is God

According to this passage, Prophet Isaiah did not only foretell the birth of Jesus, he also foretold who He is (Is. 7:14; Matt. 1:22-23). Therefore, the one who is born the Christ is Immanuel or God with us (Is. 7:14; Matt. 1:22-23). He does not become God after His birth, He is born God. The deity of Jesus was a question of on which they demanded and insisted on His execution (see Jn. 10 33-38; cf. Matt. 26:63-67). But with this Scripture and others, this question is answered most conclusively (Matt. 1:22-23; Jn. 1:1-3; Col. 1:19-20). This passage confirms that our Savior Jesus Christ is God, not an impostor. In Him we do have a legitimate and competent Savior (Acts 4:12).

PRAYER: 1. Lord Jesus, please enable me never to doubt or question your deity
2. Lord Jesus, please be the Lord and God of my life

1 February - Acts 13:52 ~ God fills the disciples with the Holy Spirit

In the face of severe persecution (Acts 13:50), God also filled the disciples with the Holy Spirit (Acts 13:52). The filling of the Holy Spirit during persecution (Acts 13:50) confirmed God’s presence with the disciples and enabled them to cope and persevere under it. The filling of the Holy Spirit is the most appropriate and most sufficient antidote to suffering. Anyone who is filled with the Holy Spirit can overcome the most severe trials or persecution. No help can compare with that of the Holy Spirit when it comes to persevering under suffering. We all need the filling of the Holy Spirit to overcome persecution (see Acts 4:5-12; Acts 1:8). We cannot do without His filling, especially under persecution and suffering. And He is ready, willing, adequate and an unfailing partner for this purpose (Acts 1:8).

PRAYER: 1. Father, please fill me with the Holy Spirit
2. Holy Spirit, please be my portion in every situation

2 February - Ps.4:8 ~ God provides safety

According to the Psalmist, God alone provides safety (Ps. 4:8). The provision of safety can be done by Him alone (Ps. 4:8; Ps. 127:1-2). This means that there is no other reliable or safe source for safety than the Lord (Ps. 4:8; Ps. 127:1-2). Those who seek safety from someone or anyone else are not only seeking it from the wrong source but seeking in vain (Ps. 127:1-2). There can be no safety outside of the Lord (Ps. 127:1-2). All other sources or means of safety are not only illegitimate but unreliable and impotent (see 1Chron. 16:26). It is true that the Lord alone can provide safety (Ps. 4:8; Ps. 127:1-2). Anyone who seeks safety from the Lord seeks it from the right and unfailing source (Ps. 127:1-2).

PRAYER: 1. Father, please give me your own safety
2. Father, enable me to depend on you alone for my safety

3 February - Gen. 21: 1-2 ~ God keeps His word

Sarah, Abraham’s wife, was barren(Gen.16:1). The Lord promised Abraham that Sarah will have a son(Gen.18:10). Both Abraham and Sarah were old, and Sarah passed the age of childbearing(Gen.18:11). In spite of their old age(Gen.18:11), God did for Sarah what He promised, at the exact time He promised it(Gen.21:1- 2). This incident confirms that God is indeed able to do all things, and nothing is impossible or too hard for Him(LK.1:37;cf.Gen.18:14). It also confirms that the Lord keeps all His promises, and none of His promises ever failed(see Jos.23:14). Therefore, omnipotence and faithfulness are truly His attributes. We can put all our trust in Him for all our needs without being disappointed(Rom.10:11).

PRAYER: 1. Father, thank you for all your promises.
2. Father, please let all you destined for me come to pass.
3. Father, please enable me to put all my trust in you for all my needs

4 February - 1Cor. 1:2 ~ The Church must be holy

According to this passage, believers are called holy (Lev. 11:44-45; Lev. 19:1-2; 1Pet. 1:15-16). Where there is holiness there is the Church. Where there is no holiness there is no Church. Holiness is the mark of the true Church. One who is holy is part of the true Church, but one who is not holy has no part in it (Heb. 12:14). This characteristic defines not only the Corinthian Church but the Church everywhere. There is no true Church where this characteristic is absent. And whoever lacks this attribute lacks a place in the true Church.

PRAYER: 1. Father, please make me holy unto you
2. Father, please take away from me whatever hinders me from being holy

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