Psalm 121 - 4.17.24

Scripture

I lift up my eyes to the mountains— where does my help come from? My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth. (Psalms 121:1,2, NIV)

Observation

The psalmist reminds us to lift up our eyes in times of need. When we see the huge mountains, we remember God who made the mountains. We are the children of God our Father, who has no scarcity of resources to help us. Our help comes from our Father who is the creator of heaven and earth. The Bible says that He rides across the heavens to help us. The eternal God is our refuge and underneath are the everlasting arms (Deuteronomy 33:26-27). The Lord’s arm is not too short to save, and neither is his ear too dull to hear our prayer (Isaiah 59:1). The Bible says that putting our trust in people is a snare (Proverbs 29:25). “Lord help me”, is a quick prayer that we can pray in every situation. When we trust Him, He will strengthen us and help us (Isaiah 41:10).

Application

Our home is nestled on one of the hills of Santa Clarita, surrounded by mountains in all directions. When I have to face a difficult situation at work, or when I have to deal with an issue at home, I look out of the window to the top of the mountains, and remember that my help comes from my Father, who made heaven and earth.   We have a God who performs all things for us (Psalms 57:2, KJV). If we look at His face for help, our face will be radiant, because He will never let anyone who puts their trust in Him to be put to shame (Psalms 34:5). 

Prayer

Father, I thank you because you are my help. You have said in your Word that you are near to all your children who call upon you (Psalms 145:18). I thank you because you are always with me. Because you are at my right hand, I will not be moved. (Psalms 16:8). Please help me with everything I need to do. Give me your wisdom. Lead my steps. Bless the work of my hands. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

- Asha Chacko George

Luke 10 - 4.16.24

SCRIPTURE:  Luke 10:1-3  "After this, the Lord appointed 70 others, and He sent them ahead of Him in pairs to every town and place where He Himself was about to go.  He told them: "The harvest is abundant, but the workers are few.  Therefore, pray to the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest.  Now go: I'm sending you out like lambs among wolves."

OBSERVATION:  This gospel is a letter from Luke to Theophilus, who was likely a Roman Gentile. Jesus knew His time was short before His crucifixion, and that there were many villages that had not yet heard His message, so He appointed 70 of His disciples to go on ahead of Him to prepare the places where He was about to go.  He told them to PRAY TO THE LORD OF THE HARVEST TO SEND OUT LABORERS INTO HIS HARVEST.

The need for prayer before is vitally important, and it demonstrates that we are open and receptive to God's guidance, wisdom, and direction.  He told His disciples to GO as LAMBS AMONG WOLVES. 

When Jesus sends us to bear witness to Him in the world, He doesn't send us out as dominant and strong, but as weak and defenseless in ourselves. But... since ALL power and authority has been given to Jesus, that makes us fully equipped as His followers as we go out and solely rely on His Spirit to guide and protect us in HIS power, wisdom, and strength.  They were told to go out and tell the people that the kingdom of God had come near them.

To those who have been born-again, Jesus is within us, and among us, and wherever we go, He is there as we walk in His kingdom authority!  We have been given authority in Jesus' name to do the same things the apostles were able to do: they were given the power to witness and preach boldly, they healed the sick, they casted out demons, they were given the authority to trample on snakes and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy!  As the seventy went out, guess how they returned?  WITH JOY!       

APPLICATION:  Reaching people with Christ's message of hope and redemption is a responsibility that is not restricted to the apostles. ALL FOLLOWERS of Christ are to be involved in carrying out the Great Commission.  (Matthew 28:19,20). 

PRAYER:  I pray the Lord of the Harvest will send out workers into His Harvest, including me!   I pray that I will rely on the Holy Spirit to work IN AND THROUGH ME as I carry out the Great Commission.  And I thank God for filling me with joy as I go, AND as I return!

- Robin Orefice

Luke 9 - 4.15.24

Scripture

‭‭Luke‬ ‭9‬:‭20‬ ‭NLT

”Then he asked them, “But who do you say I am?” Peter replied, “You are the Messiah sent from God!”

Observation

Jesus is hanging out with his disciples and he asks them, “Who do people say I am?” His disciples respond by saying that people think that he is John the Baptist or Elijah, or one of the other prophets that have been raised from the dead. To which Jesus responds by asking them all a very important question: “But who do you say I am?”

Application

Who is Jesus to us?

It’s the million dollar question that everyone will have to answer when it’s all said and done. Muslims say he is a good prophet. Mormons believe Jesus to be a spirit child of the Heavenly Father and Heavenly Mother. Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that Jesus was created by Jehovah (God,) as the archangel Michael before the physical world existed. And atheists believe Jesus to be a good teacher and influencer. But who is Jesus to a Christian? It is a question we should ALL be ready to answer with boldness and confidence…especially when defending our faith!

”Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it.“-1 Peter‬ ‭3‬:‭15‬

As Christians, we believe that Jesus is the Son of God. We believe that He is God in the flesh. We believe that Jesus came out of the comforts of Heaven, taught us how to live godly lives, performed many miracles, was the only one to live a sinless life, and yet He died a sinners death. We believe that through His bloodshed on the cross, He paid the debt of our sins (which is eternal death). We believe that Jesus rose again 3 days later, and through His resurrection, all those who put their faith and trust in Him will also conquer and overcome death. We believe Jesus left His Holy Spirit with us when He ascended into Heaven, where He now sits at the right hand of God the Father, interceding on our behalf.

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Now the Bible tells us about a day of judgment that is coming. That is when we will all be held accountable for our actions. It doesn’t matter how good a person we think we are. It doesn’t matter how many times we went to church. It doesn’t matter how much money we gave to the poor. It doesn’t even matter how many old women we helped cross the street. All that matters is what we did with the name of Jesus, and who we believed Him to be. Now I don’t know about you, but I’m with Peter here. I believe that Jesus is the Messiah sent from God.

”And I tell you this, you must give an account on judgment day for every idle word you speak. The words you say will either acquit you or condemn you.”“ -Matthew‬ ‭12‬:‭36‬-‭37‬

”For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to everyone by raising him from the dead.” -Acts‬ ‭17‬:‭31‬ ‭

Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father,

I pray that people everywhere will come to know Jesus as the Name Above All Names. I pray that hearts will be softened. I pray for people to hear Your voice and trust in Your Words. May they come to know Jesus as Lord and Savior in their lives. In Your Holy and precious name I pray, Amen. 🙏🏽

-Moses Gaddi