Word: “And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.” – John 17:3 ESV
Reflection: For us to know God, and His Son, Jesus Christ, is a blessing, honor and privilege. Not everyone who lived and died have come to know Him. But we did. And in knowing Him, we can not only experience abundant life and peace that transcends all understanding, but we are also given eternal life. Everyday that we get to know Him, experience Him, spend time with Him, and have that personal relationship with Him, eternal life flows — may we let it flow inward and outward, and share this joy to others around us.
Prayer: Lord, thank You for pursuing us and allowing us to know You. You are worthy of all our praise and worship! Help us to know You more, we ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen! 🙏🏼❤️
Jesus has won the victory over sin and death when He suffered on the cross and rose from the grave. This gives us the assurance of eternal life. But we don’t need to wait for our physical bodies to pass on; even now we can experience victory over death.
If there are dead areas in your life that you’re praying for, now is the time to claim God’s promise. Let Jesus bring life to your dead relationships, dead finances, dead hopes and dreams — remember, in John 1:4 it says, “in Him was life and that life was the light of men.”
He is risen! And with Him, we, who believe and have surrendered our lives to Him, have been adopted into God’s kingdom and are now co-heirs of eternal life! Let your dry bones awaken and come alive! Rise, rise, rise in the name of JESUS! 🤍🤍🤍
Sometimes, you feel so alone. You want to give up. You are tired. You are hurt. You cry yourself to sleep thinking, “God, do you see my tears? Do you hear my prayers? Do you care? Are you even there?”
All of us, at one point, asked these questions.
Today, I am reminded that God loves us so much that He came down from heaven to become man just to be near us and to bridge the gap. The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us (John 1:14).
If you are God, would you trade your position to that of a lowly human being, who hunger and thirst, who gets sick and feels pain, and who dies? Hmmm. Good thing that He is God and we are not. And nothing can separate us from the love of God (Romans 8:38-39).
During His ministry on earth, there was this moment when Jesus had to delay a visit to a sick friend in order to demonstrate the power and glory of God through resurrection of the dead. We all know the story of Lazarus. But what caught my attention was the scene before the miracle happened.
Martha and Mary ran to Jesus and said if He arrived sooner, their brother would still be alive. And the most humbling event happened — JESUS WEPT (John 11:35).
Can you imagine that? Can you feel the weight of the shortest verse in the bible? God cried. Let that sink in. God, who’s almighty, all-knowing, all-powerful, ever-present, and eternal — GOD CRIED. He cried because He understands. He cried because He cares. He cried because He loves.
Now, ask the same questions again, “God, do you see my tears? Do you hear my prayers? Do you care? Are you even there?”
Hear Him whisper:
“My child, I see your tears. I know you are tired. I know you are hurt. I know you are in pain. Come into My presence and I will give you rest. I will heal your soul and give you a new heart. Let me bind up your wounds and comfort you. I am always near and I will never leave you nor forsake you. Give me your burdens and let go of your worries.
Peace, My child. You are loved and you are not alone. I am here.”
God is reaching out to you, right at this very moment, speaking to you. Remember, the Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit (Psalm 34:18).
May the peace of God that transcends all understanding be with you! 🤍
For prayer requests or if you want to know more about Jesus, please feel free to leave a comment or send us a message. 😊🙏🏼
If you’re praying for a breakthrough and for God to bring you to your promised land, this is His Word for you today.
Remember the time when the Israelites were taken out of Egypt — for forty years they were in the wilderness because God had to test their hearts and prepare them to receive their blessing. In those forty years, God had been faithful in providing for them. In those forty years, their clothes did not wear out and their feet did not get swollen. And after forty years, they came to the promised land, just as He promised.
God was, is, and will continue to be faithful to provide for us, guide us, and comfort us regardless of where we are. Even when we are in the wilderness. And while we’re in the season of waiting, He wants to reassure us that no matter how long it may take to pass, He will never forget what He promised when He first called us to follow Him.
He who calls you is faithful; he will do it. 🙏🏼🌈❤️
We are the salt of the earth and the light of the world.
Salt is for healing and preservation while light expels darkness. Being the salt and light, we ought to go to the most decaying and darkest places on earth, to bring healing and preservation and expel the darkness that covers the nations, the communities, the people.
You and I. We are the salt and light of the world.
If not us, then who?
Reflect: Where did I go or what have I done this week to bring healing and preservation and to expel the darkness that covers the people? How can I be more effective and ensure that I don’t lose my saltiness and hide my light?
He has overcome sin and has conquered the grave. Death has no power over Him. This is the confidence of our hope in Jesus Christ — if He is risen, not only is He our Lord, but He is also our Savior, for everyone who believes in Him shall not perish but will have eternal life!
And although we are speaking of a time that is yet to come, we know that God is the same yesterday, today, and forever, which means that the same power of resurrection can bring life to us now. Jesus can bring life to your dead situation, to your dead finances, to your dead relationship, to your dead hope.
Paul quoted prophet Hosea beautifully in 1 Corinthians 15:54-57:
“When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: ‘Death is swallowed up in victory.’ ‘O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?’ The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
His victory is our victory! Let’s celebrate this glorious day of Resurrection. Have a blessed Sunday everyone! 🙏🏻🌈❤️🙌🏻
“So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, crying out, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!”” – John 12:13 ESV
Imagine the crowd welcoming Jesus, holding palm branches and shouting “Hosanna!” as He enters Jerusalem, riding on a donkey. Hosanna means “Save us!” They are desperately pleading for the Messiah to save them from poverty, slavery, and oppression. What they don’t realize is that Jesus did not really come to bring them economic and political solution. He ultimately came to bring them salvation, to save them from the real problem: SIN.
A lot of us today come to Jesus, pleading for His hand to save us from our current situation — and rightly so, as He is mighty to save us from any situation, anytime, anywhere.
What are the areas in your life that needs saving? Can we take this time to quickly pause and reflect what Jesus really came for? Yes, Jesus came to bring healing, provision, rest, hope, and peace. But ultimately, He came to bring forgiveness and save us from our sins.
He will come again to judge and restore. Left on our own, we will die in our sins but praise be to God — Jesus is mighty to save when we cry out, “Hosanna!”
Experience is never at the mercy of an argument. Just like the man who was born blind but was healed by Jesus in John chapter 9, we may not be able to explain everything to those who question the how. But we can testify about our experience! Because whatever argument they bring to the table, they can never discount the testimony about our personal experience. We were spiritually blind, but now we can see, and this cannot be explained by reasons that were born out of our understanding of the physical world. The world can shout loud and proud how God is NOT POSSIBLE. But it’s okay because they can never shut down the still, small voice in their hearts saying, “GOD IS REAL and He wants you to experience Him.”
Just like the blind man who was healed by Jesus, I pray that you would testify about your experience. Let them know how Jesus touched and healed you.
Who would have thought I would cry heaps when reading Numbers 18:8-20? 😭
Background: We are like priests as written in 1 Peter 2:9 and Revelation 5:10.
Knowing this and then reading Numbers 18:8-20, it made me realize that God gives us, His priests, everything that is His — everything that is due Him, He gives it to us. Even Jesus’ holiness and righteousness were given to us at the cross.
In Numbers 8:20, God also said that His priests won’t have any portion or inheritance in the land because He is their portion and inheritance. We, as His priests, couldn’t ask for more because we already have the Source. Even if we lose everything in this world, God is our portion and inheritance forever and that is more than enough. This broken world is not our inheritance anyway, God has so much more in store for us, vividly illustrated in the book of Revelation.
Amazing how each event in the Old Testament is a foreshadow of the New Testament writings – made possible by the Holy Spirit! 🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻
Ok ’nuff said. Thanks for reading my late night thoughts.
Lord, thank You for the grace, strength, and mercy You showered upon us last year. We are grateful for the many lessons 2020 has taught us. We dedicate this year to You, God. May You crown this year with Your goodness and may Your paths drip with abundance. May You show us once again Your unfailing love and may 2021 also be a year of the Lord’s favor! Amen. 🙏🏻🌈❤️🙌🏻
Follow the Good Shepherd 