He read in their ears all the words of the book of the covenant which was found in the house of the Lord 2 Kings 23:2

Story: King Josiah sent and gathered to him all the elders of Judah and of Jerusalem. The king went up to the house of the Lord, and with him all the men. And he read all the words of the Book of the Covenant, which was found in the Lord’s house. The king made a covenant before the Lord—to walk after the Lord and to keep His commandments with all his heart and soul, to confirm the words of this covenant that were written in this book. And all the people stood to join in the covenant.

Lesson: Do we really spend time in reading and digging into the word of God. There is life in the word of God that can transform nations. Do make corrections in our life according to the word of God. What do we do with the word of God, is it just emotionally soothes us, or makes us feel better when reading the promises, or is it just claiming the promises of God. Ideally word of God should change our lifestyle and we need to live according to the standard of the word of God.

Prayer: Father Lord, let me live as per the word of God and not as per the world. Help me Lord to be a great student of the word of God. Amen.

Verse

“Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus” Phil 2:5

Thought

We all have been saved and given right to be called as a child of God Almighty by the grace of Lord Jesus Christ. From the day of salvation till today how much did our attitude and our character change to be more like Christ. Why are we not growing up? Let us carefully study, on how to grow.

Overcome Sin: Most of us fail to grow because we continue in sin. Taking sin lightly is deception from evil one. And some of us are still struggling to overcome wrong doings. Root cause of failure is because we try to live holy with our abilities. Lord whose grace is sufficient to give us salvation and helps us to lead a holy life. The word says “The Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen and protect from the evil one” 2 Thess 3:3. So let us ask Lord to partner us in daily walk.

Obedience and Direction:  Second step of growth, is to love God and fulfilling His purpose. The word says “May the Lord direct your hearts into God’s love” 2 Thess 3:5 When we have sincere desire to love the Lord, and when we ask for the fulfillment of the desire. Lord will pour out a Spirit of deep love for our Lord in us, for the Lord loves us unconditionally. That love will lead us to fulfill His purposes.

Prayer

Father Lord, thank you for forgiving me by the blood of Jesus Christ.  Lord, strengthen me to walk in your ways.  Guide my heart to love you.  Amen.

Word: For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. Ephesians 2:8,9

Thought: We ought to do good and we will do good, if we have the love of God, but forcing the flesh to do good does not provide salvation – that is what unbelievers try to do as well. If you are saved, you will automatically do the good work which the Lord has kept in store for you. Then what does it take to be saved? Suddenly in a crowd someone asks would you like to be saved today, we still doubtfully raise our hands at times – let us be clear on the word of God on this. To be saved is a gift of God to everyone who believes (have faith) in Him (He died as an atonement for my sin),  which we receive through the grace by the blood of Christ – It is not something we can attain or anyone else can give or buy on your behalf. Salvation can be only through absolute faith in the Lord and should given to us from God and we should receive it directly. If we truly have faith in the Lord, we will love Him and follow His commandments and do the good work and that should be nothing we boast of, but if we are not doing good deeds and not following His commandments we need to truly think – do I really believe in Him in my heart of just mentioned it because you were asked to. The Lord sees the heart and soul of faith and not the mouth which utters faith verse (repeating what someone said) alone. It should be the outward expression of the inward realization and not an outward one alone. Today, if you are not able to have Faith in your heart – re examine yourself and commit to the Lord.

Prayer: Dear Lord, help to to increase my Faith, that I might be saved and let me understand that it is your gift that you have freely given to me which is priceless. Amen.

‘I will surely make you prosper” Gen 32:12

When Jacob was about to meet Esau, Jacob felt Esau was coming to him to take revenge. Jacob felt really afraid and he prayed; Lord delivered him. A very beautiful short prayer by Jacob.

Name of God: Then Jacob prayed, “O God of my father Abraham, God of my father Isaac, LORD, Gen 32:9a Jacob started by Addressing God, we can Address God in Heaven and pray to him in Jesus name.

Promise of God: you who said to me, ‘Go back to your country and your relatives, and I will make you prosper,’ Gen 32:9 Even in tough times, Jacob remembered and held on to the promises of God. Do we trust in His promises?

Blessing of God: I am unworthy of all the kindness and faithfulness you have shown your servant. Gen 32:10 Jacob remembers the ways in which the Lord led him thus far. Testify what the Lord has done.

Request to God: Save me, I pray, from the hand of my brother Esau, for I am afraid he will come and attack me, Gen 32:11 He openly told his need and confessed the exact state of his mind. Oh Lord I am afraid.

Reminder to God: But you have said, ‘I will surely make you prosper and will make your descendants like the sand of the sea, which cannot be counted.’” Gen 32:12. Jacob is reminding God of His promises, that night Lord met Jacob and changed his name to Israel.

Prayer: Lord God who is in Heaven, you are the Lord who promised to prosper, protect and deliver, Lord who in the past who led me will do it now and forever. Lord you are faithful Amen.