Verse:…in order to fulfill the word of the Lord spoken … the Lord moved the heart …. Ezra 1:1

Story: Through Jeremiah the Lord had given a promise to the people of Judah who were taken into captivity by Babylonian kingdom. Promise was that they will come back free after 70 years and Lord will help them to build the temple of God. Babylonian empire was overthrown by the Persians, and for the promise of God to be fulfilled, Lord moved and heart of King Cyrus and he made a proclamation to all his kingdom that people of Israel could go back and start building the temple, as he was appointed by God for that purpose, also he gave a word that from the royal treasury they will provide the support too.

Lesson: 70 years in a foreign land as slaves, no possibility of the promise to be fulfilled. But Lord who promised is faithful to fulfill even if that needs a miracle. During the waiting time let us be like Daniel who held on to the promise. What are the promises that we received? If that requires the most powerful kings to pass a rule, yes Lord will make it happen. As one who promised is powerful to perform what He promised. One night; is all what it takes to move from troubles to triumphs, when the Lord moves.

Prayer: Father Lord, we are fully persuaded that the Lord who promised is powerful enough to fulfill the promises He gave. While waiting we will trust the word. Amen.

Word: But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. Isaiah 40:31

Thought: May of us might have this word in memory and we even might have advised friends in trouble, but when it comes to our life, do we really wait upon the Lord. Is our life embedded with the plan and way of God or do you struggle and toil in our own ways before aligning to His way? In the times of trouble, even before it strikes do we try to run away and get hit or get entangled by running in the wrong direction, before looking up on the Lord to deliver us. Waiting in the Lord is a daily walk, in EVERYTHING when we wait upon the Lord, He will help us soar high to mount up your wings as eagles and fly above and beyond your circumstances, fly away from your problem  and fly upwards towards the mountaintop. Also, He ensures to increase the tail wind (circumstances for) and reduce the head wind (circumstances against) , so even when we run (through the problem) we do not go weary, since we will have a easy run, rather than running against and toiling making us grow weary and to faint.

Prayer: Dear Lord, help me to wait upon you, that I might rise above the problem or go through it with ease.  Amen.

Verse:

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” Deu 31:6

Thought:

The above verse Lord is encouraging His people to be strong. For the Lord is with them in every situation and Lord promised to never leave them. How to be strong when situation are not positive.

Content: “..be content with what you have, because God has said, Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” Heb 13:5 To be content in the current situation, for we are sure the Lord is in control and He will never ever leave us, the assurance of this promise will deliver us from fear and spirit of contentment will come in.

Confidence: “So we say with confidence, The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid.What can mere mortals do to me?” Heb 13:6 Irrespective of the situation we have to be confident that Lord who promised to deliver is faithful enough to keep His word. The Psalmist was confident and the word says “The LORD is with me; I will not be afraid… The LORD is with me; he is my helper” Ps 118:6,7

Prayer:

Father, Lord I am content in current situation for you are with me. I am confident of future as you are my deliverer. Lord you will not leave me, Lord  I know you will never forsake me. In Jesus Name I pray. Amen.

Verse: ”Then Jesus was led by the Spirit ……. angels came and attended him” Mat 4:1,11

When we look how Jesus started His ministry, there is specific instance mentioned in Mathew 4:1 to 11, that’s the temptation of Jesus, just before Jesus began His 3.5 years of ministry; that changed the world for ever. Jesus ministry brought salvation to whole world, His death and resurrection gifted us this privilege.

How did Jesus win over the temptation? Let us follow the same example, so Lord could use us to change the world.

Word: The first temptation was attack on physical need. Today if you have a need, listen “Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.” Mathew 4:4 In our need, lets trust in the promises of God, than looking at resources. Let us learn the word of God.

Wait: Second test was to prove credibility, listen “Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.” Mathew 4:7 We have nothing to prove in front of men, when Lord decides and He will defend our cause. Are you crushed, let it go, Lord will rise for the defend less. Trust the Lord.

Worship: Third test was shortcuts to reach the expected goal, listen “Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.” Mathew 4:10. Let us not take any short to achieve our goals, let us continue to worship the Lord and serve Him alone.

Prayer: Lord, help me to overcome temptation, anoint me that I will follow your example. Lord, here I am, use me Lord. Amen.

Word: When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you.When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, Nor shall the flame scorch you. Isaiah 43:2

Thought: Are we standing of the promises of God every day in faith and count on Him for everything or panic as we walk through the rivers and fire in our lives? Abraham is considered to be the father of faith since he clung on to God’s promises even  in times of adversity and at the edge of the cliff not knowing what is going to happen next. Many a times in our lives the promises of God seem too far and we start to tend to think ‘will it happen?’ – The simple answer is ‘it will happen’. Remember the question comes from the evil one and if we don’t rebuke it, the faith will dwindle and you might see that you have lost the promise – again the promise is still there, but you have just lost it drowned in the water and scotched in the flames because you did not cling on to it. Whatever might be your situation, just cling on to it and it will happen since the one who has called us is faithful and He will take us through what we has called us for and give what He has promised. Heaven and earth might pass away, but His word (through which we have our promises) ensure forever – He holds our promises for the present and the future, let us not wait to cling on to them and wait with faith (without doubt) to claim them.

Prayer: Dear Lord, please help me to stand on your promises that will never fall and never fail. Increase our faith that even in times of adversity let us cling on to your promises and receive them for your glory. Amen.

Song: Standing on the promises I cannot fall,
Listening every moment to the Spirit’s call
Resting in my Savior as my all in all,
Standing on the promises of God.

Quote: When God leads you to the edge of the cliff, trust Him fully and let go.  Only one of two things will happen: either He’ll catch you when you fall, or He’ll teach you how to fly