Sermon Title: Faith Strengthens in Divine Encounter with the Lord.
18 Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, “So shall your offspring be.”
19 Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead—since he was about a hundred years old—and that Sarah’s womb was also dead.
20 Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, 21 being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised.
22 This is why “it was credited to him as righteousness.”
23 The words “it was credited to him” were written not for him alone, 24 but also for us, to whom God will credit righteousness—for us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead.
25 He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification. (Romans 4:18-25)
Dearly Beloved,
Greetings in the Name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!
Our faith in God is strengthened only in the place of divine encounter - where we commune personally with Him.
What must happen in this divine encounter where our faith in the Lord is deepened?
Through Abraham and Sarah’s encounter with God, we first see the Lord drawing near to Abraham (Ref: Genesis 18:1-5), then Abraham’s radical response to His test (Ref: Genesis 18:6-8), and finally, God calling Sarah out on her sinful doubt (Ref: Genesis 18:9-15).
In every divine encounter, God makes the first move.
“The Lord appeared to Abraham near the great trees of Mamre while he was sitting at the entrance to his tent in the heat of the day.
Abraham looked up and saw three men standing nearby.
When he saw them, he hurried from the entrance of his tent to meet them and bowed low to the ground.
He said, “If I have found favor in your eyes, my lord, do not pass your servant by.
4 Let a little water be brought, and then you may all wash your feet and rest under this tree.
Let me get you something to eat, so you can be refreshed and then go on your way—now that you have come to your servant.”
“Very well,” they answered, “do as you say.” (Genesis 18:1-5)
In every divine encounter, God makes the first move.
Here, the Lord comes to see Abraham with the two angels who would later oversee the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah.
It is widely believed that this is one of the divine occurrences where Christ appears before He came into this world as a human babe through the virgin birth.
Abraham does not recognize him.
All he sees are three traveling strangers, supposedly weary and thirsty as they come in off the desert in the heat of the day.
Abraham's offer of water, food, and rest is evidence that he had no idea regarding the heavenly nature of these visitors.
The Lord was clearly testing Abraham; not that He did not already know, but rather for Abraham to recognise that his life had been truly circumcised – consecrated and set apart for the glory and holy purposes of God.
The test of faith comes without the benefit of information, insight or warning; but must result in the manifestation of the Fruit of the Spirit. (Ref: Galatians 5:22-23)
In every divine encounter where God makes the first move, He does so by presenting a need for your attention and response.
You could have planned out your day perfectly when you are suddenly confronted with a call for help or a need that requires a rapid resolution.
How would you respond?
Would you respond with God’s Love, Joy and Peace?
Would you respond with Patience, Kindness and Goodness in your heart?
Would you respond with Faithfulness, Gentleness and Self-Control to the person in need?
God will approach you with a test of your faith; for faith is necessary for a life that is consecrated before Him.
Are you prepared to encounter God with a consecrated heart – willing to be set apart for His Glory and Holy Purposes?
How would you fare when God approaches you with the divine test of your faith?
Let us see how Abraham fared in his.
In every divine encounter, God tests the condition of your heart.
“6 So Abraham hurried into the tent to Sarah. “Quick,” he said, “get three seahs [27 kg] of the finest flour and knead it and bake some bread.”
7 Then he ran to the herd and selected a choice, tender calf and gave it to a servant, who hurried to prepare it.
8 He then brought some curds and milk and the calf that had been prepared, and set these before them.
While they ate, he stood near them under a tree.” (Genesis 18:6-8)
Even though they were total strangers, we observe Abraham mobilising Sarah’s help; and personally undertook the task of hospitality with great care and haste.
And when everything was done and all that was promised was delivered, Abraham waited on them while they ate to see if they needed anything else.
Well done, Abraham!
Abraham’s prompt and purposeful response is simply the manifestation of a circumcised heart which is filled with grace and love and responds immediately to human need without thought of self or praise from others.
Such is the same test our Lord Jesus will apply to us.
“Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’
“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’” (Matthew 25:34-40)
The true test of our faith is how much our hearts are aligned with Christ’s – that we would wholeheartedly fellowship with Him through the meeting of the genuine human needs about us.
Those who truly belong to Christ do not need to be convinced into helping others; but rather, they look for divine opportunities to help through the Guidance and Power of the Holy Spirit.
To achieve success in radical, divine hospitality requires the deepest desire to deny yourself, take up your cross and follow Jesus (Ref: Matthew 16:24); and resolve to “store up for yourself treasures in heaven” (Matthew 6:20)
God tests us each time He approaches us out of our utter desire to encounter Him.
When the need for help arises, do you ignore it, or do you hurry to meet it, in reverence to God – just as Abraham did here?
In every divine encounter, God calls out our sin and calls us to a life of repentance.
““Where is your wife Sarah?” they asked him.
“There, in the tent,” he said.
Then one of them said, “I will surely return to you about this time next year, and Sarah your wife will have a son.”
Now Sarah was listening at the entrance to the tent, which was behind him.
Abraham and Sarah were already very old, and Sarah was past the age of childbearing.
So Sarah laughed to herself as she thought, “After I am worn out and my lord is old, will I now have this pleasure?”
Then the Lord said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh and say, ‘Will I really have a child, now that I am old?’
Is anything too hard for the Lord?
I will return to you at the appointed time next year, and Sarah will have a son.”
Sarah was afraid, so she lied and said, “I did not laugh.”
But He said, “Yes, you did laugh.” (Genesis 18:9-15)
God knows everything.
In asking her whereabouts, He revealed His true identity to Abraham and invited Sarah into the Communion.
Abraham realised that his guest was the Lord as only He would know about Sarah’s recent name change and the repeated promise of a son.
From the tent, Sarah had been attentive.
Now she heard firsthand God saying that she will have a son.
When she heard this, she laughed in a disbelief fueled by the reality of her 90-year old body.
Could God truly use their barren bodies to fulfill His Promise?
In every divine encounter, the Lord will give you assurances, promises, and even visions for your life of faith in Him.
Do you laugh in disbelief of His Commands and Revelations for your life?
Sarah was afraid and lied; for she realised that God knew her heart fully.
The Lord revealed Sarah’s sin and called out her doubt.
As innocuous and innocent as the sin of doubt is, it is still sin.
Abraham and Sarah’s bodies may be beyond impossible for the prospect of procreation, but they have witnessed firsthand the reality of the Almighty God.
God refused to allow her to fall further into sin and misery.
“Yes, you did laugh.”
God exposes our sin to give us an opportunity to recognise and repent from our sin.
When we encounter God, our sins would definitely be laid bare; and we are forced to face it.
Which is why every revival of the soul is marked by grief for having sinned against God followed by the deepest gratefulness for His Grace and Mercies; and certainly not the giddiness of ecstatic emotions.
You did laugh.
You did doubt.
You did disobey.
Know and repent of your sins; that you may be restored into right relationship with God.
Never try to hide your sin from the Lord who knows everything.
When the waves of doubt have subsided, it is now time to ponder the question:
“Is anything too hard for the Lord?”
What must have happened with Sarah after the heavenly guests left?
Sarah would have started thinking really hard about every moment of her encounter with God, she had to face that question:
Is there? Is anything too hard for the Lord?
As she began to work through her reality and thought about it, she realised that He was indeed the Lord, the Creator of the heavens and the earth, and all the Creatures in it; and began to feel the full impact of the question, "Is anything too hard for the Lord?"
And as she looked beyond the impossibility of the situation and beyond the contrary feelings of her own heart, she came to realise, "Of course not. Nothing is too hard for the Lord. If he has promised, then it shall be done. I will have faith, for He is faithful!"
Hebrews 11:11 explains,
“And by faith even Sarah, who was past childbearing age, was enabled to bear children because she considered Him faithful who had made the promise.”
By considering that the Lord is faithful, Sarah received His divine approval, and blessing, to conceive even though it was impossible for her to do so.
Mary, the mother of Jesus, would later resonate this faith in God when told of what was to come, declaring -“I am the Lord’s servant. May your word to me be fulfilled.” (Luke 1:38)
Faith looks beyond all the contrary circumstances to rest upon the character of God who made the promise.
“Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for.” (Hebrews 11:1-2)
Faith does not stand by itself; it is having confidence in the unchanging faithfulness of God by receiving the ongoing assurances through time spent with Him.
Faith does not begin with agreeing with Man, but with GOD and His Plan of Salvation for us.
We must trust in God despite our circumstances or feelings.
Given our sinful nature, to trust in God would certainly be deeply uncomfortable and put us at odds with our feelings.
Despite her feelings and circumstances, Sarah rested upon the fact that God is faithful and believed Him.
Does it seem hard to be what God wants you to be?
Is it hard to die to your old, sinful self; to “take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:5)?
It is not too hard for the Lord!
Does it seem impossible for your family or friend to ever come before God in repentance and to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ?
Is anything too hard for the Lord?
Does some task which God is leading you to fulfill seem impossible to perform?
Is your situation too demanding for you?
Well, it may be hard for you, but it is not too hard for the Lord.
Humanly speaking, it is impossible for us to be redeemed from the bondages and wages of sin; and be restored in our true identities as children of the Holy God.
Yet, through Christ, we are saved.
Nothing else must matter.
Nothing of this world must weigh upon our hearts.
To continue to harbour sin and worldliness in your heart is to forfeit your place in God’s Holy Kingdom.
Our Salvation and God’s Promise of eternal life through Christ has solved our greatest and most impossible need.
“Against all hope” (Romans 4:18), believe in the Salvific promises of our Lord who is faithful and true.
Without weakening in your faith (Ref: Romans 4:19), face the fact that without Christ, we are “as good as dead”.
Do not “waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God”, but through divine encounter with Him be strengthened in your faith and give glory to God, “being fully persuaded” that God has power to do what He has promised! (Romans 4:20)
We are righteous not because of what we can do; but because we “believe in Him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead” and believe that “He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification.” (Romans 4:23-25)
God’s promises to us will be fulfilled!
We are saved!
In spite of our barrenness, His Holy, Eternal Purposes can be fully achieved in our lives; if only we have “considered Him faithful who had made the promise” and utterly embrace His reality that indeed, nothing is too hard for the Lord!
Encounter God daily; that your faith would be truly strengthened.
Shalom.
Let us pray.
Our Father in Heaven,
Hallowed be Your Name.
Your Kingdom come, Your Will be done; on earth, as it is in heaven.
Thank You for the infinite and immense joy, and blessing, of personally encountering You – for as You deepen my relationship with You, my faith in You is strengthened as well.
Thank You for making the first move in our Communion; and for the test of my heart that follows.
Help me, Holy Spirit, to always bear in my mind, heart, soul and strength – that my life must manifest Your Fruit. (Ref: Galatians 5:22-23)
Open my heart fully to sense the genuine and most significant needs of those around me; that through Your divine tests, I would be increasingly assured that Your Holy Spirit is working deep in my life – transforming me into the New Creation being that belongs to Your Kingdom.
In Your Revelation of such needs in the people around me, may my response be guided and empowered fully by Your Holy Spirit; and in so doing, manifest a life that is consecrated and sanctified – in constant and full fellowship with You.
May my desire solely and wholly be to deny myself, take up my cross and follow You, Lord Jesus; and may my heart truly belong only to You!
Thank You for revealing the sins in my life; and calling me to a life of repentance and holiness.
Forgive my wicked doubts and disbelief of Your Holy Commands and Revelations for my life.
I acknowledge that I have sinned gravely against You, especially when I am defiant to Your Will in my life.
Help me put You first in everything and rest upon Your unchanging Love and Faithfulness; that I may be restored into right relationship with You.
I declare that nothing is too hard for You, my Lord; for I am Your servant. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” (Luke 1:38)
In spite of my circumstances, help me trust fully in You, my Lord!
Your Salvation and Promise of eternal life is my greatest treasure!
Strengthen my resolve to encounter You daily; that my faith in You be increasingly strengthened.
That in my barrenness, Your Holy and Eternal Purposes would be fully achieved in my life; simply because I consider You faithful who had made the promise.
Yes, Lord!
Nothing is too hard for You!
I thank You and pray all these in the Name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.
18 Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, “So shall your offspring be.”
19 Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead—since he was about a hundred years old—and that Sarah’s womb was also dead.
20 Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, 21 being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised.
22 This is why “it was credited to him as righteousness.”
23 The words “it was credited to him” were written not for him alone, 24 but also for us, to whom God will credit righteousness—for us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead.
25 He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification. (Romans 4:18-25)
Dearly Beloved,
Greetings in the Name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!
Our faith in God is strengthened only in the place of divine encounter - where we commune personally with Him.
What must happen in this divine encounter where our faith in the Lord is deepened?
Through Abraham and Sarah’s encounter with God, we first see the Lord drawing near to Abraham (Ref: Genesis 18:1-5), then Abraham’s radical response to His test (Ref: Genesis 18:6-8), and finally, God calling Sarah out on her sinful doubt (Ref: Genesis 18:9-15).
In every divine encounter, God makes the first move.
“The Lord appeared to Abraham near the great trees of Mamre while he was sitting at the entrance to his tent in the heat of the day.
Abraham looked up and saw three men standing nearby.
When he saw them, he hurried from the entrance of his tent to meet them and bowed low to the ground.
He said, “If I have found favor in your eyes, my lord, do not pass your servant by.
4 Let a little water be brought, and then you may all wash your feet and rest under this tree.
Let me get you something to eat, so you can be refreshed and then go on your way—now that you have come to your servant.”
“Very well,” they answered, “do as you say.” (Genesis 18:1-5)
In every divine encounter, God makes the first move.
Here, the Lord comes to see Abraham with the two angels who would later oversee the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah.
It is widely believed that this is one of the divine occurrences where Christ appears before He came into this world as a human babe through the virgin birth.
Abraham does not recognize him.
All he sees are three traveling strangers, supposedly weary and thirsty as they come in off the desert in the heat of the day.
Abraham's offer of water, food, and rest is evidence that he had no idea regarding the heavenly nature of these visitors.
The Lord was clearly testing Abraham; not that He did not already know, but rather for Abraham to recognise that his life had been truly circumcised – consecrated and set apart for the glory and holy purposes of God.
The test of faith comes without the benefit of information, insight or warning; but must result in the manifestation of the Fruit of the Spirit. (Ref: Galatians 5:22-23)
In every divine encounter where God makes the first move, He does so by presenting a need for your attention and response.
You could have planned out your day perfectly when you are suddenly confronted with a call for help or a need that requires a rapid resolution.
How would you respond?
Would you respond with God’s Love, Joy and Peace?
Would you respond with Patience, Kindness and Goodness in your heart?
Would you respond with Faithfulness, Gentleness and Self-Control to the person in need?
God will approach you with a test of your faith; for faith is necessary for a life that is consecrated before Him.
Are you prepared to encounter God with a consecrated heart – willing to be set apart for His Glory and Holy Purposes?
How would you fare when God approaches you with the divine test of your faith?
Let us see how Abraham fared in his.
In every divine encounter, God tests the condition of your heart.
“6 So Abraham hurried into the tent to Sarah. “Quick,” he said, “get three seahs [27 kg] of the finest flour and knead it and bake some bread.”
7 Then he ran to the herd and selected a choice, tender calf and gave it to a servant, who hurried to prepare it.
8 He then brought some curds and milk and the calf that had been prepared, and set these before them.
While they ate, he stood near them under a tree.” (Genesis 18:6-8)
Even though they were total strangers, we observe Abraham mobilising Sarah’s help; and personally undertook the task of hospitality with great care and haste.
And when everything was done and all that was promised was delivered, Abraham waited on them while they ate to see if they needed anything else.
Well done, Abraham!
Abraham’s prompt and purposeful response is simply the manifestation of a circumcised heart which is filled with grace and love and responds immediately to human need without thought of self or praise from others.
Such is the same test our Lord Jesus will apply to us.
“Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’
“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’” (Matthew 25:34-40)
The true test of our faith is how much our hearts are aligned with Christ’s – that we would wholeheartedly fellowship with Him through the meeting of the genuine human needs about us.
Those who truly belong to Christ do not need to be convinced into helping others; but rather, they look for divine opportunities to help through the Guidance and Power of the Holy Spirit.
To achieve success in radical, divine hospitality requires the deepest desire to deny yourself, take up your cross and follow Jesus (Ref: Matthew 16:24); and resolve to “store up for yourself treasures in heaven” (Matthew 6:20)
God tests us each time He approaches us out of our utter desire to encounter Him.
When the need for help arises, do you ignore it, or do you hurry to meet it, in reverence to God – just as Abraham did here?
In every divine encounter, God calls out our sin and calls us to a life of repentance.
““Where is your wife Sarah?” they asked him.
“There, in the tent,” he said.
Then one of them said, “I will surely return to you about this time next year, and Sarah your wife will have a son.”
Now Sarah was listening at the entrance to the tent, which was behind him.
Abraham and Sarah were already very old, and Sarah was past the age of childbearing.
So Sarah laughed to herself as she thought, “After I am worn out and my lord is old, will I now have this pleasure?”
Then the Lord said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh and say, ‘Will I really have a child, now that I am old?’
Is anything too hard for the Lord?
I will return to you at the appointed time next year, and Sarah will have a son.”
Sarah was afraid, so she lied and said, “I did not laugh.”
But He said, “Yes, you did laugh.” (Genesis 18:9-15)
God knows everything.
In asking her whereabouts, He revealed His true identity to Abraham and invited Sarah into the Communion.
Abraham realised that his guest was the Lord as only He would know about Sarah’s recent name change and the repeated promise of a son.
From the tent, Sarah had been attentive.
Now she heard firsthand God saying that she will have a son.
When she heard this, she laughed in a disbelief fueled by the reality of her 90-year old body.
Could God truly use their barren bodies to fulfill His Promise?
In every divine encounter, the Lord will give you assurances, promises, and even visions for your life of faith in Him.
Do you laugh in disbelief of His Commands and Revelations for your life?
Sarah was afraid and lied; for she realised that God knew her heart fully.
The Lord revealed Sarah’s sin and called out her doubt.
As innocuous and innocent as the sin of doubt is, it is still sin.
Abraham and Sarah’s bodies may be beyond impossible for the prospect of procreation, but they have witnessed firsthand the reality of the Almighty God.
God refused to allow her to fall further into sin and misery.
“Yes, you did laugh.”
God exposes our sin to give us an opportunity to recognise and repent from our sin.
When we encounter God, our sins would definitely be laid bare; and we are forced to face it.
Which is why every revival of the soul is marked by grief for having sinned against God followed by the deepest gratefulness for His Grace and Mercies; and certainly not the giddiness of ecstatic emotions.
You did laugh.
You did doubt.
You did disobey.
Know and repent of your sins; that you may be restored into right relationship with God.
Never try to hide your sin from the Lord who knows everything.
When the waves of doubt have subsided, it is now time to ponder the question:
“Is anything too hard for the Lord?”
What must have happened with Sarah after the heavenly guests left?
Sarah would have started thinking really hard about every moment of her encounter with God, she had to face that question:
Is there? Is anything too hard for the Lord?
As she began to work through her reality and thought about it, she realised that He was indeed the Lord, the Creator of the heavens and the earth, and all the Creatures in it; and began to feel the full impact of the question, "Is anything too hard for the Lord?"
And as she looked beyond the impossibility of the situation and beyond the contrary feelings of her own heart, she came to realise, "Of course not. Nothing is too hard for the Lord. If he has promised, then it shall be done. I will have faith, for He is faithful!"
Hebrews 11:11 explains,
“And by faith even Sarah, who was past childbearing age, was enabled to bear children because she considered Him faithful who had made the promise.”
By considering that the Lord is faithful, Sarah received His divine approval, and blessing, to conceive even though it was impossible for her to do so.
Mary, the mother of Jesus, would later resonate this faith in God when told of what was to come, declaring -“I am the Lord’s servant. May your word to me be fulfilled.” (Luke 1:38)
Faith looks beyond all the contrary circumstances to rest upon the character of God who made the promise.
“Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for.” (Hebrews 11:1-2)
Faith does not stand by itself; it is having confidence in the unchanging faithfulness of God by receiving the ongoing assurances through time spent with Him.
Faith does not begin with agreeing with Man, but with GOD and His Plan of Salvation for us.
We must trust in God despite our circumstances or feelings.
Given our sinful nature, to trust in God would certainly be deeply uncomfortable and put us at odds with our feelings.
Despite her feelings and circumstances, Sarah rested upon the fact that God is faithful and believed Him.
Does it seem hard to be what God wants you to be?
Is it hard to die to your old, sinful self; to “take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:5)?
It is not too hard for the Lord!
Does it seem impossible for your family or friend to ever come before God in repentance and to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ?
Is anything too hard for the Lord?
Does some task which God is leading you to fulfill seem impossible to perform?
Is your situation too demanding for you?
Well, it may be hard for you, but it is not too hard for the Lord.
Humanly speaking, it is impossible for us to be redeemed from the bondages and wages of sin; and be restored in our true identities as children of the Holy God.
Yet, through Christ, we are saved.
Nothing else must matter.
Nothing of this world must weigh upon our hearts.
To continue to harbour sin and worldliness in your heart is to forfeit your place in God’s Holy Kingdom.
Our Salvation and God’s Promise of eternal life through Christ has solved our greatest and most impossible need.
“Against all hope” (Romans 4:18), believe in the Salvific promises of our Lord who is faithful and true.
Without weakening in your faith (Ref: Romans 4:19), face the fact that without Christ, we are “as good as dead”.
Do not “waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God”, but through divine encounter with Him be strengthened in your faith and give glory to God, “being fully persuaded” that God has power to do what He has promised! (Romans 4:20)
We are righteous not because of what we can do; but because we “believe in Him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead” and believe that “He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification.” (Romans 4:23-25)
God’s promises to us will be fulfilled!
We are saved!
In spite of our barrenness, His Holy, Eternal Purposes can be fully achieved in our lives; if only we have “considered Him faithful who had made the promise” and utterly embrace His reality that indeed, nothing is too hard for the Lord!
Encounter God daily; that your faith would be truly strengthened.
Shalom.
Let us pray.
Our Father in Heaven,
Hallowed be Your Name.
Your Kingdom come, Your Will be done; on earth, as it is in heaven.
Thank You for the infinite and immense joy, and blessing, of personally encountering You – for as You deepen my relationship with You, my faith in You is strengthened as well.
Thank You for making the first move in our Communion; and for the test of my heart that follows.
Help me, Holy Spirit, to always bear in my mind, heart, soul and strength – that my life must manifest Your Fruit. (Ref: Galatians 5:22-23)
Open my heart fully to sense the genuine and most significant needs of those around me; that through Your divine tests, I would be increasingly assured that Your Holy Spirit is working deep in my life – transforming me into the New Creation being that belongs to Your Kingdom.
In Your Revelation of such needs in the people around me, may my response be guided and empowered fully by Your Holy Spirit; and in so doing, manifest a life that is consecrated and sanctified – in constant and full fellowship with You.
May my desire solely and wholly be to deny myself, take up my cross and follow You, Lord Jesus; and may my heart truly belong only to You!
Thank You for revealing the sins in my life; and calling me to a life of repentance and holiness.
Forgive my wicked doubts and disbelief of Your Holy Commands and Revelations for my life.
I acknowledge that I have sinned gravely against You, especially when I am defiant to Your Will in my life.
Help me put You first in everything and rest upon Your unchanging Love and Faithfulness; that I may be restored into right relationship with You.
I declare that nothing is too hard for You, my Lord; for I am Your servant. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” (Luke 1:38)
In spite of my circumstances, help me trust fully in You, my Lord!
Your Salvation and Promise of eternal life is my greatest treasure!
Strengthen my resolve to encounter You daily; that my faith in You be increasingly strengthened.
That in my barrenness, Your Holy and Eternal Purposes would be fully achieved in my life; simply because I consider You faithful who had made the promise.
Yes, Lord!
Nothing is too hard for You!
I thank You and pray all these in the Name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.