1 Thessalonians 4:7-8 NIV
“For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life. Therefore, anyone who rejects this instruction does not reject a human being but God, the very God who gives you his Holy Spirit.”
INSIGHT
–Holy in Hebrew is written as qadosh and hagios in Greek which means to be set apart for a purpose. Paul exhorts the Thessalonians to live a holy life for he understood their purpose in the walk as believers and their manner of living that should be pleasing to God and not themselves or other men. God instructs us through this basic understanding of His statutes, that we should follow His instructions regarding Biblical morality. The Holy Spirit sanctifies us and helps us to live holy lives as per the requirements and standards of God our Maker.
PRAYER
Who is like You Lord in all the earth, none can be compared to You in all the heavens all the earth. Dear God You are Holy and Righteous. Holy, holy, holy are You Lord God Almighty, Who was, Who is, and Who is to come. You have created us in Your own image and likeness, we thank You and honor You. Lord God we humbly ask that You make us holy like You are. May You help us Holy Spirit and fill us with Your grace of holiness that our lives may always live worthy of the calling that we have received from You. May You help us to love You and bearing with one another in love. May You go ahead of us this week and the entire year that we do everything according to Your will and purpose. We pray this believing and trusting in Jesus mighty name. Amen
Further reading: Ephesians 4:1-2
1 Peter 1:13-16 NIV
“Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming. As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.”
INSIGHT
-The Lord gave instructions through Moses to speak to the assemblies of Israel saying, “Be holy because I, the Lord your God, am holy” (Leviticus 19:1-2). God calls for us to be separated from sin and sinful men who cause corruption of character. Christ invites us to be aware of His second coming and the power of His grace that saves us from sin and unrighteous living. The same words are used in 1 Peter 5:8 to inform us of the need to be alert and sober. Caution is made that we have an enemy, the devil who prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour, and therefore we are called to resist him and stand firm in faith that causes obedience to God’s word.
PRAYER
Dear Lord Jesus we come to Your throne of grace so that we may obtain grace and mercy to help us during our time of need. We need Your grace that brings salvation and empowers us to say no to sin, deny ungodliness and worldly lusts that we may live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of You our great God and Savior Jesus Christ. We thank You dear Jesus for Your redeeming work on the cross and Your saving blood that cleanses us and helps us to live soberly. We give You all the thanksgiving, honor and adoration for all You have done in our lives and for who You are. May You sanctify our hearts, families, nation and the nations of the world we may see You oh Lord. May You purify us by Your precious blood and transform us to be more like You oh Lord. Father we surrender ourselves to be useful vessels in Your Kingdom and to be Your faithful servants. We pray for our president that You may guide him in Your wisdom. We pray for president Trump that You may use him to cause a righteous change in Your kingdom. We pray this believing and trusting in Jesus mighty name. Amen.
Further reading: 1 Corinthians 15:33, Titus 2:11-14
Luke 5:4-11 NKJV
“When He had stopped speaking, He said to Simon, “Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.” But Simon answered and said to Him, “Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing; nevertheless at Your word I will let down the net.” And when they had done this, they caught a great number of fish, and their net was breaking. So they signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink. When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord!” For he and all who were with him were astonished at the catch of fish which they had taken; and so also were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid. From now on you will catch men.” So when they had brought their boats to land, they forsook all and followed Him.”
INSIGHT
–Jesus having perfect knowledge of all created and uncreated things instructed Simon Peter to cast his nets into the deep. Possibly Simon based his arguments on his experiential knowledge in fishing and having known the background of Jesus in carpentry, he dismissed the claims that fish can be harvested during the day. Peter was loath-full at first but eventually he consented to the advice. Instead of casting his nets as instructed, he cast one net. He was thereafter shocked at the catch and knelt down repenting before Jesus. The disciples were reminded of their calling as fishers of men. The Lord is calling us to plunge into the deep through our faith despite our common knowledge in matters economy and finances, personal frustrations, family challenges, country leadership shortcomings and other issues. God is calling us to go deeper in our faith and holiness believing that all things are possible in Him and through Him who made the heavens and the earth, and everything in them.
PRAYER
Nothing is impossible with You our dear Lord and God. Lord Jesus You are the Vine and we are the branches, apart from You we can do nothing. May You help us to achieve more than our minds can comprehend this year for You have said in Your word that we who know You shall be strong and do exploits. In You dear Jesus we live, we move and have our being. May You plunge us into the deep and increase our faith in You. May You make us fishers of men and grant us the grace to win souls for Your kingdom. May You hasten the hearts of many that they may come the knowledge of Your word and believe in You. May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with us now and forevermore. Amen
Further reading: Luke 1:37
Luke 15:11-24 NIV
“Jesus continued: “There was a man who had two sons. The younger one said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them. “Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything. “When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’ So he got up and went to his father. “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. “The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ “But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.”
INSIGHT
–Jesus told the parable of the prodigal son to demonstrate His great love for us. We learn that we cannot earn God’s love which is unconditional. The lost son asked for his inheritance and went Into prodigal living where he wasted all his resources. When he came to his senses and thought to himself how his fathers servants are better of than his current condition. We find that since he earned his own trouble by wasting his resources in worldly pleasures that cannot satisfy, he resolved to change his ways and go back home. Living a holy life requires each one to come to his/her senses and desire to follow Christ and His instructions unreservedly. We learn of God’s mercy and forgiving nature even as the son was not punished but was received without condemnation. Romans 8:1 reveals to us that, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. Each one of us is called to evaluate his/her life and ask the Holy Spirit to help us in the areas of weakness. Jesus is calling us to go back Him with our sins, baggage’s, luggage’s, shortcomings and He will forgive us and grant rest for our souls.
PRAYER
Have mercy on me and forgive me all my sins and iniquities, and cleanse me with Your precious blood dear Jesus, I humbly ask You. I come to You as a sinner that You may forgive me and accept me as Your child. From today I confess that I belong to You Jesus. You Lord are the portion of my inheritance and my cup. You maintain my lot. The lines have fallen to me in pleasant places, and I have a good inheritance. I bless You Holy Spirit for You have given me counsel. My heart also instructs me in the night seasons. I have set You always before me for at my right hand I shall not be moved. Therefore, my heart is glad, and my glory rejoices and my flesh also will rest in hope, for You will not leave my soul in Sheol, nor allow Your Holy One to see corruption. You will show me the path of life. In Your presence is fullness of joy and at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore. Thank You Lord God for loving me and calling me Your child. Amen
Further reading: Matthew 11:28-29, Psalms 16:5-11
Ephesians 5:1-8 NKJV
“Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma. But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints; neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. For this you know, that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not be partakers with them. For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light”
INSIGHT
–The love of God has grown cold in the hearts of men due to an increase in wickedness in the world (Matthew 24:12). God calls us to walk in love as we imitate Christ Jesus who loved us and offered Himself as a pleasing aroma to God. Romans 12:1-2 reminds us to present our bodies as living sacrifices, holy and acceptable to God, which is our reasonable service. Further, to be transformed by the renewing of our minds that we may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God and not be conformed to this world. Since we know that the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience and that fornicators, those who are unclean, covetous and idolaters have no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. Christ invites us by His word in Hebrews 4:15-16 to come to His throne of grace with boldness so that we may obtain mercy and grace to help us in our time of need for He is our High Priest who sympathizes with our weaknesses.
SUMMARY
God is Holy and calls us to be holy (1 Peter 1:13-16). God our Father in heaven is perfect and invites us to be perfect (Matthew 5:48). God exhorts us to live a holy life and not be impure for anyone who rejects this instruction does not reject a human being but God who gives us His Holy Spirit (1 Thessalonians 4:7-8). As Jesus instructed Peter to launch his nets deep into the deep, we are also mandated to do the same holding fast our faith in God. Peter caught a great number of fish until his net was breaking though he doubted at first. He then called John and James for help with the harvest and repented. The disciples then forsook everything and followed Jesus (Luke 5:4-11). Jesus is also calling each one of us to forsake everything and follow Him with an undivided heart. Jesus also narrates the parable of the lost son, who was bequeath upon him his inheritance and wasted it with prodigal living. When he came back to his senses, he left everything and went back to his father who embraced him lovingly (Luke 15:11-24). God’s love for us is unconditional. Let us come back to Him with repentant hearts and He will forgive us all our sins and iniquities. It is paramount that we pursue holiness and peace with all people, without which none will see the Lord (Hebrews 12:14). God invites us to be holy and without blame before Him in love, having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, for in Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace (Ephesians 1:3-7).
PRAYER
Dear Lord Jesus You became for us wisdom from God. You are our wisdom, we worship You. We seek Your wisdom daily and in every moment of our lives. We seek Your righteousness, sanctification and redemption by Your precious blood. May You sanctify each one of us in body, soul and spirit, and anoint us afresh Almighty King of kings and Lord of lords. May You help each one us to examine our hearts and return to You. May You convict the world and all people of sin, righteousness and judgment precious Holy Spirit. May You help all those in the government, the private sector, the church, our communities, families, work places to turn to You wholeheartedly. Help us to take up our crosses and follow You Jesus without looking back. We are not the ones who will look back like the wife of Lot and turn into a pillar of salt. We will only look to You dear Jesus and follow You alone. May Your grace, strength and peace help us dear Lord Jesus. May You make us holy dear Lord Jesus because You are Holy. May You make us righteous because You are Righteous. We pray that as You cleanse us. May nothing stand in the way of You coming to do that which You promised to do, for You are a faithful wonderful God. Lord may You hear us and answer our deepest hearts’ desires. May You do exceedingly abundantly more than we can ask of or think of according to the power that is at work in us. Lord we trust in You and exalt You. We believe that You are able to do more than we can think of or imagine. We believe that we shall be extremely fruitful since we abide in You and You in us. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow us all the days of our lives and we shall dwell in Your house forever. May You bless us and keep us loving Father, may You shine Your face upon us and be gracious to us. May You lift up Your countenance towards us and give us peace. Amen
Further reading: Revelation 4:8, 1 Corinthians 1:30