PastorEric 30Nov2022

Pastor Eric's Words of Redemption

Bible verse:

Isaiah 43:5–7 (NIV) -- ⁵ Do not be afraid, for I am with you; I will bring your children from the east and gather you from the west. ⁶ I will say to the north, ‘Give them up!’ and to the south, ‘Do not hold them back.’ Bring my sons from afar and my daughters from the ends of the earth— ⁷ everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made.”

My take for today:

Salvation for God's children.

My prayer:

Father, let me hear your voice of assurance today saying: “Do not be afraid, for I am with you; I will bring your children from the east and gather you from the west. Bring my sons from afar and my daughters from the ends of the earth— everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made.” In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

PastorEric 29Nov2022

Pastor Eric's Words of Redemption

Bible verse: 

Isaiah 43:1–2 (NIV) -- ¹ But now, this is what the Lord says— he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel: “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. ² When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.

My take for today:

Lord speak to my fears.

My prayer:

Father, speak to me this morning. Let me hear you say: "when you pass through the waters, I will be with you; when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you; and when you go through the fire, it will not burn you or set you ablaze". Thank you for addressing my fears. In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

PastorEric 28Nov2022

Pastor Eric's Words of Redemption

Bible verse:

Deuteronomy 33:27–28 (NIV) -- ²⁷ The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms. He will drive out your enemies before you, saying, ‘Destroy them!’ ²⁸ So Israel will live in safety; Jacob will dwell secure in a land of grain and new wine, where the heavens drop dew.

My take for today:

God’s everlasting arms.

My prayer:

Lord, I thank you for being conscious that you are my refuge and strength. I am grateful to be protected by your everlasting arms against the enemies of my soul. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

PastorEric 27Nov2022

Pastor Eric's Words of Redemption

Bible verse:

Jeremiah 1:4–8 (NIV) -- ⁴ The word of the Lord came to me, saying, ⁵ “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.” ⁶ “Alas, Sovereign Lord,” I said, “I do not know how to speak; I am too young.” ⁷ But the Lord said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am too young.’ You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. ⁸ Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you,” declares the Lord.

My take for today:

Lord, speak.

My prayer:

Lord, speak to me. As you spoke to your servant, Jeremiah, declaring his true identity:  “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.

PastorEric 26Nov2022

Pastor Eric's Words of Redemption

Bible verse:

Exodus 13:6, 14–15 (NIV) -- ⁶ For seven days eat bread made without yeast and on the seventh day hold a festival to the Lord. 
¹⁴ “In days to come, when your son asks you, ‘What does this mean?’ say to him, ‘With a mighty hand the Lord brought us out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. ¹⁵ When Pharaoh stubbornly refused to let us go, the Lord killed the firstborn of both people and animals in Egypt. This is why I sacrifice to the Lord the first male offspring of every womb and redeem each of my firstborn sons.’

My take for today:

Revelation.

My prayer:

Lord, You are the creator of my life, calling me by my name to serve You according to the plan You set in motion before the beginning of time. Lord, help me to know You in the words You made to Moses: “I am who I am.”  Father,  reveal yourself to me today. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

PastorEric 25Nov2022

Pastor Eric's Words of Redemption

Bible verse:

Psalm 103:1–3 (NIV) -- ¹ Praise the Lord, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. ² Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits— ³ who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases.

My take for today:

Lord make me whole.

My prayer:

Father, let me hear from you. As I struggle with my health, say to me: I am the Lord that heals all your diseases. In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

PastorEric 24Nov2022

Pastor Eric's Words of Redemption

Bible verse:

1 Samuel 3:6–10 (NIV) -- ⁶ Again the Lord called, “Samuel!” And Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me.” “My son,” Eli said, “I did not call; go back and lie down.” ⁷ Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord: The word of the Lord had not yet been revealed to him. ⁸ A third time the Lord called, “Samuel!” And Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me.” Then Eli realized that the Lord was calling the boy. ⁹ So Eli told Samuel, “Go and lie down, and if he calls you, say, ‘Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.’ ” So Samuel went and lay down in his place. ¹⁰ The Lord came and stood there, calling as at the other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” Then Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant is listening.”

My take for today:

Assurance.

My prayer:

Lord, I thank you for calling me by my name and claiming me as your very own. Lord, speak to me; as I struggle to decipher with the full assurance of your will for my life each day. Thank you, Father, in Jesus' name. Amen.

PastorEric 23Nov2022

Pastor Eric's Words of Redemption

Bible verse:

Isaiah 55:8–11 (NIV) -- ⁸ “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. ⁹ “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. ¹⁰ As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, ¹¹ so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.

My take for today:

God is not our feelings.

My prayer:

LORD, I thank you for what you have for me in Christ Jesus. Father, help me to live by taking heed to what Your are saying, applying You instruction in every situation while ignoring my feelings. In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

PastorEric 22Nov2022

Pastor Eric's Words of Redemption

Bible verse:

Matthew 5:16 (NIV) -- ¹⁶ In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

My take for today:

Lord, let me shimmer and shine for You.

My prayer:

Lord, I thank you for being a blessing in this world because of the redemption work of Jesus Christ. Lord, let my light of the knowledge of Christ continue to shimmer from day to day to those who are in darkness. I ask in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

PastorEric 21Nov2022

Pastor Eric's Words of Redemption

Bible verse:

1 Timothy 6:12 (NIV) -- ¹² Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.

My take for today:

A victorious lifestyle.

My prayer:

I thank you, Lord, for calling me into the fellowship of the saints to gain strength and show forth your glory. Father help me to fight the good fight of faith in this world of meaninglessness, by living out my confession in Jesus Christ each day. Amen.

PastorEric 20Nov2022

Pastor Eric's Words of Redemption

Bible verse:

2 Corinthians 3:17–18 (NIV) -- ¹⁷ Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. ¹⁸ And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

My take for today:

Beholding the face of Jesus.

My prayer:

Father, I am grateful for the power of the redemption work of Christ ushering open the door to look at the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ who empowers us to transform from grace to grace through the knowledge of our faith. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

PastorEric 19Nov2022

Pastor Eric's Words of Redemption

Bible verse:

Mark 16:15–18 (NIV) -- ¹⁵ He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. ¹⁶ Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. ¹⁷ And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; ¹⁸ they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.”

My take for today:

Power over sickness.

My prayer:

Lord, I thank you for the Blood of Jesus Christ to rout the power of darkness out of my life. This morning at the authority of your Word, I subjugated every organ in me to the healing power of the strips of Christ; in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

PastorEric 18Nov2022

Pastor Eric's Words of Redemption

Bible verse:

James 1:2–4 (NIV) -- ² Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, ³ because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. ⁴ Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

My take for today:

Trust in the Lord.

My prayer:

Father, I am grateful for what I am going through at this moment of spiritual growth in depending on you for victory in my body, soul, and spirit. Thank you, Lord, for the assurance that you are with me to the end. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

OT16 Nehemiah 08-09

Study with Pastor Kelvin

Read: 

https://my.bible.com/bible/1/NEH.8.KJV

https://my.bible.com/bible/1/NEH.9.KJV

Summary:

A week after the walls around Jerusalem are completed , the people reassemble in Jerusalem . Ezra brings out the Book of the law and reads it aloud to all the people. He interprets the Hebrew text in Aramaic, then spoken by ordinary people. The next day the people scatter to gather branches so they can build booths and keep the festival of Tabernacle. Each day of the festival is spent listening to the scriptures.  Many have been convicted by the  reading of God's Law. They keep on gathering, spending part of the day studying the Law and part in confession and worship. Nehemiah records a typical prayer. It expresses the people's awe of God, and a fervent appeal that God would relieve their distress. The community is ready to make a fresh commitment to the Lord.

Prayer Point:

In the name of Jesus Christ as I pray, O' Lord draw me closely to Your Word.

- What insights did you gain?

- How can you apply this passage in your life? 

PastorEric 17Nov2022

Pastor Eric's Words of Redemption

Bible verse:

Psalm 107:20 (NIV) -- ²⁰ He sent out his word and healed them; he rescued them from the grave.

My take for today:

Pray for healing.

My prayer:

Father, I come to you today for healing. Lord, release the words of your onslaught to kill and heal from every name or unnamed sickness in my body which is Your Temple,  in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

OT16 Nehemiah 05-07

Study with Pastor Kelvin

Read: NEHEMIAH 5-7

https://my.bible.com/bible/1/NEH.5.KJV

https://my.bible.com/bible/1/NEH.6.KJV

https://my.bible.com/bible/1/NEH.7.KJV

Summary:

Internal problems threaten to do what external  enemies could not. Nehemiah learns that wealthy Jews have charged their poorer neighbors high interest rates in violation of Old Testament Law. Many are near starvation, and others have been forced to sell children as slaves to pay their debts. Nehemiah confronts the wealthy and gets their commitment to correct the injustice. Nehemiah himself sets an example for the rich by paying the costs of administering Judea himself, rather than exercising his right to tax his already burdened people. But Sanballat has not given up. He tries to get Nehemiah to meet  him, assuming that without Nehemiah's leadership work would cease. When neither invitations nor threats work, Sanballat hires a prophet to urge Nehemiah to hide, hoping the act will discredit him. Nehemiah scornfully rejects what he sees as a coward's course. And so the wall is rebuilt in just 52 days. With the walls complete, Nehemiah consults the census lists as first step toward repopulating the holy city.

Prayer Point:

In the name of Jesus Christ as I pray, O' Lord give me the grace to overcome the challenges of life.

- What insights did you gain?

- How can you apply this passage in your life? 

PastorEric 16Nov2022

Pastor Eric's Words of Redemption

Bible verse:

Revelation 12:10–11 (NIV) -- ¹⁰ Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say: “Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Messiah. For the accuser of our brothers and sisters, who accuses them before our God day and night, has been hurled down. ¹¹ They triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death.

My take for today:

Be thankful for the blood of Jesus Christ.

My prayer of Thankfulness:

Father, I thank you for giving me an answer to the mountains of accusations by leviathan, the enemy of my soul, using the words of Elvina Hall, the songwriter: Jesus paid it all,  all to Him I owe. Sin has left a crimson stain. He made me white as snow. That is an everlasting knockout response to the king of darkness. In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Song: "Jesus Paid It All" by Elvina Hall [lyrics]

OT16 Nehemiah 03-04

Study with Pastor Kelvin

Read: NEHEMIAH 3-4

https://my.bible.com/bible/1/NEH.3.KJV

https://my.bible.com/bible/1/NEH.4.KJV

Summary:

Nehemiah organizes work on the wall, assigning sections to families, neighborhoods, and even tradesmen. This strategy fixes responsibility for each part of the task. It also creates work teams out of  existing groups who have learned to work cooperatively. And it encourages competition, between teams. But as progress is made on the walls, Sanballat becomes  incensed. He and Tobiah step up their rumor and ridicule campaign. Nehemiah simply prays and keeps the people working. When ridicule fails to halt the rebuilding, the enemies plot an armed attack. Then the Jews hear Nehemiah reassure his fearful workers. He also organizes a defense, Half his workers are placed on guard while the other half work, the Jews intensify rather than abandon their building efforts.

Prayer Point:

In the name of Jesus Christ as I pray, O' Lord deliver me from distractions.

- What insights did you gain?

- How can you apply this passage in your life? 

PastorEric 15Nov2022

Pastor Eric's Words of Redemption

Bible verse:

James 1:22–25 (NIV) -- ²² Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. ²³ Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror ²⁴ and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. ²⁵ But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.

My take for today:

Be a doer of the Word of God.

My prayer:

Father, my plea today is for multiplied grace and understanding by my paying attention to your instructions and doing them. Thank you, Lord, for the wisdom that comes through obedience to your words. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

OT16 Nehemiah 01-02

Study with Pastor Kelvin

Read: NEHEMIAH 1-2

https://my.bible.com/bible/1/NEH.1.KJV

https://my.bible.com/bible/1/NEH.2.KJV

Summary:

Nehemiah is a high official in the Persian court. He is disturbed when he hears of conditions in Judea and prays fervently for his homeland. Nehemiah also determines to act. When king Artaxerxes notices his distress, Nehemiah offers a quick prayer and requests permission to rebuild Jerusalem. The king makes Nehemiah governor of Judea. Nehemiah makes a nightmare survey of Jerusalem, examining its fallen walls. Only then does he share his vision of a rebuilt Jerusalem and reveal his loyal commission. The response of the Jews is zealous, but the pagan officials who rule the larger province ridicule the notion of rebuilding and charge that the act constitutes rebellion. Nehemiah answers them bluntly. This is the Jew's city, of which they have no part. With God's help, its walls will rise again.

Prayer Point:

In the name of Jesus Christ as I pray, O' Lord open every closed door you ordain in my life.

- What insights did you gain?

- How can you apply this passage in your life? 

PastorEric 14Nov2022

Pastor Eric's Words of Redemption

Bible verse:

Zechariah 4:6 (NIV) -- ⁶ So he said to me, “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the Lord Almighty.

My take for today:

Put your trust in God.

My prayer:

Lord, I thank you this day for bringing to my remembrance, as I face the impossible, that I can only have victory by trusting in your Holy Spirit Spirit. Because of this, let me say thank you in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

OT15 Ezra 9-10

Study with Pastor Kelvin

Read: EZRA chapters 9-10

https://my.bible.com/bible/1/EZR.9.KJV

https://my.bible.com/bible/1/EZR.10.KJV

Summary:

When Ezra has been in Judea for a little over four months he faces the problem of mixed marriages. Deuteronomy and Exodus prohibited intermarriages with pagan people because, as God's chosen people, the Jews are to be " holy to the Lord ". Ezra is appalled to learn that even some of the priests have married Canaanites. He tears his clothes as a mark of public shame and guilt. He then utters one of the Old Testament's most powerful prayers of confession, in which he identifies himself with God's sinning people. Ezra's emotional prayer moves others to promise to support Ezra in enforcing the Law. A proclamation orders all men of Judah to appear in Jerusalem, where Ezra boldly confronts them. The assembly agrees that pagan wives must be divorced and their children sent away. Each case is investigated, and the guilty are forced to divorce their foreign wives.

Prayer Point:

In the name of Jesus Christ as I pray, O' Lord renew a right spirit within me.

- What insights did you gain?

- How can you apply this passage in your life? 

PastorEric 13Nov2022

Pastor Eric's Words of Redemption

Bible verse:

Matthew 24:19–22 (NIV) -- ¹⁹ How dreadful it will be in those days for pregnant women and nursing mothers! ²⁰ Pray that your flight will not take place in winter or on the Sabbath. ²¹ For then there will be great distress, unequaled from the beginning of the world until now—and never to be equaled again. ²² “If those days had not been cut short, no one would survive, but for the sake of the elect those days will be shortened.

My take for today:

God is faithful.

My prayer:

Father, I thank you for your promises of strength and preservation to your redeemed, even as distress, temptations, and deceptions increase in this world of darkness and craftiness. Thank you, O'Lord, for your faithfulness in Christ, Amen.

Lamentations 3:22–24 (NIV) -- ²² Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. ²³ They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. ²⁴ I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.”

PastorEric 12Nov2022

Pastor Eric's Words of Redemption

Bible verse:

Psalm 103:13–18 (NIV) -- ¹³ As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him; ¹⁴ for he knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust. ¹⁵ The life of mortals is like grass, they flourish like a flower of the field; ¹⁶ the wind blows over it and it is gone, and its place remembers it no more. ¹⁷ But from everlasting to everlasting the Lord’s love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children’s children— ¹⁸ with those who keep his covenant and remember to obey his precepts.

My take for today:

Pray for your children.

My prayer:

Lord, this morning, let your love and awareness of salvation in Jesus Christ extend to my children’s children. Lord, I thank you for answering my prayer. In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

OT15 Ezra 7-8

Study with Pastor Kelvin

Read: EZRA chapter 7-8

https://my.bible.com/bible/1/EZR.7.KJV

https://my.bible.com/bible/1/EZR.8.KJV

Summary:

During the Persian empire Darius had proven to be capable, and his aggressive son Xerxes had even burned Athens before being thrown back from Europe by the Greeks. His successor, Artaxerxes, was a weaker ruler, but the massive Persian empire still dominated Syria and Palestine. But now, in little Judah the enthusiasm aroused by the completion of the temple has faded. The teachings of God's Law are increasingly ignored, and temple worship has become routine. At this critical junction, Ezra, a descendant of Aaron and " a teacher well versed in the Law of Moses", arrives in Jerusalem. He comes with donations for the temple and with a royal commission to appoint judges and to enforce both Old Testament and persian Law in Judah. Ezra brings with him a number of leading men from the Jewish community in Babylon. Depending on God alone for protection, the company had set out carrying great wealth. It arrives safely in Judah with all treasures intact. There the new settlers offer sacrifices and deliver the king's orders to the district governor.

Prayer Point:

In the name of Jesus Christ as I pray, O' Lord equip me to do your work.

- What insights did you gain?

- How can you apply this passage in your life? 

PastorEric 11Nov2022

Pastor Eric's Words of Redemption

Bible verse:

Ephesians 2:1–10 (NIV) -- ¹ As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, ² in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. ³ All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. ⁴ But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, ⁵ made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. ⁶ And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, ⁷ in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. ⁸ For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—⁹ not by works, so that no one can boast. ¹⁰ For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

My take for today:

Saved by the grace of God.

My prayer:

I thank you, Lord, for your favor of grace in the life of your redeemed that distinguishes us from the people of this world of meaningless and godlessness, heading for hell. 

Father, clothe me with your presence from day to day to show forth your salvation by faith through the empowerment of grace. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

OT15 Ezra 5-6

Study with Pastor Kelvin

Read: EZRA chapter 5-6

https://my.bible.com/bible/1/EZR.5.KJV

https://my.bible.com/bible/1/EZR.6.KJV

Summary:

The prophets Haggai and Zechariah urge the Jews to complete the temple, whose foundation had been laid. Taking on the project is an act of faith, for at this time the struggling community was hardly able to survive. When they do begin, the governor of the Persian land across the river district writes to check on the Jews' authority to complete the temple, and for instructions from King Darius. The author quotes the request in the original Aramaic language and also quotes the king's reply. In it Darius confirms the original decree. He orders that all expenses of the temple project be paid from the royal treasury. The Jews' faith has been rewarded, and God has met every need. The temple is completed four years later. It is dedicated with great joy, and once again the Jews celebrate Passover before their own temple in their own land.

Prayer Point:

In the name of Jesus Christ as I pray, O' Lord touch the heart of men to favour me.

- What insights did you gain?

- How can you apply this passage in your life? 

PastorEric 10Nov2022

Pastor Eric's Words of Redemption

Bible verse:

Nehemiah 1:5–11 (NIV) -- ⁵ Then I said: “Lord, the God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and keep his commandments, ⁶ let your ear be attentive and your eyes open to hear the prayer your servant is praying before you day and night for your servants, the people of Israel. I confess the sins we Israelites, including myself and my father’s family, have committed against you. ⁷ We have acted very wickedly toward you. We have not obeyed the commands, decrees and laws you gave your servant Moses. ⁸ “Remember the instruction you gave your servant Moses, saying, ‘If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the nations, ⁹ but if you return to me and obey my commands, then even if your exiled people are at the farthest horizon, I will gather them from there and bring them to the place I have chosen as a dwelling for my Name.’ ¹⁰ “They are your servants and your people, whom you redeemed by your great strength and your mighty hand. ¹¹ Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of this your servant and to the prayer of your servants who delight in revering your name. Give your servant success today by granting him favor in the presence of this man.” I was cupbearer to the king.

My take for today:

Favor.

My prayer:

Lord, this morning, I lift my hands to you, asking for favor to encounter the day. Lord, let me find favor in your sight and that of humanity as I step out this morning. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.