DEVOTIONAL

Prayers: Father thank you for this new day, thank you I can rejoice in you because of all you are to me and all I am to you. Thank you once again for saving me, thank you Jesus for all that you doing in my life, I ask you today once again refresh and fill me with the holy spirit so that I may praise you and give the glory you are worthy of, please wash me calean from all sin and release joy in my life. In your name I ask this. Amen

Scripture Reading for Prayer and Praise: Psalm 16:8 

“I keep my eyes always on the LORD. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken.” 

Worship Song Sung or Said: The Heart Of Worship (Author Matt Redman)

https://youtu.be/0XsB0ltXmRs

When the music fades

And all is stripped away, 

And I simply come,

Longing just to bring
Something that's of worth,

That will bless Your heart

I'll bring You more than a song,

For a song in itself
Is not what You have required,

You search much deeper within
Through the way things appear,

You're looking into my heart

I'm coming back to the heart of worship,

And it's all about You,

it's all about You, Jesus
I'm sorry, Lord, for the thing I've made it,

When it's all about You, it's all about You, Jesus

King of endless worth,

No one could express,

How much You deserve,

Though I'm weak and poor,

All I have is Yours,

Every single breath

I'll bring You more than a song,

For a song in itself

Is not what You have required,

You search much deeper within,

Through the way things appear,

You're looking into my heart

I'm coming back to the heart of worship,

And it's all about You, it's all about You, Jesus

I'm sorry, Lord, for the thing I've made it,

When it's all about You, it's all about You, Jesus

I'm coming back to the heart of worship,

And it's all about You, it's all about You, Jesus

I'm sorry, Lord, for the thing I've made it,

When it's all about You, it's all about You, Jesus

It's all about You, it's all about You,

It's all about You it's all about You
It's all about You, it's all about You,

It's all about You, it's all about You
It's all about You, it's all about You.

I'm coming back to the heart of worship,

It's all about You, it's all about You, Jesus

I'm sorry, Lord, for the thing I've made it,

When it's all about You, it's all about You, Jesus

I'm coming back to the heart of worship,

it’s all about You, it's all about You, Jesus

I'm sorry, Lord, for the thing I've made it,

When it's all about You, it's all about You, Jesus

It's all about You, it's all about You,

It's all about You Jesus

Devotional/Study: Part 2

Having encouraged Christians to be joyful in hope Paul also calls them to “patient in affliction.” Here Paul is urging us to be patient in times of trouble. The word patience conveys the idea of endurance despite difficulty and suffering. 

Affliction is anything causing pain or distress; suffering; Afflictions can come in an may forms persecution, conflicts, sickness, physical pain, emotional distress, loss of a loved one, work-related stress. In the context of this verse, Paul was thinking the affliction of persecution and suffering. What Paul is saying here is that in the midst of the Afflictions we are to remain steadfast and persevere. I think I am very impatient person, but day by day I am growing to be more patience because of trusting God. What about you?

Life is difficult, with many trials, temptations, and tribulations. However, the hope we have is that God hears our prayers and is with us and gives us the patience to endure all hardships. The psalmist said in Psalm 40:1 "I waited patiently for the Lord.” He turned to me and heard my cry for help. 

I don’t know about you, but when something in my life troubles me I want it sorted and removed immediately. Let’s just be honest it is HARD to be patient in affliction. Often when we’re in a time of trial, we pray for relief from the trial, and that’s not necessarily wrong. In his letter to the Christians in Clossae, Paul prayed a wonderful prayer. We read in Colossians 1:9-12 “For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, 10  so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, 11  being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, 12  and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light.”

Pause for prayer: what a wonderful prayer that is. We can pray for others but we can also pray that for ourselves. I have translated it so that we can pray it for ourselves. You may want to pray this now.

Father God, thank you for all that you have done in my life and all you are going to do. Please fill me with the knowledge of your will and purpose in my life through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives. So, that in my life I may live a life that will please and glorify you in every way: please help me to bear fruit in every good work and continue to grow to know you. Strengthen me today and always with all the power according to your glorious might so that I may have great endurance and patience and whatever the circumstance with joy in my heart, give thanks to you, for all that you have done and will do for the rest of my life. 

Let me say Paul doesn’t downplay the genuine pain of hardships and difficulties because we all know life can be unpleasant, and not all moments are happy moments. However earlier in Romans 8:18 he pointed out that the struggles of life on earth are not worth comparing with the glory to come. He said in Romans 8:18 “I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.” 

He knew all he suffered was nothing compared to the eternal glory, he would experience in the presence of the Lord Jesus. In 2 Corinthians 4:17-18 Paul says, “For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.”

Brothers and sisters in the midst of the afflictions we experience in life it’s not easy to be at peace. But if we trust in God knowing what lies ahead for us in heaven we can be at peace and remain calm through tribulations.

So whatever affliction you may experience at this time or in the future be patient, remain steadfast in Christ. Remembering in the midst of the storms to “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction”.

Thirdly: Paul says we are to “be faithful in prayer” Being faithful in prayer means praying always without giving up and with all kinds of prayers and requests.

When life is tough, rejoicing and being patient in affliction and praying faithfully is not easy. Praying faithfully requires a heart that keeps trusting and believing God answers all prayers in his time according to His will and purpose. Brothers and sisters, the enemy is constantly trying to distract us and lure us away from prayer. The devil will do anything and everything to stop us from being on our knees in prayer because he knows the power of prayer is a mighty weapon against his attacks and disturbs his plans.

Prayer is an amazing gift God has given us because prayer moves God’s heart and draws us closer to Him. 

If want peace during times of trouble, we must spend time in prayer trusting God to strengthen lead and guide us.

So, while we are on this earth let us in the power of the Holy Spirit live with a deep Joy and with patient endure and preserve whatever storm comes our way. And let us be faithful in prayer certain of that hope there’s a wonderful day coming when “There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” Revelation 21:4 

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.” (Romans 15:13)                

Personal Prayers: