(by pastor Jean)
In Proverbs chapter 4 and verses 20 and 21 we are given some very specific instructions regarding the word of God. Firstly, we are to “attend” to it. To attend means to pay attention to, to mark well. In other words, to focus on it. Next, we must, “incline our ear” to it or as some translations say, “listen closely” or “listen carefully.” Then, verse 21 tells us to “not let them depart from your eyes.” So, even if you know the Bible by heart, you must still read it. Finally, in verse 21, we are to keep the word “in the midst of your heart.” How do we do that? By meditating on it, rehearsing it and speaking it. To me, all of this tells me that we have to give the word of God priority in our lives, remembering that Jesus is the word (John 1:1). The more time we spend in the word, the more like Jesus we will become. However, that is not all because verse 22 says that God’s word brings us life and health. The word for health there is “marpe” and it also means healing, cure or medicine. So, every time you read your Bible you are taking your spiritual medicine which according to Proverbs 4:22 can bring physical healing. When dealing with physical health challenges that is a good time to gather up all the scriptures on healing and take them like medicine – meditate on them and speak them twice a day for as long as needed, no side effects!
(by pastor Norman)
The prophet Isaiah quotes the Lord as saying, “No weapon formed against you shall prosper” (Isa 54:17a; NKJV). That is God’s protection. In Psalm 91 we read a lot about God’s protection. God is our refuge and fortress (verse 2), our shield (verse 4) and He covers us with His feathers (verse 4). Isaiah also wrote that others may fall beside us under the evil attacks of satan but God and His angels will protect us (verses 7-11, John 10:10a). Elsewhere in Psalms we read that God is our hiding place and preserves us from trouble (Psalm 32:7). God is also described as our strong tower (Ps 18:10), our rock and stronghold (2 Sam 22:3,4). Are you getting the picture? The apostle Paul wrote, “Yes, and the Lord will deliver me from every evil attack and will bring me safely into His heavenly kingdom. All glory to God for ever and ever. Amen” (2 Tim 4:18; NLT). God guards us from all the attacks of satan and satan cannot touch us (1 John 5:18b). With God on our side, we don’t need to fear, people cannot hurt us (Ps 118:6) and no one can snatch us out of His hand (John 10:28). I love Psalm 121, we are assured that, “The Lord keeps watch over us as we come and go, both now and forever” (Ps 121:8; NLT) and that, “He who watches over Israel never slumbers or sleeps” (Ps 121:4; NLT). God has us protected no matter where we are or what time it is. “I will both lie down in peace and sleep; For You alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety” (Ps 4:8; NJKV). God’s protection is ours, but we need to have revelation of this promise and receive it by faith.
(by pastor Norman)
“The Lord is very compassionate and merciful” (James 5:11b; NKJV). The word compassionate here has the sense of tender mercy, love and affection, a very deep love, compassion, pity and sympathy. When Jesus saw the crowds that came to Him, He was “Moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd “(Matt 9:36; NKJV). His compassion moved Him to heal the sick (Matt 14:14), feed the 5,000 (Matt 14:13-21) and raise the widow of Nain’s only son from the dead (Luke 7:13). Jesus in His teaching, gave us powerful accounts of compassion. The prodigal son asked his father for his share of his inheritance. The son went away and wasted everything. He returned humbly to his father who greeted him with compassion and celebration, overjoyed to receive his son home alive (Luke 15:11-31). A man on a journey from Jerusalem to Jericho was attacked by thieves and left badly wounded (Luke 10: 30-37). A priest and a Levite saw the man lying there but simply walked away. A Samaritan stopped, had compassion and cared for the wounded traveler. Samaritans were descendants of Jews who had intermarried with Gentiles. Jesus tells us, “You must be compassionate, just as your Father is compassionate” (Luke 6:36; NLT). In the apostle Paul’s epistle to the Colossians, he tells us to, “Clothe yourselves with compassion” (Col 3:12; NIV). Let’s follow God’s word and have compassion on those around us.