Hymn of Heaven

Hymn of Heaven

by | Aug 6, 2024 | Devotionals, Worship Reflections

“And every prayer we prayed in desperation
The songs of faith we sang through doubt and fear
In the end, we’ll see that it was worth it
When He returns to wipe away our tears”

Hymn of Heaven, Phil Wickham

“And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

Revelation 21:3-4, NIV

While it is true that the Kingdom is come it is only a part of the Kingdom. We also look forward, expecting the Kingdom that is yet to come.

The Bible makes this clear, that the Kingdom has come but it is also coming.

In Revelation 21 we read about this coming Kingdom.

It is a place where God reigns in totality. Where His dominion is established and recognized by all things. It is a place where every tear is wiped away – where there is no mourning, crying or pain. The coming Kingdom is a place where there is no infirmity, no illness, no disability – where our bodies are complete and whole. The coming Kingdom is a place undefiled and incorruptible – completely Holy as God is Holy.

The coming Kingdom is a place where there is no death.

The truth is that while this life endures many of us will only see a portion of the Kingdom. In this age – this time of preparation in which God is preparing a Bride for Himself – we will still have hardships.

I have heard in this last week of two people who once were very dear to me passing on.

There is still death in this world.

A friend is currently in hospital under observation.

There is still pain in this world.

There is still mourning and crying, and not every tear is wiped away. Some tears are planted like seeds in the ground of our lamentation, supplication and intercession – one day to be reaped as joy.

In this current age we are to prove ourselves as a faithful Bride to the One who is to come.

We are to keep our garments clean and undefiled, trusting, longing and waiting on Jesus and His coming – the coming Kingdom – where all things, all of creation, will be made new.

In the mean time we endure. Steadfast in prayer – praying not only for ourselves but for the world at large. We pray for our families. We pray for our schools. We pray for our churches and our communities. We pray for a wave of repentance and a great awakening to occur.

We stay faithful in trial and trouble, we persevere even in persecution and press in and press on towards the final destination of our faith – where we will be united and eternally locked in communion with our Bridegroom and the Lover of our Souls – Jesus!

We stay faithful, knowing that in this world we will have trouble. In this world and in this life we will cry many tears – but this too shall pass and give way to glory. This current life will pass – wither and fade like flowers and grass – but His Word and His Kingdom will be forever.

Do not grow weary of waiting for the time is soon – the Kingdom comes like a thief in the night.

Do not grow weary of waiting. Keep your lamps trimmed and burning.

One day God Himself will wipe away our tears – but for now we keep planting those tears for our friends and family. We keep planting those tears for the unsaved, the unloved and the unwashed – we keep planting the tears of lamentation, supplication and intercession – for in the Kingdom come we will reap joy!

Prayer: Lord, today I cry for my family. I cry for my friends. I cry for my community. As I shed these tears Lord, tears of compassion, longing and love – let not one go to waste. Hear my cries oh Lord God of Hosts, shine Your face upon us. Save this broken and dying world. Hear our prayers, oh Lord, and give us peace. Give us the peace of knowing that one day we will reap joy unspeakable and full of glory. Help me endure in waiting. Help me keep my lamp trimmed and burning. In Jesus Mighty Name. Amen.

Hosanna: Come Save!

Hosanna: Come Save!

by | Apr 25, 2024 | Devotionals, Worship Reflections

“I see a generation
Rising up to take their place
With selfless faith, with selfless faith
I see a near revival
Stirring as we pray and seek
We’re on our knees, we’re on our knees”

Hosanna, Hillsong

“14 if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.“

2 Chronicles 7:14: NKJV

When Jesus entered Jerusalem the crowds went ahead of Him shouting: “Blessed is the One who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna! Hosanna! Hosanna in the highest!”

Hosanna is used for the first time in Matthew 21:9: and is derived from a Hebrew phrase: Hoshiya Na – which is a desperate and heartfelt cry for help – “please, save!”

In the Triumphal Entry of Jesus, coming into Jerusalem, the crowds cry out: “Hosanna, come save!”

A few days later they are condemning Him to the Cross.

In our modern Christianity we have very often forgotten the meaning and significance of not just specific phrases and passages of scripture, but even the meaning and significance of certain individual words in their original context.

Hosanna is a prayer, in the tradition of many of the Psalms, a plea for salvation.

Our modern interpretation of the word is more a shout of joy and excitement – instead of being a call for salvation it is a rejoicing in the coming of salvation. Instead of “come, salvation”, we cry “salvation has come!”

But are we perhaps losing something in the process?

In this fastfood, instant gratification culture that we live in, faced with the ills and evils of a society calling for the ‘death of God’ it seems that we can learn a thing or two from the original context.

Yes, we who have Christ have much to rejoice about – certainly it is right for us to cry out “hosanna, salvation has come’ – but I turn again to the great revivalist Jonathan Edwards and his sermon “On the Preciousness of Time”:

“Christians should not only study to improve the opportunities they enjoy, for their own advantage, as those who would make a good bargain; but also labor to reclaim others from their evil courses…”

How then shall our labour look?

In the second book of Chronicles we see a heartfelt prayer – a plea for the salvation and habitation of God – as Solomon dedicated the Temple to God.

God answers in the next chapter:

”13 “When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command locusts to devour the land or send a plague among my people, 14 if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land. 15 Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the prayers offered in this place. 16 I have chosen and consecrated this temple so that my Name may be there forever. My eyes and my heart will always be there.” (2 Chronicles 7:13-16: NIV)

We as the church find ourselves in a place of dryness. There is a very real drought.

Yes, in some pockets of the world we have seen what looks like revival, but in many of these cases it is not an outpouring of restoration, but rather a cistern of emotion breaking open and we find that it is short lived and evanescent in nature.

Real revival can only be birthed from the womb of prayer.

Our music – filled with jubilant shouts of salvation has come – will not turn the world around. We have been singing this happy hosanna for decades now and yet we see only the most shallow change.

Eloquent preaching, although moving, can only move us to a point – but what do we do when we find it is not enough? Many fall away from the faith because of pretty promises based on bad theology, or even worse, when the preacher falls the parish falls with him…

We rejoice in our salvation – but it is as Edwards implies – a little flock focused on improving the opportunities they enjoy. We sing the happy hosanna but forget the other side of the coin.

There is a dying world. And if their burden is not our burden we are doing something wrong.

It is not enough for me to seek my healing and forget the world. I need to get up and seek my Father’s Heart and Will – I need to get up and seek the restoration of His people.

And what does that look like? Big churches built with silver and gold? Seeker-friendly worship? Program upon program to attract and entertain? No!

The restoration of our communities is found on our knees. It is found in the taking up of arms – the weapons of our warfare, prayer and intercession – as we take hands and pray, giving God no rest as we take no rest in seeking Him!

As we cry, restore us oh Lord! As our heart breaks for what breaks His heart! As we cry out, Hosanna, come and save!

If we do this, if we will humble ourselves and pray, we will see God move in our midst again.

Prayer: Oh Lord, let me answer this call to arms, this call to take up the station of intercession, with a yielded and unrelenting ‘yes’. Move me Lord, through the unction of Your Spirit, to pray for revival. To pray for my community. To pray for my friends, my colleagues, my loved ones – and even those who I don’t get along with. Give me eyes to see what You see. Give me eyes to see deeper so that I might grow in my discernment and know what to pray. Lead me deeper Lord in Your Word. Teach me how to wage war like You taught David. Put Your Word in my mouth as I pray for real revival to come again. Not a flame that flickers faintly before dying out, but a raging forest fire – uncontained, unrestrained and burning up our enemies of doubt, fear and unbelief. In Jesus Name. Amen.

Here Comes The Glory

Here Comes The Glory

by | Apr 24, 2024 | Devotionals, Worship Reflections

“Heaven is here right now
Heaven is here right now
What we long to see
Is happening happening
Here right now
Heaven is here
Here comes Heaven”

Here Comes The Glory, David and Nicole Binion

“Bow down Your heavens, O Lord, and come down;
Touch the mountains, and they shall smoke.”

Psalm 144:5

When Jesus started His ministry He went from place to place declaring: “Repent! For the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand!”

It is easy for us to listen to this – as I did for a very long time – and think that Jesus was talking about a coming time where the Kingdom would be established on Earth… But the nearness described here is not temporal but rather spatial: “The Kingdom of Heaven is here and now, in your midst!”

The Psalms and the Prophets are filled with the desire of the people to SEE God – to see His Kingdom come.

Even the disciples ask Him in Acts 1:6 when it is that He will restore the kingdom (the basileia – dominion, authority and sovereignty) to Israel.

The Kingdom here refers to the sovereign theocratic rule of God that was originally established at Mt. Sinai.

Psalm 144:5: echoes this desire specifically when the psalmist asks God to bow the Heavens and set the mountains on fire. We read in Exodus 19 that after coming out of Egypt Moses led the people to the foot of the mountain to meet with God. It says in verse 18 that Mount Sinai was covered in smoke because the Lord had descended on it in fire.

It is here that God first institutes His theocratic government through His covenant with Moses and the Israelites.

David writes: “Reach down your hand from on high; deliver me and rescue me from the mighty waters, from the hands of foreigners whose mouths are full of lies, whose right hands are deceitful.” (Psalm 144:7-8:)

The disciples ask: Lord, when will You restore the Kingdom to Israel?

At this time Israel is drowning in the mighty waters of the Roman Empire – being ruled over by foreigners and corrupt officials.

Jesus’ answer is probably not very satisfying: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:7-8)

What Jesus is saying might not be what they were looking for – but it is what we all need: He wasn’t about to restore the kingdom to Israel – but was here to establish His Kingdom in their hearts and the heart of every believer to come.

We as the church cry out: Lord, when will You restore Your Kingdom?

We are drowning in the mighty waters of a sick and corrupted world with its political and moral philosophies running so contrary to the Word of God…

At Sinai God calls the Israelites – through faith and obedience – to be His treasured possession. A Kingdom of priests – a nation holy unto God.

When we open up our minds and hearts and allow God to step in and flood our lives, what we long to see starts happening – He transforms us. As His Kingdom comes in our lives it starts pouring out through us and we see His Kingdom come in the lives of those around us.

We see revival starting and this revival leads to awakening in society and a holy nation and royal priesthood is raised up – but it all starts with us today saying: Lord, come establish Your Kingdom in our hearts – come establish Your Kingdom in my life so that I may be Your witness in my Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria, and to the very ends of the Earth.

It starts with us, today, resolving to pray – as individuals and together – like the disciples gathered in the upper room! It starts with us looking to and waiting on the Lord!

Prayer: Lord, today I open up my heart and ask You to flood my life. Come in and take over. Help me, through Your Spirit, live a life of faith and obedience. In doing so, my God, I pray that I will make a difference in the lives of those around me. Let Your Kingdom come in me, through me, and around me – let Your will be done. Come rule and reign in my life. In the Mighty Name of Jesus. Amen.

Talking to Jesus

Talking to Jesus

by | Apr 24, 2024 | Devotionals, Worship Reflections

“Grandma used to pray out loud
By her bed every night
To me, it sounded like mumbling
Like she was out of her mind
She said, “Boy, this kind of praying
Is what saved my life
You outta try it some time”
And now I know she was right”

Talking to Jesus, Maverick City.

“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18:

I grew up with parents who prayed.

They would make time, early in the morning, after waking up to seek the face of the Lord.

My dad had a simple philosophy – pray every where and all the time.

I often had to remind him to keep his eyes open while driving and praying.

My mom kept a regular and disciplined devotional time. She would sit in her room or in the downstairs lounge – where ever she could catch the most sun that day – and read her Bible and pray.

As children living in Dubai, whenever the Muslim call for prayer would sound throughout the city – broadcast over what felt like every speaker and every television set – my mom would switch off all the devices in the house, gather her three young boys and teach us to talk to Jesus.

As a teenager I started going to church more and more – it was very much a refuge for me.

I had a pastor who took me under his wing and to this day I maintain that he taught me everything I needed to know in regards to ministry – and it wasn’t the theology, or history, or practical ministry… It was much simpler and much deeper than that.

I spent a lot of time as a teenager and a young man sitting with him in his office just talking to Jesus.

As if face to face.

Sometimes for hours.

And the more time I have spent in prayer the more I have seen the Hand of God move in my life and the lives of those around me.

There were times where it felt like all I really had was a prayer – and God came through!

Still today I have never lost the habit of conversing with Jesus.

There are as many ways to approach prayer as there are shoe sizes. But all of them have this one thing in common – we’ve got to start talking to Jesus.

It doesn’t have to be a ritual. It doesn’t have to be difficult or complicated.

I often find myself sitting in the living room, doing household stuff, or walking outside – even in public – and a conversation starts.

It comes naturally. But only because of practice.

At first it might seem strange, it might feel a little awkward – just like building a relationship in the natural – but the more time spent in prayer the more it becomes nature.

Our prayers do not need to be perfect. They don’t need to be rehearsed or refined. They just need to be.

All we have to do is start talking. He will hear you.

He is always there – He is always on the line! His ears are always open. God does not slumber or sleep.

All you have to do is start talking.

I want to urge you to pray with others. I learnt a lot from my parents, from my mentor and from many others over the years – just by spending time with them in prayer.

If you are new to prayer – find someone to pray with in your family, your circle of friends or your community of faith. If you can’t find anyone in your immediate vicinity contact me and I will pray with you.

If you are a person who prays I would like to encourage you to pray with your children, pray with your family, pray with your friends so that they might learn and be encouraged through your effort and example.

Let us start talking to Jesus – as individuals but also as family.

Let us start talking to Jesus and introduce as many others to Him as we can as well.

Prayer: Lord, as I start talking to You today I pray that it won’t stop. I thank You Lord that Your ear and Your heart are turned towards me. You hear me when I call. As I spend time in prayer help me identify the ways in which I can grow and help others grow as well through effort and example. Help me make prayer as natural and essential as eating and breathing. In Jesus Name.

I Speak Jesus

I Speak Jesus

by | Feb 27, 2024 | Devotionals, Worship Reflections

Acts 4:12

“And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”

There is power in the name of Jesus. The name of Jesus is the power of God unto salvation.

As Christian’s we know this – we know that His Name is the name above every name. The Name of Jesus makes the enemy tremble. 

The Name of Jesus is power – it is healing – the Name of Jesus is freedom.

The Name of Jesus makes Jericho walls fall down and mountains crumble into the sea.

The Name of Jesus lights up the darkness and pulls down strongholds – His Name very much is life.

I like what Paul writes in Philipians 2:9-11:

“9Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

The power that is in the Name of Jesus – that beautiful, powerful, wonderworking Name above all names – is rooted in our faith in the Name.

When we believe that He is who He says He is – the Right Hand of God reaching out to pull us from the miry clay – and we proclaim His Name over our situations we will see change.

It is very much about believing in your heart and confessing with your mouth. The two go hand in hand.

When we believe that Jesus is who He says He is – and speak the name of Jesus over your situation – you will see that situation bow before the power of Christ’s sacrifice on the cross.

He said upon the cross: IT IS DONE.

Your healing and restoration is there.

Your provision is there.

Your deliverance and freedom is there.

In the mighty Name of Jesus – in the Name of the risen and exalted Christ.

In the midst of your storm speak the name of Jesus. Call Jesus – cry out to the Lord.

David says he waited on the Lord and that He heard his cry (Psalm 40), he called on the Lord and was saved from his enemies (Psalm 18). He pours out forgiveness and lovingkindness in abundance upon all who calls on Him (Psalm 86).

Speak the Name of Jesus in your situation today. He will incline His ear to you and pull you up and out of the miry clay.

Psalm 18:3: I call to the LORD, who is worthy of praise, and I am saved from my enemies. 

Jesus saves us from our enemies. He saves us from the voices in our heads. He saves us from ourselves. He saves us from death and destruction. He keeps us from drowning.

He is worthy of our praise.

He is worthy of adoration.

His name is high and exalted above every other name.

Walking in His name means walking in His victory.

Today I urge you to speak the Name of Jesus over your life, your situation, your circumstances – start walking in victory!

I also urge you to speak the Name of Jesus over your family, your church, your community – your country and continent.

2 Chronicles 7:14: 14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

It is time we get serious about speaking the Name of Jesus over every facet of our life, into every sphere of influence, and every circle of concern.

It is time we become a people of prayer again.

Revival is conceived in the womb of prayer.

Restoration is conceived in the womb of prayer.

The womb of prayer is where we speak the life-giving Name of Jesus.

Shout Jesus from the mountains. From the rooftops. Speak Jesus in the valley and in the streets. Speak Jesus over your family, your friends – and even your enemies. 

Speak Jesus and you will see the ocean split open before you.

Prayer: Lord, I know that there is power in Your Name, in the mighty name of Jesus. I speak Your name over every situation, every circumstance today, confessing what I know in my heart to be true – the Name of Jesus changes things. The Name of Jesus sets the captive free. The Name of Jesus heals the sick and makes the cripple walk again. Where life has sought to cripple me, Lord I speak Your Name. In the Name of Jesus I will get up and I will walk on the water. In the Name of Jesus I pray for revival, for restoration in my family, my church and my community. I pray that you will guide me in prayer today and show me other situations, people and places that I should speak Your name over. Help me make a difference here in the womb of prayer. Help me speak life over my life and the lives of those around me. And as I do, help me see the change it makes so that I can testify of Your goodness, grace and love – so that I can testify of the power of Your name. In the mighty Name of Jesus. Amen.