Let us quiet down ourselves before God and offer our praise to Him!
Sun, 9/5
Day 13
Day 13
Abba’s Heart Scripture
Psalms 100:1-5
Ecclesiastes 10:1-12:14
2 Corinthians 8:1-15
Proverbs 22:20-21
Meditation: Why have we not experienced a true revival?
Psalms 100:1-5
Ecclesiastes 10:1-12:14
2 Corinthians 8:1-15
Proverbs 22:20-21
Meditation: Why have we not experienced a true revival?
- My ignorance(Ecclesiastes 10:1-3)
- God’s intention is to give me the best blessing (anointing oil), but I (sometimes even the church) do not know how many foolish things I have done, spoiling and soiling the blessings God has given me! (Please write down the foolish things that I still need God to correct, pray for God’s mercy, and for the grace and opportunity to start over again!).
- The ignorance of those in power (10:5-7,16-17)
- It seems that people all over the world are facing this problem now! The United States was originally a country founded on Christianity, and it once brought spiritual blessings to others! But because its political leaders persistently deviated from God’s will, it finally turned into a country that is defiant and godless! How sad indeed!
- The spiritual state of a country is closely related to the revival and growth of its church! Pray that God will personally take action to change the mentality of those in power!
- What are some things you would especially pray for our country?
- The ignorance in speech (10:12-15)
- Besides, does every word from my mouth edify others and glorify God? Would it be like the words in James 3:9 that both praise and curse come from the same tongue? How will this affect my family and church?
- The ignorance of the lazy (10:18; 11:4,6)
- Whether in serving or evangelizing, do I often use “the time has not come” as an excuse, so that I miss many important moments and become stagnant?
- The ignorance of young people who only care about pleasure (11:9-12:2)
- “Entertainment and Enjoyment” is an idolatry that is not easy to resist! In today’s America, where hedonism is rampant, it is not just young people who are addicted to entertainment. Many Christians can continue to delay or even abandon God’s call because of enjoyment of life! Do I (and the brothers and sisters in QHC) have any problems in this regard?
- The example of the churches in Macedonia (2 Corinthians 8:1-15)
- On the contrary, the believers in Macedonia not only are not addicted to enjoyment, but they still demonstrated dedication amidst trials and extreme poverty, and they have even become role models for all generations in the history of the church.
- What role models do I set that others can follow? Pray that God will remove our ignorance so that I (and the church) will bear the fruit of the Holy Spirit to glorify God.
Mon, 9/6
Day 14
Day 14
Abba’s Heart Scripture:
Psalms 101:1-8
Song of Songs 1:1-4:16
2 Corinthians 8:16-24
Proverbs 22:22-23
Meditation: Oh Lord! I love you!
Psalms 101:1-8
Song of Songs 1:1-4:16
2 Corinthians 8:16-24
Proverbs 22:22-23
Meditation: Oh Lord! I love you!
- This is an extremely sweet and vibrant love story! Although what Solomon described is the love between himself and the heroine in the Song of Songs, it is written in reference to the love between God and us!
- In the book they referred to each other as my lover and my darling many times. If they were not man and woman in love, they will certainly be overwhelmed to hear these terms. Only because of their intense love for each other, these terms naturally become the words of love between them.
- Is the style of Song of Songs exaggerated? It seems to be, but it also doesn’t seem to be! The two lovers became sick when they are separated just for a while (2:5)! Until one sees the other’s face, and hear the other’s voice (2:14), gets drawn to the other’s side, and runs and follows (1:4)! It seems like I have watched a Biblical version of a Korean TV series!
- How much do I love God? Am I attracted by the love of God, to run and follow Him? Or am I cold and indifferent to God?
- This love has also become the driving force for Paul and Titus to toil fearlessly in serving diligently and fervently! And doing so not only in front of God, but also in front of man! (2 Corinthians 8:16-24)
- This is why the poet David desperately waits for God, sings to God, longs for God, and even resolves not to allow any deceitful thoughts and wicked things to defile him! (Psalms 101:1-8)
- When you love someone, you always try to do something for the other person and please the other person! Am I pursuing God like this? Am I willing to let go of things that are not pleasing to God? Or willing to do things that please Him? Write down how God has touched you!
- Pray that QHC can help everyone in the church to love God to such a degree! Pray for yourself, your family and the church.
Tue, 9/7
Day 15
Day 15
Abba’s Heart Scripture:
Psalms 102:1-11
Song of Songs 5:1-8:14
2 Corinthians 9:1-15
Proverbs 22:24-25
Meditation:Love and money
Psalms 102:1-11
Song of Songs 5:1-8:14
2 Corinthians 9:1-15
Proverbs 22:24-25
Meditation:Love and money
- This is the description of love in Song of Songs: “I am my beloved’s and my beloved is mine” (Song of Songs 6:3). They want to give their love to each other (7:12). The author of Song of Songs declares that love is as strong as death. Many waters cannot quench it, and rivers cannot sweep it away (8:6-7)! How deep and wide is God’s love for man! Whether in the New Testament or the Old Testament, the relationship between God and man is like that of a husband and wife. If a third party is inserted in the middle, that is an idol!
- In my relationship with God, is there anything that constitutes an obstacle of any kind that hinders my growth, slows my following God, and affects my love for God? That is my idol! (Please write it down in the notes section and ask God to intercede and help.)
- In any case, God awaits us at all time!
- It is also because of this kind of love that we are willing to offer and dedicate ourselves to God. The greatest motivation for dedication is to love God. Responsibilities and numbers are not the focus. If we truly love God, we will naturally offer our life’s best from the bottom of our hearts! It’s no problem at all to decide with our heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion (2 Corinthians 9:7). Knowing that those who give willingly are loved by God, I am willing to do what He loves.
- Besides, it is He who provides us what we need most first and then gives fruit to us (whether from the field or from the Spirit). He has an inexhaustible grace! (9:8,10,15)
- The Chinese say: “Talking about money hurts relationships!” But are my offerings to God in proportion to my love for Him? May the Holy Spirit speak to me!
Wed, 9/8
Day16
Day16
Abba’s Heart Scripture:
Psalms 102:12-17
Isaiah 1:1-2:22
2 Corinthians 10:1-18
Proverbs 22:26-27
Meditation:
Psalms 102:12-17
Isaiah 1:1-2:22
2 Corinthians 10:1-18
Proverbs 22:26-27
Meditation:
- What is raised up by God and what is corrupted by man
- God will have compassion on Zion and build Zion (Psalms 102:13, 16), Zion will be delivered with justice, and the law will go out from Zion (Isaiah 1:27; 2:3).
- Zion appears several times in today’s scriptures, a name that we seem to be familiar with but cannot say what it is. Mount Zion is a part of the city of Jerusalem. It is the place where the temple is located. It represents Heaven on earth and the place where God’s presence is with man. How awesome it is!
- Regrettably, despite the presence of Zion, God’s people still become corrupted children, despising and forsaking the Lord, deliberately ignoring God, rebelling against Him and alienated Him repeatedly, leaving behind scars and desolate fields, and sufferings from hardship! (1:2-8)
- Because we sin against God, God will not be pleased with our sacrifices and offerings. He does not look at our raised hands or listen to our prayers (1:11-15). For those who refuse to repent, He defeats them (1:9,20,28)! Those who are willing to repent, he purges away our dross, removes our impurities, restores the remnants, and we are redeemed (1:9,25).
- Today we in America are in dire straits, facing with deadly epidemics, international crises, natural and manmade disasters. However, what we see is that those who are unrepentant still refuse to repent, therefore, the time of destruction is truly near!
- Please pause and pray for the repentance and return of the entire nation of the United States and pray for God’s mercy!
- God’s glory and spiritual fortress
- Another phrase that is repeated in today’s scripture is “the splendor of His majesty”. When His glory appears, the forces of darkness cannot stand, and sins will flee away. (2:10,19,21)
- The scriptures of the New Testament also mention “spiritual fortresses”, which refer to all kinds of arrogance that hinder people from knowing God. The promise that the Bible gives us is to break all kinds of schemes, and to take back all people’s minds and make them obey Christ (2 Corinthians 10:4-5).
- Although we are in a harsh environment, God promises us that our abilities are far superior to the forces of darkness.
- Let us pray that God will turn QHC into Mount Zion in this community. The splendor of God will radiate from QHC, so that people who come near can experience God’s presence, and the Lord’s words be proclaimed powerfully from here. May the name of God be glorified. Pray for the church now!
Thur, 9/9
Day 17
Day 17
Abba’s Heart Scripture:
Psalms 102:18-28
Isaiah 3:1-5:30
2 Corinthians 11:1-15
Proverbs 22:28-29
Meditation:
Psalms 102:18-28
Isaiah 3:1-5:30
2 Corinthians 11:1-15
Proverbs 22:28-29
Meditation:
- Continue to pray for America!
- When the relationship between God and man breaks down, the relationship between man and man will also collapse! The people will oppress and insult each other, neighbors against enemies, and the young and old are at odds (Isaiah 3:5). This has not only become a social phenomenon, but also a grave family problem. It is definitely not God’s design and intention!
- In this day and age, the human heart is no longer pure. The people’s words and deeds (3:8), their corrupted minds, and their collective transgressions are evidences for God’s use to judge the people. Add to that the political leaders’ deceits and manipulations (3:12; 5:20-25), the blind leads the blind, and the results are devastating!
- Fortunately, God’s promise is that “the Branch of the Lord” (referring to the Messiah) will once again reveal the beauty and glory of God, cleanse all filth with the spirit of judgment and the spirit of flame, and sanctify those who belong to Him again (4:2-4).
- Continue to pray for the church and brothers and sisters!
- Believers should be like virgins, dedicated themselves to Christ. However, in these end days, under the temptation of the world (Satan in reality), a little negligence will easily lead to evil and we lose that pure devotion to Christ! (2 Corinthians 11:2-3)
- Under the influence of society, believers are already covered in bruises, coupled with all kinds of heresy, false apostles and other things (11:4,13-15), sometimes we truly feel exhausted!
- Please pray earnestly for the church and the country (including the US and China). This is not only a matter of fasting and praying for these 40 days, but also a matter concerning our next generation (or even several generations). The psalmist declares in the Psalms that our descendants will praise the Lord, and our descendants will be established before the Lord (Psalms 102:18,28).May the Lord’s will be done!
- Oh Lord! The task of changing the world is too difficult! If you do not act, what can we do? Please tell me (and the church) what can be done so that QHC can become the salt and light of the world?
Fri, 9/10
Day 18
Day 18
Abba’s Heart Scripture:
Psalms 103:1-5
Isaiah 6:1-7:25
2 Corinthians 11:16-33
Proverbs 23:1-3
Meditation:
Psalms 103:1-5
Isaiah 6:1-7:25
2 Corinthians 11:16-33
Proverbs 23:1-3
Meditation:
- God’s sending of me
- Chapter 6 of Isaiah is a scripture we are familiar with. God appeared to Isaiah in a vision, how glorious and holy! But Isaiah obviously didn’t have enough psychological (or spiritual) preparation, so that when God appeared, he seemed very flustered. (6:1-5)
- If God appears to me now, is my spiritual state ready? Or do I know that I still have so many unclean areas that I dare not see God? Will God be pleased or not to see my spiritual state at this moment?
- Pause now, and deal with the reasons why I dare not to see Him!
- There are these stages in Isaiah 6:1-10:
- God will prepare the people He wants to send, and even know the results of those works in advance (6:9-10). Our responsibility is only to obey and respond. If God now entrusts me with a ministry that is too big for me to undertake, what would my reaction be? Obey? flee? Why? (Please write down the reason.)
- What will God send QHC to do now?
• God’s glory and holiness ⮚ God’s preparation ⮚ God’s sending ⮚ man’s response - God’s words to me
- The enemy’s army is already near, but God commanded them to be cautious and quiet, and not to be afraid (7:1-4). Life is at stake; can you truly not be afraid at all?
- Throughout the passage, the words “I heard the voice of the Lord say”, “The Lord God says so”, “The Lord says to Isaiah” and other words appear many times. The reason why we can face danger without fear is all because of the presence of God speaking to us.
- When God speaks, those problems have not actually been resolved. The environment may not change, our mood can change, and our hearts can be at peace because of God’s words!
- What is worrying me? Write down those things and pray that God will speak to me!
- God finally gave the Israelites a sign of the coming of Immanuel, that God will be with us (7:14)! This is the sign that the same God wants to give us! I am thankful for this!
Sat, 9/11
Day 19
Day 19
Abba’s Heart Scripture:
Psalms 103:6-19
Isaiah 8:1-9:21
2 Corinthians 12:1-10
Proverbs 23:4-5
Meditation:
Psalms 103:6-19
Isaiah 8:1-9:21
2 Corinthians 12:1-10
Proverbs 23:4-5
Meditation:
- God’s requirements for His workers
- We saw how God called His workers yesterday, but God has His requirements for His workers. He said that He wants to use reliable witnesses (Isaiah 8:2)! why? Because they often deliver unwelcome messages and reprimands.
- If God wants to send me like this today, would I be willing? Why?
- Can QHC become a faithful channel for God’s Word?
- As believers, one of our biggest problems is we are afraid of people or things that should not be feared, but we are not at all afraid of the Lord who should be feared (8:12-13)! We should turn to and seek the Lord (9:13)
- God’s comfort to His workers
- God constantly reminds us that no matter how difficult the surrounding is, He will also be with us (8:10), and there will be a great light shining on us in the dark, so that we can break the heavy yoke we bear for others and bring joy (9:2-4).
- The presence and power of the Messiah has become our guarantee of victory (9:6-7)!
- As Paul himself shared, our difficulties may not be resolved, but the grace of God will be sufficient (2 Corinthians 12:7-10)!
- What difficulties am I (or QHC is) facing? Let us reflect upon how God blesses me (and the church)?
Please pray for the future direction of the church, for yourself and your family. Please write down how God has touched you!