February 1 Devotion - A time to act and a time to wait

To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven.

“I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work.”

لِكُلِّ شَيْءٍ أَوَانٌ، وَلِكُلِّ أَمْرٍ تَحْتَ السَّمَاءِ زَمَانٌ.

"فَعَلَيَّ أَنْ أَعْمَلَ أَعْمَالَ الَّذِي أَرْسَلَنِي مَادَامَ الْوَقْتُ نَهَاراً. فَسَيَأْتِي اللَّيْلُ، وَلاَ أَحَدَ يَقْدِرُ أَنْ يَعْمَلَ فِيهِ."

Ecclesiastes 3:1              John 09:4

As Solomon said: for everything there is a season. How do we know if God wants us to wait upon Him, as in

Isaiah 40:31:  But those who wait on the LORD

or

God wants us to act as Jesus commented in John 09:4 and as God told Joshua in Joshua 7:10                                                                         

 “Get up! Why do you lie thus on your face?”

A way of answering that question could be that we should act if we have fulfilled the following:

·      We have prayed and asked for God’s guidance

·      We have searched God’s word for guidance

·      We have submitted to Jesus’ lordship

·      We have seeked Godly counsel

I invite you to repeat the following prayer: 

Abba Father, thank You for Your abundant blessings. Guide me God to seek Your desire and plan for my life and strengthen me to submit to Your guidance for my life. Give me wisdom and teach me God to wait when necessary and to act when necessary. Help me to fully follow your plan with confidence, faith, and courage, for You O’Lord are the only one who knows the future and the only one who knows what is best for me and anyone I impact. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

   Jesus Loves you

In Him,

Wagdi Henein

January 31 Devotion - Your sorrow will be turned into Joy

² ……. “Yes, the time is coming that whoever kills you will think that he offers God service. ³ And these things they will do to you because they have not known the Father nor Me. ⁴ But these things I have told you, that when the time comes, you may remember that I told you of them.

………. ²⁰ Most assuredly, I say to you that you will weep and lament, …and you will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will be turned into joy.”

سَيَأْتِي وَقْتٌ يَظُنُّ فِيهِ مَنْ يَقْتُلُكُمْ أَنَّهُ يُؤَدِّي خِدْمَةً لِلهِ.

 ³ وَهُمْ يَفْعَلُونَ هَذَا بِكُمْ لأَنَّهُمْ لَمْ يَعْرِفُوا أَبِي، وَلاَ عَرَفُونِي.

 ⁴ قُلْتُ لَكُمْ هَذَا حَتَّى مَتَى جَاءَ وَقْتُ حُدُوثِهِ تَذْكُرُونَ أَنَّهُ سَبَقَ أَنْ أَخْبَرْتُكُمْ بِهِ. ²⁰ الْحَقَّ الْحَقَّ أَقُولُ لَكُمْ: إِنَّكُمْ سَتَبْكُونَ وَتَنُوحُونَ.... إِنَّكُمْ سَتَحْزَنُونَ، وَلكِنَّ حُزْنَكُمْ سَيَتَحَوَّلُ إِلَى فَرَحٍ.

John 16: 2-3

John 16: 20

As we hear of Christians being killed in many parts of the world because of their faith, we are grieved and we reflect on the question:

What is the greatest sorrow or suffering a Christian believer could have in life?

We are taught in the Bible that it is not physical sorrow, but rather, it is spiritual sorrow. The quenching of the faith of a Christian causes more sorrow to the Christian than the physical pain. Those who do that to a Christian; whether because they are a non believer or a misguided so called ‘christian’ deceitful worker; it is better for him: ‘if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea.’  Matthew 18:6

As Christian believers redeemed by the blood of Christ, our real joy is in knowing that we will be spending eternity with our Heavenly Father and our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ who has promised us:

Therefore you now have sorrow; but I will see you again and your heart will rejoice, and your joy no one will take from you.

فَكَذلِكَ أَنْتُمْ، تَحْزَنُونَ الآنَ؛ وَلكِنْ عِنْدَمَا أَعُودُ لِلِقَائِكُمْ، تَبْتَهِجُ قُلُوبُكُمْ، وَلاَ أَحَدَ يَسْلُبُكُمْ فَرَحَكُمْ.

John 16:22

I invite you to repeat the following prayer for yourself:

Abba Father, thank You for Your abundant blessings. Father, I pray for the families of those that have lost loved ones in the name of Christ, that You will comfort them and console them and put peace in their hearts. I pray for everyone suffering, whether physically or spiritually, help us Lord to keep our focus on You. I pray for everyone who has still not known Your Son Jesus as Lord and Saviour that they will open their hearts to Him as He knocks on the door and waits for them to open. Thank You Jesus that our hearts will rejoice and that our joy will be forever lasting. Amen. 

   Jesus Loves you

In Him,

Wagdi Henein

January 30 Devotion - Vengeance is Mine says The Lord

Vengeance is Mine says The Lord

For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. 14 And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. 15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works.

Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. 20 Therefore
      “If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
      If he is thirsty, give him a drink;
      For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.”

فَإِنَّ أَمْثَالَ هَؤُلاَءِ هُمْ رُسُلٌ دَجَّالُونَ، عُمَّالٌ مَاكِرُونَ، يُظْهِرُونَ أَنْفُسَهُمْ بِمَظْهَرِ رُسُلِ الْمَسِيحِ.

 ¹⁴ وَلاَ عَجَبَ! فَالشَّيْطَانُ نَفْسُهُ يُظْهِرُ نَفْسَهُ بِمَظْهَرِ مَلاَكِ نُورٍ.

 ¹⁵ فَلَيْسَ كَثِيراً إِذَنْ أَنْ يُظْهِرَ خُدَّامُهُ أَنْفُسَهُمْ بِمَظْهَرِ خُدَّامِ الْبِرِّ. وَإِنَّ عَاقِبَتَهُمْ سَتَكُونُ عَلَى حَسَبِ أَعْمَالِهِمْ. لاَ تَنْتَقِمُوا لأَنْفُسِكُمْ، أَيُّهَا الأَحِبَّاءُ، بَلْ دَعُوا الْغَضَبَ لِلهِ، لأَنَّهُ قَدْ كُتِبَ: «لِيَ الانْتِقَامُ، أَنَا أُجَازِي، يَقُولُ الرَّبُّ». ²⁰ وَإِنَّمَا «إِنْ جَاعَ عَدُوُّكَ فَأَطْعِمْهُ، وَإِنْ عَطِشَ فَاسْقِهِ. فَإِنَّكَ، بِعَمَلِكَ هَذَا تَجْمَعُ عَلَى رَأْسِهِ جَمْراً مُشْتَعِلاً».

2 Cor. 11:13–15         Romans 12:19-20

Deceitful workers - Impostors. They are crafty, and fraudulent, and hypocritical. To succeed, it was needful as far as possible to undermine the influence of the true apostles, and take their place in the confidence of the people.

These deceitful workers are here today, and believe it or not, have infiltrated into some churches.

We are taught not to avenge against any imposter. To "avenge" is to take satisfaction for an injury by inflicting punishment on the offender. The command is, to avoid a spirit and purpose of revenge.

However, this command is not to be so understood that we may not seek for "justice" in a regular and proper way before civil tribunals. If our character is assaulted, if we are robbed and plundered, if we are oppressed contrary to the law of the land, Christianity does not require us to submit to such oppression and injury without seeking our rights in an orderly and regular manner. If it did, it would be to give a premium to iniquity, to countenance wickedness, and require a person, by becoming a Christian, to abandon his/her rights.

I invite you to repeat the following prayer for yourself:

Abba Father, thank You for Your abundant blessings. Lord, protect every Christian from the teachings of false apostles and protect us from the deceitful workers who wish to lead us away from the path Jesus outlined for us. While I pray for protection I also pray for everyone, anywhere, who has felt oppression and injury because of their Christian faith. I pray that they be healed and be able to forgive and act in a Christ-like way. That pleases You God, and also may bring the deceitful person(s) to want to learn about our faith. Judgment and vengeance is Yours Lord. In Jesus’ name I pray.

Jesus Loves you

In Him,

Wagdi Henein

January 28 Devotion - Your Kingdom come. Your will be done. On earth as it is in heaven.

 Your Kingdom come.

Your will be done.

On earth as it is in heaven.

Matthew 6:10

As Jesus came to His own people, He said, 'The Kingdom of God is within you.' Luke 17:21

He is the gateway, the door of The Kingdom; He is the source of our forgiveness and redemption.

As people believe in Jesus as their Lord and Saviour, they become members of The Kingdom.

Jesus said: ‘For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them’ Mathew 18:20

So, when we meet to pray together as brothers and sisters in Christ and to work together for the kingdom of heaven, Jesus promised that He, by His Holy Spirit, would be with us binding us together and giving us a common mind. How will we know that we are Jesus’ disciples? He told us:

By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”

John 13:35

Although the circumstances and cultures of Christians can be greatly different, it is thrilling, when we meet, to discover ourselves brothers and sisters in Christ, fellow citizens of His Kingdom.

Abba Father, thank you for Your abundant blessings. God I pray supremely, that Your Kingdom may come and that Your will be done. I pray for ‘The Church’, the Christian believers in the entire world and for the people with whom they mix day by day at work, at leisure and in the local community. I pray that all believers genuinely love each other through the Kingdom of God that is within them, and that they catch the magnificent vision of the Kingdom of Heaven for our city, our country, and our world. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

   Jesus Loves you

In Him,

Wagdi Henein

January 27 Devotion - LET GOD HANDLE IT

Inasmuch then as we have a great High Priest Who has [already] ascended and passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession [of faith in Him].

Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

فَمَادَامَ لَنَا رَئِيسَ كَهَنَتِنَا الْعَظِيمُ الَّذِي ارْتَفَعَ مُجْتَازاً السَّمَاوَاتِ، وَهُوَ يَسُوعُ ابْنُ اللهِ، فَلْنَتَمَسَّكْ دَائِماً بِالاعْتِرَافِ بِهِ.

فَلْنَتَقَدَّمْ بِثِقَةٍ إِلَى عَرْشِ النِّعْمَةِ، لِنَنَالَ الرَّحْمَةَ وَنَجِدَ نِعْمَةً تُعِينُنَا عِنْدَ الْحَاجَةِ.

Hebrews 4:14

Hebrews 4:16

Adversity can be handled in one of two ways. Either we can deal with it on our own, or we can allow God to carry our burden for us.

The wiser course of action is to allow God to handle our adversities. His ability to provide goes beyond our greatest imagination. He is the God who has the ability to calm every storm.

^{I invite you to repeat the following prayer for yourself:}

^{Abba Father, thank You for Your abundant blessings. Thank You God  that in Your divine love, wisdom, grace and mercy You have allowed me to come directly to You through our High Priest Jesus Christ; my Lord and Saviour. Thank You that I do not need anyone else to intercede for me. Thank You that You instruct me to come boldly to Your throne of grace, and find help when I need it the most. Jesus in Your name I pray, help me to hold fast to my faith in You and to leave my troubles at the foot of Your cross for You to handle for me. Amen.}

   Jesus Loves you

In Him,

Wagdi Henein

January 26 Devotion - Renewed Strength and Endurance

Those who wait on the LORD
      Shall renew their strength;
      They shall mount up with wings like eagles,
      They shall run and not be weary,
      They shall walk and not faint.

Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, ² looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith

الرَّاجُونَ الرَّبَّ فَإِنَّهُمْ يُجَدِّدُونَ قُوَّتَهُمْ، وَيُحَلِّقُونَ بِأَجْنِحَةِ النُّسُورِ. يَرْكُضُونَ وَلاَ يُعْيُونَ. يَمْشُونَ وَلاَ يَتْعَبُونَ.

نَحْنُ أَيْضاً، أَنْ نَرْكُضَ بِاجْتِهَادٍ فِي السِّبَاقِ الْمُمْتَدِّ أَمَامَنَا،

 ² مُتَطَلِّعِينَ دَائِماً إِلَى يَسُوعَ: رَائِدِ إِيمَانِنَا وَمُكَمِّلِهِ

Isaiah 40:31   Hebrews 12:1-2

The scripture tells us that when we hope in the Lord, our strength will be renewed. When we become weary and tired and find that the cares of the world are overcoming us, we need to shift back our focus and put our hope in the Lord. In His time we shall be renewed and mount up with wings like eagles.

By focusing on Jesus the author and finisher of our faith, we will have endurance to go from grace to more grace.

Abba Father, thank You for Your abundant blessings. Strengthen me O’Lord to keep my eyes focused on Jesus and to allow Him to work in my life, giving me the endurance required to achieve Your will in my life. God I want to soar like an eagle and to never weary doing Your work, God I want to learn to wait upon You and I want to experience peace and joy as I await. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

   Jesus Loves you

In Him,

Wagdi Henein

January 25 Devotion - Trust in the Lord and restore your soul

Every new day brings a positive and/or negative experience, and many times we do not anticipate it. We need to have a new encounter with God every day and apply His teachings and depend on Him.

Apply your heart to what I teach, so that your trust may be in the LORD

وجّه قلبك الى معرفتي ليكون اتكالك على الرب

Proverbs 22:17, 19

When we trust in the LORD, we focus on His adequacy not our inadequacy. Even if circumstances remain the same we know God is in control and we are sure of His help. We can say:

He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.

يرد نفسي. يهديني الى سبل البر من اجل اسمه.

Psalm 23:3

I invite you to repeat the following prayer for yourself:

Abba Father, thank You for Your abundant blessings in my life. Lord, I trust You and I pray that You help me to apply my heart to Your word on a daily basis. Strengthen me in that respect, and lead me in the paths of righteousness. Heavenly Father, restore my soul on a daily basis. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

   Jesus Loves you

In Him,

Wagdi Henein

January 24 Devotion - Make the Most of Your Time

Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, ¹⁶ making the most of your time, because the days are evil. ¹⁷ Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.

فَانْتَبِهُوا تَمَاماً إِذَنْ كَيْفَ تَسْلُكُونَ بِتَدْقِيقٍ، لاَ سُلُوكَ الْجُهَلاَءِ بَلْ سُلُوكَ الْعُقَلاَءِ،

 ¹⁶ مُسْتَغِلِّينَ الْوَقْتَ أَحْسَنَ اسْتِغْلاَلٍ، لأَنَّ الأَيَّامَ شِرِّيرَةٌ.

 ¹⁷ لِذَلِكَ لاَ تَكُونُوا أَغْبِيَاءَ، بَلِ افْهَمُوا مَا هِيَ مَشِيئَةُ الرَّبِّ.

Ephesians 5:15-17

During the day we do many things that may be considered ‘good’, but they are not the ‘best’ use of our time. When something is bad or ‘not good’ we tend to avoid it. However if it is ‘good’ we may do it.  Doing the ‘good’ may keep us from doing ‘the best’. Realize that the enemy of the ‘best’ is the ‘good’.

The seconds and minutes pass. An hour. A day. A week. A year. Here today, gone tomorrow. We need to focus on what Jesus promises: Everlasting life.

I invite you to repeat the following prayer for yourself:

Abba Father, thank You for Your abundant blessings. Lord, teach me and help me to properly invest my most perishable resource, time. Help me to use it toward learning to be more Christ-like and to use it with wisdom in a way that pleases You, carrying out Your plan for my life. Strengthen me O’Lord to concentrate on eternal life with You. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

   Jesus Loves you

In Him,

Wagdi Henein

January 23 Devotion- Doing What is Pleasing to God

DOING WHAT IS PLEASING TO GOD



…for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.

لأَنَّ اللهَ هُوَ الَّذِي يُنْشِيءُ فِيكُمُ الإِرَادَةَ وَالْعَمَلَ لأَجْلِ مَرْضَاتِهِ

Philippians 2:13

Of course what we pray for has to be aligned to God’s word, but even then, I sometimes am not sure whether it is my will or it is God’s will for me to have what I am praying for. I therefore copy how Jesus prayed at Gethsemane when He ended His prayer to the Father by saying “..not as I will but as You will”. I want to make sure I am following God’s will and purpose for my life.

Abba Father, thank You for Your abundant blessings. God of peace, may the blood of the eternal covenant; the resurrection of Jesus; His Shepherd care for His sheep; and the equipping of the Holy Spirit; guide my every action. Lord make me want what You want for me, work in me to will and to act in order to fulfill Your purpose. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, ²¹ equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

وَأَسْأَلُ اللهَ ، إِلَهَ السَّلاَمِ الَّذِي أَقَامَ مِنْ بَيْنِ الأَمْوَاتِ رَبَّنَا يَسُوعَ رَاعِيَ الْخِرَافِ الْعَظِيمَ بِفَضْلِ دَمِهِ الَّذِي خَتَمَ بِهِ الْعَهْدَ الأَبَدِيَّ

 ²¹ أَنْ يُؤَهِّلَكُمْ تَمَاماً لِتَعْمَلُوا مَشِيئَتَهُ فِي كُلِّ عَمَلٍ صَالِحٍ، وَأَنْ يَعْمَلَ فِينَا جَمِيعاً مَا يُرْضِيهِ بِيَسُوعَ الْمَسِيحِ، لَهُ الْمَجْدُ إِلَى أَبَدِ الآبِدِينَ. آمِين!

Hebrews 13:20-21

   Jesus Loves you

In Him,

Wagdi Henein

I invite you to repeat the following prayer for yourself: