March 27 Devotion - Part 2- When we encounter challenges

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction

2 Corinthians 1:3

تَبَارَكَ اللهُ، أَبُو رَبِّنَا يَسُوعَ الْمَسِيحِ، أَبُو الْمَرَاحِمِ وَإِلهُ كُلِّ تَعْزِيَةٍ،

When we encounter challenges which make us feel down emotionally we need to pray to The Father so that He covers us with His Divine grace, wisdom and strength so that we handle the situation according to His will in our lives, and to remember His promises.

I invite you to repeat the following prayer for yourself:

Abba Father, I pray that out of Your glorious riches You strengthen me with power through Your Spirit in my inner being, so that when I feel down emotionally I can feel peace within and convert my feelings to joy by concentrating on Your promises, for You have said:

Do not be grieved, for the joy of the LORD is your strength Nehemiah 8:1

The righteous cry and the LORD hears and delivers them out of all their troubles. Weeping may last for the night, but a shout of joy comes in the morning. Psalms 34:17, Psalms 30:5

The ransomed of the LORD will return and come with joyful shouting and everlasting joy will be on their heads. They will obtain gladness and joy, and sorrow and sighing will flee away. Isaiah 51:11

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they will not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched, nor will the flame burn you. Isaiah 43:2

Yet those who wait for the LORD will gain new strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary. Isaiah 40:31

Do not fear, for I am with you; do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10

Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you. 1 Peter 5:6-7

Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you; but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation. 1 Peter 4:12-13

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. Philippians 4:8

In the name of The King of kings and Lord of lords, in the holy name of Jesus, my Lord and Saviour, I pray. To Jesus be the power, the glory, the majesty, the blessings, and the dominion before all time and now and forever. Amen.

Jesus loves you,

In Him,

Wagdi Henein

March 26 Devotion - When we encounter challenges

We all face challenges in life at one time or another. Some more severe than others. The severe challenges may impact our faith in God and make us feel emotionally hurt. If today you are facing severe challenges or you ever find yourself in the same boat, or you are just feeling emotionally down, listen to what God is telling you:

                                                                                                                                                            

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9

The Lord is near to you because you have a broken heart, and saves such as have a contrite spirit. Psalm 34:17-20

“My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” 2 Corinthians 12:9   

All things will work together for good for you because you love God, Romans 8:28  

Make sure to rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your heart and your mind in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:7

أَلَمْ آمُرْكَ؟ إِذَنْ تَقَوَّ وَتَشَجَّعْ، لَا تَرْهَبْ ولاَ تَجْزَعْ لأَنَّ الرَّبَّ إِلَهَكَ مَعَكَ حَيْثُمَا تَتَوَجَّهُ».

يَسْتَغِيثُ الأَبْرَارُ، فَيَسْمَعُ لَهُمُ الرَّبُّ وَيُنْقِذُهُمْ مِنْ جَمِيعِ ضِيقَاتِهِمْ. الرَّبُّ قَرِيبٌ مِنْ مُنْكَسِرِي الْقَلْبِ، وَيُخَلِّصُ مُنْسَحِقِي الرُّوحِ.

فَقَالَ لِي: «نِعْمَتِي تَكْفِيكَ، لأَنَّ قُدْرَتِي تُكَمَّلُ فِي الضَّعْفِ!»

إِنَّنَا نَعْلَمُ أَنَّ اللهَ يَجْعَلُ جَمِيعَ الأُمُورِ تَعْمَلُ مَعاً لأَجْلِ الْخَيْرِ لِمُحِبِّيهِ، الْمَدْعُوِّينَ بِحَسَبِ قَصْدِهِ.

افْرَحُوا عَلَى الدَّوَامِ؛  صَلُّوا دُونَ انْقِطَاعٍ؛ ارْفَعُوا الشُّكْرَ فِي كُلِّ حَالٍ

وَسَلاَمُ اللهِ، الَّذِي تَعْجِزُ الْعُقُولُ عَنْ إِدْرَاكِهِ، يَحْرُسُ قُلُوبَكُمْ وَأَفْكَارَكُمْ فِي الْمَسِيحِ يَسُوعَ.

I invite you to repeat the following prayer for yourself:

Abba Father, I thank you for knowing every emotion I go through and for having an answer and support for me today. Strengthen me Lord to be of good courage. Thank You Lord that during my period of weakness Your strength is made perfect. Help me Lord to pray continuously. I rejoice in the assurance that You are with me God wherever I am, that all things will work together for good for me, and that I will rejoice because Your peace God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard my heart and my mind in Christ Jesus; in whose holy name I pray. To Jesus be the power, the glory, the majesty, the blessings, and the dominion before all time and now and forever. Amen.

Jesus loves you,

In Him,

Wagdi Henein

March 20 Devotion - Involve God in every decision

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

⁶ لاَ تَقْلَقُوا مِنْ جِهَةِ أَيِّ شَيْءٍ، بَلْ فِي كُلِّ أَمْرٍ لِتَكُنْ طَلِبَاتُكُمْ مَعْرُوفَةً لَدَى اللهِ، بِالصَّلاَةِ وَالدُّعَاءِ، مَعَ الشُّكْرِ.

Philippians 4:6

Do you think we should pray about every single detail in our lives? God did not exclude anything. What would a child pray about? Jesus said in Mark10:15 “Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” In Psalm 37:23(NLT): The LORD directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives.

                                                                                                       

There are some commandments and guidelines that God has given us, so we should not pray to God asking Him obvious things like: God should I love my neighbour? Because He told us we should, however we can pray to God to help us love them. Other than God’s commandments and guidelines we can and should pray for every detail in our life.

                                                                                                                            

We seem to keep prayers only for big demands or crisis. Praying for and about everything keeps us in constant communication and connection with God and that pleases His heart, and is very useful for us.

I invite you to repeat the following prayer for yourself:

Abba Father, thank You that You love me so much that You want to fellowship with me all day and You desire that I involve You in all my thoughts and actions. I appreciate that You are omnipresent(available everywhere) omniscient (all knowing), and You are interested in every detail in my life. Help me Lord to develop the habit to pray to You about every detail of my life. Thank You Father for Your abundant blessings in my life, and for the riches of Your grace upon my life. In the holy name of Jesus I pray. To Jesus be the glory, the power, the dominion, the majesty and the blessings forever and ever and unto ages of ages.

Jesus loves you,

In Him,

Wagdi Henein

March 19 Devotion - Sing to The LORD a new song

Sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth. ² Sing to the Lord, praise his name; proclaim his salvation day after day. ³ Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples. ⁴ For great is the Lord and most worthy of praise;

رَنِّمُوا للهِ تَرنِيمَةً جَدِيدَةً.
غَنُّوا للهِ يا كُلَّ أهلِ الأرْضِ.
² غَنُّوا للهِ، بارِكُوا اسْمَهُ.
حَدِّثُوا بِخَلاصِهِ يَوماً بَعدَ يَومٍ.
³ أخبِرُوا بِمَجدِهِ بَينَ الشُّعُوبِ.
أخبِرُوا كُلَّ النّاسِ بِعَجائِبِهِ.
⁴ عَظِيمٌ وَمُستَحِقٌّ لِلتَّسبِيحِاللهَ لأنَّ

                                                                                                                    Psalm 96:1-4

It was a custom that poets/psalmists wrote a new song whenever God had a new large blessing for the people. We see in this song/hymn that we are called to praise and bless (affectionately praise) God and give Him glory. Three times we are here called to sing unto the Lord; sing to the Father, to the Son, to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning. This new song is a new New-Testament song, a song of praise for the new covenant and the precious privileges of that covenant.

I invite you to repeat the following prayer for yourself:

 Abba Father, I sing a new song, a song of Your New Covenant, a song of my salvation through the atoning blood of Jesus Christ. Lord whenever I feel low or focus on anything other than Jesus help me to refocus on Christ by singing this new song, to sing to You LORD, to proclaim Your glory and Your wonderful news of The Gospel of Jesus Christ and my redemption, forgiveness, justification, reconciliation, sanctification and glorification. Never let me forget that I am a loved and adored child of God. I declare Your glory Lord among the nations, and Your marvelous deeds among all peoples for You are great and worthy of all praise. In Holy Name of Jesus my Lord and Saviour, I pray. To Jesus be the glory, the power, the dominion, the majesty and the blessings forever and ever and unto ages of ages.

Jesus loves you,

In Him,

Wagdi Henein