February 3 Devotion - Dealing with loneliness

 

See, I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands. So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you and be with you always, even to the end of the age.”

¹⁰ لَا تَخَفْ لأَنِّي مَعَكَ. لَا تَتَلَفَّتْ حَوْلَكَ جَزَعاً، لأَنِّي إِلَهُكَ، أُشَدِّدُكَ وَأُعِينُكَ وَأَعْضُدُكَ بِيَمِينِ بِرِّي لَقَدْ نَقَشتُكِ عَلَى يَدَيَّ.

لَنْ أَتْرُكَكُمْ يَتَامَى، بَلْ سَأَعُودُ إِلَيْكُمْ.

وَهَا أَنَا مَعَكُمْ كُلَّ الأَيَّامِ إِلَى انْتِهَاءِ الزَّمَانِ

 

Isaiah 49:16, Isaiah 41:10, John 14:18, Matthew 28:20

 

There is a critical difference between solitude, aloneness, and loneliness:

• Solitude, is a time where we are alone and enjoy the peace and quiet and where we get in touch with our feelings and can meditate
• Aloneness, is a time when we enjoy doing things on our own, things that we really like that others may not care for and do not require having company 
• Loneliness, is a time when we are alone even though we need to fellowship with others

In normal times we may feel lonely. As we live through this unprecedented Covid-19 pandemic we find ourselves under curfew, stay at home orders, and social distancing norms which is forcing a state of loneliness especially if we live alone. When we feel lonely we would be served to admit our emotions to God. He knows what we are going through, and He wants to be The One to fill that void. The reality of God’s constant presence with us is a fact, but we are not always aware of Him, especially in lonely periods. I have many times questioned, how come I cannot feel God’s presence even though I know He is with me, how come I feel so alone? When I feel that lonely, my courage diminishes.

I need to keep reminding myself that where God has begun the work of grace, He will perfect it. He will help those who, in humble dependence on Him, help themselves. Having our hearts and our hopes focused on God, we shall be carried above all difficulties, and be enabled to lay hold of the prize of our high calling in Christ Jesus. The truth is that He will never leave nor forsake those whom He has saved.

 

I invite you to repeat the following prayer for yourself:

O’God do not be far from me; O my God, hasten to my help! Psalm 71:12 Lord, please use my loneliness as a tool to draw me closer to You. I am comforted in the knowledge that I am so special to You God that You have inscribed my name on the palms of Your hands. Abba Father, thank You for Your unfailing, inseparable, deep, and everlasting love for me and Your abundant blessings in my life. Thank You Jesus that You will always be with me until the end of the age and that You have promised NOT to leave me as an orphan, and You will come and be with me. In Your name Jesus, the only intercessor, my Saviour and my Lord I pray to The Father. To Jesus be the glory, the power, the dominion, the majesty, and the blessings forever and ever. Amen.

Jesus loves you,

In Him,

Wagdi Henein

February 2 Devotion - All things work together for good

 

And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.

Romans 8:28

 

ونحن نعلم ان كل الاشياء تعمل معا للخير للذين يحبون الله الذين هم مدعوون حسب قصده.

The persons in whose behalf all things work for good are those that love God, have accepted Jesus Christ as their Saviour and Lord over their lives, and consequently, who live in the spirit of obedience.

All tribulations, or afflictions, or persecutions that may arise, God uses them and converts them to contribute to the general good of the person who loves God, and who is led by faith under the direction and guidance of The Holy Spirit.

I invite you to repeat the following prayer for yourself:

Abba Father, thank You that You make all things, including tribulations and afflictions, to work together for my good. Lord, in my weakest moments, assure me that the power of Christ will rest upon me. Father God, I pray that out of Your glorious riches You strengthen me with power through Your Spirit in my inner being, so that I can always declare to the world that Christ is my Lord and Saviour and Jesus may continue to dwell in my heart through faith. Thank You Lord for loving me with an unfailing, deep and everlasting love. Thank You for Your abundant blessings in my life, and for the riches of Your grace upon my life. Lord I trust You, praise You, glorify You, lift You up on high and submit to Your wisdom in all things. In the name of The King of kings and Lord of lords, in the Holy Name of Jesus I pray. To Jesus be the glory, the power, and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Jesus loves you,

In Him,

Wagdi Henein

February 1 Devotion - We are God's co-workers and God's masterpiece

 

For we are both God’s workers and you are God’s field. You are God’s building. As God’s partners we beg you not to accept this marvelous gift of God’s kindness and then ignore it. For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.

1 Corinthians 3:9, 2 Corinthians 6:1, Ephesians 2:10   

 

فَإِنَّنَا نَحْنُ جَمِيعاً عَامِلُونَ مَعاً عِنْدَ اللهِ، وَأَنْتُمْ حَقْلُ اللهِ وَبِنَاءُ اللهِ.

وَبِما أنَّنا نَعمَلُ مَعاً مَعَ اللهِ، نَحُثُّكُمْ عَلَى أنْ لا تُبَدِّدُوا نِعمَةَ اللهِ الَّتِي نِلتُمُوها.

 فَنَحنُ عَمَلُ يَدَيّ اللهِ الَّذِي خَلَقَنا فِي المَسِيحِ يَسُوعَ لِلسُّلوكِ في أعمالٍ صالِحَةٍ أعَدَّها لَنا مُقَدَّماً.

 

We are to work together with God, in promoting the purposes of His glory, and the salvation of precious souls; and God will make sure that we do not labour in vain. We the believers; who have accepted Jesus Christ as our Saviour and made Jesus Lord over our lives; are employed by God and He will carefully look over us. We are his workmanship; He has saved us through His grace by letting His own son die in our place so that we may show forth the virtues of Him who has called us from darkness into His marvelous light. Although we definitely cannot be saved by our good works, yet we are saved that we may perform good works, to the glory of God.

I invite you to repeat the following prayer for yourself:

Abba Father, thank You God that I am Your co-worker and Your workmanship. Thank You God for saving me and creating me anew in Christ Jesus. LORD, I pray that You strengthen me with power through Your Spirit in my inner being, so that I can work together with You in promoting the purposes of Your glory, and the salvation of precious souls. Help me God to continue to declare to the world that Christ is my Lord and Saviour, and Jesus may continue to dwell in my heart through faith, and I may perform good works, to Your glory God and the benefit of mankind. Thank You God for loving me with a deep, inseparable, and everlasting love and for considering me a masterpiece. Thank You for Your abundant blessings in my life Lord, and for the riches of Your grace upon my life. In the Holy Name of Jesus, I pray. To Jesus be the glory, the majesty, power, and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Jesus loves you,

In Him,

Wagdi Henein