FLM TOBY FANANTENANA 67 Ha
Prayer’s communion, Sunday IV after Epiphany
Week from January 30 to February 04, 2017
“The believers, strong through God”
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Introduction : God’s people need to be strengthened by Him in order to stay firm in faith, and so as to do His will and works. The foundation of their strength is their union to Jesus. Jesus said: “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing” Jn. 15: 5. For “The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak” Mt 26:41b. Jesus gives an assurance to His disciples and to all those who want to follow Him, saying: “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness”2 Co.12:9; “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 1:8. The Apostle Paul said: “Be filled with the Spirit” Eph.5:18b.
Monday 30: The believers are strong in God, because He strengthens them. “For I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine” Is 43:1. Reading 1: Ro. 5:1-8; Reading 2: Is 43:1-3. Preaching 1 (choice). Preaching 2: Is 43:1. Other references: – “Since you are my rock and my fortress, for the sake of your name lead and guide me” Ps 31:3. – “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” Mt.28:20. – “Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith” Heb.12:2a.
Tuesday 31: The believers are strong through God. “They have divine power to demolish strongholds” 2 Cor.10:4b.
Reading 1: Ps. 68:32-35. Reading 2: 2 Cor. 10:1-6. Preaching 1 (choice). Preaching 2: 2 Cor.10:3-4.
Other references: – “Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the LORD Almighty” Zec.4: 6. – “Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God. He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant—not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life” 2 Cor. 3:5-6.
Wednesday 01: The believers are strong through faith. “But was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God” Rom. 4:20b. Reading 1: Heb. 11:1-6. Reading 2: Ro. 4: 16-22. Preaching 1 (choice). Preaching 2: Rom. 4:20. Other references: – “Then he said to him, ‘Rise and go; your faith has made you well’” Lk.17:19. – “This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith” 1 Jn. 5:4b. – “But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit” Jude 20.
Thursday 02: The believers are strong through prayer. “If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer” Mt. 21: 22. Reading 1: 1 Sam.1:12-28. Reading 2: Mt.21:18-22. Preaching 1 (choice). Preaching 2: Mt. 21:22. Other references: – “Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man” Lk.21:36. – “Elijah was a human being, even as we are. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops” Jas. 5:17-18
Friday 03: The believers are strong through doing God’s will. “My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work” Jn.4:34.
Reading 1: Neh. 6:5-15. Reading 2: Jn.4: 27-42. Preaching 1 (choice). Preaching 2: Jn.4:34.
Other references: – “An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him” Lk.22:43. – “But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God” Acts 7:55. – “The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever” 1 Jn.2:17.
Saturday 04: The believers are strong because God is with them. “If God is for us, who can be against us?” Rom 8:31b.
Reading 1: Dan. 6:17-24; Reading 2: Rom.8:30-37; Preaching 1 (choice); Preaching 2: Rom.8:31.
Other references: – “And David became more and more powerful, because the LORD Almighty was with him” 1 Chr.11:9. – “I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me trustworthy, appointing me to his service” 1 Tim. 1:12. – “But the Lord stood at my side and gave me strength, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. And I was delivered from the lion’s mouth” 2 Tim.4:17.
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