Luke 17:1-19
A Kernal of Faith
- v3-4 "Be alert. If you see your friend going wrong, correct him. If he responds, forgive him. Even if it's personal against you and repeated seven times through the day, and seven times he says, 'I'm sorry, I won't do it again,' forgive him."
Monday, July 30, 2007
Sunday, July 29, 2007
1 Peter 4:7-11 (NIV)
7The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray. 8Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. 9Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms. 11If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.
Luke 15-16
Luke 16:1-9 (The Message)
The Story of the Crooked Manager
-v8-9 "Now here's a surprise: The master praised the crooked manager! And why? Because he knew how to look after himself. Streetwise people are smarter in this regard than law-abiding citizens. They are on constant alert, looking for angles, surviving by their wits. I want you to be smart in the same way—but for what is right—using every adversity to stimulate you to creative survival, to concentrate your attention on the bare essentials, so you'll live, really live, and not complacently just get by on good behavior."
Luke 16:14-18 (Amplified)
The Law, the Prophets and the Kingdom
- v16 Until John came, there were the Law and the Prophets; since then the good news (the Gospel) of the kingdom of God is being preached, and everyone strives violently to go in [would force his own way rather than God's way into it].
Luke 16:19-31 (The Message)
The Rich Man and Lazarus
- v31 "Abraham replied, 'If they won't listen to Moses and the Prophets, they're not going to be convinced by someone who rises from the dead.'"
The Story of the Crooked Manager
-v8-9 "Now here's a surprise: The master praised the crooked manager! And why? Because he knew how to look after himself. Streetwise people are smarter in this regard than law-abiding citizens. They are on constant alert, looking for angles, surviving by their wits. I want you to be smart in the same way—but for what is right—using every adversity to stimulate you to creative survival, to concentrate your attention on the bare essentials, so you'll live, really live, and not complacently just get by on good behavior."
Luke 16:14-18 (Amplified)
The Law, the Prophets and the Kingdom
- v16 Until John came, there were the Law and the Prophets; since then the good news (the Gospel) of the kingdom of God is being preached, and everyone strives violently to go in [would force his own way rather than God's way into it].
Luke 16:19-31 (The Message)
The Rich Man and Lazarus
- v31 "Abraham replied, 'If they won't listen to Moses and the Prophets, they're not going to be convinced by someone who rises from the dead.'"
Saturday, July 28, 2007
...guarding my heart...
"Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life."
- Pro 4:23 (NIV)
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
- Philip 4:6-7 (NIV)
The peace of God will guard it....
Friday, July 27, 2007
Luke 13-14
Luke 14:7-14 (The Message)
Invite the Misfits
- v10-11 "When you're invited to dinner, go and sit at the last place. Then when the host comes he may very well say, 'Friend, come up to the front.' That will give the dinner guests something to talk about! What I'm saying is, If you walk around with your nose in the air, you're going to end up flat on your face. But if you're content to be simply yourself, you will become more than yourself."
Invite the Misfits
- v10-11 "When you're invited to dinner, go and sit at the last place. Then when the host comes he may very well say, 'Friend, come up to the front.' That will give the dinner guests something to talk about! What I'm saying is, If you walk around with your nose in the air, you're going to end up flat on your face. But if you're content to be simply yourself, you will become more than yourself."
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
Luke 12
Luke 12:22-34
Do Not Worry
- v25-26 And which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature? If you then are not able to do the least, why are you anxious for the rest?
Amplified
- 25And which of you by being overly anxious and troubled with cares can add a cubit to his stature or a moment [unit] of time to his age [the length of his life]?
- v25-26 Has anyone by fussing before the mirror ever gotten taller by so much as an inch? If fussing can't even do that, why fuss at all?
Do Not Worry
- v25-26 And which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature? If you then are not able to do the least, why are you anxious for the rest?
Amplified
- 25And which of you by being overly anxious and troubled with cares can add a cubit to his stature or a moment [unit] of time to his age [the length of his life]?
26If then you are not able to do such a little thing as that, why are you anxious and troubled with cares about the rest?
Message- v25-26 Has anyone by fussing before the mirror ever gotten taller by so much as an inch? If fussing can't even do that, why fuss at all?
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
receive like a child.
...But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. - Matthew 6:33 (ESV)
.."Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it." And he took them in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands on them. - Mark 10:14-16 (ESV)
.."Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it." And he took them in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands on them. - Mark 10:14-16 (ESV)
Luke 11
Luke 11:27-28
Keeping the Word
27 And it happened, as He spoke these things, that a certain woman from the crowd raised her voice and said to Him, “Blessed is the womb that bore You, and the breasts which nursed You!”
28 But He said, “More than that, blessed are those who hear the word of God and keep it!”
"Keep it" sounds like "obey and practice it", as what the Amplified Bible says. But the Message's definition of "keep it" is "guard it with their lives".
But the Hebrew word for "keep" here is Phulasso (lasso?). And it means:
to guard
Keeping the Word
27 And it happened, as He spoke these things, that a certain woman from the crowd raised her voice and said to Him, “Blessed is the womb that bore You, and the breasts which nursed You!”
28 But He said, “More than that, blessed are those who hear the word of God and keep it!”
"Keep it" sounds like "obey and practice it", as what the Amplified Bible says. But the Message's definition of "keep it" is "guard it with their lives".
But the Hebrew word for "keep" here is Phulasso (lasso?). And it means:
to guard
- to watch, keep watch
- to guard or watch, have an eye upon: lest he escape
- to guard a person (or thing) that he may remain safe
- lest he suffer violence, be despoiled, etc. to protect
- to protect one from a person or thing
- to keep from being snatched away, preserve safe and unimpaired
- to guard from being lost or perishing
- to guard one's self from a thing
- to guard i.e. care for, take care not to violate
Monday, July 23, 2007
Luke 10
Luke 10:25-37
The Parable of the Good Samaritan
The Parable of the Good Samaritan
25 And then a certain lawyer arose to try (test, tempt) Him, saying, Teacher, what am I to do to inherit everlasting life [that is, to partake of eternal salvation in the Messiah's kingdom]?
26 Jesus said to him, What is written in the Law? How do you read it?
27 And he replied, You must love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.
28 And Jesus said to him, You have answered correctly; do this, and you will live [enjoy active, blessed, endless life in the kingdom of God].
29 And he, determined to acquit himself of reproach, said to Jesus, And who is my neighbor?
Luke 9
Luke 9:57-62
The Cost of Discipleship
57 Now it happened as they journeyed on the road, that someone said to Him, “Lord, I will follow You wherever You go.”
58 And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.”
59 Then He said to another, “Follow Me.”
But he said, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.”
60 Jesus said to him, “Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and preach the kingdom of God.”
61 And another also said, “Lord, I will follow You, but let me first go and bid them farewell who are at my house.”
62 But Jesus said to him, “No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.”
The Cost of Discipleship
57 Now it happened as they journeyed on the road, that someone said to Him, “Lord, I will follow You wherever You go.”
58 And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.”
59 Then He said to another, “Follow Me.”
But he said, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.”
60 Jesus said to him, “Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and preach the kingdom of God.”
61 And another also said, “Lord, I will follow You, but let me first go and bid them farewell who are at my house.”
62 But Jesus said to him, “No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.”
Friday, July 20, 2007
Joshua: picture of Jesus
I was reading the book of Joshua and decided to check an online commentary. Don't know why I didn't see it before but Joshua in the old testament is Jesus in the new testament. Both names means the Lord saves, Joshua is the Hebrew form and Jesus is the Greek form. Joshua was the one who brought the Israelites into the land of promised and rest because Moses was unable to. Moses represents the Law and the Promised Land is heaven. We are unable to enter heaven by obeying the Law, we need Jesus.
This is random, but I happen to come across this nice song..
http://media.gospelcom.net/baloche/WhatCanIDo.mp3
"What can I do?" by Paul Baloche & Graham Kendrick
What can I do but thank You
What can I do but give my life to You
Hallelujah Hallelujah
What can I do but praise You
Everyday make everything I do
A Hallelujah a Hallelujah
This is random, but I happen to come across this nice song..
http://media.gospelcom.net/baloche/WhatCanIDo.mp3
"What can I do?" by Paul Baloche & Graham Kendrick
What can I do but thank You
What can I do but give my life to You
Hallelujah Hallelujah
What can I do but praise You
Everyday make everything I do
A Hallelujah a Hallelujah
Thursday, July 19, 2007
Luke 8
Luke 8:40-56
A Girl Restored to Life and a Woman Healed
- v49 While He was still speaking, someone came from the ruler of the synagogue’s house, saying to him, “Your daughter is dead. Do not trouble the Teacher.”
That someone only saw Jesus as a Teacher, not a Healer or the Messiah. What do you see Jesus as for your situation?
A Girl Restored to Life and a Woman Healed
- v49 While He was still speaking, someone came from the ruler of the synagogue’s house, saying to him, “Your daughter is dead. Do not trouble the Teacher.”
That someone only saw Jesus as a Teacher, not a Healer or the Messiah. What do you see Jesus as for your situation?
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
isaiah 60:18-20
18 No longer will violence be heard in your land,
nor ruin or destruction within your borders,
but you will call your walls Salvation
and your gates Praise.
19 The sun will no more be your light by day,
nor will the brightness of the moon shine on you,
for the LORD will be your everlasting light,
and your God will be your glory.
20 Your sun will never set again,
and your moon will wane no more;
the LORD will be your everlasting light,
and your days of sorrow will end.
21 Then will all your people be righteous
and they will possess the land forever.
They are the shoot I have planted,
the work of my hands,
for the display of my splendor.
22 The least of you will become a thousand,
the smallest a mighty nation.
I am the LORD;
in its time I will do this swiftly.
nor ruin or destruction within your borders,
but you will call your walls Salvation
and your gates Praise.
19 The sun will no more be your light by day,
nor will the brightness of the moon shine on you,
for the LORD will be your everlasting light,
and your God will be your glory.
20 Your sun will never set again,
and your moon will wane no more;
the LORD will be your everlasting light,
and your days of sorrow will end.
21 Then will all your people be righteous
and they will possess the land forever.
They are the shoot I have planted,
the work of my hands,
for the display of my splendor.
22 The least of you will become a thousand,
the smallest a mighty nation.
I am the LORD;
in its time I will do this swiftly.
Luke 7
Luke 7:18-35 (Amplified)
John the Baptist Sends Messengers to Jesus
- v21 In that very hour Jesus was healing many [people] of sicknesses and distressing bodily plagues and evil spirits, and to many who were blind He gave [a free, gracious, joy-giving gift of] sight.
This is something I have never seen thus far!
John the Baptist Sends Messengers to Jesus
- v21 In that very hour Jesus was healing many [people] of sicknesses and distressing bodily plagues and evil spirits, and to many who were blind He gave [a free, gracious, joy-giving gift of] sight.
This is something I have never seen thus far!
renew our minds
4 Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord: 15 looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled;
Hebrews 12:14-15
lets guard our hearts from any bitterness.
Hebrews 12:14-15
lets guard our hearts from any bitterness.
Perfect Love
There is no fear in love [dread does not exist], but full-grown (complete, perfect) love turns fear out of doors and expels every trace of terror! For fear brings with it the thought of punishment, and [so] he who is afraid has not reached the full maturity of love [is not yet grown into love's complete perfection].
We love Him, because He first loved us. - 1John 4:18-19 (AMP)
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
Luke 5-6
Luke 6:37-42 (Amplified)
Do Not Judge
- v38 Give, and [gifts] will be given to you; good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over, will they pour into [the pouch formed by] the bosom [of your robe and used as a bag]. For with the measure you deal out [with the measure you use when you confer benefits on others], it will be measured back to you.
Do Not Judge
- v38 Give, and [gifts] will be given to you; good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over, will they pour into [the pouch formed by] the bosom [of your robe and used as a bag]. For with the measure you deal out [with the measure you use when you confer benefits on others], it will be measured back to you.
the Blood
i love this sermon by Billye Brim who came to our church a few years back- there is power in the blood to save and protect, i think.
22 Pilate said to them, “What then shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?”
They all said to him, “Let Him be crucified!”
23 Then the governor said, “Why, what evil has He done?”
But they cried out all the more, saying, “Let Him be crucified!”
24 When Pilate saw that he could not prevail at all, but rather that a tumult was rising, he took water and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, “I am innocent of the blood of this just Person.[d] You see to it.”
25 And all the people answered and said, “His blood be on us and on our children.”
notice the people said that His Blood will be on us and on our children? they meant it in a different way but it tells us of how God wants to mean it. His blood is on us today, continually washing us clean, always showing us righteous, empowering us to reign in life, protecting us from all evil, guarding our hearts from troubles, filling us with peace evermore. His Blood, is on us today.
22 Pilate said to them, “What then shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?”
They all said to him, “Let Him be crucified!”
23 Then the governor said, “Why, what evil has He done?”
But they cried out all the more, saying, “Let Him be crucified!”
24 When Pilate saw that he could not prevail at all, but rather that a tumult was rising, he took water and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, “I am innocent of the blood of this just Person.[d] You see to it.”
25 And all the people answered and said, “His blood be on us and on our children.”
notice the people said that His Blood will be on us and on our children? they meant it in a different way but it tells us of how God wants to mean it. His blood is on us today, continually washing us clean, always showing us righteous, empowering us to reign in life, protecting us from all evil, guarding our hearts from troubles, filling us with peace evermore. His Blood, is on us today.
Monday, July 16, 2007
psalm 27:4 (amplified)
One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek, inquire for, and [insistently] require: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord [in His presence] all the days of my life, to behold and gaze upon the beauty [the sweet attractiveness and the delightful loveliness] of the Lord and to meditate, consider, and inquire in His temple.
let it be cclia's life verse as He binds my heart with His cords of love. =)
let it be cclia's life verse as He binds my heart with His cords of love. =)
Boast of Daddy God's love for u...
Matthew 3:11-17 [The message]
11-12"I'm baptizing you here in the river, turning your old life in for a kingdom life. The real action comes next: The main character in this drama—compared to him I'm a mere stagehand—will ignite the kingdom life within you, a fire within you, the Holy Spirit within you, changing you from the inside out. He's going to clean house—make a clean sweep of your lives. He'll place everything true in its proper place before God; everything false he'll put out with the trash to be burned."
11-12"I'm baptizing you here in the river, turning your old life in for a kingdom life. The real action comes next: The main character in this drama—compared to him I'm a mere stagehand—will ignite the kingdom life within you, a fire within you, the Holy Spirit within you, changing you from the inside out. He's going to clean house—make a clean sweep of your lives. He'll place everything true in its proper place before God; everything false he'll put out with the trash to be burned."
16-17The moment Jesus came up out of the baptismal waters, the skies opened up and he saw God's Spirit—it looked like a dove—descending and landing on him. And along with the Spirit, a voice: "This is my Son, chosen and marked by my love, delight of my life."
I love the following(same) verse from NKJV...
16 When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He[c] saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him. 17 And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”
Daddy God so loves us that HE proudly proclaimed from the heavens (above) to the whole earth(below), that whoever dwells IN Jesus, dwells in the secret place of the most high, delights HIM. The sky is of vast multitudes, way way high up!!! Yet Daddy God so wants the world to know how much HE loves us, that HE proudly announces to the whole earth(in HIS clear, loud discerning voice of authority) of HIS love for us. And we are marked to be lavishly loved!
And the REAL LIFE action comes! That our mistakes, past are no longer remembered! As mentioned in verse 11, 12, we are lit up once more, with the glory of the Holy spirit and with fire. We are gloriously shinning, burning with great energy and warmth! Our past life is cleansed and even burnt away. Know what's left after a great burn? The marred, black ash! Our mistakes are now marred and not visible to anyone anymore. And the wind shall blow all these marred ash away. Now, we are transformed from the inside out coz we're perfected by Daddy God's love for us.
In HIS way, in HIS love, we are tenderly molded for the better. In HIS time, our mountains are bread for us to prepare us for the better. Let's enlarge our hearts' capacity for changes and even more growth to come. =)
Sunday, July 15, 2007
Luke 1-4
Luke 4:1-13
Satan Tempts Jesus
- v2 being tempted for forty days by the devil. And in those days He ate nothing, and afterward, when they had ended, He was hungry.
- v3 And the devil said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread.”
The devil attacks when you are at your driest, hungriest, most spiritually empty state.
- v5 Then the devil, taking Him up on a high mountain, showed Him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time.
- v6 And the devil said to Him, “All this authority I will give You, and their glory; for this has been delivered to me, and I give it to whomever I wish.
- v7 Therefore, if You will worship before me, all will be Yours.”
- v8 And Jesus answered and said to him, “Get behind Me, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the LORD your God, and Him only you shall serve.’”
When you are already very dry, another way the devil tempts you is by showing you that life outside in the world is better than your life with God. And notice, it is for a moment. Have you felt like this before? That for a moment, suddenly, despite all that God has done for you in your life, you suddenly feel that life outside seems better? That serving the Lord is a waste of time and a burden?
- v9 Then he brought Him to Jerusalem, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down from here.
- v10 For it is written:
‘ He shall give His angels charge over you,
To keep you,’
Satan Tempts Jesus
- v2 being tempted for forty days by the devil. And in those days He ate nothing, and afterward, when they had ended, He was hungry.
- v3 And the devil said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread.”
The devil attacks when you are at your driest, hungriest, most spiritually empty state.
- v5 Then the devil, taking Him up on a high mountain, showed Him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time.
- v6 And the devil said to Him, “All this authority I will give You, and their glory; for this has been delivered to me, and I give it to whomever I wish.
- v7 Therefore, if You will worship before me, all will be Yours.”
- v8 And Jesus answered and said to him, “Get behind Me, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the LORD your God, and Him only you shall serve.’”
When you are already very dry, another way the devil tempts you is by showing you that life outside in the world is better than your life with God. And notice, it is for a moment. Have you felt like this before? That for a moment, suddenly, despite all that God has done for you in your life, you suddenly feel that life outside seems better? That serving the Lord is a waste of time and a burden?
- v9 Then he brought Him to Jerusalem, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down from here.
- v10 For it is written:
‘ He shall give His angels charge over you,
To keep you,’
- v11 and,
‘ In their hands they shall bear you up,
Lest you dash your foot against a stone.’”
This is the most champion way the devil tempts you. It's by twisting the Word and using it against you. Have you seen believers who take one verse totally out of context and twist it around? Or have you seen believers who take one verse in context and bring it to the extreme?
An example of this is ppl who say that grace gives ppl the license to sin.
Ask God for wisdom, and you will be safe in the counsel of multitudes.
proverbs 15:15 (amplified)
All the days of the desponding and afflicted are made evil [by anxious thoughts and forebodings], but he who has a glad (NIV:cheerful) heart has a continual feast [regardless of circumstances].
beloveds, let's guard our hearts and rejoice as Daddy lavishes His love over us. =)
beloveds, let's guard our hearts and rejoice as Daddy lavishes His love over us. =)
Saturday, July 14, 2007
Mark 14-16
Mark 16:14-18
The Great Commission
- v17-18 And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”
And everyone one of these signs are separated by a ";", which means that they all mean the same thing! These signs are all "equal". They are not different things. If you can pray in tongues, you are able to cast out demons! If you can pray in tongues, you can lay hands on the sick and they will recover!! In essence, if you can do one, you are able to do all the rest!!!
The Great Commission
- v17-18 And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”
And everyone one of these signs are separated by a ";", which means that they all mean the same thing! These signs are all "equal". They are not different things. If you can pray in tongues, you are able to cast out demons! If you can pray in tongues, you can lay hands on the sick and they will recover!! In essence, if you can do one, you are able to do all the rest!!!
Using His name
"When it comes to prayer, Jesus promises, we have the right to use His own name in approaching the Father. We have access to Hs authority, His reputation, His leverage."
(Philip Yancey, Prayer: Does it make any difference? (Hodder Headline Ltd), 187)
And...
Here's a humorous look at how a church thanked it's volunteers.... an 80's hair band remake!
Friday, July 13, 2007
Trust little deeds
Trust little deeds. Do not despise these small beginnings (Zech 4:10 NLT)
Read an excerpt which Coach Maddy has selected for us. Got this story during the orientation games comm meeting which really inspires me.
The following are sentences in the story which speaks to my heart...
Sometimes, we do wonder, what I've done does make a difference? Dare you dream that you can make a difference?
God's answer would be, " Just do something and see what happens."
What difference will my work make?
God's answer: " Do not despise these small beginnings, for the LORD rejoices to see the work begin" (Zech 4:10 NLT)
Moses had a staff.
David had a sling.
Samson had a jawbone.
Rahab had a string.
Mary had some ointment.
Aaron had a rod.
Dorcas had a needle.
All were used by God.
What do you have?
God does big things with small deeds. HE inhabits the tiny seed, empowers the tiny deed. Thus, don't discount the smallness of your deeds.
Every little thing that you do, every little thing that you say, does make a difference! Cause whatever we do, shall prosper! =)
Read an excerpt which Coach Maddy has selected for us. Got this story during the orientation games comm meeting which really inspires me.
The following are sentences in the story which speaks to my heart...
Sometimes, we do wonder, what I've done does make a difference? Dare you dream that you can make a difference?
God's answer would be, " Just do something and see what happens."
What difference will my work make?
God's answer: " Do not despise these small beginnings, for the LORD rejoices to see the work begin" (Zech 4:10 NLT)
Moses had a staff.
David had a sling.
Samson had a jawbone.
Rahab had a string.
Mary had some ointment.
Aaron had a rod.
Dorcas had a needle.
All were used by God.
What do you have?
God does big things with small deeds. HE inhabits the tiny seed, empowers the tiny deed. Thus, don't discount the smallness of your deeds.
Every little thing that you do, every little thing that you say, does make a difference! Cause whatever we do, shall prosper! =)
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
good ol' Galatians
Galatians 2:20-21
" i have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer i who live, but Christ who lives in me, and the life which i now live in the flesh, i live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. I do not set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain."
in KJV, it says in v21, "i do not FRUSTRATE the grace of God", which means:
1) to do away with, to set aside, disregard
2) to thwart the efficacy of anything, nullify, make void, frustrate
3) to reject, to refuse, to slight
lets not 'frustrate' the grace of God. read it in context to find out what it is!
" i have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer i who live, but Christ who lives in me, and the life which i now live in the flesh, i live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. I do not set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain."
in KJV, it says in v21, "i do not FRUSTRATE the grace of God", which means:
1) to do away with, to set aside, disregard
2) to thwart the efficacy of anything, nullify, make void, frustrate
3) to reject, to refuse, to slight
lets not 'frustrate' the grace of God. read it in context to find out what it is!
His blood that makes atonement...
For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it for you on the altar to make atonement for your souls, for it is the blood that makes atonement by the life. - Leviticus 17:11 (ESV)
Monday, July 9, 2007
Sunday, July 8, 2007
2 Samuel 9
v3-4, the KING said to Ziba the servant
v6-7, DAVID speaks to Mephibosheth
v9, the KING said to Ziba the servant
notice that whenever David spoke to Ziba the bible records it as the king, but when he speaks to Mephibosheth, he always speaks as David. and it is like our relationship with Jesus today. He doesnt come to us as someone high up there. He comes to us to befriend us, to be our saviour, our shepherd, our best friend, our lover, our all in all.
v6-7, DAVID speaks to Mephibosheth
v9, the KING said to Ziba the servant
notice that whenever David spoke to Ziba the bible records it as the king, but when he speaks to Mephibosheth, he always speaks as David. and it is like our relationship with Jesus today. He doesnt come to us as someone high up there. He comes to us to befriend us, to be our saviour, our shepherd, our best friend, our lover, our all in all.
Saturday, July 7, 2007
the power of His presence
acts 16:19-26
19When the owners of the slave girl realized that their hope of making money was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace to face the authorities. 20They brought them before the magistrates and said, "These men are Jews, and are throwing our city into an uproar 21by advocating customs unlawful for us Romans to accept or practice."
22The crowd joined in the attack against Paul and Silas, and the magistrates ordered them to be stripped and beaten. 23After they had been severely flogged, they were thrown into prison, and the jailer was commanded to guard them carefully. 24Upon receiving such orders, he put them in the inner cell and fastened their feet in the stocks.
25About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. 26Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everybody's chains came loose.
19When the owners of the slave girl realized that their hope of making money was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace to face the authorities. 20They brought them before the magistrates and said, "These men are Jews, and are throwing our city into an uproar 21by advocating customs unlawful for us Romans to accept or practice."
22The crowd joined in the attack against Paul and Silas, and the magistrates ordered them to be stripped and beaten. 23After they had been severely flogged, they were thrown into prison, and the jailer was commanded to guard them carefully. 24Upon receiving such orders, he put them in the inner cell and fastened their feet in the stocks.
25About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. 26Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everybody's chains came loose.
Thursday, July 5, 2007
isaiah 51:1-8
1 “Listen to Me, you who follow after righteousness,
You who seek the LORD:
Look to the rock from which you were hewn,
And to the hole of the pit from which you were dug.
2 Look to Abraham your father,
And to Sarah who bore you;
For I called him alone,
And blessed him and increased him.”
3 For the LORD will comfort Zion,
He will comfort all her waste places;
He will make her wilderness like Eden,
And her desert like the garden of the LORD;
Joy and gladness will be found in it,
Thanksgiving and the voice of melody.
4 “ Listen to Me, My people;
And give ear to Me, O My nation:
For law will proceed from Me,
And I will make My justice rest
As a light of the peoples.
5 My righteousness is near,
My salvation has gone forth,
And My arms will judge the peoples;
The coastlands will wait upon Me,
And on My arm they will trust.
6 Lift up your eyes to the heavens,
And look on the earth beneath.
For the heavens will vanish away like smoke,
The earth will grow old like a garment,
And those who dwell in it will die in like manner;
But My salvation will be forever,
And My righteousness will not be abolished.
7 “ Listen to Me, you who know righteousness,
You people in whose heart is My law:
Do not fear the reproach of men,
Nor be afraid of their insults.
8 For the moth will eat them up like a garment,
And the worm will eat them like wool;
But My righteousness will be forever,
And My salvation from generation to generation.”
You who seek the LORD:
Look to the rock from which you were hewn,
And to the hole of the pit from which you were dug.
2 Look to Abraham your father,
And to Sarah who bore you;
For I called him alone,
And blessed him and increased him.”
3 For the LORD will comfort Zion,
He will comfort all her waste places;
He will make her wilderness like Eden,
And her desert like the garden of the LORD;
Joy and gladness will be found in it,
Thanksgiving and the voice of melody.
4 “ Listen to Me, My people;
And give ear to Me, O My nation:
For law will proceed from Me,
And I will make My justice rest
As a light of the peoples.
5 My righteousness is near,
My salvation has gone forth,
And My arms will judge the peoples;
The coastlands will wait upon Me,
And on My arm they will trust.
6 Lift up your eyes to the heavens,
And look on the earth beneath.
For the heavens will vanish away like smoke,
The earth will grow old like a garment,
And those who dwell in it will die in like manner;
But My salvation will be forever,
And My righteousness will not be abolished.
7 “ Listen to Me, you who know righteousness,
You people in whose heart is My law:
Do not fear the reproach of men,
Nor be afraid of their insults.
8 For the moth will eat them up like a garment,
And the worm will eat them like wool;
But My righteousness will be forever,
And My salvation from generation to generation.”
lame mephibosheth
Now when Mephibosheth the son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, had come to David, he fell on his face and prostrated himself. Then David said, “Mephibosheth?”
And he answered, “Here is your servant!”
So David said to him, “Do not fear, for I will surely show you kindness for Jonathan your father’s sake, and will restore to you all the land of Saul your grandfather; and you shall eat bread at my table continually.”
Then he bowed himself, and said, “What is your servant, that you should look upon such a dead dog as I?”
And the king called to Ziba, Saul’s servant, and said to him, “I have given to your master’s son all that belonged to Saul and to all his house.
You therefore, and your sons and your servants, shall work the land for him, and you shall bring in the harvest, that your master’s son may have food to eat. But Mephibosheth your master’s son shall eat bread at my table always.” Now Ziba had fifteen sons and twenty servants.
2 Samuel 9: 6-10
Mephibosheth came to David as a servant but David never acknowledged him as a servant. instead, he gave him all of Saul's lands and free dinner at his table everyday. it doesnt take Forrest Gump to know that Mephibosheth is no longer a servant after inheriting all that because of Jonathan's sake. but he responded again as a servant and this time David didnt talk to him but told his servant to serve Mephibosheth continually. today, lets eat at the king's table because Jesus has bought that for us. lets be aware of all that God has given to us because of Jesus' sake. lets not go to the king's table seeing ourselves as a servant but as the righteous by faith because God responds to faith.
And he answered, “Here is your servant!”
So David said to him, “Do not fear, for I will surely show you kindness for Jonathan your father’s sake, and will restore to you all the land of Saul your grandfather; and you shall eat bread at my table continually.”
Then he bowed himself, and said, “What is your servant, that you should look upon such a dead dog as I?”
And the king called to Ziba, Saul’s servant, and said to him, “I have given to your master’s son all that belonged to Saul and to all his house.
You therefore, and your sons and your servants, shall work the land for him, and you shall bring in the harvest, that your master’s son may have food to eat. But Mephibosheth your master’s son shall eat bread at my table always.” Now Ziba had fifteen sons and twenty servants.
2 Samuel 9: 6-10
Mephibosheth came to David as a servant but David never acknowledged him as a servant. instead, he gave him all of Saul's lands and free dinner at his table everyday. it doesnt take Forrest Gump to know that Mephibosheth is no longer a servant after inheriting all that because of Jonathan's sake. but he responded again as a servant and this time David didnt talk to him but told his servant to serve Mephibosheth continually. today, lets eat at the king's table because Jesus has bought that for us. lets be aware of all that God has given to us because of Jesus' sake. lets not go to the king's table seeing ourselves as a servant but as the righteous by faith because God responds to faith.
the Holy Spirit is artistic....
and he has filled him with the Spirit of God, with skill, ability and knowledge in all kinds of crafts-to make artistic designs...
Exo 35:31-32
claiming this for all helping in the NUS orientation publicity.. hee.
God looks after those that cannot look after themselves
"When you are harvesting in your field and you overlook a sheaf, do not go back to get it. Leave it for the alien, the fatherless and the widow, so that the LORD your God may bless you in all the work of your hands.
When you beat the olives from your trees, do not go over the branches a second time. Leave what remains for the alien, the fatherless and the widow.
When you harvest the grapes in your vineyard, do not go over the vines again. Leave what remains for the alien, the fatherless and the widow.
Remember that you were slaves in Egypt. That is why I command you to do this." - Deuteronomy 24:19-22
What struck me about this verse was how considerate God was towards the alien, the fatherless and the widow, ensuring that they have food to eat. God also command the Israelites to do that so that they will remember how God had redeemed them when they were slaves in Egypt. These verses also reminds me of the story of Ruth...
When you beat the olives from your trees, do not go over the branches a second time. Leave what remains for the alien, the fatherless and the widow.
When you harvest the grapes in your vineyard, do not go over the vines again. Leave what remains for the alien, the fatherless and the widow.
Remember that you were slaves in Egypt. That is why I command you to do this." - Deuteronomy 24:19-22
What struck me about this verse was how considerate God was towards the alien, the fatherless and the widow, ensuring that they have food to eat. God also command the Israelites to do that so that they will remember how God had redeemed them when they were slaves in Egypt. These verses also reminds me of the story of Ruth...
Wednesday, July 4, 2007
Psalm 113
I randomly typed a psalms verse at biblegate and came across this verse...
Psalm113 [amplified]
6Who humbles Himself to regard the heavens and the earth!(A)
7[The Lord] raises the poor out of the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap and the dung hill,
8That He may seat them with princes, even with the princes of His people.
That Jesus humbled Himself first, so that we are qualified to receive Daddy God's help when we are down. (which was why verse 6 was there before verse 7).
Verse 7 and 8 brings me to the context of Mephibosheth, the verse (2 samuel 9) which Selene shared with me, the verse shared during service recently.
That despite Mephibosheth's disabilities (he was crippled on not 1, but BOTH FEET), King David lifted him up to eat at the same table as him. And in that entire verse (2 samuel 9), though Mephibosheth replied as King David's servant, King David never address him as servant in his speech. Instead he called Mephibosheth as the Master's son [grandson].
That despite our inabilities, despite our lack mentality... Daddy God does not see all these. HE sees Jesus in us, HE sees Jesus love FOR us. Coz of Jesus's love, we shall be lifted up. Coz of Jesus's love, we shall be encouraged. Coz of Jesus's love, we shall not be forgotten. Coz of Jesus, we are never seen as servants.
Jesus so willingly loves us. HE chose to be punished, whacked, humilated so that we are brought to be together with HIM and Daddy God, in unison.
Servants are never in the position to be near their Master. They are never allowed to question, never allowed to ask. They are to always obey and to work and toil hard to earn their Master's favour.
But coz of Jesus, (Rejoice!) we are no longer servants! Daddy God sees us as His children, expounding HIS richness, explaining HIS love actions for us in HIS ways. We are even allowed to talk, question verses while we meditate. At times, we got angry wondering why this and that happened to us... yet Daddy God sees us without a spot. Coz of Jesus willingly died for us, We are (now) drawn so much closer to HIM.
I love this love HE showed me, in HIS time, coz before all these, I was wandering in dryness... avoiding fellowships and even wanna rebel much more. His love has curbed the rebel in me.
Psalm113 [amplified]
6Who humbles Himself to regard the heavens and the earth!(A)
7[The Lord] raises the poor out of the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap and the dung hill,
8That He may seat them with princes, even with the princes of His people.
That Jesus humbled Himself first, so that we are qualified to receive Daddy God's help when we are down. (which was why verse 6 was there before verse 7).
Verse 7 and 8 brings me to the context of Mephibosheth, the verse (2 samuel 9) which Selene shared with me, the verse shared during service recently.
That despite Mephibosheth's disabilities (he was crippled on not 1, but BOTH FEET), King David lifted him up to eat at the same table as him. And in that entire verse (2 samuel 9), though Mephibosheth replied as King David's servant, King David never address him as servant in his speech. Instead he called Mephibosheth as the Master's son [grandson].
That despite our inabilities, despite our lack mentality... Daddy God does not see all these. HE sees Jesus in us, HE sees Jesus love FOR us. Coz of Jesus's love, we shall be lifted up. Coz of Jesus's love, we shall be encouraged. Coz of Jesus's love, we shall not be forgotten. Coz of Jesus, we are never seen as servants.
Jesus so willingly loves us. HE chose to be punished, whacked, humilated so that we are brought to be together with HIM and Daddy God, in unison.
Servants are never in the position to be near their Master. They are never allowed to question, never allowed to ask. They are to always obey and to work and toil hard to earn their Master's favour.
But coz of Jesus, (Rejoice!) we are no longer servants! Daddy God sees us as His children, expounding HIS richness, explaining HIS love actions for us in HIS ways. We are even allowed to talk, question verses while we meditate. At times, we got angry wondering why this and that happened to us... yet Daddy God sees us without a spot. Coz of Jesus willingly died for us, We are (now) drawn so much closer to HIM.
I love this love HE showed me, in HIS time, coz before all these, I was wandering in dryness... avoiding fellowships and even wanna rebel much more. His love has curbed the rebel in me.
Tuesday, July 3, 2007
isaiah 30:23
Then He will give the rain for your seed
With which you sow the ground,
And bread of the increase of the earth;
It will be fat and plentiful.
In that day your cattle will feed
In large pastures.
With which you sow the ground,
And bread of the increase of the earth;
It will be fat and plentiful.
In that day your cattle will feed
In large pastures.
A Worm crushed...
When Ps Prince talked about the worm in Ps22 last service, i'm reminded of something i've heard before...
the meaning of the the Hebrew word worm here is:
the scarlet dye produced by these worm i think is also used to make robes for royalties...
Christ died like a worm to give us the robe of righteousness with His blood to be princes and princesses!
then i checked the Greek word for scarlet in the new testament:
And they stripped him, and put on him a scarlet robe. - Matt27:28
i checked a dictionary... pulverised means powdered, ground into fine particles; crushed....
Jesus was crushed into powder by the Father for us to have the robe as well...
But I am a worm and not a man, scorned by men and despised by the people. -Ps 22:6
the meaning of the the Hebrew word worm here is:
1) worm, scarlet stuff, crimson
a) worm - the female 'coccus ilicis'
b) scarlet stuff, crimson, scarlet
1) the dye made from the dried body of the female of the worm "coccus ilicis"
2) worm, maggot
a) worm, grub
b) the worm "coccus ilicis"
about the worm...
"When the female of the scarlet worm species was ready to give birth to her young, she would attach her body to the trunk of a tree, fixing herself so firmly and permanently that she would never leave again. The eggs deposited beneath her body were thus protected until the larvae were hatched and able to enter their own life cycle. As the mother died, the crimson fluid stained her body and the surrounding wood. From the dead bodies of such female scarlet worms, the commercial scarlet dyes of antiquity were extracted.
What a picture this gives of Christ, dying on the tree, shedding his precious blood that he might 'bring many sons unto glory' (Hbr 2:10)! He died for us, that we might live through him! Psa 22:6 describes such a worm and gives us this picture of Christ. (cf. Isa 1:18)"
(Henry Morris. Biblical Basis for Modern Science, Baker Book House, 985, p. 73)
source here
the scarlet dye produced by these worm i think is also used to make robes for royalties...
Christ died like a worm to give us the robe of righteousness with His blood to be princes and princesses!
then i checked the Greek word for scarlet in the new testament:
And they stripped him, and put on him a scarlet robe. - Matt27:28
crimson, scarlet coloured. A kernel, the grain or berry of the "ilex coccifera"; these berries are the clusters of the eggs of a female insect, the "kermes" (resembling the cochineal), and when collected and pulverised produces a red which was used in dyeing (Pliny)
source here.
i checked a dictionary... pulverised means powdered, ground into fine particles; crushed....
Jesus was crushed into powder by the Father for us to have the robe as well...
1 John 5:13-15
13I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God that you may know that you have eternal life.
1John is where the doctrine of assurance can be found... how we know and be sure that we are saved... there's alot of "this is how we know..."s in this book...
14And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. 15And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him.
woah...
Monday, July 2, 2007
1 Samuel 9
Now David said, "Is there still anyone who is left of the house of Saul, that i may show him kindness (covenant faithfulness) for Jonathan's sake?"
1 Samuel 9:1
now Abba Father says, let Me show covenant faithfulness to Selene, my daughter, who has been redeemed and adopted into My household, through My Beloved Son's perfect sacrifice.
1 Samuel 9:1
now Abba Father says, let Me show covenant faithfulness to Selene, my daughter, who has been redeemed and adopted into My household, through My Beloved Son's perfect sacrifice.
dwelling on His Word for the week
this whole week im going to dwell on the message pastor preached yesterday. and just read it over and over and over again and let Holy Spirit lead me to nuggets of truths that will change my life
2 Samuel 9
So David said to him, “Do not fear, for I will surely show you kindness for Jonathan your father’s sake, and will restore to you all the land of Saul your grandfather; and you shall eat bread at my table continually.” (2 Samuel 9:7)
2 Samuel 9
So David said to him, “Do not fear, for I will surely show you kindness for Jonathan your father’s sake, and will restore to you all the land of Saul your grandfather; and you shall eat bread at my table continually.” (2 Samuel 9:7)
Sunday, July 1, 2007
why do we love....?
...We love because He first loved us...
...anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen. - 1John 4:19-20
Mark 13
Mark 13:3-13
The Signs of the Times and the End of the Age
- v11. Now when they take you [to court] and put you under arrest, do not be anxious beforehand about what you are to say nor [even ] meditate about it; but say whatever is given you in that hour and at the moment, for it is not you who will be speaking, but the Holy Spirit.
This is one time Jesus tells you NOT to meditate!!! LoL
I believe this verse can also be applied to sharing the gospel with others, and also when you are offering advice or counsel to others. No point trying to memorise sermon notes and preach to ppl. I believe the Holy Spirit will bring to your remembrance all things and teach you (John 14:26) what to say at the right time!
The Signs of the Times and the End of the Age
- v11. Now when they take you [to court] and put you under arrest, do not be anxious beforehand about what you are to say nor [even ] meditate about it; but say whatever is given you in that hour and at the moment, for it is not you who will be speaking, but the Holy Spirit.
This is one time Jesus tells you NOT to meditate!!! LoL
I believe this verse can also be applied to sharing the gospel with others, and also when you are offering advice or counsel to others. No point trying to memorise sermon notes and preach to ppl. I believe the Holy Spirit will bring to your remembrance all things and teach you (John 14:26) what to say at the right time!
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