Matthew 6:8

"...For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him."

Matthew 26-28

Matthew 28:16-20 (Amplified)
The Great Commission

- v20. ... and behold, I am with you all the days (perpetually, uniformly, and on every occasion), to the [very] close and consummation of the age. Amen (so let it be).

Matthew 24-25

Matthew 25:14-30
The Parable of the Talents

- v15 And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability; and immediately he went on a journey.

- v21 His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’

Matthew 23

Hmm... I find it quite intriguing that a passage on Jesus rebuking the scribes and Pharisees can speak to me....

Matthew 23:1-36
Woe to the Scribes and Pharisees

- v2-3. ... The religion scholars and Pharisees are competent teachers in God's Law. You won't go wrong in following their teachings on Moses. But be careful about following them. They talk a good line, but they don't live it...

Nothing wrong with the Law, something wrong with following the wrong people...

- v4. Instead of giving you God's Law as food and drink by which you can banquet on God, they package it in bundles of rules, loading you down like pack animals.

Ahhhh.... I never saw the Law in this way before!! Hence, all the parables about the kingdom of God as wedding banquets???

- v8-10. ... You all have a single Teacher, and you are all classmates. Don't set people up as experts over your life, letting them tell you what to do. Save that authority for God; let him tell you what to do No one else should carry the title of 'Father'; you have only one Father, and he's in heaven....

Again, follow God, don't follow people.

- v11. But he who is greatest among you shall be your servant.

I've seen this in earlier chapters but it's only here where I heard the Spirit speak to me that when your leaders ask you to start serving in church, they are setting you up for greatness!!!

- v13. But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you shut up the kingdom of heaven against men; for you neither go in yourselves, nor do you allow those who are entering to go in.

If they had entered into the kingdom themselves, I don't think they would be the way they are! Hence, if you have truly experienced God's love for you, you will be transformed supernaturally!

-v15. Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you travel land and sea to win one proselyte, and when he is won, you make him twice as much a son of hell as yourselves.

In other words, hai ci nang!!!!

- v23. “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith.

Justice, mercy and faith...

- v27 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which indeed appear beautiful outwardly, but inside are full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness.

For some reason, this verse speaks to me that there is no point buying a nice (white) car but inside I'm dead and dry in paying it off...

Matthew 20-22

Matthew 20:17-34 (The Message)
To Drink From The Cup

- v24-28. "When the ten others heard about this, they lost their tempers, thoroughly disgusted with the two brothers. So Jesus got them together to settle things down. He said, "You've observed how godless rulers throw their weight around, how quickly a little power goes to their heads. It's not going to be that way with you. Whoever wants to be great must become a servant. Whoever wants to be first among you must be your slave. That is what the Son of Man has done: He came to serve, not be served—and then to give away his life in exchange for the many who are held hostage."

Matthew 18-19

Matthew 18:21-35 (The Message)
A Story About Forgiveness

- v32-33. The king summoned the man and said, 'You evil servant! I forgave your entire debt when you begged me for mercy. Shouldn't you be compelled to be merciful to your fellow servant who asked for mercy?'


I have been asking God about where to draw the line between generosity and people abusing your generosity. In other words, when is it neow to ask back for even $1? Is it with regards to the dollar amount, or with regards to principles? If someone owes you $1,000, I'm sure you'll wanna get the money back. But if someone owes you $1, do you still not ask for it back?

I'm not saying that we nitpick about who owes you money. I'm talking about cases whereby the person who is paying the money is not giving it out of generosity, but rather is lending the money/paying first to be paid back later.

I believe Pastor preached before that if you wanna lend someone money, then be prepared to not take it back, else don't lend. But in a case of sincere forgetfulness on the borrower's end, and you ask for your money back, wouldn't you agree with me that there is a sense of "condemnation/smallness of heart" especially when the amount owed is a small sum?

And I've observed that this is why some people don't bother to ask for their money back, in the event that they might be paiseh or give the wrong impression to others that they are being miserly. And in such cases, it isn't fair to the person who lends and it might lead to abuse in future.

My personal stand is this. If the borrower continuously forgets/refuses to pay back what he owes me, then I won't waste time chasing him down. I'll take it as a gift that I bless him with and in future, I won't lend him money liao lor.

And I think God has confirmed this to me in this passage, because the king (a person of higher authority) actually chased for the debt owed by his servant (a person of lower authority), and only cancelled the servant's debt when the servant begged for mercy. And the king compelled the servant to do the same to his fellow servants who asked for mercy. So in essence, it is with regards to the principle, and not the dollar amount, since the fellow servant owed the servant ($20) much much less than what the servant owed the king ($10,000)!


Matthew 19:13-30 (The Message)
To Enter God's Kingdom

- v23 As he watched him go, Jesus told his disciples, "Do you have any idea how difficult it is for the rich to enter God's kingdom?"

- v28-30 Jesus replied, "Yes, you have followed me. In the re-creation of the world, when the Son of Man will rule gloriously, you who have followed me will also rule, starting with the twelve tribes of Israel. And not only you, but anyone who sacrifices home, family, fields—whatever—because of me will get it all back a hundred times over, not to mention the considerable bonus of eternal life. This is the Great Reversal: many of the first ending up last, and the last first."

Matthew 17

Matthew 17:14-21
A Boy is Healed

- v20. So Jesus said to them, “Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you."

Matthew 16

Matthew 16:5-12
The Leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees

- v8-10. "But Jesus, aware of this, asked, Why are you discussing among yourselves the fact that you have no bread? O you [men, how little trust you have in Me, how] little faith!

Do you not yet discern (perceive and understand)? Do you not remember the five loaves of the five thousand, and how many [small hand] baskets you gathered?

Nor the seven loaves for the four thousand, and how many [large provision] baskets you took up?"

I just found out that parking at my workplace costs only $20/mth. That is ridiculously cheap considering that HDB parking is already $65/mth!!! And with an office that's less than 5km from where I live, I think a full tank of petrol a month is about roughly how much I need to utilise to go to work every month!!

The only thing I need now is..... a car!!!! And my Heavenly Father knows I need all these things. (Matt 6:32)

A 2nd hand Subaru R1 (small 4-seat cute car) costs ~$30,000
A 2nd hand Honda Integra (4-seat sports car) costs ~$70,000
A 2nd hand BMW Z4 (2-seat convertible) costs ~$130,000

And we're not even talking about brand new cars here. The R1 would take be about 3 years to save up just to buy it, 7 years for the Integra, and 13 years of the Z4. And we're not even factoring in petrol, maintenance and insurance costs, or even savings for retirement and investments... and what if I wanna get married and buy a condo/house????

Now I'm not intending to buy a car right now at this moment. I will only consider getting a car when I have the cash on hand. What I want to say is this - when I look at the whole big picture, it is impossible for me to afford ANY car anytime soon based on my current circumstances and abilities. But with God, all things are possible! I really don't know how, and I don't see any solution or way out. But I know Jesus fed 5,000 ppl with 5 loaves and 2 fish, and He fed 4,000 with 7 loaves and some fish - all with plenty leftover to spare.

And this is the only time where Jesus says, "O you men, how little trust you have in Me, how little faith!" (All the previous verses are simply "O you of little faith.") It was Jesus who gave me this position I have now. Why wouldn't He give me the car, and the house too? And He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? (Romans 8:32)

Matthew 15

Oh today's quiet time is awesome! I have multiple revelations just in one short chapter compared to previous chapters that are so long!!! Isn't it like God to do exactly the opposite of what man might expect? Haha But I'll share the biggest revelation here. =)

Matthew 15:1-20
Defilement Comes from Within

- v3-6. But Jesus put it right back on them. "Why do you use your rules to play fast and loose with God's commands? God clearly says, 'Respect your father and mother,' and, 'Anyone denouncing father or mother should be killed.' But you weasel around that by saying, 'Whoever wants to, can say to father and mother, What I owed to you I've given to God.' That can hardly be called respecting a parent. You cancel God's command by your rules.

I heard this teaching before but I never saw this another way. I always thought that the scribes and Pharisees taught this "teaching" to the people so that those who don't want to honour their parents can use this as an excuse not to honour them. But then, I realised that for this reason alone, it does not benefit the scribes and Pharisees at all. So what is the true motive that the scribes and Pharisees taught this twisted "teaching" to the people? They wanted the people's MONEY! They're misleading people's good and sincere intentions of honouring their parents by telling the people that you can "honour" your parents by giving everything that is meant for your parents to the temple, and they make it seem like it's "honouring" God at the same time! Notice the use of subtle persuasion by them saying "whoever wants to..." so it doesn't seem pressurising at all.

For more than a year since I've come to New Creation, I've been thinking about what some people in my previous church are doing. I've heard of students who empty their bank accounts to give to church building funds. And I'm stumbled because I do not know whether to consider this an act of faith or an act of stupidity.

Now, one of the people I know who did this was somehow still supernaturally provided for, and she claims that her family has been even more blessed since she did it. But I asked her, "Did your parents know about it when you gave everything to the church?" She said, "No."

Now, don't get me wrong, if I'm God, and I see this young woman of God give up everything to me, of course I would surely bless her everything back and more! But my point here is this, I felt like she shouldn't have done it because the money is not hers. Her parents gave it to her for her own living expenses, and she should be a responsible steward over it. I did ask a leader in NCC about this before and she told me that I shouldn't judge other people's intentions, maybe she really did have a revelation to give. So my question is this, where do I draw the line between an act of faith and an act of stupidity?

Then it was only during the recent pre-Zone briefing by Pastor Daniel and Pastor Lian where God revealed it all to me. Because of the way I have been taught in my previous church, I have tendencies of "expressing my faith" by doing things that might be a little pushing the limits of common sense and accountability, such as I even told a sister once that it is ok to come to church despite her parents' objections because in this way, she is putting God first. Zeal without knowledge, so they say. I have since repented and told that sister what Pastor Lian shared, that it is Christ-exalting for people who are still depending on their parents to be subject to them - she said it specifically, "God doesn't want you to lie to come to church."

So based on this same principle that you are still subject to your parents if you are still under their care , I feel that the money that they give you should also be used responsibly and wisely. If I found out that my child had given all that she had to the church and now has nothing left to spend on food, I'd be mighty angry!!! Such irresponsible acts only put God and the church in a negative light!!! If my child is a grown adult and is earning his/her own income, he/she can choose to do whatever she wants with his/her money and I would respect that.

Matthew 14

Matthew 14:13-21
Feeding the Five Thousand
Matthew 14:22-33
Jesus Walks on the Sea

- v13-14. "When Jesus heard it, He departed from there by boat to a deserted place by Himself. But when the multitudes heard it, they followed Him on foot from the cities. And when Jesus went out He saw a great multitude; and He was moved with compassion for them, and healed their sick."

- v22-23. "Immediately Jesus made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, while He sent the multitudes away. And when He had sent the multitudes away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. Now when evening came, He was alone there."

Jesus' cousin, John the Baptist, just got beheaded by Herod. Isn't it comforting to know that Jesus can emphatise with our griefs? Jesus is also fully man as He is fully God. He wanted to be alone by Himself, some time to Himself, and despite his sadness, He was still so selfless and ministered to the multitudes that came to him with their own problems.

Matthew 13

Matthew 13:18-23 (Amplified)
The Parable of the Sower Explained

- v21. Yet it has no real root in him, but is temporary (inconstant, lasts but a little while); and when affliction or trouble or persecution comes on account of the Word, at once he is caused to stumble [he is repelled and begins to distrust and desert Him Whom he ought to trust and obey] and he falls away.

You know, we always joke about how some of our actions might stumble our brothers and sisters in Christ, but what does "stumble" really mean? To me I thought it was just falling down and getting up again. Nope, highlighted in bold above is how serious are the consequences of "stumbling" someone.

Later on in v57-58, where Jesus returns to Nazareth and was rejected in his hometown,

- v57-58. And they took offense at Him [they were repelled and hindered from acknowledging His authority, and caused to stumble]. But Jesus said to them, A prophet is not without honor except in his own country and in his own house.

And He did not do many works of power there, because of their unbelief (their lack of faith in the divine mission of Jesus).

I guess you can stumble yourself too when you do not see the authority of Jesus in your leaders. Does it matter if the person who prays over you is a pastor, a leader or even a new believer who just joined your CG? For God has already ordained that by the foolishness of preaching, whether the person who prays for you is really speaking forth something for real or by fluke, you are still sozoed! (1 Cor 1:21)

Matthew 12:9-50

Matthew 12:38-45 (The Message)
Jonah-Evidence

- v39-40. Jesus said, "You're looking for proof, but you're looking for the wrong kind. All you want is something to titillate your curiosity, satisfy your lust for miracles. The only proof you're going to get is what looks like the absence of proof: Jonah-evidence. Like Jonah, three days and nights in the fish's belly, the Son of Man will be gone three days and nights in a deep grave.

Matthew 12:1-8

Matthew 12:1-8 (The Message)
In Charge of the Sabbath

- v6-8. "There is far more at stake here than religion. If you had any idea what this Scripture meant—'I prefer a flexible heart to an inflexible ritual'—you wouldn't be nitpicking like this. The Son of Man is no lackey to the Sabbath; he's in charge."

Remember "I desire mercy, not sacrifice" (Matt 9:13)? Or "I desire mercy, not religion" (Matt 9:13 MSG)? Here's one more variation of the same verse.

Matthew 11

Matthew 11:20-30 (The Message)
The Unforced Rhythms of Grace

- v28-30. "Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly."

And the "unforced rhythms of grace" is....?

- AMP v28-30. "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy-laden and overburdened, and I will cause you to rest. [I will ease and relieve and refresh your souls.]

29Take My yoke upon you and learn of Me, for I am gentle (meek) and humble (lowly) in heart, and you will find rest (relief and ease and refreshment and recreation and blessed quiet) for your souls.

30For My yoke is wholesome (useful, good--not harsh, hard, sharp, or pressing, but comfortable, gracious, and pleasant), and My burden is light and easy to be borne."

Matthew 10

In Matthew 10, Jesus gives his instructions for bringing in the harvest, briefs us on the authority & power given to us, how to handle persecutions, reassures us of His love for us, and what our rewards are.

It's a big mouthful, so give it a read!

Matthew 9:35-38 (The Compassion of Jesus)

Matthew 9:35-38
The Compassion of Jesus

- v37-38. "Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.”

This verse is just so true right now for The Zone concert. The harvest is so huge but the no of harvest hands are so few. In this case, we don't want to say "enough" and then the supply stops, neither do we want the harvest to be so huge that we can't handle it and we lose some souls in the process.

And do you know the Amplified for v38 says "So pray to the Lord of the harvest to force out and thrust laborers into His harvest."? Haha maybe all of us need a little push from the Lord. =)

Matthew 9:18-34

Matthew 9:18-26 (Amplified)
A Girl Restored to Life and a Woman Healed

- v24. "He said, Go away; for the girl is not dead but sleeping. And they laughed and jeered at Him."

Can you just imagine how Jesus felt? But yet He was so cool.

Matthew 9:27-30 (Amplified)
Two Blind Men Healed

- v29-30. "Then He touched their eyes, saying, According to your faith and trust and reliance [on the power invested in Me] be it done to you;

And their eyes were opened. And Jesus earnestly and sternly charged them, See that you let no one know about this."

I was asking God why Jesus would always tell people not to go and tell other people of their miracle and glorify God. And here, the Amplified Bible says that Jesus "earnestly" told them not to tell others.

Then I realised that even Jesus was sincerely not out to glorify Himself, even though He is the One who truly deserves all the credit. Previously, a healed leper was asked to show Himself to the priest to prove a point and fulfill scripture and not to spread the news too.

But in the end, the testimonies still get spread across all everywhere, and God is glorified. Because you don't purposely tell people to spread good news!!! It happens naturally!!! You cannot contain testimonies!!!

Matthew 9:14-17 (Jesus Is Questioned About Fasting)

Matthew 9:14-17
Jesus Is Questioned About Fasting

- v14. Then the disciples of John came to Him, saying, “Why do we and the Pharisees fast often, but Your disciples do not fast?”

For a moment I thought this was really funny. I have been asking God for a long time, "Why do Christians in other churches fast so much while we don't?"

Then I read this - "Your disciples do not fast". Hahahahaha Don't get me wrong. There is a time and place for everything; to do the right time at the right time. The following verses will show:

- v15. And Jesus said to them, “Can the friends of the bridegroom mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? But the days will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them, and then they will fast.

- v16. No one puts a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old garment; for the patch pulls away from the garment, and the tear is made worse.

- v17. Nor do they put new wine into old wineskins, or else the wineskins break, the wine is spilled, and the wineskins are ruined. But they put new wine into new wineskins, and both are preserved."

In the other words, don't do the wrong thing at the wrong time!!!! Jesus is not against fasting - He is against doing it at the wrong time. The disciples of John came to ask him a question about "whether to do it or not". Jesus replied them with "what's the reason for you doing it?"

And just before this in v.13, Jesus says "I desire mercy, not religion." (The Message)

Matthew 9:1-13

Matthew 9:9-13
Matthew the Tax Collector

- v13. But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy and not sacrifice.’ For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.”

Matthew 8:18-34

Matthew 8:16-17 (Amplified)
Many Healed After Sabbath Sunset

- v17. "And thus He fulfilled what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah, He Himself took [in order to carry away] our weaknesses and infirmities and bore away our diseases."

Jesus started mass healing people after He preached the Sermon on the Mount, and He mass healed on a Sabbath. And it is at this point where the Bible says He fulfills Isaiah 53:4.

Therefore, does that mean, your healing manifests together with spending time in/listening to the Word, and worshiping God (from earlier post on v7), and with physical/spiritual (inward) rest?