Friday, February 29, 2008
your authority
2 Corinthians 10:5-6
exercise your authority in the spiritual realm, and see results in your life.
Proverbs 31
- NIV v23 Her husband is respected at the city gate,
where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.
- Contemporary English Version
v23 Her husband is a well-known
and respected leader
in the city.
---------------------------------------------------------------------I think this answers the qn posed in v10 - who can find a capable, intelligent and virtuous woman?
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Proverbs 30
- v5 Every word of God is pure;
He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him.
- v33 ... So the forcing of wrath produces strife.
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Proverbs 29
- AMP v11 A [self-confident] fool utters all his anger, but a wise man holds it back and stills it.
- NKJV v26 Many seek the ruler’s favor,
But justice for man comes from the LORD.
- MSG v26 Everyone tries to get help from the leader,
but only God will give us justice.
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Management By Proverbs
I just finished the book, and I'm so awe-struck by part of its conclusion that I just have to share it here. Although it uses the context of the "workplace", you can just change that word to "school" or "home" or "church", and it makes perfect sense!
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For those of us who, for whatever reason, overlook the Father's instruction to "pay attention to my wisdom," Proverbs 19:27 speaks bluntly to the possible consequences:
"Stop listening to instruction, my son, and you will stray from the words of knowledge."
The verse tells us what we know to be true from personal experience. When there is a hiatus in our exposure to God's wisdom - when we "stop listening to instruction" - we become increasingly deaf to Scripture's advice for decision making. We tend to "stray from the words of knowledge," from God's path, in favour of the displeasing alternative. In the workplace, many of us construct our managerial house on the quicksand of human experience rather than building it on the rocks of divine wisdom. The natural result is that we sink into whatever thinking pattern is typical for our organisation, thereby becoming largely indistinguishable from our unbelieving and nominally believing colleagues. Sadly, our deafness to God's wisdom renders our witness mute.
Proverbs 28
- AMP v1 THE WICKED flee when no man pursues them, but the [uncompromisingly] righteous are bold as a lion.
- MSG v1 The wicked are edgy with guilt, ready to run off even when no one's after them;
Honest people are relaxed and confident, bold as lions.
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- AMP v20 A faithful man shall abound with blessings, but he who makes haste to be rich [at any cost] shall not go unpunished.
- MSG v20 Committed and persistent work pays off;
get-rich-quick schemes are ripoffs.
Monday, February 25, 2008
Proverbs 27
- AMP v1 DO NOT boast of [yourself and] tomorrow, for you know not what a day may bring forth.
- AMP v20 Sheol (the place of the dead) and Abaddon (the place of destruction) are never satisfied; so [the lust of] the eyes of man is never satisfied.
- AMP v21 As the refining pot for silver and the furnace for gold [bring forth all the impurities of the metal], so let a man be in his trial of praise [ridding himself of all that is base or insincere; for a man is judged by what he praises and of what he boasts].
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Proverbs 26
- MSG v2 You have as little to fear from an undeserved curse
as from the dart of a wren or the swoop of a swallow.
- MSG v4 Don't respond to the stupidity of a fool;
you'll only look foolish yourself.
- NKJV v11 As a dog returns to his own vomit,
So a fool repeats his folly.
- MSG v24-26 Your enemy shakes hands and greets you like an old friend,
all the while conniving against you.
When he speaks warmly to you, don't believe him for a minute;
he's just waiting for the chance to rip you off.
No matter how cunningly he conceals his malice,
eventually his evil will be exposed in public.
- MSG v27 Malice backfires;
spite boomerangs.
Saturday, February 23, 2008
Proverbs 25
- MSG v3 Like the horizons for breadth and the ocean for depth,
the understanding of a good leader is broad and deep.
- MSG v8 Don't jump to conclusions—there may be
a perfectly good explanation for what you just saw.
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Proverbs 24
- AMP v3 Through skillful and godly Wisdom is a house (a life, a home, a family) built, and by understanding it is established [on a sound and good foundation],
- AMP v4 And by knowledge shall its chambers [of every area] be filled with all precious and pleasant riches.
- AMP v5 A wise man is strong and is better than a strong man, and a man of knowledge increases and strengthens his power;--------------------------------------------------------
- NKJV v10 If you faint in the day of adversity,
Your strength is small.
- MSG v10 If you fall to pieces in a crisis,
there wasn't much to you in the first place.
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- AMP v16 For a righteous man falls seven times and rises again...
- MSG v16 No matter how many times you trip them up,
God-loyal people don't stay down long;
Soon they're up on their feet....
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- MSG v26 An honest answer
is like a warm hug.
- AMP 27 [Put first things first.] Prepare your work outside and get it ready for yourself in the field; and afterward build your house and establish a home.
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
As Christ is so are we in this world
And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.
If all authority has been given to Jesus and we are as He is in this world, then our words carry the same authority in heaven and on earth. Let's come together and set standards with our word and in our prayers, change lives. we have the authority, lets decree.
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Proverbs 22
- MSG v28 Don't stealthily move back the boundary lines
staked out long ago by your ancestors.
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- NKJV v29 Do you see a man who excels in his work?
He will stand before kings;
He will not stand before unknown men.
- AMP v29 Do you see a man diligent and skillful in his business? He will stand before kings; he will not stand before obscure men.
- MSG v29 Observe people who are good at their work—
skilled workers are always in demand and admired;
they don't take a backseat to anyone.
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Jeremiah 29:11
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.
Acts 20:35
"...And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive"
Monday, February 18, 2008
Proverbs 21
- NKJV v5 The plans of the diligent lead surely to plenty,
But those of everyone who is hasty, surely to poverty.
- AMP v5The thoughts of the [steadily] diligent tend only to plenteousness, but everyone who is impatient and hasty hastens only to want.
- AMP v30 There is no [human] wisdom or understanding or counsel [that can prevail] against the Lord.
- AMP v31 The horse is prepared for the day of battle, but deliverance and victory are of the Lord.
- MSGv31 Do your best, prepare for the worst—then trust God to bring victory.
Saturday, February 16, 2008
Proverbs 20
- NKJV v3 It is honorable for a man to stop striving,
Since any fool can start a quarrel.
- AMP v5 Counsel in the heart of man is like water in a deep well, but a man of understanding draws it out.
- MSG v10 Switching price tags and padding the expense account are two things God hates.
- AMP v14 It is worthless, it is worthless! says the buyer; but when he goes his way, then he boasts [about his bargain].
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- AMP v16 [The judge tells the creditor] Take the garment of one who is security for a stranger; and hold him in pledge when he is security for foreigners.
- AMP v16 Hold tight to collateral on any loan to a stranger;
beware of accepting what a transient has pawned.
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- AMP v18 Purposes and plans are established by counsel; and [only] with good advice make or carry on war.
- MSG v18 Form your purpose by asking for counsel,
then carry it out using all the help you can get.
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- MSG v22 Don't ever say, "I'll get you for that!"
Wait for God; he'll settle the score.
- MSG v23 God hates cheating in the marketplace;
rigged scales are an outrage.
- AMP v24 Man's steps are ordered by the Lord. How then can a man understand his way?
- AMP v25 It is a snare to a man to utter a vow [of consecration] rashly and [not until] afterward inquire [whether he can fulfill it]
Friday, February 15, 2008
on the fourteenth of february...
(from a beloved sister's email)
For God so loVed the world,
that He gAve
His onLy
begottEn
SoN
That whoever
believes In Him
should Not perish
but have Everlasting life.
He was despised and rejected by men so that we will forever be esteemed with His favour surrounding like a shield.
The greatest lover is Christ Himself, He gave us Himself. be romanced by Him! :)
Blessed Valentine's Day - Blessed Jesus Day!
Proverbs 19
- AMP v2 Desire without knowledge is not good, and to be overhasty is to sin and miss the mark.
- MSG v2 Ignorant zeal is worthless;
haste makes waste.
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- AMP v4 Wealth makes many friends, but the poor man is avoided by his neighbor.
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- NKJV v6 Many entreat the favor of the nobility,
And every man is a friend to one who gives gifts.
- AMP v6 Many will entreat the favor of a liberal man, and every man is a friend to him who gives gifts.
- MSG v6 Lots of people flock around a generous person;
everyone's a friend to the philanthropist.
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- NKJVv7 All the brothers of the poor hate him;
How much more do his friends go far from him!
He may pursue them with words, yet they abandon him.
- AMP v7 All the brothers of a poor man detest him--how much more do his friends go far from him! He pursues them with words, but they are gone.
- MSG v7 When you're down on your luck, even your family avoids you—
yes, even your best friends wish you'd get lost.
If they see you coming, they look the other way—
out of sight, out of mind.
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- NKJV v11 The discretion of a man makes him slow to anger,
And his glory is to overlook a transgression.
- AMP v11 Good sense makes a man restrain his anger, and it is his glory to overlook a transgression or an offense.
- MSG v11 Smart people know how to hold their tongue;
their grandeur is to forgive and forget.
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- NKJV v21 There are many plans in a man’s heart,
Nevertheless the LORD’s counsel—that will stand.
- AMP v21 Many plans are in a man's mind, but it is the Lord's purpose for him that will stand.
- MSG v21 We humans keep brainstorming options and plans,
but God's purpose prevails.
Thursday, February 14, 2008
His Blood is on you....
7 Then the high priest rose up, and all those who were with him (which is the sect of the Sadducees), and they were filled with indignation, 18 and laid their hands on the apostles and put them in the common prison. 19 But at night an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and brought them out, and said, 20 “Go, stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this life.”
21 And when they heard that, they entered the temple early in the morning and taught. But the high priest and those with him came and called the council together, with all the elders of the children of Israel, and sent to the prison to have them brought.
Apostles on Trial Again
22 But when the officers came and did not find them in the prison, they returned and reported, 23 saying, “Indeed we found the prison shut securely, and the guards standing outside[a] before the doors; but when we opened them, we found no one inside!” 24 Now when the high priest,[b] the captain of the temple, and the chief priests heard these things, they wondered what the outcome would be. 25 So one came and told them, saying,[c] “Look, the men whom you put in prison are standing in the temple and teaching the people!”
26 Then the captain went with the officers and brought them without violence, for they feared the people, lest they should be stoned. 27 And when they had brought them, they set them before the council. And the high priest asked them, 28 saying, “Did we not strictly command you not to teach in this name? And look, you have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this Man’s blood on us!”
29 But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: “We ought to obey God rather than men. 30 The God of our fathers raised up Jesus whom you murdered by hanging on a tree. 31 Him God has exalted to His right hand to be Prince and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. 32 And we are His witnesses to these things, and so also is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey Him.”
Gamaliel’s Advice
33 When they heard this, they were furious and plotted to kill them. 34 Then one in the council stood up, a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law held in respect by all the people, and commanded them to put the apostles outside for a little while. 35 And he said to them: “Men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what you intend to do regarding these men. 36 For some time ago Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody. A number of men, about four hundred, joined him. He was slain, and all who obeyed him were scattered and came to nothing. 37 After this man, Judas of Galilee rose up in the days of the census, and drew away many people after him. He also perished, and all who obeyed him were dispersed. 38 And now I say to you, keep away from these men and let them alone; for if this plan or this work is of men, it will come to nothing; 39 but if it is of God, you cannot overthrow it—lest you even be found to fight against God.”
40 And they agreed with him, and when they had called for the apostles and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. 41 So they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His[d] name. 42 And daily in the temple, and in every house, they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ.
Acts 5:7-42
what man can throw at you will not prevail because you are of the Lord. what you can do will come to nothing, what He can do through you can amount to eternal resonance.
Proverbs 18
- NKJV v1 A man who isolates himself seeks his own desire;
He rages against all wise judgment.
- AMP v1 HE WHO willfully separates and estranges himself [from God and man] seeks his own desire and pretext to break out against all wise and sound judgment.
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- NKJV v13 He who answers a matter before he hears it,
It is folly and shame to him.
- MSG v13 Answering before listening
is both stupid and rude.
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Proverbs 17
- AMP v27 He who has knowledge spares his words, and a man of understanding has a cool spirit.
- MSG v27 The one who knows much says little;
an understanding person remains calm.
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Just when u think Jumper is cool....
Act 8:38-40(Amplified)
38And he ordered that the chariot be stopped; and both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and [Philip] baptized him.
39And when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord [suddenly] caught away Philip; and the eunuch saw him no more, and he went on his way rejoicing.
40But Philip was found at Azotus, and passing on he preached the good news (Gospel) to all the towns until he reached Caesarea.
NLT reveals this even more vividly.
36 As they rode along, they came to some water, and the eunuch said, “Look! There’s some water! Why can’t I be baptized?”[d] 38 He ordered the carriage to stop, and they went down into the water, and Philip baptized him.
39 When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord snatched Philip away. The eunuch never saw him again but went on his way rejoicing. 40 Meanwhile, Philip found himself farther north at the town of Azotus. He preached the Good News there and in every town along the way until he came to Caesarea.
Hahaz.... just thought that it's amusing. Thanks to Celeste who shared this with me. Hahaz... it's great to read the bible and discover so many cool stuff. =)
Proverbs 16
- MSG v1 Mortals make elaborate plans, but God has the last word.
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- AMP v3 Roll your works upon the Lord [commit and trust them wholly to Him; He will cause your thoughts to become agreeable to His will, and] so shall your plans be established and succeed.
- MSG v3 Put God in charge of your work,
then what you've planned will take place.
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- AMP v9 A man's mind plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps and makes them sure.
- MSG v9 We plan the way we want to live,
but only God makes us able to live it.
Monday, February 11, 2008
zephaniah 3:17
The Mighty One, will save;
He will rejoice over you with gladness,
He will quiet you with His love,
He will rejoice over you with singing.
think about all those times you did great stuff and your parents were really happy with you, they sure didnt rejoice over you with singing. but our heavenly Father rejoices over us with singing even when we are at our worst behaved, and even when He knows exactly whats going on in our minds.
Proverbs 15
- NKJV v13 A merry heart makes a cheerful countenance,
But by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.
- MSG v13 A cheerful heart brings a smile to your face;
a sad heart makes it hard to get through the day.
Sunday, February 10, 2008
Cooking mama......
Ah yes, the embarrassing video that was taken when everyone was playing cooking mama.
:P
Once again, I am very thankful to Daddy God for blessing me with a wonderful CG with wonderfully amazing people who fit nicely together like a jigsaw puzzle to form a beautiful picture. It was great fellowshipping with kingdom friends, knowing that we are one big family and being there for each other through thick and thin.
I am indeed deeply loved, highly favored and greatly blessed.
Proverbs 14
- MSG v10 The person who shuns the bitter moments of friends
will be an outsider at their celebrations.
- AMP v30 A calm and undisturbed mind and heart are the life and health of the body, but envy, jealousy, and wrath are like rottenness of the bones.
Saturday, February 9, 2008
Proverbs 13
- NKJV v4 The soul of a lazy man desires, and has nothing;
But the soul of the diligent shall be made rich.
- NKJV v10 By pride comes nothing but strife,
But with the well-advised is wisdom.
- KJV v10 Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised is wisdom.
- MSG v19 Souls who follow their hearts thrive;
fools bent on evil despise matters of soul.
Friday, February 8, 2008
Proverbs 12
- NKJV v5 The thoughts of the righteous are right,
But the counsels of the wicked are deceitful.
- AMP v5 The thoughts and purposes of the [consistently] righteous are honest and reliable, but the counsels and designs of the wicked are treacherous.
- MSG v5 The thinking of principled people makes for justice;
the plots of degenerates corrupt.
Thursday, February 7, 2008
Proverbs 11
- v14 Where there is no counsel, the people fall;
But in the multitude of counselors there is safety.
I was so bound by this verse until only very very recently. I always thought that if you didn't take the advice of the multitude of counselors (who always happen to give u the same standard advice simply because all the counselors come from the same church and follow the same pastor), you walk out of the will of God; you are a proud fool and your own path will lead to destruction; you leave safety.
Then after I visited YSWA, I realised that, qi2 guai4, how come the same piece of advice doesn't apply to everyone. Why? Because everyone leads very different lives! When you step out of school, your peers are not your "classmates", they dun go through the same life as you do. And then I found out, that the grace of God is such that it doesn't turn us into religious robots who lead the same life.
Now, am I saying that it's alright to not heed the advice of not having pre-marital sex/take drugs/sin? No, of course not. But the problem here is, life isn't that simple all the time - you cannot put everyone's life into a box. And at the end of the day, whoever's advice you take and whatever decision you make, you bear the consequences of your own decisions. The multitude of counselors won't offer restitution if their advice turns out to be wrong for you.
So what now? Is there no more safety in the multitude of counselors? Have we been so sheltered that we can no longer face life's uncertainties outside the confines of our youth ministry? Why is it that the Bible says that the sons of the world are wiser than the children of light?
I asked God this and He told me to check out Heb 4:12 -
"For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart."
The Word of God is alive. Other than the 10% tithe (which is not even compulsory), nowhere does it say "it is recommended to stay in your first job for 3 years", nowhere does it say "you should not get attached until you start work" - and who says after you start work, you are automatically qualified to be financially stable to start a relationship? , nowhere does it say "if God brought you to this church, then stay here, because if you leave, you miss what He has in store for you here." - this was what the multitude of counselors in my ex-church told me. Wow, I guess I really screwed up my life now that I'm here in NCC....
I'm not against taking advice from multitude of counselors. I'm just saying the Spirit has already been given to you to help you discern whose advice applies to you. We should not live in fear with this belief that (I did!) if you do not take the advice of the multitude of counselors, then you are taking a longer detour to get to where God wants you to go. Who wants to go take a walk in the valley of the shadow of death for fun? Thus, I was SO bound by that statement - and I believe that is what you call "spiritual blackmail".
Now, there is such a release and freedom (to me, at least) when you know that:
a) not taking the advice of the multitude of counselors does NOT mean that you walk out of the will of God - advice/recommendations/insert-whatever
b) you have access to wisdom and peace from the Holy Spirit in you to discern which piece of advice impresses upon you and is applicable to you
c) you bear the consequences of your own decisions - at the end of the day, no counselor is going to take any responsibility for that.
I'll end with what Joyce Meyer says in her "Everyday Life Bible" with regards to Provers 11:14.
"Proverbs 11:14 teaches us that there is safety in a multitude of counselors. Do you have wise, godly people who can provide sound counsel in your life? If so, consult them often. Never put them ahead of God, and do not let them make your final decisions, because those should be made between you and God. However, wise counselors are valuable, and if you do not have such people in your life, ask God to send them."
Thank you Joyce Meyer! I am so looking forward to seeing you at Hillsong Conference in July! =)
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
build up the prayer life
22 And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, 23 which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.
ephesians 1:15-23
this is a prayer Kenneth Hagin prayed over himself daily. and i believe as our eyes are being enlightened and we are empowered with the spirit of wisdom and revelation, we will become who make a difference in this kingdom just by being in the holy of holies.
Proverbs 10
- v6 Blessings are upon the head of the [uncompromisingly] righteous (the upright, in right standing with God) but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
Proverbs 9
- v4-6 Lady Wisdom goes to town, stands in a prominent place,
and invites everyone within sound of her voice:
"Are you confused about life, don't know what's going on?
Come with me, oh come, have dinner with me!
I've prepared a wonderful spread—fresh-baked bread,
roast lamb, carefully selected wines.
Leave your impoverished confusion and live!
Walk up the street to a life with meaning."
Monday, February 4, 2008
Proverbs 6-8
- v34 Blessed (happy, fortunate, to be envied) is the man who listens to me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors.
- v35 For whoever finds me [Wisdom] finds life and draws forth and obtains favor from the Lord.
- v36 But he who misses me or sins against me wrongs and injures himself; all who hate me love and court death.
Saturday, February 2, 2008
We can charge up the atmosphere when we come in as ONE, singing praises, thanking as ONE.
2 Chronicles 5:11-14 (NKJV)
11 And it came to pass when the priests came out of the Most Holy Place (for all the priests who were present had sanctified themselves, without keeping to their divisions),
12 and the Levites who were the singers, all those of Asaph and Heman and Jeduthun, with their sons and their brethren, stood at the east end of the altar, clothed in white linen, having cymbals, stringed instruments and harps, and with them one hundred and twenty priests sounding with trumpets—
13 indeed it came to pass, when the trumpeters and singers were as one, to make one sound to be heard in praising and thanking the LORD, and when they lifted up their voice with the trumpets and cymbals and instruments of music, and praised the LORD, saying:
“For He is good,
For His mercy endures forever,”
that the house, the house of the LORD, was filled with a cloud,
14 so that the priests could not continue ministering because of the cloud; for the glory of the LORD filled the house of God.
The congregation moved together in unity to praise and thank the Lord, and the glory of the Lord filled the temple, filled His house.
For the Evangelistic concert later, let's charge up the atmosphere as a body of believers, worshipping Daddy as ONE and praise Him as ONE, out loud! That God's Presence shall fill the house, then the house shall be filled with the cloud, then the manifestation of His glory, which is... the salvation of many pre-believers shall come! AMEN!!!
Friday, February 1, 2008
Proverbs 5
-v21-23 Mark well that God doesn't miss a move you make;
he's aware of every step you take.
The shadow of your sin will overtake you;
you'll find yourself stumbling all over yourself in the dark.
Death is the reward of an undisciplined life;
your foolish decisions trap you in a dead end.