Friday, January 8, 2010
Welcome to 2010!
Choose God & Abundance this Year!
We had our very first cell meeting of the year last evening! There seems to be a sense of His presence with us and that is just so encouraging! Clearly, everyone was glad to see everyone, and there was a very comforting sense of familiarity, I am sure all would agree. :)
Living 'On Target'
God's Spirit was with us and prompted us to position ourselves, fortify our team, so that we can be Christians that live 'ON TARGET', not just generic and vague. It is a prime (and subtle) strategy of our enemy to keep us as generic and vague Christians, so let's refuse that and break out of it! The following are first steps to more actively involving everyone, in fact, mobilising everyone, to do greater things for Him this year!
Everyone can Lead
This year, we will continue with the concept of a Roster for leading our weekly meetings. This arrangement was well received in the last few months and we have decided to continue doing this. We want everyone to feel a sense of ownership to this group, and to use the gifts, talents and inspiration God has given you in this fellowship group setting. [I will be e-mailing the roster and members' contact list shortly.] Each group will be responsible for leading worship and sharing, and this year, we have also scheduled musicians (Sharon requested this!) :)
The 'A' Team
In addition, we have also assigned various roles to our members, as follows:
Simon & Audrey - Social Service Coordinators
Teik & Gim - Treasurers*
Chai Lih & Joyce - Prayer Coordinators
Susan - Birthday Coordinator
Sharon, Paul, Simon, Kah Lin - Musicians
Don't worry if some of you don't see your names here yet - we are working on your special roles and will mobilise you in due time! :)
We brainstormed a bit on how best to coordinate prayer and suggested a few things. We shall leave Chai Lih and Joyce to think thru' this a little more and propose to us what's the best arrangement. Our vision in this space is simply that we want to leverage on prayer to move God's hand in matters that matter - eg. claiming salvation for our loved ones, upholding members who are facing challenges, etc.
Kingdom Building Fund
* For a start, as suggested at last night's 'AGM', we would like to invite each member to contribute $20 into a Cell Group Fund. This will mainly be used to cover the costs of our social outreach activities, birthday gifts for members, and get-well gifts for members/their parents or children. Kindly arrange to pass this to our Treasurers, Teik and Gim, at our next meeting (22 Jan). We will only request the next collection after the funds are depleted (don't worry, we will try to go easy on our wallets.) :)
Our First Social Service Effort!
What better way to kick-off the New Year than to bring cheer to our friends at PeaceHaven Nursing Home! Today (9 Jan) marks a historic start in our community service endeavour. We had a lovely time with a bunch of folks and brought songs (incl. Teresa Teng's), conversation and energy to them. Of course, our young ambassadors - Josiah, Eleanor and Ian - stole the show outright! Cheers to Simon and Audrey for helping us get this off the ground! This is not just going to be ECA, but will be an integral component of our fellowship life, as we seek to be more community-centric Christians, to bring His fragrance into the lives of many.
So, here's wishing you all, my dear brothers and sisters, a year of abundance, as we put God first in our lives!
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Sharing on 28 August 2009
Learning to Flourish During Difficult Times
by Joshua
Introduction
We live in a very uncertain world. Many predict that difficult times are ahead. But regardless of what is happening around us, we need not be shaken. We don’t have to live in fear. We need not panic or live constantly in despair. Jesus said in John 16: 33 , In this world, you will have troubles. But take heart, I have overcome the world”. In fact, the uncertain times are golden opportunity for Christians to live out our faith. He wants to demonstrate to the world that He takes care of His children even in difficult times. Our God reigns over our lives. If God is for us, who can be against us”. Roman 8:31
Isaac Flourished in the midst of difficult times
There are wonderful stories in the OT of how took care His servants and children during difficult times. This evening, we would like to focus on of His servants, Isaac. We can learn much from Isaac, especially how he flourished during difficult times. Genesis 26: 26:1- 6; 12 -22 records two major problems Isaac faced.
The first struggle was an economic disaster
We read in verse 1 that there was a famine in the land. There was not enough food for his family and his servants if he had stayed in the land. There was not enough grass for his flocks and herds too. Economically he was devastated by the famine. He had no choice but to pack and leave. Where would he go? Egypt would be a natural choice. In the past, His father, Abraham went to Egypt. And Egypt at that was well watered by River Nile. We read that Isaac went to King Abimelech in Gerar, instead. As Egypt was far way, perhaps Gerar was the waiting place before he could make his move to Egypt. But Gerar was not spared from famine. Now the defining moment of his life came at this least expected place. He had an encounter with God. In verse 2, we read, “the Lord appeared to Isaac and said, do not go to Egypt; live in the land where I tell you to live, stay in this land for a while, and I will be with you and will bless you”. And Isaac obeyed the Lord”.
What happened next? As an act of obedience, Isaac sowed seeds in the land of famine. In the same year, he reaped a hundredfold harvest. He became rich, but not only that, his wealth increased until he was very rich. Gen 26:13. He prospered right in the land of famine. This is awesome. God did the miracle. God provides and takes care of us when we are in the right place, strategically aligned to His purposes even when the prevailing circumstances in that place may not be to our liking or preference. Isaac was where God wanted him to be. He was obedient to what God told him to do. He stayed in that place. He sowed seed in that land. He trusted the Lord. And God prospered him. Where God plants us, He will prosper us and make us fruitful despite real or apparent challenges. Amen.
The second struggle was an unwanted opposition (Gen 26:14 -33)
As Isaac prospered, the people of Gerar became very envious of him. They teamed up together to drive Isaac away. Their strategy was simple - to fill up the wells of Isaac with dirt and earth. How did Isaac respond? He did not waste his energy defending his wells. He moved away from the city of Gerar and dug a new well. But the herdsmen of Gerar pursued him there too and made an unreasonable claim over the wells for their flocks. He did not confront them although he had every reason to do so. It is interesting to note that Isaac was simply re-digging the wells that belonged to the father. Isaac was a peace-loving person. He preferred not to have strife with the people. So he and his servants moved on and dug another well and the same thing happened. And so they moved on and dug another well again. This time there were no disturbances from the Philistines. No more disputes. No more conflicts. This time he enjoyed rest and peace in this place. So Isaac named it “Rehoboth” which means a large room; a large place. He said the Lord has given us a large place and we will flourish in this land”. What a wonderful confession and declaration.
Perhaps some of at this time us may be facing unwarranted opposition and challenges in our work places, in your businesses or even among your relatives. We may feel we are being bullied and chased from place to place. We may feel being unfairly treated and taken advantage of. There may be some “Philistines” mocking at you and trying to make your life very difficult and even miserable. Take courage from the life of Isaac. If we know we are in the right place and rightly aligned to His purposes and His callings in our lives, we need not follow the methods of the world – defensive and fight to the end. Don’t misunderstand me. Sometime the right thing to do is to dig in and fight. But there are also times when we have to let go and move on. We need wisdom and discernment from God. He will show us what to do as He did for Nehemiah when he was intimidated by Sanballat. He fought the battle with the help of the Lord. Friends, not all battles are worth fighting. There are times God will engage us in spiritual warfare. There are also times He will tell us that the battle belongs to Him. In such times, all we have to do is to stand still and see the glory of God as King Jehoshaphat did. We need to be discerning to the Holy Spirit and do what is right in that situation. The major truth we can learn from Isaac is that God vindicates His servant in the midst of unwarranted opposition and resistance. He brought him to a larger place to flourish.
Conclusion
Are you where God wants you to be? If you are, then hang in there. God is bringing you into your “Rehoboth” – a large place and He will cause you to flourish. He is going to take care of you and allow you to flourish even in the midst of your perplexing and difficult circumstances. We must live by faith and not by sight. To conclude, Isaac’s experiences and responses inspire us to go back to the basics. What are they?
Isaac sought the Lord.
He listened to the Lord.
He obeyed the Lord.
He acted on his faith by sowing seed in the land of famine.
And he prospered. Hallelujah!
by Joshua
Introduction
We live in a very uncertain world. Many predict that difficult times are ahead. But regardless of what is happening around us, we need not be shaken. We don’t have to live in fear. We need not panic or live constantly in despair. Jesus said in John 16: 33 , In this world, you will have troubles. But take heart, I have overcome the world”. In fact, the uncertain times are golden opportunity for Christians to live out our faith. He wants to demonstrate to the world that He takes care of His children even in difficult times. Our God reigns over our lives. If God is for us, who can be against us”. Roman 8:31
Isaac Flourished in the midst of difficult times
There are wonderful stories in the OT of how took care His servants and children during difficult times. This evening, we would like to focus on of His servants, Isaac. We can learn much from Isaac, especially how he flourished during difficult times. Genesis 26: 26:1- 6; 12 -22 records two major problems Isaac faced.
The first struggle was an economic disaster
We read in verse 1 that there was a famine in the land. There was not enough food for his family and his servants if he had stayed in the land. There was not enough grass for his flocks and herds too. Economically he was devastated by the famine. He had no choice but to pack and leave. Where would he go? Egypt would be a natural choice. In the past, His father, Abraham went to Egypt. And Egypt at that was well watered by River Nile. We read that Isaac went to King Abimelech in Gerar, instead. As Egypt was far way, perhaps Gerar was the waiting place before he could make his move to Egypt. But Gerar was not spared from famine. Now the defining moment of his life came at this least expected place. He had an encounter with God. In verse 2, we read, “the Lord appeared to Isaac and said, do not go to Egypt; live in the land where I tell you to live, stay in this land for a while, and I will be with you and will bless you”. And Isaac obeyed the Lord”.
What happened next? As an act of obedience, Isaac sowed seeds in the land of famine. In the same year, he reaped a hundredfold harvest. He became rich, but not only that, his wealth increased until he was very rich. Gen 26:13. He prospered right in the land of famine. This is awesome. God did the miracle. God provides and takes care of us when we are in the right place, strategically aligned to His purposes even when the prevailing circumstances in that place may not be to our liking or preference. Isaac was where God wanted him to be. He was obedient to what God told him to do. He stayed in that place. He sowed seed in that land. He trusted the Lord. And God prospered him. Where God plants us, He will prosper us and make us fruitful despite real or apparent challenges. Amen.
The second struggle was an unwanted opposition (Gen 26:14 -33)
As Isaac prospered, the people of Gerar became very envious of him. They teamed up together to drive Isaac away. Their strategy was simple - to fill up the wells of Isaac with dirt and earth. How did Isaac respond? He did not waste his energy defending his wells. He moved away from the city of Gerar and dug a new well. But the herdsmen of Gerar pursued him there too and made an unreasonable claim over the wells for their flocks. He did not confront them although he had every reason to do so. It is interesting to note that Isaac was simply re-digging the wells that belonged to the father. Isaac was a peace-loving person. He preferred not to have strife with the people. So he and his servants moved on and dug another well and the same thing happened. And so they moved on and dug another well again. This time there were no disturbances from the Philistines. No more disputes. No more conflicts. This time he enjoyed rest and peace in this place. So Isaac named it “Rehoboth” which means a large room; a large place. He said the Lord has given us a large place and we will flourish in this land”. What a wonderful confession and declaration.
Perhaps some of at this time us may be facing unwarranted opposition and challenges in our work places, in your businesses or even among your relatives. We may feel we are being bullied and chased from place to place. We may feel being unfairly treated and taken advantage of. There may be some “Philistines” mocking at you and trying to make your life very difficult and even miserable. Take courage from the life of Isaac. If we know we are in the right place and rightly aligned to His purposes and His callings in our lives, we need not follow the methods of the world – defensive and fight to the end. Don’t misunderstand me. Sometime the right thing to do is to dig in and fight. But there are also times when we have to let go and move on. We need wisdom and discernment from God. He will show us what to do as He did for Nehemiah when he was intimidated by Sanballat. He fought the battle with the help of the Lord. Friends, not all battles are worth fighting. There are times God will engage us in spiritual warfare. There are also times He will tell us that the battle belongs to Him. In such times, all we have to do is to stand still and see the glory of God as King Jehoshaphat did. We need to be discerning to the Holy Spirit and do what is right in that situation. The major truth we can learn from Isaac is that God vindicates His servant in the midst of unwarranted opposition and resistance. He brought him to a larger place to flourish.
Conclusion
Are you where God wants you to be? If you are, then hang in there. God is bringing you into your “Rehoboth” – a large place and He will cause you to flourish. He is going to take care of you and allow you to flourish even in the midst of your perplexing and difficult circumstances. We must live by faith and not by sight. To conclude, Isaac’s experiences and responses inspire us to go back to the basics. What are they?
Isaac sought the Lord.
He listened to the Lord.
He obeyed the Lord.
He acted on his faith by sowing seed in the land of famine.
And he prospered. Hallelujah!
Saturday, May 30, 2009
29 May 2009
The Power of the Spoken Word
by Brother Teik
Tonight, brother Teik shares with us his precious daily practice of confessing his faith. We are happy to share his set of 5 declarations here for your reflection and use. Brother Teik prays these at the start and close of the day. What a beautiful way to open and close the day!
I also took the opportunity to do a quick search of the scriptures on the power of the spoken word, and leave the following verses with you:
First of all, God speaks the universe into existence! Genesis 1:3 - Then God said, "Let there be light, and there was light".
Mark 11:22-23 - [Jesus says] That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith.
John 6:63 - [Jesus says] The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life.
Proverbs 18:21 The tongue [spoken word] has the power of life and death.
(1) Taken from Dr. David Yonggi-Cho's 4th Dimensional Living in 3rd Dimensional World (pg.18-19)
I believe in Jesus Christ, my personal Saviour and Lord
I received forgiveness through the precious blood of Jesus Christ
I believe in the Holy Spirit who sanctifies me
I believe I shall be healed from sickness
I believe I shall be blessed
I believe in the Resurrection and in everlasting life in heaven
and I believe I'm a citizen of God.
(2) From Brain Bailey's 'Heaven's Glories and the Untold Terrors of Hell' (pg. 202)
Dear Lord, forgive me for my backsliding. Draw me again to You and graciously receive me. Strengthen me and cause me to walk in Thy ways, never again to leave the pathway of righteousness. Amen.
(3) A hymn by Lemmel from the Methodist Hymnal
Turn your eyes upon Jesus
Look full in His wonderful face
And the things of the earth will grow strangely dim
In the light of His glory and grace.
(4) At the Close of Day (prayer)
O Lord my God, I thank thee that thou has brought this day to its close. I thank thee that thou dost give rest to body and soul. Thy hand has been over me, guarding me and preserving me.
Forgive my feeble faith and all the wrong I have done this day, and help me to forgive all who have wronged me.
Grant that I may sleep in peace beneath thy care and defend me from the temptations of darkness. Into thy hands I commend my loved ones, I commend this household, I commend my body and soul. O God, thy holy name be praised. Amen.
(5) The prayer of Saint Francis
Lord, make me an instrument of thy peace
Where there is hatred, let me sow love
Where there is injury, pardon
Where there is doubt, faith
Where there is despair, hope
Where there is darkness, light
And where there is sadness, joy.
O Divine Master,
Grant that I may not so much seek
To be consoled as to console
To be understood, as to understand
To be loved, as to love
For it is in giving that we receive.
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned
And it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
by Brother Teik
Tonight, brother Teik shares with us his precious daily practice of confessing his faith. We are happy to share his set of 5 declarations here for your reflection and use. Brother Teik prays these at the start and close of the day. What a beautiful way to open and close the day!
I also took the opportunity to do a quick search of the scriptures on the power of the spoken word, and leave the following verses with you:
First of all, God speaks the universe into existence! Genesis 1:3 - Then God said, "Let there be light, and there was light".
Mark 11:22-23 - [Jesus says] That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith.
John 6:63 - [Jesus says] The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life.
Proverbs 18:21 The tongue [spoken word] has the power of life and death.
(1) Taken from Dr. David Yonggi-Cho's 4th Dimensional Living in 3rd Dimensional World (pg.18-19)
I believe in Jesus Christ, my personal Saviour and Lord
I received forgiveness through the precious blood of Jesus Christ
I believe in the Holy Spirit who sanctifies me
I believe I shall be healed from sickness
I believe I shall be blessed
I believe in the Resurrection and in everlasting life in heaven
and I believe I'm a citizen of God.
(2) From Brain Bailey's 'Heaven's Glories and the Untold Terrors of Hell' (pg. 202)
Dear Lord, forgive me for my backsliding. Draw me again to You and graciously receive me. Strengthen me and cause me to walk in Thy ways, never again to leave the pathway of righteousness. Amen.
(3) A hymn by Lemmel from the Methodist Hymnal
Turn your eyes upon Jesus
Look full in His wonderful face
And the things of the earth will grow strangely dim
In the light of His glory and grace.
(4) At the Close of Day (prayer)
O Lord my God, I thank thee that thou has brought this day to its close. I thank thee that thou dost give rest to body and soul. Thy hand has been over me, guarding me and preserving me.
Forgive my feeble faith and all the wrong I have done this day, and help me to forgive all who have wronged me.
Grant that I may sleep in peace beneath thy care and defend me from the temptations of darkness. Into thy hands I commend my loved ones, I commend this household, I commend my body and soul. O God, thy holy name be praised. Amen.
(5) The prayer of Saint Francis
Lord, make me an instrument of thy peace
Where there is hatred, let me sow love
Where there is injury, pardon
Where there is doubt, faith
Where there is despair, hope
Where there is darkness, light
And where there is sadness, joy.
O Divine Master,
Grant that I may not so much seek
To be consoled as to console
To be understood, as to understand
To be loved, as to love
For it is in giving that we receive.
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned
And it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
Sunday, May 24, 2009
22 May 2009
Not by Might, nor by Power...
Reflections on Jeremiah 17:5-8
This evening, we looked at Jeremiah 17:5-8. It talks of two kinds of people - those who trust in human beings and those who trust in God. Or, those who make flesh their strength vs those whose hope is in God.
The truth is, most people have this inclination of trusting in the strength of their flesh. Let's face it - it's a human tendency. We tend to believe in the seen and heard, and find it hard to believe by faith that which is unseen and not very obvious to our natural senses.
The men of God in the bible all had a distinctive quality - they trusted in God, even against huge and impossible odds. We immediately think of King Jehoshaphat and Gideon.
The Prayer of Jehoshaphat is worth meditating on (2 Chronicles 6-12). Perhaps you might like to consider doing this as a personal reflection for the week. As we examine and unpack Jehoshaphat’s prayer, we will find 3 stages, or principles. The first thing Jehoshaphat does in his prayer is he initiates praise; secondly, he identifies the problem, and thirdly, he implores God for help. You may wish to check out the following link for a good study guide on Jehoshaphat's Prayer. http://www.reformedtheology.ca/2chronicles20.htm
"Gideon & his Valiant Three Hundred" is the other remarkable story. God chose Gideon, a young man from an otherwise unremarkable clan from the tribe of Manasseh, to free the people of Israel and to condemn their worship of idols. Gideon started off with 32,000 men in his army. Ironically, God couldn't act when Gideon had this many. It was cut to 10,000, then finally to a mere 300. Could you imagine how Gideon, a rather tentative character, actually felt about being in this situation? His faith prevailed in the end, and the battle was won with 300.
From Jehoshaphat and Gideon, we learn 2 important perspectives -
(a) The battle is not yours but the Lord's. (2 Chronicles 20:15)
(b) The victory is not gained by might, nor by power, but by the Spirit of the Lord of Hosts. (Zech 4:6)
We had a good time of sharing this evening, and some key points emerged:
(a) God often gives us challenges and problems that are well beyond us, so that we can learn to trust Him. Indeed, it's usually the case that only when we have come to the end of ourselves that God begins to act. (He's really not in a hurry!)
(b) The simple disciplines of praying and reading the word are paramount and contain the secret to moving mountains! We call these 'disciplines' precisely because it's common to neglect these practices, and we really have to be intentional about it. Start by doing a little each day - do it no matter how little and whether we feel like it or not. God is pleased even if we take very small steps in the right direction, and He will enlarge our steps as we faithfully go along.
(c) The daily act of declaring God's Word and promises ushers the reality of God into our lives. (Teik practices this diligently and will teach us some of his daily declarations this coming Friday!) The world competes with God all the time for our attention, and vey often, we succumb to the attractions this world offers. We trust things that we can see, hear and touch. Actually, God is as real as these things, and it takes someone with a sensitised and awakened spirit to sense God standing next to you all this while. As we press in daily, we will become more sensitive to the presence and leading of God's Spirit. It's worth it and exciting - so let's all press in!
Have a blessed and victorious week! Remember to carve out a little time each day for reflection and pause a little to regain some perspective.
Reflections on Jeremiah 17:5-8
This evening, we looked at Jeremiah 17:5-8. It talks of two kinds of people - those who trust in human beings and those who trust in God. Or, those who make flesh their strength vs those whose hope is in God.
The truth is, most people have this inclination of trusting in the strength of their flesh. Let's face it - it's a human tendency. We tend to believe in the seen and heard, and find it hard to believe by faith that which is unseen and not very obvious to our natural senses.
The men of God in the bible all had a distinctive quality - they trusted in God, even against huge and impossible odds. We immediately think of King Jehoshaphat and Gideon.
The Prayer of Jehoshaphat is worth meditating on (2 Chronicles 6-12). Perhaps you might like to consider doing this as a personal reflection for the week. As we examine and unpack Jehoshaphat’s prayer, we will find 3 stages, or principles. The first thing Jehoshaphat does in his prayer is he initiates praise; secondly, he identifies the problem, and thirdly, he implores God for help. You may wish to check out the following link for a good study guide on Jehoshaphat's Prayer. http://www.reformedtheology.ca/2chronicles20.htm
"Gideon & his Valiant Three Hundred" is the other remarkable story. God chose Gideon, a young man from an otherwise unremarkable clan from the tribe of Manasseh, to free the people of Israel and to condemn their worship of idols. Gideon started off with 32,000 men in his army. Ironically, God couldn't act when Gideon had this many. It was cut to 10,000, then finally to a mere 300. Could you imagine how Gideon, a rather tentative character, actually felt about being in this situation? His faith prevailed in the end, and the battle was won with 300.
From Jehoshaphat and Gideon, we learn 2 important perspectives -
(a) The battle is not yours but the Lord's. (2 Chronicles 20:15)
(b) The victory is not gained by might, nor by power, but by the Spirit of the Lord of Hosts. (Zech 4:6)
We had a good time of sharing this evening, and some key points emerged:
(a) God often gives us challenges and problems that are well beyond us, so that we can learn to trust Him. Indeed, it's usually the case that only when we have come to the end of ourselves that God begins to act. (He's really not in a hurry!)
(b) The simple disciplines of praying and reading the word are paramount and contain the secret to moving mountains! We call these 'disciplines' precisely because it's common to neglect these practices, and we really have to be intentional about it. Start by doing a little each day - do it no matter how little and whether we feel like it or not. God is pleased even if we take very small steps in the right direction, and He will enlarge our steps as we faithfully go along.
(c) The daily act of declaring God's Word and promises ushers the reality of God into our lives. (Teik practices this diligently and will teach us some of his daily declarations this coming Friday!) The world competes with God all the time for our attention, and vey often, we succumb to the attractions this world offers. We trust things that we can see, hear and touch. Actually, God is as real as these things, and it takes someone with a sensitised and awakened spirit to sense God standing next to you all this while. As we press in daily, we will become more sensitive to the presence and leading of God's Spirit. It's worth it and exciting - so let's all press in!
Have a blessed and victorious week! Remember to carve out a little time each day for reflection and pause a little to regain some perspective.
Saturday, May 9, 2009
8 May 09
'Love One Another'
This evening, there was no agenda other than just coming together and catching up. It was a return to the basics of fellowship... where we gathered just to share hearts and be there for one another.
Everyone shared what's going well in their lives and what's been challenging, and we joined hands and entreated of the Lord together.
Some of us shared afterwards that it seemed we are growing closer and our corporate prayer seems to have taken on a new quality and momentum. I was heartened by this comment.
It is such a joy and privilege to share lives. When we do, we almost feel that we were made for this.
The Godhead is a community, and community is indeed the ultimate pattern for living. Jesus movingly exhorted... "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." (John 13:34-35)
This evening, there was no agenda other than just coming together and catching up. It was a return to the basics of fellowship... where we gathered just to share hearts and be there for one another.
Everyone shared what's going well in their lives and what's been challenging, and we joined hands and entreated of the Lord together.
Some of us shared afterwards that it seemed we are growing closer and our corporate prayer seems to have taken on a new quality and momentum. I was heartened by this comment.
It is such a joy and privilege to share lives. When we do, we almost feel that we were made for this.
The Godhead is a community, and community is indeed the ultimate pattern for living. Jesus movingly exhorted... "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." (John 13:34-35)
Monday, April 27, 2009
17 April 09 (Week 7 on the theme "Standing on God's Word")
The Mysteries of Christ
By Paul
Paul shared a very interesting message on the 'mysteries of Christ'. He talks about the 6 mysteries and skillfully strings scripture together to present a coherent understanding and fascinating perspectives into the mysteries of Christ...
__________
Unlocking the Mysteries of Christ allow us to understand salvation, the wisdom, and the grace of God in a new way. Being saved is only the first step of the journey to inherit the Kingdom of God, and to be joint heirs with Him. When we understand these mysteries and see their connectivity, it will also help us understand the progression in our spiritual walk that will lead us towards godliness and eternal life in heaven.
Mystery 1 - Jesus Christ, our Redeemer. 1 Cor 2:7 and Eph 3:3. The role of Christ in God's redemptive plan for humankind was a big secret. In fact it was kept as a secret or mystery for such a long time that even the principalities and powers did not know (otherwise they would not have crucified him). God had to keep the purpose of Jesus' life and the significance of His death, a mystery to all, only revealed by the Spirit to the discerning. This is the first step in our eternal journey towards the heavenly Kingdom of God. To acknowledge the power and gift of God, which is Jesus Christ our Redeemer and Saviour.
Mystery 2 - the salvation of the Gentiles. Eph 5:32 and Eph 3:6. As I read the bible, I am so thankful that it was possible for salvation to be given only to the believing Jews and that would have been the end of the matter for everyone else, including the Gentiles. In His mercy and wisdom, the bible tells us that it was also a secret that Christ's death would atone for the sins of the Gentiles, as well as the Jews. The ingrafting of the wild olive branch (Gentiles) to the olive tree (the Jews) will form a new tree - an allegory indicating that the Church of Jesus Christ, His pure and spotless Bride, is the splicing of both Jews and Gentiles as one. This is the second step in our journey where the body is slowly built up. Stone by stone, person by person, from all over the world.
Mystery 3 - the Kingdom of God. Matt 13:11. The bible tells us that the Kingdom of God is at hand. Jesus therefore explained that He had to explain the mystery of the Kingdom, what its like, how to get there etc through parables. Of course, telling interesting stories is one way to get many people's attention, but really the crux is that for the listeners to know exactly what those stories mean - they had to be give revelation by the Holy Spirit. The way we enter into foreign countries and kingdoms today is through road, rail and airplane. To enter the Kingdom of God, one must enter it through the Spirit. This is the third step where our salvation and call will lead us to our heavenly country, our eternal home - the kingdom of God.
Mystery 4 - Christ in us, the Hope of Glory. Col 1:26. Just like Jews in the old days who had to climb the steep slopes up to Jerusalem every year, to ascend the spiritual hill of the Lord will require discipline and sacrifice. Its tough. As we prepare ourselves to enter and claim the Kingdom of God, we must endure persecution and hardship. The good news is we can do it with Christ dwelling in us. His person alone is not sufficient for us to enjoy the benefits of the mysteries revealed, it is Him in us, that is key to receiving glory. This is the fourth step and its very much like the first step. We have to repent of our sins and ask the Lord to enter into our hearts for us to be saved. Only with Him inside us, can we have the hope of glory. There can be no hope of any eternal glory for anyone who does not invite Christ into their heart.
Mystery 5 - the power of Resurrection. 1 Cor 15:51. Some will ask, if I seek after the kingdom of God, and do everything that pleases the Lord, will I have eternal life immediately or will I still pass away in the world. If there is no difference in the outcome compared to other religions, then what are the sacrifices of the Christian life worth? Well, the good news is Resurrection is another great mystery too. We don't know exactly how it works scientifically, but we do know by faith that death will have no grip over us Christians - through Christ, we will enjoy the power of resurrection, and more specifically, the resurrection unto life. This is what counts at the end. The true manifestation and promise of eternal life, is the absence of death. With God, He has promised that temporary physical death or separation will be overturned and a new body will be given to us.
Mystery 6 - the Mystery of Godliness. 1 Tim 3:16.. This kind of starts of, and sums up, the whole topic of the mysteries of Christ. The proof that Christ is real, he is not a ghost or pure spirit being (as was falsely preached by the agnostics), that He as God's plan for salvation also ushers in a new era where we live by the Spirit and not by flesh, He was really revealed to the principalities and powers, He is not just for the Jews etc.
God manifest in the flesh, --> John 1:14
Justified in the Spirit, --> Matt 3:16
Seen by angels, --> Matt 28:32
Preached amongst gentiles, --> Roms 10:18
Believed on in the world, --> Col 1:16
Received up in glory. --> Luke 24:51
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
3 April 09 (Week 6 on the theme "Standing on God's Word")
History's Greatest Master of Metaphors
by Wan Chung
Tonight, we started off by looking at God's instructions for the building of the tabernacle in Exodus 25-31.
We pondered on what these very elaborate instructions tell us about who God is.
Extravant, Grand, Lavish, Detailed, Exacting, Richly-Symbolic...
We picked up on this last one about God's extravagant use of symbols. God uses colours, numbers and things to represent ideas and meanings.
Then, we reflected on how we don't quite see God presenting Himself - grand and glorious - in the NT. Where has this God gone to? Where is the fire, cloud and smoke?
The metaphor has switched from Lion to Lamb...
What is a 'symbol'? A symbol has 2 parts - meaning and expression. The God of the Universe is a God who uses symbols, He is a God who communicates. In the NT, He continues to communicate thru' symbols - except this time, He uses parables, allegories, metaphors, songs - or stories.
In Exodus, God was building a physical temple - He used artisans and physical materials. In the NT, Jesus would build living temples (1 Cor 3:16, 1 Cor 6:19 2 Cor 6:16 ). Transforming lives necessitate the use of relational tools. Jesus used relational tools and strategies to engage, provoke and capture his audience - stories, conversations and lots and lots of questions.
In Exodus and much of the OT, He communicated His glory. In NT times, He communicated His grace.
Jesus is one great fellow of a storyteller. The Gospel is one magnificent story. The Bible, from cover to cover, is one unbroken chain of stories...
Someone said 'The future belongs to the storytellers, especially those who can build stories around arresting metaphors and compelling images'.
Today, we prefer 'analysis' over stories. While analysis is good for control and prediction, story-sensibility is good for understanding meaning and role.
The great Chinese storytellers of old waxed lyrical and enchanted their audience in the teahouses and hidden corners of Yangzhou. Their legacy is the perfected art of storytelling...
Parables
Jesus recognised the power of story. He used parables and indeed purportedly only used these in teaching the masses. He knew that parables would provoke thought and coax his listeners into participating more actively as they consider the parables' ambiguous content.
The parables were simple and memorable enough to survive in an oral tradition before being writen down years after Jesus' death.
Questions
Nowadays, asking questions and conversation have been elevated to the coveted status of 'art'.
McDonalds was created when Ray Kroc asked 'Where can I get a good hamburger on the road?' The Theory of Relativity came about when Einstein asked 'What would the universe look like if I were riding on the end of a light beam at the speed of light?'
If asking good questions is so critical,why don’t most of us spend more of our time and energy on discovering and framing them? Our culture and education system focuses on having the “right answer” rather than discovering the “right question.” Quizzes, examinations, and aptitude
tests all reinforce the value of correct answers. Is it any wonder that most of us are uncomfortable with not knowing? The aversion in our culture to asking creative questions is linked to an emphasis on finding quick fixes and an attachment to black/white, either/or thinking. (Just to stir your thoughts...)
Jesus recognised the power of questions.
Look at Luke 2:46 - Jesus was teaching in the temple, by listening and asking questions. One would typically associated the act of teaching with making statements. But, Jesus listened and asked questions. Jesus asked a total of 82 questions in the book of Matthew!
Now, look at Luke 24:13-35 (Road to Emmaus). 2 short lines in red (Jesus' words - they are open-ended questions) generated long responses from the 2 disciples. Questions are very powerful in provoking thought and reflection. "Did not our hearts burn within us while He talked with us on the road...?" The disciples later declared. What a powerful declaration! I wonder if I am also able to bring others to this sacred place of self-discovery and conviction...
The challenge I leave with us - How are we able to emulate the example of Jesus by using more stories and questions to build trust and relationships, and to provoke reflection and participation?
Rembrandt told the moving story of the prodigal son (Luke 15) with oil on canvas. This canvas hangs in The Hermitage in St. Petersburg today. Henri Nouwen encountered this story told through the window of art, through a print of it in 1983, and his life was never the same again. The Prodigal Son, with its main cast - the son, the elder brother, the loving father and the joyous community - became a powerful portrayal of a spiritual odyssey for him, which eventually led him to live and serve in a community of mentally handicapped persons.
by Wan Chung
Tonight, we started off by looking at God's instructions for the building of the tabernacle in Exodus 25-31.
We pondered on what these very elaborate instructions tell us about who God is.
Extravant, Grand, Lavish, Detailed, Exacting, Richly-Symbolic...
We picked up on this last one about God's extravagant use of symbols. God uses colours, numbers and things to represent ideas and meanings.
Then, we reflected on how we don't quite see God presenting Himself - grand and glorious - in the NT. Where has this God gone to? Where is the fire, cloud and smoke?
The metaphor has switched from Lion to Lamb...
What is a 'symbol'? A symbol has 2 parts - meaning and expression. The God of the Universe is a God who uses symbols, He is a God who communicates. In the NT, He continues to communicate thru' symbols - except this time, He uses parables, allegories, metaphors, songs - or stories.
In Exodus, God was building a physical temple - He used artisans and physical materials. In the NT, Jesus would build living temples (1 Cor 3:16, 1 Cor 6:19 2 Cor 6:16 ). Transforming lives necessitate the use of relational tools. Jesus used relational tools and strategies to engage, provoke and capture his audience - stories, conversations and lots and lots of questions.
In Exodus and much of the OT, He communicated His glory. In NT times, He communicated His grace.
Jesus is one great fellow of a storyteller. The Gospel is one magnificent story. The Bible, from cover to cover, is one unbroken chain of stories...
Someone said 'The future belongs to the storytellers, especially those who can build stories around arresting metaphors and compelling images'.
Today, we prefer 'analysis' over stories. While analysis is good for control and prediction, story-sensibility is good for understanding meaning and role.
The great Chinese storytellers of old waxed lyrical and enchanted their audience in the teahouses and hidden corners of Yangzhou. Their legacy is the perfected art of storytelling...
Parables
Jesus recognised the power of story. He used parables and indeed purportedly only used these in teaching the masses. He knew that parables would provoke thought and coax his listeners into participating more actively as they consider the parables' ambiguous content.
The parables were simple and memorable enough to survive in an oral tradition before being writen down years after Jesus' death.
Questions
Nowadays, asking questions and conversation have been elevated to the coveted status of 'art'.
McDonalds was created when Ray Kroc asked 'Where can I get a good hamburger on the road?' The Theory of Relativity came about when Einstein asked 'What would the universe look like if I were riding on the end of a light beam at the speed of light?'
If asking good questions is so critical,why don’t most of us spend more of our time and energy on discovering and framing them? Our culture and education system focuses on having the “right answer” rather than discovering the “right question.” Quizzes, examinations, and aptitude
tests all reinforce the value of correct answers. Is it any wonder that most of us are uncomfortable with not knowing? The aversion in our culture to asking creative questions is linked to an emphasis on finding quick fixes and an attachment to black/white, either/or thinking. (Just to stir your thoughts...)
Jesus recognised the power of questions.
Look at Luke 2:46 - Jesus was teaching in the temple, by listening and asking questions. One would typically associated the act of teaching with making statements. But, Jesus listened and asked questions. Jesus asked a total of 82 questions in the book of Matthew!
Now, look at Luke 24:13-35 (Road to Emmaus). 2 short lines in red (Jesus' words - they are open-ended questions) generated long responses from the 2 disciples. Questions are very powerful in provoking thought and reflection. "Did not our hearts burn within us while He talked with us on the road...?" The disciples later declared. What a powerful declaration! I wonder if I am also able to bring others to this sacred place of self-discovery and conviction...
The challenge I leave with us - How are we able to emulate the example of Jesus by using more stories and questions to build trust and relationships, and to provoke reflection and participation?
Rembrandt told the moving story of the prodigal son (Luke 15) with oil on canvas. This canvas hangs in The Hermitage in St. Petersburg today. Henri Nouwen encountered this story told through the window of art, through a print of it in 1983, and his life was never the same again. The Prodigal Son, with its main cast - the son, the elder brother, the loving father and the joyous community - became a powerful portrayal of a spiritual odyssey for him, which eventually led him to live and serve in a community of mentally handicapped persons.
Sunday, March 29, 2009
27 March 09 (Weeks 4 & 5 on the theme "Standing On God's Word")
Two Fridays ago, most of us were unable to come. It was a small group of 5 in all. Teik shared about the place, purpose and necessity of pain and suffering in our journey. And Kah Lin led in worship.
When I spoke with Michael afterwards, I found out that they had a rather phenomenal time together. It doesn't matter whether the group is big or small, so long as the Lord is present... They also decided to pray in a refreshingly different way - instead of the usual manner of supplication, they declared and appropriated the truth and promises of God with fervour and belief. As a result, God and His promises became very real and they received them in full measure. Praying like this, taking authority as rightful sons and daughters of God, certainly does something to one's faith! Faith literally rises up from within...
This last Friday, the momentum continues...
Susan shared on prayer, specifically the kind of prayer where the things and truths of God are spoken and declared into being. The key is to speak it out. Susan talked about how people are often pursuing the so-called 'rhema word' or the word in season, not realising that the rhema word can also simply be your spoken declaration of the word and promises of God. Your declaration makes the word real in your space and time. Your proclamation in others' lives makes the word real in their lives. We are partners with God to release the Word of Life - the word becomes real when we declare and appropriate it.
(1) Declare (Release) the Word
We don't just think that our families will be saved. We believe (in our hearts) and confess (with our mouths) that our families are saved! And so on...
Some of us who have been enthusiastically devouring Dr Yonggi Cho's The Fourth Dimension, recounted how Cho was in an utterly inadequate capacity at the beginning of his ministry, and how he bottomed out and decided one fine day on to just stand up (even in front of a mirror) and began declaring the promises of the word. How such faith and belief would turn things around for us!
"Declaration breaks Oppression". Resist the subtle advances of the enemy. Don't allow him to keep gaining ground in our lives. Let's take up our rightful authority in Christ, come against the adversary and declare 2 Cor 2:14 - God always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him.
So...
let's Read the Word, Declare it aloud, Appropriate it (believing you have received it).
(2) Be Specific in Your Request
Being specific in prayer does reveal our level of trust in the Giver. When we know that the person we ask is able to provide, we tend to be serious in our asking and therefore are specific.
Of course, we could be asking for things from a covetous angle but this is a separate issue. On this, we need to check our motives and go on maturing as Christians, grounding ourselves on the Word and Inspiration of God. As we grow and mature as Christians, what we ask for will quite naturally be aligned with His will. This is the point where the grand promise in Ps 37:4 will come to pass - "Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart".
Sometimes, we are hesitant to pray specific prayers because we aren't quite sure if what we are asking for is in line with God's plan for us. So, there may be a tendency to keep our prayers general. This is a reasonable sentiment. The answer?
When I spoke with Michael afterwards, I found out that they had a rather phenomenal time together. It doesn't matter whether the group is big or small, so long as the Lord is present... They also decided to pray in a refreshingly different way - instead of the usual manner of supplication, they declared and appropriated the truth and promises of God with fervour and belief. As a result, God and His promises became very real and they received them in full measure. Praying like this, taking authority as rightful sons and daughters of God, certainly does something to one's faith! Faith literally rises up from within...
This last Friday, the momentum continues...
Susan shared on prayer, specifically the kind of prayer where the things and truths of God are spoken and declared into being. The key is to speak it out. Susan talked about how people are often pursuing the so-called 'rhema word' or the word in season, not realising that the rhema word can also simply be your spoken declaration of the word and promises of God. Your declaration makes the word real in your space and time. Your proclamation in others' lives makes the word real in their lives. We are partners with God to release the Word of Life - the word becomes real when we declare and appropriate it.
(1) Declare (Release) the Word
We don't just think that our families will be saved. We believe (in our hearts) and confess (with our mouths) that our families are saved! And so on...
Some of us who have been enthusiastically devouring Dr Yonggi Cho's The Fourth Dimension, recounted how Cho was in an utterly inadequate capacity at the beginning of his ministry, and how he bottomed out and decided one fine day on to just stand up (even in front of a mirror) and began declaring the promises of the word. How such faith and belief would turn things around for us!
"Declaration breaks Oppression". Resist the subtle advances of the enemy. Don't allow him to keep gaining ground in our lives. Let's take up our rightful authority in Christ, come against the adversary and declare 2 Cor 2:14 - God always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him.
So...
let's Read the Word, Declare it aloud, Appropriate it (believing you have received it).
(2) Be Specific in Your Request
Being specific in prayer does reveal our level of trust in the Giver. When we know that the person we ask is able to provide, we tend to be serious in our asking and therefore are specific.
Of course, we could be asking for things from a covetous angle but this is a separate issue. On this, we need to check our motives and go on maturing as Christians, grounding ourselves on the Word and Inspiration of God. As we grow and mature as Christians, what we ask for will quite naturally be aligned with His will. This is the point where the grand promise in Ps 37:4 will come to pass - "Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart".
Sometimes, we are hesitant to pray specific prayers because we aren't quite sure if what we are asking for is in line with God's plan for us. So, there may be a tendency to keep our prayers general. This is a reasonable sentiment. The answer?
- Get to know God better and deeply through simple, daily spiritual disciplines, so we begin to understand His ways and plans more clearly.
- Wait on Him, focusing on Him more than the answer we are seeking.
- Let Him know our predicaments (even our struggle to pray specifically over something we are unsure about) and be totally open and honest with Him. He understands, and will give us peace and the way out.
In a more wonderful sense, when we are more utterly lost in wonder (of our infinite God), we may not worry too much about our style of prayer... our very lives become prayer and aroma rising up to Him.
3 passages of scripture were released on Friday. Let's receive these words into our lives. Let's declare these promises aloud, believing the reality or the realness of the message that these verses proclaim, in spite of our present realities or unbelief.
(a) Psalm 37:1-7
1 Do not fret because of evil men or be envious of those who do wrong;
2 for like the grass they will soon wither, like green plants they will soon die away.
3 Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.
4 Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart.
5 Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this:
6 He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun.
7 Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; do not fret when men succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes.
(b) 2 Cor 1:20
For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us.
(c) 2 Cor 2:14
But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him.
Sunday, March 8, 2009
6 March 09 (Week 3 on the theme "Standing on God's Word")
A Word in Season
“But David Encouraged Himself in the Lord” 1 Samuel 30:6
By Joshua Nathan
Introduction
It is a wonderful blessing to be encouraged by others when we face a crisis or an adversity. I thank God for many God’s servants who ministered to me in my low points of my life. But there are times in our lives when we are stripped of everything external and forced to depend solely on the Lord. The Lord may allow such times to come along our way as part His process of maturing us so that we learn what it means to encourage ourselves in the Lord as David did.
David’s Crisis
David went through a terrible crisis just before he was elevated as the King of Israel. This is recorded in 1 Samuel 30. The story begins with David and his 600 men returned to Ziklag. The three-day journey back to Ziklag was exhausting. They were anxious to be reunited with their wives and children. As they arrived at the city, they found the city burned to the ground, their homes destroyed. Their wives and children were kidnapped and taken away. The Amalakites had invaded the city and taken away all that was precious to David and to his men while they were in Aphek.
What a tragic day it was for David and his men. In verse 4, we read “....then David and the people who were with him lifted up their voice and wept, until they had no more power to weep”. Words could never adequately to express their great sense of loss and grief. If this tragedy was not enough, David was about to face a potential mutiny – we read in V:6 that the men were talking about stoning David for each was bitter in spirit because of their loved ones who were taken captive. And David was greatly distressed.
Why did this happen to David? Did the crisis come upon him because he was living in sin? Was David running away from God? No, he was not. On the contrary, he was walking in the will of God although he did not understand all that was happening to him at this time.
It is important to note that David at this point of time had already been anointed by Samuel to be the next King of Israel. Since then the manifest presence of the Holy Spirit was so evident in his life. Think of what must have gone through David’s mind as he stood over the ruin of his home, not knowing whether his family was alive or dead. Obviously, he must have asked the “Why?’ many times. If God is with me, why did Saul try to kill me? If I am the anointed King, why am I left to wander in this wilderness living from cave to cave, harassed, haunted down and living on handouts? And now, the Amalakites had taken away all that are precious to me. Why, me Lord? What have I done to deserve all these? We would ask the same questions if we are in similar situations. It is nothing wrong to ask these questions in the midst of perplexing situations.
David’s Response
With all these questions going through his mind, David was left alone. No one was there to comfort him, not even his best friend Jonathan. He was left alone to fend himself. Deep down in his heart, he knew he has been called, anointed and being raised to be the leader despite all the difficult circumstances he was going through. Can he afford to be discouraged and quit? Can he falter at this adversity and miss the blessing God has for him? What would be the repercussion on the 600 men who surrounded and supported him in the wilderness all this time? What would happen to the future of Israel? It was indeed a severe testing for David. He was at the brink of a breakthrough that would lead him to his destiny. But he had to make the right choice. So, how did he respond?
We read at the end of V:6 that “But David encouraged himself in the Lord” The NIV version reads, “But David found strength in the Lord his God”. It did not say “David encouraged himself”. How could an emotionally, physically and mentally drained and exhausted person encourage himself? We all know that it is not possible. He was very weak and at the lowest point of his life. What we read is that David encouraged himself in the Lord. Our God is the God of all comfort. What did he do? Verse 7 reads that he took a harp, retreated to a solitary place and began to sing songs of praise to God. They were not songs of his emotional state of sadness, grief or distress. Neither was he lamenting or bemoaning over his situation. Nothing was mentioned that David sang how he plunged himself into a valley of self-pity. Instead, David sang songs of the majesty and the power of God. He sang of the creator who had spoken the worlds into existence. He sang of the deliverer who gave him victories over the lion, the bear, Goliath and the Philistines. They were songs goodness, mercy and kindness of God.
Through this glorious time of praise and worship, David turned his attention away from his circumstances to the El-Shaddi – the almighty God. His response and actions speaks much about his character. The Bible describes him as a man who is after God’s own heart. In the midst of uncertainty and upheaval, God was David’s only constant. He knew God is above all. He knew that He is sovereign and in control over all the circumstances over his life.
Psalm 34, which was composed much earlier, further illustrates how David encouraged himself in the Lord during his low points in his life. These were the times when he had to hide from cave to cave to escape the wrath of King Saul and his soldiers. Psalm 34 was composed by David during such dark times in his life. The first three verses have been a great source of inspiration to many throughout ages. Verse 1 reads, “ I will bless the Lord at all times” – The key words are “I will” and “all times” – good times, bad times, great times and terrible times. He did not let his feelings to distract his view of God. He used his will to bless the Lord. The next verse reads, “His praise shall be in my mouth continually” – what a good way to keep complaining and grumbling confessions away from our mouths. The third verse is even more inspiring – “O magnify the Lord with me”. What does “magnify” means? It means to enlarge an object or make it bigger in perspective. When we magnify something with a magnifying glass, microscope, or telescope, we don’t change the reality of the object. We can’t make God any bigger than He already is, but we can magnify our perspective of God.
Do not magnify the devil. Do not magnify the negative circumstances. Do not magnify your troubles by analysing them with a magnifying glass. These will surely lead you to the pit of discouragement, despondency and eventually to depression. Instead, in the midst of your troubles and negative circumstances, magnify the Lord – speak of His greatness, His power, His might. Talk about how big our God is. When we make our God bigger, we make our problem smaller. This is the essence of David’s praise behind the lyrics, “O Magnify the Lord with me”.
David’s Victory
Tough times do not last long so long as we fix our eyes on the Lord and praise Him. David responded by magnifying His God and not his troubles. The Lord was pleased with his sacrifice of praise. In verse 8, we read, “So David inquired of the Lord saying, “Shall I pursue this troop? Shall I overtake them? And He answered him. “Pursue, for you shall surely overtake them and without fail recover all”. All that God spoke to David came to pass. God gave him a resounding victory over the Amalakites. In verse 19, we read, “And nothing of theirs was lacking, either small or great, sons or daughters, spoil or anything which they had taken from them. David recovered all”. What a great victory. He and his men were reunited to their families. There was much celebration in the camp.
Conclusion
No matter how dark, hopeless and bleak the future may look, God’s people are to encourage themselves in the Lord and rest in His great and precious promises. This is particularly important now as the world around us is plunging into a severe economic crisis. There is mush despair in the air. But we need not be shaken nor overwhelmed because we are the redeemed children of the almighty God. He is our Father. He will provide for us and even prosper us even in the midst of famine like in the days of Isaac.
Praise the Lord at all times. The devil comes to steal our joy. His scheme is to demoralise us. He knows that when we are weak, we cannot be effective in serving God. He entices the believer into morbid introspection. His aim is to paralyse us through depression. He is prowling around like a roaring lion ready to prey upon any one to deceive them. What must we do? We ought to discern the enemy’s schemes, take courage, pick ourselves and start praising the Lord even if you don’t feel like doing them. David passed the test as he stood at the brink of a blessing. He encouraged himself in the Lord despite the adversity. May we learn from King David and apply this principle in our daily life. Amen!
“But David Encouraged Himself in the Lord” 1 Samuel 30:6
By Joshua Nathan
Introduction
It is a wonderful blessing to be encouraged by others when we face a crisis or an adversity. I thank God for many God’s servants who ministered to me in my low points of my life. But there are times in our lives when we are stripped of everything external and forced to depend solely on the Lord. The Lord may allow such times to come along our way as part His process of maturing us so that we learn what it means to encourage ourselves in the Lord as David did.
David’s Crisis
David went through a terrible crisis just before he was elevated as the King of Israel. This is recorded in 1 Samuel 30. The story begins with David and his 600 men returned to Ziklag. The three-day journey back to Ziklag was exhausting. They were anxious to be reunited with their wives and children. As they arrived at the city, they found the city burned to the ground, their homes destroyed. Their wives and children were kidnapped and taken away. The Amalakites had invaded the city and taken away all that was precious to David and to his men while they were in Aphek.
What a tragic day it was for David and his men. In verse 4, we read “....then David and the people who were with him lifted up their voice and wept, until they had no more power to weep”. Words could never adequately to express their great sense of loss and grief. If this tragedy was not enough, David was about to face a potential mutiny – we read in V:6 that the men were talking about stoning David for each was bitter in spirit because of their loved ones who were taken captive. And David was greatly distressed.
Why did this happen to David? Did the crisis come upon him because he was living in sin? Was David running away from God? No, he was not. On the contrary, he was walking in the will of God although he did not understand all that was happening to him at this time.
It is important to note that David at this point of time had already been anointed by Samuel to be the next King of Israel. Since then the manifest presence of the Holy Spirit was so evident in his life. Think of what must have gone through David’s mind as he stood over the ruin of his home, not knowing whether his family was alive or dead. Obviously, he must have asked the “Why?’ many times. If God is with me, why did Saul try to kill me? If I am the anointed King, why am I left to wander in this wilderness living from cave to cave, harassed, haunted down and living on handouts? And now, the Amalakites had taken away all that are precious to me. Why, me Lord? What have I done to deserve all these? We would ask the same questions if we are in similar situations. It is nothing wrong to ask these questions in the midst of perplexing situations.
David’s Response
With all these questions going through his mind, David was left alone. No one was there to comfort him, not even his best friend Jonathan. He was left alone to fend himself. Deep down in his heart, he knew he has been called, anointed and being raised to be the leader despite all the difficult circumstances he was going through. Can he afford to be discouraged and quit? Can he falter at this adversity and miss the blessing God has for him? What would be the repercussion on the 600 men who surrounded and supported him in the wilderness all this time? What would happen to the future of Israel? It was indeed a severe testing for David. He was at the brink of a breakthrough that would lead him to his destiny. But he had to make the right choice. So, how did he respond?
We read at the end of V:6 that “But David encouraged himself in the Lord” The NIV version reads, “But David found strength in the Lord his God”. It did not say “David encouraged himself”. How could an emotionally, physically and mentally drained and exhausted person encourage himself? We all know that it is not possible. He was very weak and at the lowest point of his life. What we read is that David encouraged himself in the Lord. Our God is the God of all comfort. What did he do? Verse 7 reads that he took a harp, retreated to a solitary place and began to sing songs of praise to God. They were not songs of his emotional state of sadness, grief or distress. Neither was he lamenting or bemoaning over his situation. Nothing was mentioned that David sang how he plunged himself into a valley of self-pity. Instead, David sang songs of the majesty and the power of God. He sang of the creator who had spoken the worlds into existence. He sang of the deliverer who gave him victories over the lion, the bear, Goliath and the Philistines. They were songs goodness, mercy and kindness of God.
Through this glorious time of praise and worship, David turned his attention away from his circumstances to the El-Shaddi – the almighty God. His response and actions speaks much about his character. The Bible describes him as a man who is after God’s own heart. In the midst of uncertainty and upheaval, God was David’s only constant. He knew God is above all. He knew that He is sovereign and in control over all the circumstances over his life.
Psalm 34, which was composed much earlier, further illustrates how David encouraged himself in the Lord during his low points in his life. These were the times when he had to hide from cave to cave to escape the wrath of King Saul and his soldiers. Psalm 34 was composed by David during such dark times in his life. The first three verses have been a great source of inspiration to many throughout ages. Verse 1 reads, “ I will bless the Lord at all times” – The key words are “I will” and “all times” – good times, bad times, great times and terrible times. He did not let his feelings to distract his view of God. He used his will to bless the Lord. The next verse reads, “His praise shall be in my mouth continually” – what a good way to keep complaining and grumbling confessions away from our mouths. The third verse is even more inspiring – “O magnify the Lord with me”. What does “magnify” means? It means to enlarge an object or make it bigger in perspective. When we magnify something with a magnifying glass, microscope, or telescope, we don’t change the reality of the object. We can’t make God any bigger than He already is, but we can magnify our perspective of God.
Do not magnify the devil. Do not magnify the negative circumstances. Do not magnify your troubles by analysing them with a magnifying glass. These will surely lead you to the pit of discouragement, despondency and eventually to depression. Instead, in the midst of your troubles and negative circumstances, magnify the Lord – speak of His greatness, His power, His might. Talk about how big our God is. When we make our God bigger, we make our problem smaller. This is the essence of David’s praise behind the lyrics, “O Magnify the Lord with me”.
David’s Victory
Tough times do not last long so long as we fix our eyes on the Lord and praise Him. David responded by magnifying His God and not his troubles. The Lord was pleased with his sacrifice of praise. In verse 8, we read, “So David inquired of the Lord saying, “Shall I pursue this troop? Shall I overtake them? And He answered him. “Pursue, for you shall surely overtake them and without fail recover all”. All that God spoke to David came to pass. God gave him a resounding victory over the Amalakites. In verse 19, we read, “And nothing of theirs was lacking, either small or great, sons or daughters, spoil or anything which they had taken from them. David recovered all”. What a great victory. He and his men were reunited to their families. There was much celebration in the camp.
Conclusion
No matter how dark, hopeless and bleak the future may look, God’s people are to encourage themselves in the Lord and rest in His great and precious promises. This is particularly important now as the world around us is plunging into a severe economic crisis. There is mush despair in the air. But we need not be shaken nor overwhelmed because we are the redeemed children of the almighty God. He is our Father. He will provide for us and even prosper us even in the midst of famine like in the days of Isaac.
Praise the Lord at all times. The devil comes to steal our joy. His scheme is to demoralise us. He knows that when we are weak, we cannot be effective in serving God. He entices the believer into morbid introspection. His aim is to paralyse us through depression. He is prowling around like a roaring lion ready to prey upon any one to deceive them. What must we do? We ought to discern the enemy’s schemes, take courage, pick ourselves and start praising the Lord even if you don’t feel like doing them. David passed the test as he stood at the brink of a blessing. He encouraged himself in the Lord despite the adversity. May we learn from King David and apply this principle in our daily life. Amen!
Saturday, February 28, 2009
27 February 2009 (Week 2 on the theme "Standing on God's Word")
For the Least of my Brothers...
Over the past weeks, there has been a growing conviction and desire among a number of us to want to seriously consider how we as a community of God's people can put our hearts, minds and hands together to reach out and serve people in need.
At the last cell cluster meeting, Ps. Lip Yong talked about offering our friendship and service to those affected by the current financial crisis, and more broadly on giving of ourselves to the Lord's work among the less fortunate.
When we finally arranged for a discussion on Friday to explore what we could do, there was such a refreshing excitement and purposefulness - which came through all your enthusiastic responses!
There was such an 'agreement' and convergence of hearts, and the Lord did seem very present with us.
A number of us have been helping others in our own personal ways. We now would like to consider doing something together as well.
We had a good initial brainstorming session on Friday. Quite a few of us expressed a heart and preference for children in need. Crisis evangelism and befriending were other emerging themes. Let's continue to pray together and ask God to reveal His specific plan to us.
On Sat morning, Joshua and I had an opportunity to chat and he shared some interesting thoughts. He will be sharing with us on Friday. In the afternoon, Simon gave me 2 passages of scripture which he has been meditating on and which are compelling him to want to do something about it - Isa 58:6-9 & Matt 25:31-46 .
I believe the Lord is exulting us to join hands with Him to attend to that which weighs most upon His heart - service to the poor. We may want to give some time to reflect on these verses this week. I do sense we are on the brink of a new work that the Lord wants to do with and through us, and humbly ask us to continue to keep our fellowship and impending work in much prayer.
Isaiah 58:6-9 (Fasting that Pleases God)
6 "Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? 7 Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter—when you see the naked, to clothe him, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood? 8 Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the LORD will be your rear guard. 9 Then you will call, and the LORD will answer; you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I. "
Matt 25:31-46 (The Sheep & the Goats)
31"When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory. 32All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.
34"Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.'
37"Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?'
40"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'
41"Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 42For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, 43I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.' 44"They also will answer, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?'
45"He will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.'
46"Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life."
Over the past weeks, there has been a growing conviction and desire among a number of us to want to seriously consider how we as a community of God's people can put our hearts, minds and hands together to reach out and serve people in need.
At the last cell cluster meeting, Ps. Lip Yong talked about offering our friendship and service to those affected by the current financial crisis, and more broadly on giving of ourselves to the Lord's work among the less fortunate.
When we finally arranged for a discussion on Friday to explore what we could do, there was such a refreshing excitement and purposefulness - which came through all your enthusiastic responses!
There was such an 'agreement' and convergence of hearts, and the Lord did seem very present with us.
A number of us have been helping others in our own personal ways. We now would like to consider doing something together as well.
We had a good initial brainstorming session on Friday. Quite a few of us expressed a heart and preference for children in need. Crisis evangelism and befriending were other emerging themes. Let's continue to pray together and ask God to reveal His specific plan to us.
On Sat morning, Joshua and I had an opportunity to chat and he shared some interesting thoughts. He will be sharing with us on Friday. In the afternoon, Simon gave me 2 passages of scripture which he has been meditating on and which are compelling him to want to do something about it - Isa 58:6-9 & Matt 25:31-46 .
I believe the Lord is exulting us to join hands with Him to attend to that which weighs most upon His heart - service to the poor. We may want to give some time to reflect on these verses this week. I do sense we are on the brink of a new work that the Lord wants to do with and through us, and humbly ask us to continue to keep our fellowship and impending work in much prayer.
Isaiah 58:6-9 (Fasting that Pleases God)
6 "Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? 7 Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter—when you see the naked, to clothe him, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood? 8 Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the LORD will be your rear guard. 9 Then you will call, and the LORD will answer; you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I. "
Matt 25:31-46 (The Sheep & the Goats)
31"When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory. 32All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.
34"Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.'
37"Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?'
40"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'
41"Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 42For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, 43I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.' 44"They also will answer, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?'
45"He will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.'
46"Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life."
Friday, January 23, 2009
23 Jan 09 (Week 1 on the theme "Standing on God's Word")
God's Medicine Bottle (Derek Prince)
Wan Chung
Recently, Michael gave me a book called "God's Medicine Bottle" by Derek Prince. Some of you may have heard of this book before. When I received it, little did I know that it's going to impact me in a rather significant way. Derek writes with such powerful simplicity and exhorts us not to be double-minded as we read God's Word but to take it as meaning exactly what it says.
The whole book is written based on Proverbs 4:20-22. Herein lies a whole treatise of what standing on God's Word is about. In a moment of inspiration, and through a quick round of confirmation amongst some of us last evening, we all agreed to move on to our new theme "Standing on God's Word". Michael will lead us into this new theme next Friday.
The following are some of the key ideas in this wonderful little book. A detailed summary of my sharing is also provided below. The best thing would still be to get yourself a copy of this book and be blessed!
a. God’s Word works in us insofar as we receive it. If we don’t receive it, it doesn’t do us any good.
b. God is bigger than all our understanding and prejudices. Don’t make God so small that He can’t help you.
c. If your eyes are simple or sincere, you see things the way they are. This is just the way to read God's Word and take it simply as it says.
d. Keep God’s Words in the central place of your life and personality. They are going to affect the whole way you live. (Amazing!)
______________
Proverbs 4:20-22
My son, attend to my words;
Incline thine ear unto my sayings.
Let them not depart from thine eyes;
Keep them in the midst of thine heart.
For they are life unto those that find them,
And health to all their flesh.
1. Attend to my words.
· Firstly, reading God's Word requires our ‘Undivided Attention’
· People nowadays suffer from a disease called undivided attention. (mass media of today pervades our time and space)
· It’s important what we listen to as well as how.
· Mark 4:24 – Take heed what you hear
· Luke 8:18 – Take heed how you hear
· Exodus 15:26 – If you will diligently heed the voice of the Lord your God,…
· Diligently heed, in Hebrew, is to ‘listen listeningly’
· What does it mean to ‘listeningly listen’ – to listen to God with both ears, not one to God and another to something else (worldly influence)
· Consider the interesting Chinese Character “to listen”. (Just google "Chinese Character to Listen" through the Google 'Images' search engine)
· Primary instruction on God’s Medicine Bottle is to give God undivided attention – it matters what we hear and how we hear. Listen to the Word until we hear God.
· Hearing is key to receiving not just Biblical Healing but Faith as well.
· Romans 10:17 - Faith cometh by hearing (Derek earlier felt he didn’t have faith). Doesn’t matter. Faith cometh when we hear the Word of God.
2. Incline thine ear
· “Incline” – Old English. Means to bend down. Incline is a hill that slopes down.
· Fact of the human body is that we cannot bend ear without bending head down.
· This means Humility and Teachability.
· Derek felt God’s promises were too good to be true. (pg 31) Derek had a deep-seated belief that being Christian is equated with a miserable life.
· Until God asked him “Who is the pupil and who is the teacher?”
· He wasn’t letting God teach him. His preconceptions were in the way.
· Incline thine ear – means to give up our prejudices, bend that stiff neck of ours, and He will show us how good He is and how wonderful is the provision He has made for us.
· God’s word works in us insofar as we receive it. If we don’t receive it, it doesn’t do us any good.
· Lay aside naughtiness. Don’t answer God back. Let Him teach you.
· Essence of the inclined ear – God you are the teacher, I am the pupil. I am willing to let you teach me. I bow down my ear and listen.
· God is bigger than all our understanding and prejudices. Don’t make God so small that He can’t help you. Incline your ear and let him tell you how much He’s willing to do for you.
3. Let them not depart from thine eyes
· Key thought – “focus”
· Unique about humans – we have 2 eyes, but when we focus we can form 1 image
· Incorrect focus produces blurred vision.
· This is the problem with many in the spiritual realm – not yet learnt to focus their spiritual eyesight, so their vision of spiritual things is blurred.
· Most people have impression that the spiritual world is misty, half-real, vague, unformed.
· Luke 11:34 – The light of the body is the eye, therefore when thine eye is single, thy whole body is full of light; when thy eye is evil, thy body also is full of darkness.
· ‘When thine eye is single’ – we form a single focus or image. Not looking in 2 directions
· Beautiful Promise – Thy whole body is full of light. Body full of light does not have room for sickness. Health comes from light – Malachi 4:2 – But unto you that fear my name, shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healings in his wings.
· “Single” in Greek means “Simple” or “Sincere”. If your eyes are simple or sincere, you see things the way they are.
· Barriers to simplicity and sincerity – rationalization and sophistication.
· Derek – I could be clever and stay sick or I could be simple and get healed.
· He was glad that he became simple enough to get healed.
· 1 Cor 1:25 – The foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is wiser than men.
· Have a single, simple eye. Read the bible as it is, and take it as meaning what it says.
4. Keep them in the midst of thine heart
· A key principle of education states that there’s something called a ear gate and an eye gate. Need to engage students through both gates, then it will get into their hearts. When it gets into their hearts, positive results will follow. (God anticipated the psychology of modern education!)
· When you take medicine, if doesn’t get into bloodstream, then it’s not going to do what it’s supposed to do.
· The previous 3 directions have to do with getting the medicine to where it will do what it promised – the HEART.
· Prov 4:23. Keep thy heart with all diligence, for out of it are the issues of life.
· What you have in your heart will determine all that you experience in life. If you have the right thing in your heart, your life will go right. If you have the wrong thing in your heart, your life will go wrong.
· Keep God’s Words in the central place of your life and personality. They are going to affect the whole way you live.
· Hebrews 4:12 – God’s Word penetrates. It can penetrate into every illness and every problem you face – where doctors, psychiatrists do not have the solution, God’s Word will get there.
CONCLUSION
What is important is that we take God’s Word the way He Himself requires that we take it.
1. We must take it with our undivided attention and with a humble/teachable attitude.
2. We must lay down our barriers of prejudice and preconception.
3. Look at God’s Word with a single, sincere wholehearted eye.
We do not want to quibble, we do not want to theorise too much. We must take God’s Word as meaning what it says. We must lay down the barriers of rationalization and sophistication, and then we can let it (God’s Word) enter and do its work.
Wan Chung
Recently, Michael gave me a book called "God's Medicine Bottle" by Derek Prince. Some of you may have heard of this book before. When I received it, little did I know that it's going to impact me in a rather significant way. Derek writes with such powerful simplicity and exhorts us not to be double-minded as we read God's Word but to take it as meaning exactly what it says.
The whole book is written based on Proverbs 4:20-22. Herein lies a whole treatise of what standing on God's Word is about. In a moment of inspiration, and through a quick round of confirmation amongst some of us last evening, we all agreed to move on to our new theme "Standing on God's Word". Michael will lead us into this new theme next Friday.
The following are some of the key ideas in this wonderful little book. A detailed summary of my sharing is also provided below. The best thing would still be to get yourself a copy of this book and be blessed!
a. God’s Word works in us insofar as we receive it. If we don’t receive it, it doesn’t do us any good.
b. God is bigger than all our understanding and prejudices. Don’t make God so small that He can’t help you.
c. If your eyes are simple or sincere, you see things the way they are. This is just the way to read God's Word and take it simply as it says.
d. Keep God’s Words in the central place of your life and personality. They are going to affect the whole way you live. (Amazing!)
______________
Proverbs 4:20-22
My son, attend to my words;
Incline thine ear unto my sayings.
Let them not depart from thine eyes;
Keep them in the midst of thine heart.
For they are life unto those that find them,
And health to all their flesh.
1. Attend to my words.
· Firstly, reading God's Word requires our ‘Undivided Attention’
· People nowadays suffer from a disease called undivided attention. (mass media of today pervades our time and space)
· It’s important what we listen to as well as how.
· Mark 4:24 – Take heed what you hear
· Luke 8:18 – Take heed how you hear
· Exodus 15:26 – If you will diligently heed the voice of the Lord your God,…
· Diligently heed, in Hebrew, is to ‘listen listeningly’
· What does it mean to ‘listeningly listen’ – to listen to God with both ears, not one to God and another to something else (worldly influence)
· Consider the interesting Chinese Character “to listen”. (Just google "Chinese Character to Listen" through the Google 'Images' search engine)
· Primary instruction on God’s Medicine Bottle is to give God undivided attention – it matters what we hear and how we hear. Listen to the Word until we hear God.
· Hearing is key to receiving not just Biblical Healing but Faith as well.
· Romans 10:17 - Faith cometh by hearing (Derek earlier felt he didn’t have faith). Doesn’t matter. Faith cometh when we hear the Word of God.
2. Incline thine ear
· “Incline” – Old English. Means to bend down. Incline is a hill that slopes down.
· Fact of the human body is that we cannot bend ear without bending head down.
· This means Humility and Teachability.
· Derek felt God’s promises were too good to be true. (pg 31) Derek had a deep-seated belief that being Christian is equated with a miserable life.
· Until God asked him “Who is the pupil and who is the teacher?”
· He wasn’t letting God teach him. His preconceptions were in the way.
· Incline thine ear – means to give up our prejudices, bend that stiff neck of ours, and He will show us how good He is and how wonderful is the provision He has made for us.
· God’s word works in us insofar as we receive it. If we don’t receive it, it doesn’t do us any good.
· Lay aside naughtiness. Don’t answer God back. Let Him teach you.
· Essence of the inclined ear – God you are the teacher, I am the pupil. I am willing to let you teach me. I bow down my ear and listen.
· God is bigger than all our understanding and prejudices. Don’t make God so small that He can’t help you. Incline your ear and let him tell you how much He’s willing to do for you.
3. Let them not depart from thine eyes
· Key thought – “focus”
· Unique about humans – we have 2 eyes, but when we focus we can form 1 image
· Incorrect focus produces blurred vision.
· This is the problem with many in the spiritual realm – not yet learnt to focus their spiritual eyesight, so their vision of spiritual things is blurred.
· Most people have impression that the spiritual world is misty, half-real, vague, unformed.
· Luke 11:34 – The light of the body is the eye, therefore when thine eye is single, thy whole body is full of light; when thy eye is evil, thy body also is full of darkness.
· ‘When thine eye is single’ – we form a single focus or image. Not looking in 2 directions
· Beautiful Promise – Thy whole body is full of light. Body full of light does not have room for sickness. Health comes from light – Malachi 4:2 – But unto you that fear my name, shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healings in his wings.
· “Single” in Greek means “Simple” or “Sincere”. If your eyes are simple or sincere, you see things the way they are.
· Barriers to simplicity and sincerity – rationalization and sophistication.
· Derek – I could be clever and stay sick or I could be simple and get healed.
· He was glad that he became simple enough to get healed.
· 1 Cor 1:25 – The foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is wiser than men.
· Have a single, simple eye. Read the bible as it is, and take it as meaning what it says.
4. Keep them in the midst of thine heart
· A key principle of education states that there’s something called a ear gate and an eye gate. Need to engage students through both gates, then it will get into their hearts. When it gets into their hearts, positive results will follow. (God anticipated the psychology of modern education!)
· When you take medicine, if doesn’t get into bloodstream, then it’s not going to do what it’s supposed to do.
· The previous 3 directions have to do with getting the medicine to where it will do what it promised – the HEART.
· Prov 4:23. Keep thy heart with all diligence, for out of it are the issues of life.
· What you have in your heart will determine all that you experience in life. If you have the right thing in your heart, your life will go right. If you have the wrong thing in your heart, your life will go wrong.
· Keep God’s Words in the central place of your life and personality. They are going to affect the whole way you live.
· Hebrews 4:12 – God’s Word penetrates. It can penetrate into every illness and every problem you face – where doctors, psychiatrists do not have the solution, God’s Word will get there.
CONCLUSION
What is important is that we take God’s Word the way He Himself requires that we take it.
1. We must take it with our undivided attention and with a humble/teachable attitude.
2. We must lay down our barriers of prejudice and preconception.
3. Look at God’s Word with a single, sincere wholehearted eye.
We do not want to quibble, we do not want to theorise too much. We must take God’s Word as meaning what it says. We must lay down the barriers of rationalization and sophistication, and then we can let it (God’s Word) enter and do its work.
Sunday, January 18, 2009
16 Jan 09 (Week 4 on the theme "Prayer & Intercession")
Do not give up, pray through until a breakthrough
Joshua Nathan
“Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints” Ephesians 6: 18
Introduction
It is normal to give up praying when answers to our prayers are not forthcoming or there seems to be no intervention of God in a specific area which is being prayed for earnestly. We may miss the blessing from God because we easily give up praying although the answer is just around the corner. Ephesians exhorts us to “pray with all perseverance”. Eph 6:18. Throughout his ministry, Jesus emphasized the importance of persistent praying. What is persistent praying? It means that we must not only pray, but we must pray with intensity. We must pray with urgency. We must pray with repetition. We must not get tired of praying. We must be earnest, thorough and deeply concerned about the things we are praying for.
“Will not God bring about justice for His chosen ones, who cry out day and night”
Jesus spoke about persistent prayer through two parables. The first is recorded in Luke 18: 1-8. He told his disciples this parable to show them that men ought always to pray, and not to faint. The parable is about how a widow in a crisis managed to change the heart of an unjust judge who did not fear God and man. Her victory was her persistent asking. If the unjust judge could respond to the persistence of a helpless widow, how much more our father in Heaven who is just, perfect and compassionate would respond to us no matter how long we tarry in prayer. “...will not God bring about justice for His chosen ones, who cry out day and night”. How much more our Father would come to our rescue to heal, deliver and restore us when we cry out day and night in any crisis?
Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you
The second parable is recorded in Luke 11:5-8. It is about a man who goes to his friend at midnight and asked for three loaves of bread. Although it is an odd time and is likely to cause some inconvenience to him and his family, the insistence and the boldness of the requester moves his heart. He gets up and gives him the bread because he is his friend. There is an initial reluctance to get up. But the man stays and continues to ask and he gets what he wants. After telling the parable, Jesus went on to speak about the steps in persistence prayer, “So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you”. V: 9. No matter how tempting it is to give up, we are exhorted to keep asking, keep seeking and keep knocking until the door of heaven opens.
“I will not let you go until you bless me”
In Genesis 32:24-28 we read about the incident where Jacob wrestled with God throughout the night. This is a beautiful picture of one who travails in prayer until the Lord touches and blesses Him. Jacob was physically and emotionally exhausted through his all night wrestling with God. But he did not release his hold on God. He clung to Him tightly and said, “ I will not let you go unless you bless me”. V: 26. The outcome was life transforming. God changed his character, his name, his attitude and even the attitude of his brother Esau. More importantly, God made Jacob to be a blessing to Israel through this encounter. May we persist in our prayer against all odds until we see the break-through and receive the blessings.
“An abundance of rain”
Another lesson of blessing of persistent prayer can be learnt from how Elijah prayed for rain seven times during a season of severe famine and drought in the land. 1 Kings 18:41-45. It was said about Elijah that “he cast himself down upon the earth, and put his face between his knees and prayed earnestly for rain to pour upon the land. His servant reported 6 times that there was no sign of any rain coming. But he did not give up praying. And the breakthrough came on the seventh time when he prayed. “the seventh time the servant reported , “A cloud as small as a man’s hand is rising from the seas”. V: 44. Meanwhile, the sky grew black with clouds, the wind rose, a heavy rain came...V:45.
Friends, do not give up praying over your situation. The raincloud is being formed while you are praying. And the rain is coming. Press in with your persistent prayer. Do not give up. He will come and save you. Lift your eyes and see. He will surely come and save you. Amen!
Joshua Nathan
“Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints” Ephesians 6: 18
Introduction
It is normal to give up praying when answers to our prayers are not forthcoming or there seems to be no intervention of God in a specific area which is being prayed for earnestly. We may miss the blessing from God because we easily give up praying although the answer is just around the corner. Ephesians exhorts us to “pray with all perseverance”. Eph 6:18. Throughout his ministry, Jesus emphasized the importance of persistent praying. What is persistent praying? It means that we must not only pray, but we must pray with intensity. We must pray with urgency. We must pray with repetition. We must not get tired of praying. We must be earnest, thorough and deeply concerned about the things we are praying for.
“Will not God bring about justice for His chosen ones, who cry out day and night”
Jesus spoke about persistent prayer through two parables. The first is recorded in Luke 18: 1-8. He told his disciples this parable to show them that men ought always to pray, and not to faint. The parable is about how a widow in a crisis managed to change the heart of an unjust judge who did not fear God and man. Her victory was her persistent asking. If the unjust judge could respond to the persistence of a helpless widow, how much more our father in Heaven who is just, perfect and compassionate would respond to us no matter how long we tarry in prayer. “...will not God bring about justice for His chosen ones, who cry out day and night”. How much more our Father would come to our rescue to heal, deliver and restore us when we cry out day and night in any crisis?
Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you
The second parable is recorded in Luke 11:5-8. It is about a man who goes to his friend at midnight and asked for three loaves of bread. Although it is an odd time and is likely to cause some inconvenience to him and his family, the insistence and the boldness of the requester moves his heart. He gets up and gives him the bread because he is his friend. There is an initial reluctance to get up. But the man stays and continues to ask and he gets what he wants. After telling the parable, Jesus went on to speak about the steps in persistence prayer, “So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you”. V: 9. No matter how tempting it is to give up, we are exhorted to keep asking, keep seeking and keep knocking until the door of heaven opens.
“I will not let you go until you bless me”
In Genesis 32:24-28 we read about the incident where Jacob wrestled with God throughout the night. This is a beautiful picture of one who travails in prayer until the Lord touches and blesses Him. Jacob was physically and emotionally exhausted through his all night wrestling with God. But he did not release his hold on God. He clung to Him tightly and said, “ I will not let you go unless you bless me”. V: 26. The outcome was life transforming. God changed his character, his name, his attitude and even the attitude of his brother Esau. More importantly, God made Jacob to be a blessing to Israel through this encounter. May we persist in our prayer against all odds until we see the break-through and receive the blessings.
“An abundance of rain”
Another lesson of blessing of persistent prayer can be learnt from how Elijah prayed for rain seven times during a season of severe famine and drought in the land. 1 Kings 18:41-45. It was said about Elijah that “he cast himself down upon the earth, and put his face between his knees and prayed earnestly for rain to pour upon the land. His servant reported 6 times that there was no sign of any rain coming. But he did not give up praying. And the breakthrough came on the seventh time when he prayed. “the seventh time the servant reported , “A cloud as small as a man’s hand is rising from the seas”. V: 44. Meanwhile, the sky grew black with clouds, the wind rose, a heavy rain came...V:45.
Friends, do not give up praying over your situation. The raincloud is being formed while you are praying. And the rain is coming. Press in with your persistent prayer. Do not give up. He will come and save you. Lift your eyes and see. He will surely come and save you. Amen!
Monday, January 5, 2009
2 Jan 09 (Prayer Meeting)
Only a handful of us were able to meet tonight, but the presence of God was certainly with us and He was ready to see and hear what we would bring to our meeting with one another and Him on this second day of 2009.
We agreed earlier that tonight was to be a time of worship, prayer and intercession for our loved ones and dear friends. We start our humble prayer movement from here, and move on as the Lord will lead us. At this point, I don't have a clear and specific view of what is to come as we embark on this journey as a fellowship. But perhaps, many a God-led journey are of this nature. God loves (to plan) surprises and hearts wholly yielded to Him. I am reminded of 2 verses:
Proverbs 16:9 A man’s heart plans his way, But the LORD directs his steps.
Psalm 119:105 Your word is a lamp to my feet, and a light to my path.
Tonight, the six of us (+ 2 kids colouring in the background) prayed by name for our loved ones. We all felt that it was a simple yet very special thing to the Lord to present by name our loved ones to Him. We asked God to include these names in the Lamb's Book of Life. At the end of our meeting, we were quite surprised to realise that we probably prayed for over 50 individuals by name!
Let us press on. Let's continue to fervently pray effective prayers while we live righteous lives for 'The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much' (James 5:16).
As we enter into a season, indeed a movement, of prayer, let's strive to know what makes a prayer powerful and effective, and learn to pray such prayers.
[Michael shared a beautiful 'The Lord's Prayer Movie' which is in Useful Resources. May you enjoy it and perhaps discover some new insights.]
We agreed earlier that tonight was to be a time of worship, prayer and intercession for our loved ones and dear friends. We start our humble prayer movement from here, and move on as the Lord will lead us. At this point, I don't have a clear and specific view of what is to come as we embark on this journey as a fellowship. But perhaps, many a God-led journey are of this nature. God loves (to plan) surprises and hearts wholly yielded to Him. I am reminded of 2 verses:
Proverbs 16:9 A man’s heart plans his way, But the LORD directs his steps.
Psalm 119:105 Your word is a lamp to my feet, and a light to my path.
Tonight, the six of us (+ 2 kids colouring in the background) prayed by name for our loved ones. We all felt that it was a simple yet very special thing to the Lord to present by name our loved ones to Him. We asked God to include these names in the Lamb's Book of Life. At the end of our meeting, we were quite surprised to realise that we probably prayed for over 50 individuals by name!
Let us press on. Let's continue to fervently pray effective prayers while we live righteous lives for 'The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much' (James 5:16).
As we enter into a season, indeed a movement, of prayer, let's strive to know what makes a prayer powerful and effective, and learn to pray such prayers.
[Michael shared a beautiful 'The Lord's Prayer Movie' which is in Useful Resources. May you enjoy it and perhaps discover some new insights.]
Saturday, December 27, 2008
19 Dec 08 (Christmas Gathering)
This evening, we had a simple Christmas gathering and dinner together. We were particularly glad to have Michael's friends, Shawn and Wendy, join us. They are young working adults, originally from China and have been educated and are working in Singapore. They are bright and energetic and have a great future ahead of them. Only, they do not yet know the Lord.
Rosev and Joshua shared their personal testimonies and it was clear how God was evident in their lives. Kah Lin and Sharon led us in a time of worship and some songs in Chinese were specially selected too. Then, we went round to share briefly how God was good to us in 2008, and interestingly, in hindsight, as Joshua also commented, we all articulated different angles and perspectives on the reality and goodness of God in our lives that actually culminated in sort of a wonderful collective testimony and proposition to Shawn and Wendy, or perhaps better put, 'sown a seed in their hearts'.
Let's continue to believe in and tap into the desire and power of God to save. As we begin to contemplate on and pray for revival in our land and beyond, let us first start with praying for our loved ones and friends, including Shawn and Wendy, to come to the saving knowledge of our great and wonderful God.
Rosev and Joshua shared their personal testimonies and it was clear how God was evident in their lives. Kah Lin and Sharon led us in a time of worship and some songs in Chinese were specially selected too. Then, we went round to share briefly how God was good to us in 2008, and interestingly, in hindsight, as Joshua also commented, we all articulated different angles and perspectives on the reality and goodness of God in our lives that actually culminated in sort of a wonderful collective testimony and proposition to Shawn and Wendy, or perhaps better put, 'sown a seed in their hearts'.
Let's continue to believe in and tap into the desire and power of God to save. As we begin to contemplate on and pray for revival in our land and beyond, let us first start with praying for our loved ones and friends, including Shawn and Wendy, to come to the saving knowledge of our great and wonderful God.
Monday, December 15, 2008
12 Dec 08 (Week 3 on the theme "Prayer & Intercession")
This evening, we had the pleasure of having Sharon's mum, Susie, join us and share with us her fascinating testimony, the revivals in the 80's in Borneo and the subject of spiritual warfare. Most of us have read or heard about Susie's phenomenal encounter with the Lord at Siar Beach, Sarawak, and were particularly glad to have her join us in person.
Susie shared about how the Lord delivered her from the influence of evil spirits early in her walk with Christ, and how she was subsequently led into the deliverance and spiritual warfare ministry.
In recounting her experiences, Susie certainly drove home the message of how real the spiritual realm is and how we must absolutely increase in our knowledge of spiritual things and learn to function in the spirit or live spirit-led lives. I have attempted to summarise the key aspects of Susie's approach to battling in the spiritual with the help of some specific passages of scripture:
Ephesians 6:10-18 "Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the (a) belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the (b) breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your (c) feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the (d) shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the (e) helmet of salvation and the (f) sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints."
(3) Taking Up Authority
Matthew 18:18 "I tell you the truth, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven."
(4) Remember that the Battle is the Lord's
2 Chronicles 20:15 He (Jahaziel son of Zechariah) said: "Listen, King Jehoshaphat and all who live in Judah and Jerusalem! This is what the LORD says to you: 'Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God's."
Susie shared about how the Lord delivered her from the influence of evil spirits early in her walk with Christ, and how she was subsequently led into the deliverance and spiritual warfare ministry.
In recounting her experiences, Susie certainly drove home the message of how real the spiritual realm is and how we must absolutely increase in our knowledge of spiritual things and learn to function in the spirit or live spirit-led lives. I have attempted to summarise the key aspects of Susie's approach to battling in the spiritual with the help of some specific passages of scripture:
(1) Knowledge of the Real Battle
Ephesians 6:12 "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, powers, the rulers of the darkness of this world, and spiritual wickedness in high places."
Ephesians 6:10-18 "Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the (a) belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the (b) breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your (c) feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the (d) shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the (e) helmet of salvation and the (f) sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints."
(3) Taking Up Authority
Matthew 18:18 "I tell you the truth, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven."
(4) Remember that the Battle is the Lord's
2 Chronicles 20:15 He (Jahaziel son of Zechariah) said: "Listen, King Jehoshaphat and all who live in Judah and Jerusalem! This is what the LORD says to you: 'Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God's."
Lord, we humbly pray that You will come and teach us Your ways and sensitise us to the things and way of the Spirit.
Saturday, December 13, 2008
5 Dec 08 (Week 2 on the theme "Prayer & Intercession")
Intercessory Prayer for Revival
Kah Lin
1. Intercessory prayer is the underlying constant and catalyst of all revivals.
2. Revival begins with me - i.e. in the heart of each praying individual, a personal revival.
- The words of the hymn "Cleanse Me" declares "Oh Holy Ghost, Revival comes from thee: send a revival, start the work in me".
- The Lord delights in the prayer of the upright (Proverbs 15:8).
- The prayer of the righteous man is powerful and effective (James 5:16).
3. Blended Prayers - Points from C.H. Spurgeon's sermon "Golden Bowls Full of Incense" [Article can be found in 'Useful Resources']
- Revelation 5:8 is about the "golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints".
- Let it be filled with the blended prayers of the saints.
- God is pleased for "united prayers possess the power of harmony as beautiful as that in music".
4. Prayer is spiritual warfare, thus we need to put on the full armour of God as we enter into intercessory prayer for boldness in sharing the gospel with the lost (Ephesians 6:11-19).
5. Prayer must be spirit led. Romans 8:26-27 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will.
6. Objects of Prayer As a cell group, we can identify the main objects (topics) for prayer, eg. mission, our families, churches in Singapore, our government, other nations, etc.
7. A suggested prayer method - eg. by rotating prayer topics for each day of the week. Eg. Monday - missions, Tuesday - family, etc. [As Kah Lin shared on Friday, we will kick-start this movement with a dedicated prayer time for salvation of our loved ones on Fri, 26 Dec.]
8. Continuous surrender of our lives as we continue in our prayer life. Recall or sing often the words of the hymn "Living for Jesus". Link to this beautiful hymn under 'Useful Resources'.
Prayer & Action (by Lee Lin)
Lee Lin shared her experience of prayer and revival in her church in Kuala Lumpur, Utama Damansara.
Prayer, fasting and repentance are all essentials in revival.
The willingness and discipline of believers to come together in church for corporate intercessory prayer is necessary and vital!
The cell group that Lee Lin attended has reached out to the Orang Asli people by befriending, visiting them and assisting them with practical matters once a month.
Encounter of the Best Kind (by Susie Lim)
Susie shared her experience at Siar Beach (Sarawak) and how the Lord revealed Himself to her and the campers in words formed through clouds in the night sky. And also shared about the revivals that took place in her school and in the churches in Kuching in the '80s. She also shared about the reality and the intimacy of the Lord in her personal experience. (We will try to find a way to put Susie's book on the encounter at Siar Beach on this blog.)
Kah Lin
1. Intercessory prayer is the underlying constant and catalyst of all revivals.
2. Revival begins with me - i.e. in the heart of each praying individual, a personal revival.
- The words of the hymn "Cleanse Me" declares "Oh Holy Ghost, Revival comes from thee: send a revival, start the work in me".
- The Lord delights in the prayer of the upright (Proverbs 15:8).
- The prayer of the righteous man is powerful and effective (James 5:16).
3. Blended Prayers - Points from C.H. Spurgeon's sermon "Golden Bowls Full of Incense" [Article can be found in 'Useful Resources']
- Revelation 5:8 is about the "golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints".
- Let it be filled with the blended prayers of the saints.
- God is pleased for "united prayers possess the power of harmony as beautiful as that in music".
4. Prayer is spiritual warfare, thus we need to put on the full armour of God as we enter into intercessory prayer for boldness in sharing the gospel with the lost (Ephesians 6:11-19).
5. Prayer must be spirit led. Romans 8:26-27 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will.
6. Objects of Prayer As a cell group, we can identify the main objects (topics) for prayer, eg. mission, our families, churches in Singapore, our government, other nations, etc.
7. A suggested prayer method - eg. by rotating prayer topics for each day of the week. Eg. Monday - missions, Tuesday - family, etc. [As Kah Lin shared on Friday, we will kick-start this movement with a dedicated prayer time for salvation of our loved ones on Fri, 26 Dec.]
8. Continuous surrender of our lives as we continue in our prayer life. Recall or sing often the words of the hymn "Living for Jesus". Link to this beautiful hymn under 'Useful Resources'.
Prayer & Action (by Lee Lin)
Lee Lin shared her experience of prayer and revival in her church in Kuala Lumpur, Utama Damansara.
Prayer, fasting and repentance are all essentials in revival.
The willingness and discipline of believers to come together in church for corporate intercessory prayer is necessary and vital!
The cell group that Lee Lin attended has reached out to the Orang Asli people by befriending, visiting them and assisting them with practical matters once a month.
Encounter of the Best Kind (by Susie Lim)
Susie shared her experience at Siar Beach (Sarawak) and how the Lord revealed Himself to her and the campers in words formed through clouds in the night sky. And also shared about the revivals that took place in her school and in the churches in Kuching in the '80s. She also shared about the reality and the intimacy of the Lord in her personal experience. (We will try to find a way to put Susie's book on the encounter at Siar Beach on this blog.)
Sunday, November 30, 2008
29 Nov 08 (Week 1 on the theme 'Prayer & Intercession')
"Speaking the Word into Being"
(A) Summary of Susan's Sharing
1. Speaking the Word into Being. Tonight, Susan shared on the power of speaking the Word into being. We read Ephesians 1:16-23 aloud together, declaring it in the personal voice and appropriating it to ourselves. Isa. 55:11 says My word shall not return to Me void. Herein lies the power of appropriating the Word - as we declare and proclaim it in our lives, circumstances and on behalf of others, things change both in the spiritual and natural realms and the Lord's purposes are accomplished and His people are safeguarded. Other passages of scripture on prayer were also shared (below).
2. When you read scripture, declare & appropriate it. When you speak scripture aloud, you are like a candle lited up. Always invite the Spirit of God to bless our reading and grant understanding. Memorise scripture, which is food for the spirit. Matt 4:4 "Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that proceeds from the mouth of God." Chew on the Word and digest it into our spirit - let the Word sink deep and take root in us. Ps 1:2-3 "But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers."
3. Release the Word & speak blessing into every circumstance. Saturate your home and life with the constant declaration of God's truth and promises, even when you don't feel like it, and see how perspectives and circumstances soon begin to turn around (Heb 4:12). Susan shared a number of anecdotes on how this is so true. Also, focus on the positive side of things rather than the negative, and move forward and upward to God's higher calling....the best is yet to be...
Power depends not on the size of our faith, but on the surpassing greatness of our God. Faith even the size of a mustard seed can summon mountain-moving strength.
I am always amazed at the spontaneity of Susan's prayers and how scriptures are constantly evoked and spoken into being -
"God, El Shaddai has given us HIS will and testament when we became HIS children, we have a full inheritance Psalm103. Let's be diligent in meditating, muttering scriptures that are God's promises pouring HIS blessings upon us as we start using it all to bless (speaking) others, especially to our enemies. God desires that none should perish! We the temple of the Holy Spirit, our mouth-HIS mouthpiece-speaks life and light into everyone's (lovely+unlovely) lives and situation. Eph6:19 Pray for me.... Praise God, for HIS son JESUS who paid in full once and for all! Redeemed us who believes Galatians 3:13-14! No more curses or complaining as we are too blessed, to be stressed. Rejoice, in the LORD always..again: Rejoice...Hahaha Phil4:4 The blessings of Abraham WILL come upon us-Deut28:1-14.and overtake us.... There's much more HE wants to do in our prayer life 24X7, no where we can be banished that God cant go! To our God and Father be All glory and honor, for ever and ever, Amen."
(B) Suggested Reading
"School of Prayers" by Lance Lambert
(C) The Lord's Prayer as Pattern & Guide for our Prayers (Matt 6:9-13)
"Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one."
(D) Verses Quoted in our Discussions
Ephesians 1:16-23
"...do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers: that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come. And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all."
Ephesians 3:20
"Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us..."
Hebrews 6:18
"Thus God, determining to show more abundantly to the heirs of promise the immutability of His counsel, confirmed it by an oath, that by two immutable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we might have strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold of the hope set before us."
1 John 4:4
"You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world."
1 Chronicles 17:19-20
"O LORD, for Your servant’s sake, and according to Your own heart, You have done all this greatness, in making known all these great things. O LORD, there is none like You, nor is there any God besides You, according to all that we have heard with our ears."
James 5:16
"Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much."
Isaiah 55:11
"So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, But it shall accomplish what I please, And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it."
(A) Summary of Susan's Sharing
1. Speaking the Word into Being. Tonight, Susan shared on the power of speaking the Word into being. We read Ephesians 1:16-23 aloud together, declaring it in the personal voice and appropriating it to ourselves. Isa. 55:11 says My word shall not return to Me void. Herein lies the power of appropriating the Word - as we declare and proclaim it in our lives, circumstances and on behalf of others, things change both in the spiritual and natural realms and the Lord's purposes are accomplished and His people are safeguarded. Other passages of scripture on prayer were also shared (below).
2. When you read scripture, declare & appropriate it. When you speak scripture aloud, you are like a candle lited up. Always invite the Spirit of God to bless our reading and grant understanding. Memorise scripture, which is food for the spirit. Matt 4:4 "Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that proceeds from the mouth of God." Chew on the Word and digest it into our spirit - let the Word sink deep and take root in us. Ps 1:2-3 "But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers."
3. Release the Word & speak blessing into every circumstance. Saturate your home and life with the constant declaration of God's truth and promises, even when you don't feel like it, and see how perspectives and circumstances soon begin to turn around (Heb 4:12). Susan shared a number of anecdotes on how this is so true. Also, focus on the positive side of things rather than the negative, and move forward and upward to God's higher calling....the best is yet to be...
Power depends not on the size of our faith, but on the surpassing greatness of our God. Faith even the size of a mustard seed can summon mountain-moving strength.
I am always amazed at the spontaneity of Susan's prayers and how scriptures are constantly evoked and spoken into being -
"God, El Shaddai has given us HIS will and testament when we became HIS children, we have a full inheritance Psalm103. Let's be diligent in meditating, muttering scriptures that are God's promises pouring HIS blessings upon us as we start using it all to bless (speaking) others, especially to our enemies. God desires that none should perish! We the temple of the Holy Spirit, our mouth-HIS mouthpiece-speaks life and light into everyone's (lovely+unlovely) lives and situation. Eph6:19 Pray for me.... Praise God, for HIS son JESUS who paid in full once and for all! Redeemed us who believes Galatians 3:13-14! No more curses or complaining as we are too blessed, to be stressed. Rejoice, in the LORD always..again: Rejoice...Hahaha Phil4:4 The blessings of Abraham WILL come upon us-Deut28:1-14.and overtake us.... There's much more HE wants to do in our prayer life 24X7, no where we can be banished that God cant go! To our God and Father be All glory and honor, for ever and ever, Amen."
(B) Suggested Reading
"School of Prayers" by Lance Lambert
(C) The Lord's Prayer as Pattern & Guide for our Prayers (Matt 6:9-13)
"Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one."
(D) Verses Quoted in our Discussions
Ephesians 1:16-23
"...do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers: that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come. And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all."
Ephesians 3:20
"Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us..."
Hebrews 6:18
"Thus God, determining to show more abundantly to the heirs of promise the immutability of His counsel, confirmed it by an oath, that by two immutable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we might have strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold of the hope set before us."
1 John 4:4
"You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world."
1 Chronicles 17:19-20
"O LORD, for Your servant’s sake, and according to Your own heart, You have done all this greatness, in making known all these great things. O LORD, there is none like You, nor is there any God besides You, according to all that we have heard with our ears."
James 5:16
"Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much."
Isaiah 55:11
"So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, But it shall accomplish what I please, And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it."
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
21 Nov 08 (Week 6 on the theme "Surrender")
This evening, we considered God's dealings in the lives of Joseph and Moses, and reflected on God's 'common pattern' or principles in preparing His people for their destinies. Indeed, the pattern is the same for each one of us, as He works in us to mould our character and prepare us for His work. We also reflected on the ultimate symbol of sacrifice and surrender - the Lamb that was slain from the foundations of the earth.
In connection with our examination of some verses from Revelation, we also began to talk about the vision/purpose that God has for our fellowship group for such a time as this (Rev 5:8).
A. Joseph
B. Moses
C. The Lamb
D. Vision for Our Fellowship
___________________
(A) JOSEPH
1. Joseph as a young, possibly spoilt, child sees life as revolving around him.
Genesis 37:2 - "This is the account of Jacob. Joseph, a young man of seventeen, was tending the flocks with his brothers, the sons of Bilhah and the sons of Zilpah, his father's wives, and he brought their father a bad report about them." (+ the way he recounts his dreams to his brothers, etc.)
2. Joseph has gone thru' a tough lesson (sold to slavery) but is still full of self -the outer man still prevails.
Genesis 39:8-9 - But he refused. "With me in charge," he told her, "my master does not concern himself with anything in the house; everything he owns he has entrusted to my care. No one is greater in this house than I am. My master has withheld nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. How then could I do such a wicked thing and sin against God?
3. Thru' a series of hardships, he finally came to the end of himself. God comes first & he is now ready for His work.
Genesis 41:16 - "I cannot do it," Joseph replied to Pharaoh, "but God will give Pharaoh the answer he desires."
4. Joseph puts God first, & Pharaoh puts Joseph in charge of his kingdom.
Genesis 41:40 - You shall be in charge of my palace, and all my people are to submit to your orders. Only with respect to the throne will I be greater than you.
(B) MOSES
1. Moses was great in his own strength.
Exodus 3:11 - But Moses said to God, "Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?"
(C) THE LAMB
The Lamb of God represents God's ultimate victory which stems from an attitude of unreserved sacrifice and surrender.
Revelation 5:6
Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing in the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. He had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth.
Revelation 5:8
And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.
Revelation 13:8
All inhabitants of the earth will worship the beast—all whose names have not been written in the book of life belonging to the Lamb that was slain from the creation of the world.
(D) Vision for Our Fellowship
As we continue to seek God for His vision/purpose for our fellowship group, the twin themes of 'revival' and 'intercession' were recently impressed upon my heart. We are called to be purposeful in praying and interceding for revival, first in Singapore, then across the nations.
From a practical standpoint, we need to equip ourselves to pray with power and to learn how to join hands with the Chief Intercessor, the Lord Christ, in the Office & Duty of Intercession. Christ ever lives to make intercession for us at the right hand of the Father.
God takes exceptional delight in 'collective prayers'. Revival often starts from very small beginnings and small faithful pockets of praying saints. I have a strong sense that the call upon our fellowship is nothing less than this. Rev 5:8 appears to be the anchor verse for us - "...golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints". Indeed, we are called to fill these bowls!
You would remember I shared from a sermon by C.H.Spurgeon "Golden Bowls Full of Incense". I have placed a link to this elegant message and another titled "Intercessory Prayer" in our Resource column (right-hand side of blog).
With all these, we shall progress from our initial theme of "Surrender/ Abandonment", which was a great, foundation-setting topic, to "Prayer & Intercession". The following weeks/months will be a season of equipping thru' an intentional study of God's Word on this subject and whatever resources and teachers the Lord will bring to us. This Saturday, Susan will share with us on intercession & speaking God's Word into being.
In connection with our examination of some verses from Revelation, we also began to talk about the vision/purpose that God has for our fellowship group for such a time as this (Rev 5:8).
A. Joseph
B. Moses
C. The Lamb
D. Vision for Our Fellowship
___________________
(A) JOSEPH
1. Joseph as a young, possibly spoilt, child sees life as revolving around him.
Genesis 37:2 - "This is the account of Jacob. Joseph, a young man of seventeen, was tending the flocks with his brothers, the sons of Bilhah and the sons of Zilpah, his father's wives, and he brought their father a bad report about them." (+ the way he recounts his dreams to his brothers, etc.)
2. Joseph has gone thru' a tough lesson (sold to slavery) but is still full of self -the outer man still prevails.
Genesis 39:8-9 - But he refused. "With me in charge," he told her, "my master does not concern himself with anything in the house; everything he owns he has entrusted to my care. No one is greater in this house than I am. My master has withheld nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. How then could I do such a wicked thing and sin against God?
3. Thru' a series of hardships, he finally came to the end of himself. God comes first & he is now ready for His work.
Genesis 41:16 - "I cannot do it," Joseph replied to Pharaoh, "but God will give Pharaoh the answer he desires."
4. Joseph puts God first, & Pharaoh puts Joseph in charge of his kingdom.
Genesis 41:40 - You shall be in charge of my palace, and all my people are to submit to your orders. Only with respect to the throne will I be greater than you.
(B) MOSES
1. Moses was great in his own strength.
Acts 7:22 - Moses was educated in all the wisdom of the Egyptians and was powerful in speech and action.
2. Moses took things into his own hands. He killed an Egyptian.
Exodus 2:11-12 - One day, after Moses had grown up, he went out to where his own people were and watched them at their hard labor. He saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew, one of his own people. Glancing this way and that and seeing no one, he killed the Egyptian and hid him in the sand.
3. Thru' a long period of God's dealings & hardships, he came to the end of himself. God comes first & he is now ready for His work (notice the similarity in voice btw Ex 3:11 & Gen 41:16).Exodus 3:11 - But Moses said to God, "Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?"
(C) THE LAMB
The Lamb of God represents God's ultimate victory which stems from an attitude of unreserved sacrifice and surrender.
Revelation 5:6
Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing in the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. He had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth.
Revelation 5:8
And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.
Revelation 13:8
All inhabitants of the earth will worship the beast—all whose names have not been written in the book of life belonging to the Lamb that was slain from the creation of the world.
(D) Vision for Our Fellowship
As we continue to seek God for His vision/purpose for our fellowship group, the twin themes of 'revival' and 'intercession' were recently impressed upon my heart. We are called to be purposeful in praying and interceding for revival, first in Singapore, then across the nations.
From a practical standpoint, we need to equip ourselves to pray with power and to learn how to join hands with the Chief Intercessor, the Lord Christ, in the Office & Duty of Intercession. Christ ever lives to make intercession for us at the right hand of the Father.
God takes exceptional delight in 'collective prayers'. Revival often starts from very small beginnings and small faithful pockets of praying saints. I have a strong sense that the call upon our fellowship is nothing less than this. Rev 5:8 appears to be the anchor verse for us - "...golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints". Indeed, we are called to fill these bowls!
You would remember I shared from a sermon by C.H.Spurgeon "Golden Bowls Full of Incense". I have placed a link to this elegant message and another titled "Intercessory Prayer" in our Resource column (right-hand side of blog).
With all these, we shall progress from our initial theme of "Surrender/ Abandonment", which was a great, foundation-setting topic, to "Prayer & Intercession". The following weeks/months will be a season of equipping thru' an intentional study of God's Word on this subject and whatever resources and teachers the Lord will bring to us. This Saturday, Susan will share with us on intercession & speaking God's Word into being.
Sunday, November 23, 2008
14 Nov 08 (Week 5 on the theme "Surrender")
Surrendering our Emotions (Part 3 of 3)
By Michael
(A) Verses quoted in our discussions:
Matthew 18:1-4
"At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, "Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?" He called a little child and had him stand among them. And he said: "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven."
Romans 12:3-5
"For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you. Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others."
Luke 18:9-14 [The Parable of the Pharisee & the Tax Collector]
"To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everybody else, Jesus told this parable: "Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood up and prayed about himself: 'God, I thank you that I am not like other men—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.' "But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, 'God, have mercy on me, a sinner.' "I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."
1 Chronicles 17:16 [David's Prayer]
"Then King David went in and sat before the LORD, and he said: "Who am I, O LORD God, and what is my family, that you have brought me this far?"
Proverbs 22:4
"Humility and the fear of the LORD bring wealth and honor and life."
Matthew 5:3
"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."
(B) Summary of Sharing
1. If pride is one of the greatest sin against God, then humility is one of the greatest virtue in the sight of God. God gives grace to the humble, ie. we can live our lives in Christ in peace and joy without fear or anxiety.
2. Our Lord Jesus taught that the way into the kingdom of heaven is by the simple trust and dependence of a child. We need to put our trust in God just as a child would put his trust in his earthly father. (Matt 18:1-4)
3. Being humble does not imply that we are not worthy in the sight of man or God. We are all created in the image of God and we are all equal before God. We are all precious in the sight of God. (Romans 12:3-5)
4. Jesus taught that a sinner like a tax collector who comes before God in sincere humility to confess his sins can get to heaven whereas a proud Pharisee would not. (Luke 18:9-14)
5. Even though God did not accept King David's offer to build the temple, King David in humility gave thanks to God for all that God has done for him and his family. He acknowledged that all that he has and all that he is come from God. (1 Chron 17:16)
6. Humility enables us to say that I am a sinner and I need to be saved. This comes from acknowledging that my life belongs to God - I am a mortal creature and God is my maker. Jesus said "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven".
By Michael
(A) Verses quoted in our discussions:
Matthew 18:1-4
"At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, "Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?" He called a little child and had him stand among them. And he said: "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven."
Romans 12:3-5
"For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you. Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others."
Luke 18:9-14 [The Parable of the Pharisee & the Tax Collector]
"To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everybody else, Jesus told this parable: "Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood up and prayed about himself: 'God, I thank you that I am not like other men—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.' "But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, 'God, have mercy on me, a sinner.' "I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."
1 Chronicles 17:16 [David's Prayer]
"Then King David went in and sat before the LORD, and he said: "Who am I, O LORD God, and what is my family, that you have brought me this far?"
Proverbs 22:4
"Humility and the fear of the LORD bring wealth and honor and life."
Matthew 5:3
"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."
(B) Summary of Sharing
1. If pride is one of the greatest sin against God, then humility is one of the greatest virtue in the sight of God. God gives grace to the humble, ie. we can live our lives in Christ in peace and joy without fear or anxiety.
2. Our Lord Jesus taught that the way into the kingdom of heaven is by the simple trust and dependence of a child. We need to put our trust in God just as a child would put his trust in his earthly father. (Matt 18:1-4)
3. Being humble does not imply that we are not worthy in the sight of man or God. We are all created in the image of God and we are all equal before God. We are all precious in the sight of God. (Romans 12:3-5)
4. Jesus taught that a sinner like a tax collector who comes before God in sincere humility to confess his sins can get to heaven whereas a proud Pharisee would not. (Luke 18:9-14)
5. Even though God did not accept King David's offer to build the temple, King David in humility gave thanks to God for all that God has done for him and his family. He acknowledged that all that he has and all that he is come from God. (1 Chron 17:16)
6. Humility enables us to say that I am a sinner and I need to be saved. This comes from acknowledging that my life belongs to God - I am a mortal creature and God is my maker. Jesus said "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven".
Friday, November 21, 2008
7 Nov 2008 (Week 4 on the theme "Surrender")
"Surendering our Emotions" (Part 2 of 3)
By Michael
(A) Verses Quoted in our Discussions:
Proverbs 16:5
"Everyone who is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD; Assuredly, he will not be unpunished."
Proverbs 16:18
"Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before stumbling."
James 4:6
"But He gives a greater grace. Therefore it says, God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble."
Romans 12:16
"Be of the same mind toward one another; do not be haughty in mind, but associate with the lowly. Do not be wise in your own estimation."
Isaiah 14:12-14
"How have you fallen from heaven, O light-bringer and daystar, son of the morning! How you have been cut down to the ground, you who weakened and laid low the nations [O blasphemous, satanic king of Babylon!] And you said in your heart, I will ascend to heaven; I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will sit upon the mount of assembly in the uttermost north. I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High."
Exodus 3:14
"And God said to Moses, I AM WHO I AM and WHAT I AM, and I WILL BE WHAT I WILL BE; and He said, You shall say this to the Israelites: I AM has sent me to you!"
(B) Summary of Sharing:
1. Pride separates us from God and others. Pride comes from believing that we can achieve everything with our own strength, without the help of even God, and that there is no need to give glory to God. We forget our giftings come from God.
2. There are enough warnings in the scripture that a proud heart is an abomination in the sight of God and leads to loss of one's soul. Pride was the downfall of Satan himself (Isa 14:12-14).
3. In Exodus 3:14, God says He is all that we need in this life, from healing, wisdom, sanctification and even unto salvation. James says we do not have because we do not ask. God will not give to those who are too proud to ask.
4. So, we need to surrender our pride and belief in our own strength to God and acknowledge that He is our Maker and all that we have and all that we are come from Him.
By Michael
(A) Verses Quoted in our Discussions:
Proverbs 16:5
"Everyone who is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD; Assuredly, he will not be unpunished."
Proverbs 16:18
"Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before stumbling."
James 4:6
"But He gives a greater grace. Therefore it says, God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble."
Romans 12:16
"Be of the same mind toward one another; do not be haughty in mind, but associate with the lowly. Do not be wise in your own estimation."
Isaiah 14:12-14
"How have you fallen from heaven, O light-bringer and daystar, son of the morning! How you have been cut down to the ground, you who weakened and laid low the nations [O blasphemous, satanic king of Babylon!] And you said in your heart, I will ascend to heaven; I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will sit upon the mount of assembly in the uttermost north. I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High."
Exodus 3:14
"And God said to Moses, I AM WHO I AM and WHAT I AM, and I WILL BE WHAT I WILL BE; and He said, You shall say this to the Israelites: I AM has sent me to you!"
(B) Summary of Sharing:
1. Pride separates us from God and others. Pride comes from believing that we can achieve everything with our own strength, without the help of even God, and that there is no need to give glory to God. We forget our giftings come from God.
2. There are enough warnings in the scripture that a proud heart is an abomination in the sight of God and leads to loss of one's soul. Pride was the downfall of Satan himself (Isa 14:12-14).
3. In Exodus 3:14, God says He is all that we need in this life, from healing, wisdom, sanctification and even unto salvation. James says we do not have because we do not ask. God will not give to those who are too proud to ask.
4. So, we need to surrender our pride and belief in our own strength to God and acknowledge that He is our Maker and all that we have and all that we are come from Him.
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