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.
Saturday, May 30, 2009
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!
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