080210 Monday [Be An Example To Others] February 8, 2010

Jn 8:31~47, 2Pet 3:1~9, Ezek 14

God: open your eyes and recognize the sins that ensnare you. confess and repent and my Truth will set you free. be careful of living in denial, do not be proud, but be humble and willing to listen to advice from others. this is the measure of my patience: i will wait for the salvation of as many as possible, only then will i return. do likewise my son. be patient and kind to others and see my promises fulfilled. i have placed you where you are, to be an example to others. shine for the my glory and then others will know that i am God.

me: thank you Lord for setting me free from my sins. that i am no longer carrying the yoke of sins on my body, but free in the spirit! thank you also for your patience in the past, though i rebelled, but you still love me. help me to continue seek you and live in freedom of sins. help me to be patient with others too that i may show them your love. grant me the opportunities Lord to be an example to others and to shine for you. in the Name of Jesus, Amen!

070210 Sunday [Working To Please God] February 7, 2010

Jn 8:21~30, Luke 10:38~42, Ezek 12

God: I have revealed myself to you. would you consider all things and determine which is the most important? is it not to follow me? open your eyes and not be distracted by the things of this world, but work toward pleasing me, then i will always be with you.

me: thank you Lord for revealing yourself to me, that i believed in you. help me to sort my priorities today, to follow you and please you first. continue to reveal yourself to me, that i may grow deeper in you. continue to be with me as i do your works. hallelujah!

How To Be A Christian February 7, 2010

(James 1:22~25) To be a Christian, to be one whom sees Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour, to be one whom follows Christ, and to be one whom is the son of God, the most basic item to have is of course the bible! Why? Simply because the bible holds the basic instructions before leaving earth for all Christians, to live in eternity with God. Obviously having a bible is essential. More so than that, we are to read the bible daily (doing our quiet time), spending time with God. And after spending time with God and listening what He has to say to us, we must also carry out God’s instructions. Just as the bible says, it is foolish for one to read God’s word and do nothing about it, but blessed is he who reads the bible and do what it is written.

(Ephesians 5:8~11)(Colossians 3:5)(Colossians 3:8~9) After reading the bible, we would come to realise that one of God’s command is for us not to sin. Interestingly, the bible even lists out several sins (though not exhaustive) for us to keep a check on ourselves. Sin occurs when we look away from God and do things in our own way. Just as Jesus was crucified on the cross, so are our bodies. Our body, together with our sinful nature were crucified together with Christ, so that we are not alive in the body, but in the spirit. That Jesus is alive in us and us in Jesus. Therefore, we are no longer living in darkness, but in the light. So we are to throw away all our sins, leading a sin-free life, doing things that are pleasing to God instead. That not only do we avoid sinning, but we expose the darkness to light, leading others who are still trapped in the darkness (which we once were) into the light of Jesus.

(Romans 15:5~7)(John 7:18) One would also realise that nobody’s walk with God is alone. It is highly encouraged that all Christians be involved in a community (be it cell group or a ministry), that through the community, they may continue to grow in the Lord and be strengthen in faith. Therefore, while interacting with others, we must keep in mind that we all work for the one mission and one mission only, and that is to bring glory to Christ. Though there may be different areas to work on, the possibilities are infinite. Thus, we must always remember not to doubt the work that God has anointed others to do. To doubt the (godly) tasks that others are doing, is to doubt the authority that God has given to that particular person. This is what God expects from us: to be united in the body and to direct all glory to Him.

(John 8:11) The previous paragraphs are actions that can be applied to ourselves in order to stay holy in God’s eyes. After personal actions, we should also take actions toward others too. And to know what exactly to do, we should look at how Jesus (our role model) lived His life. Not only did He live a life free of sin, more so than that, He lived a life hating sins while loving the sinners. This is God’s ultimate call for us when He commanded us to be like his son. Though sometimes we may find it easy to hate the sins, or maybe we find it easy to love the sinners. But most of the time, we find it difficult to combine the 2 together. We either hate the sins AND the sinner, or we love the sins AND the sinners. This is the attitude that God wants us to carry: to love the lost so much, that we desire to bring them out of the darkness.

(Hebrews 11:5) And this is the promise, the reward of God that we should all hold on dearly. That whoever pleases God, shall be granted life, dwelling with our creator in His holy sanctuary. Is not that the most important thing after all? We can pray to God for us to be prosperous on earth, but should we not pray to God to lead us back to Him, that we may one day experience eternal life – to dwell with Him in heavens? Today this is God’s charge to us: lead a life that is pleasing to Him, doing what the bible says; leading a sin-free life; uniting in the body of Christ; directing all glory to God; re conciliating the lost back to God and ultimately desire to live with God in heavens.

Ben

Offensive Offering & Worthless Worship [Malachi 1:6~2:9] February 7, 2010

This is the fact that we should all get right: that God is the audience of the concert (that we call worship), we as humans were never the spectator (judging the worship leaders and musicians etc). We are to put ourselves in the position today, to understand that our roles are performers of the concert called “worship”.

(Mal 1:6, 2:2~3) The Israelites did no honor God, so His wrath was upon them. A few questions to ask ourselves:

1) Is our worship acceptable to God?

2) Will God’s presence be with us as we worship Him?

3) Will we be able to witness miracles and wonders as we worship Him?

Transgressions That Caused Their Worship To Be Unaccetable

1) Lack of fear and reverence (of God)

(Mal 1:6) Priests were despising the Name of God, it was as serious as making fun of the Name of God.

(Mal 1:7~8) They belittled God and offered Him sacrifices of low grade that could not be sold in the market.

(Mal 1:13~14) God’s wrath was upon them, simply because they did not give their best to God.

So, do we actually prepare ourselves before attending service or even worshiping God?

(Mt 5:25) confess and search your hearts before worship services, things like punctuality, dress code, clapping, singing and dancing, all requires effort. And God is please with the efforts put in to honor Him.

2) Worshiping in a wearisome and tiresome manner

(Mal 1:12~13) Priests were feeling burdened in the service of God, causing their worship to just become a form of ritual.

(Mal 2:8) Priests were feeling empty because they failed to walk with God daily.

Are we tired of God? If so, we should start daily communion with Him.

Can we tune our hearts such that we see worshiping at the end of the week is equals to the climax of walking with Him daily in the past week?

060210 Saturday [Walking With God Into Eternity] February 7, 2010

Jn 8:12~20, Gen 5:21~39, Ezek 11

Jesus: my laws are perfect. in the body, i led a sinless life. in the body, i brought the kingdom of God. in the body, i redeemed you. all these are possible if you live by the spirit, relying on my Holy Spirit. do as i command and walk with me all the days of your life, then surely i will bring you into eternity.

me: thank you Jesus for opening my eyes and allowing me to see your perfect laws. grant me your Holy Spirit today that i may rely entirely on Him, that i may lead a sin-free life, bringing the kingdom of God with me. help me see too of your commands for me that i will walk right with you, all the way to eternity.

050210 Friday [Hate The Sin, Love The Sinner] February 6, 2010

Jn 8:2~11, Eph 4:11~16, Ezek 10

Jesus: in me there is no condemnation, there is no one i hate. and this is your calling:  to be like me; hate the sin, love the sinner. humble yourself today and recognize the plant that is in your eyes, before removing the speck in others. i have called all of my children to work for my glory. each having their own tasks, do not question the authority i give to them, but be united as one body, that my Name may be glorified. do as i command and my glory would be upon you.

me: thank you Jesus for revealing your nature to me that you are merciful and righteous. though i have sinned, you chose not to look at it but led me to the cross. grant me the courage O God to love sinners and hate sins. open my eyes for self-realization that i will learn to see my flaws, before i judge others. grant me also the spirit of unity, that i will not question the anointing that you give, but to be united in the body and work for your glory. may your glory be upon me. amen.

040210 Thursday [Live By The Spirit] February 6, 2010

Jn 7:37~8:1, Col 3:1~11, Ezek 9

Jesus: to you i give the Holy Spirit, that you may be satisfied spiritually. remember that your body is dead and only your spirit is alive – mine in yours and yours in mine. so whatever the devil tries to do with your body, be it temptations, illnesses, sufferings, everything that is negative, know that these cannot affect you if you lay your body as a sacrifice to me, and live by the spirit. do not be proud, but humble, be filled with grace and look not to idols but me. then when judgement day comes, you may stand upright in my righteousness.

me: thank you Lord for showing me grace, for granting me your Holy Spirit. that i am free again – spiritually. that is the ultimate satisfaction. remind me if needed, not to return to my old body, but to live by your spirit., to look beyond the things on earth and unto the things above. reveal to me today the idols still within me that i may cut them off, so i may follow you wholeheartedly. i pray for the salvation of my family and friends, show them the mercy and grace you have shown me and allow them to come to know you Lord.

030210 Wednesday [Read & Do What The Bible Says] February 6, 2010

Jn 7:25~36, Jas 1:21~25

Jesus: no one has seen God, but God so love the world that He sent me, to dwell amongst you, to redeem you. though you may read my Word, but be sure to carry out everything that it tells you to. only then can i be glorified, only then can my kingdom come.

me: thank you Lord for sending your begotten son to redeem me. thank you for opening my eyes that i may even see you and believe Jesus. instill in me today discipline, not just to read your Word but to do as you command. that your glory may come, your kingdom advanced.

020210 Tuesday [Bring Glory To God] February 6, 2010

Jn 7:14~24, Lk 7:37~49, Ezek 5

God: i have placed you in the middle of all nations, you shall be the centre of attraction. remember, direct all glory to me, not to yourself. i know it might be difficult to live for my righteousness, but you were never meant to do it alone. draw strength from me and it can be done. love me much and more will be granted to you.

me: thank you Lord for wanting to use me. it definitely makes me feel worthy in your eyes. may your Holy Spirit be upon me, to lead me and teach me what to do. help me O Lord to do things that glorifies your Name. i want to follow you all the rest of my life.

010210 Monday [Unite In The Body Of Christ] February 6, 2010

Jn 7:1~13, Rom 15:4~13, Ezek 4

Jesus: all will happen according to my appointed time. do not be impatient my son, for i have plans for you. humble yourself today and just allow my Holy Spirit to guide you. to you i give encouragement, to you i give endurance. stay united in my body and glorify and praise my Name.

me: thank you Jesus for planning my life for me. though i may be insignificant to others, clearly i am significant to you! i pray today that you would lead me and guide me with your Holy Spirit, that all may happen according to your will. grant me encouragement, grant me endurance even as i move outfield this week, that i may witness your glory.