Continuing reading on 1 Cor chapter 10 from verse 23-33
Memory Verse 1 Cor 10:23
Everything is permissible but not everything is beneficial . Everything is permissible but not everything is constructive. Nobody should seek his own good but for the good of others.
God lead me to think through what are the areas of my life that can be change so as to avoid people being stumbled, not as though I've did something wrong before God. But so that others maybe build up. And this is Gods love towards his people.
In this cause, I believe there is a few as I process through. If being close with sisters stumbles a bro, than I should learn to keep some approximaty to protect the bro. If my drinking causes my fellow bros to sin, than I will quit which I did. If I say anything that hurt others, I must as well say nothing at all. But to let everything I do , do to build others up. This is not easy. Because I know that I'm not that good In some areas myself, but I pray that God will help me, empower me and uplift me in obeying him.
May the body of Christ be sanctified and build up for His name's sake and glory.
Memory Verse 1 Cor 10:23
Everything is permissible but
not everything is beneficial . Everything is permissible but not
everything is constructive. Nobody should seek his own good but for the
good of others.
Monday 31 December 2012
Saturday 29 December 2012
Idolatry and its consequences
Today as i read the word of God, I was totally shock when i read 1 Cor chapter 10. Even when God is with us, and while we are doing christian activities like church, service, camps and offering, surely does not mean that God is please with us.
As i remember about of the names written in the life of book, which we talked about the youth camp. I came upon this verse
Exodus 32:33-34
The Lord replied to Moses, “Whoever has sinned against me I will blot out of my book. 34 Now go, lead the people to the place I spoke of, and my angel will go before you. However, when the time comes for me to punish, I will punish them for their sin.
Even if we offer sacrifices to God and do all the "christian things" surely does not mean that our life is saved!! And surely when we are sinful, God will surely response to us by all means to show us our sins, sometimes with his wrath.
Num 25:1-9
While Israel was staying in Shittim, the men began to indulge in sexual immorality with Moabite women, 2 who invited them to the sacrifices to their gods. The people ate the sacrificial meal and bowed down before these gods. 3 So Israel yoked themselves to the Baal of Peor. And the Lord’s anger burned against them.
4 The Lord said to Moses, “Take all the leaders of these people, kill them and expose them in broad daylight before the Lord, so that the Lord’s fierce anger may turn away from Israel.”
5 So Moses said to Israel’s judges, “Each of you must put to death those of your people who have yoked themselves to the Baal of Peor.”
6 Then an Israelite man brought into the camp a Midianite woman right before the eyes of Moses and the whole assembly of Israel while they were weeping at the entrance to the tent of meeting. 7 When Phinehas son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron, the priest, saw this, he left the assembly, took a spear in his hand 8 and followed the Israelite into the tent. He drove the spear into both of them, right through the Israelite man and into the woman’s stomach. Then the plague against the Israelites was stopped; 9 but those who died in the plague numbered 24,000.
This is much worst.... 24000 people died in one day... and it was the LEADERS that died first! These 2 passages have the same kind of sins, people turn away from God to idols and ungodly relationships.
There were more on
Testing the Lord
Numbers 21:5-6
they spoke against God and against Moses, and said, “Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? There is no bread! There is no water! And we detest this miserable food!”
6 Then the Lord sent venomous snakes among them; they bit the people and many Israelites died.
Grumbling Against the Lord
Number 16:41-50
The next day the whole Israelite community grumbled against Moses and Aaron. “You have killed the Lord’s people,” they said.
42 But when the assembly gathered in opposition to Moses and Aaron and turned toward the tent of meeting, suddenly the cloud covered it and the glory of the Lord appeared. 43 Then Moses and Aaron went to the front of the tent of meeting, 44 and the Lord said to Moses, 45 “Get away from this assembly so I can put an end to them at once.” And they fell facedown.
46 Then Moses said to Aaron, “Take your censer and put incense in it, along with burning coals from the altar, and hurry to the assembly to make atonement for them. Wrath has come out from the Lord; the plague has started.” 47 So Aaron did as Moses said, and ran into the midst of the assembly. The plague had already started among the people, but Aaron offered the incense and made atonement for them. 48 He stood between the living and the dead, and the plague stopped. 49 But 14,700 people died from the plague, in addition to those who had died because of Korah. 50 Then Aaron returned to Moses at the entrance to the tent of meeting, for the plague had stopped.
I came to understand how serious sin can be, God hates it, because it spreads like fire and it kills the lives of many.And Paul encourage us that God is faithful, he will not let us be tempted beyond what we can bear. But when we are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that we can stand up under it. We totally have no excuse of falling into sin actually! Because God gives us whatever we need to resist or avoid it. Provided that we are living in a close relationship with God, imagine what happens when we are not close to him and not hearing his words! SURELY we will fall and sin!
Thank God for the word today to remind me how scary sin is and how important it is to live a life that is pleasing and Holy to God.
As i remember about of the names written in the life of book, which we talked about the youth camp. I came upon this verse
Exodus 32:33-34
The Lord replied to Moses, “Whoever has sinned against me I will blot out of my book. 34 Now go, lead the people to the place I spoke of, and my angel will go before you. However, when the time comes for me to punish, I will punish them for their sin.
Even if we offer sacrifices to God and do all the "christian things" surely does not mean that our life is saved!! And surely when we are sinful, God will surely response to us by all means to show us our sins, sometimes with his wrath.
Num 25:1-9
While Israel was staying in Shittim, the men began to indulge in sexual immorality with Moabite women, 2 who invited them to the sacrifices to their gods. The people ate the sacrificial meal and bowed down before these gods. 3 So Israel yoked themselves to the Baal of Peor. And the Lord’s anger burned against them.
4 The Lord said to Moses, “Take all the leaders of these people, kill them and expose them in broad daylight before the Lord, so that the Lord’s fierce anger may turn away from Israel.”
5 So Moses said to Israel’s judges, “Each of you must put to death those of your people who have yoked themselves to the Baal of Peor.”
6 Then an Israelite man brought into the camp a Midianite woman right before the eyes of Moses and the whole assembly of Israel while they were weeping at the entrance to the tent of meeting. 7 When Phinehas son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron, the priest, saw this, he left the assembly, took a spear in his hand 8 and followed the Israelite into the tent. He drove the spear into both of them, right through the Israelite man and into the woman’s stomach. Then the plague against the Israelites was stopped; 9 but those who died in the plague numbered 24,000.
This is much worst.... 24000 people died in one day... and it was the LEADERS that died first! These 2 passages have the same kind of sins, people turn away from God to idols and ungodly relationships.
There were more on
Testing the Lord
Numbers 21:5-6
they spoke against God and against Moses, and said, “Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? There is no bread! There is no water! And we detest this miserable food!”
6 Then the Lord sent venomous snakes among them; they bit the people and many Israelites died.
Grumbling Against the Lord
Number 16:41-50
The next day the whole Israelite community grumbled against Moses and Aaron. “You have killed the Lord’s people,” they said.
42 But when the assembly gathered in opposition to Moses and Aaron and turned toward the tent of meeting, suddenly the cloud covered it and the glory of the Lord appeared. 43 Then Moses and Aaron went to the front of the tent of meeting, 44 and the Lord said to Moses, 45 “Get away from this assembly so I can put an end to them at once.” And they fell facedown.
46 Then Moses said to Aaron, “Take your censer and put incense in it, along with burning coals from the altar, and hurry to the assembly to make atonement for them. Wrath has come out from the Lord; the plague has started.” 47 So Aaron did as Moses said, and ran into the midst of the assembly. The plague had already started among the people, but Aaron offered the incense and made atonement for them. 48 He stood between the living and the dead, and the plague stopped. 49 But 14,700 people died from the plague, in addition to those who had died because of Korah. 50 Then Aaron returned to Moses at the entrance to the tent of meeting, for the plague had stopped.
I came to understand how serious sin can be, God hates it, because it spreads like fire and it kills the lives of many.And Paul encourage us that God is faithful, he will not let us be tempted beyond what we can bear. But when we are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that we can stand up under it. We totally have no excuse of falling into sin actually! Because God gives us whatever we need to resist or avoid it. Provided that we are living in a close relationship with God, imagine what happens when we are not close to him and not hearing his words! SURELY we will fall and sin!
Thank God for the word today to remind me how scary sin is and how important it is to live a life that is pleasing and Holy to God.
Tuesday 25 December 2012
GOD is my vindicator
Psalms 9:4
For you have upheld my right and my cause; you have sat on your throne, judging rightously.
I came upon reading this during devotion and how it explains is this;
God upholds our just cause, he is our vindicator. In this life we may face many injustices
1- we may be falsely accused and misunderstood by friends and enemies
2- we may not be truly appreciated by others for the love we show
3- the true calue of our work and services may not be duly rewarded
4- our ideas may be ignored.
But God is to be praised, for he sees and remembers all the good we do, it is up to him to decide the timing and the appropriateness of our rewards. If we do not trust him to vindicate us, then we will be susceptible to hatred and self pity. If we do trust him, we can experience God's peace and be free from worry of how others perceive us and treat us.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
How apt this message came to me, as i believe i am totally misunderstood by a group of people (mission trip 2012) who thought i have intentions of so and so. As much as i believe that there are things in my life that i can learn and grow to become better which also benefits the many youths around me. I firmly believe in my heart that i have not sinned against God nor against them. But for the benefit of many and myself before God, i must change, especially also in the areas of my words and actions and in life which i believe is my weakness.
Many thoughts came to me, like if they would have been honest with me it could have helped all of us greatly and avoid unnecessary misunderstanding. Or why mention such things in a group? Don't they know that it will create a big loophole for Satan to come in to destroy what God has built?
My best approach is trust my God as the vindicator. And i came upon this verse ( psalms 9:4), and how amazing, at first i was afraid that i would get bitter and upset! But when i continue to pray God lead me to this!! (I was lead to wake up early in the morning to pray) With all of my heart I praise Him that knows my heart, hears my cry and assures me with peace and love. God is really my everyday miracle! Joy, peace and hope is poured out into me and i thank God for today's word.
For you have upheld my right and my cause; you have sat on your throne, judging rightously.
I came upon reading this during devotion and how it explains is this;
God upholds our just cause, he is our vindicator. In this life we may face many injustices
1- we may be falsely accused and misunderstood by friends and enemies
2- we may not be truly appreciated by others for the love we show
3- the true calue of our work and services may not be duly rewarded
4- our ideas may be ignored.
But God is to be praised, for he sees and remembers all the good we do, it is up to him to decide the timing and the appropriateness of our rewards. If we do not trust him to vindicate us, then we will be susceptible to hatred and self pity. If we do trust him, we can experience God's peace and be free from worry of how others perceive us and treat us.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
How apt this message came to me, as i believe i am totally misunderstood by a group of people (mission trip 2012) who thought i have intentions of so and so. As much as i believe that there are things in my life that i can learn and grow to become better which also benefits the many youths around me. I firmly believe in my heart that i have not sinned against God nor against them. But for the benefit of many and myself before God, i must change, especially also in the areas of my words and actions and in life which i believe is my weakness.
Many thoughts came to me, like if they would have been honest with me it could have helped all of us greatly and avoid unnecessary misunderstanding. Or why mention such things in a group? Don't they know that it will create a big loophole for Satan to come in to destroy what God has built?
My best approach is trust my God as the vindicator. And i came upon this verse ( psalms 9:4), and how amazing, at first i was afraid that i would get bitter and upset! But when i continue to pray God lead me to this!! (I was lead to wake up early in the morning to pray) With all of my heart I praise Him that knows my heart, hears my cry and assures me with peace and love. God is really my everyday miracle! Joy, peace and hope is poured out into me and i thank God for today's word.
Monday 24 December 2012
A God who sanctifies us
1 Cor 6:9-11
Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolators nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the Kingdom of God. And that is some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.
19: Do you not know that your body us a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own, you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.
Remembering this wretched body of mine, use to be slaved to many, now being washed and clense by God, my father. I give thanks. Struggling with many areas of sins in my life, today i am glad i have overcome many, though the flesh is weak, the SPIRIT is strong. A heart desire to honor God in all areas of my life.
After the party on Christmas eve last night, some of the guys gathered together to drink and mingle together. Immediately they took out a few bottles of wine and offer it to me as well, because i love wine. I gladly responded that if there is alcohol i wont touch it, if its just champagne without alcohol I'm fine. They claim its non alcohol and so i took a glass. But i realized i was deceived i stopped drinking.
I have openly declare and everyone knew i quit drinking for the sake of ministering to God's people and to present my life to honor God. But at this moment, brothers came telling me, " this is just wine", " why stop?what ministering work you do?". They continue to offer me and filled my cup with more wine before the crowd.
A new brother in Christ, who is one of them who offered me the wine suddenly asked. You really quit drinking? And yes i replied. And i forgive him because i knew he wasn't too sure and he was new.
I am totally disappointed. A brother in Christ, whom i walk together with, lest he have the respect for my love for God. Putting me into the same shoes as they are just because they love drinking and much more.
I prayed again,
" O Lord, to love you requires sacrifice, and i quit drinking wine that i loved. More than that, i was shame before the group for the sake of honoring your name. That is a little price i paid. But you paid the whole price for my life, totally nothing compared to you."
And it reminds me of the prayer i prayed 2 days ago, and my own prayer speaks to me again.
"As I pray, hear me and sanctify me. Because I am your holy temple, and you resides in me. Who praises you when he is no more?"
I praise God, who washes and cleanses us , and made us new in him. A new creation, a power given that rises the dead.
Sunday 23 December 2012
Keynote Session Day 1 For Youth Camp 2012
ACCEPTANCE
What is acceptance to you?
How do you usually handle rejections in your life?
Do you find difficult or easy to accept God? Why?
Personal Testimony:
Parents: Before i was even born, i was reject and meant to die. Twice, did the abortion failed and there i was born.
Growing up rarely with my dad around, never had to be praise or encourage in anyway. Name stupid, silly, dirty by my own parents. I was never taught about the basic things in life, why study? why save money? A life without understanding, without assurance, without guidance.
Friends: Because i was really fat and i couldnt run, i was never allowed to participate in games like catching while with my neighborhood friends. When playing soccer, i am 24/7 stand by keeper, big enough to cover the goal post and without much running.
Teacher: Well, cos i never studied and and never really paid attention in class. I was often asked by my teachers to quit school. Because it disgrace them, the report cards and the school reputation. In the whole year of my sec three, i didnt even attend class for geography at all, i was ask to stand outside every single lesson that i eventually sit in the history class instead.
Relationships: Remembering the 2nd gf that i use to date. I was totally rejected 3 times. Haha... but i was actually accepted the 4th time with much persistence. Well, happy at that moment, to the max. But in the end the reason for the break up because i was am not as mature as her and i couldn't support her financially at that time.
How and why I ended up like that?
So in all this life grow up like that. I was a man filled with vengeance, a slave to sex, to cigarettes and drinks. A man that is in deep craving for relationships with women. A man that hates Christians and is a anti-christian. A man such as I, do you think that you will accept me?
Share testimony
But there came a day God spoke to me, and i clearly hear his voice, word for word as i remember till this day.
" I still love you. Are you willing to follow me?"
I was filled with remorse, touch with love as i receive such a love from God. Since than i followed God and is accepted into His family. First time in my life i experience a love from a Father, who knows me, cares for me, speaks to me, comforts me, disciplines me, accepting me for who i am, loving me when i am STILL A SINNER. (Roms 5:8)
Conclude:
Eph 2:8-9 for it is by grace you have been saved, through faith- and this is not from yourselves, it is a gift of God, not by works, so that no one can boast .
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GOD Fulfills all relational needs of our life, he accepts is a friend, as his disciple, as his servant, as his worker, as his son, as a man. Whatever he has, he freely given to us.
Ephesians 1:5-14 (son) Adopted as sons, the Holy which marks as a seal of our inheritance and redemption.
Galatians 4:4-7 But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, borne of a woman, born under law, to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons. Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out "abba Father." So you are no longer slave, but a son and since you are a son, God has made you also an heir.
John 15:7-8 (disciples)
Just like a love marriage, when God put 2 to become 1 in to love and accept one another fully, jesus called us to be in him and him in us. Why? in Verse 8 : This is to my father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be His disciples.
John 15:13-16 (friends) (called to love one another)
Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what i command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead , i have called you friends, for everything that i learned from my father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but i chose you and appointed you to go and bear much fruit- fruit that will last. Then the father will give you whatever you ask in my name. This is my command: love each other.
Romans 5:8 (as a man)
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we are still sinners, Christ died for us.
2 Cor 11:2 (bridegroom) Mat 25:1-13 (Parable of ten Virgins)
For I feel a divine jealousy for you, since I betrothed you to one husband, to present you as a pure virgin to Christ.
God also our King, master and Lord.
However relationships works BOTH WAYS, a father and son, a teacher and disciple, husband and wife, friends, master and servant. God is always ready to accept us and love us, what about you?
Coming to church every sunday, serving in church, being active in church does not necessarily mean that you have a relationship with God or you that have accepted him in your life. Who is God to you? If you have accepted him, how sure are you? How do we build a relationship with God?
Questions:
Who is God to us? Do we accept Him as who he is?
What does accepting God into our lives mean?
Do we find difficulties accepting one another? Why? Think through and share with one another.
Saturday 22 December 2012
A new Journal Blog
As i began a new journey of walk in my christian faith, greatly inspired by the mission trip, to walk further to establish the Kingdom of God. A new light and empowering from God, whom i accepted as my Father and the leading by the Holy Spirit.
Ive decided to take up BSF on the coming Feb and also thailand language to faciliate me for the coming mission trips. Was considering BTS part time for 3 years, but until the time is ripe, i probably go for it. As for now, to take steps in the development of God's love and life.
As lonely as i am in my christian walk, only with me , my mentor who is my pastor, and God. This verse came to encourage me dearly.
Rom15:13
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may over flow with hope by the power of the holy spirit.
I am praying for spiritual friends to come by. Through the mission trip i realize how lonely i was in my spiritual life not having spiritual friends. Even so, i have kept my faith strong and firm. To trust God in all areas of my life, called to be set apart for God's purpose and use.
As i began this new journey of journal, i hope its all not too late!
Ive decided to take up BSF on the coming Feb and also thailand language to faciliate me for the coming mission trips. Was considering BTS part time for 3 years, but until the time is ripe, i probably go for it. As for now, to take steps in the development of God's love and life.
As lonely as i am in my christian walk, only with me , my mentor who is my pastor, and God. This verse came to encourage me dearly.
Rom15:13
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may over flow with hope by the power of the holy spirit.
I am praying for spiritual friends to come by. Through the mission trip i realize how lonely i was in my spiritual life not having spiritual friends. Even so, i have kept my faith strong and firm. To trust God in all areas of my life, called to be set apart for God's purpose and use.
As i began this new journey of journal, i hope its all not too late!
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