Wednesday, 13 March 2013

Successors

From the story of Cain and his descendents, one after another is full of sin and perverse that our current civilization mirrors. The violence and sexual media and lifestyle that we have today. With much wickedness and arrogance, we even boast about such things.

But for those who follows the way of Abel and seek God in all his ways, will always find mercy and life. In opinion, Abel tended flocks and gave the first borns to God as an offering because he probably knew God also killed the animals as an atonement for Adam and Eve's sin. I believed Adam followed what God did, and love God. Hence gaining favor from God.

Yet however, he was killed and murdered by his very own brother who he grew up with. How amazing one can kill another who they live together with in the their lives. This comes as a warning that such hatred and murderous intend can be anywhere, any time and anyone.

However the good news is that, Seth came in replacement with Abel which is Adam-like. Probably a man closest to God, from him came Enosh which means weakness. Where we come before GOD in our weaknesses and utter worship. The pioneer worshipers of God came from Enosh and thats what we need in the current day. Not a succession of economy, politics, power or wealth, but a succession of Godly people, Godly Worshipers.

Prayer:
Lord, i pray that my life and my weaknesses may find favor in your eyes, that your strength be made perfect in me. That i will live my life as a worshiper to you, a Godly man after your heart. I want to find favor in your eyes and acceptance in my righteous offerings to you. Humble my heart in the area of my sin, and let confess my sins to you all the days of life, that i maybe continually purify by you.

In Jesus Holy and merciful name,
Amen.

Monday, 11 March 2013

SIN

Had begin my new journey of bible study on Genesis with BSF and to do my own study on the 2 books of Kings before i proceed back to the letters of Paul. Haven been able to journal down my thpughts for a while due to some work and struggles. But lets continue what I have started.

A lesson from Eve on how SIN happened
  1. Eve paid attention to listen to the devil
  2. She stir her self desires by looking at the forbidden fruit.
  3. She took the fruit.
  4. She ate the fruit.
  5. And than she gave Adam the fruit to eat.
We must cut sin off as early as possible before it accumulates and spreads on to others as well, the further it goes the harder to rewind. We need to learn to be aware of the voices of the devil, and remove it at once. The first step of mistake that Eve took that eventually lead her to death. And we must learn to trust and obey God in loyalty and not to listen to the devils lies.

Things that i've learned so far from the first 3 chapters:
  1. I am made to enjoy a good relationship with God, not out of obligation.
  2. God gave all of us responsibilities like work, family and church.
  3. It takes the temper and self desire to make us fall into sin.
Somethings that i've learn from my mentor recently that i want to apply deeply into my life:
  1. Have faith to surrander 
  2. The stillness to know God
  3. The silence to hear God
  4. And the sensitivity to obey
Personal prayer:

Lord, i want to obey you all the days of my life. To enjoy your presence and love for me. Help me avoid sin and resist temptation whenever it happens. Allow me to recognize the voice of the devil, and avoid and stop listening to him at all cost. Give me the heart to seek first the Kingdom of God, and these things will be given unto me.

In Jesus name, Amen.

Thursday, 24 January 2013

2 Cor 8


Things to learn from this chapter

  • We always give testimonies of other churches that can encourage our own church
  • We encourage our people to take a step further to give by grace
  • We encourage Gods people to complete what they start doing with consistency in love.
  • It is a greater blessing to give than receive even in poverty
  • Entrust finance to people who are trustworthy and in track record in their service , respected and look up by the churches and people. 

Memory Verses

2 Cor 8:9
For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, though he is rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty becomes rich.

Matt 20:26-28
..Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to become first must be your slave, just as the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve, and gave his life as a ransom to many.

Friday, 18 January 2013

Tablet of The Heart

From Devotions chapter 3 and 4

I have a hard time going through these 2 chapters, took me almost 5 days of reading again and again. Repeatingly asking the Holy Spirit to teach me and guide me before moving on to the later chapters.

2 Cor 3:2-3
You yourselves are our letter, written on our hearts, known and read by everybody. You show you are a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.

The ministry of God, the church of God is not something that can be done by platforms, programs of in any form of organization. But however, till today, like the world, we often fall into the trap of developing structure, rules, guidelines and education. And we always miss the point. Transformation can only be done and enabled by the Holy Spirit for it is by the Spirit that lives can be changed. In today's world, many people are trapped by the law, even Christians. The law they so depend on brings death. But those who are lead by the Spirit receives life.

In Moses time, people followed the tablets of stone which they couldn't fulfill and they died. By now we keep dying with Jesus as we live, that He is revealed in us through our life. Where our life is the very evident of the letter written in our hearts by the Holy Spirit. So if I am not living out the life of Christ, it only means that i have not die to myself with Jesus at all. Than there is no room for Spiritual parenting at all.

And Spiritual parenting is this, is carrying the letter of Christ in our hearts and life. That the next generation of Christians can see in us, thus following our examples as disciple of Jesus. We need to understand that as Christians, we are Jesus representatives. As mentors, we are Jesus to them. To guide them and leading them into maturity in Christ.

I don't think we need to be strong that we can be used by God. But rather in our weakness where God is revealed through His mighty work that people see God, thus believing and trusting God in their own lives.

Pointers of Spiritual Parenting
  • It is not a platform or program, it is a life imparting ministry. Godly principles, values etc
  • No one grows effectively without a mentor and guidance. 
  • People needs to be disciple and grow to maturity. And much attention is required until maturity stage.
  •  Mentoring is representing Jesus himself, absolutely important.
  • The love and grace of God must be evident in the mentors life.
  • Young believers cannot know and hear God by themselves, they need help and guidance. 
  • Investment in spiritual lives is worth all the trouble and pain and time.
  • Is like a father taking care of a son, like a mother giving attention to a baby.
  • Like the world, children without parents are often handicap and lost. 
  • When leaders of the church do not disciple Christians themselves, the church is malfunction already.

2 Cor 4

Therefore, as disciple of Christ, we renounced secret and shameful ways, to death of our past that is dead. Now we only share and proclaim Christ Jesus as it is without blemish before God himself. We do what we do for Jesus sake, and is made to suffering with Jesus, that others may benefit.

We speak by what we believe, through the leading of the Holy Spirit, and by the power of transformation done in our lives by the Holy Spirit. And that is true life that people need, and it is only by the grace of God. And because of this life, people can benefit and give thanks. The life of God spreads, and sin also spreads and destroy lives.

As Paul has written, the troubles and pain we go through for Christ is totally worth it. The rewards in heaven are way beyond what we know. We may need to invest a lot of time, effort, struggle and hard aches, that is what ministry is all about.

(Memory Verse)

2 Cor 4:16-18

Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we do not fixed our eyes on what is seen, but what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

James 1:2-8

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking in anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double minded man, unstable in all he does.


Sunday, 13 January 2013

God of comfort

Memory Verse:
2 Cor 3-5

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Father of compassion and God of all comfort, who comforts in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. For just as the sufferings of Chirst flows into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows.

Thursday, 10 January 2013

All Memory Verses

Have decided to Keep track of what i am to lead to memorize.

Matt 28:18-20
All authority in heaven and on earth is given to me. Therefore go make disciples of all nations , baptizing them in the name of the father , the son , and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commended you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.

1 Samuel 15:22
“Does the Lord delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices
    as much as in obeying the Lord?
To obey is better than sacrifice,
    and to heed is better than the fat of rams.

Heb 11:1
Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.

Heb 11:6
And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seeks him.

2 Cor 9:6
Whoever sows sparingly will reap sparingly and whoever that sows generously will also reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

2 Cor 8:9
For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, though he is rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty becomes rich.

Matt 20:26-28
..Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to become first must be your slave, just as the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve, and gave his life as a ransom to many.
2 Cor 7:10
Godly sorrows brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrows brings death.

2 Cor 5:7
Live by faith not by sight.

2 Cor 4:16-18
Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we do not fixed our eyes on what is seen, but what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

James 1:2-8
Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking in anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double minded man, unstable in all he does.


2 Cor 3-5
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Father of compassion and God of all comfort, who comforts in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. For just as the sufferings of Chirst flows into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows.

1 Cor 15:58
Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord will not be in vain.

John 11:25
I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe me?

1 Cor 15:33
Do not be misled. Bad company corrupts good character.

Rom 11:22
Consider the sternness and kindness of God. His sternness to those who fell, kindness to you, provided that you continue in his kindness. Otherwise you will also be cut off.

Prov 28:13-14
He who conceals his sins will not prosper ,
But whoever that confesses and renounces them will find mercy
Blessed is the man who always fears the Lord,
but whoever hardens his heart will fall into trouble.

1 Cor 14:1
Follow the ways of love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gifts of prophesies.

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 the good of others.

Psalms 9:4
For You have upheld my right and my cause, you sit on your throne righteously.

1 Cor 6:11
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.

Rom 5:8
But God demonstrated his own love for us in this, while we are still sinners, Christ die for us

Eph 2:8-9
For it is by grace that you have been save, though faith- and this is not by yourself, it is a gift of God, not by works, so that no one can boast.

Wednesday, 9 January 2013

Jesus is resurrection and life

From today's devotion on 1 Cor 15:12-33 on the resurrection of the dead

Memory Verses:
John 11:25
I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever who lives believes me will never die. Do you believe this?

1 Cor 15:33
Do not be misled, bad company corrupts good character.