Friday, October 31, 2008
Being yourself
God is a wonderful Father who loves variety.... The earth has 6.7Billion people and none of them has your finger print... God did this to protect your value... Value comes when there is rarelity... You are very valuable becos you are the only you... never allow anyone to compare you to make you become an imitation... always know you are the best you and no one else can be you... learn to love and like yourself... There was a story in the Bible about David and Saul... Saul wanted David to wear his armour to fight Goliath... society and people will always want you to use their armour.. people dont really like diversification at times... David was so comfortable in being himself that he rejected Saul's armour... He wants to be himself and do wats he is confident in.. at that moment was to use a sling shot and 5 stones... dont allow wat people say convinced you about your value and make you a copycat... be bold in who God made you to be... You are unique and very special to God... Scripture says... you are God's masterpiece...
Thursday, October 30, 2008
God's comfort
Matthew 6:7-8
And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think they will be heard for their many words. Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him.
It very comforting to know that Father God knows the things we are going through... Its very comforting to know that He don't expect us to pray with many words, He already knows what is going on in our life and want us to lift it up to Him... Sometimes my favourite prayer is: "Father, I know that you know whats going on in my life, juz as Your word says, my Father knows all things, i trust you, let Your Will be done, in Jesus name." So simple yet so real... thats really prayer.... casting our cares for He cares for us... being anxious for nothing.... juz simple short sentences which really is what God wants from us.
Matthew 6:32
For after these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.
If God knows, how should we pray? ans: " Let Your WIll be done in this situation of my life."
Short simple prayer is more powerful then long vain repetitions according to Jesus...
And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think they will be heard for their many words. Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him.
It very comforting to know that Father God knows the things we are going through... Its very comforting to know that He don't expect us to pray with many words, He already knows what is going on in our life and want us to lift it up to Him... Sometimes my favourite prayer is: "Father, I know that you know whats going on in my life, juz as Your word says, my Father knows all things, i trust you, let Your Will be done, in Jesus name." So simple yet so real... thats really prayer.... casting our cares for He cares for us... being anxious for nothing.... juz simple short sentences which really is what God wants from us.
Matthew 6:32
For after these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.
If God knows, how should we pray? ans: " Let Your WIll be done in this situation of my life."
Short simple prayer is more powerful then long vain repetitions according to Jesus...
purposeful living
Ecclesiastes 3:11
He has made everyting beautiful in its time. Also He has put eternity in their hearts, except that no one can find out the wok that God does from beginning to end.
All of us has an eternity placed by God in our hearts.... we have a purpose for existence...
Ephesians 2:10
For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we would walk in them.
God calls us His poetry... "poema" or poem... God has a unique plan for us.... so unique... it was before the foundations of the world... usually the purpose of your life would lead u to things that interest you.... ie. A teacher of the bible can spend alot of time alone studying the bible... its juz a desire within that is placed by God in heaven.... so never despise your desires and talents...
Psalms 139:16
Your eyes saw my substance being yet unformed. And in Your book they all were written, the days fashioned for me, when as yet there were none of them.
There are days or purpose that God fashioned for your life.... Follow your heart... follow the voice within...keep seeking... keep asking... you will find it....
He has made everyting beautiful in its time. Also He has put eternity in their hearts, except that no one can find out the wok that God does from beginning to end.
All of us has an eternity placed by God in our hearts.... we have a purpose for existence...
Ephesians 2:10
For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we would walk in them.
God calls us His poetry... "poema" or poem... God has a unique plan for us.... so unique... it was before the foundations of the world... usually the purpose of your life would lead u to things that interest you.... ie. A teacher of the bible can spend alot of time alone studying the bible... its juz a desire within that is placed by God in heaven.... so never despise your desires and talents...
Psalms 139:16
Your eyes saw my substance being yet unformed. And in Your book they all were written, the days fashioned for me, when as yet there were none of them.
There are days or purpose that God fashioned for your life.... Follow your heart... follow the voice within...keep seeking... keep asking... you will find it....
Be kind and enduring to others
1Peter 3:8-9
Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous; not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing.
As christians we are taught to love people... People may not be perfect and in friendships frictions are very common... the impt thing is to always return watever hurts with blessing... God alone knows the true state of affairs...
Matthew 5:44
But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you.
Even toward pple who hate us... we have a responsibility to be kind and humble... its never easy but it is in God's Will..
Romans 12:17-21
Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay," says the Lord. Therefore
"If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head."
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Always remember repay no one evil for evil......
Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous; not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing.
As christians we are taught to love people... People may not be perfect and in friendships frictions are very common... the impt thing is to always return watever hurts with blessing... God alone knows the true state of affairs...
Matthew 5:44
But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you.
Even toward pple who hate us... we have a responsibility to be kind and humble... its never easy but it is in God's Will..
Romans 12:17-21
Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay," says the Lord. Therefore
"If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head."
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Always remember repay no one evil for evil......
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Following religious system vs following the Holy Spirit
Acts 15:1
And certain men came down from Judea and taught the brethren, "Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved."
Acst 15:5
But some of the Sect of the Pharisees who believed rose up, saying, "It is necessary to circumcise them and to command them to keep the law of Moses."
In the Early church there was a group of legalistic christians who wanted to bring the religious system back on the early christians... Peter had to counter them
vs 10
Now therefore, why do you test God by putting a yoke on the neck of the disciples which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?
God requires us to believe in Jesus for salvation as written for by grace we have been saved thru faith. And from that point to christian is to walk with the Holy Spirit as their hearts are purified by faith.
Paul and the early apostles confronted the legalistic teachers.
vs 24
Since we have heard that some who went out from us have troubled you with words, unsettling your souls, saying, "You must be circumcised and keep the law"- to whom we gave no such commandment
vs 28-29
For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things; that you abstain from things offered to idols, from blood, from things strangled, and from sexual immorality. If you keep yourselves from these, you will do well.
Holy Spirit doesnt give unncecessary burdens on believers... usually its men's religious system that pile up these burdens... in my earlier post i mention that religious system usually binds people and control the masses... Jesus is in the business of setting people free and allow them to follow Holy Spirit... and His yoke easy and burden is light.... Don't allow urself to be troubled by all the unnecessary burdens that religion put on you... follow the peace of God... you will soon realized that we usually follow men's will rather then God's peace...
Freedom is never a liscense to sin... but freedom means freedom from religious system that binds with guilt and heavy burden... You are free to follow the peace of GOd... nvr conform to religious system as there is no end to it.. and God will not give you brownie points when you go heaven...
Galatians 5:1
Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.
Dont be afraid wat people think... be concern what God's perspective....
And certain men came down from Judea and taught the brethren, "Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved."
Acst 15:5
But some of the Sect of the Pharisees who believed rose up, saying, "It is necessary to circumcise them and to command them to keep the law of Moses."
In the Early church there was a group of legalistic christians who wanted to bring the religious system back on the early christians... Peter had to counter them
vs 10
Now therefore, why do you test God by putting a yoke on the neck of the disciples which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?
God requires us to believe in Jesus for salvation as written for by grace we have been saved thru faith. And from that point to christian is to walk with the Holy Spirit as their hearts are purified by faith.
Paul and the early apostles confronted the legalistic teachers.
vs 24
Since we have heard that some who went out from us have troubled you with words, unsettling your souls, saying, "You must be circumcised and keep the law"- to whom we gave no such commandment
vs 28-29
For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things; that you abstain from things offered to idols, from blood, from things strangled, and from sexual immorality. If you keep yourselves from these, you will do well.
Holy Spirit doesnt give unncecessary burdens on believers... usually its men's religious system that pile up these burdens... in my earlier post i mention that religious system usually binds people and control the masses... Jesus is in the business of setting people free and allow them to follow Holy Spirit... and His yoke easy and burden is light.... Don't allow urself to be troubled by all the unnecessary burdens that religion put on you... follow the peace of God... you will soon realized that we usually follow men's will rather then God's peace...
Freedom is never a liscense to sin... but freedom means freedom from religious system that binds with guilt and heavy burden... You are free to follow the peace of GOd... nvr conform to religious system as there is no end to it.. and God will not give you brownie points when you go heaven...
Galatians 5:1
Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.
Dont be afraid wat people think... be concern what God's perspective....
Sunday, October 26, 2008
creativity of Jesus
John 8:4-6
they said to Him, "Teacher, this woman was caught in adultery, in the very act. Now Moses, in the law, commanded us that such should be stoned. But what do You say?" This they said, testing Him, that they might have something of which to accuse Him. But Jesus stooped down and wrote on the ground with His finger, as though He did not hear.
The pharisee wanted to trap Jesus... there will be trial in your life that the devil would try to trap you... traps are very difficult to escape... only creativity would give a beautiful response... Jesus seemed to be trap by them.. He was confronted with the law... and confronted with the sinner... Lets look at his amazing response of creativity after stooping low to quiet Himself and write on the ground....
vs 7
So when they continued asking Him, He raised Himself up and said to them, "He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first.
wow.... by this respond... Jesus maintained the law.. and also able to rescue the woman from her accusers and release Himself from a difficult situation... wat is your situation today? God has a creative answer for you... be like Jesus... calm your spirit down and hear from your Abba Father.. and you will respond creatively... wow wow wow...
they said to Him, "Teacher, this woman was caught in adultery, in the very act. Now Moses, in the law, commanded us that such should be stoned. But what do You say?" This they said, testing Him, that they might have something of which to accuse Him. But Jesus stooped down and wrote on the ground with His finger, as though He did not hear.
The pharisee wanted to trap Jesus... there will be trial in your life that the devil would try to trap you... traps are very difficult to escape... only creativity would give a beautiful response... Jesus seemed to be trap by them.. He was confronted with the law... and confronted with the sinner... Lets look at his amazing response of creativity after stooping low to quiet Himself and write on the ground....
vs 7
So when they continued asking Him, He raised Himself up and said to them, "He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first.
wow.... by this respond... Jesus maintained the law.. and also able to rescue the woman from her accusers and release Himself from a difficult situation... wat is your situation today? God has a creative answer for you... be like Jesus... calm your spirit down and hear from your Abba Father.. and you will respond creatively... wow wow wow...
Legalism vs real christianity
Matthew 23:23
Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you pay tithe of mint and anise and commin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith. These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone.
Legalism is defined man enforcing activities and obligations on others that God did not demand.
Jesus said that His yoke is easy and burden is light. Why do pple become self-righteous and legalistic? The reason is mainly insecurity and religious pride. Pharisee loves to implement additional rules for others to follow so that they can rule in that religious system... and pharisee love to do things to be seen of men... so to impress people around them... Jesus clearly were not impressed with them... He called them hypocrites... actors... so wat is in God's heart.... its really justice, mercy and faith... putting up a show for others is different from being an example... putting up a show is usually undetected by men but known by God...
Matthew 23:27-28
Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which indeed appear beautiful outwardly, but inside are full of dead men's bones and all uncleanness. Even so you also outwardly appear righteous to men, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.
vs 5-6
But all their works they do to be seen by men. THey make their phylacteries broad and enlarge the borders of their garments. They love the best places at feasts, the best seats in the synagogues.
vs14
Woe ot you, scribe and Pharisees, hypocrites! for you devour widows houses, and for a pretense make long prayers.
Ulf Ekman says in his book... church of living GOd... if u have to choose between the truth and popularity... choose the truth... you may lose friends but at least u dun have to conform to a religious system that brings bondage... and true hearted brothers and sisters will grow up around you... Ar Bernard says that we dont represent a set of system... we represent Jesus.. His yoke is easy and burden light... He died for everyone... and loves everyone...
Apostle Paul was rejected when he preach good news... His friends.. .the Jews wanted Paul to preach the Jewish system to control the people... Paul rejected... gospel is gospel to liberate mankind not to enslave them to system of church or custom... this is the truth... you either submit to truth or you kill it.... Dont allow religious establishment to determine the bible for you... Bible is easily understood for common man...Dont allow religious establishment to enslave you to their system... that is not the gospel of grace... The gospel is believing in Jesus and following the Holy Spirit... not a set of system... or we go back to legalism and loses creativity...
Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you pay tithe of mint and anise and commin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith. These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone.
Legalism is defined man enforcing activities and obligations on others that God did not demand.
Jesus said that His yoke is easy and burden is light. Why do pple become self-righteous and legalistic? The reason is mainly insecurity and religious pride. Pharisee loves to implement additional rules for others to follow so that they can rule in that religious system... and pharisee love to do things to be seen of men... so to impress people around them... Jesus clearly were not impressed with them... He called them hypocrites... actors... so wat is in God's heart.... its really justice, mercy and faith... putting up a show for others is different from being an example... putting up a show is usually undetected by men but known by God...
Matthew 23:27-28
Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which indeed appear beautiful outwardly, but inside are full of dead men's bones and all uncleanness. Even so you also outwardly appear righteous to men, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.
vs 5-6
But all their works they do to be seen by men. THey make their phylacteries broad and enlarge the borders of their garments. They love the best places at feasts, the best seats in the synagogues.
vs14
Woe ot you, scribe and Pharisees, hypocrites! for you devour widows houses, and for a pretense make long prayers.
Ulf Ekman says in his book... church of living GOd... if u have to choose between the truth and popularity... choose the truth... you may lose friends but at least u dun have to conform to a religious system that brings bondage... and true hearted brothers and sisters will grow up around you... Ar Bernard says that we dont represent a set of system... we represent Jesus.. His yoke is easy and burden light... He died for everyone... and loves everyone...
Apostle Paul was rejected when he preach good news... His friends.. .the Jews wanted Paul to preach the Jewish system to control the people... Paul rejected... gospel is gospel to liberate mankind not to enslave them to system of church or custom... this is the truth... you either submit to truth or you kill it.... Dont allow religious establishment to determine the bible for you... Bible is easily understood for common man...Dont allow religious establishment to enslave you to their system... that is not the gospel of grace... The gospel is believing in Jesus and following the Holy Spirit... not a set of system... or we go back to legalism and loses creativity...
The lie about self-confidence
Philippians 3:3b-8
....have no confidence in the flesh, though I also might have confidence in the flesh. If anyond else thinks he may have confidence in the flesh, I more so; circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews; concerning the law, a Pharisee; concerning zeal, persecuting the church; concerning righteousness which is in the law, blameless. But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. Yet indeed I also count all thingss loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ.
Paul knew that confidence in the flesh or self confidence is not God's Will for believers. Many still struggle in self-esteem after coming to Christ... the reason is because they forget that self-esteem does not come from their outward appearance or even their talents, skills... or even abilities... Apostle Paul said... if anyone can have self confidence... it would be him... being hebrew of hebrews... and so zealous and so forth... and so good... yet he counts all these as rubbish... He wants the Christ-confidence and not self confidence.... Christ-confidence is faith in Jesus not faith in self...
vs 9
ans be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith.
I have so many talented friends who were talented until they became christian. They were talented but once they become christian they were taught many self-improvement and self-confidence course that made them focus on themselves and they become nervous and lost and could not improve that talent. Let me make a revolutionary statement... God never expects us to have self-confidence but Christ confidence... David killed the lion, bear and Goliath by focusing on God and using his talent. He did not focus on himself or how capable he is, but on Christ and what Christ wanted him to do, David said to Goliath:" I come to you in the name of the Lord" .... the day we finally become self-confident is the day we become proud... thats why apostle Paul said he doesnt not want to have confidence in the flesh or self confidence, but want to have Christ confident that he may gain Christ... People who have Christ confident go further and excel more... eg: David, Joseph, Jesus, Apostel Paul... so forth... so dont put ur confidence in urself.... Put ur confidence in God and be yourself. Know who you are in Christ.... that becomes ur self esteem.. its unshakable... cos God is the same today, yesterday and forever...
Your self-esteem is:
John 3:16
For God so loved (your name) that He gave His most precious Son, that when (your name) believe in Him, shall not perish but have everlasting life.
Your confidence:
Christ confident= God is for you, doesnt change... Your talent that He gave you... so flow with Him and let God bring out the talent in u.. by this you must not focus on urself or ur talent would not flow as well as when your focus is in God...
The Jews were very self-confident and self-righteous people... God mention in Romans that self righteousness is pride... in gospel of Matthew, the prayer of a Jew was : God, look at me, I am not like this or like that... I fast, I pray... I do this and do that... and I am not like that person.. I am so good in myself... and GOd said he is proud and need to be humbled... in contrast as person went to pray on mountain : God, pls have mercy over me...and God exalted him... God knows if a person is self confident or dependent on Christ.... If you are Christ confident, you would behave like a royal king's child... Highly favored... you would knw that God is for you not against you and you would do everything confidently... cos your confident is not in urself but in Christ... and your talents would blossom as you train and focus on Christ and let Him use ur talents and skills for His glory and you would see it prosper... focus on God... His love... His love never change... You can trust in Him... Believe in His unchanging love... that is faith in action.. believing in His love for you... in good and bad times...
1John 4:10
In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His son to be the propitiation for our sins.
vs 16
And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him.
vs19
We love Him, because He first loved us.
....have no confidence in the flesh, though I also might have confidence in the flesh. If anyond else thinks he may have confidence in the flesh, I more so; circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews; concerning the law, a Pharisee; concerning zeal, persecuting the church; concerning righteousness which is in the law, blameless. But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. Yet indeed I also count all thingss loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ.
Paul knew that confidence in the flesh or self confidence is not God's Will for believers. Many still struggle in self-esteem after coming to Christ... the reason is because they forget that self-esteem does not come from their outward appearance or even their talents, skills... or even abilities... Apostle Paul said... if anyone can have self confidence... it would be him... being hebrew of hebrews... and so zealous and so forth... and so good... yet he counts all these as rubbish... He wants the Christ-confidence and not self confidence.... Christ-confidence is faith in Jesus not faith in self...
vs 9
ans be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith.
I have so many talented friends who were talented until they became christian. They were talented but once they become christian they were taught many self-improvement and self-confidence course that made them focus on themselves and they become nervous and lost and could not improve that talent. Let me make a revolutionary statement... God never expects us to have self-confidence but Christ confidence... David killed the lion, bear and Goliath by focusing on God and using his talent. He did not focus on himself or how capable he is, but on Christ and what Christ wanted him to do, David said to Goliath:" I come to you in the name of the Lord" .... the day we finally become self-confident is the day we become proud... thats why apostle Paul said he doesnt not want to have confidence in the flesh or self confidence, but want to have Christ confident that he may gain Christ... People who have Christ confident go further and excel more... eg: David, Joseph, Jesus, Apostel Paul... so forth... so dont put ur confidence in urself.... Put ur confidence in God and be yourself. Know who you are in Christ.... that becomes ur self esteem.. its unshakable... cos God is the same today, yesterday and forever...
Your self-esteem is:
John 3:16
For God so loved (your name) that He gave His most precious Son, that when (your name) believe in Him, shall not perish but have everlasting life.
Your confidence:
Christ confident= God is for you, doesnt change... Your talent that He gave you... so flow with Him and let God bring out the talent in u.. by this you must not focus on urself or ur talent would not flow as well as when your focus is in God...
The Jews were very self-confident and self-righteous people... God mention in Romans that self righteousness is pride... in gospel of Matthew, the prayer of a Jew was : God, look at me, I am not like this or like that... I fast, I pray... I do this and do that... and I am not like that person.. I am so good in myself... and GOd said he is proud and need to be humbled... in contrast as person went to pray on mountain : God, pls have mercy over me...and God exalted him... God knows if a person is self confident or dependent on Christ.... If you are Christ confident, you would behave like a royal king's child... Highly favored... you would knw that God is for you not against you and you would do everything confidently... cos your confident is not in urself but in Christ... and your talents would blossom as you train and focus on Christ and let Him use ur talents and skills for His glory and you would see it prosper... focus on God... His love... His love never change... You can trust in Him... Believe in His unchanging love... that is faith in action.. believing in His love for you... in good and bad times...
1John 4:10
In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His son to be the propitiation for our sins.
vs 16
And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him.
vs19
We love Him, because He first loved us.
Friday, October 24, 2008
Meditating when life seems tough
Psalm 31:14-15a
But as for me, I trust in You, O Lord; I say, "You are my God." My times are in Your hand.
Psalm 23:4
Yea, though I walk through the valley of shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me; Your rod and staff, they comfort me.
Psalm 23:5
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the Lord. Forever
Juz to encourage myself and readers that life is good and fun but it does have times when we go thru valley of shadow of death.... In times of confusion and fear... we need to remind ourselves that our times are in His hands..... the right time for the partner to come... the right time for the promotion... the right time for the breakthru is in God's hand... He is in control... I remember a time in my life that God is finished with me... the most unfair thing happen... yet God came thru the very last min and bring in His deliverance.... God is in control..
Psalm 34:6
This poor man cried out, and the Lord heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles.
Psalm 34:19
Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all.
But as for me, I trust in You, O Lord; I say, "You are my God." My times are in Your hand.
Psalm 23:4
Yea, though I walk through the valley of shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me; Your rod and staff, they comfort me.
Psalm 23:5
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the Lord. Forever
Juz to encourage myself and readers that life is good and fun but it does have times when we go thru valley of shadow of death.... In times of confusion and fear... we need to remind ourselves that our times are in His hands..... the right time for the partner to come... the right time for the promotion... the right time for the breakthru is in God's hand... He is in control... I remember a time in my life that God is finished with me... the most unfair thing happen... yet God came thru the very last min and bring in His deliverance.... God is in control..
Psalm 34:6
This poor man cried out, and the Lord heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles.
Psalm 34:19
Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all.
Our current state (part 2)
Romans 5:18-19
Therefore, as through one man's offense judgment came to all men, resulting in condemnation,even so through one Man's righteous act the free gift came to all men, resulting in justification of life. For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Man's obedience many will be made righteous.
We must really thank God for what Jesus did... His obedience and righteous act bring as from a state of condemnation to a state of righteousness. His obedience, His righteous act.... Wat love it is we have from our Father God... It says that the goodness of God leads us to repentance...
Romans 5:6,8-10
For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.
But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.
Wat a profound statement.... justified by His blood... saved from wrath.... reconciled by the death and much more will be saved by His life.... wow...wow... wow....
Thank You Lord.. for Your kindness and love toward us.....
Romans 5:17
For if by one man's offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.
Thank You Lord, that You came to set us free from sin and help us reign in life in all areas as the verse says... reign in life by His grace and gift of righteousness......
Romans 6:4b
even so we shall also walk in the newness of life.
Romans 6:6
knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin
Romans 6:14
For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace.
Romans 6:17
But God be thanked that though you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered.
Thank God that we can walk in newness of life... that our old man was crucified on the cross.. that we can believe in Jesus and be delivered from our flesh and walked in newness of life... and walk under God's grace in faith and flow in life of God....
Therefore, as through one man's offense judgment came to all men, resulting in condemnation,even so through one Man's righteous act the free gift came to all men, resulting in justification of life. For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Man's obedience many will be made righteous.
We must really thank God for what Jesus did... His obedience and righteous act bring as from a state of condemnation to a state of righteousness. His obedience, His righteous act.... Wat love it is we have from our Father God... It says that the goodness of God leads us to repentance...
Romans 5:6,8-10
For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.
But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.
Wat a profound statement.... justified by His blood... saved from wrath.... reconciled by the death and much more will be saved by His life.... wow...wow... wow....
Thank You Lord.. for Your kindness and love toward us.....
Romans 5:17
For if by one man's offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.
Thank You Lord, that You came to set us free from sin and help us reign in life in all areas as the verse says... reign in life by His grace and gift of righteousness......
Romans 6:4b
even so we shall also walk in the newness of life.
Romans 6:6
knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin
Romans 6:14
For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace.
Romans 6:17
But God be thanked that though you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered.
Thank God that we can walk in newness of life... that our old man was crucified on the cross.. that we can believe in Jesus and be delivered from our flesh and walked in newness of life... and walk under God's grace in faith and flow in life of God....
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Don't fight, wait on the Lord
Genesis 49:22-24
Joseph is a fruitful bough, A fruitful bough by a well; His branches run over the wall. The archers have bitterly grieved him, shot at him and hated him. But his bow remained in strength, and the arms of his hands were made strong by the hands of the Mighty God of Jacob.
Proverbs 20:22
Do not say, "I will recompense evil", Wait for the Lord, and He will save you.
As christians, we often go thru life like sheep led to slaughter, many times offense come and hit us and we feel confuse on the spot of wat to do. God has an answer for us in every situation even in confusing moments. We must always resist the temptation to get revenge. Revenge stops the power of God from working in our situation. No matter how unfair things may turn out, God requires us to wait on Him to save us.... and God would always be true to His word. Joseph was grieved bitterly, and went thru alot of pain in life... imagine... own closest brothers betraying you... the hurts and wounds cut deep into his soul.... but the bible says Joseph kept a forgiving big hearted spirit.... a bitter spirit wld destroy one's destiny. When God finally brought vindication to Joseph, He blessed him so much more greater then the trial...
Genesis 50:19-21
Joseph said to them, "Do not be afraid, for am I in the place of God? But as for you, you meant evil against mel but GOd meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive. Now therefore, do not be afraid; I will provide for you and your little ones." And he comforted them and spoke kindly to them.
Let God bring ur vindication for you... wait on HIm... it shall come in time... keep a good spirit...
1Peter 3:8-9
Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous; not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing.
Pray blessing over those who hurt and harmed you... You will inherit a blessing over your life.
3John 1:2
Beloved I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.
Joseph is a fruitful bough, A fruitful bough by a well; His branches run over the wall. The archers have bitterly grieved him, shot at him and hated him. But his bow remained in strength, and the arms of his hands were made strong by the hands of the Mighty God of Jacob.
Proverbs 20:22
Do not say, "I will recompense evil", Wait for the Lord, and He will save you.
As christians, we often go thru life like sheep led to slaughter, many times offense come and hit us and we feel confuse on the spot of wat to do. God has an answer for us in every situation even in confusing moments. We must always resist the temptation to get revenge. Revenge stops the power of God from working in our situation. No matter how unfair things may turn out, God requires us to wait on Him to save us.... and God would always be true to His word. Joseph was grieved bitterly, and went thru alot of pain in life... imagine... own closest brothers betraying you... the hurts and wounds cut deep into his soul.... but the bible says Joseph kept a forgiving big hearted spirit.... a bitter spirit wld destroy one's destiny. When God finally brought vindication to Joseph, He blessed him so much more greater then the trial...
Genesis 50:19-21
Joseph said to them, "Do not be afraid, for am I in the place of God? But as for you, you meant evil against mel but GOd meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive. Now therefore, do not be afraid; I will provide for you and your little ones." And he comforted them and spoke kindly to them.
Let God bring ur vindication for you... wait on HIm... it shall come in time... keep a good spirit...
1Peter 3:8-9
Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous; not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing.
Pray blessing over those who hurt and harmed you... You will inherit a blessing over your life.
3John 1:2
Beloved I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.
Everything you touch prospers
Genesis 39:2-5, 21-23
The Lord was with Joseph, and he was a successful man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian. And his master saw that the Lord was with him and that the Lord made all he did to prosper in his hand. So Joseph found favor in his sight, and served him. Then he made him overseer of his house, and all that he had he put under his authority. So it was, from the time that he had made him overseer of his house and all that he had, that the Lord blessed the Egyptian's house for Joseph's sake; and the blessing of the Lrod was on all that he had in the house and in the field.
But the Lord was with Joseph and showed him mercy, and He gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison. And the keeper of the prison committed to Joseph's hand all the prisoners who were in the prison; whatever they did there, it was his doing. The keeper of the prison did not look into anything that was under Joseph's authority, because the Lord was with him; and whatever he did, the Lord made it prosper.
The Lord blessed Joseph in every situation. God allowed trial... Mistreatment from people, false accusation to happen to him too... In every christian life, we have trials and the blessings of God... but what can we learn from Joseph? we must learn his closeness with God in all situation, his relationship with his God is close.
Genesis 39:9
There is no one greater in this house than I, nor has he kept back anything from me but you, because you are his wife. How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?
Joseph loved God and had the fear of God over his life. He doesnt want to do anything to harm that relationship with his God. Of course, the blessing of GOd comes over us because we believe in Jesus and follow Jesus... on the basis of faith... but true faith always leads to right works... therefore true faith toward God brings us good works... Dead faith produce no good works....
God will not shortchanged His people... if we follow Him like Joseph did, there will be trial but there will be the blessing of Abraham too.... it is purchased on the cross.
Galatians 3:9,13-14
So then those who are of faith are blessed with believing Abraham.
Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us, that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.
As you follow Jesus, the same blessing on Abraham is on your life, the same blessing on Joseph is on your life... we cannot earn the blessing, it is given thru believing in Jesus. Those who are of faith are blessed with believing Abraham. But as we follow Jesus, the blessing becomes greater, juz like in the life of Abraham and Joseph.
Today, let the Lord make all you do prosper, let everything under your authority prosper because as we follow Jesus, let His mercy come upon us... Lord have mercy over us...
The Lord was with Joseph, and he was a successful man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian. And his master saw that the Lord was with him and that the Lord made all he did to prosper in his hand. So Joseph found favor in his sight, and served him. Then he made him overseer of his house, and all that he had he put under his authority. So it was, from the time that he had made him overseer of his house and all that he had, that the Lord blessed the Egyptian's house for Joseph's sake; and the blessing of the Lrod was on all that he had in the house and in the field.
But the Lord was with Joseph and showed him mercy, and He gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison. And the keeper of the prison committed to Joseph's hand all the prisoners who were in the prison; whatever they did there, it was his doing. The keeper of the prison did not look into anything that was under Joseph's authority, because the Lord was with him; and whatever he did, the Lord made it prosper.
The Lord blessed Joseph in every situation. God allowed trial... Mistreatment from people, false accusation to happen to him too... In every christian life, we have trials and the blessings of God... but what can we learn from Joseph? we must learn his closeness with God in all situation, his relationship with his God is close.
Genesis 39:9
There is no one greater in this house than I, nor has he kept back anything from me but you, because you are his wife. How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?
Joseph loved God and had the fear of God over his life. He doesnt want to do anything to harm that relationship with his God. Of course, the blessing of GOd comes over us because we believe in Jesus and follow Jesus... on the basis of faith... but true faith always leads to right works... therefore true faith toward God brings us good works... Dead faith produce no good works....
God will not shortchanged His people... if we follow Him like Joseph did, there will be trial but there will be the blessing of Abraham too.... it is purchased on the cross.
Galatians 3:9,13-14
So then those who are of faith are blessed with believing Abraham.
Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us, that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.
As you follow Jesus, the same blessing on Abraham is on your life, the same blessing on Joseph is on your life... we cannot earn the blessing, it is given thru believing in Jesus. Those who are of faith are blessed with believing Abraham. But as we follow Jesus, the blessing becomes greater, juz like in the life of Abraham and Joseph.
Today, let the Lord make all you do prosper, let everything under your authority prosper because as we follow Jesus, let His mercy come upon us... Lord have mercy over us...
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Life valuable gift :"friends"
Proverbs 12:25
Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression, but a good word makes it glad.
Anxiety comes when things happen in our lifes that we can't control... the key to anxiety is actually a good word...
Psalms 55:4-6
My heart is severely pained withinin me, and the terrors of death have fallen upon me. Fearfulness and trembling have come upon me, and horror has overwhelmed me. So I said, " Oh, that I had wings like a dove! I would fly away and be at rest. Indeed, I would wander far off, and remain in the wilderness.
Vs 12-13
For it is not an enemy who reproaches me; then I could bear it. Nor is it one who hates me who has exalted himself against me then I would hide from him. But it was you, a man of my equal, my acomapnion and acquaintance. We took sweet counsel together, and walked to the house of God in the throng.
David had few good friends and many mighty men with him. His most loyal friend was Jonathan who stood by him till death... He had one other friend who turn against him in difficult time, Ahithophel. David was in depression... He cried out to God...to find peace n rest...
In such adverse circumstances, of having close friends switching loyalites... we must rehearse some Word of God to encourage ourselves.
Proverbs 12:26
The righteous should choose his friends carefully, for the way of the wicked leads them astray.
Proverbs 15:16-17
Better is a little with the fear of the Lord, than great treasure with trouble. Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a fatted calf with hatred.
Proverbs 16:8
Better is alittle with righteousness, than vast revenues without justice.
Proverbs 17:17
A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.
God would always stick thru by you in any situation. If you wan to have friends like Jonathan, you must be a Jonathan to someone else.
Proverbs 18:24
A man who has friends must himself be friendly, But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
Learn to be there for others at their lowest and you would win a friend... you need not compromise wat you believe in... being there is so impt. Dun be a heartless truth teller in the midst of people's crisis.
1Samuel 19:1,4
Now Saul spoke to Jonathan his son and to all his servants, that they should kill David; but Jonathan, Saul's son, delighted greatly in David.
Thus Jonathan spoke well of David to Saul his father, and said to him, "Let not the king sin against his servant, against David, because he has not sinned against you, and because his works have been very good toward you.
1Samuel 19:16-17
Then Jonathan, Saul's son, arose and went to David in the woods and strengthened his hand in God. And he said to him, "Do not fear, for the hand of Saul my father shall not find you. You shall be king over Israel, and I shall be next to you. Even my father Saul knows that."
2Samuel 1:26
I am distressed for you, my brother Jonathan; You have been very pleasant to me; Your love to me was wonderful, surpassing the love of women.
Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression, but a good word makes it glad.
Anxiety comes when things happen in our lifes that we can't control... the key to anxiety is actually a good word...
Psalms 55:4-6
My heart is severely pained withinin me, and the terrors of death have fallen upon me. Fearfulness and trembling have come upon me, and horror has overwhelmed me. So I said, " Oh, that I had wings like a dove! I would fly away and be at rest. Indeed, I would wander far off, and remain in the wilderness.
Vs 12-13
For it is not an enemy who reproaches me; then I could bear it. Nor is it one who hates me who has exalted himself against me then I would hide from him. But it was you, a man of my equal, my acomapnion and acquaintance. We took sweet counsel together, and walked to the house of God in the throng.
David had few good friends and many mighty men with him. His most loyal friend was Jonathan who stood by him till death... He had one other friend who turn against him in difficult time, Ahithophel. David was in depression... He cried out to God...to find peace n rest...
In such adverse circumstances, of having close friends switching loyalites... we must rehearse some Word of God to encourage ourselves.
Proverbs 12:26
The righteous should choose his friends carefully, for the way of the wicked leads them astray.
Proverbs 15:16-17
Better is a little with the fear of the Lord, than great treasure with trouble. Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a fatted calf with hatred.
Proverbs 16:8
Better is alittle with righteousness, than vast revenues without justice.
Proverbs 17:17
A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.
God would always stick thru by you in any situation. If you wan to have friends like Jonathan, you must be a Jonathan to someone else.
Proverbs 18:24
A man who has friends must himself be friendly, But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
Learn to be there for others at their lowest and you would win a friend... you need not compromise wat you believe in... being there is so impt. Dun be a heartless truth teller in the midst of people's crisis.
1Samuel 19:1,4
Now Saul spoke to Jonathan his son and to all his servants, that they should kill David; but Jonathan, Saul's son, delighted greatly in David.
Thus Jonathan spoke well of David to Saul his father, and said to him, "Let not the king sin against his servant, against David, because he has not sinned against you, and because his works have been very good toward you.
1Samuel 19:16-17
Then Jonathan, Saul's son, arose and went to David in the woods and strengthened his hand in God. And he said to him, "Do not fear, for the hand of Saul my father shall not find you. You shall be king over Israel, and I shall be next to you. Even my father Saul knows that."
2Samuel 1:26
I am distressed for you, my brother Jonathan; You have been very pleasant to me; Your love to me was wonderful, surpassing the love of women.
Saturday, October 18, 2008
God is not nasty.... Devil is...
James 1:12-13
Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. Let no one say when he is tempted, " I am tempted by God"; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone.
Many times in life we go thru situation which cause us to feel bitter against God... esp in situation we feel that is unfair and painful... we tend to direct our anger at God and it is the wrong person to direct at.... God is not nasty when we feel situation is against us... Bible actually says God is for us not against us.... so who is the one behind all the feelings of anger and bitterness... who is the one attacking with rejection and wounds... it is the devil himself and our flesh... Lets look at Jesus when He was in the wilderness... the same tempter the devil, kept attacking His self worth and who He is and kept attacking His emotion and feelings and inner self... Sounds familiar? God is not the devil... God allowed Jesus to go thru that painful difficult situation to help Jesus fulfill His destiny.... Maybe you are struggling in a certain area... the devil attacks your mind and feelings... u feel angry... painful... dejected... speak to the devil... calm yourself down... rehearse a verse... such as: "all things work together for good to those who love GOd... this situation would turn around for my good... God is able to lift me up out of this situation and bless me double for my pain... the God would pay back Joseph would pay me back for all I went thru..." Keep rehearsing these thoughts when you are struggling... the tempter would soon leave you like he left Jesus for another time.... I personally went thru situation i wished i can die on the spot and go to heaven as the pain is too real to bear... in such time... the devil whack n whack... i had to find a quiet spot and calm myself down.. .be it in a toilet cubicle or somewhere quiet where i can rehearse God's goodness to keep the devil from succeeding to put me to depression. I want to encourage you today that God is able to give you double for what you went thru... Joseph went thru unfair situation... He was honest... kind... merciful... compassionate... yet nothing good happened to him... all went wrong... thrown to a pit... then to a slave then false accusation of rape then prison... on and on... yet when the time came to pass... the Word of the Lord tested Him... and God promoted Joseph to be the 2nd incharge in whole of Egypt... God wants to do that for you too... I am guilty of being hot tempered when in trial... lets learn together and rehearse to ourselves and devil God's goodness and His promises.... Ibelieve our best days are still infront of us... thank YOU LORD! Thank you geri (my gf) for being a great example of patience and faith.
1Peter 5:9-9
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversay the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.
Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. Let no one say when he is tempted, " I am tempted by God"; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone.
Many times in life we go thru situation which cause us to feel bitter against God... esp in situation we feel that is unfair and painful... we tend to direct our anger at God and it is the wrong person to direct at.... God is not nasty when we feel situation is against us... Bible actually says God is for us not against us.... so who is the one behind all the feelings of anger and bitterness... who is the one attacking with rejection and wounds... it is the devil himself and our flesh... Lets look at Jesus when He was in the wilderness... the same tempter the devil, kept attacking His self worth and who He is and kept attacking His emotion and feelings and inner self... Sounds familiar? God is not the devil... God allowed Jesus to go thru that painful difficult situation to help Jesus fulfill His destiny.... Maybe you are struggling in a certain area... the devil attacks your mind and feelings... u feel angry... painful... dejected... speak to the devil... calm yourself down... rehearse a verse... such as: "all things work together for good to those who love GOd... this situation would turn around for my good... God is able to lift me up out of this situation and bless me double for my pain... the God would pay back Joseph would pay me back for all I went thru..." Keep rehearsing these thoughts when you are struggling... the tempter would soon leave you like he left Jesus for another time.... I personally went thru situation i wished i can die on the spot and go to heaven as the pain is too real to bear... in such time... the devil whack n whack... i had to find a quiet spot and calm myself down.. .be it in a toilet cubicle or somewhere quiet where i can rehearse God's goodness to keep the devil from succeeding to put me to depression. I want to encourage you today that God is able to give you double for what you went thru... Joseph went thru unfair situation... He was honest... kind... merciful... compassionate... yet nothing good happened to him... all went wrong... thrown to a pit... then to a slave then false accusation of rape then prison... on and on... yet when the time came to pass... the Word of the Lord tested Him... and God promoted Joseph to be the 2nd incharge in whole of Egypt... God wants to do that for you too... I am guilty of being hot tempered when in trial... lets learn together and rehearse to ourselves and devil God's goodness and His promises.... Ibelieve our best days are still infront of us... thank YOU LORD! Thank you geri (my gf) for being a great example of patience and faith.
1Peter 5:9-9
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversay the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.
Friday, October 17, 2008
Our current state
Romans 8:1
There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.
Ephesians 1:3
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ.
The bible calls the enemy the accuser of the brethren in the book of revelation. One thing common true believers have is a sensitive conscience, sometimes too sensitive that we receive the feelings of condemnation..... We must remember when we receive Jesus into our lives, we receive His righteousness and become righteous and we come into a state of no condemnation. When we sin we can confess and receive mercy and remain under no condemnation. Condemnation robs us from the joy of our salvation. Condemnation is not from God, its a vague feeling from the devil. Condemnation actually causes us to do things for God to feel better of ourselves... that is why a doctrine of works usually enter the believers life. They want to do better and more to feel better about their guilt and condemnation conscience... However God has a better way, God wants us to receive His mercy that are new everyday. He has made us new creation in Christ, old things has passed away and all things have become new.
Ephesians 1:7
In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace.
Ephesians 1:3
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus CHrist, who hasblessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ.
Ephesians 2:4-6
But God who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus.
God is a good God, when we receive the gospel, we receive the fullness of blessings, we become His children, adopted and blessed with blessing of Abraham. We come into the rest of God when we believe the good news. As we believe the good news, God would help us to walk in the good works He prepared for us.
Ephesians 4:11
And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers....
God has a plan for your life that He prepared before time begin. As you renew your mind, Holy Spirit who is your Helper and Comforter would guide you step by step.... never serve out of guilt and condemnation... God has not condemn you, He has taken it all on the cross for you, you are free to fulfill your destiny in Christ.
Colossians 2:14
having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us, and He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.
2Corinthians 5:17 ,21
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation, old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.
For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.
Ephesians 1:3
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ.
The bible calls the enemy the accuser of the brethren in the book of revelation. One thing common true believers have is a sensitive conscience, sometimes too sensitive that we receive the feelings of condemnation..... We must remember when we receive Jesus into our lives, we receive His righteousness and become righteous and we come into a state of no condemnation. When we sin we can confess and receive mercy and remain under no condemnation. Condemnation robs us from the joy of our salvation. Condemnation is not from God, its a vague feeling from the devil. Condemnation actually causes us to do things for God to feel better of ourselves... that is why a doctrine of works usually enter the believers life. They want to do better and more to feel better about their guilt and condemnation conscience... However God has a better way, God wants us to receive His mercy that are new everyday. He has made us new creation in Christ, old things has passed away and all things have become new.
Ephesians 1:7
In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace.
Ephesians 1:3
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus CHrist, who hasblessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ.
Ephesians 2:4-6
But God who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus.
God is a good God, when we receive the gospel, we receive the fullness of blessings, we become His children, adopted and blessed with blessing of Abraham. We come into the rest of God when we believe the good news. As we believe the good news, God would help us to walk in the good works He prepared for us.
Ephesians 4:11
And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers....
God has a plan for your life that He prepared before time begin. As you renew your mind, Holy Spirit who is your Helper and Comforter would guide you step by step.... never serve out of guilt and condemnation... God has not condemn you, He has taken it all on the cross for you, you are free to fulfill your destiny in Christ.
Colossians 2:14
having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us, and He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.
2Corinthians 5:17 ,21
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation, old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.
For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
You can't do everything.... But you can do what you are called to do... and do it well
Acts 6:1-4
Now in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying there arose a complaint against the Hebrews by the hellenists because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution. Then the twelve ummoned the multitude of the disciples and said, " It is not desirable that we should leave the word of God and serve tables. Therefore, brethren, seekout from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business; but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the Word."
In today's society, everyone seemed very busy and hectic.... pace of life is so fast... however we do need to be busy... but being busy alone is not enough... we need to be fruitful too... we can sometimes be so busy... busy about the wrong things... doing a bunch of wrong activities that GOd did not intend and neglect those things God want us to do.... As the above passage... we saw how the apostles did not want to get involve at the wrong things... As a body of Christ, we have been gifted by God to do different things and God loves variety..... We must never allow the spirit of the World to come into the church and we all become rats running in a rat race... life is not intended by GOd to be that way... God wants us to follow Him... and in following HIm.. the pace is enjoyable... life is good... is not dead and dry.. its full of the life of GOd... there is a pace from God for everyone... we need to learn to flow with it... we need to learn to say no at the wrong things and say yes at the right things... general rule: if your heart says yes and your mouth says no, its wrong... vice versa... if your mouth says yes when your heart says no... its equally wrong... Being a people person and a people pleaser is very different.... There will be times we must follow God and disobey men....
Acts 5:29
But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: "We ought to obey God rather then men."
Always remember.... most of the time God is not in a rush.... He usually leads us beside still waters... He usually dun rush us to still waters.... most of the time... its really men who wants to push their way and make things happen from their own strength... We must learn to seek God and receive His plan and counsel and then follow Holy Spirit and we will see the results... and bear fruits.. always remember.. you can give birth to Ismael which means works of the flesh or you can give birth to Isaac the promise son which consist of you waiting and doing the right thing at the right time.... Jesus Himself said His yoke is easy and His burden light... If we follow Him... the yoke is easy the burden light... if we follow religion and system... the yoke is heavy... stressful... and uneasy....
Now in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying there arose a complaint against the Hebrews by the hellenists because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution. Then the twelve ummoned the multitude of the disciples and said, " It is not desirable that we should leave the word of God and serve tables. Therefore, brethren, seekout from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business; but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the Word."
In today's society, everyone seemed very busy and hectic.... pace of life is so fast... however we do need to be busy... but being busy alone is not enough... we need to be fruitful too... we can sometimes be so busy... busy about the wrong things... doing a bunch of wrong activities that GOd did not intend and neglect those things God want us to do.... As the above passage... we saw how the apostles did not want to get involve at the wrong things... As a body of Christ, we have been gifted by God to do different things and God loves variety..... We must never allow the spirit of the World to come into the church and we all become rats running in a rat race... life is not intended by GOd to be that way... God wants us to follow Him... and in following HIm.. the pace is enjoyable... life is good... is not dead and dry.. its full of the life of GOd... there is a pace from God for everyone... we need to learn to flow with it... we need to learn to say no at the wrong things and say yes at the right things... general rule: if your heart says yes and your mouth says no, its wrong... vice versa... if your mouth says yes when your heart says no... its equally wrong... Being a people person and a people pleaser is very different.... There will be times we must follow God and disobey men....
Acts 5:29
But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: "We ought to obey God rather then men."
Always remember.... most of the time God is not in a rush.... He usually leads us beside still waters... He usually dun rush us to still waters.... most of the time... its really men who wants to push their way and make things happen from their own strength... We must learn to seek God and receive His plan and counsel and then follow Holy Spirit and we will see the results... and bear fruits.. always remember.. you can give birth to Ismael which means works of the flesh or you can give birth to Isaac the promise son which consist of you waiting and doing the right thing at the right time.... Jesus Himself said His yoke is easy and His burden light... If we follow Him... the yoke is easy the burden light... if we follow religion and system... the yoke is heavy... stressful... and uneasy....
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Whats your opinion of God?
Hebrews 11:6
But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
Our opinion of God matters a great deal in our lives... it governs our actions, our thinking , our feelings and so forth... but how shall we look at GOd? Most of the time when we get up, usually the first feeling we get is usually a feeling of God being far and distant... the enemy loves it when he succeeds in making God look unapproachable or even impersonal... Thats why daily renewing of our mind is very impt... Today let me remind you, God is a wonderful heavenly Father who loves you completely and showed HIs love by dying a horrible death for you to bring you close to Him. What is faith? Heb 11:1, faith is confidence in a good God. Faith is actually making a decision to believe that God is good... therefore we contantly renew our mind, and the devil keeps lying to us that GOd is not a good God... and His promises would never come to pass for your life..... David had a great promise from God that one day He'll be king, but the trial he went through challenge his faith, sometimes he almost lose that confidence and the hope... one of my favourite key verse is Psalms 27 : 13
Psalms 27:13
I would have lost heart unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.
Faith is actually making a decision to believe that God is good whether in good or bad times... the answer for a sense of hopelessness and despair is to make a decision to believe that God is good... thats why God is pleased with faith, which is our decision to believe in HIs goodness and promises. What are you going thru now that is causing you to lose heart? Maybe a financial crisis... A health issue.... maybe a struggling relationship? maybe a sense of confusion and fear... or even grieving with the past... let me declare to you that GOd's goodness would recompensate your losses, what you need to do is to believe and keep your hopes up... Abraham only receive his promise child at 99, David was anointed king at a young age but only came to position after 30years.... There is a time that God would step in.... Lets have faith.. lets make a decision to believe together in the goodness of God....Lets keep our hopes up...:)
Psalms 31:14-15
But as for me, I trust in You, O Lord; I say, "You are my God." My times are in Your hand....
But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
Our opinion of God matters a great deal in our lives... it governs our actions, our thinking , our feelings and so forth... but how shall we look at GOd? Most of the time when we get up, usually the first feeling we get is usually a feeling of God being far and distant... the enemy loves it when he succeeds in making God look unapproachable or even impersonal... Thats why daily renewing of our mind is very impt... Today let me remind you, God is a wonderful heavenly Father who loves you completely and showed HIs love by dying a horrible death for you to bring you close to Him. What is faith? Heb 11:1, faith is confidence in a good God. Faith is actually making a decision to believe that God is good... therefore we contantly renew our mind, and the devil keeps lying to us that GOd is not a good God... and His promises would never come to pass for your life..... David had a great promise from God that one day He'll be king, but the trial he went through challenge his faith, sometimes he almost lose that confidence and the hope... one of my favourite key verse is Psalms 27 : 13
Psalms 27:13
I would have lost heart unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.
Faith is actually making a decision to believe that God is good whether in good or bad times... the answer for a sense of hopelessness and despair is to make a decision to believe that God is good... thats why God is pleased with faith, which is our decision to believe in HIs goodness and promises. What are you going thru now that is causing you to lose heart? Maybe a financial crisis... A health issue.... maybe a struggling relationship? maybe a sense of confusion and fear... or even grieving with the past... let me declare to you that GOd's goodness would recompensate your losses, what you need to do is to believe and keep your hopes up... Abraham only receive his promise child at 99, David was anointed king at a young age but only came to position after 30years.... There is a time that God would step in.... Lets have faith.. lets make a decision to believe together in the goodness of God....Lets keep our hopes up...:)
Psalms 31:14-15
But as for me, I trust in You, O Lord; I say, "You are my God." My times are in Your hand....
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Blessing of Abraham! Yours!
Galatians 3:13-14
Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us, that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.
Wow! Because of what Jesus did to redeemed us from the curse of the law, we now receive the blessing of Abraham....Blessing of greatness, blessing of protection, blessing to those who bless him.
Gen 12:2-3
I will make you a great nation; I will bless you and make your name great; and you shall be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse him who curse you; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed
When Abraham walked on earth, he was very rich in livestock.
Gen 13:2
Abram was very rich in livestock, in silver, and in gold. God blessed everything he did. After Lot his nephew took the best part of the land from Abraham, Abraham was so kind to greedy Lot, yet God blessed Abraham even greater after that. Wow... Don't be afraid if others take advantage of you, be like Abraham, generous and kind.
God renewed Sarah's youth, even when she was old in age, 2 kings wanted to marry her... this can happen to believers who has blessing of Abraham...hint hint...
To activate the blessing of God, we need to receive Jesus like Abraham... and not go back to the curse of the law...
Galatians 3:9
So then those who are of faith are blessed with believing Abraham.
To go back to the curse of the law means we go back to a religious merit system to earn God's blessing by following religious system of the law.
Galatians 5:4
You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace.
Be like Abraham who depend on God's love and depend on His Holy Spirit for direction.
Obedience of faith is important, it is obeying the Holy Spirit's promptings... This would yield greater and greater blessing... Juz like Abraham who obeyed God and follow His leading... ultimately He receive his greatest desire which is the promise son Isaac.
Blessing of Abraham also include blessing on your family members, juz like how isaac was very blessed, Joseph was very blessed, whatever task they do, the Lord made it to prosper that people around start to envy the blessing... This blessing of Abraham is on you today...
Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us, that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.
Wow! Because of what Jesus did to redeemed us from the curse of the law, we now receive the blessing of Abraham....Blessing of greatness, blessing of protection, blessing to those who bless him.
Gen 12:2-3
I will make you a great nation; I will bless you and make your name great; and you shall be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse him who curse you; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed
When Abraham walked on earth, he was very rich in livestock.
Gen 13:2
Abram was very rich in livestock, in silver, and in gold. God blessed everything he did. After Lot his nephew took the best part of the land from Abraham, Abraham was so kind to greedy Lot, yet God blessed Abraham even greater after that. Wow... Don't be afraid if others take advantage of you, be like Abraham, generous and kind.
God renewed Sarah's youth, even when she was old in age, 2 kings wanted to marry her... this can happen to believers who has blessing of Abraham...hint hint...
To activate the blessing of God, we need to receive Jesus like Abraham... and not go back to the curse of the law...
Galatians 3:9
So then those who are of faith are blessed with believing Abraham.
To go back to the curse of the law means we go back to a religious merit system to earn God's blessing by following religious system of the law.
Galatians 5:4
You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace.
Be like Abraham who depend on God's love and depend on His Holy Spirit for direction.
Obedience of faith is important, it is obeying the Holy Spirit's promptings... This would yield greater and greater blessing... Juz like Abraham who obeyed God and follow His leading... ultimately He receive his greatest desire which is the promise son Isaac.
Blessing of Abraham also include blessing on your family members, juz like how isaac was very blessed, Joseph was very blessed, whatever task they do, the Lord made it to prosper that people around start to envy the blessing... This blessing of Abraham is on you today...
When you feel lost
Psalms 25:4-5
Show me Your ways, O Lord; Teach me Your paths. Lead me in Your truth and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation; on You I wait all the day.
So thankful that God has plans for our lives... that He has prepared for us to walk in that calling and purpose. Sometimes in our walk with God, we get a alittle weary... confused... and lost... David all also felt that way at times... He prayed to God to show him the way to go, to teach him, to lead him.... Bible says that God leds us by the Holy Spirit, for as many as are led by the Spirit these are sons of God... Its ok to feel lost... David said in
Psalms 119:176
I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek Your servant, for I do not forget Your commandments.
Its ok to feel lost... but the truth is God doesnt leave us nor forsake us. Hebrews 13:5
God has a plan for all our lives and He understands how we feel all the time....
Hebrews 4:15-15
For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
In your time of need, God wants to give you mercy and grace to help you, He is our very present help in times of need.
Keep on believing and do not cast away your confidence... even when you feel lost... keep believing...
Hebrews 10:35-36
Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward. For you need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise.
It goes on to say the just shall live by faith. Lets keep our hopes up and believe Him for great things to come.
Show me Your ways, O Lord; Teach me Your paths. Lead me in Your truth and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation; on You I wait all the day.
So thankful that God has plans for our lives... that He has prepared for us to walk in that calling and purpose. Sometimes in our walk with God, we get a alittle weary... confused... and lost... David all also felt that way at times... He prayed to God to show him the way to go, to teach him, to lead him.... Bible says that God leds us by the Holy Spirit, for as many as are led by the Spirit these are sons of God... Its ok to feel lost... David said in
Psalms 119:176
I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek Your servant, for I do not forget Your commandments.
Its ok to feel lost... but the truth is God doesnt leave us nor forsake us. Hebrews 13:5
God has a plan for all our lives and He understands how we feel all the time....
Hebrews 4:15-15
For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
In your time of need, God wants to give you mercy and grace to help you, He is our very present help in times of need.
Keep on believing and do not cast away your confidence... even when you feel lost... keep believing...
Hebrews 10:35-36
Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward. For you need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise.
It goes on to say the just shall live by faith. Lets keep our hopes up and believe Him for great things to come.
Prayer
Matthew 6:6-10
But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in the secret will reward you openly. And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathens do. For they think they will be heard for their many words. Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him. In this manner, therefore pray: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come, Your Will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Prayer is conversation with God, and prayer is fun! Too often we think prayer is burdensome and a draining activity, however that is not suppose to be the case. The essence of prayer comes from knowing the fact that GOd knows what we need before we ask Him. So the question is why do we have to ask Him and pray to Him if He knows all things..... Well God has His reasons, mainly to keep us close to Him... but also God wants us to be anxious and worry free... as humans, we have the tendency to worry and be anxious over situations we can do nothing about, therefore prayer allows us to cast all these concerns, burdens, doubts, fears and so forth to God. Philippians 4:6
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of GOd, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
1 Peter 5:7
Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.
God is very interested to take all our cares and and anxieties, we commit all these burden in prayer with thanksgiving.... and we also pray... dear God, You know all things before i even pray, You know my needs, let Your Will be done.... We must always remember to pray let your Will be done in this situation, help me flow with Your peace in this situation... help me through... give me wisdom that I need...
Praying in tongues brings in the refreshing and rest of God, praying in tongues also allow the Holy Spirit to pray through us what we do not know how to pray, as the Holy SPirit helps us in our weaknesses.
Isaiah 28:11-12
For with stammering lips and another tongue He will speak to this people, To whom He said, This is the rest with which You may cause the weary to rest, and, this is the refreshing.
Prayer can be intense but not always... many times prayer is a conversation with a good friend, a pleasant walk with God, you can have the same joy and satisfaction in your fellowship with GOd in prayer as you have for example, you talk with a close friend over a cup of coffee...God wants to make prayer enjoyable to you... the communion of the Holy Spirit... where the believer is constantly aware that God is living in him and communing..... Dr Bernard mentions one of the impt spiritual discipline is the discipline of solitude, where you come into aloneness to be with GOD..... Jesus often withdrew Himself to the mountains to commune with God after all His revival meetings, before He chose His twelve disciples, before He went to the cross... He would be alone... deep calls to deep...talking to God ,,,, reading the written Word.... Pst Ulf mention that believers can worship through the scripture... where the believer reads the written Word and allows God to minister.... I want to encourage whoever is reading to take time to be alone with GOd once a week and do nothing except being calm and wait on God by reading Psalms or reading devotional... Prayer is simple because God knows the things you need even before you ask Him..... GOd is a good God....
But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in the secret will reward you openly. And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathens do. For they think they will be heard for their many words. Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him. In this manner, therefore pray: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come, Your Will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Prayer is conversation with God, and prayer is fun! Too often we think prayer is burdensome and a draining activity, however that is not suppose to be the case. The essence of prayer comes from knowing the fact that GOd knows what we need before we ask Him. So the question is why do we have to ask Him and pray to Him if He knows all things..... Well God has His reasons, mainly to keep us close to Him... but also God wants us to be anxious and worry free... as humans, we have the tendency to worry and be anxious over situations we can do nothing about, therefore prayer allows us to cast all these concerns, burdens, doubts, fears and so forth to God. Philippians 4:6
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of GOd, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
1 Peter 5:7
Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.
God is very interested to take all our cares and and anxieties, we commit all these burden in prayer with thanksgiving.... and we also pray... dear God, You know all things before i even pray, You know my needs, let Your Will be done.... We must always remember to pray let your Will be done in this situation, help me flow with Your peace in this situation... help me through... give me wisdom that I need...
Praying in tongues brings in the refreshing and rest of God, praying in tongues also allow the Holy Spirit to pray through us what we do not know how to pray, as the Holy SPirit helps us in our weaknesses.
Isaiah 28:11-12
For with stammering lips and another tongue He will speak to this people, To whom He said, This is the rest with which You may cause the weary to rest, and, this is the refreshing.
Prayer can be intense but not always... many times prayer is a conversation with a good friend, a pleasant walk with God, you can have the same joy and satisfaction in your fellowship with GOd in prayer as you have for example, you talk with a close friend over a cup of coffee...God wants to make prayer enjoyable to you... the communion of the Holy Spirit... where the believer is constantly aware that God is living in him and communing..... Dr Bernard mentions one of the impt spiritual discipline is the discipline of solitude, where you come into aloneness to be with GOD..... Jesus often withdrew Himself to the mountains to commune with God after all His revival meetings, before He chose His twelve disciples, before He went to the cross... He would be alone... deep calls to deep...talking to God ,,,, reading the written Word.... Pst Ulf mention that believers can worship through the scripture... where the believer reads the written Word and allows God to minister.... I want to encourage whoever is reading to take time to be alone with GOd once a week and do nothing except being calm and wait on God by reading Psalms or reading devotional... Prayer is simple because God knows the things you need even before you ask Him..... GOd is a good God....
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Do not worry
Matthew 6:26-30
"Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature? So why do you worry about clothing? consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not worry, saying 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we wear?' For these things the Gentiles seek. For your Heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and HIs righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble."
God is a good God...... He took care of the birds and cloth the grass.... we need to remember as believers our value in life is our value in the eyes of God..... Dr A.R Bernard said : " our greatest value in life is our value in God's eyes". Maybe in life sometimes people demean us.. .make us feel bad and cause us to lose value in our eyes and in people's eyes... nevertheless... the fact remains...... God loves us.... How He loves us...... Worrying is a sign that we forget how much we mean to God... when we worry... we need to remind ourselves our value in His eyes..... Juz how much does God love us? John 3:16 For GOd so love the world that He gave His only Son, that whosoever believes in HIm shall not perish but have everalsting life... His love for us send His son to die a horrible death for us.... that we might be justified and declared righteous in His eyes..... We are His masterpiece.... His poetry.... His very special possession.. people may have demean you... hurt you... but it doesnt matter... it doesnt change God's love for you..... As believers we are so favored by our Father... not by what we do... but by what Jesus did... doesnt mean we can go ahead and sin all we want, but it means the blessing of GOd flows through our life because of Jesus..... when we wake up in the morning... we can declare: I am the righteousness of GOd in Christ... I am redeemed... I am blessed... God is for me not against me... God loves me.... who can be against me...... When trial comes... we can say: though i walk thru valley of shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for your rod and staff are with me and they comfort me.... When people dont value you, you can say God values me.... I dont have to please people... I please God..... I live to please Him... I love people but I don't fear them...... Romans 8 says you have not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out "Abba Father!".
2Cor 5:21
For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
"Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature? So why do you worry about clothing? consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not worry, saying 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we wear?' For these things the Gentiles seek. For your Heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and HIs righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble."
God is a good God...... He took care of the birds and cloth the grass.... we need to remember as believers our value in life is our value in the eyes of God..... Dr A.R Bernard said : " our greatest value in life is our value in God's eyes". Maybe in life sometimes people demean us.. .make us feel bad and cause us to lose value in our eyes and in people's eyes... nevertheless... the fact remains...... God loves us.... How He loves us...... Worrying is a sign that we forget how much we mean to God... when we worry... we need to remind ourselves our value in His eyes..... Juz how much does God love us? John 3:16 For GOd so love the world that He gave His only Son, that whosoever believes in HIm shall not perish but have everalsting life... His love for us send His son to die a horrible death for us.... that we might be justified and declared righteous in His eyes..... We are His masterpiece.... His poetry.... His very special possession.. people may have demean you... hurt you... but it doesnt matter... it doesnt change God's love for you..... As believers we are so favored by our Father... not by what we do... but by what Jesus did... doesnt mean we can go ahead and sin all we want, but it means the blessing of GOd flows through our life because of Jesus..... when we wake up in the morning... we can declare: I am the righteousness of GOd in Christ... I am redeemed... I am blessed... God is for me not against me... God loves me.... who can be against me...... When trial comes... we can say: though i walk thru valley of shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for your rod and staff are with me and they comfort me.... When people dont value you, you can say God values me.... I dont have to please people... I please God..... I live to please Him... I love people but I don't fear them...... Romans 8 says you have not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out "Abba Father!".
2Cor 5:21
For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
God is very willing to help the helpless...
Psalm 10:14
But You have seen for You observe trouble and grief, To repay it by Your hand. The helpless commits himself to You; You are the helper of the fatherless.
Psalm 34:4-8
I sought the Lord, and He heard, and delivered me from all my fears. They looked to Him and were radiant, and their faces were not ashamed, This poor man cried out and the Lord heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles. The angel of the Lord encamps all around those who fear HIm, and delivers them. Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who trusts in Him!
I am so thankful that God is a wonderful God... that He is not a nasty stepfather, or a task master....... He is a good God..... Sometimes when we feel helpless, we think that God is so far and out of sight and out of reach so we decide not to seek Him, thinking that He is so hard to reach...... thats a lie that the enemy wants to paint to us... God is very close to the helpless in time of their difficulties.... the helpless can commit himself or herself to God.. God wants to deliver... Scripture says "taste and see, that GOd is good...."
Trial is inevitable.. and it comes not becos God is angry with us.... it comes to strengthen our character of patient... in trial... GOd wants our hopes up... wants us to believe He is still good... wants us to pour and cry out for help from Him....His deliverance will come..... Scripure says... " cast your cares, for He cares for you.... At the right time, He would come true for you
Sometimes we feel so much condemnation that the last thing we want to do is to go to GOd... today let me declare to you that in Christ there is no more condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus.... You have not receive a spirit of bondage again to fear... But the Spirit of Adoption whom we cry out "Abba, Father"..... You have a blood bought right to come boldly to His throne of grace.
Even as you are reading... watever trial you are goin thru... God knows and wants to help you... cast your burden... and receive His mercy and goodness for they are new everyday..... Don't judge God by ur situation.... look at God believing that your deliverance will come in time... He loves you today.... He knows the number of hair on your head.....
Yet in all these things, we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.
But You have seen for You observe trouble and grief, To repay it by Your hand. The helpless commits himself to You; You are the helper of the fatherless.
Psalm 34:4-8
I sought the Lord, and He heard, and delivered me from all my fears. They looked to Him and were radiant, and their faces were not ashamed, This poor man cried out and the Lord heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles. The angel of the Lord encamps all around those who fear HIm, and delivers them. Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who trusts in Him!
I am so thankful that God is a wonderful God... that He is not a nasty stepfather, or a task master....... He is a good God..... Sometimes when we feel helpless, we think that God is so far and out of sight and out of reach so we decide not to seek Him, thinking that He is so hard to reach...... thats a lie that the enemy wants to paint to us... God is very close to the helpless in time of their difficulties.... the helpless can commit himself or herself to God.. God wants to deliver... Scripture says "taste and see, that GOd is good...."
Trial is inevitable.. and it comes not becos God is angry with us.... it comes to strengthen our character of patient... in trial... GOd wants our hopes up... wants us to believe He is still good... wants us to pour and cry out for help from Him....His deliverance will come..... Scripure says... " cast your cares, for He cares for you.... At the right time, He would come true for you
Sometimes we feel so much condemnation that the last thing we want to do is to go to GOd... today let me declare to you that in Christ there is no more condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus.... You have not receive a spirit of bondage again to fear... But the Spirit of Adoption whom we cry out "Abba, Father"..... You have a blood bought right to come boldly to His throne of grace.
Even as you are reading... watever trial you are goin thru... God knows and wants to help you... cast your burden... and receive His mercy and goodness for they are new everyday..... Don't judge God by ur situation.... look at God believing that your deliverance will come in time... He loves you today.... He knows the number of hair on your head.....
Yet in all these things, we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.
One thing
Psalm 27:4-8 One thing I have desired of the Lord that will I seek; That I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in His temple. For in the time of trouble He shall hide me in His pavilion; In the secret place of His tabernacle He shall hide me; He shall set me high upon a rock. And now my head shall be lifeted up above my enemies all around me; Therefore I will offer sacrifices of joy in His tabernacle; I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to the Lord. Hear, O Lord, when I cry with my voice! Have mercy also upon me, and answer me. When You said, " Seek My face," My heart said to You, "Your face, Lord, I will seek."
David had a secret desire......the one thing he really wanted was to dwell in God's house with God's presence..... In the presence of God, David loved to sing praises to God... He loved to seek the face of God for counsel and direction...... His supreme motivation in life is to be close to His God.... In that presense God will strengthen him.... Many times we often fall prey to many many things to do that we forget the one thing that is more impt than all these things...... In the story of Jesus with Mary and Martha, Martha was so busy trying to serve Jesus, focus on doing rather then Mary who focused on being with Jesus........ so many times in our lifes as christians would we be always facing this challenge..... to serve the activities around us or to spend time with Jesus? Usually its always a fine thin line.... However God doesnt condemn us when we fall short, He usually draws us with His loving kindness as it is written, with lovingkindness have I drawn you.... Is it true that Mary was not productive as a christian? not at all, Mary was entrusted to take care of Jesus mother when Jesus died on the cross, which meant that she did the right things at the right time......... Derek Prince once said too often we plan so much activities and pray for God to bless them rather then wait on the Lord for His activities and do the right things at the right time... that was so profound..... God promise in His Word that if we draw near to Him, He will draw near to us....
Psalms 32 :8-9 I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye. Do not be like the horse or like the mule, Which have no understanding which must be harnessed with bit and bridle, else they will not come near you.
David had a secret desire......the one thing he really wanted was to dwell in God's house with God's presence..... In the presence of God, David loved to sing praises to God... He loved to seek the face of God for counsel and direction...... His supreme motivation in life is to be close to His God.... In that presense God will strengthen him.... Many times we often fall prey to many many things to do that we forget the one thing that is more impt than all these things...... In the story of Jesus with Mary and Martha, Martha was so busy trying to serve Jesus, focus on doing rather then Mary who focused on being with Jesus........ so many times in our lifes as christians would we be always facing this challenge..... to serve the activities around us or to spend time with Jesus? Usually its always a fine thin line.... However God doesnt condemn us when we fall short, He usually draws us with His loving kindness as it is written, with lovingkindness have I drawn you.... Is it true that Mary was not productive as a christian? not at all, Mary was entrusted to take care of Jesus mother when Jesus died on the cross, which meant that she did the right things at the right time......... Derek Prince once said too often we plan so much activities and pray for God to bless them rather then wait on the Lord for His activities and do the right things at the right time... that was so profound..... God promise in His Word that if we draw near to Him, He will draw near to us....
Psalms 32 :8-9 I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye. Do not be like the horse or like the mule, Which have no understanding which must be harnessed with bit and bridle, else they will not come near you.
Proverbs 31
To choose partner for life is such an impt decision.... Bible talks alot about it...... Here are some qualities to look for:
Proverbs 31 : 10 who can find a virtuous wife? For her worth is far above rubies.......
1. Trust worthiness
Proverbs 31:11 The heart of her husband safely trusts her; so he will have no lack of gain.
No point getting hitch with someone who you can't trust... You won't feel secure and safe with the person.
2. Sacrificial
Proverbs 31: 12 She does him good and not evil all the days of her life.
For someone who would sacrifice for your well fare.... there are people who would protect you in expense of themselves... people who would do you good and not evil, not selfish but sacrificial.
3. Diligent
Proverbs 31:13-19 She seeks wool and flax, and willingly works with her hands.........
Someone who works hard in life and do proper financial planning. Someone who invests well and save well.
4. Kindness to poor and needy
Proverbs 31: 20-21 She extends her hand to the poor, Yes, she reaches out her hands to the needy.
Kindness is so impt, God is a kind and loving GOd, kindness is so attractive.....
5. Wisdom + gracious speech
Proverbs 31 : 26 She opens her mouth with wisdom, and on her tongue is the law of kindness
6. Fear God
Proverbs 31: 30 Charm is deceitfull and beauty is passing, but a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised.
7. Attraction + chemistry
Songs 7:10 I am my beloved's And his desire is toward me.
Songs 4:9 You have ravished my heart, My sister, my spouse; you have ravished my heart with one look of your eyes, with one link of you necklace.
Proverbs 31 : 10 who can find a virtuous wife? For her worth is far above rubies.......
1. Trust worthiness
Proverbs 31:11 The heart of her husband safely trusts her; so he will have no lack of gain.
No point getting hitch with someone who you can't trust... You won't feel secure and safe with the person.
2. Sacrificial
Proverbs 31: 12 She does him good and not evil all the days of her life.
For someone who would sacrifice for your well fare.... there are people who would protect you in expense of themselves... people who would do you good and not evil, not selfish but sacrificial.
3. Diligent
Proverbs 31:13-19 She seeks wool and flax, and willingly works with her hands.........
Someone who works hard in life and do proper financial planning. Someone who invests well and save well.
4. Kindness to poor and needy
Proverbs 31: 20-21 She extends her hand to the poor, Yes, she reaches out her hands to the needy.
Kindness is so impt, God is a kind and loving GOd, kindness is so attractive.....
5. Wisdom + gracious speech
Proverbs 31 : 26 She opens her mouth with wisdom, and on her tongue is the law of kindness
6. Fear God
Proverbs 31: 30 Charm is deceitfull and beauty is passing, but a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised.
7. Attraction + chemistry
Songs 7:10 I am my beloved's And his desire is toward me.
Songs 4:9 You have ravished my heart, My sister, my spouse; you have ravished my heart with one look of your eyes, with one link of you necklace.
Monday, October 13, 2008
Thank You Jesus:)
Romans 5:6,8-9 For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us, much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him.
I just want to God for being so kind to us..... that while we still far from perfection, He came to be the sacrifice for us... He did it in His love for us... When we were doom for judgement and wrath, He delivered us with glorious freedom and gives us grace to reign in life....
Romans 5:17 For if by the one man's offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.
God, pls forgive us times when we let you down... but God , thank You that You want us to know that much more we will reign in life by the grace and gift of righteousness... You gave the grace for us to walk in the abundant life... a life full of righteousness, peace and joy....
Romans 5:10 For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.
Grace is never a liscense to sin... Grace is the power not to sin... more than that abundance of grace and gift of righteousness makes us reign in life (romans 5:17) - Phil Pringle
Romans 5:1-2 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace, in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
Thank GOd, that our peace with Him is purchased by what God did on the cross for us, when we believe in the gospel, we enter into peace with God.... I have peace with my Abba Father... hallelujah!
Romans 5:3-5 And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perserverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy SPirit who was given to us.
Of course, the Christian life is not a life without trials, Abraham is our example, having gone through trials that test his faith to the very end, yet at the right time, hope does not disappoint, because the love of God, Isaac came soon after... there are promises for your life and my life that God wants us to hang on to... it might take long, or very long, yet in this period, like Abraham, we will persevere in trial to build character of patience, and at the right time, God's Word will come to pass, just as how it came to pass for Abraham.
Dont be impatient, do not fret, it only causes harm, rejoice, praise God in it, believe in the Word, refuse to strive carnally.... Abraham made a mistake when he push for a child outside GOd's timing and end up with Ismael, which is a work of the flesh... wait on the Lord, He will strengthen your heart and bring it to pass... He is faithful to you. Amen
I just want to God for being so kind to us..... that while we still far from perfection, He came to be the sacrifice for us... He did it in His love for us... When we were doom for judgement and wrath, He delivered us with glorious freedom and gives us grace to reign in life....
Romans 5:17 For if by the one man's offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.
God, pls forgive us times when we let you down... but God , thank You that You want us to know that much more we will reign in life by the grace and gift of righteousness... You gave the grace for us to walk in the abundant life... a life full of righteousness, peace and joy....
Romans 5:10 For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.
Grace is never a liscense to sin... Grace is the power not to sin... more than that abundance of grace and gift of righteousness makes us reign in life (romans 5:17) - Phil Pringle
Romans 5:1-2 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace, in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
Thank GOd, that our peace with Him is purchased by what God did on the cross for us, when we believe in the gospel, we enter into peace with God.... I have peace with my Abba Father... hallelujah!
Romans 5:3-5 And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perserverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy SPirit who was given to us.
Of course, the Christian life is not a life without trials, Abraham is our example, having gone through trials that test his faith to the very end, yet at the right time, hope does not disappoint, because the love of God, Isaac came soon after... there are promises for your life and my life that God wants us to hang on to... it might take long, or very long, yet in this period, like Abraham, we will persevere in trial to build character of patience, and at the right time, God's Word will come to pass, just as how it came to pass for Abraham.
Dont be impatient, do not fret, it only causes harm, rejoice, praise God in it, believe in the Word, refuse to strive carnally.... Abraham made a mistake when he push for a child outside GOd's timing and end up with Ismael, which is a work of the flesh... wait on the Lord, He will strengthen your heart and bring it to pass... He is faithful to you. Amen
God who restores
Psalms 23
The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want, He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside still waters, He restores my soul....
We often have a hard time to slow down.... especially in a driven society, we have a need to prove our worth by our success and achievements.... this adds up to the adrenaline.... The bible clearly states that GOd is shepherd, He shepherd His people in peace... When God makes His people lie down in green pastures, its a picture of rest and security.... the house of God should be a place where people pf God find rest n calmness from the pressure n stress that is going in the world. The secret place of prayer should be a place of rest and refreshing, prayer can be simple as lying beside still waters... the concept of God making us lie down is sometimes lost, we are afraid if we do lie down calmly then nothing productive wld happen..... God thinks differently, as we rest and wait on Him, He would restore our soul and He wld give us the right counsel.... He leades me beside still waters.... still waters... wow.... i can hear Him in calmness... He doesnt lead us to troubled waters... He doesnt need me to always be unease, He wants me to calm down in peace..... hear Him in silent... it is written: in returning and rest, you shall be saved, in quietness and confidence shall be your strength.... lets not bow down to the world and ride on their strong horses... lets wait on the Lord for right counsel in the stillness and calmness n then make the wise decision that would impact lives for the good....
The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want, He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside still waters, He restores my soul....
We often have a hard time to slow down.... especially in a driven society, we have a need to prove our worth by our success and achievements.... this adds up to the adrenaline.... The bible clearly states that GOd is shepherd, He shepherd His people in peace... When God makes His people lie down in green pastures, its a picture of rest and security.... the house of God should be a place where people pf God find rest n calmness from the pressure n stress that is going in the world. The secret place of prayer should be a place of rest and refreshing, prayer can be simple as lying beside still waters... the concept of God making us lie down is sometimes lost, we are afraid if we do lie down calmly then nothing productive wld happen..... God thinks differently, as we rest and wait on Him, He would restore our soul and He wld give us the right counsel.... He leades me beside still waters.... still waters... wow.... i can hear Him in calmness... He doesnt lead us to troubled waters... He doesnt need me to always be unease, He wants me to calm down in peace..... hear Him in silent... it is written: in returning and rest, you shall be saved, in quietness and confidence shall be your strength.... lets not bow down to the world and ride on their strong horses... lets wait on the Lord for right counsel in the stillness and calmness n then make the wise decision that would impact lives for the good....
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