Agnus Dei: Lamb of God
Maranatha: Our Lord Cometh
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Day by Day
Day By Day
Verse 1
Day by day and with each passing moment,
Strength I find to meet my trials here;
Trusting in my Father's wise bestowment,
I've no cause for worry or for fear.
He whose heart is kind beyond all measure,
Give unto each day what He deems best;
Lovingly, its part of pain and pleasure,
Mingling toil with peace and rest.
Verse 2
Ev'ry day the Lord Himself is near me
With a special mercy for each hour;
All my cares He fain would bear and cheer me,
He whose name is Counselor and Pow'r.
The protection of His child and treasure,
Is a charge that on Himself He laid;
"As your days, your strength shall be in measure,"
This the pledge to me He made.
Verse 3
Help me then in ev'ry tribulation,
So to trust Your promises, O Lord;
That I lose not faith's sweet consolation,
Offered me within Your holy Word.
Help me, Lord, when toil and trouble meeting,
E'er to take, as from a Father's hand,
One by one, the days, the moments fleeting,
Till I reach the promised land.
Verse 1
Day by day and with each passing moment,
Strength I find to meet my trials here;
Trusting in my Father's wise bestowment,
I've no cause for worry or for fear.
He whose heart is kind beyond all measure,
Give unto each day what He deems best;
Lovingly, its part of pain and pleasure,
Mingling toil with peace and rest.
Verse 2
Ev'ry day the Lord Himself is near me
With a special mercy for each hour;
All my cares He fain would bear and cheer me,
He whose name is Counselor and Pow'r.
The protection of His child and treasure,
Is a charge that on Himself He laid;
"As your days, your strength shall be in measure,"
This the pledge to me He made.
Verse 3
Help me then in ev'ry tribulation,
So to trust Your promises, O Lord;
That I lose not faith's sweet consolation,
Offered me within Your holy Word.
Help me, Lord, when toil and trouble meeting,
E'er to take, as from a Father's hand,
One by one, the days, the moments fleeting,
Till I reach the promised land.
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Wait
For king saul, his impatience was one of the reason of his downfall. We must learn to wait especially when the pressure mounts for us to act.
Monday, June 21, 2010
Dating vs Courtship
© Copyright 1997-2009, Nathan Bailey, All Rights Reserved. Permission is granted to print these articles for personal use, in whole or in part, provided the extract references the original URL, http://polynate.net/books/courtship/, so that people can find the latest version.
As Christians, our primary purpose in life is to seek and serve God, and fulfill our destiny in Him.
Recreational dating is about self-gratification -- you date to satisfy your own needs.
Courtship is about open and honest exploration of each others lives and families leading up to engagement and marriage.
Courtship is about marriage -- you court in order to see if there is any reason why you shouldn't get married. There is no romantic interaction until after the commitment to marriage.
The primary purpose of marriage is not to please you, but to serve God. (Another way to say this is 'Our pleasure is not God's number one priority!' :) God wants us to be happy, but "happy" is subject to so many variances in circumstances that it is a very poor standard with which to judge life. Genesis says that God created Eve as a helpmeet -- to help Adam perform his duty, working the garden and taking dominion over the earth.
That is God's purpose for marriage -- a team, fulfilling His call together -- pleased with each other, certainly, but primarily focused on Him, not their own pleasure.
Pastor Hill says that love is "choosing what is best for the other person". That's NOT the same as choosing what the other person wants. It's always having the other person's BEST interests in mind. Sometimes, this may mean disciplining them, correcting them, or exhorting them to change. Other times it may be to quash a selfish desire in your heart in favour of their desires. Basically, it means taking the focus off yourself and looking at what you can invest in the other person.
In our contract-happy society, we think of legal contracts -- as soon as one party fails to fulfil their obligations, the other party is free from the commitments of the contract. In covenant, the commitment holds regardless of the performance of the other party.
As Christians, our primary purpose in life is to seek and serve God, and fulfill our destiny in Him.
Recreational dating is about self-gratification -- you date to satisfy your own needs.
Courtship is about open and honest exploration of each others lives and families leading up to engagement and marriage.
Courtship is about marriage -- you court in order to see if there is any reason why you shouldn't get married. There is no romantic interaction until after the commitment to marriage.
The primary purpose of marriage is not to please you, but to serve God. (Another way to say this is 'Our pleasure is not God's number one priority!' :) God wants us to be happy, but "happy" is subject to so many variances in circumstances that it is a very poor standard with which to judge life. Genesis says that God created Eve as a helpmeet -- to help Adam perform his duty, working the garden and taking dominion over the earth.
That is God's purpose for marriage -- a team, fulfilling His call together -- pleased with each other, certainly, but primarily focused on Him, not their own pleasure.
Pastor Hill says that love is "choosing what is best for the other person". That's NOT the same as choosing what the other person wants. It's always having the other person's BEST interests in mind. Sometimes, this may mean disciplining them, correcting them, or exhorting them to change. Other times it may be to quash a selfish desire in your heart in favour of their desires. Basically, it means taking the focus off yourself and looking at what you can invest in the other person.
In our contract-happy society, we think of legal contracts -- as soon as one party fails to fulfil their obligations, the other party is free from the commitments of the contract. In covenant, the commitment holds regardless of the performance of the other party.
Monday, June 14, 2010
As I look through Scripture, I’m struck by the fact that the tests God brings into our lives are always “open-book.” We don’t need to cram or study for them, we simply need to open God’s Book and apply it to each situation. The prophet Micah says it plainly: “He has showed you, O man, what is good” (Micah 6:8). God’s instructions for our lives are clearly and lovingly outlined in His Word, and each test is an opportunity to put our faith and allegiance into action.
When we consider our allegiance to the Lord, let me suggest a few questions that might appear on His open-book exam for our lives:
1. Would you still love and serve God, even if He hadn’t made promises to bless and reward you?
In other words, is your love and loyalty to Him based on what He does for you, or is it based on your love for Him whether He ever does anything for you or not? If you open the Book, you’ll see that Job passed the test because he knew that his God was worthy of his worship regardless. As he so boldly announced, “Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him” (Job 13:15). Reading about the absolute worthiness of our God in the open Book will help you pass the test.
2. If God required your prized possessions, would you place them on the altar for Him?
Think about it. What’s more important to you, the gifts that God has given you, or the Giver of the gifts? I can’t consider this question without my mind racing to the “open-book” picture of Abraham on top of a mountain with his son, Isaac, ready to offer up what was most precious to him—his son—a gut-wrenching demonstration of God’s absolute supremacy in his life (Hebrews 11:17-19).
3. If He required what brings you pleasure, would you give it up for Him?
I’m not speaking here of illicit pleasures that are outside the boundaries of God’s righteous rules. I mean legitimate pleasures like peace, affluence, and significant friendships. Can you open the Book and say with Paul that you count the best things in your life as rubbish compared to the joy of Jesus in your life?
The apostle Paul seemed to have a good handle on this. For him, walking with Jesus wasn’t about scoring points toward receiving heavenly promises. Life was not about the accumulation of possessions or the pursuit of pleasure. It was about Jesus, and Him alone. Writing to the Philippians, he gave an open-book assessment of his life—a long list of worldly accolades and successes followed by the right answer: “I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord” (Philippians 3:8).
Now it’s our turn. Regardless of the test you face, open the Book and let Jesus help you ace it!
YOUR JOURNEY…
What has motivated your obedience to Jesus?
Has it been the character of Christ and gratitude for His grace, or has it been a desire to receive the blessings He has promised?
Have any possessions (whether you own them or simply long for them) begun to hinder your pursuit of Jesus as your first priority? How can you put those possessions in their rightful place?
How much of your life is spent in pursuing pleasure?
What would it look like if you truly considered “everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus”?
When we consider our allegiance to the Lord, let me suggest a few questions that might appear on His open-book exam for our lives:
1. Would you still love and serve God, even if He hadn’t made promises to bless and reward you?
In other words, is your love and loyalty to Him based on what He does for you, or is it based on your love for Him whether He ever does anything for you or not? If you open the Book, you’ll see that Job passed the test because he knew that his God was worthy of his worship regardless. As he so boldly announced, “Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him” (Job 13:15). Reading about the absolute worthiness of our God in the open Book will help you pass the test.
2. If God required your prized possessions, would you place them on the altar for Him?
Think about it. What’s more important to you, the gifts that God has given you, or the Giver of the gifts? I can’t consider this question without my mind racing to the “open-book” picture of Abraham on top of a mountain with his son, Isaac, ready to offer up what was most precious to him—his son—a gut-wrenching demonstration of God’s absolute supremacy in his life (Hebrews 11:17-19).
3. If He required what brings you pleasure, would you give it up for Him?
I’m not speaking here of illicit pleasures that are outside the boundaries of God’s righteous rules. I mean legitimate pleasures like peace, affluence, and significant friendships. Can you open the Book and say with Paul that you count the best things in your life as rubbish compared to the joy of Jesus in your life?
The apostle Paul seemed to have a good handle on this. For him, walking with Jesus wasn’t about scoring points toward receiving heavenly promises. Life was not about the accumulation of possessions or the pursuit of pleasure. It was about Jesus, and Him alone. Writing to the Philippians, he gave an open-book assessment of his life—a long list of worldly accolades and successes followed by the right answer: “I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord” (Philippians 3:8).
Now it’s our turn. Regardless of the test you face, open the Book and let Jesus help you ace it!
YOUR JOURNEY…
What has motivated your obedience to Jesus?
Has it been the character of Christ and gratitude for His grace, or has it been a desire to receive the blessings He has promised?
Have any possessions (whether you own them or simply long for them) begun to hinder your pursuit of Jesus as your first priority? How can you put those possessions in their rightful place?
How much of your life is spent in pursuing pleasure?
What would it look like if you truly considered “everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus”?
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Cain’s offering was the effort of dead religion, while Abel’s offering was made in faith, in a desire to worship God in spirit and in truth.
Learning Points from Cain
1) God does not accept dead religion. He wants our best
2) Do not let pride overtake you. If you are in the wrong, go and repent
3) Anger can quickly lead to sin. It is crouching the door
4) You cannot lie to God
5) God always points the way out: to conquer sin, to repent
6) Unbelief, jealousy, empty religion, murderous anger, persecution of the godly
7) built his own "kingdom"
Sin of Korah
1) Rose up with many leaders to oppose moses.
2) Believed in their purity and how they are of equal chosen status as Moses
3) Jealousy of Moses, ignoring God's divine appointment
4) They are Levites and are suppose to do right, but they rebelled.
5) Want more power, dissatisfaction with their divine appointment
6) Treated God with contempt
Sins of Balaam
1) His path is reckless
2) Attracted by riches, greed
3) Sorcery
4) Tried to tempt the Israelites into sinning by practicing immorality and idolatry
Learning Points from Cain
1) God does not accept dead religion. He wants our best
2) Do not let pride overtake you. If you are in the wrong, go and repent
3) Anger can quickly lead to sin. It is crouching the door
4) You cannot lie to God
5) God always points the way out: to conquer sin, to repent
6) Unbelief, jealousy, empty religion, murderous anger, persecution of the godly
7) built his own "kingdom"
Sin of Korah
1) Rose up with many leaders to oppose moses.
2) Believed in their purity and how they are of equal chosen status as Moses
3) Jealousy of Moses, ignoring God's divine appointment
4) They are Levites and are suppose to do right, but they rebelled.
5) Want more power, dissatisfaction with their divine appointment
6) Treated God with contempt
Sins of Balaam
1) His path is reckless
2) Attracted by riches, greed
3) Sorcery
4) Tried to tempt the Israelites into sinning by practicing immorality and idolatry
THings I've done :)
The hols have been amazingly productive so far!
As of now...
Things I want to do during the Holidays
1) Learn Tagalog .... a little ha
2) Do linocuts... not yet
3) Send letters and art to people... Yep!
4) Explore Clark Quay ...YEP!
5) Do a performance art ... having second thoughts now
6) Draw like crazy.... more or less :)
7) Paint a family portrait... not done
8) Cycle in Sentosa..... no yet... good idea
9) Do stupid stuff like only eat fruits for a day or walk backwards for a day .... coming soon
10) Sew something... too boliao
11) Go to a cafe to draw... something to consider
12) Make a new friend... in the philippines!
13) Bake something I've never baked before Go to the Library cookbook section and randomly pick out a book and set out to make recipe number 33 no matter what it is. (Okay if it's something repulsive pick #35)14) Watch all the old movies and cry while watching
15) Climb Bukit Timah hill.... not done
16) Go swimming.... erm.. does playing in the water count?
17) Go for free concerts and have a picnic... not yet :P
18) Stargazing... nope
19) Spring Clean... YEP!
20) Visit Ahmah ... :P
21) Visit a museum.... not yet
22) Fly kite and make kite in Marina Barrage
23) Act like a tourist and take photos like crazy
24) Photos a stop motion thingy/ letters
25) Do a magic show for my family
26) Make 107 postcards
27) Sing in the SHower
28) Do a paper cut
29) End every sentence with a moo
30) Wake up people in the morning and say good morning sunshine at 4am
31) Pluck someone's hair and yell DNA!
32) Look at old photos
As of now...
Things I want to do during the Holidays
1) Learn Tagalog .... a little ha
2) Do linocuts... not yet
3) Send letters and art to people... Yep!
4) Explore Clark Quay ...YEP!
5) Do a performance art ... having second thoughts now
6) Draw like crazy.... more or less :)
7) Paint a family portrait... not done
8) Cycle in Sentosa..... no yet... good idea
9) Do stupid stuff like only eat fruits for a day or walk backwards for a day .... coming soon
10) Sew something... too boliao
11) Go to a cafe to draw... something to consider
12) Make a new friend... in the philippines!
13) Bake something I've never baked before Go to the Library cookbook section and randomly pick out a book and set out to make recipe number 33 no matter what it is. (Okay if it's something repulsive pick #35)14) Watch all the old movies and cry while watching
15) Climb Bukit Timah hill.... not done
16) Go swimming.... erm.. does playing in the water count?
17) Go for free concerts and have a picnic... not yet :P
18) Stargazing... nope
19) Spring Clean... YEP!
20) Visit Ahmah ... :P
21) Visit a museum.... not yet
22) Fly kite and make kite in Marina Barrage
23) Act like a tourist and take photos like crazy
24) Photos a stop motion thingy/ letters
25) Do a magic show for my family
26) Make 107 postcards
27) Sing in the SHower
28) Do a paper cut
29) End every sentence with a moo
30) Wake up people in the morning and say good morning sunshine at 4am
31) Pluck someone's hair and yell DNA!
32) Look at old photos
Friday, May 28, 2010
My Will (in case i die early)
I want some of my paintings to go to Tony... I promised him :)
The rest of my money and what not .. I don't care that much.
Though I'm dead, please do not read my diaries.
I would like Lim Chien Chong to speak at my wake and Kelvin. Actually anything you want... what is most suitable lah.
That should be about it. :)
Love you always... always in my heart.
Ruth
The rest of my money and what not .. I don't care that much.
Though I'm dead, please do not read my diaries.
I would like Lim Chien Chong to speak at my wake and Kelvin. Actually anything you want... what is most suitable lah.
That should be about it. :)
Love you always... always in my heart.
Ruth
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Special effects
1) Salt
2) Wax
3) Greaseproof paper
4) Tissue paper
5) Masking fluid
6) Sponge
http://sites.google.com/site/penandwashonline/welcome
2) Wax
3) Greaseproof paper
4) Tissue paper
5) Masking fluid
6) Sponge
http://sites.google.com/site/penandwashonline/welcome
Things that make me happy besides money
1. Long baths
2. Lovely clean soap smells
3. Feeling clean with wrinkling fingers and toes from long soaks
4. Listening to music from susan boyle or up beat music
5. Making nice new friends
6. Drawing nicely
7. Getting good marks
8. Outings with friends
9. Sleepovers
10. Watching awesome or funny movies like Amelie
11. Monk
12. Psyche
13. Sleeping under the covers on a rainy day
14. Writing cards and letters
15. Long walks at night
15. Meeting old friends
16. My sister
17. Winning a game
18. When someone loves my baking
19. Jokes
20. Playing bridge
21. Reading Manga
22. Garfield
23. Thrill rides
24. A neat, clean and tidy room
25. Cycling with the wind in my face
26. Mum fetches me home from school
27. When I get good ideas for projects
28. Cute people
29. Hugs and Kisses
30. Being Loved
31. Bungee jumping
32. A warm cup of drink from starbucks
33. Doing work late into the night at mc cafe
34. When people love my drawings and go waaahhh
35. Beautiful pictures (from national geographic etc.)
36. Cute animals
37. Visiting art museums
38. Bubbles
39. Having a room to myself
40. Rainbows
41. Trees’ flowers are in full bloom casting down a carpet of yellow or purple flowers
42. A beautiful cloudy day
43. Being appreciated for my work
44. Pretty lights at night (candles)
45. Prayer Labyrinths
46. Standing in front of the bus close to the window. it seems I’m flying across the road
47. On the top deck of cruises when the wind is blowing really strong
48. Clean sheets
49. Chi chi food
50. The feeling after i *t
51. traveling overseas
52. Ice-cream!!!
53. Letters
54. Sushi
55. Lanterns
56. Parties!!!:)))
57. Presents
58. Old music like the Beatles
59. Spongebob square pants
60. Green tea with a good book
61. Snow
62. Old photos
63. Disney theme parks
64. Fireworks
65. Waterfalls
66. Roses
67. Walking on the beach
68. Mountains
69. Good hair days
70. Being just in time for the bus
71. Sewing stuff like patchwork
72. Taking photos and developing them
73. Baking cookies, brownies, cakes and more
74. Bears
75. Shows in the Omni-theater
76. Making lists like this
77. Real Christmas tree
78. Stars in the sky
79. Magic shows
80. Musicals
81. Cafes
82. Pretty Clothes
83. SMILES ;)
84. Answering a question no one else can get
85. Realising i don’t have any problems
86. Tim Burton books and movies
87. Christmas
88. Discovering new awesome eateries
89. funny dreams
90. Playing pranks on people
91. when boring lessons are cancelled for the day
92. Good, cute babies
93. Sunrise
94. Sunsets
95. Art books
96. Children’s books
97. Playing with toys
98. Corny jokes
99. Arty farty shops
100. Family
2. Lovely clean soap smells
3. Feeling clean with wrinkling fingers and toes from long soaks
4. Listening to music from susan boyle or up beat music
5. Making nice new friends
6. Drawing nicely
7. Getting good marks
8. Outings with friends
9. Sleepovers
10. Watching awesome or funny movies like Amelie
11. Monk
12. Psyche
13. Sleeping under the covers on a rainy day
14. Writing cards and letters
15. Long walks at night
15. Meeting old friends
16. My sister
17. Winning a game
18. When someone loves my baking
19. Jokes
20. Playing bridge
21. Reading Manga
22. Garfield
23. Thrill rides
24. A neat, clean and tidy room
25. Cycling with the wind in my face
26. Mum fetches me home from school
27. When I get good ideas for projects
28. Cute people
29. Hugs and Kisses
30. Being Loved
31. Bungee jumping
32. A warm cup of drink from starbucks
33. Doing work late into the night at mc cafe
34. When people love my drawings and go waaahhh
35. Beautiful pictures (from national geographic etc.)
36. Cute animals
37. Visiting art museums
38. Bubbles
39. Having a room to myself
40. Rainbows
41. Trees’ flowers are in full bloom casting down a carpet of yellow or purple flowers
42. A beautiful cloudy day
43. Being appreciated for my work
44. Pretty lights at night (candles)
45. Prayer Labyrinths
46. Standing in front of the bus close to the window. it seems I’m flying across the road
47. On the top deck of cruises when the wind is blowing really strong
48. Clean sheets
49. Chi chi food
50. The feeling after i *t
51. traveling overseas
52. Ice-cream!!!
53. Letters
54. Sushi
55. Lanterns
56. Parties!!!:)))
57. Presents
58. Old music like the Beatles
59. Spongebob square pants
60. Green tea with a good book
61. Snow
62. Old photos
63. Disney theme parks
64. Fireworks
65. Waterfalls
66. Roses
67. Walking on the beach
68. Mountains
69. Good hair days
70. Being just in time for the bus
71. Sewing stuff like patchwork
72. Taking photos and developing them
73. Baking cookies, brownies, cakes and more
74. Bears
75. Shows in the Omni-theater
76. Making lists like this
77. Real Christmas tree
78. Stars in the sky
79. Magic shows
80. Musicals
81. Cafes
82. Pretty Clothes
83. SMILES ;)
84. Answering a question no one else can get
85. Realising i don’t have any problems
86. Tim Burton books and movies
87. Christmas
88. Discovering new awesome eateries
89. funny dreams
90. Playing pranks on people
91. when boring lessons are cancelled for the day
92. Good, cute babies
93. Sunrise
94. Sunsets
95. Art books
96. Children’s books
97. Playing with toys
98. Corny jokes
99. Arty farty shops
100. Family
Sunday, May 23, 2010
How to keep from being ineffective
2 Peter 1
How to be ineffective and unproductive in our knowledge of Jesus?
Must possess increasingly in
1) Faith (Peter emphasized how he is an eye-witness, words from God)
2) Goodness
3) Knowledge (Of God)
4) Self-control
5) Perseverance
6) Godliness
7) Brotherly kindness
8) Love
Remember!
a) God has cleansed us from all our sins!
b) He has given us everything we need for life and godliness
c) He has given us great promises!
Results:
1) Participate in divine nature
2) Escape corruption caused by evil desires
3) Never fall
4) Rich welcome into eternal kingdom
How to be ineffective and unproductive in our knowledge of Jesus?
Must possess increasingly in
1) Faith (Peter emphasized how he is an eye-witness, words from God)
2) Goodness
3) Knowledge (Of God)
4) Self-control
5) Perseverance
6) Godliness
7) Brotherly kindness
8) Love
Remember!
a) God has cleansed us from all our sins!
b) He has given us everything we need for life and godliness
c) He has given us great promises!
Results:
1) Participate in divine nature
2) Escape corruption caused by evil desires
3) Never fall
4) Rich welcome into eternal kingdom
luv
"Dear Ben,
I am very sorry that I had to resort to a card but that's exactly how I feel. I wished I can express my feelings better instead of ending up frustrated and disappointed. Take care of yourself. Will miss you even the few passing moments we had each day. The Lord be with you.
Love,
Meng"
"I'm not very good at saying what I need to say to you...
Sometimes the words don't come at all; sometimes the tears do.
Sometimes I feel like you just don't understand, sometimes I wonder if it's me.
Sometimes I wonder if we're really okay; sometimes your eyes tell me we are.
Sometimes I wish I could hide in your arms; Sometimes I wish you'd want to hide in mine.
Sometimes things are going great and I think it's here to stay; Sometimes I just have to make it through the day.
But sometimes..lots of times..I wonder what's in store for you and me; and sometimes I dream of reaching a place in our lives where we could let the love that lives inside us be the beautiful thing that I know it could be." Jamie Delere
I am very sorry that I had to resort to a card but that's exactly how I feel. I wished I can express my feelings better instead of ending up frustrated and disappointed. Take care of yourself. Will miss you even the few passing moments we had each day. The Lord be with you.
Love,
Meng"
"I'm not very good at saying what I need to say to you...
Sometimes the words don't come at all; sometimes the tears do.
Sometimes I feel like you just don't understand, sometimes I wonder if it's me.
Sometimes I wonder if we're really okay; sometimes your eyes tell me we are.
Sometimes I wish I could hide in your arms; Sometimes I wish you'd want to hide in mine.
Sometimes things are going great and I think it's here to stay; Sometimes I just have to make it through the day.
But sometimes..lots of times..I wonder what's in store for you and me; and sometimes I dream of reaching a place in our lives where we could let the love that lives inside us be the beautiful thing that I know it could be." Jamie Delere
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Sunday, May 16, 2010
Thanksgiving for the day
Giving me the strength to pull through another day. Felt so weighed down but was pulled through once again.
For mommy who sponsored the happy packs
For Giselle, Zhi Qing and Jeshrei who came.
For people to help and assist me.
For friends to brighten my day
For mommy who sponsored the happy packs
For Giselle, Zhi Qing and Jeshrei who came.
For people to help and assist me.
For friends to brighten my day
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Housework and a Holy life
Prayer, Devotion and living a holy life is just like Housework. You have to do it everyday. Because the dust of this life; the seemingly minute unhappiness, bitterness, tiredness, temptations and worldly pleasures build up over time. And before you know it, your life is in a mess once again. Our lives needs constant cleaning by repentance, surrender and dependence. It needs constant checking for dust with the mirror of God's Word. It needs lots of resources, drawn from God by prayer and petition.
There is no one time you can stop. There is no end in doing it. But overtime, it reaps benefits that are out of this world. Just like how housework keeps one fit and healthy and trains us in discipline.
There is no one time you can stop. There is no end in doing it. But overtime, it reaps benefits that are out of this world. Just like how housework keeps one fit and healthy and trains us in discipline.
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Numbering our days, running after emptiness
Psalm 90:12
So teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.
(Wisely use our time, recognize what is eternal, know our limitations and recognize that God is everlasting)
sOmetimes, we worship God with a stagnant spirit, having faith in our own strength, working hard to accumulate things that will not last. We do not seek God and are entrapped by the deceitfulness of this world and worries of life. Even when we practice spiritual disciplines, our motives are wrong as we want to gain the praise of men.
We thus must recognize our desperation and that we are chasing after emptiness. We must live beyond the temporal as our lives are fragile. We can always put our trust in Jesus as He is preeminent in all things.
Response: Put Him first in all things
Make full use of our time
No idolatry
Do not trust in our own strength
Break up our unplowed ground!
Think about your motives
So teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.
(Wisely use our time, recognize what is eternal, know our limitations and recognize that God is everlasting)
sOmetimes, we worship God with a stagnant spirit, having faith in our own strength, working hard to accumulate things that will not last. We do not seek God and are entrapped by the deceitfulness of this world and worries of life. Even when we practice spiritual disciplines, our motives are wrong as we want to gain the praise of men.
We thus must recognize our desperation and that we are chasing after emptiness. We must live beyond the temporal as our lives are fragile. We can always put our trust in Jesus as He is preeminent in all things.
Response: Put Him first in all things
Make full use of our time
No idolatry
Do not trust in our own strength
Break up our unplowed ground!
Think about your motives
Monday, April 26, 2010
THings I wanna do
Things I want to do during the Holidays
1) Learn Tagalog
2) Do linocuts
3) Send letters and art to people
4) Explore Clark Quay
5) Do a performance art
6) Draw like crazy
7) Paint a family portrait
8) Cycle in Sentosa
9) Do stupid stuff like only eat fruits for a day or walk backwards for a day
10) Sew something
11) Go to a cafe to draw
12) Make a new friend
13) Bake something I've never baked before Go to the Library cookbook section and randomly pick out a book and set out to make recipe number 33 no matter what it is. (Okay if it's something repulsive pick #35)14) Watch all the old movies and cry while watching
15) Climb Bukit Timah hill
16) Go swimming
17) Go for free concerts and have a picnic
18) Stargazing
19) Spring Clean
20) Visit Ahmah
21) Visit a museum
22) Fly kite and make kite in Marina Barrage
23) Act like a tourist and take photos like crazy
24) Photos a stop motion thingy/ letters
25) Do a magic show for my family
26) Make 107 postcards
27) Sing in the SHower
28) Do a paper cut
29) End every sentence with a moo
30) Wake up people in the morning and say good morning sunshine at 4am
31) Pluck someone's hair and yell DNA!
32) Look at old photos
1) Learn Tagalog
2) Do linocuts
3) Send letters and art to people
4) Explore Clark Quay
5) Do a performance art
6) Draw like crazy
7) Paint a family portrait
8) Cycle in Sentosa
9) Do stupid stuff like only eat fruits for a day or walk backwards for a day
10) Sew something
11) Go to a cafe to draw
12) Make a new friend
13) Bake something I've never baked before Go to the Library cookbook section and randomly pick out a book and set out to make recipe number 33 no matter what it is. (Okay if it's something repulsive pick #35)14) Watch all the old movies and cry while watching
15) Climb Bukit Timah hill
16) Go swimming
17) Go for free concerts and have a picnic
18) Stargazing
19) Spring Clean
20) Visit Ahmah
21) Visit a museum
22) Fly kite and make kite in Marina Barrage
23) Act like a tourist and take photos like crazy
24) Photos a stop motion thingy/ letters
25) Do a magic show for my family
26) Make 107 postcards
27) Sing in the SHower
28) Do a paper cut
29) End every sentence with a moo
30) Wake up people in the morning and say good morning sunshine at 4am
31) Pluck someone's hair and yell DNA!
32) Look at old photos
Eyes to See and Ears to Hear
Matthew 13:15-17 (New International Version)
15For this people's heart has become calloused;
they hardly hear with their ears,
and
they have closed their eyes.
Otherwise they might see with their eyes,
hear with their ears,
understand with their hearts
and
turn,
and
I would heal them.
16 But blessed are your eyes because they see,
and
your ears because they hear.
17 For I tell you the truth,
many prophets
and
righteous men longed to see what you see but did not see it,
and
to hear what you hear but did not hear it.
Isaiah 6: 8-10
8 Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send?
And
who will go for us?"
And I said, "Here am I. Send me!"
9 He said, "Go and tell this people:
" 'Be ever hearing, but never understanding;
be ever seeing, but never perceiving.'
10 Make the heart of this people calloused;
make their ears dull
and
close their eyes.
Otherwise they might see with their eyes,
hear with their ears,
understand with their hearts,
and
turn
and be healed."
15For this people's heart has become calloused;
they hardly hear with their ears,
and
they have closed their eyes.
Otherwise they might see with their eyes,
hear with their ears,
understand with their hearts
and
turn,
and
I would heal them.
16 But blessed are your eyes because they see,
and
your ears because they hear.
17 For I tell you the truth,
many prophets
and
righteous men longed to see what you see but did not see it,
and
to hear what you hear but did not hear it.
Isaiah 6: 8-10
8 Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send?
And
who will go for us?"
And I said, "Here am I. Send me!"
9 He said, "Go and tell this people:
" 'Be ever hearing, but never understanding;
be ever seeing, but never perceiving.'
10 Make the heart of this people calloused;
make their ears dull
and
close their eyes.
Otherwise they might see with their eyes,
hear with their ears,
understand with their hearts,
and
turn
and be healed."
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Thank You Lord
Thank you Lord for pulling me through another week
When I was so tired and thought I could not make it
You strengthened me and gave me Your rest.
You have always been so faithful to me.
Thank You.
When I was so tired and thought I could not make it
You strengthened me and gave me Your rest.
You have always been so faithful to me.
Thank You.
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
I do not want to go back
To my muddy blackened state
So much fruits I lack
Instead of love I hate
Help me every moment
To be more like You
I want to be more fervent
Loving, kind and true
I only want to sleep
To escape from my stress
But I know that I will reap
what I sow, my life is in a mess
I need you to pull me through
Another day, another hour.
Because I cannot see through
I am void of any power.
I depend on Thee I depend on Thee
You are my only hope
WHen the light I at last shall see
No more in the darkness grope.
To my muddy blackened state
So much fruits I lack
Instead of love I hate
Help me every moment
To be more like You
I want to be more fervent
Loving, kind and true
I only want to sleep
To escape from my stress
But I know that I will reap
what I sow, my life is in a mess
I need you to pull me through
Another day, another hour.
Because I cannot see through
I am void of any power.
I depend on Thee I depend on Thee
You are my only hope
WHen the light I at last shall see
No more in the darkness grope.
I need Thee every second
I need Thee every second
Most gracious Lord I pray
When storms around assail me
When the clouds now turn to grey
I need Thee
O I need Thee
Every second I need Thee
O help me to see Your plan
I lean on Thee
I need Thee every second
Help me stay close to Thee
When temptations seem so strong
I can only depend on Thee.
I need Thee
O I need Thee
Every second I need Thee
O help me see Your plan
I lean on Thee
I need Thee every second
O my firm rock I pray
It is hard to be moulded
But help me give thanks everyday
I need thee
O I need Thee
Every second I need Thee
O help me see Your hand
I lean on Thee
I need Thee every second
I know I can depend on Thee
Because I remember
How Thou was so faithful to me
I need Thee
O I need Thee
Every second I need Thee
O help me see Your hand
I lean on Thee
Most gracious Lord I pray
When storms around assail me
When the clouds now turn to grey
I need Thee
O I need Thee
Every second I need Thee
O help me to see Your plan
I lean on Thee
I need Thee every second
Help me stay close to Thee
When temptations seem so strong
I can only depend on Thee.
I need Thee
O I need Thee
Every second I need Thee
O help me see Your plan
I lean on Thee
I need Thee every second
O my firm rock I pray
It is hard to be moulded
But help me give thanks everyday
I need thee
O I need Thee
Every second I need Thee
O help me see Your hand
I lean on Thee
I need Thee every second
I know I can depend on Thee
Because I remember
How Thou was so faithful to me
I need Thee
O I need Thee
Every second I need Thee
O help me see Your hand
I lean on Thee
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
James 5
Warning to Rich Oppressors
1 Now listen, you rich people,
weep
and
wail because of the misery that is coming upon you.
2 Your wealth has rotted,
and
moths have eaten your clothes.
3 Your gold
and
silver are corroded.
Their corrosion will testify against you
and
eat your flesh like fire.
You have hoarded wealth in the last days.
4 Look!
The wages you failed to pay the workmen who mowed your fields
are crying out against you.
The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord Almighty.
5 You have lived on earth in luxury
and
self-indulgence.
You have fattened yourselves in the day of slaughter.
6 You have condemned
and
murdered innocent men, who were not opposing you.
7 Be patient, then, brothers,
until the Lord's coming.
See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop
and
how patient he is for the autumn
and
spring rains.
8 You too, be patient
and
stand firm, because the Lord's coming is near.
9 Don't grumble against each other, brothers,
or you will be judged.
The Judge is standing at the door!
10 Brothers,
as an example of patience in the face of suffering,
take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.
11 As you know,
we consider blessed those who have persevered.
You have heard of Job's perseverance
and
have seen what the Lord finally brought about.
The Lord is full of compassion
and
mercy.
12 Above all, my brothers,
do not swear—
not by heaven
or by earth
or by anything else.
Let your "Yes" be yes,
and your "No," no,
or you will be condemned.
The Prayer of Faith
13 Is any one of you in trouble?
He should pray.
Is anyone happy?
Let him sing songs of praise.
14 Is any one of you sick?
He should call the elders of the church to pray over him
and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord.
15 And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well;
the Lord will raise him up.
If he has sinned, he will be forgiven.
16 Therefore confess your sins to each other
and
pray for each other so that you may be healed.
The prayer of a righteous man is powerful
and
effective.
17 Elijah was a man just like us.
He prayed earnestly that it would not rain,
and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years.
18 Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain,
and the earth produced its crops.
19 My brothers,
if one of you should wander from the truth
and someone should bring him back,
20 remember this:
Whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save him from death
and cover over a multitude of sins.
1 Now listen, you rich people,
weep
and
wail because of the misery that is coming upon you.
2 Your wealth has rotted,
and
moths have eaten your clothes.
3 Your gold
and
silver are corroded.
Their corrosion will testify against you
and
eat your flesh like fire.
You have hoarded wealth in the last days.
4 Look!
The wages you failed to pay the workmen who mowed your fields
are crying out against you.
The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord Almighty.
5 You have lived on earth in luxury
and
self-indulgence.
You have fattened yourselves in the day of slaughter.
6 You have condemned
and
murdered innocent men, who were not opposing you.
7 Be patient, then, brothers,
until the Lord's coming.
See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop
and
how patient he is for the autumn
and
spring rains.
8 You too, be patient
and
stand firm, because the Lord's coming is near.
9 Don't grumble against each other, brothers,
or you will be judged.
The Judge is standing at the door!
10 Brothers,
as an example of patience in the face of suffering,
take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.
11 As you know,
we consider blessed those who have persevered.
You have heard of Job's perseverance
and
have seen what the Lord finally brought about.
The Lord is full of compassion
and
mercy.
12 Above all, my brothers,
do not swear—
not by heaven
or by earth
or by anything else.
Let your "Yes" be yes,
and your "No," no,
or you will be condemned.
The Prayer of Faith
13 Is any one of you in trouble?
He should pray.
Is anyone happy?
Let him sing songs of praise.
14 Is any one of you sick?
He should call the elders of the church to pray over him
and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord.
15 And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well;
the Lord will raise him up.
If he has sinned, he will be forgiven.
16 Therefore confess your sins to each other
and
pray for each other so that you may be healed.
The prayer of a righteous man is powerful
and
effective.
17 Elijah was a man just like us.
He prayed earnestly that it would not rain,
and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years.
18 Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain,
and the earth produced its crops.
19 My brothers,
if one of you should wander from the truth
and someone should bring him back,
20 remember this:
Whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save him from death
and cover over a multitude of sins.
Monday, April 5, 2010
Ephesians 5
1Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children 2and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
3But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality,
or of any kind of impurity,
or of greed, because these are improper for God's holy people.
4 Nor should there be obscenity,
foolish talk or
coarse joking, which are out of place,
but rather thanksgiving.
5For of this you can be sure:
No immoral,
impure
or greedy person
—such a man is an idolater—
has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.[a]
6Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God's wrath comes on those who are disobedient. 7Therefore do not be partners with them.
8For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light 9(for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) 10 and find out what pleases the Lord.
11 Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness,
but rather expose them.
12For it is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret.
13But everything exposed by the light becomes visible, 14for it is light that makes everything visible.
This is why it is said:
"Wake up, O sleeper,
rise from the dead,
and Christ will shine on you."
15Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, 16making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.
17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is.
18 Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.
19 Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, 20always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
21Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.
Wives and Husbands
22Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord.
23 For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior.
24 Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything.
25Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her 26to make her holy, cleansing[b] her by the washing with water through the word, 27and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. 28In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. 29After all, no one ever hated his own body, but he feeds and cares for it, just as Christ does the church— 30for we are members of his body. 31"For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh."[c] 32This is a profound mystery—but I am talking about Christ and the church. 33However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself,
and the wife must respect her husband.
1Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children 2and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
3But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality,
or of any kind of impurity,
or of greed, because these are improper for God's holy people.
4 Nor should there be obscenity,
foolish talk or
coarse joking, which are out of place,
but rather thanksgiving.
5For of this you can be sure:
No immoral,
impure
or greedy person
—such a man is an idolater—
has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.[a]
6Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God's wrath comes on those who are disobedient. 7Therefore do not be partners with them.
8For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light 9(for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) 10 and find out what pleases the Lord.
11 Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness,
but rather expose them.
12For it is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret.
13But everything exposed by the light becomes visible, 14for it is light that makes everything visible.
This is why it is said:
"Wake up, O sleeper,
rise from the dead,
and Christ will shine on you."
15Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, 16making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.
17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is.
18 Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.
19 Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, 20always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
21Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.
Wives and Husbands
22Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord.
23 For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior.
24 Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything.
25Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her 26to make her holy, cleansing[b] her by the washing with water through the word, 27and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. 28In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. 29After all, no one ever hated his own body, but he feeds and cares for it, just as Christ does the church— 30for we are members of his body. 31"For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh."[c] 32This is a profound mystery—but I am talking about Christ and the church. 33However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself,
and the wife must respect her husband.
Sunday, April 4, 2010
James 4
Submit Yourselves to God
1 What causes fights
and
quarrels among you?
Don't they come from your desires that battle within you?
2 You want something but don't get it.
You kill
and
covet,
but you cannot have what you want.
You quarrel
and
fight.
You do not have, because you do not ask God.
3 When you ask, you do not receive,
because you ask with wrong motives,
that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.
4 You adulterous people, don't you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God?
Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.
5 Or do you think Scripture says without reason
that the spirit he caused to live in us envies intensely?[a]
6 But he gives us more grace.
That is why Scripture says:
"God opposes the proud
but gives grace to the humble."[b]
7 Submit yourselves, then, to God.
Resist the devil,
and he will flee from you.
8 Come near to God
and he will come near to you.
Wash your hands, you sinners,
and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
9 Grieve,
mourn
and
wail.
Change your laughter to mourning
and your joy to gloom.
10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.
11Brothers, do not slander one another.
Anyone who speaks against his brother
or judges him
speaks against the law
and judges it.
When you judge the law,
you are not keeping it,
but sitting in judgment on it.
12 There is only one Lawgiver
and
Judge,
the one who is able to save
and
destroy.
But you—who are you to judge your neighbor?
Boasting About Tomorrow
13 Now listen, you who say, "Today
or
tomorrow we will go to this
or that city, spend a year there,
carry on business
and make money."
14 Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow.
What is your life?
You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.
15 Instead, you ought to say,
"If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that."
16 As it is, you boast and brag.
All such boasting is evil.
17 Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn't do it, sins.
Pride and evil desires
Results in strife and quarrels. Covetousness. Motive is wrong so when you pray you do not receive.
Friendship with the world is hatred towards God. Slander others, judging others. Make plans for the future without God in mind but to achieve desires.
Submit yourselves to God
Come near to God
Humble yourselves before the Lord
1 What causes fights
and
quarrels among you?
Don't they come from your desires that battle within you?
2 You want something but don't get it.
You kill
and
covet,
but you cannot have what you want.
You quarrel
and
fight.
You do not have, because you do not ask God.
3 When you ask, you do not receive,
because you ask with wrong motives,
that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.
4 You adulterous people, don't you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God?
Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.
5 Or do you think Scripture says without reason
that the spirit he caused to live in us envies intensely?[a]
6 But he gives us more grace.
That is why Scripture says:
"God opposes the proud
but gives grace to the humble."[b]
7 Submit yourselves, then, to God.
Resist the devil,
and he will flee from you.
8 Come near to God
and he will come near to you.
Wash your hands, you sinners,
and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
9 Grieve,
mourn
and
wail.
Change your laughter to mourning
and your joy to gloom.
10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.
11Brothers, do not slander one another.
Anyone who speaks against his brother
or judges him
speaks against the law
and judges it.
When you judge the law,
you are not keeping it,
but sitting in judgment on it.
12 There is only one Lawgiver
and
Judge,
the one who is able to save
and
destroy.
But you—who are you to judge your neighbor?
Boasting About Tomorrow
13 Now listen, you who say, "Today
or
tomorrow we will go to this
or that city, spend a year there,
carry on business
and make money."
14 Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow.
What is your life?
You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.
15 Instead, you ought to say,
"If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that."
16 As it is, you boast and brag.
All such boasting is evil.
17 Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn't do it, sins.
Pride and evil desires
Results in strife and quarrels. Covetousness. Motive is wrong so when you pray you do not receive.
Friendship with the world is hatred towards God. Slander others, judging others. Make plans for the future without God in mind but to achieve desires.
Submit yourselves to God
Come near to God
Humble yourselves before the Lord
Friday, April 2, 2010
james 3
James 3
Taming the Tongue
1Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers,
because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.
2We all stumble in many ways.
If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to keep his whole body in check.
3When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal.
4Or take ships as an example.
Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds,
they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go.
5 Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body,
but it makes great boasts.
Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark.
6 The tongue also is a fire,
a world of evil among the parts of the body.
It corrupts the whole person,
sets the whole course of his life on fire,
and is itself set on fire by hell.
7All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and creatures of the sea are being tamed
and have been tamed by man,
8but no man can tame the tongue.
It is a restless evil,
full of deadly poison.
9With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father,
and
with it we curse men, who have been made in God's likeness.
10 Out of the same mouth come praise
and
cursing. My brothers, this should not be.
11Can both fresh water and salt[a] water flow from the same spring?
12My brothers, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs?
Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.
Two Kinds of Wisdom
13 Who is wise and understanding among you?
Let him show it by his good life,
by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.
14 But if you harbor bitter envy
and
selfish ambition in your hearts,
do not boast about it
or deny the truth.
15 Such "wisdom" does not come down from heaven
but is earthly,
unspiritual,
of the devil.
16 For where you have envy
and
selfish ambition, there you find disorder
and
every evil practice.
17 But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure;
then peace-loving,
considerate,
submissive,
full of mercy
and
good fruit,
impartial
and
sincere.
18 Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness.
Taming the Tongue
1Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers,
because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.
2We all stumble in many ways.
If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to keep his whole body in check.
3When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal.
4Or take ships as an example.
Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds,
they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go.
5 Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body,
but it makes great boasts.
Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark.
6 The tongue also is a fire,
a world of evil among the parts of the body.
It corrupts the whole person,
sets the whole course of his life on fire,
and is itself set on fire by hell.
7All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and creatures of the sea are being tamed
and have been tamed by man,
8but no man can tame the tongue.
It is a restless evil,
full of deadly poison.
9With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father,
and
with it we curse men, who have been made in God's likeness.
10 Out of the same mouth come praise
and
cursing. My brothers, this should not be.
11Can both fresh water and salt[a] water flow from the same spring?
12My brothers, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs?
Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.
Two Kinds of Wisdom
13 Who is wise and understanding among you?
Let him show it by his good life,
by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.
14 But if you harbor bitter envy
and
selfish ambition in your hearts,
do not boast about it
or deny the truth.
15 Such "wisdom" does not come down from heaven
but is earthly,
unspiritual,
of the devil.
16 For where you have envy
and
selfish ambition, there you find disorder
and
every evil practice.
17 But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure;
then peace-loving,
considerate,
submissive,
full of mercy
and
good fruit,
impartial
and
sincere.
18 Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness.
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
James 2
James 2
Favoritism Forbidden
1My brothers,
as believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ,
don't show favoritism.
2 Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes,
and
a poor man in shabby clothes also comes in.
3If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes
and
say, "Here's a good seat for you,"
but say to the poor man, "You stand there"
or
"Sit on the floor by my feet,"
4 have you not discriminated among yourselves
and
become judges with evil thoughts?
5Listen, my dear brothers:
Has not God chosen those who are poor
in the eyes of the world
to be rich in faith
and
to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him?
6 But you have insulted the poor.
Is it not the rich who are exploiting you?
Are they not the ones who are dragging you into court?
7Are they not the ones who are slandering the noble name of him to whom you belong?
8If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture,
"Love your neighbor as yourself,"
[a] you are doing right.
9But if you show favoritism, you sin
and
are convicted by the law as lawbreakers.
10 For whoever keeps the whole law
and yet stumbles at just one point
is guilty of breaking all of it.
11 For he who said, "Do not commit adultery,"[b]
also said, "Do not murder."[c]
If you do not commit adultery but do commit murder, you have become a lawbreaker.
12 Speak
and
act as those who are going to be judged by the law
that gives freedom,
13 because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful.
Mercy triumphs over judgment!
Faith and Deeds
14What good is it, my brothers,
if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds?
Can such faith save him?
15Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes
and daily food.
16If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well;
keep warm
and well fed,"
but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it?
17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.
18 But someone will say, "You have faith; I have deeds."
Show me your faith without deeds,
and I will show you my faith by what I do.
19You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.
20You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless[d]?
21 Was not our ancestor Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar?
22 You see that his faith
and
his actions were working together,
and his faith was made complete by what he did.
23And the scripture was fulfilled that says, "Abraham believed God,
and it was credited to him as righteousness,"[e]
and he was called God's friend.
24 You see that a person is justified by what he does
and not by faith alone.
25In the same way,
was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did
when she gave lodging to the spies
and
sent them off in a different direction?
26As the body without the spirit is dead,
so faith without deeds is dead.
Favoritism Forbidden
1My brothers,
as believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ,
don't show favoritism.
2 Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes,
and
a poor man in shabby clothes also comes in.
3If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes
and
say, "Here's a good seat for you,"
but say to the poor man, "You stand there"
or
"Sit on the floor by my feet,"
4 have you not discriminated among yourselves
and
become judges with evil thoughts?
5Listen, my dear brothers:
Has not God chosen those who are poor
in the eyes of the world
to be rich in faith
and
to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him?
6 But you have insulted the poor.
Is it not the rich who are exploiting you?
Are they not the ones who are dragging you into court?
7Are they not the ones who are slandering the noble name of him to whom you belong?
8If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture,
"Love your neighbor as yourself,"
[a] you are doing right.
9But if you show favoritism, you sin
and
are convicted by the law as lawbreakers.
10 For whoever keeps the whole law
and yet stumbles at just one point
is guilty of breaking all of it.
11 For he who said, "Do not commit adultery,"[b]
also said, "Do not murder."[c]
If you do not commit adultery but do commit murder, you have become a lawbreaker.
12 Speak
and
act as those who are going to be judged by the law
that gives freedom,
13 because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful.
Mercy triumphs over judgment!
Faith and Deeds
14What good is it, my brothers,
if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds?
Can such faith save him?
15Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes
and daily food.
16If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well;
keep warm
and well fed,"
but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it?
17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.
18 But someone will say, "You have faith; I have deeds."
Show me your faith without deeds,
and I will show you my faith by what I do.
19You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.
20You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless[d]?
21 Was not our ancestor Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar?
22 You see that his faith
and
his actions were working together,
and his faith was made complete by what he did.
23And the scripture was fulfilled that says, "Abraham believed God,
and it was credited to him as righteousness,"[e]
and he was called God's friend.
24 You see that a person is justified by what he does
and not by faith alone.
25In the same way,
was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did
when she gave lodging to the spies
and
sent them off in a different direction?
26As the body without the spirit is dead,
so faith without deeds is dead.
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
James 1
James 1
1 James,
a servant of God
and
of the Lord Jesus Christ,
To the twelve tribes
scattered among the nations:
Greetings.
2Consider it pure joy,
my brothers,
whenever you face trials of many kinds,
3 because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.
4 Perseverance must finish its work
so that you may be mature
and
complete,
not lacking anything. 5If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God,
who gives generously to all
without finding fault,
and it will be given to him.
6 But when he asks, he must believe
and
not doubt,
because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea,
blown
and
tossed by the wind.
7 That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord;
8 he is a double-minded man,
unstable in all he does.
9The brother in humble circumstances ought to take pride in his high position.
10 But the one who is rich should take pride in his low position,
because he will pass away like a wild flower.
11 For the sun rises with scorching heat
and
withers the plant;
its blossom falls
and
its beauty is destroyed.
In the same way, the rich man will fade away
even while he goes about his business.
12Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial,
because when he has stood the test,
he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.
13 When tempted, no one should say, "God is tempting me."
For God cannot be tempted by evil,
nor does he tempt anyone;
14 but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire,
he is dragged away
and
enticed.
15 Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin;
and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.
16 Don't be deceived, my dear brothers.
17 Every good and perfect gift is from above,
coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights,
who does not change like shifting shadows.
18 He chose to give us birth through the word of truth,
that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.
19My dear brothers, take note of this:
Everyone should be quick to listen,
slow to speak
and
slow to become angry,
20 for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.
21 Therefore, get rid of all moral filth
and
the evil that is so prevalent
and
humbly accept the word planted in you,
which can save you.
22Do not merely listen to the word,
and so deceive yourselves.
Do what it says.
23 Anyone who listens to the word
but does not do what it says
is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror
24and,
after looking at himself, goes away
and immediately forgets what he looks like.
25 But the man who looks intently into the perfect law
that gives freedom,
and continues to do this,
not forgetting what he has heard,
but doing it—
he will be blessed in what he does.
26If anyone considers himself religious
and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue,
he deceives himself
and
his religion is worthless.
27 Religion that God our Father accepts as pure
and
faultless is this:
to look after orphans
and
widows in their distress
and
to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.
1 James,
a servant of God
and
of the Lord Jesus Christ,
To the twelve tribes
scattered among the nations:
Greetings.
2Consider it pure joy,
my brothers,
whenever you face trials of many kinds,
3 because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.
4 Perseverance must finish its work
so that you may be mature
and
complete,
not lacking anything. 5If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God,
who gives generously to all
without finding fault,
and it will be given to him.
6 But when he asks, he must believe
and
not doubt,
because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea,
blown
and
tossed by the wind.
7 That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord;
8 he is a double-minded man,
unstable in all he does.
9The brother in humble circumstances ought to take pride in his high position.
10 But the one who is rich should take pride in his low position,
because he will pass away like a wild flower.
11 For the sun rises with scorching heat
and
withers the plant;
its blossom falls
and
its beauty is destroyed.
In the same way, the rich man will fade away
even while he goes about his business.
12Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial,
because when he has stood the test,
he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.
13 When tempted, no one should say, "God is tempting me."
For God cannot be tempted by evil,
nor does he tempt anyone;
14 but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire,
he is dragged away
and
enticed.
15 Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin;
and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.
16 Don't be deceived, my dear brothers.
17 Every good and perfect gift is from above,
coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights,
who does not change like shifting shadows.
18 He chose to give us birth through the word of truth,
that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.
19My dear brothers, take note of this:
Everyone should be quick to listen,
slow to speak
and
slow to become angry,
20 for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.
21 Therefore, get rid of all moral filth
and
the evil that is so prevalent
and
humbly accept the word planted in you,
which can save you.
22Do not merely listen to the word,
and so deceive yourselves.
Do what it says.
23 Anyone who listens to the word
but does not do what it says
is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror
24and,
after looking at himself, goes away
and immediately forgets what he looks like.
25 But the man who looks intently into the perfect law
that gives freedom,
and continues to do this,
not forgetting what he has heard,
but doing it—
he will be blessed in what he does.
26If anyone considers himself religious
and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue,
he deceives himself
and
his religion is worthless.
27 Religion that God our Father accepts as pure
and
faultless is this:
to look after orphans
and
widows in their distress
and
to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.
Saturday, March 27, 2010
LIES
Refuges of Lies and What Will Become Of Them, Charles Spurgeon lists six lies that men try to take refuge in:
1. The lie that we are, or can be good enough.
2. The lie that fate or predestination determines all, so there is nothing for us to do.
3. The lie that places confidence in new, false teachings.
4. The lie that religious profession is enough.
5. The lie that one can have a saved soul and an unchanged life.
6. The lie that trusts an old experience instead of an ongoing relationship.
1. The lie that we are, or can be good enough.
2. The lie that fate or predestination determines all, so there is nothing for us to do.
3. The lie that places confidence in new, false teachings.
4. The lie that religious profession is enough.
5. The lie that one can have a saved soul and an unchanged life.
6. The lie that trusts an old experience instead of an ongoing relationship.
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Hebrews 13
Love for the brethren
Hospitality toward strangers
Care for prisoners and the ill-treated
Relationship towards money
Response to strange doctrine
Hospitality toward strangers
Care for prisoners and the ill-treated
Relationship towards money
Response to strange doctrine
Faith
Imitating another's faith
1 Corinthians 4: 14 -17
14 I am not writing this to shame you, but to warn you, as my dear children.
15 Even though you have ten thousand guardians in Christ, you do not have many fathers, for in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel.
16 Therefore I urge you to imitate me.
17 For this reason I am sending to you Timothy, my son whom I love, who is faithful in the Lord. He will remind you of my way of life in Christ Jesus, which agrees with what I teach everywhere in every church.
1 Corinthians 11:1
1 Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.
Philippians 3: 17- 19
17 Join with others in following my example, brothers, and take note of those who live according to the pattern we gave you.
18 For, as I have often told you before and now say again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ.
19 Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is on earthly things.
1 Timothy 4:12- 16
12 Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.
13 Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching.
14 Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through a prophetic message when the body of elders laid their hands on you.
15 Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress.
16 Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.
Strange teaching
Romans 14 : 1 -4, 6, 14-23
1 Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on disputable matters.
2 One man's faith allows him to eat everything, but another man, whose faith is weak, eats only vegetables.
3 The man who eats everything must not look down on him who does not, and the man who does not eat everything must not condemn the man who does, for God has accepted him.
4 Who are you to judge someone else's servant? To his own master he stands or falls. And he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand.
6He who regards one day as special, does so to the Lord. He who eats meat, eats to the Lord, for he gives thanks to God; and he who abstains, does so to the Lord and gives thanks to God.
14As one who is in the Lord Jesus, I am fully convinced that no food[b] is unclean in itself. But if anyone regards something as unclean, then for him it is unclean.
15If your brother is distressed because of what you eat, you are no longer acting in love. Do not by your eating destroy your brother for whom Christ died.
16Do not allow what you consider good to be spoken of as evil.
17For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, 18because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and approved by men.
19Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.
20Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All food is clean, but it is wrong for a man to eat anything that causes someone else to stumble.
21It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything else that will cause your brother to fall.
22So whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the man who does not condemn himself by what he approves.
23But the man who has doubts is condemned if he eats, because his eating is not from faith; and everything that does not come from faith is sin.
Colossians 2:16-23
16Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day.
17These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ.
18 Do not let anyone who delights in false humility and the worship of angels disqualify you for the prize. Such a person goes into great detail about what he has seen, and his unspiritual mind puffs him up with idle notions.
19He has lost connection with the Head, from whom the whole body, supported and held together by its ligaments and sinews, grows as God causes it to grow.
20Since you died with Christ to the basic principles of this world, why, as though you still belonged to it, do you submit to its rules:
21"Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!"?
22These are all destined to perish with use, because they are based on human commands and teachings.
23Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence
1 TImothy 4:1-6
1The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons.
2Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron.
3They forbid people to marry and order them to abstain from certain foods, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and who know the truth.
4For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving,
5because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer.
6If you point these things out to the brothers, you will be a good minister of Christ Jesus, brought up in the truths of the faith and of the good teaching that you have followed.
1 Corinthians 4: 14 -17
14 I am not writing this to shame you, but to warn you, as my dear children.
15 Even though you have ten thousand guardians in Christ, you do not have many fathers, for in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel.
16 Therefore I urge you to imitate me.
17 For this reason I am sending to you Timothy, my son whom I love, who is faithful in the Lord. He will remind you of my way of life in Christ Jesus, which agrees with what I teach everywhere in every church.
1 Corinthians 11:1
1 Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.
Philippians 3: 17- 19
17 Join with others in following my example, brothers, and take note of those who live according to the pattern we gave you.
18 For, as I have often told you before and now say again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ.
19 Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is on earthly things.
1 Timothy 4:12- 16
12 Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.
13 Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching.
14 Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through a prophetic message when the body of elders laid their hands on you.
15 Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress.
16 Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.
Strange teaching
Romans 14 : 1 -4, 6, 14-23
1 Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on disputable matters.
2 One man's faith allows him to eat everything, but another man, whose faith is weak, eats only vegetables.
3 The man who eats everything must not look down on him who does not, and the man who does not eat everything must not condemn the man who does, for God has accepted him.
4 Who are you to judge someone else's servant? To his own master he stands or falls. And he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand.
6He who regards one day as special, does so to the Lord. He who eats meat, eats to the Lord, for he gives thanks to God; and he who abstains, does so to the Lord and gives thanks to God.
14As one who is in the Lord Jesus, I am fully convinced that no food[b] is unclean in itself. But if anyone regards something as unclean, then for him it is unclean.
15If your brother is distressed because of what you eat, you are no longer acting in love. Do not by your eating destroy your brother for whom Christ died.
16Do not allow what you consider good to be spoken of as evil.
17For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, 18because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and approved by men.
19Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.
20Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All food is clean, but it is wrong for a man to eat anything that causes someone else to stumble.
21It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything else that will cause your brother to fall.
22So whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the man who does not condemn himself by what he approves.
23But the man who has doubts is condemned if he eats, because his eating is not from faith; and everything that does not come from faith is sin.
Colossians 2:16-23
16Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day.
17These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ.
18 Do not let anyone who delights in false humility and the worship of angels disqualify you for the prize. Such a person goes into great detail about what he has seen, and his unspiritual mind puffs him up with idle notions.
19He has lost connection with the Head, from whom the whole body, supported and held together by its ligaments and sinews, grows as God causes it to grow.
20Since you died with Christ to the basic principles of this world, why, as though you still belonged to it, do you submit to its rules:
21"Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!"?
22These are all destined to perish with use, because they are based on human commands and teachings.
23Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence
1 TImothy 4:1-6
1The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons.
2Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron.
3They forbid people to marry and order them to abstain from certain foods, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and who know the truth.
4For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving,
5because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer.
6If you point these things out to the brothers, you will be a good minister of Christ Jesus, brought up in the truths of the faith and of the good teaching that you have followed.
Monday, March 22, 2010
$$$
Colossians 3: 5
Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry.
Matthew 6: 19- 34
19"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.
20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.
21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
22"The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light.
23 But if your eyes are bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!
24"No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.
Philippians 4: 11 - 19
11I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.
12I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.
13I can do everything through him who gives me strength.
14Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles.
15Moreover, as you Philippians know, in the early days of your acquaintance with the gospel, when I set out from Macedonia, not one church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you only;
16for even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me aid again and again when I was in need.
17Not that I am looking for a gift, but I am looking for what may be credited to your account.
18I have received full payment and even more; I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God.
19And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.
1 Timothy 6: 6-11
6But godliness with contentment is great gain.
7 For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it.
8 But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.
9 People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction.
10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.
11But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness.
1 John 2: 15 - 17
15 Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
16 For everything in the world—the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does—comes not from the Father but from the world.
17 The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever.
Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry.
Matthew 6: 19- 34
19"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.
20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.
21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
22"The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light.
23 But if your eyes are bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!
24"No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.
Philippians 4: 11 - 19
11I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.
12I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.
13I can do everything through him who gives me strength.
14Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles.
15Moreover, as you Philippians know, in the early days of your acquaintance with the gospel, when I set out from Macedonia, not one church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you only;
16for even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me aid again and again when I was in need.
17Not that I am looking for a gift, but I am looking for what may be credited to your account.
18I have received full payment and even more; I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God.
19And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.
1 Timothy 6: 6-11
6But godliness with contentment is great gain.
7 For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it.
8 But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.
9 People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction.
10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.
11But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness.
1 John 2: 15 - 17
15 Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
16 For everything in the world—the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does—comes not from the Father but from the world.
17 The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever.
Praise Ye the Lord!
Thanksgiving
1) For enough food and water
2) For shelter
3) For nice place to stay in
4) For providing all my physical needs
5) THAT I DON'T HAVE A RUNNING NOSE!!!!
6) That i'm not sick :)
7) For a laptop to do work on
8) That my charger did not spoil
9) For the internet to read the bible and access information
10) For helping me do my project proposals
11) For having more than enough money so I can pay for stuff like printing
12) Fo the nice weather which is not too hot
13) For a nice room mate who is very thoughtful
14) For a fun course which I like
15) For helping me remember to get my handphone and wallet
16) For electricity to charge my stuff and the light and the fan
17) For paper mop to wipe the floor
18) For legs that can walk to buy my subway
19) For nice shampoo and soap and towel so I can feel clean and nice
20) For nice friends around me
21) For my mother who fetches me to school
22) For the car and home
23) For my mom who does the housework
24) For my mom who prays and encourages people
25) For Claire and her want to grow deeper in You to be Your servant
26) For Lois that she came home safely and how she has served you in the ministries she is in
27) For Joy for bringing much happiness to many around her
28) For all the people in church who have encouraged me on my walk with You
29) For QT materials to help me walk
30) For the ability to draw so I can bless others
1) For enough food and water
2) For shelter
3) For nice place to stay in
4) For providing all my physical needs
5) THAT I DON'T HAVE A RUNNING NOSE!!!!
6) That i'm not sick :)
7) For a laptop to do work on
8) That my charger did not spoil
9) For the internet to read the bible and access information
10) For helping me do my project proposals
11) For having more than enough money so I can pay for stuff like printing
12) Fo the nice weather which is not too hot
13) For a nice room mate who is very thoughtful
14) For a fun course which I like
15) For helping me remember to get my handphone and wallet
16) For electricity to charge my stuff and the light and the fan
17) For paper mop to wipe the floor
18) For legs that can walk to buy my subway
19) For nice shampoo and soap and towel so I can feel clean and nice
20) For nice friends around me
21) For my mother who fetches me to school
22) For the car and home
23) For my mom who does the housework
24) For my mom who prays and encourages people
25) For Claire and her want to grow deeper in You to be Your servant
26) For Lois that she came home safely and how she has served you in the ministries she is in
27) For Joy for bringing much happiness to many around her
28) For all the people in church who have encouraged me on my walk with You
29) For QT materials to help me walk
30) For the ability to draw so I can bless others
Friday, March 19, 2010
Proverbs 31:21-31 (New International Version)
Proverbs 31:21-31 (New International Version)
21 When it snows, she has no fear for her household;
for all of them are clothed in scarlet.
22 She makes coverings for her bed;
she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
23 Her husband is respected at the city gate,
where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.
24 She makes linen garments and sells them,
and supplies the merchants with sashes.
25 She is clothed with strength and dignity;
she can laugh at the days to come.
26 She speaks with wisdom,
and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
27 She watches over the affairs of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.
28 Her children arise and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:
29 "Many women do noble things,
but you surpass them all."
30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
31 Give her the reward she has earned,
and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.
21 When it snows, she has no fear for her household;
for all of them are clothed in scarlet.
22 She makes coverings for her bed;
she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
23 Her husband is respected at the city gate,
where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.
24 She makes linen garments and sells them,
and supplies the merchants with sashes.
25 She is clothed with strength and dignity;
she can laugh at the days to come.
26 She speaks with wisdom,
and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
27 She watches over the affairs of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.
28 Her children arise and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:
29 "Many women do noble things,
but you surpass them all."
30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
31 Give her the reward she has earned,
and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.
Thursday, March 18, 2010
3i 9 u and i always will
“You know you're in love when you can't fall asleep because reality is finally better than your dreams.”
Dr. Seuss quote
“Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind.”
Dr. Seuss quote
“Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened.”
Dr. Seuss quote
You don't love a woman because she is beautiful, but she is beautiful because you love her.
Anonymous
“You know you're in love when you can't fall asleep because reality is finally better than your dreams.”
Dr. Seuss quote
“Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind.”
Dr. Seuss quote
“Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened.”
Dr. Seuss quote
You don't love a woman because she is beautiful, but she is beautiful because you love her.
Anonymous
Hospitality Hebrews 13
Hebrews 13:2
1Keep on loving each other as brothers. Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it.
Genesis 18: 1- 19: 1
The 3 Visitors (The Lord and 2 angels?)
Abraham treated them as his masters (bowed low to the ground, water to wash feet, bread, choice calf, curds and milk)
The Lord said Sarah will have a son the next year, God will make Abraham into a great nation and all the nations of the earth will be blessed through him. To keep the way of the Lord
Abraham pleads for Sodom and Gomorrah (10 people)
Lot treats the angels as his masters and made them spend the night in his home and wash their feet. he baked bread for them too.
Romans 12 : 9- 13
9 Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.
10 Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.
11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.
12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
13 Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
1 Timothy 3 :1-2
1 Here is a trustworthy saying: If anyone sets his heart on being an overseer,[a] he desires a noble task.
2 Now the overseer must be above reproach, the husband of but one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach,
TItus 1 :5-9
5 The reason I left you in Crete was that you might straighten out what was left unfinished and appoint[a] elders in every town, as I directed you.
6 An elder must be blameless, the husband of but one wife, a man whose children believe and are not open to the charge of being wild and disobedient.
7 Since an overseer[b] is entrusted with God's work, he must be blameless—not overbearing, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not pursuing dishonest gain.
8 Rather he must be hospitable, one who loves what is good, who is self-controlled, upright, holy and disciplined.
9 He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it.
1 Peter 4: 9
9 Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.
1Keep on loving each other as brothers. Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it.
Genesis 18: 1- 19: 1
The 3 Visitors (The Lord and 2 angels?)
Abraham treated them as his masters (bowed low to the ground, water to wash feet, bread, choice calf, curds and milk)
The Lord said Sarah will have a son the next year, God will make Abraham into a great nation and all the nations of the earth will be blessed through him. To keep the way of the Lord
Abraham pleads for Sodom and Gomorrah (10 people)
Lot treats the angels as his masters and made them spend the night in his home and wash their feet. he baked bread for them too.
Romans 12 : 9- 13
9 Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.
10 Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.
11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.
12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
13 Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
1 Timothy 3 :1-2
1 Here is a trustworthy saying: If anyone sets his heart on being an overseer,[a] he desires a noble task.
2 Now the overseer must be above reproach, the husband of but one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach,
TItus 1 :5-9
5 The reason I left you in Crete was that you might straighten out what was left unfinished and appoint[a] elders in every town, as I directed you.
6 An elder must be blameless, the husband of but one wife, a man whose children believe and are not open to the charge of being wild and disobedient.
7 Since an overseer[b] is entrusted with God's work, he must be blameless—not overbearing, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not pursuing dishonest gain.
8 Rather he must be hospitable, one who loves what is good, who is self-controlled, upright, holy and disciplined.
9 He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it.
1 Peter 4: 9
9 Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Hebrews 13
Instructions
1. Let love of the brethren continue
2. Show hospitality to strangers
3. Remember the prisoners and the ill-treated
4. Marriage to be held in honor, marriage bed to be undefiled
5. Free from the love of money
6. Be content with what you have
7. Do not be carried by strange doctrines
8. Offer pleasing sacrifice (of praise to God, doing good and sharing)
9. Obey leaders and submit to them
Why?
2. Some have entertained angels
3. Since we are in the body
4. God will judge the fornicators and adulterers.
5 & 6. God will never leave us nor forsake us and will help us. So we do not need to be afraid.
7. For it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace, not outward practices
8. God is pleased with them
9. They keep watch over our souls as they will give an account
LOVE YOUR BRETHREN
Matthew 22:34-40
34(Z)But when the Pharisees heard that Jesus had silenced (AA)the Sadducees, they gathered themselves together.
35One of them, [a](AB)a lawyer, asked Him a question, testing Him,
36"Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?"
37And He said to him, " '(AC)YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND.'
38"This is the great and foremost commandment.
39"The second is like it, '(AD)YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.'
40"(AE)On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets."
Luke 10: 25-27
25(AE)And a (AF)lawyer stood up and put Him to the test, saying, "Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?"
26And He said to him, "What is written in the Law? How does it read to you?"
27And he answered, "(AG)YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR STRENGTH, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND; AND YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF."
Romans 13: 8-10
8Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another; for (J)he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law.
9For this, "(K)YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT ADULTERY, YOU SHALL NOT MURDER, YOU SHALL NOT STEAL, YOU SHALL NOT COVET," and if there is any other commandment, it is summed up in this saying, "(L)YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF."
10Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore (M)love is the fulfillment of the law.
1Corin. 13 : 4-8
4Love (K)is patient, love is kind and (L)is not jealous;
love does not brag and is not (M)arrogant,
5does not act unbecomingly; it (N)does not seek its own, is not provoked, (O)does not take into account a wrong suffered,
6(P)does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but (Q)rejoices with the truth;
7(R)bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
8Love never fails; but if there are gifts of (S)prophecy, they will be done away; if there are (T)tongues, they will cease; if there is knowledge, it will be done away.
1 Thes 4: 9-10
9Now as to the (S)love of the brethren, you (T)have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves are (U)taught by God to love one another;
10for indeed (V)you do practice it toward all the brethren who are in all Macedonia But we urge you, brethren, to (W)excel still more,
1 John 3:16-19
16We know love by this, that (AP)He laid down His life for us; and (AQ)we ought to lay down our lives for the (AR)brethren.
17But (AS)whoever has the world's goods, and sees his brother in need and (AT)closes his heart against him, (AU)how does the love of God abide in him?
18(AV)Little children, let us not love with word or with tongue, but in deed and (AW)truth.
19We will know by this that we are (AX)of the truth, and will assure our heart before Him
1 John 4: 20 - 5 :3
20(AZ)If someone says, "I love God," and (BA)hates his brother, he is a (BB)liar; for (BC)the one who does not love his brother whom he has seen, (BD)cannot love God whom he has not seen.
21And (BE)this commandment we have from Him, that the one who loves God (BF)should love his brother also.
1(A)Whoever believes that Jesus is the [a]Christ is (B)born of God, and whoever loves the Father (C)loves the child born of Him.
2(D)By this we know that (E)we love the children of God, when we love God and observe His commandments.
3For (F)this is the love of God, that we (G)keep His commandments; and (H)His commandments are not burdensome.
1. Let love of the brethren continue
2. Show hospitality to strangers
3. Remember the prisoners and the ill-treated
4. Marriage to be held in honor, marriage bed to be undefiled
5. Free from the love of money
6. Be content with what you have
7. Do not be carried by strange doctrines
8. Offer pleasing sacrifice (of praise to God, doing good and sharing)
9. Obey leaders and submit to them
Why?
2. Some have entertained angels
3. Since we are in the body
4. God will judge the fornicators and adulterers.
5 & 6. God will never leave us nor forsake us and will help us. So we do not need to be afraid.
7. For it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace, not outward practices
8. God is pleased with them
9. They keep watch over our souls as they will give an account
LOVE YOUR BRETHREN
Matthew 22:34-40
34(Z)But when the Pharisees heard that Jesus had silenced (AA)the Sadducees, they gathered themselves together.
35One of them, [a](AB)a lawyer, asked Him a question, testing Him,
36"Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?"
37And He said to him, " '(AC)YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND.'
38"This is the great and foremost commandment.
39"The second is like it, '(AD)YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.'
40"(AE)On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets."
Luke 10: 25-27
25(AE)And a (AF)lawyer stood up and put Him to the test, saying, "Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?"
26And He said to him, "What is written in the Law? How does it read to you?"
27And he answered, "(AG)YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR STRENGTH, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND; AND YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF."
Romans 13: 8-10
8Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another; for (J)he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law.
9For this, "(K)YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT ADULTERY, YOU SHALL NOT MURDER, YOU SHALL NOT STEAL, YOU SHALL NOT COVET," and if there is any other commandment, it is summed up in this saying, "(L)YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF."
10Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore (M)love is the fulfillment of the law.
1Corin. 13 : 4-8
4Love (K)is patient, love is kind and (L)is not jealous;
love does not brag and is not (M)arrogant,
5does not act unbecomingly; it (N)does not seek its own, is not provoked, (O)does not take into account a wrong suffered,
6(P)does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but (Q)rejoices with the truth;
7(R)bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
8Love never fails; but if there are gifts of (S)prophecy, they will be done away; if there are (T)tongues, they will cease; if there is knowledge, it will be done away.
1 Thes 4: 9-10
9Now as to the (S)love of the brethren, you (T)have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves are (U)taught by God to love one another;
10for indeed (V)you do practice it toward all the brethren who are in all Macedonia But we urge you, brethren, to (W)excel still more,
1 John 3:16-19
16We know love by this, that (AP)He laid down His life for us; and (AQ)we ought to lay down our lives for the (AR)brethren.
17But (AS)whoever has the world's goods, and sees his brother in need and (AT)closes his heart against him, (AU)how does the love of God abide in him?
18(AV)Little children, let us not love with word or with tongue, but in deed and (AW)truth.
19We will know by this that we are (AX)of the truth, and will assure our heart before Him
1 John 4: 20 - 5 :3
20(AZ)If someone says, "I love God," and (BA)hates his brother, he is a (BB)liar; for (BC)the one who does not love his brother whom he has seen, (BD)cannot love God whom he has not seen.
21And (BE)this commandment we have from Him, that the one who loves God (BF)should love his brother also.
1(A)Whoever believes that Jesus is the [a]Christ is (B)born of God, and whoever loves the Father (C)loves the child born of Him.
2(D)By this we know that (E)we love the children of God, when we love God and observe His commandments.
3For (F)this is the love of God, that we (G)keep His commandments; and (H)His commandments are not burdensome.
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Love II
Proverbs 15:17
A bowl of vegetables with someone you love is better than steak with someone you hate.
John 15:13
Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.
1 John 3:18
Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.
Songs of Solomon 3:5 Daughters of Jerusalem, I charge you
by the gazelles and by the does of the field:
Do not arouse or awaken love
until it so desires.
A bowl of vegetables with someone you love is better than steak with someone you hate.
John 15:13
Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.
1 John 3:18
Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.
Songs of Solomon 3:5 Daughters of Jerusalem, I charge you
by the gazelles and by the does of the field:
Do not arouse or awaken love
until it so desires.
Friday, March 12, 2010
Audrey Hepburn
“For beautiful eyes, look for the good in others;
for beautiful lips, speak only words of kindness;
and for poise, walk with the knowledge that you are never alone.”
“Remember, if you ever need a helping hand, it's at the end of your arm,
as you get older, remember you have another hand:
The first is to help yourself, the second is to help others.”
Benjamin Franklin
“I didn't fail the test, I just found 100 ways to do it wrong”
“Content makes poor men rich; discontent makes rich men poor.”
“Hide not your talents. They for use were made. What's a sundial in the shade?”
Buy what thou hast no need of and ere long thou shalt sell thy necessities.
He does not possess wealth; it possesses him.
Angus
The condition for a miracle is difficulty, however the condition for a great miracle is not difficulty, but impossibility.
Even artichokes have hearts
I'd rather be happy than thin
Take a job that you like and you will not work a day in your life.
"ALL ANIMALS ARE EQUAL, BUT SOME ARE MORE EQUAL THAN OTHERS"
- George Orwell, Animal Farm, Ch. 10
"No question now, what had happened to the faces of the pigs. The creatures outside looked from pig to man, and from man to pig, and from pig to man again; but already it was impossible to say which was which."
- George Orwell, Animal Farm, Ch. 10
"When I die, I want to go peacefully like my Grandfather did, in his sleep -- not screaming, like the passengers in his car"
Short funny quotes, Unknown.
Bart, with $10,000, we'd be millionaires! We could buy all kinds of useful things like...love!
Kids, you tried your best and you failed miserably. The lesson is, never try.
How is education supposed to make me feel smarter? Besides, every time I learn something new, it pushes some old stuff out of my brain. Remember when I took that home winemaking course, and I forgot how to drive?
“For beautiful eyes, look for the good in others;
for beautiful lips, speak only words of kindness;
and for poise, walk with the knowledge that you are never alone.”
“Remember, if you ever need a helping hand, it's at the end of your arm,
as you get older, remember you have another hand:
The first is to help yourself, the second is to help others.”
Benjamin Franklin
“I didn't fail the test, I just found 100 ways to do it wrong”
“Content makes poor men rich; discontent makes rich men poor.”
“Hide not your talents. They for use were made. What's a sundial in the shade?”
Buy what thou hast no need of and ere long thou shalt sell thy necessities.
He does not possess wealth; it possesses him.
Angus
The condition for a miracle is difficulty, however the condition for a great miracle is not difficulty, but impossibility.
Even artichokes have hearts
I'd rather be happy than thin
Take a job that you like and you will not work a day in your life.
"ALL ANIMALS ARE EQUAL, BUT SOME ARE MORE EQUAL THAN OTHERS"
- George Orwell, Animal Farm, Ch. 10
"No question now, what had happened to the faces of the pigs. The creatures outside looked from pig to man, and from man to pig, and from pig to man again; but already it was impossible to say which was which."
- George Orwell, Animal Farm, Ch. 10
"When I die, I want to go peacefully like my Grandfather did, in his sleep -- not screaming, like the passengers in his car"
Short funny quotes, Unknown.
Bart, with $10,000, we'd be millionaires! We could buy all kinds of useful things like...love!
Kids, you tried your best and you failed miserably. The lesson is, never try.
How is education supposed to make me feel smarter? Besides, every time I learn something new, it pushes some old stuff out of my brain. Remember when I took that home winemaking course, and I forgot how to drive?
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Hebrews 13
Hebrews 13
The Changeless Christ
1Let (A)love of the brethren continue.
2Do not neglect to (B)show hospitality to strangers,
for by this some have entertained angels without knowing it.
3(D)Remember (E)the prisoners,
as though in prison with them,
and those who are ill-treated,
since you yourselves also are in the body.
4(F)Marriage is to be held in honor among all,
and
the marriage bed is to be undefiled;
(G)for fornicators
and
adulterers God will judge.
5Make sure that your character is (H)free from the love of money,
(I)being content with what you have;
for He Himself has said, "(J)I WILL NEVER DESERT YOU, NOR WILL I EVER FORSAKE YOU,"
6so that we confidently say,
"(K)THE LORD IS MY HELPER, I WILL NOT BE AFRAID.
WHAT WILL MAN DO TO ME?"
7Remember (L)those who led you, who spoke (M)the word of God to you; and considering the result of their conduct, (N)imitate their faith.
8(O)Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.
9(P)Do not be carried away by varied and strange teachings;
for it is good for the heart to (Q)be strengthened by grace, not by (R)foods, (S)through which those who were so occupied were not benefited.
10We have an altar (T)from which those (U)who serve the tabernacle have no right to eat.
11For (V)the bodies of those animals whose blood is brought into the holy place by the high priest as an offering for sin, are burned outside the camp.
12Therefore Jesus also, (W)that He might sanctify the people through His own blood, suffered (Y)outside the gate.
13So, let us go out to Him outside the camp, (Z)bearing His reproach.
14For here (AA)we do not have a lasting city, but we are seeking (AB)the city which is to come.
God-pleasing Sacrifices
15(AC)Through Him then, let us continually offer up a
(AD)sacrifice of praise to God,
that is, (AE)the fruit of lips that give thanks to His name.
16And do not neglect
doing good and (AF)sharing,
for (AG)with such sacrifices God is pleased.
17(AH)Obey your leaders and submit to them,
for (AI)they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account.
Let them do this with joy and not with grief, for this would be unprofitable for you.
18(AJ)Pray for us, for we are sure that we have a (AK)good conscience, desiring to conduct ourselves honorably in all things.
19And I urge you all the more to do this, (AL)so that I may be restored to you the sooner.
Benediction
20Now (AM)the God of peace,
who (AN)brought up from the dead the (AO)great Shepherd of the sheep through (AP)the blood of the (AQ)eternal covenant, even Jesus our Lord,
21(AR)equip you in every good thing to do His will, (AS)working in us that (AT)which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, (AU)to whom be the glory forever and ever.
Amen.
22But (AV)I urge you, (AW)brethren, bear with this (AX)word of exhortation, for (AY)I have written to you briefly.
23Take notice that (AZ)our brother Timothy has been released, with whom, if he comes soon, I will see you.
24Greet (BA)all of your leaders and all the (BB)saints Those from (BC)Italy greet you.
25(BD)Grace be with you all.
The Changeless Christ
1Let (A)love of the brethren continue.
2Do not neglect to (B)show hospitality to strangers,
for by this some have entertained angels without knowing it.
3(D)Remember (E)the prisoners,
as though in prison with them,
and those who are ill-treated,
since you yourselves also are in the body.
4(F)Marriage is to be held in honor among all,
and
the marriage bed is to be undefiled;
(G)for fornicators
and
adulterers God will judge.
5Make sure that your character is (H)free from the love of money,
(I)being content with what you have;
for He Himself has said, "(J)I WILL NEVER DESERT YOU, NOR WILL I EVER FORSAKE YOU,"
6so that we confidently say,
"(K)THE LORD IS MY HELPER, I WILL NOT BE AFRAID.
WHAT WILL MAN DO TO ME?"
7Remember (L)those who led you, who spoke (M)the word of God to you; and considering the result of their conduct, (N)imitate their faith.
8(O)Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.
9(P)Do not be carried away by varied and strange teachings;
for it is good for the heart to (Q)be strengthened by grace, not by (R)foods, (S)through which those who were so occupied were not benefited.
10We have an altar (T)from which those (U)who serve the tabernacle have no right to eat.
11For (V)the bodies of those animals whose blood is brought into the holy place by the high priest as an offering for sin, are burned outside the camp.
12Therefore Jesus also, (W)that He might sanctify the people through His own blood, suffered (Y)outside the gate.
13So, let us go out to Him outside the camp, (Z)bearing His reproach.
14For here (AA)we do not have a lasting city, but we are seeking (AB)the city which is to come.
God-pleasing Sacrifices
15(AC)Through Him then, let us continually offer up a
(AD)sacrifice of praise to God,
that is, (AE)the fruit of lips that give thanks to His name.
16And do not neglect
doing good and (AF)sharing,
for (AG)with such sacrifices God is pleased.
17(AH)Obey your leaders and submit to them,
for (AI)they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account.
Let them do this with joy and not with grief, for this would be unprofitable for you.
18(AJ)Pray for us, for we are sure that we have a (AK)good conscience, desiring to conduct ourselves honorably in all things.
19And I urge you all the more to do this, (AL)so that I may be restored to you the sooner.
Benediction
20Now (AM)the God of peace,
who (AN)brought up from the dead the (AO)great Shepherd of the sheep through (AP)the blood of the (AQ)eternal covenant, even Jesus our Lord,
21(AR)equip you in every good thing to do His will, (AS)working in us that (AT)which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, (AU)to whom be the glory forever and ever.
Amen.
22But (AV)I urge you, (AW)brethren, bear with this (AX)word of exhortation, for (AY)I have written to you briefly.
23Take notice that (AZ)our brother Timothy has been released, with whom, if he comes soon, I will see you.
24Greet (BA)all of your leaders and all the (BB)saints Those from (BC)Italy greet you.
25(BD)Grace be with you all.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Summary Heb 12
Hebrews 12:1-2
1 Therefore,
since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us
let us also lay aside every encumbrance
and
the sin which so easily entangles us,
and
let us (B)run with (C)endurance the race
that is set before us,
2fixing our eyes on Jesus,
the (D)author
and
perfecter of faith,
who for the joy set before Him (E)endured the cross,
(F)despising the shame,
and
has (G)sat down
at the right hand of the throne of God.
Learning Points:
Discipline: Produces the peaceful fruit of righteousness
God treats us as Sons
So we'll be strengthened and walk the correct path
Take joy in it
Sanctification:We are to be holy as God is Holy (holy living)
live to please God
It is God's will
SO control your own body. : No sexual immorality, passionate lust, impurity, greed, obscenity, foolish talk, coarse
joking, disobedient, lying, covetous, homosexuals, adulterers, revilers, swindlers,
fornicators etc.
Pure in heart will see God.
Thanksgiving
We are washed sanctified and justified in name of Jesus and the Spirit
will inherit the kingdom of God
Fruit of Righteousness: Is PEACE!
(quietness and confidence forever)
Isaiah 32:17 And the (A)work of righteousness will be peace,
And the service of righteousness, (B)quietness and confidence forever.
Root of bitterness: It causes trouble and defiles many, produces bitter poison, bring disaster on the land, curses
Esau is sexually immoral and took his birth right lightly
Heart that turns away from God and go worship idols. Wickedness, captive to sin
1 Therefore,
since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us
let us also lay aside every encumbrance
and
the sin which so easily entangles us,
and
let us (B)run with (C)endurance the race
that is set before us,
2fixing our eyes on Jesus,
the (D)author
and
perfecter of faith,
who for the joy set before Him (E)endured the cross,
(F)despising the shame,
and
has (G)sat down
at the right hand of the throne of God.
Learning Points:
Discipline: Produces the peaceful fruit of righteousness
God treats us as Sons
So we'll be strengthened and walk the correct path
Take joy in it
Sanctification:We are to be holy as God is Holy (holy living)
live to please God
It is God's will
SO control your own body. : No sexual immorality, passionate lust, impurity, greed, obscenity, foolish talk, coarse
joking, disobedient, lying, covetous, homosexuals, adulterers, revilers, swindlers,
fornicators etc.
Pure in heart will see God.
Thanksgiving
We are washed sanctified and justified in name of Jesus and the Spirit
will inherit the kingdom of God
Fruit of Righteousness: Is PEACE!
(quietness and confidence forever)
Isaiah 32:17 And the (A)work of righteousness will be peace,
And the service of righteousness, (B)quietness and confidence forever.
Root of bitterness: It causes trouble and defiles many, produces bitter poison, bring disaster on the land, curses
Esau is sexually immoral and took his birth right lightly
Heart that turns away from God and go worship idols. Wickedness, captive to sin
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Hebrews 6: 4-8
The warning of this passage is to be not like Esau, who held the things of God lightly. That one sold his birthright as the first born son for temporal gain or satisfaction, then sought repentance with bitter tears, but to no avail. What was his, then given up, was lost forever. Some can taste and feel, see the light of God, and even sit in His presence; they may receive His blessings (partake of the Holy Ghost) and hear His word, and after all that, reject Him. They may for a time appear to be believers, but prove to be superficial.
If a regenerate person were to apostatize - fall away so as to lose his salvation - he cannot be restored. Christ died once for all for all His people - the perfect Lamb, the final sacrifice. He ended the sacrificial offerings in the temple. Now He is building the temple - we are the "lively stones." He has already housed the Holy Ghost in us. To reject His work is worse than to sell the birthright for a mess of pottage. To lose salvation is a sobering, horrifying thought. To be lost to begin with is bad enough, but to gain salvation, then lose it, or reject it, through careless flirtation with the enemy of our soul, is to be lost for eternity. To regain salvation lost, Christ would have to repeat the cost of that salvation: the shameful, painful public execution, and the separation from God. The last must have been the most painful for my Lord! This was the price of my salvation. Do I flirt with the perpetrator of that? God forbid. God has stated here in this epistle that salvation lost cannot be regained. That shame will not be required of Jesus a second time - nor allowed.
In vs. 7-8, we see the common grace shown to all mankind. The earth receives the blessings of the rain which falls on the just and the unjust alike. We all receive blessings from and benefits of the world which God created and placed us in. We are the soil (parable of the sower in Matt. 13:3ff), Jesus is the sower, and the seed is the gospel. While the seed of the gospel is scattered, the tares, the thorns, and briers are also sown by the enemy - and the fowls come to devour the seed. Some of each will grow, and grow to show which it is, and find its reward: blessing or destruction.
We are urged to make our calling and election sure. We must be sure that we are not superficial believers, that we are on the firm foundation - that Rock, Christ Jesus. We must be sure that we are good fruitful branches of that true vine (Jn. 15). May we all be found to be in Him and find comfort knowing that He will not suffer any of His to be lost. He is that Great and Good Shepherd who cares for the sheep of His pasture.
If a regenerate person were to apostatize - fall away so as to lose his salvation - he cannot be restored. Christ died once for all for all His people - the perfect Lamb, the final sacrifice. He ended the sacrificial offerings in the temple. Now He is building the temple - we are the "lively stones." He has already housed the Holy Ghost in us. To reject His work is worse than to sell the birthright for a mess of pottage. To lose salvation is a sobering, horrifying thought. To be lost to begin with is bad enough, but to gain salvation, then lose it, or reject it, through careless flirtation with the enemy of our soul, is to be lost for eternity. To regain salvation lost, Christ would have to repeat the cost of that salvation: the shameful, painful public execution, and the separation from God. The last must have been the most painful for my Lord! This was the price of my salvation. Do I flirt with the perpetrator of that? God forbid. God has stated here in this epistle that salvation lost cannot be regained. That shame will not be required of Jesus a second time - nor allowed.
In vs. 7-8, we see the common grace shown to all mankind. The earth receives the blessings of the rain which falls on the just and the unjust alike. We all receive blessings from and benefits of the world which God created and placed us in. We are the soil (parable of the sower in Matt. 13:3ff), Jesus is the sower, and the seed is the gospel. While the seed of the gospel is scattered, the tares, the thorns, and briers are also sown by the enemy - and the fowls come to devour the seed. Some of each will grow, and grow to show which it is, and find its reward: blessing or destruction.
We are urged to make our calling and election sure. We must be sure that we are not superficial believers, that we are on the firm foundation - that Rock, Christ Jesus. We must be sure that we are good fruitful branches of that true vine (Jn. 15). May we all be found to be in Him and find comfort knowing that He will not suffer any of His to be lost. He is that Great and Good Shepherd who cares for the sheep of His pasture.
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