25/2/12
S: James 5:16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, so that you may be saved. For the unremitting prayer of a just person prevails over many things.
O: Although many Evangelical Christians, when reacting against Catholicism, often say that because they have a relationship with God through Christ, they do not need any human mediator -- be it a priest or a saint. Yet, even Evangelical Christians would have to admit that there is something to confessing to other human beings and having other people pray to you.
The Catholic practice of going to confession before partaking of the Eucharist (Holy Communion) is reflecting this, as well as the warning in 1 Corinthians 11:27-32 not to partake in an unworthy manner. Many Evangelical Christians also practice confessing their sins (though directly to God and not through a priest for absolution) before Holy Communion.
Aside from the spiritual implications behind confessing to other believers and intercessory prayer, I think that psychologically it also helps us to avoid doing the same bad things the next time around that we have "positive peer pressure" from other believers.
A: We should therefore not keep our sins secret. Expose them to the light by confessing to a trusted friend who can pray for you. As James said, "The unremitting prayer of a just person prevails over many things."
P: Thank You, Father, for Your provision of Jesus Christ for the remission of our sins. In Jesus' name, amen.
Note: this is using the SOAP method. For more information, see this page (not written by me.)
Saturday, February 25, 2012
Thursday, February 23, 2012
Are we worthy of imitation?
23/2/11
S: 1 Corinthians 4:16-17 Therefore, I beg you, be imitators of me, just as I am of Christ. For this reason, I have sent you Timothy, who is my dearest son, and who is faithful in the Lord. He will remind you of my ways, which are in Christ Jesus, just as I teach everywhere, in every church
O: The Corinthians were real believers, but they were messed up in so many ways, as we saw elsewhere in this epistle. I'm not sure if Paul was perfect yet at this point in time, but he was certainly a lot further along in spiritual maturity than they were.
As a result, he could tell them to imitate him, just as he imitated Christ.
A: It has been said, "The sincerest form of flattery is imitation." Are we living our lives in such a way as to be worthy of imitation?
P: Father, I still have many things in my life I need to grow in. Keep bringing me closer and closer to Christ's image. In Jesus' name, amen.
Note: this is using the SOAP method. For more information, see this page (not written by me.)
S: 1 Corinthians 4:16-17 Therefore, I beg you, be imitators of me, just as I am of Christ. For this reason, I have sent you Timothy, who is my dearest son, and who is faithful in the Lord. He will remind you of my ways, which are in Christ Jesus, just as I teach everywhere, in every church
O: The Corinthians were real believers, but they were messed up in so many ways, as we saw elsewhere in this epistle. I'm not sure if Paul was perfect yet at this point in time, but he was certainly a lot further along in spiritual maturity than they were.
As a result, he could tell them to imitate him, just as he imitated Christ.
A: It has been said, "The sincerest form of flattery is imitation." Are we living our lives in such a way as to be worthy of imitation?
P: Father, I still have many things in my life I need to grow in. Keep bringing me closer and closer to Christ's image. In Jesus' name, amen.
Note: this is using the SOAP method. For more information, see this page (not written by me.)
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind
21/2/12
S: Matthew 5:38-48 You have heard that it was said: "An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth." But I say to you, do not resist one who is evil, but if anyone will have struck you on your right cheek, offer to him the other also. And anyone who wishes to contend with you in judgement, and to take away your tunic, release to him your cloak also. And whoever will have compelled you for one thousand steps, go with him even for two thousand steps. Whoever asks of you, give to him. And if anyone would borrow from you, do not turn away from him. You have heard that it was said, "You shall love your neighbour, and you shall have hatred for your enemy." But I say to you: Love your enemies. Do good to those who hate you. And pray for those who persecute and slander you. In this way, you shall be sons of your Father, who is in heaven. He causes his sun to rise upon the good and the bad, and he causes it to rain upon the just and the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward will you have? Do not even tax collectors behave this way? And if you greet only your brothers, what more have you done? Do not even the pagans behave this way? Therefore, be perfect, even as your heavenly Father is perfect.
O: Jesus made the most counter-cultural statements. Unnatural, even, you might say. Our natural human inclination is when someone harms us, we "taro them back properly" (as the Malaysian slang goes.) Revenges is thoroughly human, not unique to Malaysians. But Jesus calls us to a higher way.
This is why we see time and time again when Christians are attacked and persecuted the world over, we follow our Lord's example on the cross, "Father, forgive them for they know not what they do." It's true that many times also, Christians give in to their human nature and retaliate, but that is the way of the flesh, and not the way of the Spirit of Christ.
"Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth." Meekness is not weakness -- it is strength under control. Jesus did not submit to the crucifixion because he was weak:
Unfortunately, the people who claimed to be Christians with whom he was familiar did not live according to the teachings of Christ, and in so doing, became anti-evangelists for Christ.
A: So, though it's hard and it goes against our human nature, as followers of Jesus, we are to be conduits of God's forgiveness.
P: Father, sometimes it's hard to forgive. Help me to be a conduit of Your forgiveness and love. In Jesus' name, amen.
Note: this is using the SOAP method. For more information, see this page (not written by me.)
S: Matthew 5:38-48 You have heard that it was said: "An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth." But I say to you, do not resist one who is evil, but if anyone will have struck you on your right cheek, offer to him the other also. And anyone who wishes to contend with you in judgement, and to take away your tunic, release to him your cloak also. And whoever will have compelled you for one thousand steps, go with him even for two thousand steps. Whoever asks of you, give to him. And if anyone would borrow from you, do not turn away from him. You have heard that it was said, "You shall love your neighbour, and you shall have hatred for your enemy." But I say to you: Love your enemies. Do good to those who hate you. And pray for those who persecute and slander you. In this way, you shall be sons of your Father, who is in heaven. He causes his sun to rise upon the good and the bad, and he causes it to rain upon the just and the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward will you have? Do not even tax collectors behave this way? And if you greet only your brothers, what more have you done? Do not even the pagans behave this way? Therefore, be perfect, even as your heavenly Father is perfect.
O: Jesus made the most counter-cultural statements. Unnatural, even, you might say. Our natural human inclination is when someone harms us, we "taro them back properly" (as the Malaysian slang goes.) Revenges is thoroughly human, not unique to Malaysians. But Jesus calls us to a higher way.
This is why we see time and time again when Christians are attacked and persecuted the world over, we follow our Lord's example on the cross, "Father, forgive them for they know not what they do." It's true that many times also, Christians give in to their human nature and retaliate, but that is the way of the flesh, and not the way of the Spirit of Christ.
"Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth." Meekness is not weakness -- it is strength under control. Jesus did not submit to the crucifixion because he was weak:
He could have called ten thousand angels
To destroy the world and set Him free.
He could have called ten thousand angels,
But He died alone, for you and me.
Unfortunately, the people who claimed to be Christians with whom he was familiar did not live according to the teachings of Christ, and in so doing, became anti-evangelists for Christ.
A: So, though it's hard and it goes against our human nature, as followers of Jesus, we are to be conduits of God's forgiveness.
P: Father, sometimes it's hard to forgive. Help me to be a conduit of Your forgiveness and love. In Jesus' name, amen.
Note: this is using the SOAP method. For more information, see this page (not written by me.)
Monday, February 13, 2012
Thy word is thy bond
13/2/12 Matthew 5:25-37
S: Matthew 5:33-37 Again, you have heard that it was said to the ancients: "You shall not swear falsely. For you shall repay your oaths to the Lord." But I say to you, do not swear an oath at all, neither by heaven, for it is the throne of God,nor by earth, for it is his footstool, nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great king.Neither shall you swear an oath by your own head, because you are not able to cause one hair to become white or black.But let your word "Yes" mean "Yes," and "No" mean "No." For anything beyond that is of evil.
O: Throughout history, we have seen people use oaths to declare when they are really speaking the truth and not lying. Jesus, however, holds us to a higher standard: your word should be your bond.
A: When I have time to think about it, I will tell the truth. But there have been many times that I tell a "little white lie" at the spur of the moment. I usually regret it later (sometimes moments later), then am too embarrassed to admit it. This is an area of further growth for me.
P: Father, help me to always tell the truth. In Jesus' name, amen.
Note: this is using the SOAP method. For more information, see this page (not written by me.)
S: Matthew 5:33-37 Again, you have heard that it was said to the ancients: "You shall not swear falsely. For you shall repay your oaths to the Lord." But I say to you, do not swear an oath at all, neither by heaven, for it is the throne of God,nor by earth, for it is his footstool, nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great king.Neither shall you swear an oath by your own head, because you are not able to cause one hair to become white or black.But let your word "Yes" mean "Yes," and "No" mean "No." For anything beyond that is of evil.
O: Throughout history, we have seen people use oaths to declare when they are really speaking the truth and not lying. Jesus, however, holds us to a higher standard: your word should be your bond.
A: When I have time to think about it, I will tell the truth. But there have been many times that I tell a "little white lie" at the spur of the moment. I usually regret it later (sometimes moments later), then am too embarrassed to admit it. This is an area of further growth for me.
P: Father, help me to always tell the truth. In Jesus' name, amen.
Note: this is using the SOAP method. For more information, see this page (not written by me.)
Saturday, February 11, 2012
Sinners, yet keep His commandments
11/2/11 1 John 2:1-17
S: 1 John 2:1-6 My little sons, this I write to you, so that you may not sin. But if anyone has sinned, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ, the Just One. And he is the propitiation for our sins. And not only for our sins, but also for those of the whole world. And we can be sure that we have known him by this: if we observe his commandments. Whoever claims that he knows him, and yet does not keep his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoever keeps his word, truly in him the charity of God is perfected. And by this we know that we are in him. Whoever declares himself to remain in him, ought to walk just as he himself walked.
O: John says "Whoever claims that he knows him, and yet does not keep his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoever keeps his word, truly in him the charity of God is perfected." But right before that, he said, "My little sons, this I write to you, so that you may not sin. But if anyone has sinned, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ, the Just One. And he is the propitiation for our sins. And not only for our sins, but also for those of the whole world."
We often struggle with the fact that we do still have the sin nature and we sin. However, we also have the new birth and we are supposed to be perfect. How do we balance the two?
A: This passage gives a glimpse of the balance. We cannot be blasé about sin and just keep sinning and ask for forgiveness. Yet at the same time, we are not yet perfected, so we still do sin. So our attitude is to not sin, but when we do sin, we have an Advocate we can go to.
P: Father, time and time again I find I have given in to temptation. Thank You that You have provided an Advocate. At the same time, I also know You and do not want to sin any longer. I want to keep your commandments. In Jesus' name, amen.
Note: this is using the SOAP method. For more information, see this page (not written by me.)
S: 1 John 2:1-6 My little sons, this I write to you, so that you may not sin. But if anyone has sinned, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ, the Just One. And he is the propitiation for our sins. And not only for our sins, but also for those of the whole world. And we can be sure that we have known him by this: if we observe his commandments. Whoever claims that he knows him, and yet does not keep his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoever keeps his word, truly in him the charity of God is perfected. And by this we know that we are in him. Whoever declares himself to remain in him, ought to walk just as he himself walked.
O: John says "Whoever claims that he knows him, and yet does not keep his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoever keeps his word, truly in him the charity of God is perfected." But right before that, he said, "My little sons, this I write to you, so that you may not sin. But if anyone has sinned, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ, the Just One. And he is the propitiation for our sins. And not only for our sins, but also for those of the whole world."
We often struggle with the fact that we do still have the sin nature and we sin. However, we also have the new birth and we are supposed to be perfect. How do we balance the two?
A: This passage gives a glimpse of the balance. We cannot be blasé about sin and just keep sinning and ask for forgiveness. Yet at the same time, we are not yet perfected, so we still do sin. So our attitude is to not sin, but when we do sin, we have an Advocate we can go to.
P: Father, time and time again I find I have given in to temptation. Thank You that You have provided an Advocate. At the same time, I also know You and do not want to sin any longer. I want to keep your commandments. In Jesus' name, amen.
Note: this is using the SOAP method. For more information, see this page (not written by me.)
Saturday, February 4, 2012
Is your religion just for show?
4/2/12 Isaiah 58:1-14
S: Isaiah 58:3-6 "Why have we fasted, and you have not taken notice? Why have we humbled our souls, and you have not acknowledged it?" Behold, in the day of your fasting, your own will is found, and you petition for payment from all your debtors. Behold, you fast with strife and contention, and you strike with the fist impiously. Do not choose to fast as you have done even to this day. Then your outcry will be heard on high. Is this a fast such as I have chosen: for a man to afflict his soul for a day, to contort his head in a circle, and to spread sackcloth and ashes? Should you call this a fast and a day acceptable to the Lord? Is not this, instead, the kind of fast that I have chosen? Release the constraints of impiety; relieve the burdens that oppress; freely forgive those who are broken; and break apart every burden.
O: There is no point going through all the outward observations of religiosity if you're not going to follow what true religion is all about. James 1:27 This is religion, clean and undefiled before God the Father: to visit orphans and widows in their tribulations, and to keep yourself immaculate, apart from this age. This is why Jesus criticized the Scribes & Pharisees: Matthew 23:23-24 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! For you collect tithes on mint and dill and cumin, but you have abandoned the weightier things of the law: judgment and mercy and faith. These you ought to have done, while not omitting the others. You blind guides, straining out a gnat, while swallowing a camel!
A: As human beings, we naturally want to look good to others. But what God is more concerned about is what's inside our hearts. Mark 7:18-23 And he said to them: "So, are you also without prudence? Do you not understand that everything entering to a man from outside is not able to pollute him? For it does not enter into his heart, but into the gut, and it exits into the sewer, purging all foods. But," he said, "the things which go out from a man, these pollute a man. For from within, from the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, avarice, wickedness, deceitfulness, homosexuality, an evil eye, blasphemy, self-exaltation, foolishness. All these evils proceed from within and pollute a man."
P: Father, I confess that sometimes I do "religious things" just to look good to other Christians. Purify my heart, and bring it into conformity with You. In Jesus' name, amen.
Note: this is using the SOAP method. For more information, see this page (not written by me.)
S: Isaiah 58:3-6 "Why have we fasted, and you have not taken notice? Why have we humbled our souls, and you have not acknowledged it?" Behold, in the day of your fasting, your own will is found, and you petition for payment from all your debtors. Behold, you fast with strife and contention, and you strike with the fist impiously. Do not choose to fast as you have done even to this day. Then your outcry will be heard on high. Is this a fast such as I have chosen: for a man to afflict his soul for a day, to contort his head in a circle, and to spread sackcloth and ashes? Should you call this a fast and a day acceptable to the Lord? Is not this, instead, the kind of fast that I have chosen? Release the constraints of impiety; relieve the burdens that oppress; freely forgive those who are broken; and break apart every burden.
O: There is no point going through all the outward observations of religiosity if you're not going to follow what true religion is all about. James 1:27 This is religion, clean and undefiled before God the Father: to visit orphans and widows in their tribulations, and to keep yourself immaculate, apart from this age. This is why Jesus criticized the Scribes & Pharisees: Matthew 23:23-24 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! For you collect tithes on mint and dill and cumin, but you have abandoned the weightier things of the law: judgment and mercy and faith. These you ought to have done, while not omitting the others. You blind guides, straining out a gnat, while swallowing a camel!
A: As human beings, we naturally want to look good to others. But what God is more concerned about is what's inside our hearts. Mark 7:18-23 And he said to them: "So, are you also without prudence? Do you not understand that everything entering to a man from outside is not able to pollute him? For it does not enter into his heart, but into the gut, and it exits into the sewer, purging all foods. But," he said, "the things which go out from a man, these pollute a man. For from within, from the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, avarice, wickedness, deceitfulness, homosexuality, an evil eye, blasphemy, self-exaltation, foolishness. All these evils proceed from within and pollute a man."
P: Father, I confess that sometimes I do "religious things" just to look good to other Christians. Purify my heart, and bring it into conformity with You. In Jesus' name, amen.
Note: this is using the SOAP method. For more information, see this page (not written by me.)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)