29/11/12
S: Mark 13:31-37 No one knows about that day or hour. Not even the angels in heaven know. The Son does not know. Only the Father knows.
Keep watch! Stay awake! You do not know when that time will come. It's like a man going away. He leaves his house and puts his servants in charge. Each one is given a task to do. He tells the one at the door to keep watch.
So keep watch! You do not know when the owner of the house will come back. It may be in the evening or at midnight. It may be when the rooster crows or at dawn. He may come suddenly. So do not let him find you sleeping.
What I say to you, I say to everyone. 'Watch!'
O: Throughout the centuries since Christ ascended to heaven, we've had people hyperventilating about specific times that they expect Him to return or for these end-time events to occur, in spite of the warning that nobody except the Heavenly Father knows when it'll be.
A: However, Jesus' main point here was that we should always be ready. We're not supposed to be trying to predict when He's coming back, but rather to "Keep watch! Stay awake!"
We are to daily take up our cross and follow Him. When we are tempted, we are to submit to God and resist the devil. If we give in to temptation and sin, we are to confess and receive God's forgiveness rather than wallowing in our sins.
P: Father, thank You for your forgiveness through the sacrifice of Your Son. In Jesus' name, amen.
Note: this is using the SOAP method. For more information, see this page (not written by me.)
Saturday, November 24, 2012
Saturday, November 10, 2012
God's True Zionism
10/11/12
S: Micah 4:1-2 In the future the Lord’s Temple Mount will be the most important mountain of all; it will be more prominent than other hills. People will stream to it. Many nations will come, saying, “Come on! Let’s go up to the Lord’s mountain, to the temple of Jacob’s God, so he can teach us his commands and we can live by his laws.” For Zion will be the source of instruction; the Lord’s teachings will proceed from Jerusalem.
O: Zionism is a dirty word in my country because to most Malaysians, Zionism means oppression, killing, subjugation of the Palestinians under the harsh boots of the Israelis.
I do not want to get into the political debate here, but just want to point out that the true spiritual Zionism of the Bible that is being fulfilled in Jesus Christ, however, is that all the nations of the world will eventually worship the Lord God Creator of the Universe, whom, during Micah's time, was only known to the rest of the world as the God of Israel.
Hence, we do not in a literal sense “go up to the Lord’s mountain, to the temple of Jacob’s God”, but in a metaphorical sense, we do, because we want Him to teach us His commands and we want to live according to the way He wants.
So, it is in that way that “Zion will be the source of instruction; the Lord’s teachings will proceed from Jerusalem.” -- not military rule or oppression from the Israeli regime, but rather, the loving rule of the Messiah, Jesus, the King of the Jews, who was sent to save the whole world -- all nations.
This is the true Zionism: that we follow the God of Jesus, the Prince of Peace, the One who taught us to love our enemies, and forgiveness, and grace.
A: Therefore, let us daily pray for our nation, and help our nation become more and more conformed to the One who was earlier known only as the God of Israel, but whom we now want to be the God of Malaysia, the God of Indonesia, the God of Singapore, the God of every nation in the world!
People and realms of every tongue
Dwell on His love with sweetest song;
And infant voices shall proclaim
Their early blessings on His Name.
P: Father, may Your kingdom Come, may Your will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven! Every knee shall bow, every tongue confess! Every nation, every tribe, every tongue! In Jesus' name, amen!
Note: this is using the SOAP method. For more information, see this page (not written by me.)
S: Micah 4:1-2 In the future the Lord’s Temple Mount will be the most important mountain of all; it will be more prominent than other hills. People will stream to it. Many nations will come, saying, “Come on! Let’s go up to the Lord’s mountain, to the temple of Jacob’s God, so he can teach us his commands and we can live by his laws.” For Zion will be the source of instruction; the Lord’s teachings will proceed from Jerusalem.
O: Zionism is a dirty word in my country because to most Malaysians, Zionism means oppression, killing, subjugation of the Palestinians under the harsh boots of the Israelis.
I do not want to get into the political debate here, but just want to point out that the true spiritual Zionism of the Bible that is being fulfilled in Jesus Christ, however, is that all the nations of the world will eventually worship the Lord God Creator of the Universe, whom, during Micah's time, was only known to the rest of the world as the God of Israel.
Hence, we do not in a literal sense “go up to the Lord’s mountain, to the temple of Jacob’s God”, but in a metaphorical sense, we do, because we want Him to teach us His commands and we want to live according to the way He wants.
So, it is in that way that “Zion will be the source of instruction; the Lord’s teachings will proceed from Jerusalem.” -- not military rule or oppression from the Israeli regime, but rather, the loving rule of the Messiah, Jesus, the King of the Jews, who was sent to save the whole world -- all nations.
This is the true Zionism: that we follow the God of Jesus, the Prince of Peace, the One who taught us to love our enemies, and forgiveness, and grace.
A: Therefore, let us daily pray for our nation, and help our nation become more and more conformed to the One who was earlier known only as the God of Israel, but whom we now want to be the God of Malaysia, the God of Indonesia, the God of Singapore, the God of every nation in the world!
People and realms of every tongue
Dwell on His love with sweetest song;
And infant voices shall proclaim
Their early blessings on His Name.
P: Father, may Your kingdom Come, may Your will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven! Every knee shall bow, every tongue confess! Every nation, every tribe, every tongue! In Jesus' name, amen!
Note: this is using the SOAP method. For more information, see this page (not written by me.)
Thursday, November 8, 2012
Scout's Motto
8/11/12
S: Matthew 25:1-13 “At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Five of the virgins were foolish, and five were wise. When the foolish ones took their lamps, they did not take extra olive oil with them. But the wise ones took flasks of olive oil with their lamps. When the bridegroom was delayed a long time, they all became drowsy and fell asleep. But at midnight there was a shout, ‘Look, the bridegroom is here! Come out to meet him.’ Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, because our lamps are going out.’ ‘No,’ they replied. ‘There won’t be enough for you and for us. Go instead to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.’ But while they had gone to buy it, the bridegroom arrived, and those who were ready went inside with him to the wedding banquet. Then the door was shut. Later, the other virgins came too, saying, ‘Lord, lord! Let us in!’ But he replied, ‘I tell you the truth, I do not know you!’ Therefore stay alert, because you do not know the day or the hour.”
O: The motto of the Boy Scouts is “Be Prepared”. It may have been based on this parable, since Robert Baden-Powell came from a Christian background.
A: We don't know when our life will end or Jesus will come again. Therefore, we should always be ready to meet our Maker.
Every day, let us be motivated to follow what God teaches us. If we fail, we must quickly repent and receive God's forgiveness available through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, get back up and get back to following Him. Let's keep short accounts with God. Let's walk in the Spirit. Let's live in the way that pleases Him.
P: Father, thank You for Your grace and forgiveness. Help us to daily take up our cross and follow You. In Jesus' name, amen.
Note: this is using the SOAP method. For more information, see this page (not written by me.)
S: Matthew 25:1-13 “At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Five of the virgins were foolish, and five were wise. When the foolish ones took their lamps, they did not take extra olive oil with them. But the wise ones took flasks of olive oil with their lamps. When the bridegroom was delayed a long time, they all became drowsy and fell asleep. But at midnight there was a shout, ‘Look, the bridegroom is here! Come out to meet him.’ Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, because our lamps are going out.’ ‘No,’ they replied. ‘There won’t be enough for you and for us. Go instead to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.’ But while they had gone to buy it, the bridegroom arrived, and those who were ready went inside with him to the wedding banquet. Then the door was shut. Later, the other virgins came too, saying, ‘Lord, lord! Let us in!’ But he replied, ‘I tell you the truth, I do not know you!’ Therefore stay alert, because you do not know the day or the hour.”
O: The motto of the Boy Scouts is “Be Prepared”. It may have been based on this parable, since Robert Baden-Powell came from a Christian background.
A: We don't know when our life will end or Jesus will come again. Therefore, we should always be ready to meet our Maker.
Every day, let us be motivated to follow what God teaches us. If we fail, we must quickly repent and receive God's forgiveness available through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, get back up and get back to following Him. Let's keep short accounts with God. Let's walk in the Spirit. Let's live in the way that pleases Him.
P: Father, thank You for Your grace and forgiveness. Help us to daily take up our cross and follow You. In Jesus' name, amen.
Note: this is using the SOAP method. For more information, see this page (not written by me.)
Saturday, November 3, 2012
How you live affects the efficacy of your prayers
3/11/12
S: 1 Peter 3:7-12 If you are a husband, you should be thoughtful of your wife. Treat her with honour, because she isn't as strong as you are, and she shares with you in the gift of life. Then nothing will stand in the way of your prayers. Finally, all of you should agree and have concern and love for each other. You should also be kind and humble. Don't be hateful and insult people just because they are hateful and insult you. Instead, treat everyone with kindness. You are God's chosen ones, and he will bless you. The Scriptures say, “Do you really love life? Do you want to be happy? Then stop saying cruel things and quit telling lies. Give up your evil ways and do right, as you find and follow the road to peace. The Lord watches over everyone who obeys him, and he listens to their prayers. But he opposes everyone who does evil.”
O: If a husband doesn't treat his wife right, it will affect the efficacy of his prayers. If anyone does evil, it will also affect the efficacy of his prayers, for “The Lord watches over everyone who obeys him, and he listens to their prayers. But he opposes everyone who does evil.”
We usually apply this only to husbands and wives, but as my pastor pointed out recently, it actually applies to all our relationships.
A: As James tells us, "The fervent prayer of the righteous is powerful and effective". So if we are not walking right with God, our prayers will be hindered.
However, if you're not right with God right now, praise God that "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness."
P: Father, when I am tempted to sin, may this remind me of yet another negative consequence. In Jesus' name, amen.
Note: this is using the SOAP method. For more information, see this page (not written by me.)
S: 1 Peter 3:7-12 If you are a husband, you should be thoughtful of your wife. Treat her with honour, because she isn't as strong as you are, and she shares with you in the gift of life. Then nothing will stand in the way of your prayers. Finally, all of you should agree and have concern and love for each other. You should also be kind and humble. Don't be hateful and insult people just because they are hateful and insult you. Instead, treat everyone with kindness. You are God's chosen ones, and he will bless you. The Scriptures say, “Do you really love life? Do you want to be happy? Then stop saying cruel things and quit telling lies. Give up your evil ways and do right, as you find and follow the road to peace. The Lord watches over everyone who obeys him, and he listens to their prayers. But he opposes everyone who does evil.”
O: If a husband doesn't treat his wife right, it will affect the efficacy of his prayers. If anyone does evil, it will also affect the efficacy of his prayers, for “The Lord watches over everyone who obeys him, and he listens to their prayers. But he opposes everyone who does evil.”
We usually apply this only to husbands and wives, but as my pastor pointed out recently, it actually applies to all our relationships.
A: As James tells us, "The fervent prayer of the righteous is powerful and effective". So if we are not walking right with God, our prayers will be hindered.
However, if you're not right with God right now, praise God that "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness."
P: Father, when I am tempted to sin, may this remind me of yet another negative consequence. In Jesus' name, amen.
Note: this is using the SOAP method. For more information, see this page (not written by me.)
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