30/10/11 Job 21; Mark 5-6
31/10/11 Job 22; Mark 7-8
S: Mark 7:14-23 Then Jesus called to the crowd to come and hear. “All of you listen,” he said, “and try to understand.
It’s not what goes into your body that defiles you; you are defiled by what comes from your heart.”
Then Jesus went into a house to get away from the crowd, and his disciples asked him what he meant by the parable he had just used. “Don’t you understand either?” he asked. “Can’t you see that the food you put into your body cannot defile you?
Food doesn’t go into your heart, but only passes through the stomach and then goes into the sewer.” (By saying this, he declared that every kind of food is acceptable in God’s eyes.)
And then he added, “It is what comes from inside that defiles you. For from within, out of a person’s heart, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, wickedness, deceit, lustful desires, envy, slander, pride, and foolishness.
All these vile things come from within; they are what defile you.”
O: The Pharisees were very concerned about ceremonial cleanliness -- eating only kosher (halal) food, and a lot of other rituals. Just a little before this, they had complained about Jesus and His disciples not doing the ceremonial washing (ablutions/wudud) before eating, and Jesus had given an example where they used their tradition/interpretation to go against the spirit of the Law.
God is concerned about our heart far more than our adherence to religious rituals. Religious rituals are there to help us focus on God, or to remind us of the truths of God, but when they become a distraction and excuse to cover up a sinful heart, they are no longer serving that good purpose.
The rules of kosher helped give Jews a distinct identity from the pagan nations around them (and also were generally healthier) but when they became the focus apart from goodness and godliness, they are no longer helpful.
A: Our sinful hearts need the cleansing power and forgiveness of Jesus' sacrifice for us on the cross. We must repent of our sins, even those sins in our hearts, and receive His forgiveness.
P: Father, thank You that You have provided salvation through Jesus' sacrifice for us. Conform us more and more into the image of Your Son. In Jesus' name, amen.
Note: this is using the SOAP method. For more information, see this page (not written by me.)
Monday, October 31, 2011
Saturday, October 29, 2011
Grace & Works
29/10/11 Job 20; Mark 3, 4
S: Mark 4:34-35 Then he looked at those around him and said, “Look, these are my mother and brothers. Anyone who does God’s will is my brother and sister and mother.”
O: Some people are bothered by this passage as it appears as if Jesus is being rude to his mother and siblings. But I don't think so. Jesus was merely taking the opportunity of his relatives coming to visit him to teach about the family of God. Everyone who does God's will is in the family of God.
He probably then went to greet his relatives after making this spiritual point. If I remember right, the Jesus Film portrays it this way -- he got up to go see them right after saying this.
A: I have been having a discussion online with a bunch of people who emphasise grace lately. They were making the point that we spend too much time obsessing over sin, instead of focussing on Jesus. There is some truth to that. But we also cannot go too far -- in this passage and many others in the Bible, God has made it clear that obeying Him is a very important part of the believer's life.
While we recognise that our salvation is by grace through faith and not of works, it is also indisputable that works is evidence that someone is in the family of God. A life characterised by sin is evidence of not being truly saved by grace through faith.
The part that I haven't quite figure out is, what about habitual sin that I continue to struggle with? Some of those Christians in the discussion online that I referenced above said, essentially, that my struggle to stop that sin proves that I don't believe in grace and am trying to get out of sin by the flesh. "Let go and let God" is one way I've heard it put. But what does that mean in real practical day to day living? Some of the discussion has verged close to basically saying to go ahead and sin and just trust that Jesus will eventually solve it. But scripture is clear in instructing us not to sin. So this is still an unsolved issue for me.
P: Father, I am committed to follow You. I know I can confess my sins and receive your forgiveness, and I do so when I do sin. Bring me into Your perfection, even as I am muddling along here on earth. In Jesus' name, amen.
Note: this is using the SOAP method. For more information, see this page (not written by me.)
S: Mark 4:34-35 Then he looked at those around him and said, “Look, these are my mother and brothers. Anyone who does God’s will is my brother and sister and mother.”
O: Some people are bothered by this passage as it appears as if Jesus is being rude to his mother and siblings. But I don't think so. Jesus was merely taking the opportunity of his relatives coming to visit him to teach about the family of God. Everyone who does God's will is in the family of God.
He probably then went to greet his relatives after making this spiritual point. If I remember right, the Jesus Film portrays it this way -- he got up to go see them right after saying this.
A: I have been having a discussion online with a bunch of people who emphasise grace lately. They were making the point that we spend too much time obsessing over sin, instead of focussing on Jesus. There is some truth to that. But we also cannot go too far -- in this passage and many others in the Bible, God has made it clear that obeying Him is a very important part of the believer's life.
While we recognise that our salvation is by grace through faith and not of works, it is also indisputable that works is evidence that someone is in the family of God. A life characterised by sin is evidence of not being truly saved by grace through faith.
The part that I haven't quite figure out is, what about habitual sin that I continue to struggle with? Some of those Christians in the discussion online that I referenced above said, essentially, that my struggle to stop that sin proves that I don't believe in grace and am trying to get out of sin by the flesh. "Let go and let God" is one way I've heard it put. But what does that mean in real practical day to day living? Some of the discussion has verged close to basically saying to go ahead and sin and just trust that Jesus will eventually solve it. But scripture is clear in instructing us not to sin. So this is still an unsolved issue for me.
P: Father, I am committed to follow You. I know I can confess my sins and receive your forgiveness, and I do so when I do sin. Bring me into Your perfection, even as I am muddling along here on earth. In Jesus' name, amen.
Note: this is using the SOAP method. For more information, see this page (not written by me.)
Friday, October 28, 2011
"Respectable" people?
28/10/11 Job 19; Mark 1-2
S: Mark 2:17 When Jesus heard this, he told them, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor—sick people do. I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners.”
O: The religious leaders of Jesus' time and other "respectable" people looked askance at his hanging out with disreputable people. However, Jesus pointed out that these people are indeed those who need Him most.
A: We who are serious about following Christ's teachings are often "respectable" people, and even more so we middle-classed Malaysian Christians. However, Jesus calls us to be doctors to sin-sick, disreputable people as well. And even decent people who are "lower classed", which we can tend to look down upon even though they might not be disreputable.
Father, help me to look at all people the way You do, and to treat all with respect. In Jesus' name, amen.
Note: this is using the SOAP method. For more information, see this page (not written by me.)
S: Mark 2:17 When Jesus heard this, he told them, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor—sick people do. I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners.”
O: The religious leaders of Jesus' time and other "respectable" people looked askance at his hanging out with disreputable people. However, Jesus pointed out that these people are indeed those who need Him most.
A: We who are serious about following Christ's teachings are often "respectable" people, and even more so we middle-classed Malaysian Christians. However, Jesus calls us to be doctors to sin-sick, disreputable people as well. And even decent people who are "lower classed", which we can tend to look down upon even though they might not be disreputable.
Father, help me to look at all people the way You do, and to treat all with respect. In Jesus' name, amen.
Note: this is using the SOAP method. For more information, see this page (not written by me.)
Thursday, October 27, 2011
Be ready out of season
27/10/11 Job 18; Psalm 114; Acts 27-28
S: Acts 28:17-23 Three days after Paul’s arrival, he called together the local Jewish leaders. He said to them, “Brothers, I was arrested in Jerusalem and handed over to the Roman government, even though I had done nothing against our people or the customs of our ancestors. The Romans tried me and wanted to release me, because they found no cause for the death sentence. But when the Jewish leaders protested the decision, I felt it necessary to appeal to Caesar, even though I had no desire to press charges against my own people. I asked you to come here today so we could get acquainted and so I could explain to you that I am bound with this chain because I believe that the hope of Israel—the Messiah—has already come.” They replied, “We have had no letters from Judea or reports against you from anyone who has come here. But we want to hear what you believe, for the only thing we know about this movement is that it is denounced everywhere.” So a time was set, and on that day a large number of people came to Paul’s lodging. He explained and testified about the Kingdom of God and tried to persuade them about Jesus from the Scriptures. Using the law of Moses and the books of the prophets, he spoke to them from morning until evening. Some were persuaded by the things he said, but others did not believe.
O: Paul had just survived a harrowing voyage and shipwreck (see this map) and now finally arrived safely in Rome.
Even though he was under arrest and the meeting with the Jewish leaders of Rome was to state his legal case and defence, Paul still took the opportunity to share the Gospel, so some were saved as a result.
A: We need to be ready "in season and out of season" to share the Gospel. (2 Timothy 4:2) I must admit I'm not always ready. Yesterday, I too my children to Cyberjaya Lake Park and a friend had brought her daughter and also brought her friend from China there. To my surprise, my friend told me to share the Gospel with her friend from China! So I had to very quickly gear up from "daddy bringing kids to the park" mode to "share the Gospel" mode! The friend from China was very open and I managed to go through a basic Gospel presentation as well as my personal testimony before it started raining and the children came into the gazebo. (The young lady from China rode home with my friend so hopefully she could finish the job and lead her to Christ.)
P: Father, thank You for the opportunity yesterday to share the hope which is in me. (1 Peter 3 :15) May I be always alert to Your divine appointments. In Jesus' name, amen.
Note: this is using the SOAP method. For more information, see this page (not written by me.)
S: Acts 28:17-23 Three days after Paul’s arrival, he called together the local Jewish leaders. He said to them, “Brothers, I was arrested in Jerusalem and handed over to the Roman government, even though I had done nothing against our people or the customs of our ancestors. The Romans tried me and wanted to release me, because they found no cause for the death sentence. But when the Jewish leaders protested the decision, I felt it necessary to appeal to Caesar, even though I had no desire to press charges against my own people. I asked you to come here today so we could get acquainted and so I could explain to you that I am bound with this chain because I believe that the hope of Israel—the Messiah—has already come.” They replied, “We have had no letters from Judea or reports against you from anyone who has come here. But we want to hear what you believe, for the only thing we know about this movement is that it is denounced everywhere.” So a time was set, and on that day a large number of people came to Paul’s lodging. He explained and testified about the Kingdom of God and tried to persuade them about Jesus from the Scriptures. Using the law of Moses and the books of the prophets, he spoke to them from morning until evening. Some were persuaded by the things he said, but others did not believe.
O: Paul had just survived a harrowing voyage and shipwreck (see this map) and now finally arrived safely in Rome.
Even though he was under arrest and the meeting with the Jewish leaders of Rome was to state his legal case and defence, Paul still took the opportunity to share the Gospel, so some were saved as a result.
A: We need to be ready "in season and out of season" to share the Gospel. (2 Timothy 4:2) I must admit I'm not always ready. Yesterday, I too my children to Cyberjaya Lake Park and a friend had brought her daughter and also brought her friend from China there. To my surprise, my friend told me to share the Gospel with her friend from China! So I had to very quickly gear up from "daddy bringing kids to the park" mode to "share the Gospel" mode! The friend from China was very open and I managed to go through a basic Gospel presentation as well as my personal testimony before it started raining and the children came into the gazebo. (The young lady from China rode home with my friend so hopefully she could finish the job and lead her to Christ.)
P: Father, thank You for the opportunity yesterday to share the hope which is in me. (1 Peter 3 :15) May I be always alert to Your divine appointments. In Jesus' name, amen.
Note: this is using the SOAP method. For more information, see this page (not written by me.)
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
God is Greater than our Goofs
24/10/11 Job 15; Acts 19-20
25/10/11 Job 16; Acts 21-23
26/10/11 Job 17; Acts 24-26
S: Acts 20:22 “And now I am bound by the Spirit (the translator noted: or "my spirit" or "an inner compulsion" -- the original Greek just says "the spirit" which can be interpreted all 3 ways) to go to Jerusalem. I don’t know what awaits me except that the Holy Spirit tells me in city after city that jail and suffering lie ahead.
Acts 21:4 We went ashore, found the local believers, and stayed with them a week. These believers prophesied through the Holy Spirit that Paul should not go on to Jerusalem.
Acts 21:10-11 Several days later a man named Agabus, who also had the gift of prophecy, arrived from Judea. He came over, took Paul’s belt, and bound his own feet and hands with it. Then he said, “The Holy Spirit declares, ‘So shall the owner of this belt be bound by the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem and turned over to the Gentiles.’”
Acts 21:21-24 (James, the brother of Jesus and the other leaders of the church in Jerusalem, advised Paul) “But the Jewish believers here in Jerusalem have been told that you are teaching all the Jews who live among the Gentiles to turn their backs on the laws of Moses. They’ve heard that you teach them not to circumcise their children or follow other Jewish customs. What should we do? They will certainly hear that you have come. Here’s what we want you to do. We have four men here who have completed their vow. Go with them to the Temple and join them in the purification ceremony, paying for them to have their heads ritually shaved. Then everyone will know that the rumours are all false and that you yourself observe the Jewish laws.”
Acts 21:26-29 So Paul went to the Temple the next day with the other men. They had already started the purification ritual, so he publicly announced the date when their vows would end and sacrifices would be offered for each of them. The seven days were almost ended when some Jews from the province of Asia saw Paul in the Temple and roused a mob against him. They grabbed him, yelling, “Men of Israel, help us! This is the man who preaches against our people everywhere and tells everybody to disobey the Jewish laws. He speaks against the Temple—and even defiles this holy place by bringing in Gentiles.” (For earlier that day they had seen him in the city with Trophimus, a Gentile from Ephesus,t and they assumed Paul had taken him into the Temple.)
Acts 25:25 (Governor Festus said:) But in my opinion he has done nothing deserving death. However, since he appealed his case to the emperor, I have decided to send him to Rome.
Acts 26:31-32 As they went out, they talked it over and agreed, “This man hasn’t done anything to deserve death or imprisonment.” And Agrippa said to Festus, “He could have been set free if he hadn’t appealed to Caesar.”
O: Many Christians interpret Acts 20:22 to mean that the Holy Spirit had compelled Paul to go to Jerusalem, but as the translator's note points out, the same Greek words could be interpreted as "my spirit" or "inner compulsion". In fact, what is clear is that the Holy Spirit warned Paul that he would be jailed if he went to Jerusalem.
Then in city after city, God sent prophets to warn Paul not to go to Jerusalem, but Paul, strong-willed as ever, ignored the Holy Spirit's warnings and went anyway.
James, the brother of Jesus, who by this time had become the Bishop of Jerusalem, tried to "rescue" Paul by suggesting a way to reassure the Jewish Christians of Paul's continued commitment to the Mosaic law, but the whole thing backfired with the Asian Jews saw Paul in the Temple and assumed that he had brought Trophimus in with him, so Paul was indeed arrested and jailed.
Paul languished in jail for 2 years because Governor Felix, who was familiar with both Judaism and Christianity, wanted a bribe and so didn't let Paul go free in spite of knowing that there was no case against him.
Then when Felix was replaced with Festus, Paul apparently goofed again by appealing to Rome, so now he couldn't be set free but instead had to be sent to Rome.
However, if we read the rest of Acts, and the epistles of Paul sent from prison, we can see that in spite of Paul's many goofs (and James' well-meaning advice which backfired), God did not abandon him. In fact, God use Paul to bring many to Christ, both on the journey to Rome as well as while he was in house arrest in Rome.
A: Good Christian can make mistakes. However, as we continue to be faithful to Christ, God can still use our mistakes to further His Kingdom.
So do not despair just because you have goofed up. God is still with you, and you can still be used mightily by God. Even someone so filled with the Holy Spirit like Paul goofed up numerous times. And God still used him. And God can still use you.
P: Father, thank You that You are still in control in spite of all our goofs! In Jesus' name, amen.
Note: this is using the SOAP method. For more information, see this page (not written by me.)
25/10/11 Job 16; Acts 21-23
26/10/11 Job 17; Acts 24-26
S: Acts 20:22 “And now I am bound by the Spirit (the translator noted: or "my spirit" or "an inner compulsion" -- the original Greek just says "the spirit" which can be interpreted all 3 ways) to go to Jerusalem. I don’t know what awaits me except that the Holy Spirit tells me in city after city that jail and suffering lie ahead.
Acts 21:4 We went ashore, found the local believers, and stayed with them a week. These believers prophesied through the Holy Spirit that Paul should not go on to Jerusalem.
Acts 21:10-11 Several days later a man named Agabus, who also had the gift of prophecy, arrived from Judea. He came over, took Paul’s belt, and bound his own feet and hands with it. Then he said, “The Holy Spirit declares, ‘So shall the owner of this belt be bound by the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem and turned over to the Gentiles.’”
Acts 21:21-24 (James, the brother of Jesus and the other leaders of the church in Jerusalem, advised Paul) “But the Jewish believers here in Jerusalem have been told that you are teaching all the Jews who live among the Gentiles to turn their backs on the laws of Moses. They’ve heard that you teach them not to circumcise their children or follow other Jewish customs. What should we do? They will certainly hear that you have come. Here’s what we want you to do. We have four men here who have completed their vow. Go with them to the Temple and join them in the purification ceremony, paying for them to have their heads ritually shaved. Then everyone will know that the rumours are all false and that you yourself observe the Jewish laws.”
Acts 21:26-29 So Paul went to the Temple the next day with the other men. They had already started the purification ritual, so he publicly announced the date when their vows would end and sacrifices would be offered for each of them. The seven days were almost ended when some Jews from the province of Asia saw Paul in the Temple and roused a mob against him. They grabbed him, yelling, “Men of Israel, help us! This is the man who preaches against our people everywhere and tells everybody to disobey the Jewish laws. He speaks against the Temple—and even defiles this holy place by bringing in Gentiles.” (For earlier that day they had seen him in the city with Trophimus, a Gentile from Ephesus,t and they assumed Paul had taken him into the Temple.)
Acts 25:25 (Governor Festus said:) But in my opinion he has done nothing deserving death. However, since he appealed his case to the emperor, I have decided to send him to Rome.
Acts 26:31-32 As they went out, they talked it over and agreed, “This man hasn’t done anything to deserve death or imprisonment.” And Agrippa said to Festus, “He could have been set free if he hadn’t appealed to Caesar.”
O: Many Christians interpret Acts 20:22 to mean that the Holy Spirit had compelled Paul to go to Jerusalem, but as the translator's note points out, the same Greek words could be interpreted as "my spirit" or "inner compulsion". In fact, what is clear is that the Holy Spirit warned Paul that he would be jailed if he went to Jerusalem.
Then in city after city, God sent prophets to warn Paul not to go to Jerusalem, but Paul, strong-willed as ever, ignored the Holy Spirit's warnings and went anyway.
James, the brother of Jesus, who by this time had become the Bishop of Jerusalem, tried to "rescue" Paul by suggesting a way to reassure the Jewish Christians of Paul's continued commitment to the Mosaic law, but the whole thing backfired with the Asian Jews saw Paul in the Temple and assumed that he had brought Trophimus in with him, so Paul was indeed arrested and jailed.
Paul languished in jail for 2 years because Governor Felix, who was familiar with both Judaism and Christianity, wanted a bribe and so didn't let Paul go free in spite of knowing that there was no case against him.
Then when Felix was replaced with Festus, Paul apparently goofed again by appealing to Rome, so now he couldn't be set free but instead had to be sent to Rome.
However, if we read the rest of Acts, and the epistles of Paul sent from prison, we can see that in spite of Paul's many goofs (and James' well-meaning advice which backfired), God did not abandon him. In fact, God use Paul to bring many to Christ, both on the journey to Rome as well as while he was in house arrest in Rome.
A: Good Christian can make mistakes. However, as we continue to be faithful to Christ, God can still use our mistakes to further His Kingdom.
So do not despair just because you have goofed up. God is still with you, and you can still be used mightily by God. Even someone so filled with the Holy Spirit like Paul goofed up numerous times. And God still used him. And God can still use you.
P: Father, thank You that You are still in control in spite of all our goofs! In Jesus' name, amen.
Note: this is using the SOAP method. For more information, see this page (not written by me.)
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Be my vindicator, Lord
23/10/11 Job 13-14; Acts 17-18
S: Job 13:15 Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him. Even so, I will defend my own ways before Him.
O: Job is saying this to his friends who had accused him. They said that the reason he was in trouble now was because he must have sinned against God in some way. Job maintains his innocence. On the one hand, he is still trusting in God. On the other hand, he's wanting to justify himself before his friends' accusations, which he feels are unjustified. This is Job's opinion, not Gospel truth.
A: I don't know if this is really a justification to be defensive, as much as it is pointing out that to be defensive, especially when you feel unjustly accused, is normal. I certainly struggle with this myself. I can also identify with trusting God even though it costs my life, though. (Ok, at least, in theory, since I'm still alive :-)
P: Father, teach me to trust in You completely and to rely on you to be my vindicator even though I naturally want to defend myself.
Note: this is using the SOAP method. For more information, see this page (not written by me.)
S: Job 13:15 Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him. Even so, I will defend my own ways before Him.
O: Job is saying this to his friends who had accused him. They said that the reason he was in trouble now was because he must have sinned against God in some way. Job maintains his innocence. On the one hand, he is still trusting in God. On the other hand, he's wanting to justify himself before his friends' accusations, which he feels are unjustified. This is Job's opinion, not Gospel truth.
A: I don't know if this is really a justification to be defensive, as much as it is pointing out that to be defensive, especially when you feel unjustly accused, is normal. I certainly struggle with this myself. I can also identify with trusting God even though it costs my life, though. (Ok, at least, in theory, since I'm still alive :-)
P: Father, teach me to trust in You completely and to rely on you to be my vindicator even though I naturally want to defend myself.
Note: this is using the SOAP method. For more information, see this page (not written by me.)
God uses us even when we make mistakes
22/10/11 Job 11-12; Acts 15-16
S: Acts 15:36-39 After some time Paul said to Barnabas, “Let’s go back and visit each city where we previously preached the word of the Lord, to see how the new believers are doing.” Barnabas agreed and wanted to take along John Mark. But Paul disagreed strongly, since John Mark had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not continued with them in their work. Their disagreement was so sharp that they separated. Barnabas took John Mark with him and sailed for Cyprus.
O: God is into giving us second chances, and Joseph, whose nickname Barnabas means "The Son of Encouragement" knew that, and so was willing to give John Mark a second chance although he had chickened out early on during their first missionary journey.
Paul, on the other hand, was a lot less forgiving. Paul would later learn the error of his judgement and in fact see him as a person who could help him in ministry (2 Timothy 4:11), and of course, John Mark goes on to write down the Gospel according to Mark as taught to him by Simon Peter.
In spite of Paul's error of judgement here, God still uses him mightily in his second missionary journey.
A: Even when we make mistakes, God can still use us, especially if we are committed to him and remain teachable.
P: Father, thank You for giving us second chances! In Jesus' name, amen.
Note: this is using the SOAP method. For more information, see this page (not written by me.)
S: Acts 15:36-39 After some time Paul said to Barnabas, “Let’s go back and visit each city where we previously preached the word of the Lord, to see how the new believers are doing.” Barnabas agreed and wanted to take along John Mark. But Paul disagreed strongly, since John Mark had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not continued with them in their work. Their disagreement was so sharp that they separated. Barnabas took John Mark with him and sailed for Cyprus.
O: God is into giving us second chances, and Joseph, whose nickname Barnabas means "The Son of Encouragement" knew that, and so was willing to give John Mark a second chance although he had chickened out early on during their first missionary journey.
Paul, on the other hand, was a lot less forgiving. Paul would later learn the error of his judgement and in fact see him as a person who could help him in ministry (2 Timothy 4:11), and of course, John Mark goes on to write down the Gospel according to Mark as taught to him by Simon Peter.
In spite of Paul's error of judgement here, God still uses him mightily in his second missionary journey.
A: Even when we make mistakes, God can still use us, especially if we are committed to him and remain teachable.
P: Father, thank You for giving us second chances! 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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