Thursday, December 29, 2011

May the force be with you

So after they [the church at Antioch] had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them [Barnabas and Saul] and sent them off....... 

- Acts 13:3 -

Thoughts on This Verse... While fasting is not widely practiced in many churches today, it is clearly something that was a part of the early church experience. Whether sponsored by our congregations or not, let's make sure that we prepare for major events with a time of prayer and fasting, asking for God's leading, power, and guidance as we embark on his work in the world.

**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**

Good habits

And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another--and all the more as you see the Day approaching....... 


- Hebrews 10:24,25 -


Thoughts on This Verse... We need each other. We cannot make it on our own. God calls us to get together regularly to encourage and to motivate each other to live vibrant lives of service and faith. With the day of Jesus' return and our ultimate victory on the horizon, we should be motivated even more to help and to encourage each other.

**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**

Tuesday, December 27, 2011

Light shineth over!

The LORD is my light and my salvation-- whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life-- of whom shall I be afraid?...... 

- Psalm 27:1 -

Thoughts on This Verse... I love the coast of Maine. The craggy shorelines, the crashing surf, and the lighthouses perched at strategic and well-fortified points along the coastline. I cannot help but think of our heavenly Father when I watch the gloom gather as an impending storm noisily makes its way on shore. There in the storm -- with lightning ripping through the sky, winds howling, and the surf crashing -- stands the light that guides the way, strong against the elements and a beacon of direction and hope. Yes, the LORD, Yahweh the God of Israel, the Almighty Creator of all things, is my light and my salvation. My life, the eternal part of me, is entrusted to him. I choose not to fear. I place my trust in him.

**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**

Monday, December 26, 2011

Glory

''I have brought you glory on earth by completing the work you gave me to do.''...... 

- John 17:4 -

Thoughts on This Verse... One of the most amazing things that Jesus ever said, he said to his Father in heaven:''I have completed the work you gave me to do ...'' In fact, when he breathed his last, he said,''It is finished.'' Let's live with the glory of God our highest priority! This is our purpose as God's children (cf. Eph. 1:6, 12, 14; 1 Pet. 2:9-10). The more we live by Kingdom priority (Matt. 6:33), the more we can rest assured that we can finish our lives with a line similar to Jesus'!

**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**

Sunday, December 25, 2011

He is the reason

As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us....... 

- Psalm 103:12 -

Thoughts on This Verse... Praise and thank God our Father. He doesn't just forgive our sins; he removes them from us completely!


Merry Christmas everyone. Remember that our dear Lord Jesus Christ was born this day and the true meaning of JOY is meant to be spread around!:)

 

**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**

Obey to Love

[Jesus said]''Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him.''...... 

- John 14:21 -

Thoughts on This Verse... Love is much more than a feeling or an attitude: love is an action. When we love, we show it by our deeds. As disciples of Jesus, our love is shown by our obedience to the things Jesus taught. Of course, that obedience brings an incredible blessing -- Jesus reveals himself to those who obey him!

**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**

Everyone can fail you except God

Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain....... 

- 1 Corinthians 15:58 -

Thoughts on This Verse... Our financial investment opportunities can be fickle. Friends can disappoint you. Nothing is truly sure except one thing, or better yet, our very special Someone! If we build our lives on his work and his plan, we can hang in, persevere, and even triumph regardless of what happens in this life.

**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**

Thursday, December 22, 2011

Sense suround

Sometimes, someone who professes to know Jesus chooses a life that rejects God's clear teaching. Whether the choices include sexual sin, addictive substances, a lack of ambition, or something else, any action that leaves God out risks ending badly. 

If we ignore clear biblical morals and neglect our relationship with God, we can expect trouble.

Keep your senses around you. Live for God by the guidance of His Word

-the Daily Bread-

**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**

Delighted

He [the one who delights in and meditates upon the Law of the Lord] is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers....... 

- Psalm 1:3 -

Thoughts on This Verse... Some kinds of earthly delight can feed our hearts for a short time. However, when difficulties come, our hearts will wither in the drought of their false nourishment. On the other hand, delighting in the LORD and in his will for us provides us with ongoing and ever-fresh joy. Out of this God-seeking lifestyle come both short-term and long-term benefits as well as a resiliency that withstands life's worst droughts.

**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**

Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Gifts

Our gifts and abilities come to us by God's grace and are to be used by faith in love and service for Christ- not for personal recognition.

-Our daily bread- 

**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**

Our best

What do we gain from all our work?
I know the heavy burdens that God has laid on us. He has set the right time for everything. He has given us a desire to know the future, but never gives us the satisfaction of fully understanding what he does. So I realized that all we can do i to be happy and do the best we can while we are still alive/ All of us should eat and drink and enjoy what we have worked for. It is God's gift.

-Ecclesiastes 3:9-13- 

**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**

Helper

I lift up my eyes to the hills -- where does my help come from? My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth....... 

- Psalm 121:1-2 -

Thoughts on This Verse... Since God could speak into existence the universe, and since God knows our names and the number of the hairs on our head ... surely we know that we can go to him for our help. Let's lift up our eyes and our hearts to El Shaddai, Lord God of the Mountains, and know the Almighty sees our needs, hears our requests, and cares about our hearts.

**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Rejoice!

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!...... 

- Philippians 4:4 -

Thoughts on This Verse... Sometimes the squabbles of church can be discouraging and cause us to lose sight of the incredible blessings we have in God's family. We have many reasons to rejoice in the Lord. Let's not lose sight of those, especially when those around us get caught up in pettiness and rivalry. Let's remember our hope is in the crucified Nazarene, who is also our resurrected Lord and ever-present Savior.

**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**

Monday, December 19, 2011

Lips of an angel

The lips of the righteous nourish many, but fools die for lack of judgment.......

- Proverbs 10:21 -

Thoughts on This Verse... I have several friends who are very wise in the way they speak. When they do speak up, everyone listens attentively because their words are always wise, well-timed, and worthwhile. Their righteous lives and careful use of words blesses and nourishes all who listen. There are others, however, that are constantly talking about everything and spending little or no time practicing what they preach. Their words are discounted as nothing more than their own desire to hear their own opinions about matters on which they know nothing. We each need to give serious consideration to what we say and how others will view the things that we say.

**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**

Sunday, December 18, 2011

Yours faithfully

Pastor Ricky Ho

18/12/2011

1. Faithful
Acts 20:17-27:17 From Miletus, Paul sent to Ephesus for the elders of the church. 18 When they arrived, he said to them: “You know how I lived the whole time I was with you, from the first day I came into the province of Asia. 19 I served the Lord with great humility and with tears and in the midst of severe testing by the plots of my Jewish opponents. 20 You know that I have not hesitated to preach anything that would be helpful to you but have taught you publicly and from house to house. 21 I have declared to both Jews and Greeks that they must turn to God in repentance and have faith in our Lord Jesus.
 22 “And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. 23 I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me. 24 However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.
 25 “Now I know that none of you among whom I have gone about preaching the kingdom will ever see me again. 26 Therefore, I declare to you today that I am innocent of the blood of any of you. 27 For I have not hesitated to proclaim to you the whole will of God.

*Adjective
*Minister of God must be faithful in
-serving the Lord
vs 18-20
-preaching the gospel
vs 21
-finishing the course
vs 24-27

2. Faithfulness 
*noun
*true to the fact of the original
*steadfastness of stability
*reliability or dependability - God can depend of you to save souls
*We should resolve faithfulness rather than popularity
*The world is watching us
*The saints of God must
-be on guard
vs 28
-protect the church
-be alert
vs 31-32
-Remember God's love
vs 35
*We must not be single minded
*Many people use religion for financial purposes
*We should share with others God's love
*We should start thinking for our future generation
*Always embrace the good things rather than bad things of the church

3. Faithfully
*Adverb
*Actions that one does "in a royal manner"
*All of us must
-Pray
vs 36
-Remember 
vs 37
-Begin anew
vs 38
*We make mistakes in the past but God is gracious
*Nobody is perfect, only Jesus


**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**

Unselfish prayer

''My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.''...... 

- John 17:20-21 -

Thoughts on This Verse... Few things are more precious than knowing that Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, thought to pray for us! So often, we read the words of John 17 and study them as a prayer for his apostles in the upper room. But if we look closely at this passage, we also see that Jesus prays for us, those who believe on him because of the apostles' testimony. He wants us to be one! He wants us to live with the same unity, purpose, and character of God that he did. If we do not, then how will the people of the world know that God sent his Son? How will they know what to believe? How will they find Jesus as their Savior?

**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**

Wicked sin

For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace....... 

- Romans 6:14 -

Thoughts on This Verse... As we called on Jesus' name in baptism and trusted him to be our Savior, we died to sin. In this death, we die to dying and pass from death to life because of our faith in Jesus and in God's power (John 5:24; Col. 2:12). Our life is joined to Jesus, and his glorious future becomes our own (Col. 3:1-4). We are not under law, but grace. Let's respond to the gift of grace with passion and with zeal to be holy. Let's open ourselves to the transforming work of the Holy Spirit, who changes us to be like Jesus (2 Cor. 3:18). We are grace-children. We are not in bondage to sin, but liberated by grace to be all that God has made us to be -- his craftmanship (Eph. 2:1-10). Sin will not be our master!

**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**

Friday, December 16, 2011

Have a little faith!

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight....... 

- Proverbs 3:5-6 -

Thoughts on This Verse... Trust. It can't be half-hearted. Either it is full trust or it is clouded with suspicion. So as we face the everyday challenges of life, or as we look for answers for deep and difficult problems, let's put our full trust in the LORD. Let's ask for his wisdom and guidance as we make our choices so that our paths may be straight. Let's give him praise for the good in our lives and seek his blessing for the days ahead. Why? Because he longs to bless us with life, both now, and forevermore.


**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**

Thursday, December 15, 2011

Overflowing gifts

For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless....... 

- Psalm 84:11 -

Thoughts on This Verse... God doesn't hold back on his goodness! In fact, the Father loves to give his children gifts. These gifts are all encompassing. These gifts are gladly given. How do I know? Three ways: 1) I've been repeatedly blessed; 2) I've seen what God has done to bless his people through the centuries; and 3) his Word promises this to be so.

**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**

The Lord's Prayer

So we say with confidence,''The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?''...... 

- Hebrews 13:6 -

Thoughts on This Verse... How can we be confident in what happens today? What is our assurance for tomorrow? Where do we muster excitement about eternity? The Lord is our helper! Fear will not be our master because our future, our destiny, our eternity rest in the hands of the eternal Lord. The worst that man can do is to send me home to my Lord.

**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**

Power of your love

For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline....... 

- 2 Timothy 1:7 -

Thoughts on This Verse... When we became Christians, Jesus gave us the gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38; Titus 3:3-7). The Spirit lives in us, making our bodies a Temple (1 Cor. 6:19-20) and blessing us in many ways (Romans 8). We can be courageous people even in the face of attack, criticism, and ridicule because of the Spirit's presence. The fruit that the Spirit produces (Gal. 5:22-23) and the love that the Spirit pours into our heart (Rom. 5:5) do not make us weak. Instead, the Spirit's presence is a powerful force to help us overcome sin (Rom. 8:13) and live self-disciplined lives.

**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**

Monday, December 12, 2011

Accountability guaranteed

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....... 

- James 5:16b -


Thoughts on This Verse... So many hearts, hopes, and homes are broken by sin. This brokenness infects our culture and invades our lives. God has provided both a deterrent to sin and a means of forgiveness for its guilt: honest and genuine confession of our sin. At the heart of confession is a passion to see sin for what it is in the eyes of God and to be anguished for our participation in it. No wonder confession is so healing (cf. 1 John 1:5-2:2). No wonder God wants us to confess our sin to each other and then come to him for each other's healing from sin and its damage. No wonder God grants such power to the prayer of a righteous person interceding for one led to confess. Let's confess our sin and leave it behind.

**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**

Sunday, December 11, 2011

Immeasurable

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen....... 

- Ephesians 3:20-21 -

Thoughts on This Verse... What is your biggest dream? God longs to do more than that through you! The real question is whether or not you will believe it, receive it, share it and then give him the glory for it!

**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**

Saturday, December 10, 2011

Weary not

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up....... 

- Galatians 6:9 -

Thoughts on This Verse... Weariness is a part of life. Weariness is a part of ministry. Weariness is definitely something that overtakes us when we set our hearts on doing good for others. The wonderful blessing of God, however, is that he will renew us and sustain us and rekindle us. He does it through the encouraging word of a friend. He does it through his presence, the Holy Spirit in us. He does it through songs that lift our hearts. He does it through Scripture and prayer. So while our bodies and spirits may get weary, let's not let our hands fall idle. If we will serve with faithfulness, discipline, and integrity, God's grace will empower us to do what he has called us to do.

**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**

Friday, December 9, 2011

No judgment taken

Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on disputable matters....... 

- Romans 14:1 -

Thoughts on This Verse... Our life in Christ is such a blessing! We welcome new Christians into our fellowship to share that blessing. We don't bring them in to scrutinize their past failures or the current struggles, but to bring them into the love of God's family. God has welcomed us graciously and compassionately. Let's do the same with new Christians.

**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**

Thursday, December 8, 2011

Scar for life

Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man....... 

- Proverbs 3:3-4 -

Thoughts on This Verse... Character is measured by the love and faithfulness we genuinely display in our daily lives. These are not simple virtues that we can fake. Merciful love is displayed when we have power over another but choose to treat them with kindness and genuine concern. Faithfulness is being a person of truth -- genuine and trustworthy in word and deed. These virtues need to be a part of our everyday lives and permeate our very identity. When they do, others will notice and God will be pleased.

**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**

Wednesday, December 7, 2011

A new leaf

Or don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life....... 

- Romans 6:3-4 -

Thoughts on This Verse... Baptism is far more than getting wet or checking off another thing on our obedience to do list. You see, what saves is Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection (1 Cor. 15:1-5). God has given us the incredible grace (Rom. 6:1,14,15) of being able to share in Jesus' saving work through faith and experience it in baptism (Gal. 3:26-27). We die to the old way of life and bury it in the past. It no longer holds us. This death is the death that matters most. Raised to a new life, our life is now joined to Christ and his future becomes our own (cf. Col. 3:1-4). The life we now live is to glorify God and to live with him forever. That means the Gospel is not just something preached; it is something we experience by grace.

**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**

Tuesday, December 6, 2011

Saved by the Only One

Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in one spirit, contending as one man for the faith of the gospel without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved--and that by God.......

- Philippians 1:27-28 -

Thoughts on This Verse... Let's live as if we've been redeemed! Let's show our love and character in our daily lives. Let's especially work together, with one voice and spirit, making a vigorous effort to share the Gospel with those who have never heard of the grace of God in the ministry of Jesus. In the face of opposition, let's not be deterred or divided. Instead, let's work hand-in-hand for the cause of the Gospel.

**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**

Monday, December 5, 2011

With all your soul

[Jesus replied,]'''Love the Lord 
your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your 
mind and with all your strength.' The second is this: `Love your 
neighbor as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than 
these.''...... 
 
- Mark 12:30-31 - 
 
Thoughts on This Verse... Sometimes the most important 
things are not hard to understand. God wants us to love him with every 
fiber of our being and to also love those around us. All of his demands 
on character really boil down to honoring these two great principles 
that transcend law and bring the character of God to hearts.


**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**

Sunday, December 4, 2011

Complete

No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us....... 

- 1 John 4:12 -

Thoughts on This Verse... What an incredible thought! God can be seen in my home. The Father of the universe lives in my church. The Almighty God's love is recognizable in my life. How so? When I love those around me, when they love me back, when we choose to be loving instead of petty, unforgiving, critical, and harsh, God's presence, power, and perfection are revealed in us!


**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**

Saturday, December 3, 2011

Sing to the Lord

I will sing to the LORD all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live. May my meditation be pleasing to him, as I rejoice in the LORD....... 

- Psalm 104:33-34 -

Thoughts on This Verse... Do you sing in the shower? What words are on your lips? Singing is such a wonderful gift! First, it is a gift from God to us, to help us express our joy, excitement, sorrow, and victory. Second, it is a gift from us to God, to help us communicate our respect, appreciation, love, and confidence in God. So let's sing, praising God for what he has done, proclaiming what he will do, and sharing what he is currently doing in our lives!

**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**

He loved sinners

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us....... 

- Romans 5:8 -

Thoughts on This Verse... Interestingly, the Bible doesn't ever just say that God loves us. Instead, it says:''God demonstrated his love...''''In this is love, not that we loved God but that God loved us and gave...''''For God so loved the world that he gave...'' Love is more than emotion or intention. True love, redemptive love, God-styled love is active; it does something. For us, Jesus did more than something; he sacrificed everything. What's more, he did it when we most needed it. He demonstrated his love when we were sinners!

**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**

Thursday, December 1, 2011

Set apart

While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said,''Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.''...... 

- Acts 13:2 -

Thoughts on This Verse... When people genuinely worship, when they fast and seek God's will, he calls them to service and mission. Christian worship is not an end in itself, but a launching pad to Christian mission. We shouldn't get so caught up in the worship experience that we leave it at the door when we walk away. Instead, we must understand that our''private'' or church worship is to inspire us to public worship and service in the world during our everyday lives (cf. Rom. 12:1-2). As we worship with our brothers and sisters, we should also listen to the words to the songs, the message of the Scriptures, and the conviction of the Holy Spirit on our hearts. God is calling each of us to a special mission in our world!

**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**

Wicked

Evil will slay the wicked; the foes of the righteous will be condemned....... 

-
Psalm 34:21 -

Thoughts on This Verse... God has promised a closing time, a reckoning where human power and influence cannot buy out the truth and where each person will have to face up to what he or she has done. Evil will overtake those who have been partners with evil. Those that hate good people, righteous people, will be condemned in their own hate. God's righteousness, truth, and justice will not be short-circuited!

**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**

Monday, November 28, 2011

He LIVES in you

And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you....... 

- Romans 8:11 -

Thoughts on This Verse... Romans 8 reminds us again and again of the blessings of the Holy Spirit's living in us, God's children. The Spirit in us is our guarantee that we will be raised from the dead! Because the Spirit that gave Jesus life and raised him from the dead is in us, we can have confidence in our resurrection. Mortality will not claim us -- our bodies may die, but the real and living part of us will go to be with Jesus (see Philippians 1:19-23). The Holy Spirit's life-giving power is stronger than death. We will live! Even though our bodies may die, the Spirit of God animates, inspires, and empowers us to victory.

**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**

Sunday, November 27, 2011

The power of prayer

I know that through your prayers and the help given by the Spirit of Jesus Christ, what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance....... 
- Philippians 1:19 -

Thoughts on This Verse... Paul is possibly facing death. Yet he knows that his life, his future, is securely in the Lord's hands. The Holy Spirit will help empower him to be what he needs to be in the face of persecution and hardship. The Spirit will also work for his deliverance; either he will be delivered from prison and death to serve others, or he will be delivered into the presence of the Lord he loves. Either way, he awaits and expects deliverance!


**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**

Gentle like the wind

But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, .......... 

- 1 Peter 3:15 -

Thoughts on This Verse... How do we effectively share our faith, especially in situations hostile to faith? First, we consciously submit our hearts to Christ as Lord. Second, we prepare a presentation of faith that focuses on the hope we have in Jesus. Finally, when we share our reason for hope, we do it with respect, gently sharing our faith with others. Of course we would never have an opportunity to share our faith if we don't live a life of faith that makes an impact on those around us.

**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**

Friday, November 25, 2011

Messiah a baby boy

The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.......

- Luke 2:20 -

Thoughts on This Verse... Can you imagine the shepherds returning to their flocks after the night they had? They had seen God's glory. They had experienced the presence of angels. They had seen the newborn King, the promised Messiah, the Savior of the world. Even more amazing, it was just as they had been told. As amazing as the angel's words of announcement had been, they were gloriously fulfilled. In addition to all that Jesus was at the moment of his birth, he is also the absolute answer to God's greatest promises and the greatest assurance that God keeps his word. Incredibly, God had chosen shepherds, unnamed to us and unimportant to their peers, to be the witnesses and participants in God's glorious story of salvation. It is our Father's way of reminding us that no matter who we are, Jesus came for us because we are important to him!


**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**

Thursday, November 24, 2011

Teaching fear?

Come, my children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD....... 

- Psalm 34:11 -

Thoughts on This Verse... Is there any greater definition of what a parent's role is than this? Let's make sure that in the swirling demands and involvements of our lives we do not forget the MAIN thing that God has given us as parents, teachers, and friends to do in the lives of children.

**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Everyone can fail you except God

They cried to you and were saved; in you they trusted and were not disappointed....... 


- Psalm 22:5 -

Thoughts on This Verse... This Psalm of despair, referred to by Jesus from the Cross, is also a Psalm of hope and faith. The history of God's faithfulness with his people Israel is an ongoing reminder that we can trust him to deliver us. While in our human reckoning of time God's answer may be slow in coming, his track record in history reminds us that he will answer, deliver, and bless his people in his time. In our worst of nightmares, we can be reminded that God is faithful and is attentive to our cries of despair, lament, grief, agony, and fear.


**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Why does Jesus reveal God to us?

''I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them.''...... 

- John 17:26 -

Thoughts on This Verse... Jesus reveals God to us. One of the reasons he does this is so that we can know who God is and what is important to him. Clearly, one of the most important things on Jesus' heart in this prayer is that we share his love for us with each other. In this way, Jesus comes to life in us.

**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**

Monday, November 21, 2011

Because of Him

It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God -- that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption....... 

- 1 Corinthians 1:30 -

Thoughts on This Verse... God's grace has brought us into a saving relationship with Jesus as our Lord and Savior. As believers, we recognize that Jesus' sacrifice on the Cross was much more than a terrible miscarriage of justice and the murder of a good and decent man. Jesus is God's wisdom, a wisdom to convince us of his love. Jesus is our righteousness; taking our sins upon himself he made us righteous. Jesus is our ongoing holiness. His blood cleanses us at the beginning and continues to do so today. Jesus is our holiness; his death means our righteousness. Jesus is our ransom payment, redeeming us from sin and death. Jesus is our everything!

**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**

Saturday, November 19, 2011

Hands of a Maker

For your Maker is your husband-- the LORD Almighty is his name-- the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer; he is called the God of all the earth....... 

- Isaiah 54:5 -

Thoughts on This Verse... ''For God so loved the world...''''The Father, from whom every family on earth derives its name...'' God is not just the God of Israel. The LORD God, ruler of heaven and earth, is the God of all nations and one day''every knee will bow and every tongue will confess... that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father.''

**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**

Friday, November 18, 2011

Hard times?

I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us....... 

- Romans 8:18 -

Thoughts on This Verse... Paul knew hardship: take a look in 2 Corinthians 11:22-33 at the list of just some of the difficult challenges he had to face. His''present sufferings'' make most of our difficulties seem tame by comparison. However, Paul could say confidently that the glory he would have with Christ (cf. Col. 3:1-4) would be so incredible, with blessings so fantastic, that his hardships are minor in comparison. That glory will also be ours! Now isn't that fantastic new. 


**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**

Thursday, November 17, 2011

Lust. Wisdom. Accountable

With persuasive words she led him astray
she seduced him with her smooth talk
All at once he followed her
like an ox going to the slaughter
like a deer stepping into a noose
till an arrow pierces his liver
like a bird darting into a snare
little knowing it will cost him his life

-Proverbs 7:21-23-

Blessed is the man who listens to me,
watching daily at my doors
waiting at my doorway
For whoever finds me finds life
and receives favor from the Lord 
But whoever falls to find me harms himself
all who hate me love death

-Proverbs 8:34-36-

Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work

-Ephesians 4:15-16-

**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**

4G

Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name......... 


 - Philippians 2:9 -

Thoughts on This Verse... For Jesus, Graciousness + Guts + Giving + Grit = Glory. Just one of those equations in salvation math that doesn't make much human sense, but from the perspective of faith, it is powerful wisdom. Jesus came to our world because of the graciousness of God. Jesus had the''guts'' to leave behind heaven and face the hardships of humanity, and give of himself to serve others. Jesus had the grit to endure the horrors and humiliation of the cross. So God has shared with Jesus his glory and placed him above all others. The apostle Paul wants to remind us that God doesn't forget our sacrifices, our obedience, and our hardships. He does honor them with his pleasure and his glory because Jesus' sacrifice has made us holy!


**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Wisdom again?

It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God -- that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption....... 

- 1 Corinthians 1:30 -

Thoughts on This Verse... God's grace has brought us into a saving relationship with Jesus as our Lord and Savior. As believers, we recognize that Jesus' sacrifice on the Cross was much more than a terrible miscarriage of justice and the murder of a good and decent man. Jesus is God's wisdom, a wisdom to convince us of his love. Jesus is our righteousness; taking our sins upon himself he made us righteous. Jesus is our ongoing holiness. His blood cleanses us at the beginning and continues to do so today. Jesus is our holiness; his death means our righteousness. Jesus is our ransom payment, redeeming us from sin and death. Jesus is our everything!

**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

To be wise or not

The wise in heart accept commands, but a chattering fool comes to ruin....... 

- Proverbs 10:8 -

Thoughts on This Verse... When you hear a command from Scripture, do you wince? How about rationalize? How about transferring the responsibility to someone else? Or, do you obey the command to honor the Father? A wise heart accepts the commands of God as a blessing and a safeguard. A fool finds a way around the personal application of the command. Let's ask ourselves honestly,''Which of the two am I?''

**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**

Fairness

For the LORD loves the just and will not forsake his faithful ones. They will be protected forever ......... 

- Psalm 37:28 -

Thoughts on This Verse... God is committed to his people. He loves justice, and those who pursue it. He will not forget his people, those who seek to honor him by displaying his character in their lives. God has promised that he will honor his promises to his people and preserve them with his protecting power, forever. As God has said elsewhere,''Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you!'' (Heb. 13:5-6)

**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**

Sunday, November 13, 2011

Corruption

Put away perversity from your mouth
Keep corrupt talk far from your lips

-Proverbs 4:24 

**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**

Human Trafficking

*Human trafficking is disturbing
*They need a solution now
*They ask "what took you so long?"
*Human trafficking is not just out there but is alive at our very own backyard
*What we consume or buy is what they help produce and make
*Authorities are struggling to put a number on the frequency of human trafficking
*One women can make a difference by sending a letter to request for free trade in cadbury
*If she can do it, why can't we?


2. If we were in their shoes
*What do you want to say and what would you want the higher authorities to say?
*The good thing is that there are organizations to help out there
*But we have to be aware, educate ourselves and pray that the God of universe can help us
*We have so much in the country as oppose to other countries
*We can start with one step at a time
*Most importantly, do not be sensitized by the tragedy

3. We look to superheros and people to rescue the girls
*We also need the majority of people to care and be awake of this issue 
*We can "like" a status on facebook but doing something is a total different thing
*We may think that we are not superheros hence we can never do anything and this stops us from doing something

*Proverbs 31:8: Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves,
   for the rights of all who are destitute.
9 Speak up and judge fairly;
   defend the rights of the poor and needy.

*Jesus is committed to freedom

*Luke 4:18-19:  18 “The Spirit of the Lord is on me,
   because he has anointed me
   to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners
   and recovery of sight for the blind,
to set the oppressed free,
   19 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”

*God steps in and rescue
*He is not silent but speaking to the human trafficker
*They can choose to resist or persist God's speaking and change
*Our decisions determine so much
*Jesus is about setting people free
*We as instruments should allow God to work in our lives
*We do not have to be highly educated or financially rich but normal people to help out
*GOD WANTS ORDINARY RADICALS AS PART OF THE CHURCH

**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**

Patience is a virtue

"For I know the plans I have for you,"declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you."

-Jeremiah 29:11-12-


*Sometimes God's silences are due to sin
*Sometimes God is silent as He prepares to bring us into a deeper understanding of Himself 


**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**

I walk by faith

What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all--how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?...... 

- Romans 8:31-32 -

Thoughts on This Verse... We know God paid a high price to redeem and forgive us in Jesus. If he has gone to such great lengths to purchase our pardon, what will he refuse us that is good, right and holy? So if God answers our prayers''No!'', then it is for our good and the eternal well being of those for whom we've prayed. His intent is to bless, not wound. His desire is to redeem. His commitment is to work things out for our ultimate good (cf. Rom. 8:28) as he is transforming us to be more like his beloved Son (Rom. 8:29).


**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**

Wisdom

Proverbs 3

Wisdom Bestows Well-Being
 1 My son, do not forget my teaching,
   but keep my commands in your heart,
2 for they will prolong your life many years
   and bring you peace and prosperity.
 3 Let love and faithfulness never leave you;
   bind them around your neck,
   write them on the tablet of your heart.
4 Then you will win favor and a good name
   in the sight of God and man.

 5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart
   and lean not on your own understanding;
6 in all your ways submit to him,
   and he will make your paths straight.[a]

 7 Do not be wise in your own eyes;
   fear the LORD and shun evil.
8 This will bring health to your body
   and nourishment to your bones.

 9 Honor the LORD with your wealth,
   with the firstfruits of all your crops;
10 then your barns will be filled to overflowing,
   and your vats will brim over with new wine.

 11 My son, do not despise the LORD’s discipline,
   and do not resent his rebuke,
12 because the LORD disciplines those he loves,
   as a father the son he delights in.[b]

 13 Blessed are those who find wisdom,
   those who gain understanding,
14 for she is more profitable than silver
   and yields better returns than gold.
15 She is more precious than rubies;
   nothing you desire can compare with her.
16 Long life is in her right hand;
   in her left hand are riches and honor.
17 Her ways are pleasant ways,
   and all her paths are peace.
18 She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her;
   those who hold her fast will be blessed.

 19 By wisdom the LORD laid the earth’s foundations,
   by understanding he set the heavens in place;
20 by his knowledge the watery depths were divided,
   and the clouds let drop the dew.

 21 My son, do not let wisdom and understanding out of your sight,
   preserve sound judgment and discretion;
22 they will be life for you,
   an ornament to grace your neck.
23 Then you will go on your way in safety,
   and your foot will not stumble.
24 When you lie down, you will not be afraid;
   when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.
25 Have no fear of sudden disaster
   or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked,
26 for the LORD will be at your side
   and will keep your foot from being snared.

 27 Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due,
   when it is in your power to act.
28 Do not say to your neighbor,
   “Come back tomorrow and I’ll give it to you”—
   when you already have it with you.
29 Do not plot harm against your neighbor,
   who lives trustfully near you.
30 Do not accuse anyone for no reason—
   when they have done you no harm.

 31 Do not envy the violent
   or choose any of their ways.

 32 For the LORD detests the perverse
   but takes the upright into his confidence.
33 The LORD’s curse is on the house of the wicked,
   but he blesses the home of the righteous.
34 He mocks proud mockers

   but shows favor to the humble and oppressed.
35 The wise inherit honor,
   but fools get only shame.



**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**

Friday, November 11, 2011

Truly Spirit led

The Spirit uses the Word of God to reveal God and His purposes
The Spirit uses the Word of God to instruct us in the ways of God
On our own we cannot understand the truths of God
Unaided by the Spirit of God, it will be foolishness to us (1 Corinthians 2:14)
Aided by the Spirit, we can understand ALL things (1 Corinthians 2:15)

The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned. The spiritual man makes judgments about all things 
1 Corinthians 2:14:15

**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**

True Wisdom

on 11/11/11, God spoke to me that the wisdom of God is beyond knowledge, its His word that is the the true meaning of what God perceives wisdom in.

Proverbs 2
My son, if you accept my words
   and store up my commands within you,
2 turning your ear to wisdom
   and applying your heart to understanding—
3 indeed, if you call out for insight
   and cry aloud for understanding,
4 and if you look for it as for silver
   and search for it as for hidden treasure,
5 then you will understand the fear of the LORD
   and find the knowledge of God.
6 For the LORD gives wisdom;
   from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.
7 He holds success in store for the upright,
   he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless,
8 for he guards the course of the just
   and protects the way of his faithful ones.

 9 Then you will understand what is right and just
   and fair—every good path.
10 For wisdom will enter your heart,
   and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul.
11 Discretion will protect you,
   and understanding will guard you.

 12 Wisdom will save you from the ways of wicked men,
   from men whose words are perverse,
13 who have left the straight paths
   to walk in dark ways,
14 who delight in doing wrong
   and rejoice in the perverseness of evil,
15 whose paths are crooked
   and who are devious in their ways.

 16 Wisdom will save you also from the adulterous woman,
   from the wayward woman with her seductive words,
17 who has left the partner of her youth
   and ignored the covenant she made before God.[a]
18 Surely her house leads down to death
   and her paths to the spirits of the dead.
19 None who go to her return
   or attain the paths of life.

 20 Thus you will walk in the ways of the good
   and keep to the paths of the righteous.
21 For the upright will live in the land,
   and the blameless will remain in it;
22 but the wicked will be cut off from the land,
   and the unfaithful will be torn from it. 

**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**

More than getting drenched

Or don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life....... 

- Romans 6:3-4 -

Thoughts on This Verse... Baptism is far more than getting wet or checking off another thing on our obedience to do list. You see, what saves is Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection (1 Cor. 15:1-5). God has given us the incredible grace (Rom. 6:1,14,15) of being able to share in Jesus' saving work through faith and experience it in baptism (Gal. 3:26-27). We die to the old way of life and bury it in the past. It no longer holds us. This death is the death that matters most. Raised to a new life, our life is now joined to Christ and his future becomes our own (cf. Col. 3:1-4). The life we now live is to glorify God and to live with him forever. That means the Gospel is not just something preached; it is something we experience by grace.

**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**

Thursday, November 10, 2011

Halelujah!

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!...... 

 - Philippians 4:4 -

Thoughts on This Verse... Sometimes the squabbles of church can be discouraging and cause us to lose sight of the incredible blessings we have in God's family. We have many reasons to rejoice in the Lord. Let's not lose sight of those, especially when those around us get caught up in pettiness and rivalry. Let's remember our hope is in the crucified Nazarene, who is also our resurrected Lord and ever-present Savior.

**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Barrier

For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that....... 

- 1 Timothy 6:7-8 -

Thoughts on This Verse... Godliness with contentment is great wealth! (see 1 Tim. 6:6). So what does it take for us to be content? Paul reminds Timothy that as long as we have food and clothing, we should be able to be content. It's when our desires get out of that channel, when covetousness and greed take over, that our lives get out of control and we replace God with a hunger for what is idolatrous. (cf. Col. 3:5).

**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

Delighted!

Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart....... 

- Psalm 37:4 -

Thoughts on This Verse... As my heart delights in God, God's will, and God's purposes, I find an amazing truth at work: when I desire what God wills, God enjoys giving me the desires of my heart. An old hymn used the phrase,'''til I am wholly lost in Thee.'' When that happens, when our will is yielded to God and our heart delights to honor him, then God is longingly waiting for us to request the desires of our heart so he can bless us!

**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**

Monday, November 7, 2011

Change seats!

''Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun.''...... 

- Psalm 37:5-6 -

Thoughts on This Verse... How much do you trust the Lord? Better yet, how much of yourself have you entrusted to the Lord? We have focused the last several days on the promised blessings the Lord longs to give us. Yet in his wisdom, God has chosen to make the release of many of these blessings dependent upon our trust in him and our asking of him. As long as we grip the steering wheel of our life, it is hard to let God take us in the direction of his blessing and his will. I saw a bumper sticker recently that put it this way:''If God is your co-pilot then you had better switch seats!'' Committing our way to the Lord is offering our lives to him to do his work, to receive his blessing, and to know his presence. So what are you waiting for?

**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**

Sunday, November 6, 2011

Would a Loving God Really Send People to Hell? Part 2

*Even if we can't believe that a good God would send people to hell, there is still hints of God's goodness in the world
*Genesis 1:26-31: 26 Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals,[a] and over all the creatures that move along the ground.”
 27 So God created mankind in his own image,
   in the image of God he created them;
   male and female he created them.
 28 God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.”
    29 Then God said, “I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food. 30 And to all the beasts of the earth and all the birds in the sky and all the creatures that move along the ground—everything that has the breath of life in it—I give every green plant for food.” And it was so.
    31 God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. And there was evening, and there was morning—the sixth day.

*God is never on trial, we are
*From the moment we come into the sinful world, we are condemned nomatter how much we defend ourselves to God
*Nomatter how guilty we are, God takes His innocent Son to declare him guilty
*But we often find it hard to trust in God 

*Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**

Spirit-led

[T]hose who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God....... 

- Romans 8:14 -

Thoughts on This Verse... Over the last two weeks we have been blessed to read a number of Scriptures that speak of the Spirit's work in our lives. In the last several days, we've celebrated being God's children. Now the two concepts come together in one glorious declaration: we are God's''sons,'' his children with full inheritance rights. We have not only been given grace, but we live as his children and enjoy the blessings of his eternal family.

**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**

Saturday, November 5, 2011

Chidlike faith

Come, my children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD....... 

Psalm 34:11 -

  Thoughts on This Verse... Is there any greater definition of what a parent's role is than this? Let's make sure that in the swirling demands and involvements of our lives we do not forget the MAIN thing that God has given us as parents, teachers, and friends to do in the lives of children.

**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**

Friday, November 4, 2011

Protector!

For the LORD loves the just and will not forsake his faithful ones. They will be protected forever ......... 

- Psalm 37:28 -

Thoughts on This Verse... God is committed to his people. He loves justice, and those who pursue it. He will not forget his people, those who seek to honor him by displaying his character in their lives. God has promised that he will honor his promises to his people and preserve them with his protecting power, forever. As God has said elsewhere,''Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you!'' (Heb. 13:5-6)

**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**

Desperate to be saved

''Sirs, what must I do to be saved?'' They replied, ''Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved-you and your household.'' Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all the others in his house. At that hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his family were baptized....... 

- Acts 16:30-32 -

Thoughts on This Verse... Faith in Jesus is the absolutely crucial response to God's grace and is such a life-transforming blessing. For the jailer, faith meant hearing the gospel of Jesus as Lord and responding by believing that message, being baptized immediately, demonstrating a life change, and sharing in fellowship with other believers (cf. Acts 2:42-47). Imagine going from being the jailer over men to washing their wounds in your own home! Think about being responsible for the painful incarceration of men, then having these men baptize you and your family that same night! Imagine locking in chains men who would later sit at your table sharing a meal! Isn't God incredible! Isn't his grace indescribable! No wonder we rejoice when those who are lost truly believe! Life is forever different.

**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

Perseverance->Character->Hope

Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope....... 

- Romans 5:3-4 -

Thoughts on This Verse... What are you living to produce in your life? Wealth? Fame? Status? Significance? Legacy? How about character! Isn't having the character of God our real goal in life? So even in our worst of times, if we can be people of character, then nothing can steal from us our most desired goal, the character of God, given us in Jesus Christ.

**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

Stay still!

Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain....... 

- 1 Corinthians 15:58 -

Thoughts on This Verse... Our financial investment opportunities can be fickle. Friends can disappoint you. Nothing is truly sure except one thing, or better yet, our very special Someone! If we build our lives on his work and his plan, we can hang in, persevere, and even triumph regardless of what happens in this life.

**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**

Monday, October 31, 2011

My ways are not your ways

''Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! ... For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen.''...... 

- Romans 11:33-36 -

Thoughts on This Verse... Some things in Scripture don't need commentary, explanations, or elaboration; they just need to be spoken and believed. I encourage you to memorize this short passage of praise and keep it close to your heart, and let it come from your lips during all your times of difficulty as well as times of bounty and blessing.


**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**

Sunday, October 30, 2011

Would a Loving God Really Send People to Hell?

 *The Doctrine of Hell may bring you to go closer to God but may bring you to question if God would bring people to hell
*People not knowing Go dis doing fine. It would be better for them to know God earlier but what we are concern is letting people accept Jesus Christ before they die
*It is ok to question but pray, discuss and be humble
*Did we ever think the decisions God make are something we do not even think of because He knows a higher level than us

3 arguments
1) We want justice
*We see injustice in the world, how people treat us and we become angry
*The reality is that we want justice
*Romans 12:19: 19 Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,”[a] says the Lord.

*God will eventually come through and revenge
*We might not want justice because some of our family/relatives/friends are not Christians

2)Did Jesus have to die?
*If there's any other way (to go to heaven/hell)
 *God of universe have to pour his wrath for our punishment-> spend eternity in hell
*Good news-> along comes Jesus to take our place and cut God's wrath
*If we get rid of God's wrath, Jesus had no reason to die

Time Keller
"In our effort to make God more loving (no justice), we have made God less loving (Jesus should not have died)"

3)People remove themselves from His presence
*God is good, people are evil
*Jesus says "Come to me all who are weary and I will give you rest"
*God does not just send people to hell but gives us a choice to decide what you really want

CS Lewis
"There are only two kinds of people in the end, those who say to God, 'Thy will be done' or those God say 'Thy will be done'

*God does not actively send people to hell but He keeps wanting to bring them over to heaven
*However, there is a point where He would say that our chance it up
Romans 1:21-26: 21 For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools 23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like a mortal human being and birds and animals and reptiles.
 24 Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. 25 They exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen.
 26 Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural sexual relations for unnatural ones.

Matthew 22:13: 13 “Then the king told the attendants, ‘Tie him hand and foot, and throw him outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

Revelation 20:14-15: 14 Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death. 15 Anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire.
(God is actively, deliberately want to punish us)

Romans 9:17-22:
17 For Scripture says to Pharaoh: “I raised you up for this very purpose, that I might display my power in you and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.”[a] 18 Therefore God has mercy on whom he wants to have mercy, and he hardens whom he wants to harden.
 19 One of you will say to me: “Then why does God still blame us? For who is able to resist his will?” 20 But who are you, a human being, to talk back to God? “Shall what is formed say to the one who formed it, ‘Why did you make me like this?’”[b] 21 Does not the potter have the right to make out of the same lump of clay some pottery for special purposes and some for common use?
 22 What if God, although choosing to show his wrath and make his power known, bore with great patience the objects of his wrath—prepared for destruction?

*This may not be what you grew up hearing as Christians
*We might find it unfair because God only brings people who believe in Jesus and not someone who just does good
*As a result, some of us might walk away
*But at the end of the day, we can't wait for others
*Once we surrender all our worries, future, everything to him, we feel the peace of God
*Still other non-believers are not going to join us
*Thus we should just try our best to bring people to know and accept Christ and that is what the church is for
*If we are unsure about throwing ourselves to Jesus, just be sure and recommit to Him again
*If we have believed in Jesus, then be contented and appreciate what God has done to us


**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**

Revive us Lord once again

Will you not revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you?...... 


- Psalm 85:6 -

Thoughts on This Verse... God loves his children even when they are rebellious. However, God showed Israel that their rebellion would drive his presence and blessing from them. But with their genuine repentance and their confession of sin, God joyously returned to their lives to bring revival, renewal, and restoration.

**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**

Saturday, October 29, 2011

Help!

''Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?' The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'''...... 

- Matthew 25:37-40 -

Thoughts on This Verse... When we help those who can't help themselves -- those who have gotten themselves in trouble, those who have been falsely accused, those who are facing death -- we are helping Jesus himself. What would Jesus do? He would be helping someone find God out of their hopelessness and despair.


**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**

Friday, October 28, 2011

Holy are you Lord

I will show the holiness of my great name, which has been profaned among the nations, the name you have profaned among them. Then the nations will know that I am the LORD, declares the Sovereign LORD, when I show myself holy through you before their eyes....... 

- Ezekiel 36:23 -
 
 Thoughts on This Verse... God can and will use us even though we are not worthy vessels for him to use. Scripture gives us many examples of people God used when they did not measure up to his moral and holy requirements -- for example, think a little about Samson or most of the other Judges! God will be revealed as the holy, mighty, and awesome God that he is. So let's not be unwilling tools in his hands. Instead, let's offer ourselves to him for his service and his glory.

**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**

Thursday, October 27, 2011

In the name of the Lord

...that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.......

- Philippians 2:10-11 -

Thoughts on This Verse... I love the fact that I do each day what everyone will one day do: bow before the majesty and proclaim the Lordship of Jesus Christ to honor the Father's glory. How wonderful it is to be able to make that proclamation because of grace rather than in fear at the end of a life that has been spent in what is rebellion, denial, and waste.

**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

PTL!

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God....... 

- 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 -

Thoughts on This Verse... We are comforted because we are heartbroken. We are comforted because we need a blessing. We are comforted because God loves us. We are comforted to comfort others. While each of the above statements is true, the last is the most crucial one. There is something about comfort that cannot be fully realized until it is shared with someone else. It is that final step in the healing process of grief, disappointment, hurt, and loss. Until we share the comfort we have received, until we pass it on to another, our comfort is weak and shallow and limited. Comfort, pass it on!

**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**