[P]ut on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.......
- Ephesians 4:24 -
Thoughts on This Verse... One of the biggest decisions we face at the beginning of the day is what we will wear. Well, no matter what we choose in the way of clothing, let's make sure we choose to put on the new person God re-made us to be when we became Christians. Those are the only clothes that will fit us eternally!
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Stir it up in our hearts, Lord
''Who has stirred up this king from the east, who meets victory at every step? Who, indeed, but the LORD? He gives him victory over many nations and permits him to trample their kings underfoot. He puts entire armies to the sword. He scatters them in the wind with his bow. He chases them away and goes on safely, though he is walking over unfamiliar ground. Who has done this and carried it through, calling forth the generations from the beginning? I, the LORD -- with the first of them and with the last -- I am he.''......
- Isaiah 41:4 -
Thoughts on This Verse... God is the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End. This is great comfort for us. We don't have to choose another deity in the course of our lives. We don't have to worry about our Father's leaving us as prey for other gods. We don't have to worry about his Word becoming obsolete or outdated. He will be with us always.
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
- Isaiah 41:4 -
Thoughts on This Verse... God is the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End. This is great comfort for us. We don't have to choose another deity in the course of our lives. We don't have to worry about our Father's leaving us as prey for other gods. We don't have to worry about his Word becoming obsolete or outdated. He will be with us always.
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
Love one another
Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.......
- 1 John 4:11 -
Thoughts on This Verse... We are loved by the Creator of the Universe. He knows us personally. Our Heavenly Father cares about us tremendously. Although God knew about our weaknesses and sinfulness, he was willing to pay a terrible price to redeem us. Even though we are sometimes weak or rebellious, he loves us, forgives us, and welcomes us back when we are willing to confess our sins and come home to him. So if God has consistently, faithfully, and graciously loved us, how can we not share that love with each other?
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
- 1 John 4:11 -
Thoughts on This Verse... We are loved by the Creator of the Universe. He knows us personally. Our Heavenly Father cares about us tremendously. Although God knew about our weaknesses and sinfulness, he was willing to pay a terrible price to redeem us. Even though we are sometimes weak or rebellious, he loves us, forgives us, and welcomes us back when we are willing to confess our sins and come home to him. So if God has consistently, faithfully, and graciously loved us, how can we not share that love with each other?
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
Saturday, September 24, 2011
Frus at evil people?
Do not fret because of evil men or be envious of those who do wrong; for like the grass they will soon wither, like green plants they will soon die away.......
- Psalm 37:1-2 -
Thoughts on This Verse... Frustration and envy... hmmm, isn't that our reaction to those who are evil and yet seem to prosper? We're reminded to not let the apparent and short-lived successes of evil people derail our faith or dampen our spirits. Their victories are temporary, their wealth is like a flower that will wilt, and their lives are like the grass which withers and is soon gone.
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
Friday, September 23, 2011
Servant King
but [Jesus] made himself nothing,
taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And
being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became
obedient to death - even death on a cross!......
Thoughts on This Verse... Christianity is not for wimps or the faint of heart. Our example is described by words like''made himself of no reputation'' ...''servant'' ...''humbled himself'' ...''became obedient'' ...''death on a cross!'' That's tough stuff. And that is our example. The story of the Jesus may begin with a sweet child, but it also begins with him being placed where animals ate their food. While it may be powerful and precious, it is not saccharine and fake sentiment. It is about the price paid to redeem and the people who are different because they know their Redeemer.
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Do not conform to the world
In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires.......
- Romans 6:11-12 -
Thoughts on This Verse... If we have been cleansed from perversity, if we have died with Christ in baptism and have been cleansed thoroughly and completely by the Holy Spirit, then let's live for God! Let's resist sin, and our inclination to sin, with all our might, knowing that as we do, the Holy Spirit will empower us to a much greater righteousness than we could ever live on our own. Let's begin each day with a conscious decision to be dead to our sinful past and alive to the goal of the holy character of God!
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Light, shine on
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?......
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**
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
I got a joy in my heart
Be joyful always, pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.......
- 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 -
Thoughts on This Verse... Want to know something you can do that will please God? Rejoice in his grace. Pray for others. Give thanks for your blessings. It's simply something that he wants us to do.
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
Monday, September 19, 2011
Sensitive to tears
The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their cry.........
- Psalm 34:15 -
Thoughts on This Verse... We are righteous because of God's grace. We are remembered because of God's faithfulness. We are heard because of God's faithfulness. We are blessed because God is God.
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
Sunday, September 18, 2011
I believe in God, but I don't think it should be shoved down people's throats
Sunday 18th September 2011
Mark Broadbent
*Before confirming anything, we should refer to the Bible first
*We are not here to win an argument
1. We cannot afford not to tell people
*We may either show too much or nothing to everyone
*We may just answer, we are Christians when asked the reason we are living a good life.
*We may give an impression that to be a Christian, they just have to live a good life like our Christian friends
*This is called Moralism but Christianity is more than that
So how do Christians share their faith without shoving down their throats?
*John 4:7-29: 7 When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, “Will you give me a drink?” 8 (His disciples had gone into the town to buy food.)
*"Get me some water"- I value and want to do community with you
*If you ask me how we can build a connection between Jews and Samaritans, I will explain to you how we can build a connection between humans and God
*He is not interested in prepositional truths and doctrines
*In the past, the predominant way to keep close to the Lord is doctrine
*Doctrine is important but that alone is limiting the truth about God
*"The living water"- She assumes that the living water would be from a spring which is continuous
*Jesus was meant to be loving but why would he be so insensitive to say v16-18?
*The actual fact is that Jesus is being extremely loving
*First thing she does is telling him that she is a Samaritan women, she is afraid that they are not suppose to talk to each other and also the history and insecurities she is having, she thought he would not talk to her BUT Jesus stayed and ever offered living water to her.
*The woman knows that He is the Messiah
Will she then tell everyone that they are wrong? because she knows the truth and she will be always right?
*NO
Will she think people can see her Christian ways through her life thus she does not need to do anything?
*NO
*So what does she do?
v29
*She declares her sin and him as her Saviour who knows all her past and everything about her
*The way we should do is not to remain silent or tell everyone extensively but to tell them about OUR SINS and DECLARE that JESUS IS THE MESSIAH
*Many people will be intrigue that you would be the first to do that
*It is very different from people talking about their faith
*We should realize that Jesus loves each and everyone of us
*We share our faith not to shove it down people's throats but to give people a hope
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
Mark Broadbent
*Before confirming anything, we should refer to the Bible first
*We are not here to win an argument
1. We cannot afford not to tell people
*We may either show too much or nothing to everyone
*We may just answer, we are Christians when asked the reason we are living a good life.
*We may give an impression that to be a Christian, they just have to live a good life like our Christian friends
*This is called Moralism but Christianity is more than that
So how do Christians share their faith without shoving down their throats?
*John 4:7-29: 7 When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, “Will you give me a drink?” 8 (His disciples had gone into the town to buy food.)
9 The Samaritan woman said to him, “You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?” (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans.[a])
10 Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.”
11 “Sir,” the woman said, “you have nothing to draw with and the well is deep. Where can you get this living water? 12 Are you greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did also his sons and his livestock?”
13 Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, 14 but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”
15 The woman said to him, “Sir, give me this water so that I won’t get thirsty and have to keep coming here to draw water.”
16 He told her, “Go, call your husband and come back.”
17 “I have no husband,” she replied.
Jesus said to her, “You are right when you say you have no husband. 18 The fact is, you have had five husbands, and the man you now have is not your husband. What you have just said is quite true.”
19 “Sir,” the woman said, “I can see that you are a prophet. 20 Our ancestors worshiped on this mountain, but you Jews claim that the place where we must worship is in Jerusalem.”
21 “Woman,” Jesus replied, “believe me, a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. 22 You Samaritans worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews. 23 Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. 24 God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.”
25 The woman said, “I know that Messiah” (called Christ) “is coming. When he comes, he will explain everything to us.”
26 Then Jesus declared, “I, the one speaking to you—I am he.”
The Disciples Rejoin Jesus
27 Just then his disciples returned and were surprised to find him talking with a woman. But no one asked, “What do you want?” or “Why are you talking with her?”
28 Then, leaving her water jar, the woman went back to the town and said to the people, 29 “Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Messiah?”
*"Get me some water"- I value and want to do community with you
*If you ask me how we can build a connection between Jews and Samaritans, I will explain to you how we can build a connection between humans and God
*He is not interested in prepositional truths and doctrines
*In the past, the predominant way to keep close to the Lord is doctrine
*Doctrine is important but that alone is limiting the truth about God
*"The living water"- She assumes that the living water would be from a spring which is continuous
*Jesus was meant to be loving but why would he be so insensitive to say v16-18?
*The actual fact is that Jesus is being extremely loving
*First thing she does is telling him that she is a Samaritan women, she is afraid that they are not suppose to talk to each other and also the history and insecurities she is having, she thought he would not talk to her BUT Jesus stayed and ever offered living water to her.
*The woman knows that He is the Messiah
Will she then tell everyone that they are wrong? because she knows the truth and she will be always right?
*NO
Will she think people can see her Christian ways through her life thus she does not need to do anything?
*NO
*So what does she do?
v29
*She declares her sin and him as her Saviour who knows all her past and everything about her
*The way we should do is not to remain silent or tell everyone extensively but to tell them about OUR SINS and DECLARE that JESUS IS THE MESSIAH
*Many people will be intrigue that you would be the first to do that
*It is very different from people talking about their faith
*We should realize that Jesus loves each and everyone of us
*We share our faith not to shove it down people's throats but to give people a hope
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
Love and Joy go hand in hand
Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.......
- 1 Corinthians 13:6 -
Thoughts on This Verse... Love does have its delights. One of those delights is in what is authentic and genuine -- TRUTH! So as Jesus' disciples, we are not deceitful, manipulative, or coercive in our relationships. Instead, we are transparent, intimate, and honest. Why? Because true love delights in truth.
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
- 1 Corinthians 13:6 -
Thoughts on This Verse... Love does have its delights. One of those delights is in what is authentic and genuine -- TRUTH! So as Jesus' disciples, we are not deceitful, manipulative, or coercive in our relationships. Instead, we are transparent, intimate, and honest. Why? Because true love delights in truth.
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
Spirited alive
We know that we live in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit.......
- 1 John 4:13 -
Thoughts on This Verse... Our sign of authenticity showing we are truly God's children is the Holy Spirit who lives in us. The Spirit helps bring forth the character of God in our lives (Gal. 5:22). The Spirit helps us when we pray (Rom. 8:26-27). The Spirit empowers us to overcome sin (Rom. 8:13) and gives us strength to do things we would never imagine were possible (Eph. 3:14-21). The Spirit comforts us in our brokenness and makes God's presence real in our lives (John 14:15-26). The Spirit is the truest sign that we are God's children (Rom. 8:9, 14-16). Thank God for the blessed Holy Spirit!
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
- 1 John 4:13 -
Thoughts on This Verse... Our sign of authenticity showing we are truly God's children is the Holy Spirit who lives in us. The Spirit helps bring forth the character of God in our lives (Gal. 5:22). The Spirit helps us when we pray (Rom. 8:26-27). The Spirit empowers us to overcome sin (Rom. 8:13) and gives us strength to do things we would never imagine were possible (Eph. 3:14-21). The Spirit comforts us in our brokenness and makes God's presence real in our lives (John 14:15-26). The Spirit is the truest sign that we are God's children (Rom. 8:9, 14-16). Thank God for the blessed Holy Spirit!
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
Friday, September 16, 2011
I believe in God, so why do I need to confess my sins?
Sunday 11th September 2011
1. God = Pushover
*The assumption that God gives me whatever I want
*Rob Bell's controversial book - he ask whether people could still come to Jesus after death -but there is a clear explanation in the story of Jesus and Lazarus
*What is Jesus that we need to be rescued from to prevent ourselves going to hell?
*Most people do not want to touch Christianity because of the long list of uncertainty
*If everyone eventually gets in then confession is nothing and we do not need to confess our sins
*Romans 2:5-7: But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God’s wrath, when his righteous judgment will be revealed. 6God “will repay each person according to what they have done.”[a] 7 To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life.
*Colossians 3:5-6: Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. 6 Because of these, the wrath of God is coming.[a
*Revelation 20:11-15:
*God is terrifying, holy and hates our sin
*If we never experience the terrifying God who hates sin, we are not christians
*Why can't I just believe in God without confessing sin? because sin is a problem for us
2. Hence, God is not a pushover but a Judge
*How do we escape God's wrath and punishment because we do not want to go to hell?
*We do good works to prevent God's punishment but we naturally sin as well
*Thus, we should confess our sin and admitting that we are sorry which also acts like a shield preventing God's punishment
*We do not confess EVERY sin hence we have unconfessed sin and that is where they see the wrath of God coming upon them
3. God = Father
*How do we escape the judgement of God?
*The shield is not confessed sin but a total different thing altogether
*It is Jesus. He was condemned for our sins. He did subsidiary atonement so we could escape
*Romans 8:1:
*John 5:24: 24 “Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life.
*We escaped judgement hence he is now our father
*It is about intimacy with our father in heaven
*We can now focus on our relationship with Jesus without being condemned
*If we have something done wrong to another person, we say sorry because we appreciate our friendship
*It is the same as Jesus
*Psalm 51:7-12: 7 Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean;
wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.
8 Let me hear joy and gladness;
let the bones you have crushed rejoice.
9 Hide your face from my sins
and blot out all my iniquity.
*We are distant with God because we do not acknowledge the presence and intimacy due to unconfessed sin
*Intimacy comes with confessing our sins everyday
*One of the best picture is communion- His blood has to be shed for our sins
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
1. God = Pushover
*The assumption that God gives me whatever I want
*Rob Bell's controversial book - he ask whether people could still come to Jesus after death -but there is a clear explanation in the story of Jesus and Lazarus
*What is Jesus that we need to be rescued from to prevent ourselves going to hell?
*Most people do not want to touch Christianity because of the long list of uncertainty
*If everyone eventually gets in then confession is nothing and we do not need to confess our sins
*Romans 2:5-7: But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God’s wrath, when his righteous judgment will be revealed. 6God “will repay each person according to what they have done.”[a] 7 To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life.
*Colossians 3:5-6: Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. 6 Because of these, the wrath of God is coming.[a
*Revelation 20:11-15:
The Judgment of the Dead
11 Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. The earth and the heavens fled from his presence, and there was no place for them. 12 And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books. 13 The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them, and each person was judged according to what they had done. 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 terrifying, holy and hates our sin
*If we never experience the terrifying God who hates sin, we are not christians
*Why can't I just believe in God without confessing sin? because sin is a problem for us
2. Hence, God is not a pushover but a Judge
*How do we escape God's wrath and punishment because we do not want to go to hell?
*We do good works to prevent God's punishment but we naturally sin as well
*Thus, we should confess our sin and admitting that we are sorry which also acts like a shield preventing God's punishment
*We do not confess EVERY sin hence we have unconfessed sin and that is where they see the wrath of God coming upon them
3. God = Father
*How do we escape the judgement of God?
*The shield is not confessed sin but a total different thing altogether
*It is Jesus. He was condemned for our sins. He did subsidiary atonement so we could escape
*Romans 8:1:
Romans 8
Life Through the Spirit
Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus,*John 5:24: 24 “Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life.
*We escaped judgement hence he is now our father
*It is about intimacy with our father in heaven
*We can now focus on our relationship with Jesus without being condemned
*If we have something done wrong to another person, we say sorry because we appreciate our friendship
*It is the same as Jesus
*Psalm 51:7-12: 7 Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean;
wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.
8 Let me hear joy and gladness;
let the bones you have crushed rejoice.
9 Hide your face from my sins
and blot out all my iniquity.
10 Create in me a pure heart, O God,
and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
11 Do not cast me from your presence
or take your Holy Spirit from me.
12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation
and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
11 Do not cast me from your presence
or take your Holy Spirit from me.
12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation
*We are distant with God because we do not acknowledge the presence and intimacy due to unconfessed sin
*Intimacy comes with confessing our sins everyday
*One of the best picture is communion- His blood has to be shed for our sins
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
Hypocrite
If anyone says,''I love God,'' yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen.......
- 1 John 4:20 -
Thoughts on This Verse... ''O how I love Jesus!'' we sing. Jesus responds by asking how well we are doing with loving our brothers and sisters! We can't love God if we can't love those around us.
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
- 1 John 4:20 -
Thoughts on This Verse... ''O how I love Jesus!'' we sing. Jesus responds by asking how well we are doing with loving our brothers and sisters! We can't love God if we can't love those around us.
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
Thursday, September 15, 2011
Holla
'''Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.'''......
- Jeremiah 33:3 -
Thoughts on This Verse... This was originally spoken to Jeremiah about the fate of Jerusalem. However, this promise is true in special ways for us as well. God wants us to call to him. God often waits for us to ask before he blesses us with what he longs to give us. Yet we lack the ability to comprehend and receive all the great truth about God. He is simply too big and too glorious for us to fully comprehend him and his grace.
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
- Jeremiah 33:3 -
Thoughts on This Verse... This was originally spoken to Jeremiah about the fate of Jerusalem. However, this promise is true in special ways for us as well. God wants us to call to him. God often waits for us to ask before he blesses us with what he longs to give us. Yet we lack the ability to comprehend and receive all the great truth about God. He is simply too big and too glorious for us to fully comprehend him and his grace.
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Master Grace
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**
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**
Monday, September 12, 2011
Hope!
We wait for the blessed hope--the
glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave
himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for
himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.......
- Titus 2:13-14 -
Thoughts on This Verse... We haven't arrived at our destination (cf. Philippians 3). We are in waiting! Jesus, who offered his own life for our redemption, will gloriously return to take us home. During our time of waiting, let's be eager to do what is right, good, and holy.
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
- Titus 2:13-14 -
Thoughts on This Verse... We haven't arrived at our destination (cf. Philippians 3). We are in waiting! Jesus, who offered his own life for our redemption, will gloriously return to take us home. During our time of waiting, let's be eager to do what is right, good, and holy.
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
Sunday, September 11, 2011
Burned out
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**
- 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**
If God is for us, then who can be against us?
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**
- 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**
Friday, September 9, 2011
Submit to the RIGHT ONE, Flee from the WRONG ONE
Submit yourselves, then, to God.
Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.......
Thoughts on This Verse... Let's admit it. Most of us would like for spiritual growth to be easy. We want our ability to withstand temptation to require little effort. We want the Holy Spirit to do the work and God to protect us from too much stress and strain. Thankfully, God does empower us through his Holy Spirit. However, he does remind us that for the Spirit to work powerfully in our lives, we must intentionally submit our wills to God and we must resist the devil. If we will put up a fight against him and his temptations, he will flee from us. Let's do our part, trusting that God will more than uphold his promises!
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
Thursday, September 8, 2011
I can count on YOU alone
Stop trusting in man, who has but a breath in his nostrils. Of what account is he?......
- Isaiah 2:22 -
Thoughts on This Verse... ''If only I had a friend.''''If only my father hadn't left.''''If only she was more supportive.''''If only...'' People can fail us, but we still pin so many of our hopes on them. We are all fallible and mortal. So while we are involved in the lives of other people, let's also remember to keep our hopes connected to the Son of God, who''defeated death and brought immortality and life to light'' and who will''never leave or forsake'' us. **Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
- Isaiah 2:22 -
Thoughts on This Verse... ''If only I had a friend.''''If only my father hadn't left.''''If only she was more supportive.''''If only...'' People can fail us, but we still pin so many of our hopes on them. We are all fallible and mortal. So while we are involved in the lives of other people, let's also remember to keep our hopes connected to the Son of God, who''defeated death and brought immortality and life to light'' and who will''never leave or forsake'' us. **Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Halelujah!
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will
say it again: Rejoice!......
- Philippians 4:4 -
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Call, Humble, Pray, Seek and Turn away
''If my people, who are called by my
name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from
their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their
sin and will heal their land.''......
Thoughts on This Verse... In today's Scripture, which occurs immediately after the dedication of the Temple, God told Solomon that the Temple would be a place his people could come and be assured that their prayers would be heard if they honestly and humbly would seek God. This promise is true still, to this very day, for while God's physical Temple isn't standing, his spiritual one is found in the gathering of his people (cf. 1 Cor. 3:16; Matt. 18:20). While we know that God hears our individual prayers, what a great blessing and what a powerful promise for God's people today! We know that when we gather with believers and humble ourselves before God and seek his presence he will hear us. Rather than wait for a grandiose, world-wide effort to start, why not get together regularly with others who will join us in this prayer effort?
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
Sunday, September 4, 2011
I believe in God, but I don't think I need to go to Church
4th September 2011
Mark Broabent
*We can get pretty bad advice
*We do not have to go to church to be a Christian. Is that right?
*Does the Bible teach us this?
*We may hear Christianity is important but Church is not their priority
*Romans 8:14-16: For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. 15 The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba,Father.” 16 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.
*All of us are God's creation, not God's children
*Some of us do not want to come in to become God's children
*We might think that if we are good enough, we will strengthen our relationship with him but won't it stir up pride in us. That is slavery
*We should be free from slavery and become God's children
*The story of the Prodigal Son
-The youngest son asking the father for the inheritance, wishing that the father would be dead
-After wasting all the money, the youngest son claims that he is not worthy to go back as His son but a hired servant.
-His father thinks otherwise
*God is not interested in us being His slaves but His children
*The Bible was translated but in this verse, they kept the word "son" - because the sons in the oldern times has the right to have inheritance and would carry the name
*Now God says EVERYONE would get His inheritance
*The danger is that we can learn all sorts of theology and might be influenced by that
*So what is the church?
*It is not an event, institution or a building
*It is not something we do there but something we ARE
*We are made up of God's adopted children
*We either belong or do not belong to God
-by marriage
-by adoption
*No one is committed 100% except through marriage
*In a marriage, two people are to be united together in life
*It is the same. To become a Christian, we must unite ourselves in Christ to become part of God's family
*It is quiet ridiculous if the church is a part of us and were not going to church
*We come to church because we want to gather together, have fun and that is what families do
*We do shop for churches but that is not the right thing to do
*We need to forgive and be forgiven, welcomed and be welcomed and you can only do that if we come to church
*We are invited to be in God's family, do life together and let others say that it is the life they want to live.
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
Mark Broabent
*We can get pretty bad advice
*We do not have to go to church to be a Christian. Is that right?
*Does the Bible teach us this?
*We may hear Christianity is important but Church is not their priority
*Romans 8:14-16: For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. 15 The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba,Father.” 16 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.
*All of us are God's creation, not God's children
*Some of us do not want to come in to become God's children
*We might think that if we are good enough, we will strengthen our relationship with him but won't it stir up pride in us. That is slavery
*We should be free from slavery and become God's children
*The story of the Prodigal Son
-The youngest son asking the father for the inheritance, wishing that the father would be dead
-After wasting all the money, the youngest son claims that he is not worthy to go back as His son but a hired servant.
-His father thinks otherwise
*God is not interested in us being His slaves but His children
*The Bible was translated but in this verse, they kept the word "son" - because the sons in the oldern times has the right to have inheritance and would carry the name
*Now God says EVERYONE would get His inheritance
*The danger is that we can learn all sorts of theology and might be influenced by that
*So what is the church?
*It is not an event, institution or a building
*It is not something we do there but something we ARE
*We are made up of God's adopted children
*We either belong or do not belong to God
1. It means going to a church service does not make you a Christian
2 ways to be a person's child-by marriage
-by adoption
*No one is committed 100% except through marriage
*In a marriage, two people are to be united together in life
*It is the same. To become a Christian, we must unite ourselves in Christ to become part of God's family
2. It is unthinkable that Christians would not be part of a church community
*A lot of people say they can see podcast, worship through cds, read books without coming to church*It is quiet ridiculous if the church is a part of us and were not going to church
*We come to church because we want to gather together, have fun and that is what families do
3. We do not come to church with our score cards
*We might be innovative but like the CEO of Apple, we cannot beat cancer*We do shop for churches but that is not the right thing to do
*We need to forgive and be forgiven, welcomed and be welcomed and you can only do that if we come to church
*We are invited to be in God's family, do life together and let others say that it is the life they want to live.
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
Love overload
May the Lord make your love increase
and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does
for you.......
- 1 Thessalonians 3:12 -
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
Saturday, September 3, 2011
Satisfy my soul
For he satisfies the thirsty and
fills the hungry with good things.......
Thoughts on This Verse... The Bible cries out with one recurring truth: God quenches the thirst and satisfies the hunger of those who seek him. So often we try to soothe the ache in our soul and fill the emptiness in our heart with what is only a temporary satisfaction that only God's presence can fill. Let's refuse every false satisfaction and seek the LORD!
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
Friday, September 2, 2011
I believe in God, but I don't think Religious should take over your Life
28th August 2011 Sunday
Mark Broadbent
*Many people think it is alright to believe God but for God taking over our life is a no no
*Some people say that Christians are good people but they do not want to be extremist
*Is that what the Bible says?
*John 3:1-9: Now there was a Pharisee, a man named Nicodemus who was a member of the Jewish ruling council. 2 He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs you are doing if God were not with him.”
3 Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.[a]”
4 “How can someone be born when they are old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!”
5 Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. 6 Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit[b] gives birth to spirit. 7 You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You[c] must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”[d]
9 “How can this be?” Nicodemus asked.
*John 3:16: For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
*Nicodemus came to Jesus at night because he was worried other people might look at him visiting Jesus
*There is Christians and Born-again Christians but Jesus said Christians are Born-again Christians
v5:
*There is a natural, physical birth but we have to go through spiritual birth to live a spiritual life with God
*Bible talks about old life dying and new life born
*Most people do not understand
*Acting like a Christian does not make us a Christian
*We can only be a Christians or a non-Christian
1. It does not mean we become a freak show
*1 Corinthians 9:20-22: To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. 21 To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law), so as to win those not having the law. 22 To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some.
*In order to reach people, we need to be connected with them
2. It does not mean we can sin again
*Being a Christian does not mean our life is going to be perfect
*1 Corinthians 3:11-15: For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, 13 their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work. 14 If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward. 15 If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved—even though only as one escaping through the flames.
*Some of us may wonder how much good we have done
*v15: If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved—even though only as one escaping through the flames.
*The most important thing is to have a solid foundation of Jesus
Then what does the new life mean?
*It does mean we will be transformed
*2 Corinthians 5:17: Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come:[a] The old has gone, the new is here!
*Romans 8:1: Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus,
*Galatians 5:22-23: But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
*The way we become Christians, we began to care and love people we never care like never before
*John 4:13-14: Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, 14 but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”
*If you want satisfaction and fulfillment of life, then be born again
*John 10:10: The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
*He will take ownership in our lives
*It does not mean that God would answer all our prayers but He will let His Spirit live in you and do life with it
So, are you born again?
*God is asking
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
Mark Broadbent
*Many people think it is alright to believe God but for God taking over our life is a no no
*Some people say that Christians are good people but they do not want to be extremist
*Is that what the Bible says?
*John 3:1-9: Now there was a Pharisee, a man named Nicodemus who was a member of the Jewish ruling council. 2 He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs you are doing if God were not with him.”
3 Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.[a]”
4 “How can someone be born when they are old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!”
5 Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. 6 Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit[b] gives birth to spirit. 7 You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You[c] must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”[d]
9 “How can this be?” Nicodemus asked.
*John 3:16: For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
*Nicodemus came to Jesus at night because he was worried other people might look at him visiting Jesus
*There is Christians and Born-again Christians but Jesus said Christians are Born-again Christians
v5:
*There is a natural, physical birth but we have to go through spiritual birth to live a spiritual life with God
*Bible talks about old life dying and new life born
*Most people do not understand
*Acting like a Christian does not make us a Christian
*We can only be a Christians or a non-Christian
1. It does not mean we become a freak show
*1 Corinthians 9:20-22: To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. 21 To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law), so as to win those not having the law. 22 To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some.
*In order to reach people, we need to be connected with them
2. It does not mean we can sin again
*Being a Christian does not mean our life is going to be perfect
*1 Corinthians 3:11-15: For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, 13 their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work. 14 If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward. 15 If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved—even though only as one escaping through the flames.
*Some of us may wonder how much good we have done
*v15: If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved—even though only as one escaping through the flames.
Then what does the new life mean?
*It does mean we will be transformed
*2 Corinthians 5:17: Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come:[a] The old has gone, the new is here!
*Romans 8:1: Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus,
*Galatians 5:22-23: But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
*The way we become Christians, we began to care and love people we never care like never before
*John 4:13-14: Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, 14 but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”
*If you want satisfaction and fulfillment of life, then be born again
*John 10:10: The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
*He will take ownership in our lives
*It does not mean that God would answer all our prayers but He will let His Spirit live in you and do life with it
So, are you born again?
*God is asking
"Would you let God take over your lives"
not
"Christianity taking over our life"
The Princess
21st August 2011 Sunday
*God knows love best
*Knight (Jesus) is attracted to the princess worth dying for
*Princess (Church) is attracted to the knight she entrust her life to
*Knight feels loved when princess believes in him
*Princess feels loved when knight treasures her
*How do you become a princess worth dying for?
*How do you love your man?
*Ephesians 1:3-8: Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. 4 For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love 5 he[a] predestined us for adoption to sonship[b] through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. 7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace 8 that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding,
*The love Jesus has for us
*Ephesians 2:4-10: But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. 6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7 in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. 8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
*God uses us to do work on earth
*Ephesians 5:1-2: Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children 2 and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
*Example for men to love their wives
*Walking in the way of love
*Something to do with love
*Not waiting, but showing love for us
*Wives should respect men
*Men should love wives as themselves
*Princess worth dying for- because Christ entrust His love for us
*Easy to feel unworthy to be loved by Christ or our husbands but there is nothing that God considered (no guilt and shame)
*How important grace is on our relationship
*We should lower our expectations at times
*We might want to please ourselves rather than our partner
*We should learn how to deal our conflict and learn to listen
*Prepare to change and seek advice
*Partner may be there to reveal things about yourselves
*We should live out the gospel in our relationships
*Trust, faith, affirming and celebrating is normal in Christian relationship
*We have a deep understanding of love because Jesus is the best example of love in the world
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
*God knows love best
*Knight (Jesus) is attracted to the princess worth dying for
*Princess (Church) is attracted to the knight she entrust her life to
*Knight feels loved when princess believes in him
*Princess feels loved when knight treasures her
*How do you become a princess worth dying for?
*How do you love your man?
*Ephesians 1:3-8: Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. 4 For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love 5 he[a] predestined us for adoption to sonship[b] through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. 7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace 8 that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding,
*The love Jesus has for us
*Ephesians 2:4-10: But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. 6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7 in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. 8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
*God uses us to do work on earth
*Ephesians 5:1-2: Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children 2 and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
*Example for men to love their wives
*Walking in the way of love
*Something to do with love
*Not waiting, but showing love for us
*Wives should respect men
*Men should love wives as themselves
*Princess worth dying for- because Christ entrust His love for us
*Easy to feel unworthy to be loved by Christ or our husbands but there is nothing that God considered (no guilt and shame)
*How important grace is on our relationship
*We should lower our expectations at times
*We might want to please ourselves rather than our partner
*We should learn how to deal our conflict and learn to listen
*Prepare to change and seek advice
*Partner may be there to reveal things about yourselves
*We should live out the gospel in our relationships
*Trust, faith, affirming and celebrating is normal in Christian relationship
*We have a deep understanding of love because Jesus is the best example of love in the world
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
When you no longer feel in love
Sunday 12th June
Sorry to backtrack a little.
*Vulnerable, committed, fit in more, carry post hurt is more when you fall in love
*Being attracted to things and people is very easy. It is a chemical thing
*Proverbs 15:17: Better a small serving of vegetables with love
than a fattened calf with hatred.
*Genesis 2: Thus the heavens and the earth were completed in all their vast array.
2 By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. 3 Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done.
8 Now the LORD God had planted a garden in the east, in Eden; and there he put the man he had formed. 9 The LORD God made all kinds of trees grow out of the ground—trees that were pleasing to the eye and good for food. In the middle of the garden were the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.
10 A river watering the garden flowed from Eden; from there it was separated into four headwaters. 11The name of the first is the Pishon; it winds through the entire land of Havilah, where there is gold. 12(The gold of that land is good; aromatic resin[d] and onyx are also there.) 13 The name of the second river is the Gihon; it winds through the entire land of Cush.[e] 14 The name of the third river is the Tigris; it runs along the east side of Ashur. And the fourth river is the Euphrates.
15 The LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it. 16And the LORD God commanded the man, “You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; 17 but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat from it you will certainly die.”
18 The LORD God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.”
19 Now the LORD God had formed out of the ground all the wild animals and all the birds in the sky. He brought them to the man to see what he would name them; and whatever the man called each living creature, that was its name. 20 So the man gave names to all the livestock, the birds in the sky and all the wild animals.
But for Adam[f] no suitable helper was found. 21 So the LORD God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep; and while he was sleeping, he took one of the man’s ribs[g] and then closed up the place with flesh. 22 Then the LORD God made a woman from the rib[h] he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man.
23 The man said,
“This is now bone of my bones
and flesh of my flesh;
she shall be called ‘woman,’
for she was taken out of man.”
24 That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh.
25 Adam and his wife were both naked, and they felt no shame.
*Men and women are made very differently and individually but need to compliment each other
*Song of Solomon 4:10: How delightful is your love, my sister, my bride!
How much more pleasing is your love than wine,
and the fragrance of your perfume more than any spice!
*Song of Solomon 8:6: Place me like a seal over your heart,
like a seal on your arm;
for love is as strong as death,
its jealousy[a] unyielding as the grave.
It burns like blazing fire,
like a mighty flame.[b
Barriers
We are all broke people
*The more broken we are, the more tension is created
*People will become hard hearted
*The cycle of brokenness will be lingering
*The good news is Jesus died
We live in a culture that promotes temporary things
*leads to a relationship
*Human world- the sexualize culture is so open that corrupts the world even more
*Low threshold of relationship pain
*No relationship is free from conflict
*That is the beauty of it, we can compromise in a relationship
*It is hard to compromise because our culture is not expose to it and we are broken but it is worth it
*When Christ comes, he will teach us to live our culture but it will never go away
*1 John 5:3-4: 3 In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands. And his commands are not burdensome, 4 for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.
*Love is a verb. It requires action
*In love is a noun
*If you feel no love, you do loving things to another person
*Ephesians 5:21-33: 21 Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.
*Submit may mean defeating yourself and giving in but in biblical description is to respect and put the other person in front of yourself
*When two people do that, then it is awesome
*Competition has to be removed
*Doing things that you hate for them so that they will appreciate you
5 love languages
1. Quality Time
2. Receiving Gifts
3. Words of affirmation
4. Acts of service
5. Physical Touch
*It would not be a command if we can do it naturally
*If it was not commanded, would we do it?
*Christ does that for us- He knocks and longs us to come to Him
*Substitution exchange
- For Christ to love us, we have to sacrifice something, which is Jesus
- For us to love each other, we both have to sacrifice everything for each other and whatever our partner sacrifice becomes a blessing to us.
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
Sorry to backtrack a little.
*Vulnerable, committed, fit in more, carry post hurt is more when you fall in love
*Being attracted to things and people is very easy. It is a chemical thing
*Proverbs 15:17: Better a small serving of vegetables with love
than a fattened calf with hatred.
*Genesis 2: Thus the heavens and the earth were completed in all their vast array.
2 By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. 3 Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done.
Adam and Eve
4 This is the account of the heavens and the earth when they were created, when the LORD God made the earth and the heavens. 5 Now no shrub had yet appeared on the earth[a] and no plant had yet sprung up, for the LORD God had not sent rain on the earth and there was no one to work the ground, 6 but streams[b] came up from the earth and watered the whole surface of the ground. 7 Then the LORD God formed a man[c]from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.8 Now the LORD God had planted a garden in the east, in Eden; and there he put the man he had formed. 9 The LORD God made all kinds of trees grow out of the ground—trees that were pleasing to the eye and good for food. In the middle of the garden were the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.
10 A river watering the garden flowed from Eden; from there it was separated into four headwaters. 11The name of the first is the Pishon; it winds through the entire land of Havilah, where there is gold. 12(The gold of that land is good; aromatic resin[d] and onyx are also there.) 13 The name of the second river is the Gihon; it winds through the entire land of Cush.[e] 14 The name of the third river is the Tigris; it runs along the east side of Ashur. And the fourth river is the Euphrates.
15 The LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it. 16And the LORD God commanded the man, “You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; 17 but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat from it you will certainly die.”
18 The LORD God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.”
19 Now the LORD God had formed out of the ground all the wild animals and all the birds in the sky. He brought them to the man to see what he would name them; and whatever the man called each living creature, that was its name. 20 So the man gave names to all the livestock, the birds in the sky and all the wild animals.
But for Adam[f] no suitable helper was found. 21 So the LORD God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep; and while he was sleeping, he took one of the man’s ribs[g] and then closed up the place with flesh. 22 Then the LORD God made a woman from the rib[h] he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man.
23 The man said,
“This is now bone of my bones
and flesh of my flesh;
she shall be called ‘woman,’
for she was taken out of man.”
24 That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh.
25 Adam and his wife were both naked, and they felt no shame.
*Men and women are made very differently and individually but need to compliment each other
*Song of Solomon 4:10: How delightful is your love, my sister, my bride!
How much more pleasing is your love than wine,
and the fragrance of your perfume more than any spice!
*Song of Solomon 8:6: Place me like a seal over your heart,
like a seal on your arm;
for love is as strong as death,
its jealousy[a] unyielding as the grave.
It burns like blazing fire,
like a mighty flame.[b
Barriers
We are all broke people
*The more broken we are, the more tension is created
*People will become hard hearted
*The cycle of brokenness will be lingering
*The good news is Jesus died
We live in a culture that promotes temporary things
*leads to a relationship
FAI = R
Freedom. Authority. Information = Responsibility
*Human world- the sexualize culture is so open that corrupts the world even more
*Low threshold of relationship pain
*No relationship is free from conflict
*That is the beauty of it, we can compromise in a relationship
*It is hard to compromise because our culture is not expose to it and we are broken but it is worth it
*When Christ comes, he will teach us to live our culture but it will never go away
*1 John 5:3-4: 3 In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands. And his commands are not burdensome, 4 for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.
*Love is a verb. It requires action
*In love is a noun
*If you feel no love, you do loving things to another person
*Ephesians 5:21-33: 21 Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.
22 Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord. 23 For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior. 24 Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything.
25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her 26 to make her holy, cleansing[a] her by the washing with water through the word, 27 and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. 28 In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. 29 After all, no one ever hated their own body, but they feed and care for their body, just as Christ does the church— 30 for we are members of his body. 31 “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.”[b] 32 This is a profound mystery—but I am talking about Christ and the church. 33 However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.
*Submit may mean defeating yourself and giving in but in biblical description is to respect and put the other person in front of yourself
*When two people do that, then it is awesome
*Competition has to be removed
*Doing things that you hate for them so that they will appreciate you
5 love languages
1. Quality Time
2. Receiving Gifts
3. Words of affirmation
4. Acts of service
5. Physical Touch
*It would not be a command if we can do it naturally
*If it was not commanded, would we do it?
*Christ does that for us- He knocks and longs us to come to Him
*Substitution exchange
- For Christ to love us, we have to sacrifice something, which is Jesus
- For us to love each other, we both have to sacrifice everything for each other and whatever our partner sacrifice becomes a blessing to us.
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
Death has lost its sting
Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?......
Thoughts on This Verse... Death has the power to end life. Death has the power to separate. Death has the power to discourage and defeat us. But, we know the truth: Jesus lives! Because he lives, we know we will live with him. We believe that his victory over death is our victory. So like Jesus, we mock death and its power to destroy us. Jesus has destroyed death and brought immortality to life ... in us through the Gospel.
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
Thursday, September 1, 2011
Morning is broken
Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul.......
- Psalm 143:8 -
Thoughts on This Verse... In nearly every disciple's life, there comes a time of loneliness and doubt. It seems as if our prayer requests just bounce off the ceiling and fall in broken pieces at our feet. God seems distant, hiding, asleep, or unsympathetic to our cries for mercy and help. Thankfully God gives us the Psalms. In the Psalms we can find words for almost all of life's ups and downs. When we are down, it is nice to know that others have been there before us and have recovered their faith and vitality. But, there are just some moments in life when we need to have God's reminders of his love and guidance. This psalm and these words are made for such a time. If the request in today's Scripture is not relevant to your need, then please, pray these words for someone else. If, on the other hand, they speak to you then please, pray them for yourself!
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
Thoughts on This Verse... In nearly every disciple's life, there comes a time of loneliness and doubt. It seems as if our prayer requests just bounce off the ceiling and fall in broken pieces at our feet. God seems distant, hiding, asleep, or unsympathetic to our cries for mercy and help. Thankfully God gives us the Psalms. In the Psalms we can find words for almost all of life's ups and downs. When we are down, it is nice to know that others have been there before us and have recovered their faith and vitality. But, there are just some moments in life when we need to have God's reminders of his love and guidance. This psalm and these words are made for such a time. If the request in today's Scripture is not relevant to your need, then please, pray these words for someone else. If, on the other hand, they speak to you then please, pray them for yourself!
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
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