The danger of those who doubt is that they stop looking for God because they believe He can't be found. Moses warned the Israelites that future generations would wander from God. He promised, however, that those who seek God with all their heart and soul will find Him
Deuteronomy 4:29: 29 But if from there you seek the LORD your God, you will find him if you seek him with all your heart and with all your soul.
The book of Hebrews confirms that God rewards those who diligently seek Him
Deuteronomy 11:6: 6 and what he did to Dathan
and Abiram, sons of Eliab the Reubenite, when the earth opened its
mouth right in the middle of all Israel and swallowed them up with their
households, their tents and every living thing that belonged to them.
If we struggle to believe, remember: Just because you don't see God doesn't mean He doesn't exist. He promises to be found by those who seek Him
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
Thursday, January 19, 2012
Prayers heard
This poor man called, and the LORD
heard him; he saved him out of all his troubles.......
Thoughts on This Verse... So few hear the cry of the poor or respond to the plight of the disadvantaged. If we are going to be true children of our Father, his values must become our own, his lost sheep must become our quest. Let's help others around us who are in need find that when they call to God, they are not forgotten. Let's be his delivery system of grace.
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
Direction
| Direct
my footsteps according to your word; let no sin rule over me.......
|
- Psalm 119:133-
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Wages of sin is death!
For the wages of sin is death, but
the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.......
Thoughts on This Verse... Our sin earns us death. God's grace gives us life. The difference between these two extremes? The Cross of Christ which spans the chasm of our sin and brings us to the mercy, forgiveness, and redemption of God!
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
I surrender all!
Commit to the LORD whatever you do,
and your plans will succeed.......
Thoughts on This Verse... The real question behind this promise is very simple: How do I define success for my plans? The answer is very simple as well: bringing glory to God for his grace (see Eph. 1:6, 12, 14). Committing our works and plans to God means surrendering them to God's will (James 4:13-15), trusting that God will be glorified in them (Col. 3:17), and recognizing that it is not in our power to properly guide our own steps (Prov. 16:9). God longs to bless us and empower us -- not for our own selfish ambition (James 3:16), but for our eternal good (Rom. 8:28) and God's glory. Like Jesus, when we commit our plans and works to the Lord, we are saying,''Not my will, Father, but yours be done!''
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
Life Worthy Of The Gospel
*Philippians 1:1-11:
To all God’s holy people in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with the overseers and deacons:
2 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
9 And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, 10 so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.
*Affection Paul has for His people
*They were concern if Paul was going to be executed
*Knowing his good friends cared for Paul, he shifted the focus towards Jesus
*Philippians 1:12-26:
Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, 19 for I know that through your prayers and God’s provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance.20 I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. 21 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. 22 If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! 23 I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; 24 but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. 25 Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, 26 so that through my being with you again your boasting in Christ Jesus will abound on account of me.
*Paul related to his close friends that he was fine
*v13: 13 As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ.
*Paul had the opportunity to preach to the guards. Paul sees it in that way
*v14: 14 And because of my chains, most of the brothers and sisters have become confident in the Lord and dare all the more to proclaim the gospel without fear.
*v15: 15 It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill.
*Gave Paul the opportunity to correct the misunderstanding
*Paul was not complaining or accusing other people for preaching the gospel out of selfish ambition
*Jesus did not say much about His suffering
*Instead of becoming depress on rumours and hard times. Paul's deep heart says it is alright because the gospel is preached at the end of the day even though it comes from selfish ambition
*Paul was single mindedly occupied with Jesus
*For me to live is Christ, to die is gain
*Death is not something to be feared, but to be rejoiced
*To die is to relive
*v24: 24 but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body - remain with you
*We may boast in Jesus Christ through Paul
*This is an example to be passionate for Jesus Christ
*When we do church, is Christ still proclaimed?
*Requires debts for insight and sermon
*More important than health we should see for knowledge and gaps of insight for sermon
*v27-30:
*They were anxious if they would ever see Paul again
*Paul reassured them that whatever happened, conduct in a manner worthy of Christ
*Paul was addressing concern of the church. that was affected
*We may have differences but can we stand together and stand by what we believe in?
*We will be saved not by our doing but by God
*Suffer for and to Christ
*Are you doing your job today?
*For Christians, it is not God's will for you to be poor or ill but Christians need to suffer for God
*We live in an age so informed by the media
*We should then feel good about it
*If we say we believe in Christ, we should be ready to suffer for Christ
*Leaders and Pastors suppose to conduct them well but in a manner worthy of the gospel
*When this situation comes, we should be ready for it
*We must ask ourselves if we have shared Christ to our workplace, family etc
*Will Jesus Christ be preached?
*We are called to follow Christ
*If our live is filled with passion of Christ, the world will change
*Ministry motivated by the passion of Christ
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
Philippians 1
1 Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus,To all God’s holy people in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with the overseers and deacons:
2 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Thanksgiving and Prayer
3 I thank my God every time I remember you. 4 In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, 6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. 7 It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart and, whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God’s grace with me. 8 God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus.9 And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, 10 so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.
*Affection Paul has for His people
*They were concern if Paul was going to be executed
*Knowing his good friends cared for Paul, he shifted the focus towards Jesus
*Philippians 1:12-26:
Paul’s Chains Advance the Gospel
12 Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters,that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel. 13 As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. 14 And because of my chains, most of the brothers and sisters have become confident in the Lord and dare all the more to proclaim the gospel without fear. 15 It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. 16 The latter do so out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. 17 The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains. 18 But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice.Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, 19 for I know that through your prayers and God’s provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance.20 I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. 21 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. 22 If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! 23 I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; 24 but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. 25 Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, 26 so that through my being with you again your boasting in Christ Jesus will abound on account of me.
*Paul related to his close friends that he was fine
*v13: 13 As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ.
*Paul had the opportunity to preach to the guards. Paul sees it in that way
*v14: 14 And because of my chains, most of the brothers and sisters have become confident in the Lord and dare all the more to proclaim the gospel without fear.
*v15: 15 It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill.
*Gave Paul the opportunity to correct the misunderstanding
*Paul was not complaining or accusing other people for preaching the gospel out of selfish ambition
*Jesus did not say much about His suffering
*Instead of becoming depress on rumours and hard times. Paul's deep heart says it is alright because the gospel is preached at the end of the day even though it comes from selfish ambition
*Paul was single mindedly occupied with Jesus
*For me to live is Christ, to die is gain
*Death is not something to be feared, but to be rejoiced
*To die is to relive
*v24: 24 but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body - remain with you
*We may boast in Jesus Christ through Paul
*This is an example to be passionate for Jesus Christ
*When we do church, is Christ still proclaimed?
*Requires debts for insight and sermon
*More important than health we should see for knowledge and gaps of insight for sermon
*v27-30:
Life Worthy of the Gospel
27 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 the one Spirit,striving together as one for the faith of the gospel 28 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. 29 For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him, 30 since you are going through the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear that I still have.*They were anxious if they would ever see Paul again
*Paul reassured them that whatever happened, conduct in a manner worthy of Christ
*Paul was addressing concern of the church. that was affected
*We may have differences but can we stand together and stand by what we believe in?
*We will be saved not by our doing but by God
*Suffer for and to Christ
*Are you doing your job today?
*For Christians, it is not God's will for you to be poor or ill but Christians need to suffer for God
*We live in an age so informed by the media
*We should then feel good about it
*If we say we believe in Christ, we should be ready to suffer for Christ
*Leaders and Pastors suppose to conduct them well but in a manner worthy of the gospel
*When this situation comes, we should be ready for it
*We must ask ourselves if we have shared Christ to our workplace, family etc
*Will Jesus Christ be preached?
*We are called to follow Christ
*If our live is filled with passion of Christ, the world will change
*Ministry motivated by the passion of Christ
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
Sunday, January 15, 2012
SuffeRing
Not only so, but we also rejoice in
our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance;
perseverance, character; and character, hope.......
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**
My delight is in the Lord
But his delight is in the law of the
LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night.......
Thoughts on This Verse... Delight! In things of God do you find delight? What holy things of the Father in heaven hold your thoughts throughout the day? Why not join me in trying to put more of God's word in your head through memorization and into your heart through prayerful Bible study?!
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
Friday, January 13, 2012
Make Disciples, Multiple Leaders
Senior Pastor Daniel Ho
8th January 2012
Dream Centre
*Every year passes by faster but the best is yet to come
*The call to make disciples
Matthew 28:19: 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
Character of a disciple:
-a learner, pupil, follower of Christ
Matthew 1:16-18: 16 and Jacob the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary, and Mary was the mother of Jesus who is called the Messiah.
17 Thus there were fourteen generations in all from Abraham to David, fourteen from David to the exile to Babylon, and fourteen from the exile to the Messiah.
*'disciple'= Mathetes (Greek)- Martyr
*Cost of being Jesus' Disciples:-
It is critical: The stakes are high
John 10:10: 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.
- thus the cost is hugh
-Thus, we must have full of passion and it must be urgent
*It is the kind of people God wants
*When we do not complain, moan, we will make a different in our community, workplace
*Only by transforming people can we transform society
1. Status of the Great Commission
A church for every people group
2. The Gospel to the Ends of the Earth
How can we do this? Bible translation, make use of movies and Christian radio broadcasting
3. Dramatic recent progress
Stagnant, growing or declining
It is growing in an evangelical way
*That these might be worshipers
Revelation 7:9: 9 After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands.
To Multiply leaders effectively
2 Timothy 2:2: 2 And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others.
-mentoring and accountability
*We pour only the Good things in peoples' lives
*Place importance in nurturing the leaders because it shows in church
What kind of leaders do we need?
*People with endurance (v3) 3 Join with me in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.
*Guard against entanglements (v4) No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs, but rather tries to please his commanding officer. - don't get sidetrack!
*Watch out with relationships, addictions, greed
*Play by the rules (v5) Similarly, anyone who competes as an athlete does not receive the victor’s crown except by competing according to the rules.
*Hardworking (v6) 6 The hardworking farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops.
*To make disciples and multiply leaders in a certain kind of culture
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
8th January 2012
Dream Centre
*Every year passes by faster but the best is yet to come
*The call to make disciples
Matthew 28:19: 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
Character of a disciple:
-a learner, pupil, follower of Christ
Matthew 1:16-18: 16 and Jacob the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary, and Mary was the mother of Jesus who is called the Messiah.
17 Thus there were fourteen generations in all from Abraham to David, fourteen from David to the exile to Babylon, and fourteen from the exile to the Messiah.
Joseph Accepts Jesus as His Son
18 This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about[a]: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit.*'disciple'= Mathetes (Greek)- Martyr
*Cost of being Jesus' Disciples:-
whole-hearted and full-blooded commitment
*Consequence of such discipleship:It is critical: The stakes are high
John 10:10: 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.
- thus the cost is hugh
*The only way to save the world
1 Timothy 2:5-6: 5 For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave himself as a ransom for all people. This has now been witnessed to at the proper time.-Thus, we must have full of passion and it must be urgent
*The only way to transform the world
Philippians 2:14-16: 14 Do everything without grumbling or arguing, 15 so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.”[a] Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky 16
as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to
boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain.*It is the kind of people God wants
*When we do not complain, moan, we will make a different in our community, workplace
*Only by transforming people can we transform society
Commission to the world
Matthew 28:18-19:
18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
*To make disciples of all nations -ethne (Greek)1. Status of the Great Commission
A church for every people group
2. The Gospel to the Ends of the Earth
How can we do this? Bible translation, make use of movies and Christian radio broadcasting
3. Dramatic recent progress
Stagnant, growing or declining
It is growing in an evangelical way
A Challenge of unfinished task
1. Spiritual challenge- Satan does not give up without a battle
2. Population challenge
3. People group challenge- geographic barriers
4. Political/National challenge- linguistic/cultural barriers
5. Resource challenge-imbalance in missionaries, distribution or finances
Revelation 7:9: 9 After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands.
To Multiply leaders effectively
2 Timothy 2:2: 2 And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others.
-mentoring and accountability
*We pour only the Good things in peoples' lives
*Place importance in nurturing the leaders because it shows in church
What kind of leaders do we need?
*People with endurance (v3) 3 Join with me in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.
*Guard against entanglements (v4) No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs, but rather tries to please his commanding officer. - don't get sidetrack!
*Watch out with relationships, addictions, greed
*Play by the rules (v5) Similarly, anyone who competes as an athlete does not receive the victor’s crown except by competing according to the rules.
*Hardworking (v6) 6 The hardworking farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops.
*To make disciples and multiply leaders in a certain kind of culture
-Humility
-Holiness (take sin seriously)
-Authenticity (genuine)
*When there is authenticity, there is authority- we have nothing to be afraid about
-Generiousity
-Faith
-Courage-there are people that will make you suffer but we must have courage to stand for Jesus
-Servanthood
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
No man
No one has ever seen God, but God
the One and Only, who is at the Father's side, has made him known.......
Thoughts on This Verse... Jesus is God's greatest message. He not only proclaims and declares God's love, mercy, and grace; he has made it known. Only Jesus can display God to us fully, for he is one with the Father. Yet when we ''see'' Jesus ministering in the Gospels, we see God. If we want to know how God feels about us, all we have to do is look at how Jesus ministers to others. If we want to know what God would do for us, we can notice what Jesus does to bless others. Jesus is our window to the Father's heart. So why not make a commitment to get to know Jesus better by spending more time with him in the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John)? If you do, you will better know God!
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
Love God, Love Man
God’s Love and Ours
Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Self-denial
Then he said to them all:''If anyone
would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily
and follow me.''......
Thoughts on This Verse... Offering ourselves to God isn't easy because it means we must first die to our own selfish will. Like Jesus did in the Garden of Gethsemane, we face our own cross and must cry out,''Not my will, dear Father, but your will be done!''
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
Wo-men
He who finds a wife finds what is
good and receives favor from the LORD.......
- Proverbs 18:22 -
Thoughts on This Verse... Several great truths are taught us in the opening chapters of the Bible. First, we are made in God's image, both male and female. Second, we are made to be different (male and female). Third, we are made to bless each other and be complements of one another. Fourth, we are made to leave our families of origin and build our lives together (Gen. 1:26-2:25). To find a partner for life, one created by God in his image, is to find what is truly good!
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
Thoughts on This Verse... Several great truths are taught us in the opening chapters of the Bible. First, we are made in God's image, both male and female. Second, we are made to be different (male and female). Third, we are made to bless each other and be complements of one another. Fourth, we are made to leave our families of origin and build our lives together (Gen. 1:26-2:25). To find a partner for life, one created by God in his image, is to find what is truly good!
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
Heavily guarded
Put on the full armor of God so that
you can take your stand against the devil's schemes.......
- Ephesians 6:11 -
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
Sunday, January 8, 2012
Patience, my friend
A patient man has great
understanding, but a quick-tempered man displays folly.......
Thoughts on This Verse... Responding quickly to aggravation, threat, insult, or difficulty suggests strength to many folks today. However, responding hastily out of anger is foolish. This response seldom produces the desired long term effect and nearly always compounds the problems that need to be addressed. Patiently dealing with frustrating and painful situations shows understanding and is nearly always more fruitful in the long run.
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
Trust and be blessed
Whoever gives heed to instruction
prospers, and blessed is he who trusts in the LORD.......
- Proverbs 16:20 -
Thoughts on This Verse... Those who seek the instruction of God's wisdom and who trust in God for their life's blessings and values will find joyful prosperity. While this philosophy doesn't play well in the world of commercials, this understanding is the key to a blessed and prosperous life!
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
Thoughts on This Verse... Those who seek the instruction of God's wisdom and who trust in God for their life's blessings and values will find joyful prosperity. While this philosophy doesn't play well in the world of commercials, this understanding is the key to a blessed and prosperous life!
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
Friday, January 6, 2012
Overlooked blessings
Since we have these promises, dear
friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body
and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.......
Thoughts on This Verse... God has blessed us with so many wonderful promises. He has secured them through the sending of his Son''to conquer death and bring life and immortality to light.'' He will''transform our lowly bodies to be like his glorious body.'' He will take us home to be with him eternally, but until that day, he will live inside us and reveal himself to us. He will make us more than conquerors and will not allow anything to separate us from his love. So what should our response be? Yes, surely we should offer him praise. But, we must not limit our praise to words. God wants our lives to be pure, staying away from what is evil, vile, putrid, and corrupt. He wants us to do this, not so we can claim some moral superiority, but so that we can show him our adoration and reverence. In our desire to offer God praise, let's not forget that one of the greatest ways to praise him is to seek him in purity and holiness!
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
Thursday, January 5, 2012
Belonging
If we live, we live to the Lord; and
if we die, we die to the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to
the Lord.......
Thoughts on This Verse... We are the Lord's. He bought us out of bondage to sin and death. We have voluntarily placed our lives in his hands. No matter what we do or where we go, his grace goes with us. He has promised to never leave us. He has assured us that nothing can separate us from his love. So let's live with a sense of excited anticipation, looking to see where the Lord will lead us. Let us face difficulty, and even death, with the assurance that we will not face tough times alone. Even in the shadow of death, we don't have to fear what the evil can do. We are the Lord's.
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
Centrality of Christ
Greetings and Prayer
Rev Dr Timothy Ong
1st January 2012
*Passionate church- more of Jesus in our church
*Philippians 1:1: 1 Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all God’s holy people in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with the overseers and deacons
*Paul gives a personal introduction
*The saints are the call of people like you and me
*The work of grace is going to lead us on till eternity
*We must be able to live peacefully with each other and remove the blockages to experience the full peace of God
3 I thank my God every time I remember you.
*Appreciating one another's contribution and works in ministry (v4)
4 In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy
*Galatians 5:22: 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
*Remember to pray for our town, spouse, the sick, and ourselves
*We must desire the best for each other
*Philippians 1:6: 6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
7 It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart and, whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God’s grace with me.
*Affection in Jesus Christ (v8)
8 God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus.
*If we're concern for others, we should pray for them
*Knowledge through learning
*Insight through learning from others
*Producing fruit of righteouness
*Remembering one another and not taking them for granted
*We should have more of His grace as we interact with one another
*Working inclusive and exclusive of the Holy Spirit
Closing thoughts
*How to have more of Christ in us?
*Praying for all these to be realized
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
Rev Dr Timothy Ong
1st January 2012
*Passionate church- more of Jesus in our church
*Philippians 1:1: 1 Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all God’s holy people in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with the overseers and deacons
*Paul gives a personal introduction
*The saints are the call of people like you and me
*The work of grace is going to lead us on till eternity
*We must be able to live peacefully with each other and remove the blockages to experience the full peace of God
1. Praying for one another
*Remembering one another with thanksgiving to God (v3)3 I thank my God every time I remember you.
*Appreciating one another's contribution and works in ministry (v4)
4 In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy
*Galatians 5:22: 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
*Remember to pray for our town, spouse, the sick, and ourselves
*We must desire the best for each other
*Philippians 1:6: 6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
2.Our feeling towards one another (v7,8)
*Bonding and oneness in God's grace (v7)7 It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart and, whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God’s grace with me.
*Affection in Jesus Christ (v8)
8 God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus.
*If we're concern for others, we should pray for them
3. Our desire for each other (v9-11)
*Growing in the knowledge and insight of Christs' love*Knowledge through learning
*Insight through learning from others
*Producing fruit of righteouness
*Remembering one another and not taking them for granted
*We should have more of His grace as we interact with one another
*Working inclusive and exclusive of the Holy Spirit
Closing thoughts
*How to have more of Christ in us?
*Praying for all these to be realized
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
Live to Die
If we live, we live to the Lord; and
if we die, we die to the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to
the Lord.......
Thoughts on This Verse... We are the Lord's. He bought us out of bondage to sin and death. We have voluntarily placed our lives in his hands. No matter what we do or where we go, his grace goes with us. He has promised to never leave us. He has assured us that nothing can separate us from his love. So let's live with a sense of excited anticipation, looking to see where the Lord will lead us. Let us face difficulty, and even death, with the assurance that we will not face tough times alone. Even in the shadow of death, we don't have to fear what the evil can do. We are the Lord's.
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
But Joy comes in the morning
So do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help
you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. All who rage
against you will surely be ashamed and disgraced; those who oppose you
will be as nothing and perish.......
Thoughts on This Verse... Not only does God's blessing rest on us, his presence goes with us. We cannot ever be in a place where he is not with us (see Psalm 139). His presence and power will uphold us and strengthen us. No matter what may happen in and to our physical bodies or our physical worlds, in Jesus, God has given us the ultimate triumph over every enemy and all wickedness. Even Jesus' doubters and enemies will worship our Lord and kneel at his feet and will recognize that our faith is not only appropriate, but it is victorious. (cf. 1 Thess. 1)
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
Count your blessings
From the LORD comes deliverance. May
your blessing be on your people.......
Thoughts on This Verse... Deliverance does come from the LORD, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, our Father. So we ask him to bless us with his richest and greatest blessings. But, he has already given his people the very greatest blessing, the gift of his Son. Now if we will only acknowledge and appreciate that blessing.
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
Fear not, He has conquered death
| What
the wicked dreads will overtake him; what the righteous desire will be
granted.......
|
|
Thoughts on This Verse... The wicked fear the triumph of goodness, holiness, and righteousness. They fear not being in control. They fear death's overtaking them. The righteous desire the triumph of goodness, holiness, and righteousness. They offer their lives to be controlled by the Holy Spirit of God. They recognize death is an enemy, but one that has been conquered by their Savior. In times like these, isn't it comforting to know that the things that the wicked fear are really things that they can be sure of receiving!
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
Greater things have yet to come
However, as it is written:''No eye
has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared
for those who love him.''......
Thoughts on This Verse... Kids look forward to Christmas, Disneyland, and summer vacation. They imagine how great those things could be. Christians look forward to heaven and dream of seeing the Lord face to face, of being reunited with those we love who have gone home to the Lord before us, and of sharing in the glory of Jesus and his angels. But we can't even begin to imagine the great things that God has prepared for us. They are far more glorious than anything we can dream or imagine. So let's anticipate being surprised and live with passion for the cause of the Kingdom knowing that any loss, any wound, any trouble, will''not be worth comparing to the glory to be revealed in us'' (Rom. 8:18).
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
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