A BORNED saviour

''Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.''...... 

- Luke 2:11 -

Thoughts on This Verse... Look at all this verse tells us. Jesus is a descendant of David, the eternal king of promise. He is Savior of all peoples. He is Christ, the Messiah, the promised hope of Israel. He is Lord, the Savior of all people. The real question is whether we have decided that Jesus means all those things to us today. If he is not your Savior today, why not let him be? And if he is, then with whom do you need to share his grace?

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

Stronger than yesterday

Love the LORD, all his saints! The LORD preserves the faithful, but the proud he pays back in full. Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the LORD....... 

- Psalm 31:23-24 -

Thoughts on This Verse... Love the LORD! Be strong because of your hope in the LORD. In other words, recognize where your strength is. Acknowledge your source of grace. Give praise to God for his abundant mercy and power lavished on us through his Holy Spirit. The LORD God does preserve his people. He does honor faithfulness even if it is mocked in this world. The LORD will bless his people and deal justly with those who mock and abuse them.

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

Fear

Fear often shows up in our lives when we are at risk of losing something- our wealth, health, reputation, position, safety, family, friends. It reveals our innate desire to protect the things in life that are important to us, rather than fully entrusting them to God's care and control. When fear takes over, it cripples us emotionally and saps us spiritually. We're afraid to tell others about Christ, to extend our lives and resources for the benefit of others, or to venture into new territory. A fearful spirit is more vulnerable to the enemy, who tempts us to compromise biblical convictions and to take matters into our own hands.

The remedy for fear, of course, is trust in our Creator: Only when we trust the reality of God's presence, power, protection, and provision for our lives can we share the joy of the psalmist, who said, "I sought the Lord, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears"

Of David. When he pretended to be insane before Abimelek, who drove him away, and he left.
 ¹ I will extol the LORD at all times;
   his praise will always be on my lips.
² I will glory in the LORD;
   let the afflicted hear and rejoice.
³ Glorify the LORD with me;
   let us exalt his name together.
 ⁴ I sought the LORD, and he answered me;
   he delivered me from all my fears.
⁵ Those who look to him are radiant;
   their faces are never covered with shame.
⁶ This poor man called, and the LORD heard him;
   he saved him out of all his troubles.
⁷ The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him,
   and he delivers them.
 ⁸ Taste and see that the LORD is good;
   blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.
⁹ Fear the LORD, you his holy people,
   for those who fear him lack nothing.
¹⁰ The lions may grow weak and hungry,
   but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing.

-Psalm 34:1-10-


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

Good riddance

The way of the LORD is a refuge for the righteous, but it is the ruin of those who do evil....... 

- Proverbs 10:29 -

Thoughts on This Verse... What is your source of security, hope, and protection? The way of the Lord is a refuge, a strength, a place of security! Let's make sure we live our lives there, knowing that God's commands and demands for righteousness are for our protection as well as his glory.

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

Think before you act

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says....... 

- James 1:22 -

Thoughts on This Verse... ''The proof of the pudding is in the eating.'' The proof of biblical wisdom and understanding is in the living. To simply know the truth doesn't mean a whole lot if we don't do anything with that knowledge; to live the truth is everything. (cf. Matthew 7)

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

Green green grass throws my troubles away

He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake....... 

- Psalm 23:2-3 -

Thoughts on This Verse... Some of us won't slow down for anything! Well, almost anything. When we get''too full ourselves'' and too caught up in our own plans, the LORD, our Shepherd, slows us down and makes us lie down. Our Shepherd knows we need rest, nourishment, and refreshment and helps us, yes and even sometimes makes us, find''green pastures'' and''still waters.'' He then leads us in the direction of his righteousness and holiness once we are rested and refreshed. Isn't it interesting that God's order for our life is always grace and then glory?

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

Be ready to answer

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

- 1 Peter 3:15 -

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

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

Boasting is not cool, yo

Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring forth....... 

- Proverbs 27:1 -

Thoughts on This Verse... Humility about the future! We don't control tomorrow. At other times in our lives we may have taken tomorrow for granted; not so anymore. Tomorrow may not come. Tomorrow something horrible could happen. Tomorrow everything we possess could be gone. In the face of these discouraging possibilities, is there anything positive we can hold onto? Absolutely! We know that God holds tomorrow in his hands. We know that because our life is hidden with Christ in God (cf. Col. 3:1-4) our tomorrow is secure. It might not be what we expect. It might not go as we planned. But, it will go as God determines and it will end up with us sharing in his comfort, victory, and glory.


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

Brocode

And he has given us this command: Whoever loves God must also love his brother....... 

- 1 John 4:21 -

Thoughts on This Verse... For over a week, John has reminded us again and again. We must love our brothers and sisters in Christ. This reminder, however, is the clincher. If we love God, then we must love his children and our brothers and sisters in Christ. Notice that the word isn't''should'' or''will try'' or''want to.'' No, we must. The Bible is careful not to put many''must do'' or''thou shalt'' commands in Scripture. But God's point is clear. Love of each other is not optional, negotiable, or even something to be delayed. God sent Jesus to die for the sins of all of God's children. How can we not love those for whom Christ gave so much? As Paul will say to the Corinthians,''God's love compels us!'' We MUST love.

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

Doing as Jesus Did

Rev Yong Wai Yin

Kampar Wesley Methodist Church

22nd February 2012

*Jesus is very human
*How did He treat people with grace after His cousin's (John the Baptist) death
*Ash Wednesday- a time for self- reflection and self- examination the life that Jesus went through
*We would really want to let go and let God
*We can imitate the styles of superstars but can't get the results because they did not spend enough time perfecting
*It is the same with us. We would struggle to go through like how Jesus went through because we did not have the practice of solitude and prayer
*The solitude time enable us to speak, listen and to listen = prayer
*Jesus had an intimate conversation because God must affirmed Jesus. In the same way, humans need to be affirmed
*This affirmation shapes us to respond in situations Jesus went through
*Jesus calls us to rest with Him
*We might not be actively doing but struggling with our own issues. That uses energy
*Jesus calls us to do more than rest. He ask us to follow the ways of God without getting burnout
*Gentleness- too little or too much anger. Jesus is like a huge american footballer's hands holding a baby
*Jesus is strong but when dealing with us, he is gentle and knows exactly how we feel
*Jesus is also humble. Humility is acknowledging the truth and giving credit rightfully
*Jesus is as much concern with our workplace than us but when we do that with Him, this burdens would not overload or it would train us in a way that we would not burnout
*He would mould, guide and lead us
*We cannot do without spiritual  discipline
*Reading God's word is to know God better and act in His own circumstances
*It brings an openness for God to shape us
*We should pay attention to the practices
*Admit that we need help
*If nothing happens, we do need to judge
*God the Father would do that He knows best for you
*Repentance- turn or return to the Lord


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

Speak up, stand up!

Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute....... 

- Proverbs 31:8 -

Thoughts on This Verse... God's people in every era are called to defend the rights of the weak, speak up for the disenfranchised, and protect the lives of those who are vulnerable. This comprehensive call is the great reminder that the blessings, rights, wealth, and power we may have is not ours alone; it is a gift from God to be used to bless those who have no power to speak, to defend, or to protect themselves.

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

Slow to anger

The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love....... 

- Psalm 103:8 -

Thoughts on This Verse... God is holy, righteous, and just. But, as important as these qualities are, he reveals them within his compassion, graciousness, patience, and overflowing mercy and love. We cannot only obey, worship, and reverently respect God; we can also love, appreciate, and adore him! Maybe the greatest challenge, however, is to reflect the character of God in our own lives in the ways that we interact with other people as well as the ways that we view him!

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

lack in nothing bad

The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing....... 

- Psalm 34:10 -

Thoughts on This Verse... While even the fiercest hunters cannot ensure their security and nourishment, those whose hunger is for God will find themselves nourished, blessed, and sustained.

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

Too demanding?

''His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!'''...... 

- Matthew 25:21 -

Thoughts on This Verse... We want it all now! We don't want to have to wait for anything. But God has a principle that is absolutely vital: we will be entrusted with much only after we have been faithful with a little. So let's not discount those moral choices about''small and inconsequential matters.'' How we handle these reveals who we are and helps determine what we become.

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

Love God. God love

And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him....... 

- 1 John 4:16 -

Thoughts on This Verse... We can be sure that God loves us. He wants us to live in and be blessed by his love. That love is more than just the grace that reaches us when we are saved. God's love extends through us. His love is redemptive in our loving behavior to others. His presence is seen in our loving attitudes and deeds. God wants his love to be shared by us to others. In this way, his love blesses us when we receive it and also when we share it!

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

Old Familiarities vs New Challenges

19 February 2012

Rev Ting Moy Hong

Ruth 1:1-18:

Ruth 1

Naomi Loses Her Husband and Sons

 ¹ In the days when the judges ruled,^[a] there was a famine in the land. So a man from Bethlehem in Judah, together with his wife and two sons, went to live for a while in the country of Moab. ² The man’s name was Elimelek, his wife’s name was Naomi, and the names of his two sons were Mahlon and Kilion. They were Ephrathites from Bethlehem, Judah. And they went to Moab and lived there.  ³ Now Elimelek, Naomi’s husband, died, and she was left with her two sons. ⁴ They married Moabite women, one named Orpah and the other Ruth. After they had lived there about ten years, ⁵ both Mahlon and Kilion also died, and Naomi was left without her two sons and her husband.

Naomi and Ruth Return to Bethlehem

 ⁶ When Naomi heard in Moab that the LORD had come to the aid of his people by providing food for them, she and her daughters-in-law prepared to return home from there. ⁷ With her two daughters-in-law she left the place where she had been living and set out on the road that would take them back to the land of Judah.  ⁸ Then Naomi said to her two daughters-in-law, “Go back, each of you, to your mother’s home. May the LORD show you kindness, as you have shown kindness to your dead husbands and to me. ⁹ May the LORD grant that each of you will find rest in the home of another husband.”
   Then she kissed them goodbye and they wept aloud ¹⁰ and said to her, “We will go back with you to your people.”
 ¹¹ But Naomi said, “Return home, my daughters. Why would you come with me? Am I going to have any more sons, who could become your husbands? ¹² Return home, my daughters; I am too old to have another husband. Even if I thought there was still hope for me—even if I had a husband tonight and then gave birth to sons— ¹³ would you wait until they grew up? Would you remain unmarried for them? No, my daughters. It is more bitter for me than for you, because the LORD’s hand has turned against me!”
 ¹⁴ At this they wept aloud again. Then Orpah kissed her mother-in-law goodbye, but Ruth clung to her.
 ¹⁵ “Look,” said Naomi, “your sister-in-law is going back to her people and her gods. Go back with her.”
 ¹⁶ But Ruth replied, “Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. ¹⁷ Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried. May the LORD deal with me, be it ever so severely, if even death separates you and me.” ¹⁸ When Naomi realized that Ruth was determined to go with her, she stopped urging her.

*God was nevertheless with them
v19-  ¹⁹ So the two women went on until they came to Bethlehem. When they arrived in Bethlehem, the whole town was stirred because of them, and the women exclaimed, “Can this be Naomi?”

*We may go through familiar places but we have grown and changed our perceptions towards the world
*The whole town STIRRED  because of them
*Sinical question "Can this be Naomi? (Her name was meant pleasant)
*Naomi looks aged and unhappy
*She return as no long the same Naomi
*They pose her a new challenge
*People will gossip and the challenge is her response
*Mara- a deep sense of bitterness for us and Naomi
v20-21- ²⁰ “Don’t call me Naomi,” she told them. “Call me Mara, because the Almighty has made my life very bitter. ²¹ I went away full, but the LORD has brought me back empty. Why call me Naomi? The LORD has afflicted me; the Almighty has brought misfortune upon me.”
 
she addressed God as the Almighty= El Shaddai- brought bitterness but yet she is familiar with Him
*She is faced with the challenge of how she would handle the Shaddai that has afflicted her
*Another person that has affected badly by Shaddai- Joab
*2/3 of the psalms are psalms of lamentation (complains) and refer God as Shaddai
*Experiences allows us to think again whether we really know Him and allows us to suffer and make us bitter
*Almighty God suppose to bring us happiness but we may wonder if He can also bring us affliction
*Ruth wants to go the Naomi's returning home in Bethelehem
*Familiar with Naomi but not Ruth, the Moabite (non-Jew)
*Moabite wants to be and was given the choice to be with a Jew
*Makes the Jews rethink those who are not our kind
*Familiarity leads stability but we must accept the differences out of our comfort zone too
*We must allow Him to bring challenges to question whether we really believe Him.

If not, we will continue to be in a familiar zone

*The greatest challenge for Naomi is really herself
*We may be familiar with our talents and capabilities but maybe, we are the chosen ones
*We should allow God into our lives and ask Him what He wants us to do in our lives
*WE need to let God stretch us then can we change
*God is more interested in you than your works
*Naomi has a new understanding on the person she call- Shaddai
*This Shaddai will change us in ways beyond our understanding
Ruth 2:1-3:

Ruth 2

Ruth Meets Boaz in the Grain Field

 ¹ Now Naomi had a relative on her husband’s side, a man of standing from the clan of Elimelek, whose name was Boaz.  ² And Ruth the Moabite said to Naomi, “Let me go to the fields and pick up the leftover grain behind anyone in whose eyes I find favor.”
   Naomi said to her, “Go ahead, my daughter.” ³ So she went out, entered a field and began to glean behind the harvesters. As it turned out, she was working in a field belonging to Boaz, who was from the clan of Elimelek.

- Seasons come , seasons go but life goes on
 *We might not know because we can't see God's plan yet
*The invisible hand of God is at work before you know it
 *We need to open our eyes in His works
*We need God to let us be out of our comfort zone
*So our hearts need to be prepared

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

Abide in Me and I in Him

As for you, the anointing you received from him [the Spirit] remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about all things and as that anointing is real, not counterfeit - just as it has taught you, remain in him....... 

- 1 John 2:27 -

Thoughts on This Verse... When we became Christians, we were not only cleansed by the Holy Spirit; we were also filled with the Holy Spirit. John speaks of this as our anointing. The Spirit helps us hear the truth about Jesus and keeps us from surrendering that truth to false teaching that would diminish either side of Jesus' identity -- Jesus,''God with us'' or''God like us.'' We abide in Jesus when we hold on to both of these incredible truths.


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

Look up

When you are knocked off your feet by life's difficulties, remember that "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble" -Psalm 46:1

When trouble knocks us down, we can look up. God is there. He understands and cares. It is not easy, but we can trust Him to help us get back on our feet again.

 Psalm 116:1-6:  

  ¹ I love the LORD, for he heard my voice;
   he heard my cry for mercy.
² Because he turned his ear to me,
   I will call on him as long as I live.
 ³ The cords of death entangled me,
   the anguish of the grave came over me;
   I was overcome by distress and sorrow.
⁴ Then I called on the name of the LORD:
   “LORD, save me!”
 ⁵ The LORD is gracious and righteous;
   our God is full of compassion.
⁶ The LORD protects the unwary;
   when I was brought low, he saved me.

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

Can't get enough?

 Unfortunately, enough is never enough.

We need the power of Christ to break the cycle so that we can say with Paul, "I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content" -Philippians 4:11

Learning contentment requires practice
"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" v13

Philippians 4:10-20:

Thanks for Their Gifts

 ¹⁰ I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. ¹¹ I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. ¹² I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. ¹³ I can do all this through him who gives me strength.  ¹⁴ Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles. ¹⁵ Moreover, as you Philippians know, in the early days of your acquaintance with the gospel, when I set out from Macedonia, not one church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you only; ¹⁶ for even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me aid more than once when I was in need. ¹⁷ Not that I desire your gifts; what I desire is that more be credited to your account. ¹⁸ I have received full payment and have more than enough. I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. ¹⁹ And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.
 ²⁰ To our God and Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

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

He watches

He will not let your foot slip -- he who watches over you will not slumber; ..........

- Psalm 121:3 -

 Thoughts on This Verse... I still remember when my children were little. I would sneak in and watch them sleep. Sometimes it was to check on them when they were sick. Sometimes it was to just sit and pray for them, joining the Lord as he watched over them while they slept. Sometimes it was to bathe myself in the grace and wonder of God's love for giving me such blessings. Even now that they are much older, I still love to look in on them and pray for them -- on those rare nights we share the same roof -- marveling at the wonder of these precious gifts from the Father. To know that my Abba Father looks at me in the same way, but with even greater delight and joy, fills me with unspeakable wonder.

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

Sharp as a sword

For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart....... 

- Hebrews 4:12 -

Thoughts on This Verse... What is the greatest tool to repair the human heart? ... by-pass surgery? ... angioplasty? ... artificial heart? ... transplant? How about the Word of God? You see, while these other techniques can be of great aid to the physical heart of people, God's tool for heart surgery is his Word. This sharp scalpel can reach the soul and spirit as well as being a physical blessing. So how much of your heart are you offering to God and his powerful heart-healing tool to touch? As you open God's Scripture, as you hear the message of God preached, why not ask for the Holy Spirit's help to help you understand, apply, and put into practice what is being taught? Let's offer our hearts to the Great Physician to do his work in us!


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

Real hope?

In you, O LORD, I have taken refuge; let me never be put to shame; deliver me in your righteousness....... 

- Psalm 31:1 -

 Thoughts on This Verse... When all the clutter is stripped away, what is your real hope? When you push aside the diplomas, awards, accolades, and honors, what is the basis of your significance? Only One endures forever! Only God guarantees that our life is significant. Only our Savior can provide for us a place where our valuables won't decay and aren't stolen and won't rot. So let's not place our treasures or our hopes in anyone but the LORD.

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

blessed beyond imagination

The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want....... 

- Psalm 23:1 -

Thoughts on This Verse... A sheep is only as good as its shepherd. We are incredibly blessed!

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

Love is in the air

In this way, love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment, because in this world we are like him....... 

- 1 John 4:17 -

Thoughts on This Verse... Because of what Jesus has done for us, when we live for God lovingly, we can have confidence in the face of death and before God at judgment. Our confidence is not in our efforts, but in our Savior. His love has not only redeemed us; it has changed us. His love is not only a gift to us, but it is a gift through us. We can be confident because we know that Jesus' life is present in us until we can stand with him in the presence of our Father.



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

fear in love

There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love....... 

- 1 John 4:18 -

Thoughts on This Verse... There are many kinds of fear. Some of these are legitimate. Others are imagined. Still others are irrational. Thankfully, as Christians, we don't have to be afraid of the one crucial event in our lives -- judgment. God's love saves us, empowers us, blesses us, works in us, and touches others through us. Most of all, having experienced this love, we can cast fear out of our hearts because we know where we stand with God. He is our loving Father who longs to bring us home!

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

Knowing Christ and its defining effects

Rev Ting Moy Hong

Philippians 3:1-11:

No Confidence in the Flesh

 ¹ Further, my brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord! It is no trouble for me to write the same things to you again, and it is a safeguard for you. ² Watch out for those dogs, those evildoers, those mutilators of the flesh. ³ For it is we who are the circumcision, we who serve God by his Spirit, who boast in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh— ⁴ though I myself have reasons for such confidence.    If someone else thinks they have reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: ⁵ circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; ⁶ as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for righteousness based on the law, faultless.
 ⁷ But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. ⁸ What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ ⁹ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith. ¹⁰ I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, ¹¹ and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.

12 Feb 2012

*Keep time for the important things in life
*Don't mind saying these things again because it is important
*Paul called Jewish Christian dogs because of their emphasis and self reliant on the laws

*Psalm 14:4-6: ⁴ Do all these evildoers know nothing?
   They devour my people as though eating bread;
   they never call on the LORD.
⁵ But there they are, overwhelmed with dread,
   for God is present in the company of the righteous.
⁶ You evildoers frustrate the plans of the poor,
   but the LORD is their refuge.

*It would be harmful if the focus is turn away from God
*Circumcision has no value in our outward sign
Circumcision
*Deuteronomy 10:13-16:

¹³ and to observe the LORD’s commands and decrees that I am giving you today for your own good?  ¹⁴ To the LORD your God belong the heavens, even the highest heavens, the earth and everything in it. ¹⁵ Yet the LORD set his affection on your ancestors and loved them, and he chose you, their descendants, above all the nations—as it is today. ¹⁶ Circumcise your hearts, therefore, and do not be stiff-necked any longer.

*Jeremiah 4:4: ⁴ Circumcise yourselves to the LORD,
   circumcise your hearts,
   you people of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem,
or my wrath will flare up and burn like fire
   because of the evil you have done—
   burn with no one to quench it.

*Deuteronomy 30:6: ⁶ The LORD your God will circumcise your hearts and the hearts of your descendants, so that you may love him with all your heart and with all your soul, and live.

*Romans 2:28-29: ²⁸ A person is not a Jew who is one only outwardly, nor is circumcision merely outward and physical. ²⁹ No, a person is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code. Such a person’s praise is not from other people, but from God.

*Galatians 5:16-25: ¹⁶ So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. ¹⁷ For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. ¹⁸ But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
 ¹⁹ The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; ²⁰ idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions ²¹ and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.
 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. ²⁴ Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. ²⁵ Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.

*From nobody to somebody in Christ
*v4-6- Paul is talking about himself
*Paul obeyed every single law-who could have been
*Paul has such confidence nobody has had before
*Surely knowing Christ is something so precious to him
*To differentiate what is important
*Does our daily lives reflect on God living in us?
*v10-11-Coming back to the base- the suffering and resurrection
*No resurrection, no death
*No easter, no good friday
*We need to face death in other things so that Christ can be ushered in our lives
*How does knowing Jesus Christ effect our lives?
*Have we known Christ?


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

Till death not do us part

John 11:1-26:

The Death of Lazarus

 ¹ Now a man named Lazarus was sick. He was from Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. ² (This Mary, whose brother Lazarus now lay sick, was the same one who poured perfume on the Lord and wiped his feet with her hair.) ³ So the sisters sent word to Jesus, “Lord, the one you love is sick.”  ⁴ When he heard this, Jesus said, “This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God’s glory so that God’s Son may be glorified through it.” ⁵ Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. ⁶ So when he heard that Lazarus was sick, he stayed where he was two more days, ⁷ and then he said to his disciples, “Let us go back to Judea.”
 ⁸ “But Rabbi,” they said, “a short while ago the Jews there tried to stone you, and yet you are going back?”
 ⁹ Jesus answered, “Are there not twelve hours of daylight? Anyone who walks in the daytime will not stumble, for they see by this world’s light. ¹⁰ It is when a person walks at night that they stumble, for they have no light.”
 ¹¹ After he had said this, he went on to tell them, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I am going there to wake him up.”
 ¹² His disciples replied, “Lord, if he sleeps, he will get better.” ¹³ Jesus had been speaking of his death, but his disciples thought he meant natural sleep.
 ¹⁴ So then he told them plainly, “Lazarus is dead, ¹⁵ and for your sake I am glad I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him.”
 ¹⁶ Then Thomas (also known as Didymus) said to the rest of the disciples, “Let us also go, that we may die with him.”

Jesus Comforts the Sisters of Lazarus

 ¹⁷ On his arrival, Jesus found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days. ¹⁸ Now Bethany was less than two miles from Jerusalem, ¹⁹ and many Jews had come to Martha and Mary to comfort them in the loss of their brother. ²⁰ When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went out to meet him, but Mary stayed at home.  ²¹ “Lord,” Martha said to Jesus, “if you had been here, my brother would not have died. ²² But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask.”
 ²³ Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.”
 ²⁴ Martha answered, “I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.”
 ²⁵ Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; ²⁶ and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?”

*Lazarus' sickness will bring glory to God
*Lazarus will physically be dead
*Jesus use the word sleep because there would be an awakening
*v14
*When we have a relationship with Jesus and die, we go with Him
*Christians pass on from earth to be where Jesus is
*v23
*v25- Jesus was telling about his own resurrection
*We seek comfort in knowing that we have given our best, our attention for our loved one
*Trusting God to complete the love we have for our dear ones
*Luke 23:26: ²⁶ As the soldiers led him away, they seized Simon from Cyrene, who was on his way in from the country, and put the cross on him and made him carry it behind Jesus.

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

Following Christ

Rev Dr Timothy Ong

29 Jan 2012

*Relate in the way we think and react to each other
*How can we be more of Christ in our thinking and doing

Psalm 139
For the director of music. Of David. A psalm. ¹ You have searched me, LORD,
   and you know me.
² You know when I sit and when I rise;
   you perceive my thoughts from afar.
³ You discern my going out and my lying down;
   you are familiar with all my ways.
⁴ Before a word is on my tongue
   you, LORD, know it completely.
⁵ You hem me in behind and before,
   and you lay your hand upon me.
⁶ Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
   too lofty for me to attain.
 ⁷ Where can I go from your Spirit?
   Where can I flee from your presence?
⁸ If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
   if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
⁹ If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
   if I settle on the far side of the sea,
¹⁰ even there your hand will guide me,
   your right hand will hold me fast.
¹¹ If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me
   and the light become night around me,”
¹² even the darkness will not be dark to you;
   the night will shine like the day,
   for darkness is as light to you.
 ¹³ For you created my inmost being;
   you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
¹⁴ I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
   your works are wonderful,
   I know that full well.
¹⁵ My frame was not hidden from you
   when I was made in the secret place,
   when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.
¹⁶ Your eyes saw my unformed body;
   all the days ordained for me were written in your book
   before one of them came to be.
¹⁷ How precious to me are your thoughts, God!
   How vast is the sum of them!
¹⁸ Were I to count them,
   they would outnumber the grains of sand—
   when I awake, I am still with you.
 ¹⁹ If only you, God, would slay the wicked!
   Away from me, you who are bloodthirsty!
²⁰ They speak of you with evil intent;
   your adversaries misuse your name.
²¹ Do I not hate those who hate you, LORD,
   and abhor those who are in rebellion against you?
²² I have nothing but hatred for them;
   I count them my enemies.
²³ Search me, God, and know my heart;
   test me and know my anxious thoughts.
²⁴ See if there is any offensive way in me,
   and lead me in the way everlasting.

-Crafted by God. Our identity, way of life
- we must have Jesus in our life because our life cannot walk alone
*We should have the mindset and thinking like Jesus, to live like Him
*The status of your life on earth has not changed but we begin to relate more to people surrounding your life
*Meaning of fear and trembling-seriousness of being like Christ
*Fearful of failing God who has been at work with us and making us more Christlike
*We complain because we do not get what we want
*We must uphold our weaknesses to Jesus Christ
*Our focus must always be on Jesus
*Crooked and depraved generation because they have been deprived of Jesus
*They feel depress and longing to hear some real good news that will bring life to them
*We've got the good news
*He said that He will never leave nor abandon us
*A beacon of light= comfort, purpose
*If we are able to be more like Jesus Christ, it is worth everything
*In becoming more like Jesus Christ, we must put our ego self away and constantly live in awareness of Christ presence with us in all that we do and think


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

On The Threshold of God's Work

Joshua 5:1-15: ¹ Now when all the Amorite kings west of the Jordan and all the Canaanite kings along the coast heard how the LORD had dried up the Jordan before the Israelites until they had crossed over, their hearts melted in fear and they no longer had the courage to face the Israelites.

Circumcision and Passover at Gilgal

 ² At that time the LORD said to Joshua, “Make flint knives and circumcise the Israelites again.” ³ So Joshua made flint knives and circumcised the Israelites at Gibeath Haaraloth.  ⁴ Now this is why he did so: All those who came out of Egypt—all the men of military age—died in the wilderness on the way after leaving Egypt. ⁵ All the people that came out had been circumcised, but all the people born in the wilderness during the journey from Egypt had not. ⁶ The Israelites had moved about in the wilderness forty years until all the men who were of military age when they left Egypt had died, since they had not obeyed the LORD. For the LORD had sworn to them that they would not see the land he had solemnly promised their ancestors to give us, a land flowing with milk and honey. ⁷ So he raised up their sons in their place, and these were the ones Joshua circumcised. They were still uncircumcised because they had not been circumcised on the way. ⁸ And after the whole nation had been circumcised, they remained where they were in camp until they were healed.
 ⁹ Then the LORD said to Joshua, “Today I have rolled away the reproach of Egypt from you.” So the place has been called Gilgal to this day.
 ¹⁰ On the evening of the fourteenth day of the month, while camped at Gilgal on the plains of Jericho, the Israelites celebrated the Passover. ¹¹ The day after the Passover, that very day, they ate some of the produce of the land: unleavened bread and roasted grain. ¹² The manna stopped the day after they ate this food from the land; there was no longer any manna for the Israelites, but that year they ate the produce of Canaan.

The Fall of Jericho

 ¹³ Now when Joshua was near Jericho, he looked up and saw a man standing in front of him with a drawn sword in his hand. Joshua went up to him and asked, “Are you for us or for our enemies?”  ¹⁴ “Neither,” he replied, “but as commander of the army of the LORD I have now come.” Then Joshua fell facedown to the ground in reverence, and asked him, “What message does my Lord^[e] have for his servant?”
 ¹⁵ The commander of the LORD’s army replied, “Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy.” And Joshua did so.

Introduction
Israel renews the covenant before experiencing the fullness of God's work
*Nation of Israel found themselves that a promise land is for them
*God's promises was on them
*Joshua 3:8: ⁸ Tell the priests who carry the ark of the covenant: ‘When you reach the edge of the Jordan’s waters, go and stand in the river.’”

*As we wait for God's revival and for God to act in and through our lives

Explanation
God prepared the people of Israel to enter the Promised Lang through: 
i) An Act of Deliverance
Joshua 3:14-17: ¹⁴ So when the people broke camp to cross the Jordan, the priests carrying the ark of the covenant went ahead of them. ¹⁵ Now the Jordan is at flood stage all during harvest. Yet as soon as the priests who carried the ark reached the Jordan and their feet touched the water’s edge, ¹⁶ the water from upstream stopped flowing. It piled up in a heap a great distance away, at a town called Adam in the vicinity of Zarethan, while the water flowing down to the Sea of the Arabah (that is, the Dead Sea) was completely cut off. So the people crossed over opposite Jericho. ¹⁷ The priests who carried the ark of the covenant of the LORD stopped in the middle of the Jordan and stood on dry ground, while all Israel passed by until the whole nation had completed the crossing on dry ground.

Joshua 4:19-24: ¹⁹ On the tenth day of the first month the people went up from the Jordan and camped at Gilgal on the eastern border of Jericho. ²⁰ And Joshua set up at Gilgal the twelve stones they had taken out of the Jordan. ²¹ He said to the Israelites, “In the future when your descendants ask their parents, ‘What do these stones mean?’ ²² tell them, ‘Israel crossed the Jordan on dry ground.’ ²³ For the LORD your God dried up the Jordan before you until you had crossed over. The LORD your God did to the Jordan what he had done to the Red Sea when he dried it up before us until we had crossed over. ²⁴ He did this so that all the peoples of the earth might know that the hand of the LORD is powerful and so that you might always fear the LORD your God.”

*1st generation rejected the promised land
*2nd generation must now accept
ii) Circumcision and Celebration
Joshua 5:2-10:

Circumcision and Passover at Gilgal

 ² At that time the LORD said to Joshua, “Make flint knives and circumcise the Israelites again.” ³ So Joshua made flint knives and circumcised the Israelites at Gibeath Haaraloth.  ⁴ Now this is why he did so: All those who came out of Egypt—all the men of military age—died in the wilderness on the way after leaving Egypt. ⁵ All the people that came out had been circumcised, but all the people born in the wilderness during the journey from Egypt had not. ⁶ The Israelites had moved about in the wilderness forty years until all the men who were of military age when they left Egypt had died, since they had not obeyed the LORD. For the LORD had sworn to them that they would not see the land he had solemnly promised their ancestors to give us, a land flowing with milk and honey. ⁷ So he raised up their sons in their place, and these were the ones Joshua circumcised. They were still uncircumcised because they had not been circumcised on the way. ⁸ And after the whole nation had been circumcised, they remained where they were in camp until they were healed.
 ⁹ Then the LORD said to Joshua, “Today I have rolled away the reproach of Egypt from you.” So the place has been called Gilgal to this day.
 ¹⁰ On the evening of the fourteenth day of the month, while camped at Gilgal on the plains of Jericho, the Israelites celebrated the Passover.

*Circumcision was for them as an act of faith
*Made no military sense because circumcising all soldiers would make no one able to fight
*God wanted to show He would protect them and to trust Him alone
iii)Provision in the Promised Land
Joshua 5:11-12: ¹¹ The day after the Passover, that very day, they ate some of the produce of the land: unleavened bread and roasted grain. ¹² The manna stopped the day after^[a] they ate this food from the land; there was no longer any manna for the Israelites, but that year they ate the produce of Canaan.

*Israelites started to realize the reality
*Move from desert provision to real food
*Started to see the blessings of God from temporary to permanent

Application
We look forward to God's work in the new year by:
1. Remembering our identity as God's chosen people
-Having being delivers from death, we now have a spiritual circumcision in Christ
Romans 2:28-29: ²⁸ A person is not a Jew who is one only outwardly, nor is circumcision merely outward and physical. ²⁹ No, a person is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code. Such a person’s praise is not from other people, but from God.

Colossians 2:1: ¹¹ In him you were also circumcised with a circumcision not performed by human hands. Your whole self ruled by the flesh was put off when you were circumcised by Christ,

-Act of faith: to be "circumcised" or set apart is to be vulnerable
Joshua 5:8: ⁸ And after the whole nation had been circumcised, they remained where they were in camp until they were healed.

Luke 14:33: ³³ In the same way, those of you who do not give up everything you have cannot be my disciples.

-Whatever that is replacing Christ will be taken away
-An act of renewal: God's rolls away our former shame
Joshua 5:9: ⁹ Then the LORD said to Joshua, “Today I have rolled away the reproach of Egypt from you.” So the place has been called Gilgal to this day.

2 Corinthians 5:17: ¹⁷ Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!

-Other people might ask you your hope and identity
*Our identity can be replaced and diminished when we do not come back and remember our past/familiar identity
*We have a spiritual instead of physical circumcision
*We need God's spirit to cleanse and circumcise or heart and mind
*We need to experience this first-hand

2. Living under God's Promise
-Blessedness and Calling
Joshua 1:1-5:

Joshua Installed as Leader

 ¹ After the death of Moses the servant of the LORD, the LORD said to Joshua son of Nun, Moses’ aide: ² “Moses my servant is dead. Now then, you and all these people, get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land I am about to give to them—to the Israelites. ³ I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses. ⁴ Your territory will extend from the desert to Lebanon, and from the great river, the Euphrates—all the Hittite country—to the Mediterranean Sea in the west. ⁵ No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.

Matthew 5:1-16:

Introduction to the Sermon on the Mount

 ¹ Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, ² and he began to teach them.

The Beatitudes

    He said:    ³ “Blessed are the poor in spirit,
   for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
⁴ Blessed are those who mourn,
   for they will be comforted.
⁵ Blessed are the meek,
   for they will inherit the earth.
⁶ Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
   for they will be filled.
⁷ Blessed are the merciful,
   for they will be shown mercy.
⁸ Blessed are the pure in heart,
   for they will see God.
⁹ Blessed are the peacemakers,
   for they will be called children of God.
¹⁰ Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
   for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
   ¹¹ “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. ¹² Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Salt and Light

    ¹³ “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.    ¹⁴ “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. ¹⁵ Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. ¹⁶ In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
 
-God's faithful provision
Joshua 5:11-12: ¹¹ The day after the Passover, that very day, they ate some of the produce of the land: unleavened bread and roasted grain. ¹² The manna stopped the day after they ate this food from the land; there was no longer any manna for the Israelites, but that year they ate the produce of Canaan.

Matthew 6:31-33:

³¹ So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ ³² For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. ³³ But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

 

-Faithfully line up our calling
Matthew 5:3-10:  ³ “Blessed are the poor in spirit,
   for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
⁴ Blessed are those who mourn,
   for they will be comforted.
⁵ Blessed are the meek,
   for they will inherit the earth.
⁶ Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
   for they will be filled.
⁷ Blessed are the merciful,
   for they will be shown mercy.
⁸ Blessed are the pure in heart,
   for they will see God.
⁹ Blessed are the peacemakers,
   for they will be called children of God.
¹⁰ Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
   for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Isaiah 43:1-3:

Israel’s Only Savior

 ¹ But now, this is what the LORD says—
   he who created you, Jacob,
   he who formed you, Israel:
“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
   I have summoned you by name; you are mine.
² When you pass through the waters,
   I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers,
   they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire,
   you will not be burned;
   the flames will not set you ablaze.
³ For I am the LORD your God,
   the Holy One of Israel, your Savior;
I give Egypt for your ransom,
   Cush and Seba in your stead.

3. Aligning ourselves with God to experience His Victory
-The only sure victory is God's victory
Joshua 3:9-11: ⁹ Joshua said to the Israelites, “Come here and listen to the words of the LORD your God. ¹⁰ This is how you will know that the living God is among you and that he will certainly drive out before you the Canaanites, Hittites, Hivites, Perizzites, Girgashites, Amorites and Jebusites. ¹¹ See, the ark of the covenant of the Lord of all the earth will go into the Jordan ahead of you.

1 Corinthians 15:22-26: ²² For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. ²³ But each in turn: Christ, the firstfruits; then, when he comes, those who belong to him. ²⁴ Then the end will come, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father after he has destroyed all dominion, authority and power. ²⁵ For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. ²⁶ The last enemy to be destroyed is death.

-Joshua could not presume on God' he needed to make sure he was in line with God's purposes
Joshua 5:13-15:

The Fall of Jericho

 ¹³ Now when Joshua was near Jericho, he looked up and saw a man standing in front of him with a drawn sword in his hand. Joshua went up to him and asked, “Are you for us or for our enemies?”  ¹⁴ “Neither,” he replied, “but as commander of the army of the LORD I have now come.” Then Joshua fell facedown to the ground in reverence, and asked him, “What message does my Lord have for his servant?”
 ¹⁵ The commander of the LORD’s army replied, “Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy.” And Joshua did so.

-We often assume that God is on our side rather than submitting ourselves to God
*We have to experience and believe God's deliverance for us
*Do not live in fear/bondages of the world but freedom to obey Christ's work
*In facing uncertainties of new year, we must exercise trust
*The world may past away, but my words will never past away 

A Final Word
To be on the threshold of God's work is to be renewed in our covenant relationship with God
Joshua 3:5: ⁵ Joshua told the people, “Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the LORD will do amazing things among you.”

The concern was not if they had the best weapons but if they had the favor of God
Romans 8:31b-33: If God is for us, who can be against us? ³² 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? ³³ Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies.
 

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

Imperfect flaws

 Sometimes it is easier for us to understand people who aren't perfect because we know that WE are imperfect

Yet by God's grace we can overcome those imperfections by embracing His "strength (which) is made perfect in weakness" - 2 Corinthians 12:9


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

God is good, all the time!

Psalm 100

A psalm. For giving grateful praise. ¹ Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth.
 ² Worship the LORD with gladness;
   come before him with joyful songs.
³ Know that the LORD is God.
   It is he who made us, and we are his;
   we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.
 ⁴ Enter his gates with thanksgiving
   and his courts with praise;
   give thanks to him and praise his name.
⁵ For the LORD is good and his love endures forever;
   his faithfulness continues through all generations.

"A man's steps are directed by the Lord" - Proverbs





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

Great is your reward

When we are persecuted for His sake, for example, He says to "rejoice...for great is your reward in heaven" - Matthew 5:12

Jesus instructed us to do these things privately, because "your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly"

Yet we don't serve Jesus for the rewards. When He died for us on the cross, He did far more for us than we deserve.

Loyalty to Him is an act of worship that expresses our loving gratitude for His love toward us

In return, He delights to encourage us with the assurance that ultimately His rewards will outweigh whatever we have given up for Him.

LIVE FOR JESUS- REGARDLESS OF THE COST 

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

refuge-less

In you, O LORD, I have taken refuge; let me never be put to shame; deliver me in your righteousness....... 

- Psalm 31:1 -

Thoughts on This Verse... When all the clutter is stripped away, what is your real hope? When you push aside the diplomas, awards, accolades, and honors, what is the basis of your significance? Only One endures forever! Only God guarantees that our life is significant. Only our Savior can provide for us a place where our valuables won't decay and aren't stolen and won't rot. So let's not place our treasures or our hopes in anyone but the LORD.

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

Your affairs, my affairs

Rev Ting Moy Hong

5/2/2012

Philippians 2:19-30:

Timothy and Epaphroditus

 ¹⁹ I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, that I also may be cheered when I receive news about you. ²⁰ I have no one else like him, who will show genuine concern for your welfare. ²¹ For everyone looks out for their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. ²² But you know that Timothy has proved himself, because as a son with his father he has served with me in the work of the gospel. ²³ I hope, therefore, to send him as soon as I see how things go with me. ²⁴ And I am confident in the Lord that I myself will come soon.  ²⁵ But I think it is necessary to send back to you Epaphroditus, my brother, co-worker and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger, whom you sent to take care of my needs. ²⁶ For he longs for all of you and is distressed because you heard he was ill. ²⁷ Indeed he was ill, and almost died. But God had mercy on him, and not on him only but also on me, to spare me sorrow upon sorrow. ²⁸ Therefore I am all the more eager to send him, so that when you see him again you may be glad and I may have less anxiety. ²⁹ So then, welcome him in the Lord with great joy, and honor people like him, ³⁰ because he almost died for the work of Christ. He risked his life to make up for the help you yourselves could not give me.

*Paul was testing waters among the Philippians
*Paul's concern is looking after other people's interest
*Do it without complaining and holding out the word of life
*That is the reason he sent Timothy
*He preached the gospel for the gospel sake, nothing else
*v22 - Timothy is his co-labourer labouring by Paul's side
*Friends are not meant to be taken granted for
*Paul is not trying to be dominating by sending Timothy but because he is caring
*"But we'll see how things go"
*v22-24
*Epaphroditus is Paul's brother, messenger, someone close whom he trust
*v30- journey was tough
*shows that Epaphroditus is a perserverant man
*We should care about other people's interest more than our own
*There are those who have live a life purely for the advancement of God
*Makes us wonder is Epaphroditus a great man
*Church is a community of faith for Paul, Timothy and Epaphroditus
*Their bonds have been common with Jesus Christ
*Was he being controlling by sending the Israelites another person to look after?
*Not really, but He was just providing in Christ
*Because we share the same Christ, what was happening to him affected Him
*My Affairs, Your Affairs because we share the same Lord and purpose of preaching the word
*These people will be a living testimony for the Philippians
*In Christ, we are unique having our own experience but at the end of the day, we are still brothers and sisters in Christ
*There would always be a place for us to return
*My Affairs, Your Affairs. That should be the community of faith
*Requires a continuous day to day choice to look our for others' welfare and to learn to forget and forgive as a Christian community
*True Christian community involves sharing our lives for Christ
*We need to see ourselves be accountable to one another so that we can build a community 
*Numbers do not indicate that it is true Christian community
*When we don't look out for our friend's welfare, we might face things we do not want
*It is very easy to point fingers at country leaders but we are Christians can begin with us by looking out for one another as we are called to be because we are all one in Christ to be a beacon of light to take place within the community and care for one another's affairs

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

Obey is love

If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him....... 

- John 14:23 -

Thoughts on This Verse... This chapter begins with Jesus promising that he is going back to heaven to prepare a place for us. Now, however, he wants us to know that we don't have to wait until heaven to be in the presence of God. As we love God and obey his Word, God comes and makes his home with us. Isn't it an amazing and gracious thought: God, the Creator of the Universe, the Holy One of Israel lives in me!




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

Great is Thy Faithfulness

''And so I will show my greatness and my holiness, and I will make myself known in the sight of many nations. Then they will know that I am the LORD.''...... 

- Ezekiel 38:23 -

Thoughts on This Verse... ''They will know that I am the LORD'' is a familiar refrain in Ezekiel's prophecies. Here it is also a horrifying one to his people who have been rebellious, sinful, and wicked. God is holy. The people who claim him as their God had better reflect that glory and greatness. They had better magnify God's holiness. If they do not, God will do so even at their expense. God will be known as God. In a day when so many profane the name of God and use it so glibly in their reactions and frustration, this is a sobering reminder that even the name of God is holy. He will show his greatness and holiness.



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

Rejoice!

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

- Philippians 4:4 -

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

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

Only you Lord, only you

No one has ever seen God, but God the One and Only, who is at the Father's side, has made him known....... 

- John 1:18 -

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**

Salty

''You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men.''...... 

- Matthew 5:13 -

Thoughts on This Verse... Jesus wanted us to never give up our moral distinctiveness, our redemptive influence, or our loving impact on those around us. The purpose of our presence in the world is to be an influence in our culture against further decay and to season the bitter, dog-eat-dog world with grace and mercy.

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

Lord, I'm amazed:)

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

- Romans 11:33-36 -

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

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

Humility

Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you....... 

- 1 Peter 5:6-7 -

Thoughts on This Verse... You've probably had a similar experience to this one. Someone asks you how you're doing. At first, they seem interested, but as you begin to share the burdens of your heart, you begin to realize that they aren't really listening and aren't really interested; they're just being polite. Most people have so many burdens they simply don't know what to do with more. Our Father in heaven, however, says''Cast all your anxieties on me. You can share all of them with me, because I genuinely care for you.''

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

Modeling

Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped.........

- Philippians 2:5-6 -

  Thoughts on This Verse... Jesus did not hang on to his heavenly glory, but surrendered it to save us. Now he asks us to follow his example and share his heart. He wants us to treat each other as he has treated us, thinking of others' needs and God's will before our own. Now that's one revolution I hope I get to see fully happen!

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