Part 1: Growing in LOVE
" Recession is when a neighbour loses his job, depression is when you lose yourself"
last month 600000 families lost their job.
M'sia haven got the full efect of recession yet.
Book of Philippians
*There is a need for cultivating a joyfull life in the midst of a global recession
*Pray God to use series to bring lasting change to everyday life.
*Experience for yourself, power of change found in this letter (Philippians)
Proverbs 23:4-5 Be wise enough not to wear yourself out trying to get rich. Your money can be gone in a fash, as if it had grown wings and flown away like an eagle.
Father said this in his diary
" Went fishing with son- a day wasted"
Son said this in his diary
" Went fishing with dad- it was the most wonderful time spent"
Different type of investment
* God in his own way is mysterious & powerful
* It is a test for our faith- reexamine our family budget
*Faithfulness of people that will rise up-donate to church inspite of recession
Acts 16 tells the background of the church in Phillipi
*Supposed that Paul is in Rome, where he found himself under house arrest
*Does the church have nothing to do with business people? NO!
The wrong perception.
*Not only business man converted but a demon possessed slave as well!
Philippians 1:3-6 teaches us to be thankful
" I thank my God for you every time I think of you; and every time I pray for you all, I pray with joy because of the way in which you have helped me in the work of the gospel from the very first day until now. And so I am sure that God, who began this good work in you, will carry it on until it is finished on the Day of Christ Jesus.
* As Paul sat, uder confinement, he never let it stop him from praying, thanking God for these dear friends in Philippi
* Tough & Difficult especially in times of trial.
*We could be ungrateful because we loose our job but not others especially the unfaithful ones.
Do we questioned that to God?
He (Paul) could have spend time being with God.
Instead he chose to give thanks to God for all the great things he had done in and through them.
*Don't worry so much, instead thanked him
2.Be patient towards others.
Be gracious.
Philippians 1:7-8 You are always in my heart! And so it is only right fr me to feel as I do about you. For you have all shared with me in this privilege that God has given me, both now that I am in prison and also while I was free to defend the gospel and establish it firmly. God is my witness that I am telling the truth when I say that my deep feeling for you all comes from the heart of Christ Jesus himself.
* The Philippians were very gracious to Paul by sharing God's grace with him when he was confined.
Philippians 1:9-11 I pray that your love will keep on growing more and more, together with true knowlefge and perfect judgement, so that you will be able to choose what is best. Then you will be free from all impurity and blame on the Day of Christ. Your lives will be filled with the truly good qualities which only Jesus Christ can produce, for the glory and praise of God.
*discernment is very important
*decisions to make
*seek the Lord for discernment
*Paul did not pray that they would be happy
*the key thing- Paul prayed is to do Whats BEST
*various solutions, opinions
*We are called not to be gracious of people in need but to be meeting thier needs
3. Cultivate agape love.
Agape- describe the kind of love that God has for us.
It is a type of love that Paul describes in 1 Cor 13.
*Agape love through one another
*What is Love?
*Hold holiness & Love together is NOT EASY
*demonstrating- giving love
" Love will be guided by ever-lasting knowledge & depth of insight and they would know discenment of what is best."
*knowing God's word
*It is not a romantic & wishing love but a hardworking love
* We have choice to hear the word OR obey it
* We have choice to have love for YOURSELF Or OTHERS
* Cultivating lives & have a life blameless to God
We must embrace changes
such as ..
fed-x + ups = fedup (hehe)
Conclusion
Which three keys to become a joyfull person do you need to apply in your life
*perhaps you need to make some sort of changes in your life?
*perhaps you need to learn to budget wisely?
*perhaps we should list our your blessings?
*perhaps we should show agape love to others?
*perhaps we should cut down on eat outs? instead help the needy?spend wisely? put our $ in best use?
Now is not a time to be selfish, but a time of self giving
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Day 29, Feb & Day 1, March
Obey Quickly
Jesus then said to them, I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, Moses did not give you the Bread from heaven (what Moses gave you was not the Bread from heaven), but it is My Father Who gives you the true heavenly Bread. John 6:32
Jesus said to ask God for daily bread (see Matthew 6:11). He also called Himself the "Bread of Life"
John 6:35 "I am the Bread of Life," Jesus told them. " He who comes to me will never be hungry; he who believes in me will never be thirsty.
Seek God's direction in the morning to gather His daily words for you. You will feel well nourished all day long. Obey quickly if God tells you to do something.
Even if God gives you a difficult task, don't put it off and dread it all day. Abraham rose early to offer Isaac on the altar; God blessed his obedience ad provided an acceptable sacrifice in place of Isaac(Genesis 22:1-14)
David rose up early on the morning that he was to kill Goliath, and through him, God delivered the Israelites from their enemies
Samuel 17:20-53 "
He will bless and deliver you too.
Break Free From Bondages
The humble shall see it and be glad; you who seek God, inquiring for and requiring Him (as your first need), let your hearts revive and live! Psalm 69:32
If it is still hard to start your day right, pray this prayer:
" Lord, I struggle in taking time to fellowship with You and read Your Word. I know that spending time with You is not a law, it is a privilege. It is something that benefits my life. I pray that the bondages, the lies of Satan that keep me out of the prayer closet and away from time with You, will be broken off of me.
" Help me to see clearly that this is somethings i must do to live in victory. I pray for an anointing that will draw me into Your presence and cause me to run after You. Help me to get every morning started right."
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
Jesus then said to them, I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, Moses did not give you the Bread from heaven (what Moses gave you was not the Bread from heaven), but it is My Father Who gives you the true heavenly Bread. John 6:32
Jesus said to ask God for daily bread (see Matthew 6:11). He also called Himself the "Bread of Life"
John 6:35 "I am the Bread of Life," Jesus told them. " He who comes to me will never be hungry; he who believes in me will never be thirsty.
Seek God's direction in the morning to gather His daily words for you. You will feel well nourished all day long. Obey quickly if God tells you to do something.
Even if God gives you a difficult task, don't put it off and dread it all day. Abraham rose early to offer Isaac on the altar; God blessed his obedience ad provided an acceptable sacrifice in place of Isaac(Genesis 22:1-14)
David rose up early on the morning that he was to kill Goliath, and through him, God delivered the Israelites from their enemies
Samuel 17:20-53 "
He will bless and deliver you too.
Break Free From Bondages
The humble shall see it and be glad; you who seek God, inquiring for and requiring Him (as your first need), let your hearts revive and live! Psalm 69:32
If it is still hard to start your day right, pray this prayer:
" Lord, I struggle in taking time to fellowship with You and read Your Word. I know that spending time with You is not a law, it is a privilege. It is something that benefits my life. I pray that the bondages, the lies of Satan that keep me out of the prayer closet and away from time with You, will be broken off of me.
" Help me to see clearly that this is somethings i must do to live in victory. I pray for an anointing that will draw me into Your presence and cause me to run after You. Help me to get every morning started right."
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Day 28, Feb
Stay in Agreement
"Know the God of your Father (I have a personal knowledge of Him, be acquainted with, and understand Him; appreciate, heed, and cherish Him) and serve Him with a blameless heart and a willing mind. For the Lord searches all hearts and minds and understands all the wanderings of the thoughts. If you seek Him (inquiring for and of Him and requiring Him as your first and vital necessary) you will find Him." 1 Chronicles 28:9
God's Word reveals a wonderful plan for your life. It shows how God sees you, and what He has for you through Jesus Christ. Keep your thoughts and words in agreement with God's Word.
Say " Everything I lay my hand to prospers and succeeds. I am the head and not the tail, above and not beneath. I am blessed going in and going out. The blessings of God has chase me down and overtake me. God is on my side. I am blessed to be a blessing to everyone I meet today."
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
"Know the God of your Father (I have a personal knowledge of Him, be acquainted with, and understand Him; appreciate, heed, and cherish Him) and serve Him with a blameless heart and a willing mind. For the Lord searches all hearts and minds and understands all the wanderings of the thoughts. If you seek Him (inquiring for and of Him and requiring Him as your first and vital necessary) you will find Him." 1 Chronicles 28:9
God's Word reveals a wonderful plan for your life. It shows how God sees you, and what He has for you through Jesus Christ. Keep your thoughts and words in agreement with God's Word.
Say " Everything I lay my hand to prospers and succeeds. I am the head and not the tail, above and not beneath. I am blessed going in and going out. The blessings of God has chase me down and overtake me. God is on my side. I am blessed to be a blessing to everyone I meet today."
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
Friday, February 27, 2009
Love
Love
And now I will show you the most excellent way.
If I speak in tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If i give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.
And now these three remain: faith, hope and love.
But the greatest of these is love.
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
And now I will show you the most excellent way.
If I speak in tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If i give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.
And now these three remain: faith, hope and love.
But the greatest of these is love.
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
Comfort for God's People
Do you not know?
Have you not heard?
Has it not been told to you from the beggining?
Have you not understood since the earth was founded?
He sits enthroned above the circle of the earth,
and its people are like grasshoppers.
He streches out the heavens like a canopy,
and spreads them out like a tent to live in.
He brings princes to naught
and reduces the rulers of this world to nothing.
No sooner are they planted,
no sooner are they sown,
no sooner do they take root in the ground,
then he blows on them and they wither,
and a whirlwind sweeps them away like chaff.
"To whom will you compare me?
Or who is my equal?" says the Holy One.
Lift your eyes and look to the heavens :
Who created all these?
He who brings out the starry host one by one,
and calls them each by name.
Because of his great power and mighty strength,
not one of them is mising.
Why do you say, O Jacob,
and complain, O Israel,
My way is hidden from the Lord;
my cause disregarded by my God"?
Do you not know?
Have you not heard?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,
and his understanding no one can fathom.
He gives strength to the weary
and increases the power of the weak.
Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;
but those who hope in the Lord
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.
Isaiah 40:21-31
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
Have you not heard?
Has it not been told to you from the beggining?
Have you not understood since the earth was founded?
He sits enthroned above the circle of the earth,
and its people are like grasshoppers.
He streches out the heavens like a canopy,
and spreads them out like a tent to live in.
He brings princes to naught
and reduces the rulers of this world to nothing.
No sooner are they planted,
no sooner are they sown,
no sooner do they take root in the ground,
then he blows on them and they wither,
and a whirlwind sweeps them away like chaff.
"To whom will you compare me?
Or who is my equal?" says the Holy One.
Lift your eyes and look to the heavens :
Who created all these?
He who brings out the starry host one by one,
and calls them each by name.
Because of his great power and mighty strength,
not one of them is mising.
Why do you say, O Jacob,
and complain, O Israel,
My way is hidden from the Lord;
my cause disregarded by my God"?
Do you not know?
Have you not heard?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,
and his understanding no one can fathom.
He gives strength to the weary
and increases the power of the weak.
Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;
but those who hope in the Lord
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.
Isaiah 40:21-31
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
About ka-cheeing
About $$
With money, you can buy a house but not a home
With money, you can buy a clock, but not time
With money, you can buy a bed, but not sleep
With money, you can buy a book, but not knowledge
With money, you can see a doctor, but not good health
With money, you can buy a position, but not respect
With money, you can buy blood, but not life
With money, you can buy sex, but not love
Love of money.
If anyone teaches false doctrines and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, he is conceited and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that resul in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions and constant friction between men of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain.
But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.
1 Timothy 6:3-10
" No servant can be the slave of two masters; he will hate one and love the other; he will be loyal to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money." Luke 16:13
Money is not everything.
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
With money, you can buy a house but not a home
With money, you can buy a clock, but not time
With money, you can buy a bed, but not sleep
With money, you can buy a book, but not knowledge
With money, you can see a doctor, but not good health
With money, you can buy a position, but not respect
With money, you can buy blood, but not life
With money, you can buy sex, but not love
Love of money.
If anyone teaches false doctrines and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, he is conceited and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that resul in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions and constant friction between men of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain.
But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.
1 Timothy 6:3-10
" No servant can be the slave of two masters; he will hate one and love the other; he will be loyal to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money." Luke 16:13
Money is not everything.
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
Day 27, Feb
Be Filled With Truth
Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore will I deliver him; I will set him on high, because he knows and understands My name (has a personal knowledge of My mercy, love, and kindness -- trusts nd relies on Me, knowing I will never forsake him, no, never). Psalm 91:14
Don't let the devil have your thoughts first thing in the morning. Begin erly to get your day started right. As soon as you wake up, tell the Lord you love Him. Read His Word and confess His promises as you prepare for the day.
Listen to teaching tapes while you are driving to work. Fill yourself with knowledge of God's truth. Don't talk yourself into a disaster before the day even begins. Instead say, " I am the righteousness of God in Christ; because He is with me today, I will rejoice in all things.
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore will I deliver him; I will set him on high, because he knows and understands My name (has a personal knowledge of My mercy, love, and kindness -- trusts nd relies on Me, knowing I will never forsake him, no, never). Psalm 91:14
Don't let the devil have your thoughts first thing in the morning. Begin erly to get your day started right. As soon as you wake up, tell the Lord you love Him. Read His Word and confess His promises as you prepare for the day.
Listen to teaching tapes while you are driving to work. Fill yourself with knowledge of God's truth. Don't talk yourself into a disaster before the day even begins. Instead say, " I am the righteousness of God in Christ; because He is with me today, I will rejoice in all things.
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
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