Hebrews 9:11-14
Hebrews 9:14
How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!
Something we can always give thanks for, that Christ died on the Cross for You and Me! When I think of the sacrifices He made, seriously, thanksgiving can never be enough to express how much I feel. Furthermore, there must be more worth and value that He sees in me, in us, that He chose to die for us even though He knew and saw how imperfect we are!
What I saw in vs 14 was really how much He lives in our heart… in the Past, the Present and Future! While God has forgiven our past sins, His purpose was so that we may serve the living God, and serving Him should be a joy indeed!
I asked myself, have I been serving the Lord with joy?
It is times when we find everything going against us, serving is no longer smooth-sailing, and obstacles and struggles start coming and piling in our various ministries that we may start to think of serving as a burden, or a responsibility that perhaps we might not be ready to take.
Today’s Good Friday session by Ps William brought us back to the story of giants in our lives. He said this, “When God tells you that you’re ready to be used, He goes around looking for a giant to put into your life, so that you will gain victory over it. If your faith is firmly built (on God’s foundation), you’ll not fear the giant.”
Today, is serving the Lord a continuous joy to you? Or has serving become a giant that you feel you have been struggling over and over again and that you cannot overcome and feel any sense of joy in doing things anymore? Then learn to lean on the Lord’s strength today, for only by His strength can we overcome! A year of victory! Let’s claim it for God’s kingdom! =)
On a side note, thank you Joanna, for sharing today! =)
Saturday, April 7, 2007
Thursday, April 5, 2007
Loving God is Never Cliché! =)
Romans 3:21-26
Somehow, I’m reminded of John 3:16, that God so loved us that he sent his One and Only Son to die for us, that we may live and have eternal life. Today’s passage served as a good reminder for me, because without the act that He did, we’re…. just sinners. Full stop. And that would probably have been the end of the story, because none of us can be declared righteous apart from Christ’s atoning death. Trying to do good or to live right won’t earn us the Lord’s favor. Everyone sins. And, we won’t be able to enter the presence of our holy God. As this passage emphasizes, His sacrifice illustrated how Jesus’s shed blood allowed believers to be cleansed of sin and have a relationship with the Creator.
For God to be just, He must remain true to His own principles. In Ezekiel 18:4, the Lord’s holiness dictated that “the soul who sins will die.” The penalty for sin—death—had to be paid in an acceptable way to God. In Leviticus 17:11, the Lord explains, through Moses, why He required a blood sacrifice: He says, “The life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you on the altar to make atonement for your souls; for it is the blood by reason of the life that makes atonement.” A life must be given so a life can be spared. So because of that, the heavenly Father provided a perfectly sinless sacrifice for everyone. God satisfied His justice and maintained His holiness when Jesus Christ took our guilt and sin and died in our place.
Writing this really took a lot of effort, because I thought it would sound real cliché initially. But I guess as Christians, we may have known this fact for as long as we have received salvation, but along the way, we probably start to think that it would sound funny to tell our non-Christian friends that, or to share the gospel to them. I dont know whether you did feel like that, but i did, not once, but many times, regretably. Like I often tell my Barnabas kids, they received Christ because they know there is a God who loves them and sacrificed His beloved Son for them, and they know that they’ll go to heaven. So we must share the gospel to our friends so that they will get to know God and go to Heaven too!
But somehow, somewhere, I think the adult in me must have arose, because I started to feel that only children would be able to share the gospel like that. While growing up, I must have lost my child-likeness, and start worrying how my friends will respond or think, whether they’ll laugh or walk away, etc, and in my heart, i started doubting or became skeptical about sharing Christ with my friends.
Today’s quiet time is really a timely reminder for me, that the only way is to trust God for everything, because trusting in anything else only ignores God’s holiness. More importantly, you know, sharing the Good News about what the Lord has done for us can never be cliché, because Our God rocks! (like literally… because He is our rock! haa...)
Somehow, I’m reminded of John 3:16, that God so loved us that he sent his One and Only Son to die for us, that we may live and have eternal life. Today’s passage served as a good reminder for me, because without the act that He did, we’re…. just sinners. Full stop. And that would probably have been the end of the story, because none of us can be declared righteous apart from Christ’s atoning death. Trying to do good or to live right won’t earn us the Lord’s favor. Everyone sins. And, we won’t be able to enter the presence of our holy God. As this passage emphasizes, His sacrifice illustrated how Jesus’s shed blood allowed believers to be cleansed of sin and have a relationship with the Creator.
For God to be just, He must remain true to His own principles. In Ezekiel 18:4, the Lord’s holiness dictated that “the soul who sins will die.” The penalty for sin—death—had to be paid in an acceptable way to God. In Leviticus 17:11, the Lord explains, through Moses, why He required a blood sacrifice: He says, “The life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you on the altar to make atonement for your souls; for it is the blood by reason of the life that makes atonement.” A life must be given so a life can be spared. So because of that, the heavenly Father provided a perfectly sinless sacrifice for everyone. God satisfied His justice and maintained His holiness when Jesus Christ took our guilt and sin and died in our place.
Writing this really took a lot of effort, because I thought it would sound real cliché initially. But I guess as Christians, we may have known this fact for as long as we have received salvation, but along the way, we probably start to think that it would sound funny to tell our non-Christian friends that, or to share the gospel to them. I dont know whether you did feel like that, but i did, not once, but many times, regretably. Like I often tell my Barnabas kids, they received Christ because they know there is a God who loves them and sacrificed His beloved Son for them, and they know that they’ll go to heaven. So we must share the gospel to our friends so that they will get to know God and go to Heaven too!
But somehow, somewhere, I think the adult in me must have arose, because I started to feel that only children would be able to share the gospel like that. While growing up, I must have lost my child-likeness, and start worrying how my friends will respond or think, whether they’ll laugh or walk away, etc, and in my heart, i started doubting or became skeptical about sharing Christ with my friends.
Today’s quiet time is really a timely reminder for me, that the only way is to trust God for everything, because trusting in anything else only ignores God’s holiness. More importantly, you know, sharing the Good News about what the Lord has done for us can never be cliché, because Our God rocks! (like literally… because He is our rock! haa...)
Receiving His Blessings Without Guilt!
Ephesians 1:3-14
The list of blessings in the passage makes things sound like everything’s too good to be true right? Oh well, it is actually! Hmm, then the question hit me, how come I still doubt God at times, for his presence, his provision, or even his promises?
Deep within my heart, I knew though…my constant struggle with guilt and shame makes me question God or even my salvation ALL the time. Will he still be able to love me for who I am? Would he still love me even though I keep sinning, confessing, and then fall back into sin again?
Sometimes, guilt makes me forget that our God is a God of grace and mercy. Sometimes, it makes me try even harder to want to gain his approval back, and I’ll do a lot of things thinking that it can atone for my shortcomings. And this is where I realise how destructive the power of guilt can be. It robs me from truly coming to know who my God is, and a deeper relationship with Him!
That is precisely why God provided biblical truth (His Word) to help us embrace His promises! When we’ve broken God’s commands, the only solution is repentance. More importantly, we learn to accept God’s forgiveness so that false guilt cannot be fabricated.
In this passage, I am reminded of these truths:
1) I am Special in His eyes!
God chose me (Yes, me!) to belong to Him and He is transforming me into Christ’s image! (vs 11, 14)
2) I am Loved by Him!
God’s love for me is unconditional, unchangeable, and unending! (vs 4-6)
3) I am forgiven!! Amen!!
Jesus paid the full price for my every sin! God has permanently forgiven me and adopted me into His family! (vs 7)
Indeed Lord, I thank you for the You who do not judge, who loves unceasingly, and the You who erases all our hurts, pains, and ugly pasts.
For everyone here, God’s promises are for you too! Would you come and embrace these truths into your lives too? =)
The list of blessings in the passage makes things sound like everything’s too good to be true right? Oh well, it is actually! Hmm, then the question hit me, how come I still doubt God at times, for his presence, his provision, or even his promises?
Deep within my heart, I knew though…my constant struggle with guilt and shame makes me question God or even my salvation ALL the time. Will he still be able to love me for who I am? Would he still love me even though I keep sinning, confessing, and then fall back into sin again?
Sometimes, guilt makes me forget that our God is a God of grace and mercy. Sometimes, it makes me try even harder to want to gain his approval back, and I’ll do a lot of things thinking that it can atone for my shortcomings. And this is where I realise how destructive the power of guilt can be. It robs me from truly coming to know who my God is, and a deeper relationship with Him!
That is precisely why God provided biblical truth (His Word) to help us embrace His promises! When we’ve broken God’s commands, the only solution is repentance. More importantly, we learn to accept God’s forgiveness so that false guilt cannot be fabricated.
In this passage, I am reminded of these truths:
1) I am Special in His eyes!
God chose me (Yes, me!) to belong to Him and He is transforming me into Christ’s image! (vs 11, 14)
2) I am Loved by Him!
God’s love for me is unconditional, unchangeable, and unending! (vs 4-6)
3) I am forgiven!! Amen!!
Jesus paid the full price for my every sin! God has permanently forgiven me and adopted me into His family! (vs 7)
Indeed Lord, I thank you for the You who do not judge, who loves unceasingly, and the You who erases all our hurts, pains, and ugly pasts.
For everyone here, God’s promises are for you too! Would you come and embrace these truths into your lives too? =)
Wednesday, April 4, 2007
Saying No to the Green-Eyed Monster!!!
Just thought it would be a good thing to share, you know yesterday’s devotion was about obedience right? I felt that God’s using the same point to drill into me today through leader’s meeting! You should have heard the testimonies being shared today! Their faith was the greatest thing impressed upon my heart, that they chose not to seek their own paths or plans, regardless of how attractive the offer was, but rather, they chose to obey. It wasn’t easy for them to obey too, but as they obeyed, they found favour and more blessings they flowed from it! Indeed, our God’s ways are way higher than ours! Amen!
Okay… let’s go back to today’s passage. =)
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1 Samuel 18:5-16
As I read this passage, my 1st thought was initially filled with disgust at Saul’s attitude. Then I asked myself, Hey, who am I to judge? Am I not guilty of such attitudes or behaviours at times too?
Especially for us women, I too cant help but seem to take notice of people around me, scrutinising their looks, career, wealth, figure, possessions, salary, etc…. and don’t we always just wish we had half of that?! (sounds familiar right? =) )We often attribute jealousy as a woman’s second nature, but honestly, jealousy is really something that can consume anybody who allows the green-eyed monster to grow in them.
King Saul’s jealousy actually caused him to distrust David, the same young warrior who had served him by defeating Goliath! David loved the king and risked his life to help the kingdom, but still, Saul’s judgement was so clouded by all that envy, suspicions, bitterness and hostility that he became irrational in his thinking and behaviour. Consequently, Saul went into a rant and hurled a spear at the young man (1 Samuel 18:11), and later, even removed David from his presence, sending his loyal servant to the battlefield. So David’s faithful service was “rewarded” with the king’s hatred, a severed relationship, and death threats, and was forced to flee in the end.
Our minds are also like Saul’s at times, in which we will tend to dwell on a person or situation we envy. Fuelled by all that jealousy within us, our suspicion, confusion, bitterness, and hostility will grow stronger if we continue to feed on it each time. Fear and resentment too, completes the picture of jealousy. Sometimes, we’re afraid that we’ll fail to achieve the wealth, career status, or privileges of someone else. We may even resent that person’s accomplishments or become nasty to that person. In time, we may look for reasons to avoid being around that individual, eventually choosing to break off the relationship entirely, and who knows what next? When one is overcome by jealousy, his/her thoughts have already become irrational that anything can happen!!! Scary isn’t it?
Have you realised, this jealousy monster is not an excuse for us women to possess! If our hearts are left unchecked, the monster will grow in us and influence our attitudes, conversations, and actions. Eventually, it will even do damage to the relationships we have and even inflict great pain on others.
I had to do some serious soul-searching myself and ask the Lord to examine my heart. “Dying” to my self and surrendering that green-eyed monster to the Lord is a difficult and constant battle, but the Lord reminds us that as we surrender, He will honour our prayers and replace our spirit of jealousy with one of love and thankfulness.
Lord, please teach me to keep my eyes upon you, and keep my heart filled with contentment and thanksgiving for all the things You’ve blessed me with!
Okay… let’s go back to today’s passage. =)
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1 Samuel 18:5-16
As I read this passage, my 1st thought was initially filled with disgust at Saul’s attitude. Then I asked myself, Hey, who am I to judge? Am I not guilty of such attitudes or behaviours at times too?
Especially for us women, I too cant help but seem to take notice of people around me, scrutinising their looks, career, wealth, figure, possessions, salary, etc…. and don’t we always just wish we had half of that?! (sounds familiar right? =) )We often attribute jealousy as a woman’s second nature, but honestly, jealousy is really something that can consume anybody who allows the green-eyed monster to grow in them.
King Saul’s jealousy actually caused him to distrust David, the same young warrior who had served him by defeating Goliath! David loved the king and risked his life to help the kingdom, but still, Saul’s judgement was so clouded by all that envy, suspicions, bitterness and hostility that he became irrational in his thinking and behaviour. Consequently, Saul went into a rant and hurled a spear at the young man (1 Samuel 18:11), and later, even removed David from his presence, sending his loyal servant to the battlefield. So David’s faithful service was “rewarded” with the king’s hatred, a severed relationship, and death threats, and was forced to flee in the end.
Our minds are also like Saul’s at times, in which we will tend to dwell on a person or situation we envy. Fuelled by all that jealousy within us, our suspicion, confusion, bitterness, and hostility will grow stronger if we continue to feed on it each time. Fear and resentment too, completes the picture of jealousy. Sometimes, we’re afraid that we’ll fail to achieve the wealth, career status, or privileges of someone else. We may even resent that person’s accomplishments or become nasty to that person. In time, we may look for reasons to avoid being around that individual, eventually choosing to break off the relationship entirely, and who knows what next? When one is overcome by jealousy, his/her thoughts have already become irrational that anything can happen!!! Scary isn’t it?
Have you realised, this jealousy monster is not an excuse for us women to possess! If our hearts are left unchecked, the monster will grow in us and influence our attitudes, conversations, and actions. Eventually, it will even do damage to the relationships we have and even inflict great pain on others.
I had to do some serious soul-searching myself and ask the Lord to examine my heart. “Dying” to my self and surrendering that green-eyed monster to the Lord is a difficult and constant battle, but the Lord reminds us that as we surrender, He will honour our prayers and replace our spirit of jealousy with one of love and thankfulness.
Lord, please teach me to keep my eyes upon you, and keep my heart filled with contentment and thanksgiving for all the things You’ve blessed me with!
Tuesday, April 3, 2007
Blessings of Obedience
Luke 5:1-5
You know, the thing that impressed me most here was really Simon Peter’s response. “Because you say so…”
Many a times, when we’ve received so much of God’s blessings, it really is so easy to place the “I love You” words on our lips. However, it becomes quite the opposite when we face trails and difficulties, and these three words simply changes to “Lord, how come?” or “Lord, why this?”
As I learnt, Obedience is also an expression of love toward God. It enables us to endure trials and difficulties. Also, God pours out His blessings on those who obey.
Look at Simon. He didn’t manage to catch any fish all night even though he worked so hard all night. He could have just told Jesus, “Are you sure?” Or “Nah, I’m too tired, or discouraged, you know”. But he didn’t. Instead, he said, “Because you say so, I will let down the nets." By doing so, he took a step into a life of obedience and blessing. You know, on the surface, it didn’t seem like a big deal whether he lets down the net or not. But still, God had a bigger purpose than that. He was going to make him a “fisher of men”!
Furthermore, when he let down the net again at Jesus’ request this time, his obedience also meant a big catch for the rest in the boat as well! Something which the passage just enlightened me, when we obey, God will bless those around us as well! And as we give testimonies of how God responds to our obedience with goodness, others may be motivated to seek after Jesus too!!!
Sometimes when we cannot see what our Lord has in mind, we may not be able to comprehend the importance of His requests. More than often, we’re just tempted to change it to fit our plans, to wait for a more convenient time, or to skip it all together. Sometimes God may even tell us to respond or act in ways that make little sense. Didn’t God tell Noah to build an ark, and instructed Abraham to sacrifice his son Isaac on the altar instead of an animal? They too, agreed to God’s plan, even though it didn’t make sense at all! Their trust in God overruled any concerns and led to great reward.
Well, Good News to us All! God wants to do the same for us too! God has a plan for our eternal good, and it’s foolish not to obey Him. Like Peter, we have no idea what God will do in and through us if we commit to living a life of obedience. But today, will you lay aside all your own negativity or apprehension and simply, to obey? When the Holy Spirit prompts you, how will you respond?
You know, the thing that impressed me most here was really Simon Peter’s response. “Because you say so…”
Many a times, when we’ve received so much of God’s blessings, it really is so easy to place the “I love You” words on our lips. However, it becomes quite the opposite when we face trails and difficulties, and these three words simply changes to “Lord, how come?” or “Lord, why this?”
As I learnt, Obedience is also an expression of love toward God. It enables us to endure trials and difficulties. Also, God pours out His blessings on those who obey.
Look at Simon. He didn’t manage to catch any fish all night even though he worked so hard all night. He could have just told Jesus, “Are you sure?” Or “Nah, I’m too tired, or discouraged, you know”. But he didn’t. Instead, he said, “Because you say so, I will let down the nets." By doing so, he took a step into a life of obedience and blessing. You know, on the surface, it didn’t seem like a big deal whether he lets down the net or not. But still, God had a bigger purpose than that. He was going to make him a “fisher of men”!
Furthermore, when he let down the net again at Jesus’ request this time, his obedience also meant a big catch for the rest in the boat as well! Something which the passage just enlightened me, when we obey, God will bless those around us as well! And as we give testimonies of how God responds to our obedience with goodness, others may be motivated to seek after Jesus too!!!
Sometimes when we cannot see what our Lord has in mind, we may not be able to comprehend the importance of His requests. More than often, we’re just tempted to change it to fit our plans, to wait for a more convenient time, or to skip it all together. Sometimes God may even tell us to respond or act in ways that make little sense. Didn’t God tell Noah to build an ark, and instructed Abraham to sacrifice his son Isaac on the altar instead of an animal? They too, agreed to God’s plan, even though it didn’t make sense at all! Their trust in God overruled any concerns and led to great reward.
Well, Good News to us All! God wants to do the same for us too! God has a plan for our eternal good, and it’s foolish not to obey Him. Like Peter, we have no idea what God will do in and through us if we commit to living a life of obedience. But today, will you lay aside all your own negativity or apprehension and simply, to obey? When the Holy Spirit prompts you, how will you respond?
Sunday, April 1, 2007
Our Ultimate Struggle With Temptation!
Ouch. If there’s one thing every man and woman alike has experienced, it’s temptation. I’ll be lying if I say that I haven’t given in to temptation before. And nope, it’s not just chocolates and junk food I’m talking about k!
The object of temptation can be almost anything and everything! It can be something that a friend has that we don’t. It can be materialistic stuff like a nice house, a new car, a new bag, and the list goes on. It can also be something physical, like the rush of a relationship, the effects of clubbing or alcohol, or it can also be emotional… like recognition for a job well-done or an incessant need for praises. And whatever the object of temptation is, it just makes us crave for us… that we must have it, and we must have it now!
As such, we also start to throw whatever concerns we have on our minds. Is it good for me? It doesn’t matter. Will it benefit me or my family? That’s not the issue. Could this hurt someone I love? Who cares?
However, note verses 14 and 15! Indeed, temptation knows no loyalty! It’s like a raging beast that, if left uncontrolled, can bring absolute destruction into your life. Desire itself may not be inherently wrong, but have you ever wondered why our leaders always ask us to check ourselves and to check our hearts? Simply because when these desires are left unchecked, it can be the starting point for all types of trouble.
My dear sisters, are you allowing a single desire to control your life? Are you continually going beyond the limits of God’s approval? If there is something that is not pleasing to the Lord, let us turn our hearts back to Jesus and break the hold of temptation today! Do thank God for the desires He placed on your heart, and ask Him to direct these desires to something that will please the Lord! =)
James 1:12
Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.
the VaLLey of dRy BoNes
Ezekiel 37:1-14
"Then he said to me,'Prophesy to these bones and say to them,'Dry bones, hear the word of the lord! This what the Sovereign Lord says to these bones:I will make breath enter you and you will come to life. I will attach tendons to you and make flesh come upon you and cover you with skin; I will put breath in you and you will come to life. Then you will know that I am the lord." - Ezekiel 37: 4-6
How many times did the word 'prophesy' appear in this passage?
SEVEN!
I have a tendency to say that "it's impossible" and to make negative statements that pretty much seal my fate. Whenever I face a difficult situation, like when I look at my dad, I really like to say ,"I don' t know. Die already.." And that pretty much becomes the motto of my life.
Even as I was reading ezekiel, God really reminded me to be that prophet of hope! To bring the dry bones to life, all I have to do is to prophesy, believing that God can work miracles.
MuSic pls... " I believe in miracles, where you from.. you sexy thing!!" (ok that was out of point)
Recently I've been trying to say " God I believe that things will work out in my family. I believe that my dad will reconcile with my mum. " It really took a lot of effort and plenty of 'dying to myself' to reach this stage.
"Then he said to me, " Prophesy to the breath; prophesy, son of man.." - Ezekiel 37:9
So prophesy, daughters and sons, so that we might see the glory of the lord in our lives! Let the words that come out of our mouths, be a reflection of the abundunt blessings we know that God will provide.
"I will put my Spirit in you and you will live, and I will settle you in your own land. Then you will know that I the Lord have spoken and I have done it, declares the lord." - Ezekiel 37:14
"Then he said to me,'Prophesy to these bones and say to them,'Dry bones, hear the word of the lord! This what the Sovereign Lord says to these bones:I will make breath enter you and you will come to life. I will attach tendons to you and make flesh come upon you and cover you with skin; I will put breath in you and you will come to life. Then you will know that I am the lord." - Ezekiel 37: 4-6
How many times did the word 'prophesy' appear in this passage?
SEVEN!
I have a tendency to say that "it's impossible" and to make negative statements that pretty much seal my fate. Whenever I face a difficult situation, like when I look at my dad, I really like to say ,"I don' t know. Die already.." And that pretty much becomes the motto of my life.
Even as I was reading ezekiel, God really reminded me to be that prophet of hope! To bring the dry bones to life, all I have to do is to prophesy, believing that God can work miracles.
MuSic pls... " I believe in miracles, where you from.. you sexy thing!!" (ok that was out of point)
Recently I've been trying to say " God I believe that things will work out in my family. I believe that my dad will reconcile with my mum. " It really took a lot of effort and plenty of 'dying to myself' to reach this stage.
"Then he said to me, " Prophesy to the breath; prophesy, son of man.." - Ezekiel 37:9
So prophesy, daughters and sons, so that we might see the glory of the lord in our lives! Let the words that come out of our mouths, be a reflection of the abundunt blessings we know that God will provide.
"I will put my Spirit in you and you will live, and I will settle you in your own land. Then you will know that I the Lord have spoken and I have done it, declares the lord." - Ezekiel 37:14
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