He was looking forward to this moment all day long, after 6 days of labor and it finally arrived - Visiting Day!
The man with the keys arrived to swing open the large, heavy doors. The cold gray hall springs to life in the warm glow of light. He could hardly control His emotions.
The families began to arrive. He peers from the corner of the room longing for the 1st glimpse of His loved one. He lives for the weekends. He lives for these visits.
As the cars arrive, He watches intently. Then, finally, they arrive, for whom He would do anything. They embrace, eat a light lunch and reminisce how things used to be.
At one point, they break into singing, with interruptions of laughter and applause. But all too soon it is over. A tear comes to His eyes as they depart.
Then the man with the keys closes the heavy doors. He hears the key turn in the lock marking the end of a special day. There He stands, alone again.
He knows that most of His visitors will not contact Him again till next week. As the last car pulls away from the parking lot, Jesus retreats into loneliness as He waits until next Sunday - Visiting Day.
Is the time that we spend with Jesus an everyday thing, or do we just visit Him on Sunday. Think about it ...
-- Author Unknown
Thursday, June 26, 2008
THE CARPENTER
An elderly carpenter was ready to retire. He told his employer-contractor of his plans to leave the house-building business and live a more leisurely life with his wife enjoying his extended family. He would miss the paycheck, but he needed to retire. They could get by. The contractor was sorry to see his good worker go and asked if he could build just one more house as a personal favor. The carpenter said yes, but in time it was easy to see that his heart was not in his work. He resorted to shoddy workmanship and used inferior materials. It was an unfortunate way to end his career.
When the carpenter finished his work and the builder came to inspect the house, the contractor handed the front-door key to the carpenter. "This is your house," he said, "my gift to you."
What a shock! What a shame! If he had only known he was building his own house, he would have done it all so differently. Now he had to live in the home he had built none too well.
So it is with us. We build our lives in a distracted way, reacting rather than acting, willing to put up less than the best. At important points we do not give the job our best effort.
Then with a shock we look at the situation we have created and find that we are now living in the house we have built. If we had realized, we would have done it differently.
Think of yourself as the carpenter. Think about your house. Each day you hammer a nail, place a board, or erect a wall. Build wisely. It is the only life you will ever build. Even if you live it for only one day more, that day deserves to be lived graciously and with dignity.
Your life today is the result of your attitudes and choices in the past. Your life tomorrow will be the result of your attitudes and the choices you make today.
-- Author Unknown
When the carpenter finished his work and the builder came to inspect the house, the contractor handed the front-door key to the carpenter. "This is your house," he said, "my gift to you."
What a shock! What a shame! If he had only known he was building his own house, he would have done it all so differently. Now he had to live in the home he had built none too well.
So it is with us. We build our lives in a distracted way, reacting rather than acting, willing to put up less than the best. At important points we do not give the job our best effort.
Then with a shock we look at the situation we have created and find that we are now living in the house we have built. If we had realized, we would have done it differently.
Think of yourself as the carpenter. Think about your house. Each day you hammer a nail, place a board, or erect a wall. Build wisely. It is the only life you will ever build. Even if you live it for only one day more, that day deserves to be lived graciously and with dignity.
Your life today is the result of your attitudes and choices in the past. Your life tomorrow will be the result of your attitudes and the choices you make today.
-- Author Unknown
THIS IS GOOD!
The story is told of a king in Africa who had a close friend with whom he grew up. The friend had a habit of looking at every situation that ever occurred in his life (positive or negative) and remarking, "This is good!"
One day the king and his friend were out on a hunting expedition. The friend would load and prepare the guns for the king. The friend had apparently done something wrong in preparing one of the guns, for after taking the gun from his friend, the king fired it and his thumb was blown off.
Examining the situation the friend remarked as usual, "This is good!"
To which the king replied, "No, this is NOT good!" and proceeded to send his friend to jail.
About a year later, the king was hunting in an area that he should have known to stay clear of. Cannibals captured him and took them to their village. They tied his hands, stacked some wood, set up a stake and bound him to the stake. As they came near to set fire to the wood, they noticed that the king was missing a thumb. Being superstitious, they never ate anyone that was less than whole. So untying the king, they sent him on his way.
As he returned home, he was reminded of the event that had taken his thumb and felt remorse for his treatment of his friend. He went immediately to the jail to speak with his friend. "You were right," he said, "it was good that my thumb was blown off. And he proceeded to tell the friend all that had just happened. "And so I am very sorry for sending you to jail for so long. It was bad of me to do this."
"No" his friend replied, "This is good!"
"What do you mean, "This is good?" How could it be good that I sent my friend to jail for a year?"
"If I had NOT been in jail, I would have been with you when you were captured."
Situations may not always seem pleasant while we are in them, but the promise of God is clear. If we love Him and live our lives according to His precepts, even that which seems to be bleak and hopeless will be turned by God for His glory and our benefit.
-- Author Unknown
One day the king and his friend were out on a hunting expedition. The friend would load and prepare the guns for the king. The friend had apparently done something wrong in preparing one of the guns, for after taking the gun from his friend, the king fired it and his thumb was blown off.
Examining the situation the friend remarked as usual, "This is good!"
To which the king replied, "No, this is NOT good!" and proceeded to send his friend to jail.
About a year later, the king was hunting in an area that he should have known to stay clear of. Cannibals captured him and took them to their village. They tied his hands, stacked some wood, set up a stake and bound him to the stake. As they came near to set fire to the wood, they noticed that the king was missing a thumb. Being superstitious, they never ate anyone that was less than whole. So untying the king, they sent him on his way.
As he returned home, he was reminded of the event that had taken his thumb and felt remorse for his treatment of his friend. He went immediately to the jail to speak with his friend. "You were right," he said, "it was good that my thumb was blown off. And he proceeded to tell the friend all that had just happened. "And so I am very sorry for sending you to jail for so long. It was bad of me to do this."
"No" his friend replied, "This is good!"
"What do you mean, "This is good?" How could it be good that I sent my friend to jail for a year?"
"If I had NOT been in jail, I would have been with you when you were captured."
Situations may not always seem pleasant while we are in them, but the promise of God is clear. If we love Him and live our lives according to His precepts, even that which seems to be bleak and hopeless will be turned by God for His glory and our benefit.
-- Author Unknown
Super Single
Super Single : 1 May2005 : SP
- Most pple have narrow minded view on singleness
- Singles' emotional baggage created by society (social pressure that creates burden)
- Agst divorces but abvocate separation in certain circumstances
- Many baggage is self-borne: singles accepting what society say + think of them instead of rejecting them
- We often accept what is the world's norm instead of what is in scripture
- Time for standard singles to change their view & become super singles.
1) Impact of education
- Creation of choice, empowerment: choice of education leading to non-marriage. Uneducated women in villages have no prob with marriage & procreation
- Many choose the freedom of singleness.
- Choice brings restriction
- Education is a blessing. But the choice & blessing has brougth problems
2) Imbalance in expectation
- Many expect marriage to be bliss but singleness a bane
- Contrary to expectation, many marriages have no harmony at all but agony
1 Cor 7:3-4 Loss of authority over own body
1 Cor 7:28 Have trouble, stress,
1 Cor 7:33 Have additional burden
Matt 19:1-12 Jesus said marriage is life-long commitment then see vs12
Balance view: John 10:10 Having an abundant life - for singles & the married. To have a full & fulfilled life.
Singles often filled there's something missing in life. Singles should therefore stop wallowing & live life fully & abundantly as a super single
3) Imperment in view of eternity
Matt 19:1-12 Better not to marry
Does marriage continue to eternity?
Lk 20:27-40 Women married 7 times: Jesus said marriage only on earth - no marriage in the resurrection. One would think if marriage is that great, God would instituted marriage in heaven.
Prophetess Anna (Lk 2:36-38) She was only married 7 yrs. God's favor was for her to see Jesus.
- The world often do not understand God's blessing & think that those not married are not blessed.
- Marriage on earth is so brief & yet marriage brings so much grief to singles.
4) Imminence of the end time
a) Singles care for the things of the Lord & concentrating on extension of God's kingdom w/o distraction (Matt 19:11-12).
Jesus not only talked but walked it by not being married. He would have been a model to married & on parenting. He chose to stay single.
Anna, Jesus, Paul all stayed single.
Paul encouraged singleness (1 Cor 7:8). The only thing is married can have legitimate sex. But Paul says this can be handled via self-control. Also can't get pregnant or enjoy parenting.
Jesus commented who stay celibrate Matt 19:11-12
Good to be married but better to be single 1 Cor 7:38
Are our singles taking advantage of their unencumbered single to extend God's kingdom?
Are our singles finding life full & fulfilling? The greatest hurdle facing singles is own mindset - The biblical teaching vs. the world's view.
- Most pple have narrow minded view on singleness
- Singles' emotional baggage created by society (social pressure that creates burden)
- Agst divorces but abvocate separation in certain circumstances
- Many baggage is self-borne: singles accepting what society say + think of them instead of rejecting them
- We often accept what is the world's norm instead of what is in scripture
- Time for standard singles to change their view & become super singles.
1) Impact of education
- Creation of choice, empowerment: choice of education leading to non-marriage. Uneducated women in villages have no prob with marriage & procreation
- Many choose the freedom of singleness.
- Choice brings restriction
- Education is a blessing. But the choice & blessing has brougth problems
2) Imbalance in expectation
- Many expect marriage to be bliss but singleness a bane
- Contrary to expectation, many marriages have no harmony at all but agony
1 Cor 7:3-4 Loss of authority over own body
1 Cor 7:28 Have trouble, stress,
1 Cor 7:33 Have additional burden
Matt 19:1-12 Jesus said marriage is life-long commitment then see vs12
Balance view: John 10:10 Having an abundant life - for singles & the married. To have a full & fulfilled life.
Singles often filled there's something missing in life. Singles should therefore stop wallowing & live life fully & abundantly as a super single
3) Imperment in view of eternity
Matt 19:1-12 Better not to marry
Does marriage continue to eternity?
Lk 20:27-40 Women married 7 times: Jesus said marriage only on earth - no marriage in the resurrection. One would think if marriage is that great, God would instituted marriage in heaven.
Prophetess Anna (Lk 2:36-38) She was only married 7 yrs. God's favor was for her to see Jesus.
- The world often do not understand God's blessing & think that those not married are not blessed.
- Marriage on earth is so brief & yet marriage brings so much grief to singles.
4) Imminence of the end time
a) Singles care for the things of the Lord & concentrating on extension of God's kingdom w/o distraction (Matt 19:11-12).
Jesus not only talked but walked it by not being married. He would have been a model to married & on parenting. He chose to stay single.
Anna, Jesus, Paul all stayed single.
Paul encouraged singleness (1 Cor 7:8). The only thing is married can have legitimate sex. But Paul says this can be handled via self-control. Also can't get pregnant or enjoy parenting.
Jesus commented who stay celibrate Matt 19:11-12
Good to be married but better to be single 1 Cor 7:38
Are our singles taking advantage of their unencumbered single to extend God's kingdom?
Are our singles finding life full & fulfilling? The greatest hurdle facing singles is own mindset - The biblical teaching vs. the world's view.
Coping with Stress in Courtship & Marriage
Coping with Stress in Courtship & Marriage:
Lk 1:5-38 (10 April 2005)
Nuptial Stress
- stealthy existence of stress
Blibical models
A) Expect conflict stress in married life
a) to be expected. Even a godly couple is not exempted.
The fundamental answer is 'commitment'.
B) Expected commitment in marriage
Matt 19:4-6
- It is necessary to communicate & bldg strength into marriage.
a) Store good things in heart & avoid keeping score of the bad things.
Events create experiences & memories. Lk 6:45
1 Cor 13:5b Love does not keep record of wrongs.
b) God centered
Make sure both stay God centered. One who hear, believe & follow God.
Both can pray & ask Grace from God.
Lk 1:5-38 (10 April 2005)
Nuptial Stress
- stealthy existence of stress
Blibical models
A) Expect conflict stress in married life
a) to be expected. Even a godly couple is not exempted.
The fundamental answer is 'commitment'.
B) Expected commitment in marriage
Matt 19:4-6
- It is necessary to communicate & bldg strength into marriage.
a) Store good things in heart & avoid keeping score of the bad things.
Events create experiences & memories. Lk 6:45
1 Cor 13:5b Love does not keep record of wrongs.
b) God centered
Make sure both stay God centered. One who hear, believe & follow God.
Both can pray & ask Grace from God.
Winning over Worries
Winning over Worries - Pst Benny Ho (20Mar 2005)
Phil 4:1-9
Worry is like a rocking chair, it gives u something to do but it won't get you anywhere.
Worry can't change the past, but it can certainly ruin the present.
Vs. 6: Do not be anxious/worry
Worry: Focused thinking, but wrong thinking in the mind, wrong feelings in the mind over circumstances & situations.
Psychosomatic illness- illness in the body caused by the mind
Whatever we are going thru, it is only temporal, the day will come when Jesus will rtn.
Worries & anxiety is something the devil use to rob the personal believer of joy.
How to ovecome worries
1) Pray correctly
Don't worry be happy-wrong!
Whatever is worth worrying abt, is worth praying over.
1 Pet 5:7-Cast all your cares on Him.
John 14:1-Trust in Jesus
Phil 3:6: Prayer (Person of God), Petition (Prob you have), Thanksgiving (Power of Praise) = results in God's peace that guards our mind from wrong thinking & our hearts from wrong feelings.
2) Think correctly
Isa 26:3
Wrong thinking can ruin everything
How often it is that our fears is more perceived than real. If only we are brave enough to face it, then we will realise the problen
Worry is focused thinking on the problem instead of the person of Jesus Christ.
Prov 23:7 - Whatever we think, we become
Thought-Action-Habit-Character-Destiny
Instead of thinking of worries, why don't we spend it on the Word of God.
3) Live correctly
All our correct praying & thinking must lead to correct living
Isa 32:17
Phil 4:9-What is learned must be put into practice.
Don't just worry. Just do it or decide what to do. Translate it to +ve Godly action.
The beginning of anxiety is the end of Faith. The beginning of True faith is the end of anxiety.
When u become wrinkled with care & worry, it is time to have a Faith-lift.
There is total security in Christ. Outside of Christ there is no security.
God is here to give us peace that the world cannot know.
In the end, it will be okay. If it is not okay, it is not the end.
Phil 4:1-9
Worry is like a rocking chair, it gives u something to do but it won't get you anywhere.
Worry can't change the past, but it can certainly ruin the present.
Vs. 6: Do not be anxious/worry
Worry: Focused thinking, but wrong thinking in the mind, wrong feelings in the mind over circumstances & situations.
Psychosomatic illness- illness in the body caused by the mind
Whatever we are going thru, it is only temporal, the day will come when Jesus will rtn.
Worries & anxiety is something the devil use to rob the personal believer of joy.
How to ovecome worries
1) Pray correctly
Don't worry be happy-wrong!
Whatever is worth worrying abt, is worth praying over.
1 Pet 5:7-Cast all your cares on Him.
John 14:1-Trust in Jesus
Phil 3:6: Prayer (Person of God), Petition (Prob you have), Thanksgiving (Power of Praise) = results in God's peace that guards our mind from wrong thinking & our hearts from wrong feelings.
2) Think correctly
Isa 26:3
Wrong thinking can ruin everything
How often it is that our fears is more perceived than real. If only we are brave enough to face it, then we will realise the problen
Worry is focused thinking on the problem instead of the person of Jesus Christ.
Prov 23:7 - Whatever we think, we become
Thought-Action-Habit-Character-Destiny
Instead of thinking of worries, why don't we spend it on the Word of God.
3) Live correctly
All our correct praying & thinking must lead to correct living
Isa 32:17
Phil 4:9-What is learned must be put into practice.
Don't just worry. Just do it or decide what to do. Translate it to +ve Godly action.
The beginning of anxiety is the end of Faith. The beginning of True faith is the end of anxiety.
When u become wrinkled with care & worry, it is time to have a Faith-lift.
There is total security in Christ. Outside of Christ there is no security.
God is here to give us peace that the world cannot know.
In the end, it will be okay. If it is not okay, it is not the end.
Saving life by spending it
Saving life by spending it - (27/02/05)
Mark 8:34-38
Jesus did not come to make us comfortable but to make us strong.
Honesty of Jesus & Bible
Matt 10:28,
The very thing God requires from your life is what u require for your life.
Isa 55:10,11
1. Spend your life vs.35
Some things in life are lost by being kept + saved by being used (talents, minds, smiles)
AD404, Telemachus
Our life is meant to be spent + not to be kept.
Jn10:10, 2 Cor 12:15, Phil 2:17: Abundant life is gained when by risking life + health for Jesus.
It is better to be 'spent out' or 'burnt out' than 'rust out'.
2. Deny yourself
Say NO to yourself, your ease, self-will & 'forbidden fruits' that draws u away from Jesus.
Say 'yes' to things that pleases God.
Sow your liberty
Jesus never forces anyone to follow Him.
'...take up His cross' -
Be as God's servants : 1 Peter 2:16.
Matt 22:28-30: 2 types of rest
a) Rest from burdens vs28 - physical
b) Re-creative rest for your spirit vs.30
This only come about when we take up the cross (the burden of Jesus)
2 Chron 16:8
3. Simply follow your leader
Jesus is our shepherd & not a (cowboy)
lead from front (back)
voice (whip)
rear for wool (meat)
We have all risked + given much more (health, wealth, time + relationships) to the lesser leaders of this world, then why not Jesus? vs. 36
- Not a question of ability. Jesus questions our priority.
Heb 4:15 & 4:16
God's mercy for those who obey - God's mercy emboldens us.
A Simple Secret
Some things cannot be understood but practiced.
Lk 9:23: Taking up the cross DAILY. Jesus only expects us to follow Him today, one day at a time.
John 12:24
No question of a seed's potential, but it must fall to the ground & die first.
Conclusion:
It is not new truths but just walking the truths we already know.
Mark 8:34-38
Jesus did not come to make us comfortable but to make us strong.
Honesty of Jesus & Bible
Matt 10:28,
The very thing God requires from your life is what u require for your life.
Isa 55:10,11
1. Spend your life vs.35
Some things in life are lost by being kept + saved by being used (talents, minds, smiles)
AD404, Telemachus
Our life is meant to be spent + not to be kept.
Jn10:10, 2 Cor 12:15, Phil 2:17: Abundant life is gained when by risking life + health for Jesus.
It is better to be 'spent out' or 'burnt out' than 'rust out'.
2. Deny yourself
Say NO to yourself, your ease, self-will & 'forbidden fruits' that draws u away from Jesus.
Say 'yes' to things that pleases God.
Sow your liberty
Jesus never forces anyone to follow Him.
'...take up His cross' -
Be as God's servants : 1 Peter 2:16.
Matt 22:28-30: 2 types of rest
a) Rest from burdens vs28 - physical
b) Re-creative rest for your spirit vs.30
This only come about when we take up the cross (the burden of Jesus)
2 Chron 16:8
3. Simply follow your leader
Jesus is our shepherd & not a (cowboy)
lead from front (back)
voice (whip)
rear for wool (meat)
We have all risked + given much more (health, wealth, time + relationships) to the lesser leaders of this world, then why not Jesus? vs. 36
- Not a question of ability. Jesus questions our priority.
Heb 4:15 & 4:16
God's mercy for those who obey - God's mercy emboldens us.
A Simple Secret
Some things cannot be understood but practiced.
Lk 9:23: Taking up the cross DAILY. Jesus only expects us to follow Him today, one day at a time.
John 12:24
No question of a seed's potential, but it must fall to the ground & die first.
Conclusion:
It is not new truths but just walking the truths we already know.
主我跟祢走 (Lord I Walk With You)
主我跟祢走 (Lord I Walk With You)
Verse 1:
主祢跟我走，往普天下走
Zhu Ni gen Wo zou, Wang pu tian xia zou
Lord You Walk with me, everywhere
天涯海角紧紧抓住我
Tian ya hai jiao jin jin zhua zhu wo
From the heavens to the limits of the sea, you'll hold me close and tight
主我跟祢走，往普天下走
Zhu wo gen ni zou, Wang pu tian xia zou
Lord I walk with you every where
死荫幽谷紧紧跟祢走
Si yin you gu jin jin gen Ni zou.
Through the valley, I will follow You closely.
Chorus:
因祢是, 万王之王，万主之主
Yin Ni shi, Wan wang zhi wang, Wan Zhu zhi Zhu
For You are, the King of Kings, the Lord of Lords
有祢跟着我，我还怕什麽
You Ni gen zhe wo, wo hai pa shi me
With you following me, I have nothing to fear
因祢已，战胜死亡，得胜君王
Yin Ni yi, zhan sheng si wang, de sheng jun wang
For You are, the One who conquered death, the victorious King
这信心的路，我永不回头
Zhe xin xin di lu, wo yong bu hui tou.
And I will walk the road with you and never turn back
Verse 2:
开启我的眼，信心的双眼
Kai qi wo di yan, xin xin di shuang yan
Open my eyes, let my faith arise
看那天使天军在身边
Kan na tian shi tian jun zai shen bian
See the heavenly angels standing by my side
塑造我的心，谦卑地聆听
Su zao wo di xin, qian bei di ling ting
Come mold & make my heart, Humbly I listen
祢的话语深植在我心
Ni di hua yu shen zhi zai wo xin
To every word that you plant deep into my heart
Verse 1:
主祢跟我走，往普天下走
Zhu Ni gen Wo zou, Wang pu tian xia zou
Lord You Walk with me, everywhere
天涯海角紧紧抓住我
Tian ya hai jiao jin jin zhua zhu wo
From the heavens to the limits of the sea, you'll hold me close and tight
主我跟祢走，往普天下走
Zhu wo gen ni zou, Wang pu tian xia zou
Lord I walk with you every where
死荫幽谷紧紧跟祢走
Si yin you gu jin jin gen Ni zou.
Through the valley, I will follow You closely.
Chorus:
因祢是, 万王之王，万主之主
Yin Ni shi, Wan wang zhi wang, Wan Zhu zhi Zhu
For You are, the King of Kings, the Lord of Lords
有祢跟着我，我还怕什麽
You Ni gen zhe wo, wo hai pa shi me
With you following me, I have nothing to fear
因祢已，战胜死亡，得胜君王
Yin Ni yi, zhan sheng si wang, de sheng jun wang
For You are, the One who conquered death, the victorious King
这信心的路，我永不回头
Zhe xin xin di lu, wo yong bu hui tou.
And I will walk the road with you and never turn back
Verse 2:
开启我的眼，信心的双眼
Kai qi wo di yan, xin xin di shuang yan
Open my eyes, let my faith arise
看那天使天军在身边
Kan na tian shi tian jun zai shen bian
See the heavenly angels standing by my side
塑造我的心，谦卑地聆听
Su zao wo di xin, qian bei di ling ting
Come mold & make my heart, Humbly I listen
祢的话语深植在我心
Ni di hua yu shen zhi zai wo xin
To every word that you plant deep into my heart
"CHOICES OF A MAN/WOMAN OF GOD"
Scripture: 1 Timothy 6:11-16
by Dcn Dr Alex Tang
1. Introduction
Spider- Man 2, the movie may prove to be the summer blockbuster of 2004. In a way, spider-man, conceived by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko in 1961 is the antithesis of a hero. He is Peter Parker, a teenager who was bitten by a radioactive spider gain fantastic powers like ability to climb to walls, strong webbing's that shot out of his wrists, agility and strength of 10 men. Yet Spider-man/Peter Parker is driven by guilt and self-doubt. He blames himself for the death of his Uncle Ben because he failed to stop the robber who shot him. He wants to do the right thing, but is not always sure what that is. He is constantly forced to choose between helping others and helping himself. In Spider-man 2, Peter Parker is struggling to make a choice – to remain as spider-man and reject the love of his childhood sweetheart, Mary Jane because as spider-man, he will have many enemies and will put Mary Jane’s life in danger or to give up being spider-man and live life as a ‘normal’ man with the woman he loves. The movies poster shows spider-man/Peter Parker at the top of the city looking down and holding his mask. It was titled ‘choice’. Spider-man reminds me of the Christian life. Out of the blue, he was given superpowers when he was accidentally bitten by a radioactive spider-man. We too are given ‘super power’ when we are born again and receive the Holy Spirit. Like Peter Parker, we too have to make a choice - to live a new life in Christ who means we have to sacrifice some things or to live life as ‘normal’ not using the gifts God has bestowed on us.
1 Timothy is a personal letter from Paul to Timothy and is not meant to be read from the pulpit. The structure of the letter is such that it has Paul pointing out and explaining the problem with the church followed by Paul's instruction and encouragement to Timothy. (1:3-7; 4:1-5 cf 1:18-20; 4:6-16). In Chapter 6 Paul is following the same pattern. (6:1-10 cf 6:11-16). Paul is reminding Timothy of his choices: the choices all man and woman of God have to make. What are these choices?
2. Choices of a Man or Woman of God
2.1 Flee from temptations
11 But you, man of God, flee from all this (v.11a)
1 Cor 10:13: No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.
What temptations was Paul talking about? In the first part of this chapter, Paul talks about the false teachers who gain power, respect and riches from the Ephesian church. Paul talks about the temptation of not being contented. Of wanting more. And he uses the example of money. The root of all evils is the love of money.
So how is a man or woman of God responding to temptation? Flee from it. Run away. Don't try to stand and see how strong you are. Run, run away. As fast and as far as you can? That's a story about Mahatma Gandhi testing himself against sexual temptation by sleeping between two naked young ladies every night. Well, man of God; do not get into such a situation. Run, run away.
2.2 Pursue Christlikeness
and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. (v.11b.)
The virtues described are similar to the fruits of the Holy Spirit (Gal. 2:20) and those for the qualification of the elders. Note the descending order from the virtues that define our relationship with God to that of our relationship with man.
2.3 Fight the good fight
12 Fight the good fight of the faith. (v.12a)
2 Tim 4:7: I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
The fight of the faith is our struggles in living a Christian life. Living a Christian life is not easy and is not meant to be easy. That is why Paul uses the word 'fight'. And in 2 Tim.4:7, Paul said that he has fought the fight and struggle to the end.
We fight against;
- Our flesh (Phil. 3:3) 3 For it is we who are the circumcision, we who worship by the Spirit of God, who glory in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh--
- Satan (Eph 6:12) 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
- The World (James 4:4) JAS 4:4 You adulterous people, don't you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.
- Other Christians (1 Cor 1:10-12) 1Cor 1:10 I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought. 11 My brothers, some from Chloe's household have informed me that there are quarrels among you. 12 What I mean is this: One of you says, "I follow Paul"; another, "I follow Apollos"; another, "I follow Cephas"; still another, "I follow Christ."
2.4 Claim your inheritance
Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses. 13 In the sight of God, who gives life to everything, and of Christ Jesus, who while testifying before Pontius Pilate made the good confession (v.12b, 13a)
2 Tim.6:8a: 8 Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness,
Romans 2:28: And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
There is a company slogan 'No Fear' and I see people walking around with this slogan on their tee shirts. Christian life should also be 'no fear'. We have eternal life and we are in the hands of the living God. What is there to be fearful about?
2.5 Complete obedience to the Truth: Make the right choices
I charge you 14 to keep this command without spot or blame until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 which God will bring about in his own time—God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords, 16 who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see. To him be honor and might forever. Amen. (v.13b-16)
2 Tim 4:7b,8
I have kept the faith. 8 Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day--and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.
In the book, 'Spiritual Secret of Hudson Taylor' by his son, Howard Taylor, Hudson Taylor wrote in his journal, "Fruit bearing involves cross-bearing…We know how the Lord Jesus became fruitful- not by bearing His Cross merely, but by dying on it…There are not two Christs- an easygoing one for easygoing Christians, and a suffering toiling one for exception believers. There is only one Christ. Are you willing to abide in Him, and thus bear much fruit?"
Doxology 1 Tim. 6:15b-16 was Paul bursting into a hymn of the transcendent God. This is in parallel to 2 Tim. 6:15-16. Not only is it a hymn to the One God, it is also a reminder to Timothy against emperor worship, which was prevalent at that time.
3. Lessons for Us
It’s the choices we make that make us who we are
It’s what we run from that keep us pure.
It’s what we seek after that helps us to mature.
It’s the struggle of the faith that makes us grow.
It’s what we claimed that makes us fearless.
It’s Whom we worship that helps us to obey.
4. Closing Remarks
Paul is saying to Timothy, “With great power comes great responsibility”. You are to lead a young church, which had gone astray. People will be looking to you for direction. You will be their role model. You will be the reflection of ‘Christ’ to them. Make the right choices. Keep your spiritual life in good shape. Keep your spiritual life healthy. Be careful. Be aware.
by Dcn Dr Alex Tang
1. Introduction
Spider- Man 2, the movie may prove to be the summer blockbuster of 2004. In a way, spider-man, conceived by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko in 1961 is the antithesis of a hero. He is Peter Parker, a teenager who was bitten by a radioactive spider gain fantastic powers like ability to climb to walls, strong webbing's that shot out of his wrists, agility and strength of 10 men. Yet Spider-man/Peter Parker is driven by guilt and self-doubt. He blames himself for the death of his Uncle Ben because he failed to stop the robber who shot him. He wants to do the right thing, but is not always sure what that is. He is constantly forced to choose between helping others and helping himself. In Spider-man 2, Peter Parker is struggling to make a choice – to remain as spider-man and reject the love of his childhood sweetheart, Mary Jane because as spider-man, he will have many enemies and will put Mary Jane’s life in danger or to give up being spider-man and live life as a ‘normal’ man with the woman he loves. The movies poster shows spider-man/Peter Parker at the top of the city looking down and holding his mask. It was titled ‘choice’. Spider-man reminds me of the Christian life. Out of the blue, he was given superpowers when he was accidentally bitten by a radioactive spider-man. We too are given ‘super power’ when we are born again and receive the Holy Spirit. Like Peter Parker, we too have to make a choice - to live a new life in Christ who means we have to sacrifice some things or to live life as ‘normal’ not using the gifts God has bestowed on us.
1 Timothy is a personal letter from Paul to Timothy and is not meant to be read from the pulpit. The structure of the letter is such that it has Paul pointing out and explaining the problem with the church followed by Paul's instruction and encouragement to Timothy. (1:3-7; 4:1-5 cf 1:18-20; 4:6-16). In Chapter 6 Paul is following the same pattern. (6:1-10 cf 6:11-16). Paul is reminding Timothy of his choices: the choices all man and woman of God have to make. What are these choices?
2. Choices of a Man or Woman of God
2.1 Flee from temptations
11 But you, man of God, flee from all this (v.11a)
1 Cor 10:13: No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.
What temptations was Paul talking about? In the first part of this chapter, Paul talks about the false teachers who gain power, respect and riches from the Ephesian church. Paul talks about the temptation of not being contented. Of wanting more. And he uses the example of money. The root of all evils is the love of money.
So how is a man or woman of God responding to temptation? Flee from it. Run away. Don't try to stand and see how strong you are. Run, run away. As fast and as far as you can? That's a story about Mahatma Gandhi testing himself against sexual temptation by sleeping between two naked young ladies every night. Well, man of God; do not get into such a situation. Run, run away.
2.2 Pursue Christlikeness
and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. (v.11b.)
The virtues described are similar to the fruits of the Holy Spirit (Gal. 2:20) and those for the qualification of the elders. Note the descending order from the virtues that define our relationship with God to that of our relationship with man.
2.3 Fight the good fight
12 Fight the good fight of the faith. (v.12a)
2 Tim 4:7: I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
The fight of the faith is our struggles in living a Christian life. Living a Christian life is not easy and is not meant to be easy. That is why Paul uses the word 'fight'. And in 2 Tim.4:7, Paul said that he has fought the fight and struggle to the end.
We fight against;
- Our flesh (Phil. 3:3) 3 For it is we who are the circumcision, we who worship by the Spirit of God, who glory in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh--
- Satan (Eph 6:12) 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
- The World (James 4:4) JAS 4:4 You adulterous people, don't you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.
- Other Christians (1 Cor 1:10-12) 1Cor 1:10 I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought. 11 My brothers, some from Chloe's household have informed me that there are quarrels among you. 12 What I mean is this: One of you says, "I follow Paul"; another, "I follow Apollos"; another, "I follow Cephas"; still another, "I follow Christ."
2.4 Claim your inheritance
Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses. 13 In the sight of God, who gives life to everything, and of Christ Jesus, who while testifying before Pontius Pilate made the good confession (v.12b, 13a)
2 Tim.6:8a: 8 Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness,
Romans 2:28: And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
There is a company slogan 'No Fear' and I see people walking around with this slogan on their tee shirts. Christian life should also be 'no fear'. We have eternal life and we are in the hands of the living God. What is there to be fearful about?
2.5 Complete obedience to the Truth: Make the right choices
I charge you 14 to keep this command without spot or blame until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 which God will bring about in his own time—God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords, 16 who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see. To him be honor and might forever. Amen. (v.13b-16)
2 Tim 4:7b,8
I have kept the faith. 8 Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day--and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.
In the book, 'Spiritual Secret of Hudson Taylor' by his son, Howard Taylor, Hudson Taylor wrote in his journal, "Fruit bearing involves cross-bearing…We know how the Lord Jesus became fruitful- not by bearing His Cross merely, but by dying on it…There are not two Christs- an easygoing one for easygoing Christians, and a suffering toiling one for exception believers. There is only one Christ. Are you willing to abide in Him, and thus bear much fruit?"
Doxology 1 Tim. 6:15b-16 was Paul bursting into a hymn of the transcendent God. This is in parallel to 2 Tim. 6:15-16. Not only is it a hymn to the One God, it is also a reminder to Timothy against emperor worship, which was prevalent at that time.
3. Lessons for Us
It’s the choices we make that make us who we are
It’s what we run from that keep us pure.
It’s what we seek after that helps us to mature.
It’s the struggle of the faith that makes us grow.
It’s what we claimed that makes us fearless.
It’s Whom we worship that helps us to obey.
4. Closing Remarks
Paul is saying to Timothy, “With great power comes great responsibility”. You are to lead a young church, which had gone astray. People will be looking to you for direction. You will be their role model. You will be the reflection of ‘Christ’ to them. Make the right choices. Keep your spiritual life in good shape. Keep your spiritual life healthy. Be careful. Be aware.
Empty Gods(1 Kings 18:27-29)
Author: Woodrow Kroll
Source: Lessons on Living from Elijah
1 Kings 18:27-29
And so it was, at noon, that Elijah mocked them and said, "Cry aloud, for he is a god; either he is meditating, or he is busy, or he is on a journey, or perhaps he is sleeping and must be awakened." So they cried aloud, and cut themselves, as was their custom, with knives and lances, until the blood gushed out on them. And it was so, when midday was past, that they prophesied until the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice. But there was no voice; no one answered, no one paid attention.
Empty Gods
Ralph Barton was a successful cartoonist. But he chose to end his life, leaving a note that read: "I have had few difficulties, many friends, great successes. I have gone from wife to wife, and from house to house, and visited great countries of the world; but I am fed up with inventing devices to fill up twenty-four hours of the day." How tragic! Like Ralph Barton, when we place our faith in things that are empty, the consequences are severe.
The prophets of Baal discovered this as well. They were sincere to the point of frenzy in their worship, but to no avail. Elijah mocked them, but he also pointed out an important truth—nobody was home. There was no voice, no answer, no god to pay attention to their pleas. Their religion was empty. And ultimately it caused their death (v. 40).
Everything the world offers is likewise empty. The money, the fame, the "good times" cannot fill the void in our lives because they have no substance. They seem real when we casually observe them, but the moment the stresses of life hit, they dissolve like cotton candy. Eventually, they also lead to our death—eternal separation from the Father. Don't make the same mistake the prophets of Baal did; make sure that what you put first in your life is real.
Give thanks today that you can know that Jesus is real. His resurrection proves that there is substance to His claims. When you grasp Him, you never have to worry about coming up empty-handed. Latch onto the eternal; latch onto Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior.
If your life is empty, fill it with Christ.
Source: Lessons on Living from Elijah
1 Kings 18:27-29
And so it was, at noon, that Elijah mocked them and said, "Cry aloud, for he is a god; either he is meditating, or he is busy, or he is on a journey, or perhaps he is sleeping and must be awakened." So they cried aloud, and cut themselves, as was their custom, with knives and lances, until the blood gushed out on them. And it was so, when midday was past, that they prophesied until the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice. But there was no voice; no one answered, no one paid attention.
Empty Gods
Ralph Barton was a successful cartoonist. But he chose to end his life, leaving a note that read: "I have had few difficulties, many friends, great successes. I have gone from wife to wife, and from house to house, and visited great countries of the world; but I am fed up with inventing devices to fill up twenty-four hours of the day." How tragic! Like Ralph Barton, when we place our faith in things that are empty, the consequences are severe.
The prophets of Baal discovered this as well. They were sincere to the point of frenzy in their worship, but to no avail. Elijah mocked them, but he also pointed out an important truth—nobody was home. There was no voice, no answer, no god to pay attention to their pleas. Their religion was empty. And ultimately it caused their death (v. 40).
Everything the world offers is likewise empty. The money, the fame, the "good times" cannot fill the void in our lives because they have no substance. They seem real when we casually observe them, but the moment the stresses of life hit, they dissolve like cotton candy. Eventually, they also lead to our death—eternal separation from the Father. Don't make the same mistake the prophets of Baal did; make sure that what you put first in your life is real.
Give thanks today that you can know that Jesus is real. His resurrection proves that there is substance to His claims. When you grasp Him, you never have to worry about coming up empty-handed. Latch onto the eternal; latch onto Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior.
If your life is empty, fill it with Christ.
Seek and Find(Jer 29:13)
Author: Woodrow Kroll
Source: Lessons on Living From Jeremiah
Jeremiah 29:13
And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.
Seek and Find
A 911 operator received a call one evening but heard nothing on the line. Fearing the worst, she called back. A little boy answered the phone in a barely audibly voice. She said, "Hello. Did you just call 911?" The boy replied in a hushed tone, "No!" "Okay, is your mommy home?" "Yes," the boy whispered, "but she's busy talking to the police." "Oh, so the police are there? May I speak to one of them?" the operator asked. "No, they're all busy." "All right," she responded, "then is your daddy home?" "Yes, but he's busy talking to the firemen." "Well, could I speak to one of the firemen then, please?" "No," the lad said softly, "they're really busy too." "Goodness," the operator said, "what are all these people busy doing?" "Looking for me," the boy whispered back.
Jeremiah assured the people that God was not playing this kind of hide-and-seek with them. A day was coming, the prophet said, in which those who sincerely seek God would find Him. No longer would they have to go through intermediaries like Levitical priests or perform repetitive rituals. God would make Himself personally and directly available.
This happened when Christ died on Calvary's cross. The heavy veil that separated the Holy of Holies from the rest of the temple was split in two. The Holy of Holies was the most sacred part of the temple. It was here that the Ark of the Covenant, the symbol of God's presence, was kept. Yet this place, where previously only the high priest could enter, became open to anyone's view. The barrier between God and man was removed.
Take advantage of your opportunity to come directly into God's presence. He wants to have fellowship with you personally. Approach God with a sincere heart and hands washed clean from sin. You will find Him delighted to have your company.When we hide ourselves in Christ, God never hides Himself from us.
Source: Lessons on Living From Jeremiah
Jeremiah 29:13
And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.
Seek and Find
A 911 operator received a call one evening but heard nothing on the line. Fearing the worst, she called back. A little boy answered the phone in a barely audibly voice. She said, "Hello. Did you just call 911?" The boy replied in a hushed tone, "No!" "Okay, is your mommy home?" "Yes," the boy whispered, "but she's busy talking to the police." "Oh, so the police are there? May I speak to one of them?" the operator asked. "No, they're all busy." "All right," she responded, "then is your daddy home?" "Yes, but he's busy talking to the firemen." "Well, could I speak to one of the firemen then, please?" "No," the lad said softly, "they're really busy too." "Goodness," the operator said, "what are all these people busy doing?" "Looking for me," the boy whispered back.
Jeremiah assured the people that God was not playing this kind of hide-and-seek with them. A day was coming, the prophet said, in which those who sincerely seek God would find Him. No longer would they have to go through intermediaries like Levitical priests or perform repetitive rituals. God would make Himself personally and directly available.
This happened when Christ died on Calvary's cross. The heavy veil that separated the Holy of Holies from the rest of the temple was split in two. The Holy of Holies was the most sacred part of the temple. It was here that the Ark of the Covenant, the symbol of God's presence, was kept. Yet this place, where previously only the high priest could enter, became open to anyone's view. The barrier between God and man was removed.
Take advantage of your opportunity to come directly into God's presence. He wants to have fellowship with you personally. Approach God with a sincere heart and hands washed clean from sin. You will find Him delighted to have your company.When we hide ourselves in Christ, God never hides Himself from us.
When the Creek Dries Up
Daily Devotions from Lessons On Living
Title: When the Creek Dries Up
Author: Woodrow Kroll
Source: Lessons on Living from Elijah
1 Kings 17:6-7
The ravens brought him bread and meat in the morning, and bread and meat in the evening; and he drank from the brook. And it happened after a while that the brook dried up, because there had been no rain in the land.
When the Creek Dries Up
John Brenz, a friend of Martin Luther, was hated by Emperor Charles V. He often tried to kill Brenz and on one occasion sent a troop of cavalrymen to arrest him. Hearing about the plot, Brenz took a loaf of bread and went to a nearby town, where he hid in a hayloft. He was there for 14 days. Obviously one loaf of bread was not enough for two weeks. But each day a hen came into the loft and laid an egg without cackling. In this way the Lord kept John Brenz alive. On the 15th day the hen did not show up. It seemed like the one lifeline he had clung to had been severed. As he was wondering what he would do without food, John heard the people in the streets below say, "The cavalrymen are gone at last!"
Elijah also experienced what appeared to be the loss of an essential lifeline. God had sent him out into the wilderness and provided food through the ministry of ravens and water from a small creek. But then a difficult situation became worse. As the drought continued, the brook dried up. At first glance, it might seem that God no longer cared about what happened to His prophet. Instead, God chose to provide in a different way and graciously directed him to the home of a widow in the city of Zarephath (v. 9).
Perhaps you feel that your creek also has dried up. The friend who has been your source of refreshment in a spiritual desert has moved away. The person who has been your lifeline at work has taken a new job. Whatever the case, trust God to provide through another source. It may be far different from what met your need before, but remember, God will not fail you.
When God closes a door, He always opens a window.
Title: When the Creek Dries Up
Author: Woodrow Kroll
Source: Lessons on Living from Elijah
1 Kings 17:6-7
The ravens brought him bread and meat in the morning, and bread and meat in the evening; and he drank from the brook. And it happened after a while that the brook dried up, because there had been no rain in the land.
When the Creek Dries Up
John Brenz, a friend of Martin Luther, was hated by Emperor Charles V. He often tried to kill Brenz and on one occasion sent a troop of cavalrymen to arrest him. Hearing about the plot, Brenz took a loaf of bread and went to a nearby town, where he hid in a hayloft. He was there for 14 days. Obviously one loaf of bread was not enough for two weeks. But each day a hen came into the loft and laid an egg without cackling. In this way the Lord kept John Brenz alive. On the 15th day the hen did not show up. It seemed like the one lifeline he had clung to had been severed. As he was wondering what he would do without food, John heard the people in the streets below say, "The cavalrymen are gone at last!"
Elijah also experienced what appeared to be the loss of an essential lifeline. God had sent him out into the wilderness and provided food through the ministry of ravens and water from a small creek. But then a difficult situation became worse. As the drought continued, the brook dried up. At first glance, it might seem that God no longer cared about what happened to His prophet. Instead, God chose to provide in a different way and graciously directed him to the home of a widow in the city of Zarephath (v. 9).
Perhaps you feel that your creek also has dried up. The friend who has been your source of refreshment in a spiritual desert has moved away. The person who has been your lifeline at work has taken a new job. Whatever the case, trust God to provide through another source. It may be far different from what met your need before, but remember, God will not fail you.
When God closes a door, He always opens a window.
When God Says No
Daily Devotions from Theodore Epp
Title: When God Says No
Author: Theodore Epp
Source: Strength for the Journey
2 Samuel 7:1-13
Nathan commended David for his desire to build a temple and then went to his own house. That night God spoke to the prophet, and as an obedient servant, Nathan brought the word to David. The message was no. God was not going to allow David to build a house of worship for Him. The Lord, however, was pleased with the intentions and the attitude of David's heart in this matter. Years later, after David's death, Solomon built a magnificent temple and in his dedication message said, "It was in the heart of David my father to build an house for the name of the Lord God of Israel. And the Lord said unto David my father, Whereas it was in thine heart to build an house unto my name, thou didst well that it was in thine heart" (I Kings 8:17,18).
Though God said no to David's building a temple, He was so pleased with David's attitude that He made a covenant with him in which He promised to establish the house of David forever.
Can you take a no from God? He knows what is best for all of us. Remember, His promise to David was "I will be with thee for ever" (see 2 Sam. 7:16). This promise is ours also, for He has said He will never leave us nor forsake us (see Heb. 13:5).
"As for God, his way is perfect" (2 Sam. 22:31).
Title: When God Says No
Author: Theodore Epp
Source: Strength for the Journey
2 Samuel 7:1-13
Nathan commended David for his desire to build a temple and then went to his own house. That night God spoke to the prophet, and as an obedient servant, Nathan brought the word to David. The message was no. God was not going to allow David to build a house of worship for Him. The Lord, however, was pleased with the intentions and the attitude of David's heart in this matter. Years later, after David's death, Solomon built a magnificent temple and in his dedication message said, "It was in the heart of David my father to build an house for the name of the Lord God of Israel. And the Lord said unto David my father, Whereas it was in thine heart to build an house unto my name, thou didst well that it was in thine heart" (I Kings 8:17,18).
Though God said no to David's building a temple, He was so pleased with David's attitude that He made a covenant with him in which He promised to establish the house of David forever.
Can you take a no from God? He knows what is best for all of us. Remember, His promise to David was "I will be with thee for ever" (see 2 Sam. 7:16). This promise is ours also, for He has said He will never leave us nor forsake us (see Heb. 13:5).
"As for God, his way is perfect" (2 Sam. 22:31).
Dealing With Your Past
Daily Devotions from Theodore Epp
Title: Dealing With Your Past
Author: Theodore Epp
Source: Strength for the Journey
Philippians 3:12-14; 1 Timothy 1:12-17
We can do nothing about the past except make necessary confession. And when confession is made, the Bible promises: "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9). By confession, sin is placed under the cleansing blood of the Lord Jesus Christ, and when it is under the blood, it does not condemn any longer. Unless the past is dealt with, one is not prepared to live in the present nor to go on into the future. Unless the past is dealt with, it becomes a haunting memory that saps the strength of the believer so he is unable to honor Christ in his daily life.
What God does with sin when it is confessed is explained in various passages. Isaiah 44:22 says, "I have wiped out your transgressions like a thick cloud, and your sins like a heavy mist. Return to Me, for I have redeemed you" (NASB). Hebrews 8:12 says, "For I will be merciful to their iniquities, and I will remember their sins no more" (NASB).
Someone has said, "The present must forget the past by correction, or else the past will become a moral and spiritual liability for the future."
Consider some items that need to be forgotten: failures--they keep our faith from advancing; successes--they create pride (see Prov. 16:18); losses--they drag us down so we cannot serve the Lord the way we should; grievances--they produce false attitudes (see 1 Cor. 13:6); sorrows--God can heal all heartaches; discouragements--we need to remember Christ, not disappointments, thwarted hopes and plans.
"And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more" (Heb. 10:17).
Title: Dealing With Your Past
Author: Theodore Epp
Source: Strength for the Journey
Philippians 3:12-14; 1 Timothy 1:12-17
We can do nothing about the past except make necessary confession. And when confession is made, the Bible promises: "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9). By confession, sin is placed under the cleansing blood of the Lord Jesus Christ, and when it is under the blood, it does not condemn any longer. Unless the past is dealt with, one is not prepared to live in the present nor to go on into the future. Unless the past is dealt with, it becomes a haunting memory that saps the strength of the believer so he is unable to honor Christ in his daily life.
What God does with sin when it is confessed is explained in various passages. Isaiah 44:22 says, "I have wiped out your transgressions like a thick cloud, and your sins like a heavy mist. Return to Me, for I have redeemed you" (NASB). Hebrews 8:12 says, "For I will be merciful to their iniquities, and I will remember their sins no more" (NASB).
Someone has said, "The present must forget the past by correction, or else the past will become a moral and spiritual liability for the future."
Consider some items that need to be forgotten: failures--they keep our faith from advancing; successes--they create pride (see Prov. 16:18); losses--they drag us down so we cannot serve the Lord the way we should; grievances--they produce false attitudes (see 1 Cor. 13:6); sorrows--God can heal all heartaches; discouragements--we need to remember Christ, not disappointments, thwarted hopes and plans.
"And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more" (Heb. 10:17).
The Consequence of Obedience
The Consequence of Obedience
Author: Woodrow Kroll
Source: Lessons on Living from Daniel
Daniel 3:17–18
"If that is the case, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand, O king. But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up."
The Consequence of Obedience
A recently licensed pilot was flying his private plane on a cloudy day. He was not very experienced yet in instrument landing. When the control tower began to bring him in for a landing, he started thinking about all the hills, towers and buildings in that area. Suddenly he began to panic. How would he be able to miss these things if he couldn't see them? In a calm but stern voice the air traffic controller said, "You just obey instructions; we'll take care of the obstructions."
This was the testimony of Daniel's three friends, Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-Nego. They trusted their God to take care of the obstructions. The three obviously would not have chosen to be burned up in a fiery furnace—who would? But they knew that could be the consequence of their absolute obedience to God. The commandments given to Moses centuries before on Mount Sinai clearly forbade the Jews from worshiping an idol. Their instructions were clear. Their responsibility was obedience; God's responsibility was to take care of the consequences in whatever way He deemed best.
Christians have an equally clear set of instructions. Not only do we have the books of the Old Testament that Daniel's friends would have been familiar with, but we also have the New Testament. Our responsibility is to obey what we know God's Word says and let God deal with the outcome.
Commit your way to the Lord. Be obedient to the clear instructions of God's Word, and let Him deal with any difficulties that might arise. Trust the omnipotent, omniscient God of the universe. Only He can guide you through the obstacles that result from obedience. It's good to know He will.
Obedience is our responsibility; handling the consequences is God's.
Author: Woodrow Kroll
Source: Lessons on Living from Daniel
Daniel 3:17–18
"If that is the case, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand, O king. But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up."
The Consequence of Obedience
A recently licensed pilot was flying his private plane on a cloudy day. He was not very experienced yet in instrument landing. When the control tower began to bring him in for a landing, he started thinking about all the hills, towers and buildings in that area. Suddenly he began to panic. How would he be able to miss these things if he couldn't see them? In a calm but stern voice the air traffic controller said, "You just obey instructions; we'll take care of the obstructions."
This was the testimony of Daniel's three friends, Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-Nego. They trusted their God to take care of the obstructions. The three obviously would not have chosen to be burned up in a fiery furnace—who would? But they knew that could be the consequence of their absolute obedience to God. The commandments given to Moses centuries before on Mount Sinai clearly forbade the Jews from worshiping an idol. Their instructions were clear. Their responsibility was obedience; God's responsibility was to take care of the consequences in whatever way He deemed best.
Christians have an equally clear set of instructions. Not only do we have the books of the Old Testament that Daniel's friends would have been familiar with, but we also have the New Testament. Our responsibility is to obey what we know God's Word says and let God deal with the outcome.
Commit your way to the Lord. Be obedient to the clear instructions of God's Word, and let Him deal with any difficulties that might arise. Trust the omnipotent, omniscient God of the universe. Only He can guide you through the obstacles that result from obedience. It's good to know He will.
Obedience is our responsibility; handling the consequences is God's.
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
HOLE IN ONE
HOLE IN ONE
As a young man, Norton was an exceptional golfer. At the age of 26, however, he decided to become a priest, and joined a rather peculiar Order. He took the usual vows of poverty, chastity, but his Order also required that he quit golf and never play again. This was particularly difficult for Norton, but he agreed and was finally ordained a priest.
One Sunday morning, the Reverend Father Norton woke up and realizing it was an exceptionally beautiful and sunny early spring day, decided he just had to play golf. So... he told the Associate Pastor that he was feeling sick and convinced him to say Mass for him that day. As soon as the Associate Pastor left the room, Father Norton headed out of town to a golf course about forty miles away. This way he knew he wouldn’t accidentally meet anyone he knew from his parish.
Setting up on the first tee, he was alone. After all, it was Sunday morning and everyone else was in church! At about this time, Saint Peter leaned over to the Lord while looking down from the heavens and exclaimed, “You’re not going to let him get away with this, are you?” The Lord sighed, and said, “No, I guess not.”
Just then Father Norton hit the ball and it shot straight towards the pin, dropping just short of it, rolled up and fell into the hole. It WAS A 420 YARD HOLE IN ONE! St. Peter was astonished. He looked at the Lord and asked, “Why did you let him do that?” The Lord smiled and replied, “Who’s he going to tell?”
Author Unknown
As a young man, Norton was an exceptional golfer. At the age of 26, however, he decided to become a priest, and joined a rather peculiar Order. He took the usual vows of poverty, chastity, but his Order also required that he quit golf and never play again. This was particularly difficult for Norton, but he agreed and was finally ordained a priest.
One Sunday morning, the Reverend Father Norton woke up and realizing it was an exceptionally beautiful and sunny early spring day, decided he just had to play golf. So... he told the Associate Pastor that he was feeling sick and convinced him to say Mass for him that day. As soon as the Associate Pastor left the room, Father Norton headed out of town to a golf course about forty miles away. This way he knew he wouldn’t accidentally meet anyone he knew from his parish.
Setting up on the first tee, he was alone. After all, it was Sunday morning and everyone else was in church! At about this time, Saint Peter leaned over to the Lord while looking down from the heavens and exclaimed, “You’re not going to let him get away with this, are you?” The Lord sighed, and said, “No, I guess not.”
Just then Father Norton hit the ball and it shot straight towards the pin, dropping just short of it, rolled up and fell into the hole. It WAS A 420 YARD HOLE IN ONE! St. Peter was astonished. He looked at the Lord and asked, “Why did you let him do that?” The Lord smiled and replied, “Who’s he going to tell?”
Author Unknown
BE A GOOD WITNESS
BE A GOOD WITNESS
A woman pulls up to a red light behind one other car. She notices the driver of the car in front of her is talking on his cell phone, and appears to be shuffling through some papers on the seat beside him. The light turns GREEN, but the man doesn't notice the light change. The woman begins pounding on her steering wheel and yelling at the man to move! The man doesn't move! The woman is going ballistic inside her car. ranting and raving at the man, pounding on her steering wheel and dashboard.
The light turns YELLOW. The woman begins to blow the car horn and screams curses at the man. The man, hearing the commotion, looks up, sees the YELLOW light, and accelerates through the intersection just as the light turns RED. The woman is beside herself, screaming and very frustrated, as she misses her chance to get through the intersection. As she is in mid-rant, she hears a TAP on her window and looks up into the barrel of a GUN held by a very serious looking policeman.
The police man tells her to shut off her car while keeping both hands in sight. She complies and is speechless at what is happening. After she shuts off the engine, the policeman orders her to exit the car with her hands up. The woman gets out of the car, and the policeman orders her to turn and place her hands on the car. She turns, places her hands on the car roof, and is quickly cuffed and hustled into the patrol car.
The woman is too bewildered by the chain of events to ask any questions, and she is driven to the police station where she is FINGERPRINTED, PHOTOGRAPHED, SEARCHED, BOOKED, and PLACED INTO A CELL.
After a couple of hours, a policeman approaches the cell and opens the door for her. She is escorted back to the booking desk where the original officer is waiting with her personal effects. The policeman hands her the bags containing her things and says, "I'm sorry for this MISTAKE, but you see, I pulled up behind your car while you were blowing your horn and cussing a blue streak at the car in front of you. I noticed the "CHOOSE LIFE" license plate holder, the "FOLLOW ME TO SUNDAY SCHOOL" bumper sticker, and the chrome plated "CHRISTIAN FISH EMBLEM" on the trunk, so naturally, I ASSUMED YOU HAD STOLEN THE CAR."
Author Unknown. Side note: People are watching us. We may be the only Bible that some people will ever read; let's make sure we are sending the right message.
A woman pulls up to a red light behind one other car. She notices the driver of the car in front of her is talking on his cell phone, and appears to be shuffling through some papers on the seat beside him. The light turns GREEN, but the man doesn't notice the light change. The woman begins pounding on her steering wheel and yelling at the man to move! The man doesn't move! The woman is going ballistic inside her car. ranting and raving at the man, pounding on her steering wheel and dashboard.
The light turns YELLOW. The woman begins to blow the car horn and screams curses at the man. The man, hearing the commotion, looks up, sees the YELLOW light, and accelerates through the intersection just as the light turns RED. The woman is beside herself, screaming and very frustrated, as she misses her chance to get through the intersection. As she is in mid-rant, she hears a TAP on her window and looks up into the barrel of a GUN held by a very serious looking policeman.
The police man tells her to shut off her car while keeping both hands in sight. She complies and is speechless at what is happening. After she shuts off the engine, the policeman orders her to exit the car with her hands up. The woman gets out of the car, and the policeman orders her to turn and place her hands on the car. She turns, places her hands on the car roof, and is quickly cuffed and hustled into the patrol car.
The woman is too bewildered by the chain of events to ask any questions, and she is driven to the police station where she is FINGERPRINTED, PHOTOGRAPHED, SEARCHED, BOOKED, and PLACED INTO A CELL.
After a couple of hours, a policeman approaches the cell and opens the door for her. She is escorted back to the booking desk where the original officer is waiting with her personal effects. The policeman hands her the bags containing her things and says, "I'm sorry for this MISTAKE, but you see, I pulled up behind your car while you were blowing your horn and cussing a blue streak at the car in front of you. I noticed the "CHOOSE LIFE" license plate holder, the "FOLLOW ME TO SUNDAY SCHOOL" bumper sticker, and the chrome plated "CHRISTIAN FISH EMBLEM" on the trunk, so naturally, I ASSUMED YOU HAD STOLEN THE CAR."
Author Unknown. Side note: People are watching us. We may be the only Bible that some people will ever read; let's make sure we are sending the right message.
Christian Marriage
This Week's Sermon
"Christian Marriage"
Scripture: Ephesians 5:21-33
by Eld Dr Chuah Seong Peng
Introduction
Marriage is a topic that is much talked about because many of us are in it and it is an important part of our lives. There is a lighter side and a serious side to marriage. There is much humour made on marriage. There are also many tragic stories we have heard, when marriage turned ugly.
So what do you think when you hear the word ‘marriage’? Do you get the picture like the fruit of the Holy Spirit in your mind of love, joy, peace and so on or do you get just boredom, repulsion and misery? On the lighter side we can identify with these sayings,
‘Before marriage, the man was dying to hold the woman’s hand; but after marriage, the woman was dying for the man to hold her hands!’
“Marriage happens as with birds and cages; the birds outside despair to get in, and those inside despair to get out.”
The reality of marriage hits home when we see the cartoon where a woman sitting in front of her counselor with the following words,
“When I got married, I was looking for an ideal, but I went through an ordeal and now I want a new deal.”
On a more serious note, the following comment should ring a fire alarm for us.
‘Many so called ‘Christian’ homes today are on the verge of disintegration because of the lack of a leader.’
This evening we want to look at Eph. 5:21-33 and see what Paul has to tell us about Christian marriage.
Read Eph. 5:21-33
There are five parts to this passage.
1. v21 – A hinge statement – The Foundation
2. v22-24 – Instructions to the wife
3. v25-30 – Instructions to the husband
4. v31-32 – The Climax – Mystery revealed
5. v33 – A summary statement
The Foundation Statement
v21 Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ
A hinge statement that set the stage for this sermon : Two points to take note,
• The believers must submit to one another in the fear of the Lord
• Submission is an act of one who is ‘filled with the Spirit’ (5:18b).
Earlier in v19-20, Paul says a believer who is filled with the Spirit will speak encouraging words to one another; sing joyfully and always giving thanks. Now Paul also says that a believer who is filled with the Spirit will submit to each other because of their reverence to Christ. In this sermon we will look at what forms the spirit-filled Christian marriage will take. How do the husband and wife live out the submission as spirit filled Christian in a marriage?
V22-24 The instructions to the wife
The wife submits to the husband in everything for two reasons:
1. As an expression of her submission to the Lord
V22 ‘wives submit to the husbands as to the Lord.’
The submission of the wives to the husband is an expression of her submission to the Lord. She submits because of what the Lord has done and commanded her to do. It is mot dependent in what the husband does.
2. The husband is the head of the family
V23 ‘the husband is the head of the family as Christ is the head of the church’
The husband is given authority over the wife. But it is not a blatant authority or a dictatorship.
It is a functional not positional head. It is not that the husband is valued higher than the wife in God’s sight. They are of equal standing before God. It is an authority with responsibility. The man is given the authority with a responsibility to love and care for the wife. The authority is given to man to rule in the family to fulfill the purpose of God for both the husband and the wife.
The submission is in all things, not only some things. But the wife is not to submit blindly. She is to give her input and feedback to the husband. The husband is to seek and value the opinion of the wife who is his helper. But the final decision belongs to the husband.
V25-32 The instructions to the husband
The husband is to love the wife as
1. V25-27 Christ loves the church – The sacrificial and the sanctifying love
2. V28-30 he loves himself – The caring love
1. V25-27 The husband is to love the wife as Christ loves the church
The balancing act of sacrificial love and sanctifying love.
On the one hand the husband must be willing to give up everything for the wife just as the wife submits in everything. The husband devotes himself to whatever is good for the wife – even to the extent of giving up his life as Christ did for the church. But that does not mean pampering the wife and live to her whims and fancy. The authority given comes with responsibility. He must work to present her holy and blameless as Christ present the church radiant, without stain and wrinkle. He does so by the washing with water through the word. He purifies her by providing spiritual leadership in the home. They pray and study the word of God. Decision making is guided by prayer and the word. Decision making even though made by the husband is God-directed and God-centred. That is how Spirit-filled marriage lives. The spirit is in control.
2. V28-29 The Caring love - Husband loves your wife as you love yourself
From sacrificial love and sanctifying love to self-love.
Paul now turns from sacrificial love and sanctifying love to self-love. Paul knows self-love is very important for the person cannot love others until he has loved himself. But it must be done with the right attitude and understanding. You must not love yourself too much or too little.
We can also love ourselves too much. That is the tendency for most of us. Therefore, Paul directed the man to love the wife as he loves himself. This is also from the great commandment (Lev. 19:18) ‘to love your neighbour as yourself’. Therefore, the wife is to be the nearest and dearest neighbour to the husband.
The call to sacrificial love may cause the husband to neglect and abandon himself. This is not good. Until the person is properly taken care of, he cannot care for someone else. A husband who is tired, worn out physically will be a grumpy husband. A husband who is not relaxed and contended cannot be a good listener and encourager. A husband who is not spiritually nourished will not be a good spiritual guide.
The Caring love
Husband ‘feeds and cares’, ‘nourish and cherish’ your wife
The practice of the love painted for us by Paul is one that is full of affection and tenderness. Paul says the husband is ‘to feed and care’ or ‘to nourish and cherish’ the wife. To nourish is to ‘draw out something from within’. To cherish is ‘to warm, to heat’. This is the picture of a mother who tenderly cares for her nursing infant. There is much tenderness in this love that the husband is called to give to the wife.
The purpose of the love
The wife will be like the church without spot or wrinkle.
There is beauty both on the outside and inside for the spots come from outside and wrinkles come from within. There is wholesome beauty of the wife because she will be cared for physically, emotionally and spiritually. This can only come when the husband will take care of the wive's needs physically, emotionally and spiritually. Therefore, the husband who loves the wife will be careful in what he does and say. Sometimes what the husband says can hurt the wife more than what he does. Furthermore, the spiritual nourishment of the wife must not be neglected.
Before we get the idea that in marriage the husband is the one who only gives and never receives love, let us hear what Paul says in v28b, ‘he who loves his wife loves himself.’ Paul asserted that the husband who is loving the wife is loving himself at the same time! This is because of the great mystery revealed to us in v31-32.
V31-32 The mystery revealed
The union of husband and wife in marriage is that of a union of Christ and his church.
The union of Christ and his bride the church is a profound mystery that can only be understood by the revelation of the Spirit. The union of husband and wife in Gen. 2:24 as one flesh is of profound mystery as well that can only be understood by those filled with the Spirit. This union is fulfilled in the highest manner in the sexual act in marriage. The sexual act in as much a physical act as well as a spiritual act that bind two souls into one. It follows this union that the husband who loves the wife is also loving himself. His sacrificial love, sanctifying love and self-love for her is as much for her and as for himself.
V33 A summary statement
Husband loves the wife. Wife respects the husband.
The man needs respect. The woman needs love. But the two has become one. They are put together to be one body of Christ to glorify God. They work together helping each other to be sanctified, set apart holy and blameless to reveal the glory of God to the world.
Summary
1. Husband and wife are one in Christ.
2. They are both connected together to each other and to the Spirit of God.
3. They are put together to help each other in the transformation work of the Spirit in and through them towards the purpose of God.
4. The husband is to love the wife and the wife is to submit to the husband.
Practical application
For the husband
1. Express your love to her through words and action:
• Learn to say, “I love you”, “I am sorry”
• A tender touch on the hand, a gentle pad on the shoulder.
• Set aside time together for romance
2. Hold her in high regards. Value her opinion
3. Communicate – openly and honestly.
• No mind reading / silent game.
• Learn to listen, “You never listen to me”
• Learn to talk. Avoid ‘bottled up resentment’
4. Seek the Lord together in prayer and study.
For the wife
Know that submission is the attitude of the mind. It is to be enjoyed and not feared. He is responsible to make the final decision.
How to submit:
1. Be supportive and give him the respect.
Eph. 5:33 (Amp) “Let the wife see that she respect and reverence her husband – that she notices him, regards him, honours him, prefers him, venerates and esteem him, and that she defers to him, praises him, and loves and admires him exceedingly."
2. Be wise in the way you handle money
• Proverbs 31:11, 16, 24
• When money is in short supply, the wife’s attitude towards the problem and her husband’s ability to bring in the money can either make or break him.
• Men feel as if they are failures when they have difficulty in providing the family budget.
3. Ask God to show you any areas in which you have assumed leadership
Transfer back the leadership gradually.
4. Determine to obey the word of God whether you feel like it or not
If you find difficulty with the biblical principal of submission, confess to the Lord and ask Him for strength. If you find the difficulty to submit, it could be that deep down you have difficulty in totally trusting the Lord.
Closing Thought
The key to a successful marriage is we see three persons in the marriage – husband, wife and God. The husband and wife must learn to draw their needs and satisfaction from God. Therefore, they must live in a life of worship to God.
"Christian Marriage"
Scripture: Ephesians 5:21-33
by Eld Dr Chuah Seong Peng
Introduction
Marriage is a topic that is much talked about because many of us are in it and it is an important part of our lives. There is a lighter side and a serious side to marriage. There is much humour made on marriage. There are also many tragic stories we have heard, when marriage turned ugly.
So what do you think when you hear the word ‘marriage’? Do you get the picture like the fruit of the Holy Spirit in your mind of love, joy, peace and so on or do you get just boredom, repulsion and misery? On the lighter side we can identify with these sayings,
‘Before marriage, the man was dying to hold the woman’s hand; but after marriage, the woman was dying for the man to hold her hands!’
“Marriage happens as with birds and cages; the birds outside despair to get in, and those inside despair to get out.”
The reality of marriage hits home when we see the cartoon where a woman sitting in front of her counselor with the following words,
“When I got married, I was looking for an ideal, but I went through an ordeal and now I want a new deal.”
On a more serious note, the following comment should ring a fire alarm for us.
‘Many so called ‘Christian’ homes today are on the verge of disintegration because of the lack of a leader.’
This evening we want to look at Eph. 5:21-33 and see what Paul has to tell us about Christian marriage.
Read Eph. 5:21-33
There are five parts to this passage.
1. v21 – A hinge statement – The Foundation
2. v22-24 – Instructions to the wife
3. v25-30 – Instructions to the husband
4. v31-32 – The Climax – Mystery revealed
5. v33 – A summary statement
The Foundation Statement
v21 Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ
A hinge statement that set the stage for this sermon : Two points to take note,
• The believers must submit to one another in the fear of the Lord
• Submission is an act of one who is ‘filled with the Spirit’ (5:18b).
Earlier in v19-20, Paul says a believer who is filled with the Spirit will speak encouraging words to one another; sing joyfully and always giving thanks. Now Paul also says that a believer who is filled with the Spirit will submit to each other because of their reverence to Christ. In this sermon we will look at what forms the spirit-filled Christian marriage will take. How do the husband and wife live out the submission as spirit filled Christian in a marriage?
V22-24 The instructions to the wife
The wife submits to the husband in everything for two reasons:
1. As an expression of her submission to the Lord
V22 ‘wives submit to the husbands as to the Lord.’
The submission of the wives to the husband is an expression of her submission to the Lord. She submits because of what the Lord has done and commanded her to do. It is mot dependent in what the husband does.
2. The husband is the head of the family
V23 ‘the husband is the head of the family as Christ is the head of the church’
The husband is given authority over the wife. But it is not a blatant authority or a dictatorship.
It is a functional not positional head. It is not that the husband is valued higher than the wife in God’s sight. They are of equal standing before God. It is an authority with responsibility. The man is given the authority with a responsibility to love and care for the wife. The authority is given to man to rule in the family to fulfill the purpose of God for both the husband and the wife.
The submission is in all things, not only some things. But the wife is not to submit blindly. She is to give her input and feedback to the husband. The husband is to seek and value the opinion of the wife who is his helper. But the final decision belongs to the husband.
V25-32 The instructions to the husband
The husband is to love the wife as
1. V25-27 Christ loves the church – The sacrificial and the sanctifying love
2. V28-30 he loves himself – The caring love
1. V25-27 The husband is to love the wife as Christ loves the church
The balancing act of sacrificial love and sanctifying love.
On the one hand the husband must be willing to give up everything for the wife just as the wife submits in everything. The husband devotes himself to whatever is good for the wife – even to the extent of giving up his life as Christ did for the church. But that does not mean pampering the wife and live to her whims and fancy. The authority given comes with responsibility. He must work to present her holy and blameless as Christ present the church radiant, without stain and wrinkle. He does so by the washing with water through the word. He purifies her by providing spiritual leadership in the home. They pray and study the word of God. Decision making is guided by prayer and the word. Decision making even though made by the husband is God-directed and God-centred. That is how Spirit-filled marriage lives. The spirit is in control.
2. V28-29 The Caring love - Husband loves your wife as you love yourself
From sacrificial love and sanctifying love to self-love.
Paul now turns from sacrificial love and sanctifying love to self-love. Paul knows self-love is very important for the person cannot love others until he has loved himself. But it must be done with the right attitude and understanding. You must not love yourself too much or too little.
We can also love ourselves too much. That is the tendency for most of us. Therefore, Paul directed the man to love the wife as he loves himself. This is also from the great commandment (Lev. 19:18) ‘to love your neighbour as yourself’. Therefore, the wife is to be the nearest and dearest neighbour to the husband.
The call to sacrificial love may cause the husband to neglect and abandon himself. This is not good. Until the person is properly taken care of, he cannot care for someone else. A husband who is tired, worn out physically will be a grumpy husband. A husband who is not relaxed and contended cannot be a good listener and encourager. A husband who is not spiritually nourished will not be a good spiritual guide.
The Caring love
Husband ‘feeds and cares’, ‘nourish and cherish’ your wife
The practice of the love painted for us by Paul is one that is full of affection and tenderness. Paul says the husband is ‘to feed and care’ or ‘to nourish and cherish’ the wife. To nourish is to ‘draw out something from within’. To cherish is ‘to warm, to heat’. This is the picture of a mother who tenderly cares for her nursing infant. There is much tenderness in this love that the husband is called to give to the wife.
The purpose of the love
The wife will be like the church without spot or wrinkle.
There is beauty both on the outside and inside for the spots come from outside and wrinkles come from within. There is wholesome beauty of the wife because she will be cared for physically, emotionally and spiritually. This can only come when the husband will take care of the wive's needs physically, emotionally and spiritually. Therefore, the husband who loves the wife will be careful in what he does and say. Sometimes what the husband says can hurt the wife more than what he does. Furthermore, the spiritual nourishment of the wife must not be neglected.
Before we get the idea that in marriage the husband is the one who only gives and never receives love, let us hear what Paul says in v28b, ‘he who loves his wife loves himself.’ Paul asserted that the husband who is loving the wife is loving himself at the same time! This is because of the great mystery revealed to us in v31-32.
V31-32 The mystery revealed
The union of husband and wife in marriage is that of a union of Christ and his church.
The union of Christ and his bride the church is a profound mystery that can only be understood by the revelation of the Spirit. The union of husband and wife in Gen. 2:24 as one flesh is of profound mystery as well that can only be understood by those filled with the Spirit. This union is fulfilled in the highest manner in the sexual act in marriage. The sexual act in as much a physical act as well as a spiritual act that bind two souls into one. It follows this union that the husband who loves the wife is also loving himself. His sacrificial love, sanctifying love and self-love for her is as much for her and as for himself.
V33 A summary statement
Husband loves the wife. Wife respects the husband.
The man needs respect. The woman needs love. But the two has become one. They are put together to be one body of Christ to glorify God. They work together helping each other to be sanctified, set apart holy and blameless to reveal the glory of God to the world.
Summary
1. Husband and wife are one in Christ.
2. They are both connected together to each other and to the Spirit of God.
3. They are put together to help each other in the transformation work of the Spirit in and through them towards the purpose of God.
4. The husband is to love the wife and the wife is to submit to the husband.
Practical application
For the husband
1. Express your love to her through words and action:
• Learn to say, “I love you”, “I am sorry”
• A tender touch on the hand, a gentle pad on the shoulder.
• Set aside time together for romance
2. Hold her in high regards. Value her opinion
3. Communicate – openly and honestly.
• No mind reading / silent game.
• Learn to listen, “You never listen to me”
• Learn to talk. Avoid ‘bottled up resentment’
4. Seek the Lord together in prayer and study.
For the wife
Know that submission is the attitude of the mind. It is to be enjoyed and not feared. He is responsible to make the final decision.
How to submit:
1. Be supportive and give him the respect.
Eph. 5:33 (Amp) “Let the wife see that she respect and reverence her husband – that she notices him, regards him, honours him, prefers him, venerates and esteem him, and that she defers to him, praises him, and loves and admires him exceedingly."
2. Be wise in the way you handle money
• Proverbs 31:11, 16, 24
• When money is in short supply, the wife’s attitude towards the problem and her husband’s ability to bring in the money can either make or break him.
• Men feel as if they are failures when they have difficulty in providing the family budget.
3. Ask God to show you any areas in which you have assumed leadership
Transfer back the leadership gradually.
4. Determine to obey the word of God whether you feel like it or not
If you find difficulty with the biblical principal of submission, confess to the Lord and ask Him for strength. If you find the difficulty to submit, it could be that deep down you have difficulty in totally trusting the Lord.
Closing Thought
The key to a successful marriage is we see three persons in the marriage – husband, wife and God. The husband and wife must learn to draw their needs and satisfaction from God. Therefore, they must live in a life of worship to God.
God’s Order At Home: Children & Parents
“God’s Order At Home: Children & Parents”
Scripture: Ephesians 6:1-4
by Rev Nicholas Yeo
Introduction
The God whom we believe is God of order / decency / peace; when He created universe and all in it, He gave laws for them and allows us to discover them; so laws of electricity / light / maths, etc. There are laws that we cannot choose to disobey or ignore -- we are bound by them. We are affected by them. You can say, I don’t believe in electricity, and then touch a live wire. You will believe it instantly if you are lucky enough to be alive! So also of gravity etc.
Besides creating inanimate things, God also created the animate world; we human beings are His creation; there are also laws that govern His living world e.g. dog laws: fight or lie supine.
To zero in on human beings, He knows that relationships are very important; so He has placed laws / rules / principles in human relationships; and here we can also either choose to abide or not to abide by those laws / rules / principles. To abide will result in order / decency / peace; results of not abiding will be obvious, though not as fast as we can see from that of electricity.
A few sermons ago we saw 3 evidences of a life under God's control (i.e. Spirit-filled life): joyful fellowship (v19), sustained thanksgiving(v20), mutual consideration(v21). V21 also heads the teaching of what follows; v21 underlines principle of mutual submission, elaborated in the 3 pairs of role-relationships: last week, Dr Chuah touched on wives and husbands, today on children and parents; next wk, Dr Tang on employees and employers.
1. God’s Order For Children RD v1.
When this letter was read to the church, children were present; reminds us that gathering of God's people for corporate worship includes children as well; don’t compartmentalise them too much as some churches tend to do nowadays. Christian families attended public worship together (and one young man even slept and fell down from a 3rd storey window!), and certainly parents explained Word to the children then or later.
When young people become Christians, the Holy Spirit of Truth shall teach them. Jesus says, If you continue in My Word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free (Jn8:31-32). When you young people become Christians, you are free, but you are not freed from the normal duties of life. If anything, your faith in Christ ought to make you better children in your homes. Here, you are told to obey your parents in the Lord. Why obey?
a) Your parents naturally want you to do so! And they are naturally glad to have obedient children; even young animals are taught to obey.
b) Your first circle of learning is with your immediate family; you learn obedience in family with earthly father; a good stepping-stone to learn obedience with Heavenly Father.
c) Psychologically, you are dependent upon your parents’ authority. The more you disobey, the more you rebel, and the more dissatisfied you are deep down in your soul. There is no more authority on which you can depend.
d) Parental authority is not their own making; given by God; and God's order for children is simple – nothing more than to submit to G's authority in the parents.
And you may ask: What if parents are wrong? Bible does not say, Children, obey your parents when they are right. But it says, Children, obey your parents for this is right. The responsibility of decision rests with parents. They are going to account for every decision made on the family. Child's responsibility is to OBEY, whether the things they say are agreeable or disagreeable.
However, there are commandments which a child must know, overstepping them is no longer obedience in the Lord. Many a parent has led children to sin. In these matters, you will see the law giving lighter punishments to children and heavier ones to parents. In these times, there should be trust in God rather than having thoughts of rebellion. Child call upon God to preserve him from sad necessity of refusing obedience. Such prayers cannot be left unheard.
Good to see our Master's e.g. Lack of mention of his boyhood days, but Lk2:51, he went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them.
RD vv2-3. To honour our parents is simply to obey them; means to show them respect and love, to care for them as long as they need us, and to seek to bring honour to them by the way we live.
Jesus’ honour of His mother on cross (RD Jn19:26, 27); obedience and honour to mother led mother to the cross; Mary was pained and grieved when Jesus suffered, but in the end, she understood it all. Ashamed of your father, mother? Shame on you. They wore themselves out for you!
The Christian child who honours his parents can expect 2 blessings: it will be well with him and he will live long on the earth. But this does not mean that he who died young had dishonoured his parents. A principle: when children obey their parents in the Lord, they will escape a good deal of sin and danger and thus avoid the pitfalls that could threaten or shorten their lives. Interesting to see that where influence of filial respect is continued, the people live long e.g. the Chinese, Japanese, Koreans. When the bonds of family life break up, when respect for parents fails, the community disintegrates and will not live long.
As long as we have parents, even after we are regarded as being no longer under the authority of our parents, and therefore no longer under obligation to obey them, we continue to honour them.
You are going to be parents one day. What do you want from your children? – money? house? shelter? No, but respect, honour, with which we go to our graves thanking the Lord for His good work of grace done to us and to our children.
2. God’s Order For Parents
In Paul's day, father had complete power over family; e.g. when baby born into Roman family, brought out and laid before father; if he picked it up = accepting it into home; if he did not pick it up = child rejected; could be sold, given away, or even killed by exposure.
The Christian father is completely different; he recognises that his fatherhood is from the heavenly Eph3:14-15, I kneel before the Father, from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name; so human fathers are to care for their families as God the Father cares for his; please note, mothers are included; when word fathers is used, both parents are in mind, as is the case in Heb 11:23, By faith Moses’ parents hid him for 3 months after he was born.
Parents are told to fulfil their roles through 2 things: a -ve command and a +ve command.
-ve command: Do not provoke your children to anger; unreasonable dealings with children can easily provoke them to anger; e.g. quick flare-ups; transfer of work frustrations to home; showing favouritism in children.
Positive command: bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord:
Training = discipline with emphasis on correction, including punishment; the use of the rod of instruction: Prov13:24, He who spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is diligent to discipline him. Prov22:15, Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline drives it far from him. For disobedience, rebellion, and stubbornness; the punishment should suit the offence; e.g. lying as against cup-spilling; discipline in love and not in anger; fair and consistent;
don’t use a cannon to kill a mosquito; (Also 29:15, 23:13-14); but do it with control and back it
up with teaching.
Instruction: Prov22:6, Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it. These are creative years of the child; begin teaching when young: keep toys, wash dishes, sweep floor; table manners, spending habits; relating with people; teach acceptable Christian ways: good moral values and truths; teach the Word;
Live out your example: Spend time with them; take pains to do so in spite of busy schedule; the comfort and happiness in the home is as necessary as the pain of fatherly discipline; seize opportunity for doing so; doing righteousness and justice: Gen18:19, [The Ld said concerning Abraham]: For I have chosen him, so that he will direct his children and his household after him to keep the way of the Lord by doing what is right and just, so that the Lord will bring about for Abraham what he has promised him.
[Asian Beacon, Vol. 10(2), p57] “The Games Adults play . . . at the customs” (by an Observer):
No wonder the kids are shouting at adults, “Double standards! You set us double standards! Why can you do it and we can’t?”
You catch a boy cheating at a Mathematics test and you bring judgment down heavily on him. Zero. “That’ll teach you not to cheat next time.” The smug, self-righteous adult.
So much for adult behaviour. But watch out at the customs checkpoints. Adults sing a different tune then. A catalogue listing their attempts to evade taxation could go on and on, ad infinitum.
They pour away some of the perfume, lotion, etc. to make it look used. They tear away labels
tell bare faced lies find ingenious places to hide things hand out bribes . . . . . .etc.
The officers pronounce them clean. And when they are over on the other side, O, the tales of glory they tell!
“We hid it over here; tucked in among the other things, and he never noticed!”
“O it was real cheap. So we bought it. But I was a bit scared when that stern looking man was checking our bags: The trick worked – must use it again.”
“O you poor thing! So they caught you! But you are always so honest. How much did they make you pay? O dear!”
I ask you. Which kid will not be confused? Just what are the rules of the game anyway?
Is cheating an adult prerogative?
[The Christian Family – Larry Christenson; pp 88-89]: The police dept in Houston, Texas, drew up a list of “Twelve Rules for Raising Delinquent Children.” Running thru this piece of irony is the recurrent theme of parental example –
1. Begin with infancy to give the child everything he wants. In this way he will grow up to believe the world owes him a living.
2. When he picks up bad words, laugh at him. This will make him think he’s cute. It will also encourage him to pick up ‘cuter’ phrases that will blow off the top of your head later.
3. Never give him any spiritual training. Wait till he is 21 and then let him ‘decide for himself.’
4. Avoid use of the word ‘wrong’. It may develop a guilt complex. This will condition him to believe later, when he is arrested for stealing a car, that society is against him and he is being persecuted.
5. Pick up everything he leaves lying around – books, shoes and clothing. Do everything for him so he will be experienced in throwing all responsibility on to others.
6. Let him read printed matter [or the porno internet] he can get his hands on. Be careful that the silverware and drinking glasses are sterilised, but let his mind feast on garbage.
7. Quarrel frequently in the presence of your children. In this way they will not be too shocked when the home is broken up later.
8. Give a child all the spending money he wants. Never let him earn his own. Why should he have things as tough as YOU had them?
9. Satisfy his every craving for food, drink and comfort. – See that every sensual desire is gratified. Denial may lead to harmful frustration.
10. Take his part against neighbours, teachers and policemen. They are all prejudiced against your child.
11. When he gets into real trouble, apologise for yourself by saying ‘I never could do anything with him.’
12. Prepare for a life of grief. You will be apt to have it.
Conclusion
Christian upbringing of children is mental as well as moral; also includes instruction; Christian values of truth and goodness must be taught; children cannot be left on their own to flounder; be directive, not non-directive; and when we are directive, do not be too directive, too domineering until we prevent them from learning to make their own decisions and grow into maturity; defend them, and accept them, but at the same time abstain from any pressure or force; our overriding concern is not just that our children will submit to our authority, but that thru this they will come to know and obey the Lord.
Scripture: Ephesians 6:1-4
by Rev Nicholas Yeo
Introduction
The God whom we believe is God of order / decency / peace; when He created universe and all in it, He gave laws for them and allows us to discover them; so laws of electricity / light / maths, etc. There are laws that we cannot choose to disobey or ignore -- we are bound by them. We are affected by them. You can say, I don’t believe in electricity, and then touch a live wire. You will believe it instantly if you are lucky enough to be alive! So also of gravity etc.
Besides creating inanimate things, God also created the animate world; we human beings are His creation; there are also laws that govern His living world e.g. dog laws: fight or lie supine.
To zero in on human beings, He knows that relationships are very important; so He has placed laws / rules / principles in human relationships; and here we can also either choose to abide or not to abide by those laws / rules / principles. To abide will result in order / decency / peace; results of not abiding will be obvious, though not as fast as we can see from that of electricity.
A few sermons ago we saw 3 evidences of a life under God's control (i.e. Spirit-filled life): joyful fellowship (v19), sustained thanksgiving(v20), mutual consideration(v21). V21 also heads the teaching of what follows; v21 underlines principle of mutual submission, elaborated in the 3 pairs of role-relationships: last week, Dr Chuah touched on wives and husbands, today on children and parents; next wk, Dr Tang on employees and employers.
1. God’s Order For Children RD v1.
When this letter was read to the church, children were present; reminds us that gathering of God's people for corporate worship includes children as well; don’t compartmentalise them too much as some churches tend to do nowadays. Christian families attended public worship together (and one young man even slept and fell down from a 3rd storey window!), and certainly parents explained Word to the children then or later.
When young people become Christians, the Holy Spirit of Truth shall teach them. Jesus says, If you continue in My Word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free (Jn8:31-32). When you young people become Christians, you are free, but you are not freed from the normal duties of life. If anything, your faith in Christ ought to make you better children in your homes. Here, you are told to obey your parents in the Lord. Why obey?
a) Your parents naturally want you to do so! And they are naturally glad to have obedient children; even young animals are taught to obey.
b) Your first circle of learning is with your immediate family; you learn obedience in family with earthly father; a good stepping-stone to learn obedience with Heavenly Father.
c) Psychologically, you are dependent upon your parents’ authority. The more you disobey, the more you rebel, and the more dissatisfied you are deep down in your soul. There is no more authority on which you can depend.
d) Parental authority is not their own making; given by God; and God's order for children is simple – nothing more than to submit to G's authority in the parents.
And you may ask: What if parents are wrong? Bible does not say, Children, obey your parents when they are right. But it says, Children, obey your parents for this is right. The responsibility of decision rests with parents. They are going to account for every decision made on the family. Child's responsibility is to OBEY, whether the things they say are agreeable or disagreeable.
However, there are commandments which a child must know, overstepping them is no longer obedience in the Lord. Many a parent has led children to sin. In these matters, you will see the law giving lighter punishments to children and heavier ones to parents. In these times, there should be trust in God rather than having thoughts of rebellion. Child call upon God to preserve him from sad necessity of refusing obedience. Such prayers cannot be left unheard.
Good to see our Master's e.g. Lack of mention of his boyhood days, but Lk2:51, he went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them.
RD vv2-3. To honour our parents is simply to obey them; means to show them respect and love, to care for them as long as they need us, and to seek to bring honour to them by the way we live.
Jesus’ honour of His mother on cross (RD Jn19:26, 27); obedience and honour to mother led mother to the cross; Mary was pained and grieved when Jesus suffered, but in the end, she understood it all. Ashamed of your father, mother? Shame on you. They wore themselves out for you!
The Christian child who honours his parents can expect 2 blessings: it will be well with him and he will live long on the earth. But this does not mean that he who died young had dishonoured his parents. A principle: when children obey their parents in the Lord, they will escape a good deal of sin and danger and thus avoid the pitfalls that could threaten or shorten their lives. Interesting to see that where influence of filial respect is continued, the people live long e.g. the Chinese, Japanese, Koreans. When the bonds of family life break up, when respect for parents fails, the community disintegrates and will not live long.
As long as we have parents, even after we are regarded as being no longer under the authority of our parents, and therefore no longer under obligation to obey them, we continue to honour them.
You are going to be parents one day. What do you want from your children? – money? house? shelter? No, but respect, honour, with which we go to our graves thanking the Lord for His good work of grace done to us and to our children.
2. God’s Order For Parents
In Paul's day, father had complete power over family; e.g. when baby born into Roman family, brought out and laid before father; if he picked it up = accepting it into home; if he did not pick it up = child rejected; could be sold, given away, or even killed by exposure.
The Christian father is completely different; he recognises that his fatherhood is from the heavenly Eph3:14-15, I kneel before the Father, from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name; so human fathers are to care for their families as God the Father cares for his; please note, mothers are included; when word fathers is used, both parents are in mind, as is the case in Heb 11:23, By faith Moses’ parents hid him for 3 months after he was born.
Parents are told to fulfil their roles through 2 things: a -ve command and a +ve command.
-ve command: Do not provoke your children to anger; unreasonable dealings with children can easily provoke them to anger; e.g. quick flare-ups; transfer of work frustrations to home; showing favouritism in children.
Positive command: bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord:
Training = discipline with emphasis on correction, including punishment; the use of the rod of instruction: Prov13:24, He who spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is diligent to discipline him. Prov22:15, Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline drives it far from him. For disobedience, rebellion, and stubbornness; the punishment should suit the offence; e.g. lying as against cup-spilling; discipline in love and not in anger; fair and consistent;
don’t use a cannon to kill a mosquito; (Also 29:15, 23:13-14); but do it with control and back it
up with teaching.
Instruction: Prov22:6, Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it. These are creative years of the child; begin teaching when young: keep toys, wash dishes, sweep floor; table manners, spending habits; relating with people; teach acceptable Christian ways: good moral values and truths; teach the Word;
Live out your example: Spend time with them; take pains to do so in spite of busy schedule; the comfort and happiness in the home is as necessary as the pain of fatherly discipline; seize opportunity for doing so; doing righteousness and justice: Gen18:19, [The Ld said concerning Abraham]: For I have chosen him, so that he will direct his children and his household after him to keep the way of the Lord by doing what is right and just, so that the Lord will bring about for Abraham what he has promised him.
[Asian Beacon, Vol. 10(2), p57] “The Games Adults play . . . at the customs” (by an Observer):
No wonder the kids are shouting at adults, “Double standards! You set us double standards! Why can you do it and we can’t?”
You catch a boy cheating at a Mathematics test and you bring judgment down heavily on him. Zero. “That’ll teach you not to cheat next time.” The smug, self-righteous adult.
So much for adult behaviour. But watch out at the customs checkpoints. Adults sing a different tune then. A catalogue listing their attempts to evade taxation could go on and on, ad infinitum.
They pour away some of the perfume, lotion, etc. to make it look used. They tear away labels
tell bare faced lies find ingenious places to hide things hand out bribes . . . . . .etc.
The officers pronounce them clean. And when they are over on the other side, O, the tales of glory they tell!
“We hid it over here; tucked in among the other things, and he never noticed!”
“O it was real cheap. So we bought it. But I was a bit scared when that stern looking man was checking our bags: The trick worked – must use it again.”
“O you poor thing! So they caught you! But you are always so honest. How much did they make you pay? O dear!”
I ask you. Which kid will not be confused? Just what are the rules of the game anyway?
Is cheating an adult prerogative?
[The Christian Family – Larry Christenson; pp 88-89]: The police dept in Houston, Texas, drew up a list of “Twelve Rules for Raising Delinquent Children.” Running thru this piece of irony is the recurrent theme of parental example –
1. Begin with infancy to give the child everything he wants. In this way he will grow up to believe the world owes him a living.
2. When he picks up bad words, laugh at him. This will make him think he’s cute. It will also encourage him to pick up ‘cuter’ phrases that will blow off the top of your head later.
3. Never give him any spiritual training. Wait till he is 21 and then let him ‘decide for himself.’
4. Avoid use of the word ‘wrong’. It may develop a guilt complex. This will condition him to believe later, when he is arrested for stealing a car, that society is against him and he is being persecuted.
5. Pick up everything he leaves lying around – books, shoes and clothing. Do everything for him so he will be experienced in throwing all responsibility on to others.
6. Let him read printed matter [or the porno internet] he can get his hands on. Be careful that the silverware and drinking glasses are sterilised, but let his mind feast on garbage.
7. Quarrel frequently in the presence of your children. In this way they will not be too shocked when the home is broken up later.
8. Give a child all the spending money he wants. Never let him earn his own. Why should he have things as tough as YOU had them?
9. Satisfy his every craving for food, drink and comfort. – See that every sensual desire is gratified. Denial may lead to harmful frustration.
10. Take his part against neighbours, teachers and policemen. They are all prejudiced against your child.
11. When he gets into real trouble, apologise for yourself by saying ‘I never could do anything with him.’
12. Prepare for a life of grief. You will be apt to have it.
Conclusion
Christian upbringing of children is mental as well as moral; also includes instruction; Christian values of truth and goodness must be taught; children cannot be left on their own to flounder; be directive, not non-directive; and when we are directive, do not be too directive, too domineering until we prevent them from learning to make their own decisions and grow into maturity; defend them, and accept them, but at the same time abstain from any pressure or force; our overriding concern is not just that our children will submit to our authority, but that thru this they will come to know and obey the Lord.
"CULTIVATING THE FIRE IN OUR HEARTS FOR GOD: HEARTS ON FIRE”
"CULTIVATING THE FIRE IN OUR HEARTS FOR GOD: HEARTS ON FIRE”
by Deacon Dr Alex Tang, Holy Light church (English)
To cultivate and maintain a heart on fire for God requires regular intake of the Word, an attitude of praise, worship and thanksgiving, purity of heart, body and mind, service to others and a sense of commitment to glorify God and finish the race. A heart on fire creates love: for God and for our fellow human beings.
1. Introduction
1.1 The 4 Habits of Highly Effective Disciples.
In our journey together as disciples of Jesus Christ, we need to develop good habits. In an earlier sermon (Sunday 11th January 2004), it was suggested that the 4 habits of highly effective disciples be:
Developing informed minds (Principles of Orthodoxy)
Cultivating hearts on fire (Principles of Orthopathy)
Living contemplative lives that experience the Presence of God in all things (Principles of Orthopraxis)
Being filled with the Holy Spirit (Principles of Empowerment)
1.2 Cultivating a fire.
How do we keep a fire going? When I was a Boy Scout, I loved to go camping. I loved to make a fire of twigs and watch it burn. Nowadays I still love to make fire. Unfortunately, the only fire I make nowadays is for the BBQ pit. To make and keep a fire going, there are certain requirements. You need wood. The wood must be dry and not too thick. There must not be too much of wood or the air cannot get in. Fire needs oxygen.
The same applies to this habit of keeping the fire in our hearts going. There must be certain conditions to be met in order to maintain the fire. Otherwise, the fire will go out or be extinguished.
1.3 Anatomical Structure of the Heart
Our heart is a wonderful organ. It starts beating when we are six weeks old and does not stop until we die. The heart has 4 chambers. Deoxygenated blood from the body flows into the right atrium, which is then pumped into the right ventricle. From there the blood is pumped to the lungs where the blood become oxygenated. From the lungs, the blood is pumped into the left atrium which it is pumped into the left ventricle which then pumps it to the rest of the body. In actual fact, the heart is made up of two pumps.
1.4 Spiritual Heart
In the New Testament , the word heart Greek kardia rarely refers to a body organ (Lk 21:34; Acts 14:17; Jas 5:5) Frequently denotes the seat of intellectual and spiritual life of the inner man, mind, will, heart, soul, understanding. The inner life as opposed to external appearances. (2 Cor 5;12; 1 Thess 2:17); man as standing before God. The heart is that in man which is addressed by God. The heart is the seat of doubt and hardness as well as of faith and obedience.
So when we talk about hearts on fire, we mean our inner spiritual life or our souls to be on fire for God.
2. Cultivating the Fire
How do we cultivate a fire in our hearts? Firstly, as in making a fire, we need firewood that can burn well: firewood that meets certain criteria like dryness. Similarly, our spiritual heart needs to meet certain criteria before a fire can burn in it. Using the model of a human heart, I would like to suggest the following criteria:
2.1 Regular Intake of the Word (Right Atrium)
Psalms 119:9-11: How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word. I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands. I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.
Luke 24:32: They asked each other, "Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?"
2 Tim 3:16,17: All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
A regular intake of the Word of God will be the first criteria for a heart to catch fire and to burn well. We should know the Word of God so well that it is not only in our conscious thoughts but it is in our subconscious. I love the story of a ninety years old committed Christian lady who was undergoing surgery. In the recovery room after the surgery, she was heard to be murmuring to herself. When the nurses lean close to her, they found she was quoting Scripture! That’s having the Word in our subconscious.
The Word of God is important because
- It tells us about God
- It tells us about ourselves
- It tells us about our purpose in this life
- It tells us about our purpose in God’s purpose in this creation.
2.2 Attitude of Praise, Worship and Thanksgiving (Right Ventricle)
Psalms 119:7: I will praise you with an upright heart as I learn your righteous laws.
Psalms 86:12,13: I will praise you, O Lord my God, with all my heart; I will glorify your name forever. For great is your love toward me, you have delivered me from the depths of the grave.
The second criteria for a heart to be on fire are to have a correct attitude. The correct attitude we should have is one of praise, worship and thanksgiving. We should cultivate this attitude because by nature, most of us are grouchy, grumbling people. (especially before the first cup of coffee in the morning).
Let us wake up every morning, before we open our eyes but after we turn off the alarm clock, praise the Lord. Praise Him for another day. Praise Him for the night’s rest. Praise Him for protection during the night. And let this praising of the Lord set the tone for the rest of the day. Keep on praising Him as you do your stuff during the day and praise and give thanks to Him before you drop off to sleep.
Worship Him in your daily life. Look at everything with eyes of wonder. Wow! The Lord God Almighty has made this. Thinks of all the lives in this church that He is coordinating.
Give Him thanks in all things. Just think, what is there in all that you have that did not come from the Lord? You did not choose your birthday. You did not choose your parents. You did not choose your genetic code. You did not create the opportunities that gave you an education, choose a mate, have children, and build a career. The man who sang “ I did it my way” is a fool. God did it or gave you the opportunity to do it. So do not be proud of an illusion and give thanks to whom it is due.
2.3 Purity of Heart, Mind and Body (Left Atrium)
Psalm 24:4,5: He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to an idol or swear by what is false. He will receive blessing from the LORD and vindication from God his Savior.
Psalms 51:10: Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
The fire of God will burn brightly only in those with pure hearts. This is the third criteria. Purity of hearts, minds and body. Integrity in character. This does not mean that we do not sin or do wrong. As Martin Luther said, we are redeemed sinners. Being pure is to recognise that we do sin but we should try to avoid sinning. And when we failed and sin, we must confess and repent.
We need to develop a habit of reviewing the day before we drop off to sleep each night. To think of all the happenings in the day. Could we have handled the situation better? Could we have given someone a little kindness? Do we have to get angry? And if we discover that we have sinned, we should then confess and repent. If we find that we harbouring resentment, we should forgive and release the resentment.
2.4 Service to Others (Left Ventricle)
Ephesians 6:7,8: Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men, because you know that the Lord will reward everyone for whatever good he does, whether he is slave or free.
A heart that is on fire for the Lord will be a heart that is serving the Lord. That is taking part in God’s purpose in building His Kingdom and the redemption of creation. Some of us are called to be contemplative- to withdraw into solitude and to represent the rest of us in communion with God, others to be intercessors while others to evangelise, be pastors and many other work of service. Each of us has a role to play. There is this testimony from a pastor. He said there is this little old lady in his church who sits in the front row with her head bowed, apparently asleep during his sermons. This went on for about 20 years and the church grew from a small church to a big one. One day, the old lady was dying and this pastor went to visit her. He asked her, “I hope you don’t mind but why have you been sleeping during my sermon every Sunday, all these years”. She replied, “I wasn’t sleeping. I was praying for you!” And who knows how much of this pastor’s ministry success is due to this little old lady’s prayers. Each of us has a job to do.
Serving also keeps us from getting cold. A piece of coal that drops from a fire, it cools quickly and grows cold. Being in the heat of the action is being on fire.
2.5 Commitment to Glorify God and to Finish the Race (Pacemaker)
John 6:68,69: Simon Peter answered him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We believe and know that you are the Holy One of God."
What keeps the heart beating? The pacemaker. The pacemaker is a very small organ in the heart that makes the heart muscles to beat at a certain rate. It will go on and on and on. Commitment is our pacemaker. A commitment to glorify the Lord and to finish the rate. It is a dogged determination that says, ‘no matter what happens, I will go on and finish the race.’
Being a disciple of Christ is not easy. Of course, there are good times like special blessings, miracles, answered prayers and warm fellowship. But there are also difficult times with painful struggles. Being a Christian doesn’t exempt us from pain and suffering. Christians die from sickness and old age like every one else. Christians feel pain like everyone else. It is when all the chips are down, when all seem hopeless and a lost cause, the little pacemaker will say, ‘in spite of it all, I will go on and trust the Lord’. Ulysses, the hero of the Odyssey by Homer, was old. In Lord Tennyson’s poem, he calls to his friends to go out for one last adventure.
We are not now that strength which in old days
Moved earth and heaven; that which we are, we are;
One equal temper of heroic hearts,
Make weak by time and fate, but strong in will
To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield.
Commitment is what keeps the fire burning. Like Peter, we have to say, where else are we to go?
3. The Holy Spirit (Oxygen)
As a real fire cannot burn without oxygen, a spiritual fire in the heart cannot burn without the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit must permeate every part of the spiritual heart: Word, attitude, purity, service and commitment. That’s why another habit of a highly effective disciple is to be filled with the Holy Spirit.
4. Concluding Remarks
A normal fire provides heat and light. A heart on fire creates love. Love for God and for our fellow human beings. A heart on fire fulfills the Great Commandment to love.
Matthews 22:37-39: Jesus replied: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: `Love your neighbor as yourself.'
John of the Cross has been called the greatest mystic in Christian tradition. Born in Spain, he entered the Carmelite order at age 20 years old. His extraordinary mystical experiences, his writings and poetry made him one of the most studied Christian mystics. He is the one who wrote The Dark Night of the Soul. One of his greatest poetry is the Living Flame of Love which describe his loving union with God. He wrote it when he was imprisoned in Toledo for 9 months because of his church reforms. In a dark narrow cell in solitary confinement, he wrote the Living Flame of Love. One would imagine that in another person, such dark experience would put out the fire in his heart rather than fan the fire.
We cannot really love until our heart is on fire. To cultivate and maintain a heart on fire for God requires regular intake of the Word, an attitude of praise, worship and thanksgiving, purity of heart, body and mind, service to others and a sense of commitment to glorify God and finish the race. A heart on fire creates love for God and for our fellow human beings.
by Deacon Dr Alex Tang, Holy Light church (English)
To cultivate and maintain a heart on fire for God requires regular intake of the Word, an attitude of praise, worship and thanksgiving, purity of heart, body and mind, service to others and a sense of commitment to glorify God and finish the race. A heart on fire creates love: for God and for our fellow human beings.
1. Introduction
1.1 The 4 Habits of Highly Effective Disciples.
In our journey together as disciples of Jesus Christ, we need to develop good habits. In an earlier sermon (Sunday 11th January 2004), it was suggested that the 4 habits of highly effective disciples be:
Developing informed minds (Principles of Orthodoxy)
Cultivating hearts on fire (Principles of Orthopathy)
Living contemplative lives that experience the Presence of God in all things (Principles of Orthopraxis)
Being filled with the Holy Spirit (Principles of Empowerment)
1.2 Cultivating a fire.
How do we keep a fire going? When I was a Boy Scout, I loved to go camping. I loved to make a fire of twigs and watch it burn. Nowadays I still love to make fire. Unfortunately, the only fire I make nowadays is for the BBQ pit. To make and keep a fire going, there are certain requirements. You need wood. The wood must be dry and not too thick. There must not be too much of wood or the air cannot get in. Fire needs oxygen.
The same applies to this habit of keeping the fire in our hearts going. There must be certain conditions to be met in order to maintain the fire. Otherwise, the fire will go out or be extinguished.
1.3 Anatomical Structure of the Heart
Our heart is a wonderful organ. It starts beating when we are six weeks old and does not stop until we die. The heart has 4 chambers. Deoxygenated blood from the body flows into the right atrium, which is then pumped into the right ventricle. From there the blood is pumped to the lungs where the blood become oxygenated. From the lungs, the blood is pumped into the left atrium which it is pumped into the left ventricle which then pumps it to the rest of the body. In actual fact, the heart is made up of two pumps.
1.4 Spiritual Heart
In the New Testament , the word heart Greek kardia rarely refers to a body organ (Lk 21:34; Acts 14:17; Jas 5:5) Frequently denotes the seat of intellectual and spiritual life of the inner man, mind, will, heart, soul, understanding. The inner life as opposed to external appearances. (2 Cor 5;12; 1 Thess 2:17); man as standing before God. The heart is that in man which is addressed by God. The heart is the seat of doubt and hardness as well as of faith and obedience.
So when we talk about hearts on fire, we mean our inner spiritual life or our souls to be on fire for God.
2. Cultivating the Fire
How do we cultivate a fire in our hearts? Firstly, as in making a fire, we need firewood that can burn well: firewood that meets certain criteria like dryness. Similarly, our spiritual heart needs to meet certain criteria before a fire can burn in it. Using the model of a human heart, I would like to suggest the following criteria:
2.1 Regular Intake of the Word (Right Atrium)
Psalms 119:9-11: How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word. I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands. I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.
Luke 24:32: They asked each other, "Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?"
2 Tim 3:16,17: All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
A regular intake of the Word of God will be the first criteria for a heart to catch fire and to burn well. We should know the Word of God so well that it is not only in our conscious thoughts but it is in our subconscious. I love the story of a ninety years old committed Christian lady who was undergoing surgery. In the recovery room after the surgery, she was heard to be murmuring to herself. When the nurses lean close to her, they found she was quoting Scripture! That’s having the Word in our subconscious.
The Word of God is important because
- It tells us about God
- It tells us about ourselves
- It tells us about our purpose in this life
- It tells us about our purpose in God’s purpose in this creation.
2.2 Attitude of Praise, Worship and Thanksgiving (Right Ventricle)
Psalms 119:7: I will praise you with an upright heart as I learn your righteous laws.
Psalms 86:12,13: I will praise you, O Lord my God, with all my heart; I will glorify your name forever. For great is your love toward me, you have delivered me from the depths of the grave.
The second criteria for a heart to be on fire are to have a correct attitude. The correct attitude we should have is one of praise, worship and thanksgiving. We should cultivate this attitude because by nature, most of us are grouchy, grumbling people. (especially before the first cup of coffee in the morning).
Let us wake up every morning, before we open our eyes but after we turn off the alarm clock, praise the Lord. Praise Him for another day. Praise Him for the night’s rest. Praise Him for protection during the night. And let this praising of the Lord set the tone for the rest of the day. Keep on praising Him as you do your stuff during the day and praise and give thanks to Him before you drop off to sleep.
Worship Him in your daily life. Look at everything with eyes of wonder. Wow! The Lord God Almighty has made this. Thinks of all the lives in this church that He is coordinating.
Give Him thanks in all things. Just think, what is there in all that you have that did not come from the Lord? You did not choose your birthday. You did not choose your parents. You did not choose your genetic code. You did not create the opportunities that gave you an education, choose a mate, have children, and build a career. The man who sang “ I did it my way” is a fool. God did it or gave you the opportunity to do it. So do not be proud of an illusion and give thanks to whom it is due.
2.3 Purity of Heart, Mind and Body (Left Atrium)
Psalm 24:4,5: He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to an idol or swear by what is false. He will receive blessing from the LORD and vindication from God his Savior.
Psalms 51:10: Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
The fire of God will burn brightly only in those with pure hearts. This is the third criteria. Purity of hearts, minds and body. Integrity in character. This does not mean that we do not sin or do wrong. As Martin Luther said, we are redeemed sinners. Being pure is to recognise that we do sin but we should try to avoid sinning. And when we failed and sin, we must confess and repent.
We need to develop a habit of reviewing the day before we drop off to sleep each night. To think of all the happenings in the day. Could we have handled the situation better? Could we have given someone a little kindness? Do we have to get angry? And if we discover that we have sinned, we should then confess and repent. If we find that we harbouring resentment, we should forgive and release the resentment.
2.4 Service to Others (Left Ventricle)
Ephesians 6:7,8: Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men, because you know that the Lord will reward everyone for whatever good he does, whether he is slave or free.
A heart that is on fire for the Lord will be a heart that is serving the Lord. That is taking part in God’s purpose in building His Kingdom and the redemption of creation. Some of us are called to be contemplative- to withdraw into solitude and to represent the rest of us in communion with God, others to be intercessors while others to evangelise, be pastors and many other work of service. Each of us has a role to play. There is this testimony from a pastor. He said there is this little old lady in his church who sits in the front row with her head bowed, apparently asleep during his sermons. This went on for about 20 years and the church grew from a small church to a big one. One day, the old lady was dying and this pastor went to visit her. He asked her, “I hope you don’t mind but why have you been sleeping during my sermon every Sunday, all these years”. She replied, “I wasn’t sleeping. I was praying for you!” And who knows how much of this pastor’s ministry success is due to this little old lady’s prayers. Each of us has a job to do.
Serving also keeps us from getting cold. A piece of coal that drops from a fire, it cools quickly and grows cold. Being in the heat of the action is being on fire.
2.5 Commitment to Glorify God and to Finish the Race (Pacemaker)
John 6:68,69: Simon Peter answered him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We believe and know that you are the Holy One of God."
What keeps the heart beating? The pacemaker. The pacemaker is a very small organ in the heart that makes the heart muscles to beat at a certain rate. It will go on and on and on. Commitment is our pacemaker. A commitment to glorify the Lord and to finish the rate. It is a dogged determination that says, ‘no matter what happens, I will go on and finish the race.’
Being a disciple of Christ is not easy. Of course, there are good times like special blessings, miracles, answered prayers and warm fellowship. But there are also difficult times with painful struggles. Being a Christian doesn’t exempt us from pain and suffering. Christians die from sickness and old age like every one else. Christians feel pain like everyone else. It is when all the chips are down, when all seem hopeless and a lost cause, the little pacemaker will say, ‘in spite of it all, I will go on and trust the Lord’. Ulysses, the hero of the Odyssey by Homer, was old. In Lord Tennyson’s poem, he calls to his friends to go out for one last adventure.
We are not now that strength which in old days
Moved earth and heaven; that which we are, we are;
One equal temper of heroic hearts,
Make weak by time and fate, but strong in will
To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield.
Commitment is what keeps the fire burning. Like Peter, we have to say, where else are we to go?
3. The Holy Spirit (Oxygen)
As a real fire cannot burn without oxygen, a spiritual fire in the heart cannot burn without the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit must permeate every part of the spiritual heart: Word, attitude, purity, service and commitment. That’s why another habit of a highly effective disciple is to be filled with the Holy Spirit.
4. Concluding Remarks
A normal fire provides heat and light. A heart on fire creates love. Love for God and for our fellow human beings. A heart on fire fulfills the Great Commandment to love.
Matthews 22:37-39: Jesus replied: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: `Love your neighbor as yourself.'
John of the Cross has been called the greatest mystic in Christian tradition. Born in Spain, he entered the Carmelite order at age 20 years old. His extraordinary mystical experiences, his writings and poetry made him one of the most studied Christian mystics. He is the one who wrote The Dark Night of the Soul. One of his greatest poetry is the Living Flame of Love which describe his loving union with God. He wrote it when he was imprisoned in Toledo for 9 months because of his church reforms. In a dark narrow cell in solitary confinement, he wrote the Living Flame of Love. One would imagine that in another person, such dark experience would put out the fire in his heart rather than fan the fire.
We cannot really love until our heart is on fire. To cultivate and maintain a heart on fire for God requires regular intake of the Word, an attitude of praise, worship and thanksgiving, purity of heart, body and mind, service to others and a sense of commitment to glorify God and finish the race. A heart on fire creates love for God and for our fellow human beings.
THE MINISTER
One of the toughest tasks a church faces is choosing a good minister.
A member of an official board undergoing this painful process finally lost patience. He'd just witnessed the Pastoral Relations Committee reject applicant after applicant for some minor fault - real or imagined. It was time for a bit of soul-searching on the part of the committee. So he stood up and read this letter purporting to be from another applicant.
Gentlemen: Understanding your pulpit is vacant, I should like to apply for the position. I have many qualifications. I've been a preacher with much success and also had some success as a writer. Some say I'm a good organizer. I've been a leader most places I've been.
I'm over 50 years of age and have never preached in one place for more than three years. In some places, I have left town after my work caused riots and disturbances. I must admit I have been in jail three or four times, but not because of any real wrongdoing.
My health is not too good, though I still accomplish a great deal. The churches I have preached in have been small, though located in several large cities. I've not gotten along well with religious leaders in the towns where I have preached. In fact, some have threatened me, and even attacked me physically. I am not too good at keeping records. I have been known to forget whom I have baptized. However, if you can use me, I promise to do my best for you.
The board member turned to the committee and said, “Well, what do you think? Shall we call him?”
The good church folks were appalled! Consider a sickly, trouble-making, absent-minded ex-jailbird? Was the board member crazy? Who signed the application? Who had such colossal nerve?
The board member eyed them all keenly before he replied, “It's signed, 'The Apostle Paul.'”
Author unknown
Be encouraged and never allow your past to hinder your service unto the Lord. God is the one who qualifies those He has called and so never allow people's pessimistic comments to keep you from moving forward and accomplishing all that God has placed on your heart. (2 Samuel 22:31-33)
Do God's work to the best of your ability and leave the results up to the Lord. God promises to bring great results when we simply obey His voice and follow His leading. (Luke 6:35) (Isaiah 55:8-9)
A member of an official board undergoing this painful process finally lost patience. He'd just witnessed the Pastoral Relations Committee reject applicant after applicant for some minor fault - real or imagined. It was time for a bit of soul-searching on the part of the committee. So he stood up and read this letter purporting to be from another applicant.
Gentlemen: Understanding your pulpit is vacant, I should like to apply for the position. I have many qualifications. I've been a preacher with much success and also had some success as a writer. Some say I'm a good organizer. I've been a leader most places I've been.
I'm over 50 years of age and have never preached in one place for more than three years. In some places, I have left town after my work caused riots and disturbances. I must admit I have been in jail three or four times, but not because of any real wrongdoing.
My health is not too good, though I still accomplish a great deal. The churches I have preached in have been small, though located in several large cities. I've not gotten along well with religious leaders in the towns where I have preached. In fact, some have threatened me, and even attacked me physically. I am not too good at keeping records. I have been known to forget whom I have baptized. However, if you can use me, I promise to do my best for you.
The board member turned to the committee and said, “Well, what do you think? Shall we call him?”
The good church folks were appalled! Consider a sickly, trouble-making, absent-minded ex-jailbird? Was the board member crazy? Who signed the application? Who had such colossal nerve?
The board member eyed them all keenly before he replied, “It's signed, 'The Apostle Paul.'”
Author unknown
Be encouraged and never allow your past to hinder your service unto the Lord. God is the one who qualifies those He has called and so never allow people's pessimistic comments to keep you from moving forward and accomplishing all that God has placed on your heart. (2 Samuel 22:31-33)
Do God's work to the best of your ability and leave the results up to the Lord. God promises to bring great results when we simply obey His voice and follow His leading. (Luke 6:35) (Isaiah 55:8-9)
DONUTS
DONUTS
There was a boy by the name of Steve who was attending school in Utah. Brother Christianson taught at this particular school. He had an open-door policy and would take in any student that had been thrown out of another class as long as they would abide by his rules. Steve had been kicked out of his sixth period and no other teacher wanted him, so he went into Brother Christianson's class. Steve was told that he could not be late, so he arrived just seconds before the bell rang and he would sit in the very back of the room. He would also be the first to leave after the class was over. One day, Brother Christianson asked Steve to stay after class so he could talk with him. After class, Bro. Christianson pulled Steve aside and said, "You think you're pretty tough, don't you?"
Steve's answer was, "Yeah, I do."
Then Brother Christianson asked, "How many push-ups can you do?"
Steve said, "I do about 200 every night."
"200? That's pretty good, Steve," Brother Christianson said. "Do you think you could do 300?"
Steve replied, "I don't know... I've never done 300 at a time."
"Do you think you could?" Again asked Brother Christianson.
"Well, I can try," said Steve.
"Can you do 300 in sets of 10? I need you to do 300 in sets of ten for this to work. Can you do it? I need you to tell me you can do it," Brother Christianson said.
Steve said, "Well... I think I can... yeah, I can do it."
Brother Christianson said, "Good! I need you to do this on Friday."
Friday came and Steve got to class early and sat in the front of the room. When class started, Brother Christianson pulled out a big box of donuts. Now these weren't the normal kinds of donuts, they were the extra fancy BIG kind, with cream centers and frosting swirls. Everyone was pretty excited-it was Friday, the last class of the day, and they were going to get an early start on the weekend.
Bro. Christianson went to the first girl in the first row and asked, "Cynthia, do you want a donut?"
Cynthia said, "Yes."
Bro. Christianson then turned to Steve and asked, "Steve, would you do ten push-ups so that Cynthia can have a donut?"
Steve said, "Sure," and jumped down from his desk to do a quick ten..
Then Steve again sat in his desk. Bro. Christianson put a donut on Cynthia's desk. Bro. Christianson then went to Joe, the next person, and asked, "Joe do you want a donut?"
Joe said, "Yes."
Bro. Christianson asked, "Steve would you do ten push-ups so Joe can have a donut?" Steve did ten push-ups, Joe got a donut. And so it went, down the first aisle, Steve did ten pushups for every person before they got their donut. And down the second aisle, till Bro. Christianson came to Scott. Scott was captain of the football team and center of the basketball team. He was very popular and never lacking for female companionship. When Bro. Christianson asked, "Scott do you want a donut?" Scott's reply was, "Well, can I do my own pushups?"
Bro. Christianson said, "No, Steve has to do them."
Then Scott said, "Well, I don't want one then."
Bro. Christianson then turned to Steve and asked "Steve, would you do ten pushups so Scott can have a donut he doesn't want?"
Steve started to do ten pushups. Scott said, "HEY! I said I didn't want one!"
Bro. Christianson said, "Look, this is my classroom, my class, my desks, and my donuts. Just leave it on the desk if you don't want it." And he put a donut on Scott's desk.
Now by this time, Steve had begun to slow down a little. He just stayed on the floor between sets because it took too much effort to be getting up and down. You could start to see a little perspiration coming out around his brow. Bro. Christianson started down the third row. Now the students were beginning to get a little angry.
Bro. Christianson asked Jenny, "Jenny, do you want a donut?"
Jenny said, "No."
Then Bro. Christianson asked Steve, "Steve, would you do ten pushups so Jenny can have a donut that she doesn't want?" Steve did ten, Jenny got a donut.
By now, the students were beginning to say "No" and there were all these uneaten donuts on the desks. Steve was also having to really put forth a lot of effort to get these pushups done for each donut. There began to be a small pool of sweat on the floor beneath his face, his arms and brow were beginning to get red because of the physical effort involved. Bro. Christianson asked Robert to watch Steve to make sure he did ten pushups in a set because he couldn't bear to watch all of Steve's work for all of those uneaten donuts. So Robert began to watch Steve closely. Bro. Christianson started down the fourth row.
During his class, however, some students had wandered in and sat along the heaters along the sides of the room. When Bro. Christianson realized this; he did a quick count and saw 34 students in the room. He started to worry if Steve would be able to make it.
Bro. Christianson went on to the next person and the next and the next. Near the end of that row, Steve was really having a rough time. He was taking a lot more time to complete each set.
Steve asked Bro. Christianson, "Do I have to make my nose touch on each one?"
Bro. Christianson thought for a moment, "Well, they're your pushups.. You can do them any way that you want." And Bro. Christianson went on.
A few moments later, Jason came to the room and was about to come in when all the students yelled, "NO! Don't come in! Stay out!"
Jason didn't know what was going on. Steve picked up his head and said, "No, let him come."
Bro. Christianson said, "You realize that if Jason comes in you will have to do ten pushups for him."
Steve said, "Yes, let him come in."
Bro. Christianson said, "Okay, I'll let you get Jason's out of the way right now. Jason, do you want a donut?"
"Yes."
"Steve, will you do ten pushups so that Jason can have a donut?" Steve did ten pushups very slowly and with great effort. Jason, bewildered, was handed a donut and sat down.
Bro. Christianson finished the fourth row, then started on those seated on the heaters. Steve's arms were now shaking with each pushup in a struggle to lift himself against the force of gravity. Sweat was dropping off of his face and, by this time, there was not a dry eye in the room.
The very last two girls in the room were cheerleaders and very popular. Bro. Christianson went to Linda, the second to last, and asked, "Linda, do you want a doughnut? Linda said, very sadly, "No, thank you."
Bro. Christianson asked Steve, "Steve, would you do ten pushups so that Linda can have a donut she doesn't want?"
Grunting from the effort, Steve did ten very slow pushups for Linda..
Then Bro. Christianson turned to the last girl, Susan. "Susan, do you want a donut?" Susan, with tears flowing down her face, asked, "Bro. Christianson, can I help him?"
Bro. Christianson, with tears of his own, said, "No, he has to do it alone, Steve, would you do ten pushups so Susan can have a donut?"
As Steve very slowly finished his last pushup, with the understanding that he had accomplished all that was required of him, having done 350 pushups, his arms buckled beneath him and he fell to the floor.
Brother Christianson turned to the room and said.
"And so it was, that our Savior, Jesus Christ, plead to the Father, "Into thy hands I commend my spirit." With the understanding that He had done everything that was required of Him, he collapsed on the cross and died. And like some of those in this room, many of us leave the gift on the desk, uneaten.
There was a boy by the name of Steve who was attending school in Utah. Brother Christianson taught at this particular school. He had an open-door policy and would take in any student that had been thrown out of another class as long as they would abide by his rules. Steve had been kicked out of his sixth period and no other teacher wanted him, so he went into Brother Christianson's class. Steve was told that he could not be late, so he arrived just seconds before the bell rang and he would sit in the very back of the room. He would also be the first to leave after the class was over. One day, Brother Christianson asked Steve to stay after class so he could talk with him. After class, Bro. Christianson pulled Steve aside and said, "You think you're pretty tough, don't you?"
Steve's answer was, "Yeah, I do."
Then Brother Christianson asked, "How many push-ups can you do?"
Steve said, "I do about 200 every night."
"200? That's pretty good, Steve," Brother Christianson said. "Do you think you could do 300?"
Steve replied, "I don't know... I've never done 300 at a time."
"Do you think you could?" Again asked Brother Christianson.
"Well, I can try," said Steve.
"Can you do 300 in sets of 10? I need you to do 300 in sets of ten for this to work. Can you do it? I need you to tell me you can do it," Brother Christianson said.
Steve said, "Well... I think I can... yeah, I can do it."
Brother Christianson said, "Good! I need you to do this on Friday."
Friday came and Steve got to class early and sat in the front of the room. When class started, Brother Christianson pulled out a big box of donuts. Now these weren't the normal kinds of donuts, they were the extra fancy BIG kind, with cream centers and frosting swirls. Everyone was pretty excited-it was Friday, the last class of the day, and they were going to get an early start on the weekend.
Bro. Christianson went to the first girl in the first row and asked, "Cynthia, do you want a donut?"
Cynthia said, "Yes."
Bro. Christianson then turned to Steve and asked, "Steve, would you do ten push-ups so that Cynthia can have a donut?"
Steve said, "Sure," and jumped down from his desk to do a quick ten..
Then Steve again sat in his desk. Bro. Christianson put a donut on Cynthia's desk. Bro. Christianson then went to Joe, the next person, and asked, "Joe do you want a donut?"
Joe said, "Yes."
Bro. Christianson asked, "Steve would you do ten push-ups so Joe can have a donut?" Steve did ten push-ups, Joe got a donut. And so it went, down the first aisle, Steve did ten pushups for every person before they got their donut. And down the second aisle, till Bro. Christianson came to Scott. Scott was captain of the football team and center of the basketball team. He was very popular and never lacking for female companionship. When Bro. Christianson asked, "Scott do you want a donut?" Scott's reply was, "Well, can I do my own pushups?"
Bro. Christianson said, "No, Steve has to do them."
Then Scott said, "Well, I don't want one then."
Bro. Christianson then turned to Steve and asked "Steve, would you do ten pushups so Scott can have a donut he doesn't want?"
Steve started to do ten pushups. Scott said, "HEY! I said I didn't want one!"
Bro. Christianson said, "Look, this is my classroom, my class, my desks, and my donuts. Just leave it on the desk if you don't want it." And he put a donut on Scott's desk.
Now by this time, Steve had begun to slow down a little. He just stayed on the floor between sets because it took too much effort to be getting up and down. You could start to see a little perspiration coming out around his brow. Bro. Christianson started down the third row. Now the students were beginning to get a little angry.
Bro. Christianson asked Jenny, "Jenny, do you want a donut?"
Jenny said, "No."
Then Bro. Christianson asked Steve, "Steve, would you do ten pushups so Jenny can have a donut that she doesn't want?" Steve did ten, Jenny got a donut.
By now, the students were beginning to say "No" and there were all these uneaten donuts on the desks. Steve was also having to really put forth a lot of effort to get these pushups done for each donut. There began to be a small pool of sweat on the floor beneath his face, his arms and brow were beginning to get red because of the physical effort involved. Bro. Christianson asked Robert to watch Steve to make sure he did ten pushups in a set because he couldn't bear to watch all of Steve's work for all of those uneaten donuts. So Robert began to watch Steve closely. Bro. Christianson started down the fourth row.
During his class, however, some students had wandered in and sat along the heaters along the sides of the room. When Bro. Christianson realized this; he did a quick count and saw 34 students in the room. He started to worry if Steve would be able to make it.
Bro. Christianson went on to the next person and the next and the next. Near the end of that row, Steve was really having a rough time. He was taking a lot more time to complete each set.
Steve asked Bro. Christianson, "Do I have to make my nose touch on each one?"
Bro. Christianson thought for a moment, "Well, they're your pushups.. You can do them any way that you want." And Bro. Christianson went on.
A few moments later, Jason came to the room and was about to come in when all the students yelled, "NO! Don't come in! Stay out!"
Jason didn't know what was going on. Steve picked up his head and said, "No, let him come."
Bro. Christianson said, "You realize that if Jason comes in you will have to do ten pushups for him."
Steve said, "Yes, let him come in."
Bro. Christianson said, "Okay, I'll let you get Jason's out of the way right now. Jason, do you want a donut?"
"Yes."
"Steve, will you do ten pushups so that Jason can have a donut?" Steve did ten pushups very slowly and with great effort. Jason, bewildered, was handed a donut and sat down.
Bro. Christianson finished the fourth row, then started on those seated on the heaters. Steve's arms were now shaking with each pushup in a struggle to lift himself against the force of gravity. Sweat was dropping off of his face and, by this time, there was not a dry eye in the room.
The very last two girls in the room were cheerleaders and very popular. Bro. Christianson went to Linda, the second to last, and asked, "Linda, do you want a doughnut? Linda said, very sadly, "No, thank you."
Bro. Christianson asked Steve, "Steve, would you do ten pushups so that Linda can have a donut she doesn't want?"
Grunting from the effort, Steve did ten very slow pushups for Linda..
Then Bro. Christianson turned to the last girl, Susan. "Susan, do you want a donut?" Susan, with tears flowing down her face, asked, "Bro. Christianson, can I help him?"
Bro. Christianson, with tears of his own, said, "No, he has to do it alone, Steve, would you do ten pushups so Susan can have a donut?"
As Steve very slowly finished his last pushup, with the understanding that he had accomplished all that was required of him, having done 350 pushups, his arms buckled beneath him and he fell to the floor.
Brother Christianson turned to the room and said.
"And so it was, that our Savior, Jesus Christ, plead to the Father, "Into thy hands I commend my spirit." With the understanding that He had done everything that was required of Him, he collapsed on the cross and died. And like some of those in this room, many of us leave the gift on the desk, uneaten.
WHO IS THIS JESUS? THIS SAYS IT ALL
He is the First and Last, the Beginning and the End!
He is the keeper of Creation and the Creator of all!
He is the Architect of the universe and the Manager of all times.
He always was, He always is, and He always will be...
Unmoved, Unchanged, Undefeated, and never Undone!
He was bruised and brought healing!
He was pierced and eased pain!
He was persecuted and brought freedom!
He was dead and brought life!
He is risen and brings power!
He reigns and brings Peace!
The world can't understand him,
The armies can't defeat Him,
The schools can't explain Him, and
The leaders can't ignore Him.
Herod couldn't kill Him,
The Pharisees couldn't confuse Him, and
The people couldn't hold Him!
Nero couldn't crush Him,
Hitler couldn't silence Him,
The New Age can't replace Him, and
Donahue can't explain Him away!
He is light, love, longevity, and Lord.
He is goodness, Kindness, Gentleness, and God.
He is Holy, Righteous, mighty, powerful, and Pure.
His ways are right,
His word is eternal,
His will is unchanging, and
His mind is on me!
He is my redeemer,
He is my Savior,
He is my guide, and
He is my peace!
He is my Joy,
He is my comfort,
He is my Lord, and
He rules my life!
I serve Him because His bond is love, His burden is light, and His goal for
me is abundant life.
I follow Him because He is the wisdom of the wise, the power of the powerful, the Ancient of Days, the ruler of rulers, the leader of leaders, the overseer of the overcomers, and the sovereign Lord of all that was and is and is to come.
And if that seems impressive to you, try this for size . . .
His goal is a relationship with ME!
He will never leave me, never forsake me, never mislead me, never forget me, never overlook me and never cancel my appointment in His appointment book!
When I fall, He lifts me up!
When I fail, He forgives!
When I am weak, He is strong!
When I am lost, He is the way!
When I am afraid, He is my courage!
When I stumble, He steadies me!
When I am hurt, He heals me!
When I am broken, He mends me!
When I am blind, He leads me!
When I am hungry, He feeds me!
When I face trials, He is with me!
When I face persecution, He shields me!
When I face loss, He provides for me!
When I face Death, He carries me Home!
He is everything for everybody, everywhere, every time, and every way.
He is God! He is faithful.
I am His, and He is mine!
My Father in heaven can whip the father of this world.
So, if you're wondering why I feel so secure, understand this... He said it, I believe it, and that settles it. God is in control, I am on His side, and that means all is well with my soul.
Everyday is a blessing for GOD Is!
Author Unknown
He is the keeper of Creation and the Creator of all!
He is the Architect of the universe and the Manager of all times.
He always was, He always is, and He always will be...
Unmoved, Unchanged, Undefeated, and never Undone!
He was bruised and brought healing!
He was pierced and eased pain!
He was persecuted and brought freedom!
He was dead and brought life!
He is risen and brings power!
He reigns and brings Peace!
The world can't understand him,
The armies can't defeat Him,
The schools can't explain Him, and
The leaders can't ignore Him.
Herod couldn't kill Him,
The Pharisees couldn't confuse Him, and
The people couldn't hold Him!
Nero couldn't crush Him,
Hitler couldn't silence Him,
The New Age can't replace Him, and
Donahue can't explain Him away!
He is light, love, longevity, and Lord.
He is goodness, Kindness, Gentleness, and God.
He is Holy, Righteous, mighty, powerful, and Pure.
His ways are right,
His word is eternal,
His will is unchanging, and
His mind is on me!
He is my redeemer,
He is my Savior,
He is my guide, and
He is my peace!
He is my Joy,
He is my comfort,
He is my Lord, and
He rules my life!
I serve Him because His bond is love, His burden is light, and His goal for
me is abundant life.
I follow Him because He is the wisdom of the wise, the power of the powerful, the Ancient of Days, the ruler of rulers, the leader of leaders, the overseer of the overcomers, and the sovereign Lord of all that was and is and is to come.
And if that seems impressive to you, try this for size . . .
His goal is a relationship with ME!
He will never leave me, never forsake me, never mislead me, never forget me, never overlook me and never cancel my appointment in His appointment book!
When I fall, He lifts me up!
When I fail, He forgives!
When I am weak, He is strong!
When I am lost, He is the way!
When I am afraid, He is my courage!
When I stumble, He steadies me!
When I am hurt, He heals me!
When I am broken, He mends me!
When I am blind, He leads me!
When I am hungry, He feeds me!
When I face trials, He is with me!
When I face persecution, He shields me!
When I face loss, He provides for me!
When I face Death, He carries me Home!
He is everything for everybody, everywhere, every time, and every way.
He is God! He is faithful.
I am His, and He is mine!
My Father in heaven can whip the father of this world.
So, if you're wondering why I feel so secure, understand this... He said it, I believe it, and that settles it. God is in control, I am on His side, and that means all is well with my soul.
Everyday is a blessing for GOD Is!
Author Unknown
RECALL NOTICE
The Maker of all human beings is recalling all units manufactured, regardless of make or year, due to a serious defect in the primary and central components of the heart. This is due to a malfunction in the original prototype units code named Adam and Eve, resulting in the reproduction of the same defect in all subsequent units.
This defect has been technically termed, "Subsequential Internal Non-morality", or more commonly known as SIN, as it is primarily expressed.
Some other symptoms are as follows:
[a] Loss of direction
[b] Foul vocal emissions
[c] Amnesia of origin
[d] Lack of peace and joy
[e] Selfish, or violent behaviour
[f] Depression or confusion in the mental component
[g] Fearfulness
[h] Idolatry
[I] Rebellion
The Manufacturer, who is neither liable nor at fault for this defect is providing a factory authorized repair and service Free Of Charge to correct this SIN defect.
The Repair Technician, Jesus, has most generously offered to bear the Entire burden of the staggering cost of these repairs.
There is no additional fee required. The number to call for repair in all areas around the world is: P-R-A-Y-E-R. Once connected, please upload your burden of SIN through the REPENTANCE procedure.
Next, download ATONEMENT from the Repair Technician, Jesus, into the heart component. No matter how big or small the SIN defect is, Jesus will replace it with:
[a] Love
[b] Joy
[c] Peace
[d] Patience
[e] Kindness
[f] Goodness
[g] Faithfulness
[h] Gentleness
[I] Self control
Please see operating manual, HOLY BIBLE (Believers Instructions Before Leaving Earth), for further details on the use of these fixes. As an added upgrade, the Manufacturers made available to all repaired units a facility enabling direct monitoring and assistance from a resident Maintenance Technician, the Holy Ghost.
Repaired units need only make Him welcome and He will take up permanent residence on the premises!
WARNING:
Continuing to operate the human being unit without correction voids Any Manufacturer warranties, exposing the unit to the dangers and problems too numerous to list and will result in the human unit being permanently impounded. For free emergency service, call on JESUS.
DANGER:
The human being units not responding to this recall action will have to be scrapped in the furnace. The SIN defect still not be permitted to enter Heaven so as to prevent contamination of that facility.
Thank you for your attention. Please assist where possible by notifying others of this important Recall Notice!
The Purpose of Jesus' Ministry:
The whole purpose of Jesus' ministry is to bring us to the house of His Father. Not only did Jesus come to free us from the bonds of sin and death, He also came to lead us into the intimacy of His divine life.
Author Unknown
This defect has been technically termed, "Subsequential Internal Non-morality", or more commonly known as SIN, as it is primarily expressed.
Some other symptoms are as follows:
[a] Loss of direction
[b] Foul vocal emissions
[c] Amnesia of origin
[d] Lack of peace and joy
[e] Selfish, or violent behaviour
[f] Depression or confusion in the mental component
[g] Fearfulness
[h] Idolatry
[I] Rebellion
The Manufacturer, who is neither liable nor at fault for this defect is providing a factory authorized repair and service Free Of Charge to correct this SIN defect.
The Repair Technician, Jesus, has most generously offered to bear the Entire burden of the staggering cost of these repairs.
There is no additional fee required. The number to call for repair in all areas around the world is: P-R-A-Y-E-R. Once connected, please upload your burden of SIN through the REPENTANCE procedure.
Next, download ATONEMENT from the Repair Technician, Jesus, into the heart component. No matter how big or small the SIN defect is, Jesus will replace it with:
[a] Love
[b] Joy
[c] Peace
[d] Patience
[e] Kindness
[f] Goodness
[g] Faithfulness
[h] Gentleness
[I] Self control
Please see operating manual, HOLY BIBLE (Believers Instructions Before Leaving Earth), for further details on the use of these fixes. As an added upgrade, the Manufacturers made available to all repaired units a facility enabling direct monitoring and assistance from a resident Maintenance Technician, the Holy Ghost.
Repaired units need only make Him welcome and He will take up permanent residence on the premises!
WARNING:
Continuing to operate the human being unit without correction voids Any Manufacturer warranties, exposing the unit to the dangers and problems too numerous to list and will result in the human unit being permanently impounded. For free emergency service, call on JESUS.
DANGER:
The human being units not responding to this recall action will have to be scrapped in the furnace. The SIN defect still not be permitted to enter Heaven so as to prevent contamination of that facility.
Thank you for your attention. Please assist where possible by notifying others of this important Recall Notice!
The Purpose of Jesus' Ministry:
The whole purpose of Jesus' ministry is to bring us to the house of His Father. Not only did Jesus come to free us from the bonds of sin and death, He also came to lead us into the intimacy of His divine life.
Author Unknown
Why A New Blog?
I have decided to set up an online resource of all things Christian.
I'm thinking of having a few topics like: -
a) Inspiration
b) Songs (P&W)
c) Sermons (My own notes or those of others')
d) CPU
e) Fun & Games
f) Devotions (What I have collected)
h) Reviews (Books, CDs, sites, etc)
i) Spritual Journey (My spiritual reflections & struggles)
See how it goes. . . . :)
I'm thinking of having a few topics like: -
a) Inspiration
b) Songs (P&W)
c) Sermons (My own notes or those of others')
d) CPU
e) Fun & Games
f) Devotions (What I have collected)
h) Reviews (Books, CDs, sites, etc)
i) Spritual Journey (My spiritual reflections & struggles)
See how it goes. . . . :)
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