The Ministry of Reconciliation
(Entry Date : Jan 8th, 2012)
Scripture
2 Corinthians 5:17-21 :
17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!
18 All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation:
19 that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s
sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.
20 We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.
21 God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might
become the righteousness of God
Observation
1. We are a new creation
2. We are called to be ministers of reconciliation
3. We are His ambassadors
Application
We need to cast out the old for the new things God has planned for us. Reconciled with our fellow brethren and bring the message of
reconciliation to the lost. We represent Christ no matter where we are.
Prayer
Lord, give me a new plan with a new beginning in the new year. That I may be reconciled with my brethren and be conscientious that I am the representative of Christ wherever I am.
Childlike Faith
(Entry Date : Sep 18th, 2011)
Scripture
Mark 10: 13– 16 (NIV)
13 People were bringing little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them, but the disciples rebuked them.
14 When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.
15 Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it."
16 And he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them.
Observation
Many people were trying to see and hear Jesus and be blessed by Him, perhaps the disciples felt that the children are literally blocking the way for more important adult matters, yet Jesus spoke for them, welcome them and ultimately taught us some truth on children's behavior.
Application
1. God wanted us to be straightforward
2. God wanted us to be trusting
3. God wanted to have a sense of wonder
Prayer
Lord teach me to have a childlike faith of trust in You, to You and with You.
God Is Enough
(Entry Date : May 8th, 2011)
Scripture
Psalm 73: 23– 28 (NIV)
23. Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand.
24. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory.
25. Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you.
26. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
27. Those who are far from you will perish; you destroy all who are unfaithful to you.
28. But as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign LORD my refuge; I will tell of all your deeds.
Observation
The Psalmist confesses his envy for the arrogant and the ‘success’ of the wicked and the ungodly till he finds faith in God and understands that God will judge the unrighteous and give His inheritance to His people.
Application
1. God will be our guide
2. He is our ultimate desire
3. He is our strength and portion
4. It is good to be near God
Prayer
Others and myself may fail, I may not understand. What I’m going through but I know you holds tomorrow and I know You holds my hand.
Providence Of God
(Entry Date : Dec 31st, 2010)
Scripture
Read Ezra 6:22 - For seven days they celebrated with joy the Festival of Unleavened Bread, because the LORD had filled them with joy by changing the attitude of the king of Assyria so that he assisted them in the work on the house of God, the God of Israel.
Observation
V1-3 ‘Let the temple be rebuilt’
God moves the heart of a pagan king
V14 ‘They finished building the temple’
V20 ‘Celebrated the Passover’
V21 ‘Separated themselves from the unclean practices’
God’s faithfulness causes the people to repent
V22 For seven days they celebrated with joy the Festival of Unleavened Bread, because the LORD had filled them with joy by changing the attitude of the king of Assyria so that he assisted them in the work on the house of God, the God of Israel.
Application
God wants our obedience.
God provides in unexpected ways.
True joy is the result of doing things that pleases God.
Prayer
Lord teach me to obey and trust God’s providence in ways not expected, that His name will be praised !
Prayers That Pleases God
(Entry Date : Oct 8th, 2010)
Scripture
Read 1 Kings 3: 1-15
Observation
Solomon showed his love for the LORD by walking according to the statutes of his father David, except that he offered sacrifices and burned incense on the high places.
He obeys God
V5 At Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon during the night in a dream, and God said, "Ask for whatever you want me to give you."
God’s favor is upon Solomon
V9 So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?"
Solomon humbles himself before God and understand his stewardship
V10 The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for this...
It delights God’s heart for he has asked the right things
V12 I will do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there will never have been anyone like you, nor will there ever be.
V13 Moreover, I will give you what you have not asked for—both riches and honor—so that in your lifetime you will have no equal among kings.
V14 And if you walk in my ways and obey my statutes and commands as David your father did, I will give you a long life." God not only gave, but he gave abundantly!
Application
What and how we ask from God determines our present heart condition. God is prepared to over-deliver if we are prepared to put Him first. He knows our needs more than I know mine.
Prayer
Lord, let me align and sync my prayers to your will so that I will not be presumptuous in my walk with You. Teach me to avoid empty presumptuous faith not anchored in obedience to your Word but reminds me that You knows my needs more than I know mine!
Success In God's Way
(Entry Date : June 29th, 2010)
Scripture
Joshua 23:6-8 - Be very strong; be careful to obey all that is written in the Book of Moses, without turning aside to the right or to the left. Do not associate with these nations that remain among you; do not invoke the names of their gods or swear by them. You must not bow down to them. But you are to hold fast to the Lord your God, as you have until now.
Observation
Joshua was nearing the end of his life and he wanted to remind the Israelites about the principles of their success in their conquest and allotment of the promised land
Application
Be very strong
Obey all that is written (not selective)
Do not associate (unequally yoke)
Do not serve or bow down
Hold fast to the Lord
Prayer
God will change my heart to be obedient to His word and give me the discernment and wisdom to separate His words from other humanistic wisdom, that I will choose to hold fast to the Lord no matter how difficult it may be.
Responds Responsibly
(Entry Date : June 2nd, 2010)
Scripture
Numbers 14: 5-9 – Then Moses and Aaron fell facedown in front of the whole Israelite assembly gathered there. Joshua son of Nun and Caleb son of Jephunneh, who were among those who had explored the land, tore their clothes and said to the entire Israelite assembly, "The land we passed through and explored is exceedingly good. If the LORD is pleased with us, he will lead us into that land, a land flowing with milk and honey, and will give it to us. Only do not rebel against the LORD. And do not be afraid of the people of the land, because we will swallow them up. Their protection is gone, but the LORD is with us. Do not be afraid of them."
Observation
Facing mounting pressure and complaint from the entire Israel, Moses and Aaron choose to take a humble posture and respond in prayer even though they have the authority and stature to react and decisively deal with the ‘rebellion’. They have understood that God has great plans for His doubtful people and they choose to inspire their confidence towards God rather than find their own human solution.
Application
Christian leadership has a great responsibility to point people to God rather than onto ourselves. We are responsible to let others see God and not our own abilities, for He deserves the glory whatever the outcome.
Prayer
Lord let me pray for every demanding and challenging circumstances that arises in my leadership capacity, be it in work or in church situation that the right response is to humble myself in your presence and believe that it’s your will to lead us to the promised land in every circumstances even though I may not yet see and understand your ‘promised land’ in that situation. Let me respond responsibly to those I influence and lead.
Gving
(Entry Date : January 17th, 2010)
Scripture
Exodus 35:29 - “All the Israelite men and women who were willing brought to the LORD freewill offerings for all the work the LORD through Moses had commanded them to do. “
Observation
Moses has heard from God to command His people to respond to building His tabernacle, the place God can commune and meet with the Israelites. The Israelites who were willing, responded overwhelmingly with freewill offerings of both valuables and skills to give into their ‘building fund’, with the leaders taking the lead in giving the precious stones. There was no complaining or dissatisfaction and they gave generously to see that they complete the tabernacle and in the subsequent verses, they reached a far greater collection to the point that Moses had to command the Israelites to stop.
Application
Giving is a strong indication of our love to God, it is easier to say we love God and talking about giving our life to Him, but when we were told to give our material possessions, we sometimes choose not to shrug off the still small voice. Talk is cheap, giving requires sacrifice and above all, a very strong freewill for God loves a cheerful giver, what about me?
Prayer
God, give me the kingdom perspective on earthly wealth, God is the provider of my needs and let me use the resources You gave me wisely so that I may invest the talents I have been given in the kingdom of God back to You. Above all, let me give cheerfully for You love a cheerful giver.
Obedient Faith
(Entry Date : October 25th, 2009)
Scripture
Genesis 22:2,6-8,13 - Then God said, "Take your son, your only son, Isaac, whom you love, and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains I will tell you about." Abraham took the wood for the burnt offering and placed it on his son Isaac and he himself carried the fire and the knife. As the two of them went on together, Isaac spoke up and said to his father Abraham, "Father?"
"Yes, my son?" Abraham replied. "The fire and wood are here," Isaac said, "but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?" Abraham answered, "God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son." And the two of them went on together. Abraham looked up and there in a thicket he saw a ram [a] caught by its horns. He went over and took the ram and sacrificed it as a burnt offering instead of his son. So Abraham called that place The LORD Will Provide. And to this day it is said, "On the mountain of the LORD it will be provided."
Observation
Although Abraham already knows for certain that God has called him to sacrifice Isaac, yet when Isaac asked him about the lamb, Abraham replied in faith that God will provide. It was a stark contrast of faith in God and obedience to the last minute I can just feel Abraham’s deep anticipation of what’s next and the heaviness of heart when he went up to Moriah with his only son. Yet in the whole episode, Abraham was willing to complete God’s call although in that journey he just cannot fathom how on earth will there be a sacrificial lamb in such an environment. He must be humbled greatly when he saw the ram caught in his horns, God has taught him that the meaning of Jehovah Jireh firsthand, the Lord that will provides, that will not hold back, that will give above and beyond the circumstances he was facing.
Application
Obedience and faith are the twins in our journey with God, he allows us to go through the process to discover firsthand of knowing Him personally that we may let go and let God work and complete His purposes in our life.
Prayer
Lord, help me to have your Kingdom mindset to see how you would have seen and do what you would have to do, so that I may declare like Abraham, The Lord Will Provide.
Words Of The Father
(Entry Date : August 9th, 2009)
Scripture
Proverb 3:1-4 - My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart, for they will prolong your life many years and bring you prosperity. Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man.
Observation
The pleading and teaching of the father to his beloved son that is filled with earnest desire to establish sound value and principle of living for his life. The father has gone through the early stages of his life and he has gotten his learning and wisdom and intended to keep his son from failing. Solomon was believed to have authored it and his life filled with ups and downs despite being the wisest man on earth, who was more authoritative than him in dispensing wisdom!
Application
A father is responsible for his children, especially special to the son's physical, emotional and spiritual growth. We have an added task of providing them the environment for spiritual growth that when our children grow older they will not depart from God’s ways. We need to give our children the discerning voices that they will know how to differentiate the world from the Word. Let us remember to hold our spiritual mandate by taking an active role to pray, to read the Bible together and to teach them the wisdom of God, than they will “not forget the teachings but keep my commands in your heart…….you will win favour and a good name in the sight of God and man”.
Prayer
God teach me to be a good father to my children and a spiritual father to guide your blessed assets you have put us responsible in our hands that our children will grow to be hearer and doer of your Word. They will not depart from Your ways and Your wisdom will keep them from falling. Amen!