Scripture:
1 Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. Go near to listen rather than to offer the sacrifice of fools, who do not know what they do wrong.
2 Do not be quick with your mouth, do not be hasty in your heart to utter anything before God.
God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few.
3 As a dream comes when there are many cares, so the speech of a fool when there are many words.
Eccl 5:1-3 (NIV)
Observation:
Many people (even me) pray to God asking for their requests, their hopes, their dreams, their complaints, etc. But this passage says that what we were doing is foolishness if we never prioritize listening to God than just keep on blabbering words to Him. Praying is talking with God, and just like how we talk with other people, it is a 2-way communication. John Maxwell advised that we should talk less and listen more to other people. I believe that the same applies to the LORD. When we learn to listen to other people rather than just keeping on talking, we find out that we gain more favor with that person and at the same time, we learn more! And I believe that as we learn to listen to God, we'll get closer to God, know Him more, earn His favor and we receive His blessings because that is His will for us!
Therefore I believe that the instruction of the LORD is: "Be quiet, listen to Me and obey."
And surely, as we learn to listen to Him, God's Word will be fulfilled, that:
He seldom reflects on the days of his life, because God keeps him occupied with gladness of heart.
Eccl 5:20 (NIV)Current Mood:  relaxed |
Scripture:
3 We continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.
1 Thes 1:3 (NIV)
6 You became imitators of us and of the Lord; in spite of severe suffering, you welcomed the message with the joy given by the Holy Spirit. 7 And so you became a model to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia.
1 Thes 1:6-7 (NIV)
Observation:
This is Paul writing to his disciples, honoring them with their faith. with the large task and responsibility God has given us, I believe we should be like these disciples who imitated Paul, his companions, and the Lord Jesus Christ (Notice: "Lord", not "LORD").
1. Work produced by faith
- doing our best as working for the LORD.
- giving pure devotion, focus and commitment.
2. Labor prompted by love
- to do things for the love of God, His people and His kingdom.
*Note: Check the meanings of the words "work" and "labor". Meanings include: pain, suffering; overstress.
3. Endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ
- as Christians, it's normal to encounter troubles, struggles, persecutions, sufferings and the like. For the Lord our Master encountered the same things and no one is greater than his or her master. But the Lord promised to save us and make us whole, meaning, the Lord promised us a victorious life, and holding on to this promis, having this hope will make us endure whatever circumstance we encounter.
Wrapping it all, the disciples' devotion/commitment to God made them become models to all the believers in that place. Their impact was so great that Paul and his companions remembered them continuously.
Therefore I encourage everyone to do the same and imitate our leaders and our Lord. |
Scripture:
12 May the LORD give you discretion and understanding when he puts you in command over Israel, so that you make keep the law of the LORD your God. 13 Then you will have success if you are careful to observe the decrees and laws that the LORD gave Moses for Israel. Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged.
1 Chr 22:12-13 (NIV)
Observation:
The thing that concerns me most at this moment of my life is success, and after Jim Lafoon's preaching in one of the sessions in Campus Harvest Asia, I have been preparing myself by reading leadership and business books, and of course being committed to reading the Word daily. And God is truly very supportive as He guides me through His Word which is the Bible.
In this passage, He reveals to us the pointers or conditions, the things we need to have and the things we need to become before being successful.
1. Acquire discretion and understanding (*look into the definitions of these words*)
2. Keep and observe the law carefully
- the law = the Word of God, the Bible.
- Not just read the Word, but keep and observe the Word, meaning application.
- Without the Word of God, we cannot be successful.
3. Become strong and courageous
- with the strength that comes from the LORD, having confidence in Him.
Apply all of these always and surely you will be successful. It is the promise of your LORD.
Jim Lafoon's preaching during that session was about: Be Ready -> Stand Up -> Say -> Go which is a cycle in life which he encouraged us to apply.
1. Be Ready - meaning preparing yourself, reading the Word daily, attending services, cells, having a healthy and deep relationship with God.
2. Stand Up - means living a life of victory, which will come naturally when we are ready (1st point).
3. Say - sharing our testimonies, which will also come naturally when we're living a life of victory. Even if we just keep quiet, people will notice our victorious lives and ask us about it, therefore speaking up is inevitable.
4. Go - when we're ready, living victorious lives and sharing living testimonies of the LORD, then we will just go to places which are led by God, may it be reaching out to people, campuses, business industries, cities, countries, nations and even the whole World. |
Scripture:
1 Then Samuel took a flask of oil and poured it on Saul's head and kissed him, saying, "Has not the LORD anointed you leader over his inheritance? 2 When you leave me today, you will meet two men near Rachel's tomb, at Zelzah on the border of Benjamin. They will say to you, 'The donkeys you set out to look for have been found. And now your father has stopped thinking about them and is worried about you. He is asking, "What shall I do about my son?"'
3"Then you will go on from ther until you reach the great tree of Tabor. Three men going up to God at Bethel will meet you there. One will be carrying three young goats, another three loaves of bread, and another a skin of wine. 4 They will greet and offer you two loaves of bread, which you will accept from them.
5"After that you will go to Gibeah of God, where there is a Philistine outpost. As you approach the town, you will meet a procession of prophets coming down from the high place with lyres, tambourines, flutes and harps being played before them, and they will be prophesying. 6 The Spirit of the LORD will come upon you in power, and you will prophesy with them; and you will be changed into a different person. 7 Once these signs are fulfilled, do whatever your hand finds to do, for God is with you.
1 Samuel 10:1-7 (NIV)
9 As Saul turned to leave Samuel, God changed Saul's heart, and all these signs were fulfilled that day. 10 When they arrived at Gibeah, a procession of prophets met him; the Spirit of God came upon him in power, and he joined in their prophesying.
1 Samuel 10:9-10 (NIV)
Observation:
Here, we can see what a lot of people are asking the LORD for, for Him to change us and fill us with His Spirit. Personally, this has been my prayer for the past weeks but interestingly, before the LORD changed Saul and filled him with the LORD's Spirit, God prepared Saul first by giving him signs, things that were to be fulfilled in the near future. In the same way, before we are changed, there will be a series of steps before we get there. Just imagine Saul's reaction, what he was thinking and what was happening to him, as he sees these prophecies fulfilled one by one.
An encouragement here would be: Notice that Saul didn't have to do anything to change, all he did was remember what the LORD told him (through Samuel) and acknowledge God as all of these events take place. Saul didn't have to do extreme efforts to change, all that's needed is to remember our LORD.
Additional Note:
Preparation before Change, Change before being Filled by the Spirit.
-or-
Preparation --> Change --> Filled by the SpiritCurrent Mood:  thankful |
Scripture:
6 But when they said, "Give us a king to lead us," this displeased Samuel; so he prayed to the LORD. 7 And the LORD told him: "Listen to all that the people are saying to you; it is not you they have rejected, but they have rejected me as their king. 8 As they have done from the day I brought them up out of Egypt until this day, forsaking me and serving other gods, so they are doing to you. 9 now listen to them; but warn them solemnly and let them know what the king who will reign over them will do."
19 But the people refused to listen to Samuel. "No!" they said. "We want a king over us. 20 Then we will be like all the other nations, with a king to lead us and to go out before us and fight our battles."
21 When Samuel heard all that the people said, he repeated it before the LORD. 22 The LORD answered, "Listen to them and give them a king."
Then Samuel said to the men of Israel, "Everyone go back to his town."
1 Samuel 8:6-9,19-22 (NIV)
Observation:
In this passage, we can see that the Israelites have forsaken the LORD from the time they were brought out of Egypt. Clearly, our LORD is hurt about all these, but as we read the scriptures we can see Him still being with the Israelites and helping them. And now, even as they rejected the LORD as their king, the LORD still answered their requests and gave them a king.
So what's the point? If the Israelites, who have forsaken the LORD as their king, are still granted their requests by the LORD, how much more we, people who have the LORD as the King of their lives? Therefore have faith and be confident! Present your requests before the LORD and surely He will give them to You. That's the LORD we serve!Current Mood: thankful |
| » God's Humility, Our Privilege |
|---|
Scripture:
6 In my distress I called to the LORD; I cried to my God for help. From His temple He heard my voice; my cry came before Him, into His ears.
16 He reached down from on high and took hold of me; He drew me out of deep waters.
35 You give me your shield of victory, and your right hand sustains me; you stoop down to make me great.
Psalm 18:6,16,35 (NIV)
Observation:
God has always heard our cries. He has always been there to help us. Too much, that we forget how great of a privilege this is. I myself am guilty of this, the LORD has always helped me and extended His arm for me that I took it for granted. How great and holy is the LORD that He should help us? This is God's message for us today, that we should realize that His humility is not only shown in His giving of His Son, Jesus Christ, but His humility is continuously showing as He hears us and helps us! That's my God, the perfect example of greatness and humility.
Apr. 5th, 2004 @ 09:49 pm
|
| » Do not Hurry, Wait for God's Perfect Time |
|---|
Scripture:
32 The LORD handed Lachich over to Israel, and Joshua took it on the second day. The city and everyone in it he put to the sword, just as he had done to Libnah.
Observation:
Not just because God promised us something and not just because God is giving us something does it mean that we can claim it immediately. Like Israel, when the LORD handed Lachich to them, Joshua made the decision to take it on the second day. In the same way, we must ask God for wisdom and wait for His perfect timing, because God is more concerned with how well we can get it rather than how fast we can get it.
Mar. 31st, 2004 @ 02:35 am
|
| » Some Pointers for a Victorious Life |
|---|
Scripture:
21 He who pursues righteousness and love finds life, prosperity and honor.
Prov 21:21 (NIV)
30 There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan that can succeed against the LORD.
Observation:
All we need to do is to focus on the LORD, pursuing righteousness and love... and everything else will follow.
Mar. 21st, 2004 @ 11:36 pm
|
| » Humility -> Obedience -> Fear -> Love |
|---|
(Scripture)
1. The Israelites were Humble (Deut 5:24-28)
-- (verse 28) -- The Lord acknowledged their humility.
2. Commanded to Obey the Commandments Carefully (Deut 5:29)
3. Be able to Fear the Lord by obeying Him (Deut 6:2)
4. Loving the Lord (Deut 6:5)
-- (verse 24-25) -- Teaching disciples to fear and obey Him.
(Observation)
Be Humble before the LORD --> Obeying the LORD --> Fearing the LORD --> Loving the LORD
Mar. 14th, 2004 @ 02:16 pm
|
| » The Rewards of Going to War |
|---|
Scripture:
1 Next we turned and went up along the road toward Bashan, and Og king of Bashan with his whole army marched out to meet us in battle at Edrei. 2 The LORD said to me, "Do not be afraid of him, for I have handed him over to you with his whole army and his land. Do to him what you did to Sihon king of the Amorites, who reigned in Heshbon."
3 So the LORD our God also gave into our hands Og king of Bashan and all his army. We struck them down, leaving no survivors. 4 At that time we took all his cities. There was not one of the sixty cities that we did not take from them--the whole region of Argob, Og's kingdom in Bashan. 5 All these cities were fortified with high walls and with gates and bars, and there were also a great many unwalled villages. 6 We completely destroyed n them, as we had done with Sihon king of Heshbon, destroying n every city--men, women and children. 7 But all the livestock and the plunder from their cities we carried off for ourselves.
Deut 3:1-7 (NIV)
Observation:
God impressed in my heart that the Israelites war stories have a spiritual parallel. That as the Israelites go to war and overcome something usually bigger than them, they never fail to get their rewards in the end. Like in this scripture, the Israelites in turn got the enemy's land and livestock. In the same way, when God calls us to overcome something, He does not leave us rewardless. :D
Mar. 13th, 2004 @ 12:28 pm
|
| » Quiet Time (Overflows included) |
|---|
Hello church! :D uhm.. mejo marami to.. just read and see what's suitable to you :D I encourage you all to just pick one Word / teaching and focus on it. Our goal as Christians is to be like Christ, but are you eagerly desiring to be like Christ? I pray that every Word that you receive will be life-changing Word and become like Christ one step (even just a small step) at a time.
Settling for the Current State
In creating a compiler, we first need to create a Context-Free Grammar (CFG) of our desired language, from that CFG we use certain rules to create certain states when we start to implement it. It will be something like an endless-loop with break statements in it, and on each iteration the state will differ depending on the Current State. And then... WAHAHA joke joke joke!
Scripture:
1 The Reubenites and Gadites, who had very large herds and flocks, saw that the lands of Jazer and Gilead were suitable for livestock.
5 If we have found favor in your eyes," they said, "let this land be given to your servants as our possession. Do not make us cross the Jordan."
6 Moses said to the Gadites and Reubenites, "Shall your countrymen go to war while you sit here? 7 Why do you discourage the Israelites from going over into the land the LORD has given them?
11 `Because they have not followed me wholeheartedly, not one of the men twenty years old or more who came up out of Egypt will see the land I promised on oath to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob-- 12 not one except Caleb son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite and Joshua son of Nun, for they followed the LORD wholeheartedly.'
16 Then they came up to him and said, "We would like to build pens here for our livestock and cities for our women and children. 17 But we are ready to arm ourselves and go ahead of the Israelites until we have brought them to their place. Meanwhile our women and children will live in fortified cities, for protection from the inhabitants of the land. 18 We will not return to our homes until every Israelite has received his inheritance. 19 We will not receive any inheritance with them on the other side of the Jordan, because our inheritance has come to us on the east side of the Jordan."
20 Then Moses said to them, "If you will do this--if you will arm yourselves before the LORD for battle, 21 and if all of you will go armed over the Jordan before the LORD until he has driven his enemies out before him-- 22 then when the land is subdued before the LORD, you may return and be free from your obligation to the LORD and to Israel. And this land will be your possession before the LORD.
25 The Gadites and Reubenites said to Moses, "We your servants will do as our lord commands.
Numbers 32:1,5-7,11-12,16-22,25 (NIV)
Summary + Observation:
(verses 1 & 5) - They were content with the current state or the current time that they were in
(verses 6-7 & 11-12) - Correction (by experience) from Moses
(verses 16-22) - Repentance
(verse 25) - Obedience
Note from The Devotional Study Bible NIV (Direct Quote):
Num 32:22 Trouble Ahead
According to Joshua 22:1-6, the two and a half tribes did keep their promise to fight with the others. The land they chose was appealing, with parklike scenery, wide pastures, and lush forests. However, their settlement proved troublesome. With no natural borders, it was open to enemy attack and easy infiltration.
Question
Which do you desire? Your current "seemingly" successful life? or God's promised life?
Keep a Journal
At the LORD's command Moses recorded the stages in their journey.
Numbers 33:2b (NIV)
- Though it may not seem important to keep a journal and record our lifes journey, we must understand that the LORD saw it important which is why He commanded Moses to do so. Consider its fruits, what could've happened to the Bible if the first 5 books (Gen-Deut) was never written?
Bring Every Praise Back to God
Scripture:
17 As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. "Good teacher," he asked, "what must I do to inherit eternal life?"
18 "Why do you call me good?" Jesus answered. "No one is good--except God alone.
Mark 10:17-18 (NIV)
Observation:
Jesus brought even the simplest complement "good" back to God. In the same way, may we do the same and bring everything, even the smallest kind of complement or praise, back to God. As it is also written in Proverbs 27:21b (NIV) "man is tested by the praise he receives."
Question:
I pray that you'll reflect on the Words you receive. Recall the parable of the sower... Now, do EVERY word you receive fall onto the good soil? or do they go onto the path? to the rocky road? or to the thorns?
Mar. 7th, 2004 @ 11:33 pm
|
| » Some Characteristics of Wisdom |
|---|
Scripture:
1 My son, pay attention to my wisdom,
listen well to my words of insight,
Proverbs 5:1 (NIV)
Observation:
God speaks to us all the time, all we need is to tune in and listen to His voice. This is why verse 1 says that we should pay attention, because there is a crowd of voices on our heads so we should really pay attention to know which of those voices belongs to God. Here it says that we should listen for God's wisdom and words of insight. Wisdom speaks future, she helps us in our decisions/actions that will lead us to success. With words of insight, according to the American Heritage Dictionary, it is the capacity to discern the true nature of a situation.
Therefore I encourage everyone to eagerly desire Wisdom. Ask God for Wisdom and He will be more than happy to give it to you.
Application:
Once again, I really really really desire Wisdom all the more. I just can't get enough of Wisdom =D
Prayer:
Pa, You created the universe and everything in it. You created it with such great wisdom that everything is formed with great designs. And more than that, unlike us people who create things and sometimes lose control of our creations, I praise You for You are still in control of everything. Indeed Lord, You are a sovereign God and I praise You and honor You for that. Father, I thank You for keeping on planting seeds in me to eagerly desire wisdom. May You continue to work in me that I may hear Your voice clearly. May I always hear You and be wise in everything that I do. Even in the smallest things, I pray that I'd act in wisdom and not in deceit. Lord, I even pray, not for me, but for everyone around me. May my friends, the church, hear Your voice as well. For more than living in wisdom, what really matters is having a deep relationship with You. Lord, may we be able to talk with You like how You talk with Moses. Pa, I'm really jealous of Moses... hehe how I pray that I can talk with You the same way... O Lord.. I love You so much, it hurts me not to be able to talk with You like I do with my friends. Lord, I'll just trust and have faith in You. I am confident that You'll satisfy my hunger, for I know that You want the same relationship for all of us as well. May Your will be done Dad.. and may You use me to bring more people to You and make You happier =D love talaga Kita Lord... but I feel that my love isn't enough.. please teach me how to love as I know You more... for You are love, and I understand that only when knowing You more will I learn to love You and Your people more. hehe Lord, I don't know how my prayer went this far off from the scripture, but it was fun! :)) Thank You Lord. I'm going to sleep na... nyt nyt!
In Jesus' Name I pray,
Amen.
Mar. 6th, 2004 @ 03:12 am
|
| » The Parable of the Sower |
|---|
Scripture:
The Parable of the Sower
Mark 4:1-20
Observation + Personal Application:
All this time, I was thinking of this parable as something solely for the gospel. That the "seed" that symbolizes the Word is the gospel alone. But God opened my eyes and told me that this is not for the gospel alone but for every word that comes from God!
What really struck me on this parable are the verses 18-19 which says:
18 Still others, like seed sown among thorns, hear the word; 19 but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful.
Mark 4:18-19 (NIV)
This made me think again of all my school work which I was worried and pressured with. I believe it became like thorns in me which hindered my growth. Good thing it's all over now.
This is a significant word for me which I should be sensitive with all the time. And I'd like to encourage everyone to do the same.
Question:
Therefore, I ask you this question (I'm also reflecting on this):
When you hear or read the Word or a message from God, does it fall on the road? on rocky soil? among thorns? or on good soil? In other words, do you apply and grow on everything you learn from or about God?
Prayer:
Father, I thank You for opening my eyes and revealing this to me. I thank You because by applying this word, I can be more like Your Son. This is an answered prayer for me, Father, for I have been eagerly desiring to be more like Your Son everyday. May this Word cause me and the readers of this journal apply Your Word and have a life-changing experience everyday. Nothing beats Your character. Thank You once again.
In Jesus' Name,
Amen.
Feb. 25th, 2004 @ 11:29 am
|
| » Confidence Despite Armies |
|---|
Scripture:
3 Though an army besiege me,
my heart will not fear;
though war break out against me,
even then will I be confident.
Psalm 27:3 (NIV)
Observation + Application:
I have been struggling on being excellent in my school works, changing my bad habits (like my sleeping habits), even with spending a quiet time with the Lord everyday became a struggle for me. And this passage is so encouraging for me, and I believe that this is a step of faith in my life.
Here, David simply says that he is confident even when an army besieges him. "army" here does not only mean people going to war, but can also symbolize an army of struggles, like the struggles I mentioned above. And this is my faith right now, and I would like to encourage everyone to have the same faith as well: to no longer worry nor feel pressured about anything, even though a lot of things that needs to be done barges in. It is the Lord who gives us the ability to do all these things anyway. And we must not forget that He loves us and wants the best for us, so I don't think He wants us to lack sleep or anything. It is He who allowed all of these things to happen into our lives, therefore the key to getting through all of these is with Him as well.
Feb. 22nd, 2004 @ 05:13 pm
|
| » Living Our Purpose : People Consumed by Fire |
|---|
Scripture:
38 "Therefore, my brothers, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you. 39 Through him everyone who believes is justified from everything you could not be justified from by the law of Moses.
Acts 13:38-39 (NIV)
Observation:
In the past, during the time of Moses, people were very sensitive to sin. We must understand that having even just one sin means death (Rom 6:23). In fact, even if the sin is unintentional, or even when we do not even know that it's a sin, as long as we did it, we are already guilty of it (Lev 4:13-14,22-23,27-28 ; 5:2-4). So the people before offered burnt offerings, sin offerings, fellowship offerings, guilt offerings just so their sins can be covered and all these should be done before they can experience the presence of the Lord (Lev 9:4,6).
Blessed are we today for Jesus already came and all we need to do is to believe in Him as Lord and Savior all of our sins are already cleansed (Take note: Difference between covered and cleansed). We don't even have to earn this! As the apostles of the early church argued about good practices they pointed out that we are saved through grace! (Acts 15:11) And as offerings before were consumed by fire (Lev 1:9,13,17; 2:2,10,16; 3:5,11,16,15; 4:31; 8:28). We are now living sacrifices to the Lord as His Spirit comes on us and baptizes us with fire (Mt 3:11).
I pray that everyone will feel blessed that we are born at this time instead of the time of Moses... that we are so privileged that the forgiveness of our sins was already paid for when Jesus died on the cross for us. And as we believe in Him, we are now a royal priesthood (1 Pet 2:9). Priests who do not need to be like Aaron's family who were very busy at handling all the people's offerings (Lev 1-9), but priests that are called to do different purposes prepared by God as some are called to become full-time church workers, some are called to be businessmen and women, some are called to lead nations and some are called to do other things that the Lord has already prepared in advance.
I therefore encourage everyone (that means you!) to start believing in the Lord and live the prosperous and successful life He has in store.
Feb. 8th, 2004 @ 11:30 pm
|
| » Lord Jesus' Servanthood |
|---|
Scripture:
14 Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. 15 I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. 16 I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17 Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.
John 13:14-17 (NIV)
Observation:
The Lord, being in very nature, God, humbled himself as He became like a slave/servant as he lived here on earth. And now, He is commanding us to be a servant to everyone as well. For as people receive the Lord Jesus, they are saved and are cleansed of their sins. But still, believers need to make sure to clean themselves from everything they set their feet on. This is what Jesus is commanding us, to be accountable to each other and make sure that we help each other not be led astray by the dirt this world has. And as Jesus has promised, we will be blessed when we follow and become a servant, just like what He did.
Dec. 31st, 2003 @ 01:00 pm
|
| » Speaking in Tongues |
|---|
Scripture:
If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.
1 Corinthians 13:1 (NIV)
13 For this reason anyone who speaks in a tongue should pray that he may interpret what he says. 14 For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful. 15 So what shall I do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my mind; I will sing with my spirit, but I will also sing with my mind.
1 Corinthians 14:13-15 (NIV)
Observation:
When we speak in tongues, we oftenly do not understand what we are saying. This causes people to either get creeped out or just make them ignore or disregard what we speak. As if speaking in tongues should not be highly valued.
When we speak in tongues, we often speak and just feel good about ourselves. This makes us like a "resounding gong or a danging cymbal". Therefore, when we speak, we should put God in our minds when we're alone or put the Church or other people in mind when we're with them. Let us speak in tongues in love for God and for our neighbors. May we take the value of speaking in tongues to heart. Remember that speaking in tongues is a gift and it is grouped together in the Bible with other gifts like the gift of healing and the gift of miraculous powers. Speaking in tongues is a gift from God, a manifestation of the Holy Spirit, therefore, may no one belittle it.
Nov. 13th, 2003 @ 11:31 pm
|
| » Putting Everyone's Conscience in Mind |
|---|
Scripture:
27 If some unbeliever invites you to a meal and you want to go, eat whatever is put before you without raising questions of conscience. 28 But if anyone says to you, "This has been offered in sacrifice," then do not eat it, both for the sake of the man who told you and for conscience' sake-- 29 the other man's conscience, I mean, not yours. For why should my freedom be judged by another's conscience? 30 If I take part in the meal with thankfulness, why am I denounced because of something I thank God for?
31 So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. 32 Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God--
1 Corinthians 27-32 (NIV)
Observation:
God does not only look at our actions, but in reality, He focuses at our hearts. Doing good things without a sincere heart is meaningless!
Therefore, when our neighbors do something wrong, let us be careful to instruct/correct them gently and with love. May we never forget to consider their consciences... We do not want our instructions to cause them to stumble! May we give instuctions/corrections in a wise manner so that they may be directed to the path God wants them to take.
Nov. 11th, 2003 @ 11:36 am
|
| » Living Our Purpose No Matter What! |
|---|
Scripture:
17 Nevertheless, each one should retain the place in life that the Lord assigned to him and to which God has called him. This is the rule I lay down in all the churches.
19 Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing. Keeping God's commands is what counts. 20 Each one should remain in the situation which he was in when God called him.
23 You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of men. 24 Brothers, each man, as responsible to God, should remain in the situation God called him to.
1 Corinthians 7:17,19-20,23-24 (NIV)
Observation:
Every one of us has a specific purpose and calling. Let us all focus on fulfilling our purposes and following God no matter what! For God will surely bless us in return with His good, pleasing and perfect will, and that is a promise! Be careful, however, that we do these things out of our love for God and not just because of the rewards that we are to receive. Let us make sure that the promise is not as important to us as the promise giver!
Nov. 10th, 2003 @ 07:48 pm
|
| » The Desire of Being Pure and Holy |
|---|
Scripture:
31 "Suppose a man says to God,
`I am guilty but will offend no more.
32 Teach me what I cannot see;
if I have done wrong, I will not do so again.'
Job 34:31-32 (NIV)
Observation:
This is a prayer of a man who desires to be pure and holy. He is humble enough to say that he is guilty even though he does not know what wrong he did. And then, He asks God to reveal to him his faults that he may change.
Let us all take the time to pray this to God. I pray that everyone would throw away their pride and be humble enough to tell the Lord that we are sinners. That we are weak and unable to see everything about ourselves. Let us pray that God would continue to reveal to us our faults that we may be good, pleasing and perfect in His sight.
God Bless everyone! =D
Nov. 9th, 2003 @ 11:55 pm
|
|
![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif){kind=small}
rafferty_uy's journal