>> Timeless Principles:
v23:
Jesus assured the disciples that the help will come quickly in the time of persecution, and they need to keep persevere. We can be very impatient when difficult and challenging time arise, yet Jesus assures us for deliverance before it's too late.
>> Specific Words:
v23:
I need to keep persevering in difficult times through holding on God's promises for deliverance.
Q1:
- Jesus encouraged them to persevere, because God knew and He cared for them. He even promised deliverance when the persecution time arise. Jesus also reminded them the risk or consequences to be His followers to prepare the disciples for the difficult times.
- They're equipped in their heart & mind preparation as well as practical instructions of what to do during those challenging situations.
Q2:
It reminded me that God is more powerful than anything else. He has the power to deliver and judge. His blessings and judgments have eternal consequences, while others are only temporary.
Q3:
- Our courage comes by knowing that God is by our side. He cares and will deliver in His appointed time.
- Knowing God more to help increase faith and confidence that God is with me. Furthermore, in difficult times I need to come closer to God to sense & experience His presence, strength rather than be discouraged or have self pity.
>> Applications:
- Draw near to God at all times, especially during difficult times to help me to persevere in following Him.
- Continue to meditate on God's Words since during persecution time, only His Words that can help me to persevere.
>> Spiritual Experiences:
- Quite tired today, coz didn't really sleep last nite. I stayed overnite in the Bundoora campus. I haven't got a proper results too for my thesis analysis. I've been trying this many years and hours. However, God encouraged me through Isa 40:31 last nite, that if I continue to hope in Him (not relying on my strength), God will continue to renew me, help me to go on. So, I'll just continue to do whatever I know I need to do and hope in God at the same time.
Thursday, 7 June 2007
Wednesday, 6 June 2007
Day 36 "Mat 10:11-20"
>> Timeless Principles:
v11:
Jesus asked the disciples to search for a "worthy" person and stayed with him. I believe the "worthy" person simply means somebody who is willing to be used by God for His purpose. Criterias of a "worthy" person are FAT (Faithful, Available, Teachable).
>> Specific Words:
v11:
I'm inspired to be a "worthy" person too. There is no greater privilege than to be used by the King of kings. May God use me more (Ps 84:10).
Q1:
- In His instruction, Jesus directs, warns and encourages.
- Through discipleship, He multiplied Himself in order to do outreach faster and further.
Q2:
- I'm ready and has the burden, therefore I enjoy in answering the questions by the "seekers".
- I need to improve more in the "good deeds" evangelism. People want to see the reality of God's love too through our lives. I believe that I need to see more role model in order to improve (give me some ideas of what & how to do).
Q3:
To put everything in the perspective of God, i.e. to do everything that can advance His Kingdom (Mat 6:33; Col 3:23-24).
>> Applications:
- Be Faithful, Available and Teachable to be a "worthy" person.
- Learn and practice "good deeds" evangelism for outreach.
>> Spiritual Experiences:
- This morning Novy and I bought hot drinks in "Baguette" @ Flinders st station. I was so inspired with the efficiency of one of the lady worker. She was very alert, friendly and quick, yet excellent in serving customers (busy period too). I realised that often I was very slow, inefficient and ineffective in my work and life. May God help me to improve to be like this lady worker. I was amazed too of how we can learn and listen to God in an ordinary day to day circumstances, if we're just open and in tune with Him.
v11:
Jesus asked the disciples to search for a "worthy" person and stayed with him. I believe the "worthy" person simply means somebody who is willing to be used by God for His purpose. Criterias of a "worthy" person are FAT (Faithful, Available, Teachable).
>> Specific Words:
v11:
I'm inspired to be a "worthy" person too. There is no greater privilege than to be used by the King of kings. May God use me more (Ps 84:10).
Q1:
- In His instruction, Jesus directs, warns and encourages.
- Through discipleship, He multiplied Himself in order to do outreach faster and further.
Q2:
- I'm ready and has the burden, therefore I enjoy in answering the questions by the "seekers".
- I need to improve more in the "good deeds" evangelism. People want to see the reality of God's love too through our lives. I believe that I need to see more role model in order to improve (give me some ideas of what & how to do).
Q3:
To put everything in the perspective of God, i.e. to do everything that can advance His Kingdom (Mat 6:33; Col 3:23-24).
>> Applications:
- Be Faithful, Available and Teachable to be a "worthy" person.
- Learn and practice "good deeds" evangelism for outreach.
>> Spiritual Experiences:
- This morning Novy and I bought hot drinks in "Baguette" @ Flinders st station. I was so inspired with the efficiency of one of the lady worker. She was very alert, friendly and quick, yet excellent in serving customers (busy period too). I realised that often I was very slow, inefficient and ineffective in my work and life. May God help me to improve to be like this lady worker. I was amazed too of how we can learn and listen to God in an ordinary day to day circumstances, if we're just open and in tune with Him.
Monday, 4 June 2007
Day 34 "Mat 9:27-38"
>> Timeless Principles:
v29:
God's blessings will come to us in accordance with our faith. The blind men faith were expressed through their perseverance by keep following Jesus, even until a specific place (...gone indoors...). Our actions reveal our faith and it determines how much blessings we will/can receive from God.
>> Specific Words:
v29:
May God help me to grow in faith as it determines how much blessings I can receive from Him.
Q1:
The blind men recognised the Messiah through the 'eyes of faith' not 'natural eyes'. Many people saw Jesus through 'natural eyes' instead of their 'eyes of faith.
Q2:
- Lack of fruitfulness, ineffectiveness, struggling with sins or temptation.
- Lack of faith. I need to grow to be like the blind men. They had faith that Jesus was their only solution, hence they followed Jesus until He responded to their call. Finally, they receive the rewards of their faith, i.e. the healing. I need to have faith in Jesus by keep calling upon Him until the deliverance come.
Q3:
I just need to do what I can do and commit the rest to God. As l learn to surrender to God, He'll enable me to sense and experience His presence. In this way, I can be courageous, even in the midst of 'stormy' situations.
>> Applications:
- Receive the Words intake and exercise obedience to the Words to grow in faith.
- Surrender everything to God so that I can sense His presence to enable me to be courageous in going through life challenges.
>> Spiritual Experiences:
- Praise God I could wake up early today so that I could start early. Praise God for Novy's influence in my life. As I try to catch the same train everyday to follow her to go to work, I can be more discipline in my life.
v29:
God's blessings will come to us in accordance with our faith. The blind men faith were expressed through their perseverance by keep following Jesus, even until a specific place (...gone indoors...). Our actions reveal our faith and it determines how much blessings we will/can receive from God.
>> Specific Words:
v29:
May God help me to grow in faith as it determines how much blessings I can receive from Him.
Q1:
The blind men recognised the Messiah through the 'eyes of faith' not 'natural eyes'. Many people saw Jesus through 'natural eyes' instead of their 'eyes of faith.
Q2:
- Lack of fruitfulness, ineffectiveness, struggling with sins or temptation.
- Lack of faith. I need to grow to be like the blind men. They had faith that Jesus was their only solution, hence they followed Jesus until He responded to their call. Finally, they receive the rewards of their faith, i.e. the healing. I need to have faith in Jesus by keep calling upon Him until the deliverance come.
Q3:
I just need to do what I can do and commit the rest to God. As l learn to surrender to God, He'll enable me to sense and experience His presence. In this way, I can be courageous, even in the midst of 'stormy' situations.
>> Applications:
- Receive the Words intake and exercise obedience to the Words to grow in faith.
- Surrender everything to God so that I can sense His presence to enable me to be courageous in going through life challenges.
>> Spiritual Experiences:
- Praise God I could wake up early today so that I could start early. Praise God for Novy's influence in my life. As I try to catch the same train everyday to follow her to go to work, I can be more discipline in my life.
Sunday, 3 June 2007
Day 33 "Mat 9:18-26"
>> Timeless Principles:
v24:
Jesus knew that He's able to raise the child to life again. He acted as if the child was already healed and alive. Our faith is expressed through our actions. For example, we need to act as if our prayers are already answered, if we have faith that God answers our prayers.
>> Specific Words:
v24:
I need to act according to God's Words as an expression of my faith on His Words, even though I don't feel like it or when my circumstances are seemed to contradict the Bible.
Q1:
Jesus responded with compassion (v22) despite his hectic schedule.
Q2:
Practically, I need to allow flexibility in my schedule so that I can always be available. However, God will also always enable us to meet the needs of the people in any circumstances if we are willing to be used by Him (2 Cor 9:8).
Q3:
Currently, I feel that I'm still caring with the same amount of people as last year. However, I can sense that God is training me to continually be faithful with what I have (Be faithful in small things in order to be faithful in greater things - Mat 25:21). He also allow this time of stretching to enlarge my heart and ability to take more responsibilities.
>> Applications:
- Think, speak and act according to God's Words as an expression of faith.
- Rely upon God's grace to enable me to meet people needs in any circumstances (2 Cor 9:8).
>> Spiritual Experiences:
- Praise God for Stefan who shared to me how he felt about my leadership during Time Out. His opennes allowed me to see my weakness. Areas to be improved include overcoming timidity through reliance on God (2 Tim 1:7) - exactly what God spoke to me through OC 07 and Ps Stephen's prophecy few years ago, skills to utilise team members strength for enhanced team work and be an opportunist.
v24:
Jesus knew that He's able to raise the child to life again. He acted as if the child was already healed and alive. Our faith is expressed through our actions. For example, we need to act as if our prayers are already answered, if we have faith that God answers our prayers.
>> Specific Words:
v24:
I need to act according to God's Words as an expression of my faith on His Words, even though I don't feel like it or when my circumstances are seemed to contradict the Bible.
Q1:
Jesus responded with compassion (v22) despite his hectic schedule.
Q2:
Practically, I need to allow flexibility in my schedule so that I can always be available. However, God will also always enable us to meet the needs of the people in any circumstances if we are willing to be used by Him (2 Cor 9:8).
Q3:
Currently, I feel that I'm still caring with the same amount of people as last year. However, I can sense that God is training me to continually be faithful with what I have (Be faithful in small things in order to be faithful in greater things - Mat 25:21). He also allow this time of stretching to enlarge my heart and ability to take more responsibilities.
>> Applications:
- Think, speak and act according to God's Words as an expression of faith.
- Rely upon God's grace to enable me to meet people needs in any circumstances (2 Cor 9:8).
>> Spiritual Experiences:
- Praise God for Stefan who shared to me how he felt about my leadership during Time Out. His opennes allowed me to see my weakness. Areas to be improved include overcoming timidity through reliance on God (2 Tim 1:7) - exactly what God spoke to me through OC 07 and Ps Stephen's prophecy few years ago, skills to utilise team members strength for enhanced team work and be an opportunist.
Wednesday, 30 May 2007
Day 29 "Mat 8:1-13"
>> Timeless Principles:
v10:
Jesus was astonished to the respond of the centurion (his faith). The only way to please God is through faith in Him. Have we astonished God with our faith???
>> Specific Words:
v10:
May God help me to grow in faith that I may please Him more.
Q1:
The people came to Jesus with their unmet needs and had faith that Jesus could deliver.
Q2:
We believe that the church must be multicultural. God will bring every ethnic groups to His church. Pray about this promises, be a multicultural person and reach out to any culture.
Q3:
I need to grow in faith more so that I can please God more.
>> Applications:
- Grow in faith through reading & obedience to His Words.
- Grow to be a multicultural person and reach out as a sign of our faith in His promises to bring more ppl from every corner of the world.
>> Spiritual Experiences:
v10:
Jesus was astonished to the respond of the centurion (his faith). The only way to please God is through faith in Him. Have we astonished God with our faith???
>> Specific Words:
v10:
May God help me to grow in faith that I may please Him more.
Q1:
The people came to Jesus with their unmet needs and had faith that Jesus could deliver.
Q2:
We believe that the church must be multicultural. God will bring every ethnic groups to His church. Pray about this promises, be a multicultural person and reach out to any culture.
Q3:
I need to grow in faith more so that I can please God more.
>> Applications:
- Grow in faith through reading & obedience to His Words.
- Grow to be a multicultural person and reach out as a sign of our faith in His promises to bring more ppl from every corner of the world.
>> Spiritual Experiences:
Thursday, 24 May 2007
Day 23 "Mat 6:16-18"
>> Timeless Principles:
v17:
Jesus would like us to fast secretly before God with a pure motivation, rather than as a show off. It's also applicable generally when we serve God. We don't need to show other ppl that we serve God very hard, instead we need to have a pure motivation (love God & love ppl) and put a very joyful face.
>> Specific Words:
v17:
I should not show a very tired face when I serve God, though I really tired physically. By God's grace, I need to show joyful face expression as I serve God very hard (faithfully). Anyway, serving God should be very easy (Mat 11:29).
Q1:
Often people gain self confidence / dignity from what ppl say about them. We need to gain self acceptance, confidence and dignity from God's Words (our true identity). Hence, the religious ppl in Jesus time served God with the wrong motives.
Q2:
- To seek God, to humble myself, to learn self discipline and self control.
- Usually I fast before CG or evax, however currently none as I find I have so much work to do. Need God's help to start my regular fast again : ).
- Fasting taught me to be dependence on God more.
Q3:
God desires me to be able to spend time to seek Him, rather than just to go without meals.
>> Applications:
- Serve God with pure motives & continually show joyful face by God's grace to encourage others.
- Ask God to help to start again regular fast so I can seek Him more.
>> Spiritual experiences:
- I slept possibly only abt 2 hrs last nite coz I have a deadline for my thesis. Praise God that though this week still have lots of casual (~10 hrs), somehow I managed to increase my references for Lit Review from 44 to 69. I was amazed myself, though due to deadline, I just assume for some of the ref. I didn't read as thorough. Hope that deadline can help me more to be effective and efficient, excellent yet not perfectionist.
- Praise God for His joy in my heart, though I'm physically tired. I felt my head is just floating in the air.. Caffeine effect?? I drank 3 cups of coffee yest....
v17:
Jesus would like us to fast secretly before God with a pure motivation, rather than as a show off. It's also applicable generally when we serve God. We don't need to show other ppl that we serve God very hard, instead we need to have a pure motivation (love God & love ppl) and put a very joyful face.
>> Specific Words:
v17:
I should not show a very tired face when I serve God, though I really tired physically. By God's grace, I need to show joyful face expression as I serve God very hard (faithfully). Anyway, serving God should be very easy (Mat 11:29).
Q1:
Often people gain self confidence / dignity from what ppl say about them. We need to gain self acceptance, confidence and dignity from God's Words (our true identity). Hence, the religious ppl in Jesus time served God with the wrong motives.
Q2:
- To seek God, to humble myself, to learn self discipline and self control.
- Usually I fast before CG or evax, however currently none as I find I have so much work to do. Need God's help to start my regular fast again : ).
- Fasting taught me to be dependence on God more.
Q3:
God desires me to be able to spend time to seek Him, rather than just to go without meals.
>> Applications:
- Serve God with pure motives & continually show joyful face by God's grace to encourage others.
- Ask God to help to start again regular fast so I can seek Him more.
>> Spiritual experiences:
- I slept possibly only abt 2 hrs last nite coz I have a deadline for my thesis. Praise God that though this week still have lots of casual (~10 hrs), somehow I managed to increase my references for Lit Review from 44 to 69. I was amazed myself, though due to deadline, I just assume for some of the ref. I didn't read as thorough. Hope that deadline can help me more to be effective and efficient, excellent yet not perfectionist.
- Praise God for His joy in my heart, though I'm physically tired. I felt my head is just floating in the air.. Caffeine effect?? I drank 3 cups of coffee yest....
Wednesday, 23 May 2007
Day 22 "Mat 6:9-15"
>> Timeless Principles:
v13:
We need to rely on God to overcome temptation, hence we should pray to God to give us strength (1 Cor 10:13).
>> Specific Words:
v13:
I need to pray to God continuously/be alert in order to overcome temptation (1 Pet 5:8-9). If I rely on myself alone, I'll keep failing.
Q1:
- We can ask God to establish His kingdom on earth through prayer, therefore prayer ushers God's kingdom on earth.
- We can improve this fallen world by praying for the coming of God's kingdom, because it'll usher more of God's presence and authority in this world.
Q2:
- Usually I ask God to search my heart (Ps 139:23-24) to reveal to me areas in my life that is not pleasing to Him. I also try to solve conflicts as fast as possible (Mat 18:15-17).
Q3:
I realised that I haven't really ask God for His strength to help me to overcome temptation. I've been relying on my strength alone, hence often can be a bit more legalistic and lose the joy. Jesus' teaching inspired me to be conscious in asking for God's protection and help continuously (Mark 14:38).
>> Applications:
- Pray continually to God and be alert to be able to overcome temptation (1 Pet 5:8-9, Mark 14:28)
- Pray to usher God's kingdom on this fallen world
>> Spiritual experiences:
- Last nite I felt a bit discouraged coz I found it hard to understand the concept of CTE. I really would like to submit my Lit Review by tomorrow & yet I still didn't understand the most important concept for my thesis. However, I just spoke out the verses and try to memorise it too. I didn't want to give up so easily. I'd like to be more determine to finish what I've to do, coz every struggle in life is God's opportunity to help me grow. I remember the time when I was still in high school that I almost usually fight from behind everytime I was losing in a sport competition. I found that I had much more determination than today. Hope that as I meditate on God's Words more, I can be more determine as a person, hence experience more victories in life.
- Praise God that Elis & Pearline were willing to help out to do the duties for Fri CG. It's my fault that I hadn't sent the roster earlier. May God help me more... : )
v13:
We need to rely on God to overcome temptation, hence we should pray to God to give us strength (1 Cor 10:13).
>> Specific Words:
v13:
I need to pray to God continuously/be alert in order to overcome temptation (1 Pet 5:8-9). If I rely on myself alone, I'll keep failing.
Q1:
- We can ask God to establish His kingdom on earth through prayer, therefore prayer ushers God's kingdom on earth.
- We can improve this fallen world by praying for the coming of God's kingdom, because it'll usher more of God's presence and authority in this world.
Q2:
- Usually I ask God to search my heart (Ps 139:23-24) to reveal to me areas in my life that is not pleasing to Him. I also try to solve conflicts as fast as possible (Mat 18:15-17).
Q3:
I realised that I haven't really ask God for His strength to help me to overcome temptation. I've been relying on my strength alone, hence often can be a bit more legalistic and lose the joy. Jesus' teaching inspired me to be conscious in asking for God's protection and help continuously (Mark 14:38).
>> Applications:
- Pray continually to God and be alert to be able to overcome temptation (1 Pet 5:8-9, Mark 14:28)
- Pray to usher God's kingdom on this fallen world
>> Spiritual experiences:
- Last nite I felt a bit discouraged coz I found it hard to understand the concept of CTE. I really would like to submit my Lit Review by tomorrow & yet I still didn't understand the most important concept for my thesis. However, I just spoke out the verses and try to memorise it too. I didn't want to give up so easily. I'd like to be more determine to finish what I've to do, coz every struggle in life is God's opportunity to help me grow. I remember the time when I was still in high school that I almost usually fight from behind everytime I was losing in a sport competition. I found that I had much more determination than today. Hope that as I meditate on God's Words more, I can be more determine as a person, hence experience more victories in life.
- Praise God that Elis & Pearline were willing to help out to do the duties for Fri CG. It's my fault that I hadn't sent the roster earlier. May God help me more... : )
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