Fasting is a knife that cuts away superficiality, getting to the bone. Effective, because it is able to break up daily patterns upon which you have become so dependent. When those patterns of pleasure are removed, you are left with your own internal resources. If those resources are bankrupt, then during fasting, you will come face to face with a vacuum that only God can fill.
Fasting also applies pressure to the flesh, and, you may be appalled at how much the flesh will squirm. But it is high time that the flesh is removed from the role of God, dethroned and placed under the foot of your will. It is the creativity of a freed will which lifts us above animal instincts and releases us from the cages of empty routine.
Fasting accomplishes two purposes. First, it will reveal how much the flesh has taken control of your emotions. And secondly, it will serve in breaking the flesh’s hold upon the will.
Fasting will invariably bring to the surface deep seated fears which affect thinking and decision-making. It does this by challenging that complex human instinct called self-preservation. This instinct has been created in every living thing on earth, including man. But you are a New Creation in Christ, recreated not to be controlled by instincts. Because of your rebirth, you have been recreated into a creature of a higher and more grand design than that of your former life.
Fasting forces us to face the chaos of addictions, compulsive behaviors, depression and internal pain. It’s like pressing the pause button of life, and quietly observing how crazy and detached we have become to who we are.
Want to get off the conveyer belt of life? Smash those meaningless patterns—the ones you hated in your youth when you had passion, a sparkle for living, when you really believed in something—promising never to get trapped in the horrible mundane in which mom and dad lived as you grew up. Do you want to live a life with meaning, driven by conviction, even willing to take a chance—becoming the best you can before God? Do you want to be empowered by the Master of your destiny? His desire is for you to be decisive, powerful, self-controlled and free.
But first we must come to grips with those hidden, subtle demons of our character: fear, hopelessness, worry, doubt and selfishness. Beat the bushes, flush them out, expose them for what they are and destroy them with the power of the Word.
They don’t die quietly, because their tentacles can reach into your emotions. They taint everything they touch, no matter how pure. Their presence will rise up against you with great force when you try to fast before the Lord.
When you begin to face them, you set yourself up for failure. There is a risk of pain, especially if you are willing to go deep. It takes courage to go down to the bottom. Who knows what you may find? Faces from the past. Forgotten horrors in the root cellar of your soul. But God is there too. There is no part of you which He does not see, no matter how well you hide. And He loves you and longs to see you set free.
During fasting, patterns of living are broken. Fasting can be an oasis of spiritual refreshment in a life that has become a desert of uselessness. A spiritual desert that has been left in the wake of selfish materialism.
We have been warned not to conform to the patterns of this world, but if you are honest, very little of your lifestyle is different from that of your neighbor’s.
Quite frankly, for Christ to become front-and-center in your life, things will have to be sacrificed. And at the start, it is going to hurt.
True, spiritual fasting smashes religion and draws a distinguishable line in the sand. It is a magnifying glass that allows us to examine our unconscious patterns of living. The driving force of where our life is going. That is why Satan has invested so much energy towards controlling the subconscious patterns of mankind. He will be appalled if you attempt a fast because fasting exposes how much he has been able to infiltrate the destiny of your life.
Ron Lagerquist
Wednesday, August 02, 2006
Priority One
Author: Woodrow Kroll
Exodus 20:1-3And God spoke all these words, saying: "I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. You shall have no other gods before Me.
John Wanamaker was a man who had his priorities straight. In the late 19th century he opened a department store in Philadelphia. Within a few years the enterprise became one of the most successful businesses in the country. But operating his store wasn't Wanamaker's only responsibility. He was also named Postmaster General of the United States and served as the superintendent for what was then the largest Sunday school in the world at Bethany Presbyterian Church. When someone asked him how he could hold all these positions at once, he explained, "Early in life I read, 'But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you' [Matt. 6:33].That's what I've done." In the midst of a busy life, Mr. Wanamaker made God his number-one priority and the results speak for themselves. As the Israelites began their new life of freedom, God instructed them to "have no othergods before Me." This was not for His benefit,but for theirs. To live life successfully, we must know what's most important. All of our other priorities will be out of kilter until we get our first priority straight. When we know what comes first, the rest will fall into place. God must always come first in our lives, in our daily schedules, our checkbooks, our estate plans, our thoughts and our actions. He is priority one.If your life is chaotic, it may indicate your priorities are jumbled. Make God priority one in your life and you may be surprised at how easily everything else comes together. Only by starting your priorities right can you hope to end them right.Everything begins with the right priorities, and right priorities begin with God.
Exodus 20:1-3And God spoke all these words, saying: "I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. You shall have no other gods before Me.
John Wanamaker was a man who had his priorities straight. In the late 19th century he opened a department store in Philadelphia. Within a few years the enterprise became one of the most successful businesses in the country. But operating his store wasn't Wanamaker's only responsibility. He was also named Postmaster General of the United States and served as the superintendent for what was then the largest Sunday school in the world at Bethany Presbyterian Church. When someone asked him how he could hold all these positions at once, he explained, "Early in life I read, 'But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you' [Matt. 6:33].That's what I've done." In the midst of a busy life, Mr. Wanamaker made God his number-one priority and the results speak for themselves. As the Israelites began their new life of freedom, God instructed them to "have no othergods before Me." This was not for His benefit,but for theirs. To live life successfully, we must know what's most important. All of our other priorities will be out of kilter until we get our first priority straight. When we know what comes first, the rest will fall into place. God must always come first in our lives, in our daily schedules, our checkbooks, our estate plans, our thoughts and our actions. He is priority one.If your life is chaotic, it may indicate your priorities are jumbled. Make God priority one in your life and you may be surprised at how easily everything else comes together. Only by starting your priorities right can you hope to end them right.Everything begins with the right priorities, and right priorities begin with God.
Never Soar as High Again?
By Selwyn Hughes
For reading & meditation - 1 Peter 1:3-9"These have come so that your faith ... may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed." (v. 7)
We turn now to examine some of the ways in which our lives become fractured, and what we can do to become "strong at the broken places." We begin by looking at the brokenness which comes about through failure. Probably someone reading these words is caught up in a vortex of gloom due to a failure. You may be feeling like the man who said to me: "I am stunned by my failure. My life is shattered into smithereens. I read somewhere that 'the bird with the broken wing will never soar as high again.' Does that mean I can never rise to the heights in God which once I knew?"
I reminded him of Simon Peter - a man with one of the worst track records in the New Testament. He was prejudiced, bigoted, stubborn, and spiritually insensitive. Again and again he got his wires crossed, such as the time when he attempted to divert Christ from going to His death in Jerusalem (Matt. 16:22), or his insistence that they should stay on the Mount of Transfiguration (Matt. 17:4). Then, on the eve of Christ's crucifixion, he denied and even cursed his Lord. I can imagine Satan whispering in his ear: "Now you're finished. Burned out. A failure. You'll be forgotten ... replaced."
But by God's grace, Peter rose from failure to success. He became "strong at the broken places." Because he refused to live in the shadow of his bad track record, his two letters are enshrined forever in the Scriptures. Failures, you see, are only temporary tests to prepare us for more permanent triumphs.
Prayer:
O Father, I see so clearly that no failure is a failure if it succeeds in driving me to Your side. All things serve me - when I serve You. Amen.
For reading & meditation - 1 Peter 1:3-9"These have come so that your faith ... may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed." (v. 7)
We turn now to examine some of the ways in which our lives become fractured, and what we can do to become "strong at the broken places." We begin by looking at the brokenness which comes about through failure. Probably someone reading these words is caught up in a vortex of gloom due to a failure. You may be feeling like the man who said to me: "I am stunned by my failure. My life is shattered into smithereens. I read somewhere that 'the bird with the broken wing will never soar as high again.' Does that mean I can never rise to the heights in God which once I knew?"
I reminded him of Simon Peter - a man with one of the worst track records in the New Testament. He was prejudiced, bigoted, stubborn, and spiritually insensitive. Again and again he got his wires crossed, such as the time when he attempted to divert Christ from going to His death in Jerusalem (Matt. 16:22), or his insistence that they should stay on the Mount of Transfiguration (Matt. 17:4). Then, on the eve of Christ's crucifixion, he denied and even cursed his Lord. I can imagine Satan whispering in his ear: "Now you're finished. Burned out. A failure. You'll be forgotten ... replaced."
But by God's grace, Peter rose from failure to success. He became "strong at the broken places." Because he refused to live in the shadow of his bad track record, his two letters are enshrined forever in the Scriptures. Failures, you see, are only temporary tests to prepare us for more permanent triumphs.
Prayer:
O Father, I see so clearly that no failure is a failure if it succeeds in driving me to Your side. All things serve me - when I serve You. Amen.
Discipline vs. Punishment
God said, "Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline."1
Nine-year-old Al had disobeyed his father who, as a strict disciplinarian, sent him with a note to a police station in London. When Al came in late after curfew, his father met him at the door and handed him a note and said, "Take it to the jail house."Al was terrified. "The officer, a friend of his father, opens the note, reads it, and nods. 'Follow me.' He leads the wide-eyed youngster to a jail cell, opens the door, and tells him to enter. The officer clangs the door shut. 'This is what we do to naughty boys,' he explains and walks away.... The jail sentence lasts only five minutes. But those five minutes felt like five months. Al never forgot that day. The sound of the clanging door, he often told people, stayed with him the rest of his life."The fear of losing a father's love exacts a high toll. Al spent the rest of his life hearing the clanging door. That early taste of terror contributed to his lifelong devotion to creating the same in others. For Al--Alfred Hitchcock--made a career out of scaring people."2
True, discipline is important but the "punishment"always needs to fit the crime. Some children are impaired for life because of severe punishment as achild. Others are left terrified if they were beaten severely or abused. It is imperative that parents never discipline out of anger because that is punishment, not discipline. Discipline always needs to be in love. Those whom God loves, he disciplines in love--not punishes in anger. We need to do the same with our children.
Suggested prayer: "Dear God, thank you that when you discipline me it is always out of your love for me and for my good. Help me to do the same when disciplining my children. May it always be in love and never out of anger. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer.Gratefully in Jesus' name, amen."
Nine-year-old Al had disobeyed his father who, as a strict disciplinarian, sent him with a note to a police station in London. When Al came in late after curfew, his father met him at the door and handed him a note and said, "Take it to the jail house."Al was terrified. "The officer, a friend of his father, opens the note, reads it, and nods. 'Follow me.' He leads the wide-eyed youngster to a jail cell, opens the door, and tells him to enter. The officer clangs the door shut. 'This is what we do to naughty boys,' he explains and walks away.... The jail sentence lasts only five minutes. But those five minutes felt like five months. Al never forgot that day. The sound of the clanging door, he often told people, stayed with him the rest of his life."The fear of losing a father's love exacts a high toll. Al spent the rest of his life hearing the clanging door. That early taste of terror contributed to his lifelong devotion to creating the same in others. For Al--Alfred Hitchcock--made a career out of scaring people."2
True, discipline is important but the "punishment"always needs to fit the crime. Some children are impaired for life because of severe punishment as achild. Others are left terrified if they were beaten severely or abused. It is imperative that parents never discipline out of anger because that is punishment, not discipline. Discipline always needs to be in love. Those whom God loves, he disciplines in love--not punishes in anger. We need to do the same with our children.
Suggested prayer: "Dear God, thank you that when you discipline me it is always out of your love for me and for my good. Help me to do the same when disciplining my children. May it always be in love and never out of anger. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer.Gratefully in Jesus' name, amen."
Tuesday, August 01, 2006
Sunday Re-Cap 30th July 2006
LESSONS FROM SOLOMON
By Pastor Samuel Hari
Background:
Ecc 1: Solomon towards the end of his life is seen as a totally frustrated man, complaining about life. What made him this way? Are many of us in the same predicament? Frustrated and complaining about everything even though we’ve been Christians for years and know the bible cover to cover? Is more PRAYER and more WORD the answer?
Solomon’s life
1 Kgs 3: Solomon’s early life was full of great promises and answers from God. He had all the wisdom and all the knowledge and honor and riches. He even had a great manifestation of God (1 Kgs 8:10-11). Were all this enough to sustain his walk with God? Sometimes we think that all this is the purpose of our Christian walk. But what did it to do Solomon?
1 Kgs 11: 1-13: Solomon walked away from God in spite of all the great things he had and in spite of everything going great for him.
What keeps us “fresh” and excited about God? Is it more knowledge and more prayer? All these are extremely important foundations for our Christian walk but what keeps us going can be found in the life (and heart) of David.
Ps 51: Gives us a great glimpse into the heart of David. Some of these characteristics are:
The Conclusion of the Matter
We must be careful not to do the above in our own strength. Solomon gives us instruction in Ecc 12:9-14.
The Fear of God is essential in our walk with God. Without it, all of the above will make us not unlike any other religions in the world which is man’s attempt to please God. Let us FEAR GOD and KEEP HIS COMMANDMENTS though the strength of the HOLY SPIRIT.
By Pastor Samuel Hari
Background:
Ecc 1: Solomon towards the end of his life is seen as a totally frustrated man, complaining about life. What made him this way? Are many of us in the same predicament? Frustrated and complaining about everything even though we’ve been Christians for years and know the bible cover to cover? Is more PRAYER and more WORD the answer?
Solomon’s life
1 Kgs 3: Solomon’s early life was full of great promises and answers from God. He had all the wisdom and all the knowledge and honor and riches. He even had a great manifestation of God (1 Kgs 8:10-11). Were all this enough to sustain his walk with God? Sometimes we think that all this is the purpose of our Christian walk. But what did it to do Solomon?
1 Kgs 11: 1-13: Solomon walked away from God in spite of all the great things he had and in spite of everything going great for him.
What keeps us “fresh” and excited about God? Is it more knowledge and more prayer? All these are extremely important foundations for our Christian walk but what keeps us going can be found in the life (and heart) of David.
Ps 51: Gives us a great glimpse into the heart of David. Some of these characteristics are:
- Submission-“who am I submitted to?” It’s not about the one we’re submitted to but it’s about our own heart attitude.
- Conviction-no amount of reading and praying the word will change us unless we have conviction. Too many times we read the pages without allowing the WORD to read us.
- Repentance is a natural flow over from conviction. It’s no use repenting for the sake of repenting if there’s no conviction. FIRST conviction THEN repentance. Repentance is a total overhaul of the mindset. A renewing of the mind.
- Obedience must follow repentance. Otherwise all we’ll be doing is repenting day in and day out.
- This will lead to humility before God and one another.
The Conclusion of the Matter
We must be careful not to do the above in our own strength. Solomon gives us instruction in Ecc 12:9-14.
The Fear of God is essential in our walk with God. Without it, all of the above will make us not unlike any other religions in the world which is man’s attempt to please God. Let us FEAR GOD and KEEP HIS COMMANDMENTS though the strength of the HOLY SPIRIT.
Sunday, July 30, 2006
Wonder what would happen?
Wonder what would happen if we treated our Bible like we treat our cell phones?
Oh, and one more thing, unlike our cell phone, we don't ever have to worry about our bible being disconnected because Jesus already paid the bill!
- What if we carried it around in our purses or pockets?
- What if we turned back to go get it if we forgot it?
- What if we flipped through it several times a day?
- What if we used it to receive messages from the text?
- What if we treated it like we couldn't live without it?
- What if we gave it to kids as gifts?
- What if we used it as we traveled?
- What if we used it in case of an emergency?
- What if we upgraded it to get the latest version?
Oh, and one more thing, unlike our cell phone, we don't ever have to worry about our bible being disconnected because Jesus already paid the bill!
Tuesday, July 25, 2006
Sunday Re-cap 23rd July 2006
Know Your Identity
by Michael Lee
People are moulded and their mould comes from what they see, hear and speak. Hearing, seeing and speaking produces the activities of our lives and works. What Eve heard and saw produced what she spoke through her action that changed her identity (Gen. 3:1; 2:16; 3:2-7)
What we hear enters to our spiritual realm and produces fruits whether good or bad. There is a difference bwtween facts and the truth. It was not what Adam and Eve ate that changed their identity, but rather it was what Eve took heed when she heard the serpent.
Gen 1:26 – Our identity is of the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit. We were made in God’s Image. This is our real identity.
Gen 3:1-6 – Adam & Eve forget who they were and the followed what the cunning serpent said to them. Adam & Eve gave in to the serpent’s temptation by hearing, seeing, speaking and doing what the serpent wanted them to do. That was to disobey God and forget their identity as the sons of God.
by Michael Lee
People are moulded and their mould comes from what they see, hear and speak. Hearing, seeing and speaking produces the activities of our lives and works. What Eve heard and saw produced what she spoke through her action that changed her identity (Gen. 3:1; 2:16; 3:2-7)
What we hear enters to our spiritual realm and produces fruits whether good or bad. There is a difference bwtween facts and the truth. It was not what Adam and Eve ate that changed their identity, but rather it was what Eve took heed when she heard the serpent.
Gen 1:26 – Our identity is of the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit. We were made in God’s Image. This is our real identity.
Gen 3:1-6 – Adam & Eve forget who they were and the followed what the cunning serpent said to them. Adam & Eve gave in to the serpent’s temptation by hearing, seeing, speaking and doing what the serpent wanted them to do. That was to disobey God and forget their identity as the sons of God.
Eph 1:3-6 - If we know our true identity then we will live as a son of the Living God. We will be like a butterfly with beautiful colours being displayed, enjoying the nectar of the flowers (enjoying the Word and the fellowship of the saints), and doing the work of pollination (carrying out the Great Commission).
Many times people do not realize they have a identity crisis and they become like caterpillars, just taking rather being a blessing to those around them.
Eph 3:10 -11 - Saints of God – having the image of God
“to the intent that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places, according to the eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord,”.
~ God sent his Son Jesus Christ to restore our identity with God and know the reason why we were created; and made known the manifold wisdom of God.
~ We are one family and we are called to be here.
~ We are called to read the Word of God and know that we are sons of the Living God and feed on the His words.
1 Chronicles 4:9-10
“Now Jabez was more honorable than his brothers, and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, "Because I bore him in pain." And Jabez called on the God of Israel saying, "Oh, that You would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory, that Your hand would be with me, and that You would keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain!" So God granted him what he requested.
Eph 3:10 -11 - Saints of God – having the image of God
“to the intent that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places, according to the eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord,”.
~ God sent his Son Jesus Christ to restore our identity with God and know the reason why we were created; and made known the manifold wisdom of God.
~ We are one family and we are called to be here.
~ We are called to read the Word of God and know that we are sons of the Living God and feed on the His words.
1 Chronicles 4:9-10
“Now Jabez was more honorable than his brothers, and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, "Because I bore him in pain." And Jabez called on the God of Israel saying, "Oh, that You would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory, that Your hand would be with me, and that You would keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain!" So God granted him what he requested.
1. Proverbs 18:20 -21 - Power of the tongue. “A man's stomach shall be satisfied from the fruit of his mouth, From the produce of his lips he shall be filled. Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit.” Jabez understood the power of the tongue.
2. Ps. 119:9 - How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your word. Jabez knew that change in his life can only come when he decreases and God increases in his life. He prayed for an enlarged territory to contain more of God's Word.
3. Jabez prayed that the hand of God will be with him, moulding and shaping him to be a blessing.
Know your identity, for we are the product of what we identify with!
Know your identity, for we are the product of what we identify with!
Thursday, July 20, 2006
Enter to worship, depart to serve
"In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lifted up, and the train of His robe filled the temple. Above it stood seraphim; each one had six wings: with two he covered his face, with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. And one cried to another and said: 'Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts; The whole earth is full of His glory!' And the posts of the door were shaken by the voice of him who cried out, and the house was filled with smoke. So I said: 'Woe is me, for I am undone! Because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; For my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts.' Then one of the seraphim flew to me, having in his hand a live coal which he had taken with the tongs from the altar. And he touched my mouth with it, and said: 'Behold, this has touched your lips; Your iniquity is taken away, and your sin purged. Also I heard the voice of the Lord saying, 'Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?' Then I said, 'Here am I! Send me.'" (Isaiah 6:1-8)
Isaiah had the worship experience of all worship experiences. He came into the very presence of God. He had a vision of God that literally changed his life. I am convinced that our daily walk, our daily service is directly proportional to our vision of God. That our concept of God determines how we much we love and serve Him. That how we worship God has a lot to do with how we live and serve Him throughout the rest of the week. Shallow worship translates into shallow service. And meaningful worship translates into meaningful service.
Enter to worship, depart to serve.
Have a great day!
Alan Smith
Isaiah had the worship experience of all worship experiences. He came into the very presence of God. He had a vision of God that literally changed his life. I am convinced that our daily walk, our daily service is directly proportional to our vision of God. That our concept of God determines how we much we love and serve Him. That how we worship God has a lot to do with how we live and serve Him throughout the rest of the week. Shallow worship translates into shallow service. And meaningful worship translates into meaningful service.
Enter to worship, depart to serve.
Have a great day!
Alan Smith
Monday, July 17, 2006
Sunday Re-cap 16th July 2006
Obedience Brings the Presence of God
Ps. David Lai
Obey the Word, then the presence of God is there.
Jonah 1:1-3 ~ Jonah received the WOG but not the presence of God because he went on another direction. Man of God can come and go but the WOG remains.
Mark 4:15 ~ Satan will try to snatch the WOG when it is sown. Obey God’s word and enter the supernatural and experience the presence of God in your lives.
- Peter walked on water by obedience to Jesus’ words.
- It’s the WOG that God wants to manifest, that will enable us to move on to the next step in our walk with God. Joseph experienced that all through his life.
- Obedience to God’s word will always bring the blessings.
Jonah 1:10-17 ~ Jonah fled from the presence of God. The sailors prayed and threw Jonah into the sea and he went into the belly of the fish.
Jonah 3 ~ Jonah finally obeyed the Lord’s word and went to Nineveh. God already knew that the people of Nineveh will repent.
No matter what happens even in the hour of our testing, we must persevere and keep the WOG and trust Him. We need to give our hearts to God.
Lucifer, one of the arch-angels was once with God; and Judas was in Jesus’ presence but they both failed because they never fully surrendered their hearts to God.
~ It’s always about what God wants to do in us and through us by the Word of God.
1 Kings 17 – Elijah in obedience to the WOG, received his provision.
When we obey the WOG, the provision is already there.
Receive your provision by what you say!
Ps. David Lai
Text : Jonah 1 & 3
2 Peter 3:7 ~ Heaven and earth are preserved by the Word of God. We can trust that preserved Word of God. The Word of God (WOG) is the real world to us.Obey the Word, then the presence of God is there.
Jonah 1:1-3 ~ Jonah received the WOG but not the presence of God because he went on another direction. Man of God can come and go but the WOG remains.
Mark 4:15 ~ Satan will try to snatch the WOG when it is sown. Obey God’s word and enter the supernatural and experience the presence of God in your lives.
- Peter walked on water by obedience to Jesus’ words.
- It’s the WOG that God wants to manifest, that will enable us to move on to the next step in our walk with God. Joseph experienced that all through his life.
- Obedience to God’s word will always bring the blessings.
Jonah 1:10-17 ~ Jonah fled from the presence of God. The sailors prayed and threw Jonah into the sea and he went into the belly of the fish.
Jonah 3 ~ Jonah finally obeyed the Lord’s word and went to Nineveh. God already knew that the people of Nineveh will repent.
No matter what happens even in the hour of our testing, we must persevere and keep the WOG and trust Him. We need to give our hearts to God.
Lucifer, one of the arch-angels was once with God; and Judas was in Jesus’ presence but they both failed because they never fully surrendered their hearts to God.
~ It’s always about what God wants to do in us and through us by the Word of God.
1 Kings 17 – Elijah in obedience to the WOG, received his provision.
When we obey the WOG, the provision is already there.
Receive your provision by what you say!
Saturday, July 15, 2006
Friday, July 14, 2006
Saturday, July 08, 2006
SRI PELITA SCHOLARSHIPS
A leading, Christian-based private education institution, Sri Pelita, celebrates its 6th year of providing quality education in Penang by offering 10 SPECIAL SCHOLARSHIPS to deserving students, primarily for secondary school from Form 1 to Form 4. (Primary school students may apply too.)
“Sri Pelita School was established six years ago by a community of parents and teachers who believe that learning should be a joyful experience for students. Throughout these six years, they have been resolutely working to establish a conducive environment whereby students studying in the school can reach their highest potential.
Today Sri Pelita School is known for her richness in curriculum and her care for her students. One of the hallmarks of Sri Pelita is its emphasis on the development of Multiple Intelligences. The essence of Multiple Intelligences is to respect the many differences among people, the many ways that they learn and the almost infinite number of ways they can leave a mark on the world.
Thus the goal in Sri Pelita is to create an environment to cater for these individual differences. Our prayer is that through this environment, we will be able to nurture a generation of students who will be independent, confident, ICT literate, well-spoken and well-read.” – quoted from website: www.sripelita.com.my “Welcome from the Principal, Dr Seow Siew Hua.”
SCHOLARSHIP QUANTUM
Scholarships offered at 50% of fees with consideration for up to 100% for deserving students.
BASIC CRITERIA FOR SELECTION
SUBMISSION OF APPLICATION
Email address: fgacen@streamyx.com or fgacen@tm.net.my
c/o Pastor Prem Kumar
Fettes Park Baptist Church
15 Jalan Meranti, Fettes Park
11200 Tanjung Bungah
Penang
The Sri Pelita Scholarship Board members are:
CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATION
Closing Date: 31 August 2006
Note: Scholarships are available for the remaining of the 2006 school year or for the new school year beginning 2007.
Blessings
Albert
On Behalf of Sri Pelita Scholarship Board
“Sri Pelita School was established six years ago by a community of parents and teachers who believe that learning should be a joyful experience for students. Throughout these six years, they have been resolutely working to establish a conducive environment whereby students studying in the school can reach their highest potential.
Today Sri Pelita School is known for her richness in curriculum and her care for her students. One of the hallmarks of Sri Pelita is its emphasis on the development of Multiple Intelligences. The essence of Multiple Intelligences is to respect the many differences among people, the many ways that they learn and the almost infinite number of ways they can leave a mark on the world.
Thus the goal in Sri Pelita is to create an environment to cater for these individual differences. Our prayer is that through this environment, we will be able to nurture a generation of students who will be independent, confident, ICT literate, well-spoken and well-read.” – quoted from website: www.sripelita.com.my “Welcome from the Principal, Dr Seow Siew Hua.”
SCHOLARSHIP QUANTUM
Scholarships offered at 50% of fees with consideration for up to 100% for deserving students.
BASIC CRITERIA FOR SELECTION
- Income level of parents will be a significant consideration for selection. (Scholarships designed to provide equal opportunity to financially constrained, deserving students to receive quality education which they may otherwise be deprived of.)
- Academic and extra-curricular merits will also be taken into account to determine quantum of scholarship.
- Good character reference by church pastor.
SUBMISSION OF APPLICATION
- Electronically – by completing and emailing the attached application form to:
Email address: fgacen@streamyx.com or fgacen@tm.net.my
- Mailing the completed application form to:
c/o Pastor Prem Kumar
Fettes Park Baptist Church
15 Jalan Meranti, Fettes Park
11200 Tanjung Bungah
Penang
The Sri Pelita Scholarship Board members are:
- Dr Seow Siew Hua – Principal
- Pastor Prem Kumar – Member
- Pastor Albert Tan – Member
CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATION
Closing Date: 31 August 2006
Note: Scholarships are available for the remaining of the 2006 school year or for the new school year beginning 2007.
Blessings
Albert
On Behalf of Sri Pelita Scholarship Board
Thursday, July 06, 2006
Wednesday, July 05, 2006
Sunday Re-Cap 2nd July 2006
Our Weakness God’s Strength
By Ps Dong Campoy
TEXT: 1 Cor 1:26-29
1. OUR WEAKNESS, GOD’S WEAPON
The fact is that God uses those who are dependent upon nothing but Him alone.
He has to removed first our strength and brings us to the end of ourselves so that we will look at the task and say,
“God, I cannot do this without you”.
By Ps Dong Campoy
TEXT: 1 Cor 1:26-29
1. OUR WEAKNESS, GOD’S WEAPON
- One of the clearest principles in the Bible is that God uses weak things. He uses men and women who abandon their reliance on their natural abilities and resources and cast their dependency, totally upon God.
- God uses nobodies from nowhere with nothing but who are willing to depend upon Him for everything. 1Co 1:28, Isaiah 40:29,2 Corinthians 3:5
- The word “strength” is the word “dunamies”, from which we get the word dynamite. It is the same word used in Act 1:8 translated POWER. The word “perfect” is the same word used in John 19:30 translated “finished”, complete in our weakness. 2 Corinthians 12:10 Hebrews 11:34
- Our weakness is the best backdrop for God to display His power.
- A humble man has a proper evaluation of himself. He realizes that all of his intellect, his training, his experience, and his position in life mean absolutely nothing apart from the supernatural enabling of god.
- 2 Cor 12:7
- Humility - means rating ourselves insignificant. Phil 2:5-6 (MSG)
The fact is that God uses those who are dependent upon nothing but Him alone.
He has to removed first our strength and brings us to the end of ourselves so that we will look at the task and say,
“God, I cannot do this without you”.
Tuesday, June 27, 2006
Sunday Re-Cap 25th June 2006
When God Speaks
By Ps Kul Bal
1 Sam 3:9-10
- Many times we say “Listen LORD, thy servant speaks..” instead of “speak LORD, thy servant heareth”.
- The Most important thing for a believer is to hear the voice of God.
- We may think our Eli is calling i.e. sickness, depression, poverty, old nature; if we don’t recognize the voice of God.
God will test us in 4 ways (Gen 22)
4 TEST pressure points:
1. Present Reality
- Whatever is happening currently.
- We must realize that God is watching us on how we respond and not our current situation. Many times we focus on the situation when God is focusing on something else.
2. Time
- Test of time.
- Building Faith and Patience.
3. Oppressors
- Oppressing and diminishing our vision.
- Often people who are close to us.
- We have to ignore the opressors and the negative voice within.
- Demonic.
- Stop us in the direction that God is taking us.
- Distractions.
When God Speaks we normally go through 7 stages:
1. Excitement
2. Doubt
3. Fear
At this point we must:4. Remember, Repeat, Rehearse the WORD
5. Apply FAITH
6. Put into ACTION
7. Joy (Gen 22:13-14)
Most of us go through these steps. However many people stop at point 3 and miss their victory. Let us be people who carry it through from steps 4-7. Let us be like JESUS.
Heb 12:2
Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of [our] faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Phi 2:5-11
Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of [things] in heaven, and [things] in earth, and [things] under the earth; And [that] every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ [is] Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Tuesday, June 20, 2006
Sunday Re-Cap 18th June 2006
The Christian Father
Text:
Deut 6:6-7
The role of the Christian Father is extremely important in nurturing their children. It is said in a statistic that ~80% of all criminals in one western nation had problematic relationship with their natural fathers. This however should not be an excuse for those of us who did not have good fathers. We now have the greatest Heavenly Father!
The 3 Key Biblical Roles of The Christian Father towards his family in the home which are found in our TEXT today are:
1. Teach The Word
By Ps Samuel Hari
Text:
Deut 6:6-7
The role of the Christian Father is extremely important in nurturing their children. It is said in a statistic that ~80% of all criminals in one western nation had problematic relationship with their natural fathers. This however should not be an excuse for those of us who did not have good fathers. We now have the greatest Heavenly Father!
The 3 Key Biblical Roles of The Christian Father towards his family in the home which are found in our TEXT today are:
1. Teach The Word
- The role of teaching the WORD should not be only the responsibility of the mother. Fathers must take up this primary role except in the event of the father not being physically present or is an unbeliever.
- Fathers must overcome their previous mindsets and talk to their children. We must learn to say words like “I’m Sorry”, “I Love You” to them. It’s not wrong for a Christian Father to hug his children.
- The importance of Family Altars and partaking of the Holy Communion together.
- Affirm our children by encouraging and positive words. Col 3.21
- If we don’t talk to our children, someone else will. MTV, Movies, wrong friends, etc.
- Watching TV, Movies together is not considered spending quality time.
- We should not substitute spending quality time by buying expensive gifts for our children as this communicates a very wrong message to them.
- The way our children relate to their fathers is how they are going to relate to their heavenly Father. Are we approachable or do our children fear us?
- To our children LOVE is spelt as T.I.M.E.
3. When we sit in the house, walk by the way, lie down and rise up.
- these speak of the most intimate times we have with our families.
- Do they see the same person or are we one thing in church and in the public and then another thing at home.
- What do they hear us speaking at home and in the bedrooms?
- Children learn more through examples then through all that we can say to them.
- Help them to thank God for all that He has done before they sleep and show them by example that God has great things in store for them when they wake up in the morning. Help them to plan their day by planning your day.
By Ps Samuel Hari
Friday, June 16, 2006
Thursday, June 15, 2006
Thursday, June 08, 2006
NASA proves that the BIBLE is True
For all you scientists out there and for all the students who have had a hard time convincing these people regarding the truth of the Bible here's something that illustrates God's awesome creation and shows He is still in control.
Did you know that NASA's space programmers are busy proving that was has been called 'myth' in the Bible is true? Mr. Harold Hill, President of the Curtis Engine Company in Baltimore, and a consultant in the space programmes, relates the following incident:
One of the most amazing things that God has for us today happened recently to our astronauts and space scientists at Green Belt, Maryland. They were checking out the positions of the sun, moon and planets out in space where they would be 100, and 1000 years from now. We have to know this as we do not want a satellite to collide with any of these in its orbits. We have to lay out the orbits in terms of the life of the satellite and where the planets will be so the whole project will not bog down. Computer measurements and data were run back and forth over the centuries when suddenly it came to a halt, displaying a red signal, which meant that either there was something wrong with the information fed into it or with the results as compared to the standards. They called in the service department to check it out, and the technicians asked what was wrong. The scientists had discovered that somewhere in space in elapsed time a day was missing. Nobody seemed able to come up with a solution to the problem. Finally one of the team, a Christian, said: "You know, when I was still in Sunday School, they spoke about the sun standing still......." While his colleagues didn't believe him, they did not have an answer either, so they said: "Show us." He got a Bible and opened it at the book of Joshua where they found a pretty ridiculous statement for any one with 'common sense'. There they read about the Lord saying to Joshua: "Fear them not, I have delivered them into thy hand; there shall not be a man of them stands before thee." (Joshua 10:8). Joshua was concerned because the enemy had surrounded him, and if darkness fell, they would overpower him. So Joshua asked the Lord to make the sun stand still! That's right ? "And the sun stood still and the moon stayed, until the people had avenged themselves upon their enemies. Is this not written in the book of Ja'sher? So the sun stood still in the midst of heaven and hastened not to go down about a whole day." (Joshua 10:13).
The astronauts and scientists said: "There is the missing day!" They checked the computers going back into the time it was written and found it, but it was not close enough. The elapsed time that was missing back in Joshua's day was 23 hours and 20 minutes ? not a whole day. They read the Bible again and there it was: "about (approximately) a day." These little words in the Bible were important, but they were still in trouble, because another 40 minutes were still unaccounted for, and this could mean trouble 1000 years from now. Forty minutes had to be found because it can be multiplied many times over in orbits. As the Christian employee thought about it, he remembered somewhere in the Bible which said the sun went backwards. The scientists told him he was out of his mind, but once again they opened the Book and read these words in 2 Kings. Hezekiah, on his deathbed, was visited by the prophet, Isaiah, who told him he was not going to die. Hezekiah asked for some sign as proof. Isaiah said: "Shall the sun go forward ten degrees, or go back ten degrees?" And Hezekiah answered: "It is a light thing for the shadow to go down ten degrees; nay, but let the shadow return backwards ten degrees." And Isaiah the prophet cried unto the Lord, and He brought the shadow ten degrees backward, by which it had gone down in the dial of Ahaz." (2 Kings 20:9 >?11).
Ten degrees is exactly 40 minutes! Twenty-three hours and twenty minutes in Joshua, plus 40 minutes in 2 Kings accounted for the missing day in the universe! Isn't this amazing? Our God is rubbing their noses in His Truth!
Did you know that NASA's space programmers are busy proving that was has been called 'myth' in the Bible is true? Mr. Harold Hill, President of the Curtis Engine Company in Baltimore, and a consultant in the space programmes, relates the following incident:
One of the most amazing things that God has for us today happened recently to our astronauts and space scientists at Green Belt, Maryland. They were checking out the positions of the sun, moon and planets out in space where they would be 100, and 1000 years from now. We have to know this as we do not want a satellite to collide with any of these in its orbits. We have to lay out the orbits in terms of the life of the satellite and where the planets will be so the whole project will not bog down. Computer measurements and data were run back and forth over the centuries when suddenly it came to a halt, displaying a red signal, which meant that either there was something wrong with the information fed into it or with the results as compared to the standards. They called in the service department to check it out, and the technicians asked what was wrong. The scientists had discovered that somewhere in space in elapsed time a day was missing. Nobody seemed able to come up with a solution to the problem. Finally one of the team, a Christian, said: "You know, when I was still in Sunday School, they spoke about the sun standing still......." While his colleagues didn't believe him, they did not have an answer either, so they said: "Show us." He got a Bible and opened it at the book of Joshua where they found a pretty ridiculous statement for any one with 'common sense'. There they read about the Lord saying to Joshua: "Fear them not, I have delivered them into thy hand; there shall not be a man of them stands before thee." (Joshua 10:8). Joshua was concerned because the enemy had surrounded him, and if darkness fell, they would overpower him. So Joshua asked the Lord to make the sun stand still! That's right ? "And the sun stood still and the moon stayed, until the people had avenged themselves upon their enemies. Is this not written in the book of Ja'sher? So the sun stood still in the midst of heaven and hastened not to go down about a whole day." (Joshua 10:13).
The astronauts and scientists said: "There is the missing day!" They checked the computers going back into the time it was written and found it, but it was not close enough. The elapsed time that was missing back in Joshua's day was 23 hours and 20 minutes ? not a whole day. They read the Bible again and there it was: "about (approximately) a day." These little words in the Bible were important, but they were still in trouble, because another 40 minutes were still unaccounted for, and this could mean trouble 1000 years from now. Forty minutes had to be found because it can be multiplied many times over in orbits. As the Christian employee thought about it, he remembered somewhere in the Bible which said the sun went backwards. The scientists told him he was out of his mind, but once again they opened the Book and read these words in 2 Kings. Hezekiah, on his deathbed, was visited by the prophet, Isaiah, who told him he was not going to die. Hezekiah asked for some sign as proof. Isaiah said: "Shall the sun go forward ten degrees, or go back ten degrees?" And Hezekiah answered: "It is a light thing for the shadow to go down ten degrees; nay, but let the shadow return backwards ten degrees." And Isaiah the prophet cried unto the Lord, and He brought the shadow ten degrees backward, by which it had gone down in the dial of Ahaz." (2 Kings 20:9 >?11).
Ten degrees is exactly 40 minutes! Twenty-three hours and twenty minutes in Joshua, plus 40 minutes in 2 Kings accounted for the missing day in the universe! Isn't this amazing? Our God is rubbing their noses in His Truth!
Friday, June 02, 2006
Tuesday, May 23, 2006
B-U-S-Y? Then read this!
Satan called a worldwide convention of demons.
In his opening address he said,
"We can't keep Christians from going to church."
"We can't keep them from reading their Bibles and knowing the truth."
"We can't even keep them from forming an intimate relationship with
their saviour."
"Once they gain that connection with Jesus, our power over them is
broken."
"So let them go to their churches; let them have their covered dish
dinners, BUT steal their time, so they don't have time to develop a
relationship with Jesus Christ.."
"This is what I want you to do," said the devil:
"Distract them from gaining hold of their Saviour and maintaining that
vital connection throughout their day!"
"How shall we do this?" his demons shouted.
"Keep them busy in the non-essentials of life and invent innumerable
schemes to occupy their minds," he answered.
"Tempt them to spend, spend, spend, and borrow, borrow, borrow."
"Persuade the wives to go to work for long hours and the husbands to
work 6-7 days each week, 10-12 hours a day, so they can afford their
empty lifestyles."
"Keep them from spending time with their children."
"As their families fragment, soon, their homes will offer no escape
from the pressures of work!"
"Over-stimulate their minds so that they cannot hear that still, small
voice."
"Entice them to play the radio or cassette player whenever they drive."
To keep the TV, VCR, CDs and their PCs going constantly in their home
and see to it that every store and restaurant in the world plays
non-biblical music constantly."
"This will jam their minds and break that union with Christ."
"Fill the coffee tables with magazines and newspapers."
"Pound their minds with the news 24 hours a day."
"Invade their driving moments with billboards."
"Flood their mailboxes with junk mail, mail order catalogs,
sweepstakes, and every kind of newsletter and promotional offering free
products, services and false hopes.."
"Keep skinny, beautiful models on the magazines and TV so their
husbands will believe that outward beauty is what's important, and
they'll become dissatisfied with their wives. "
"Keep the wives too tired to love their husbands at night."
"Give them headaches too! "
"If they don't give their husbands the love they need, they will begin
to look elsewhere."
"That will fragment their families quickly!"
"Give them Santa Claus to distract them from teaching their children
the real meaning of Christmas."
"Give them an Easter bunny so they won't talk about his resurrection
and power over sin and death."
"Even in their recreation, let them be excessive."
"Have them return from their recreation exhausted."
"Keep them too busy to go out in nature and reflect on God's creation.
Send them to amusement parks, sporting events, plays, concerts, and
movies instead."
"Keep them busy, busy, busy!"
"And when they meet for spiritual fellowship, involve them in gossip
and small talk so that they leave with troubled consciences."
"Crowd their lives with so many good causes they have no time to seek
power from Jesus."
"Soon they will be working in their own strength, sacrificing their
health and family for the good of the cause."
"It will work!"
"It will work!"
It was quite a plan!
The demons went eagerly to their assignments causing Christians
everywhere to get busier and more rushed, going here and there.
Having little time for their God or their families.
Having no time to tell others about the power of Jesus to change lives.
I guess the question is, has the devil been successful in his schemes?
You be the judge!!!!!
Does "BUSY" mean: B-eing U-nder S-atan's Y-oke?
In his opening address he said,
"We can't keep Christians from going to church."
"We can't keep them from reading their Bibles and knowing the truth."
"We can't even keep them from forming an intimate relationship with
their saviour."
"Once they gain that connection with Jesus, our power over them is
broken."
"So let them go to their churches; let them have their covered dish
dinners, BUT steal their time, so they don't have time to develop a
relationship with Jesus Christ.."
"This is what I want you to do," said the devil:
"Distract them from gaining hold of their Saviour and maintaining that
vital connection throughout their day!"
"How shall we do this?" his demons shouted.
"Keep them busy in the non-essentials of life and invent innumerable
schemes to occupy their minds," he answered.
"Tempt them to spend, spend, spend, and borrow, borrow, borrow."
"Persuade the wives to go to work for long hours and the husbands to
work 6-7 days each week, 10-12 hours a day, so they can afford their
empty lifestyles."
"Keep them from spending time with their children."
"As their families fragment, soon, their homes will offer no escape
from the pressures of work!"
"Over-stimulate their minds so that they cannot hear that still, small
voice."
"Entice them to play the radio or cassette player whenever they drive."
To keep the TV, VCR, CDs and their PCs going constantly in their home
and see to it that every store and restaurant in the world plays
non-biblical music constantly."
"This will jam their minds and break that union with Christ."
"Fill the coffee tables with magazines and newspapers."
"Pound their minds with the news 24 hours a day."
"Invade their driving moments with billboards."
"Flood their mailboxes with junk mail, mail order catalogs,
sweepstakes, and every kind of newsletter and promotional offering free
products, services and false hopes.."
"Keep skinny, beautiful models on the magazines and TV so their
husbands will believe that outward beauty is what's important, and
they'll become dissatisfied with their wives. "
"Keep the wives too tired to love their husbands at night."
"Give them headaches too! "
"If they don't give their husbands the love they need, they will begin
to look elsewhere."
"That will fragment their families quickly!"
"Give them Santa Claus to distract them from teaching their children
the real meaning of Christmas."
"Give them an Easter bunny so they won't talk about his resurrection
and power over sin and death."
"Even in their recreation, let them be excessive."
"Have them return from their recreation exhausted."
"Keep them too busy to go out in nature and reflect on God's creation.
Send them to amusement parks, sporting events, plays, concerts, and
movies instead."
"Keep them busy, busy, busy!"
"And when they meet for spiritual fellowship, involve them in gossip
and small talk so that they leave with troubled consciences."
"Crowd their lives with so many good causes they have no time to seek
power from Jesus."
"Soon they will be working in their own strength, sacrificing their
health and family for the good of the cause."
"It will work!"
"It will work!"
It was quite a plan!
The demons went eagerly to their assignments causing Christians
everywhere to get busier and more rushed, going here and there.
Having little time for their God or their families.
Having no time to tell others about the power of Jesus to change lives.
I guess the question is, has the devil been successful in his schemes?
You be the judge!!!!!
Does "BUSY" mean: B-eing U-nder S-atan's Y-oke?
Monday, May 22, 2006
Sunday Recap - 21st May 2006
APPRECIATION
By: Bro. Michael Lee
Today many lack of appreciation which causes families, relationships to fall apart. Even many find it difficult to come to church because of the lack of appreciation.
What is appreciation? (Oxford Dictionary)
To understand and enjoy fully in a right way.
To be thankful for.
To let become in value.
First we need to know how to appreciate God before we appreciate one another. When we appreciate God we:
1. Give thanks and praise (Ps. 100:4)
2. Honor Him (Pro. 3:9-10) – Gratitude is a God Honoring attitude.
3. Remember Him (Ps.103:2-5). Holy Communion for us to always remember all the benefits of God. Exo.32:1-14 – The people of Israel were spared because Moses remembers not only the Lord but also His words. But the people perished because they could not remember the Lord their God (Deut 8:19).
When we don’t appreciate God, we will fail to give Him thanks and fail to understand and enjoy Him fully in the right way which eventually causes us to be:
1. Running on empty – no vision lost and confused in life.
2. Burning bridges – become murderers, bitter, cause strife & quarrels.
3. Dissatisfied – become critical, negative & grumblers.
4. An abuser – We abuse one another and ourselves. (Rom.1:20-32)
In short, when we have lost the ability to appreciate, we open the doors to elements like: fear, pride, anger, greed, lust, unforgiveness and success. (Lk.8:37-40; I Sam 11 & Lk.17:11-19).
Let us be contented with what we have and what we are in Christ; and continue to appreciate God and one another always!
Friday, May 19, 2006
Friday, May 12, 2006
Daily Encounter with ACTS
How to Fight Fair, Part III
"A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger" (Proverbs 15:1, NIV). "Don't sin by letting anger gain control over you. Don't let the sun go down while you are still angry, for anger gives a mighty foothold to the Devil" (Ephesians 4:26-27,NLT).
The sixth point in resolving conflict is: stick to the subject at hand. Oh boy, when people stuff their negative feelings and sit on their hurt and anger, look out! They will eventually either implode (turn their emotions inward and get sick), or explode. And it may be the "smallest" little thing that triggers the explosion, so beware. They may also go back to unresolved grievances from decades ago! To resolve conflicts, it is imperative to deal only with the issue at hand. Period! The other issues can be discussed at a different time.
Seventh, give up the right to always be right. People who have a compulsion to always be right tend to be insecure and immature. Be willing to say, "I was wrong. I apologize." As the Apostle Paul points out, we are not only to speak the truth in love but also to grow up and mature in all areas of our Christianlife.5 That includes humility and respect for others and their viewpoints.
Eighth, as the Bible also teaches, "Don't sin by letting anger gain control over you. Don't let the sun go down while you are still angry, for anger gives a mighty foothold to the Devil."6 That means to resolve conflicts and angry feelings as quickly as possible. When we resolve do this, the devil loses his foothold.
Ninth, speak softly. Most of us tend to raise our voices when we are upset. Research has shown that one effective way to handle yellers is to speak softly.This tends to make them lean forward and speak more softly so they can hear what you are saying. Yelling begets yelling! As Michel de Montaigne said, "He who establishes his argument by noise and command shows that his reason is weak." The Bible says, "A soft answer turns away wrath but grievous words stir up hostility."7
Tenth, pray. Pray first about yourself. One of the most powerful prayers I ever learned to pray was whenI was at wits' end in a seemingly never-ending conflict. In utter frustration I literally begged God to face me with the truth of what I was contributingto this seemingly impossible situation. Within two weeks I saw my hopeless co-dependency (even though I hadn't even heard of the word at the time).
Once I saw the reality of what I was contributing, I knew what I could do and was able to resolve my part in the conflict. I wish I had learned to pray this prayer years before--even in Sunday School. Had I done so, I could have saved myself years of needless pain and frustration.
Next, pray together. When two people are willing to face the truth about themselves, accept responsibility for their part in the conflict, and pray accordingly, there are not too many conflicts that can't be resolved. Remember, "The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth."8
Suggested prayer: "Dear God, in every conflict situation in which I find myself please help me to see exactly what I am contributing--whether it be positive or negative--and always take responsibility for what I think, feel, say and do. And help me to learn to be Christ-like at all times. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus' name, amen."
"A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger" (Proverbs 15:1, NIV). "Don't sin by letting anger gain control over you. Don't let the sun go down while you are still angry, for anger gives a mighty foothold to the Devil" (Ephesians 4:26-27,NLT).
The sixth point in resolving conflict is: stick to the subject at hand. Oh boy, when people stuff their negative feelings and sit on their hurt and anger, look out! They will eventually either implode (turn their emotions inward and get sick), or explode. And it may be the "smallest" little thing that triggers the explosion, so beware. They may also go back to unresolved grievances from decades ago! To resolve conflicts, it is imperative to deal only with the issue at hand. Period! The other issues can be discussed at a different time.
Seventh, give up the right to always be right. People who have a compulsion to always be right tend to be insecure and immature. Be willing to say, "I was wrong. I apologize." As the Apostle Paul points out, we are not only to speak the truth in love but also to grow up and mature in all areas of our Christianlife.5 That includes humility and respect for others and their viewpoints.
Eighth, as the Bible also teaches, "Don't sin by letting anger gain control over you. Don't let the sun go down while you are still angry, for anger gives a mighty foothold to the Devil."6 That means to resolve conflicts and angry feelings as quickly as possible. When we resolve do this, the devil loses his foothold.
Ninth, speak softly. Most of us tend to raise our voices when we are upset. Research has shown that one effective way to handle yellers is to speak softly.This tends to make them lean forward and speak more softly so they can hear what you are saying. Yelling begets yelling! As Michel de Montaigne said, "He who establishes his argument by noise and command shows that his reason is weak." The Bible says, "A soft answer turns away wrath but grievous words stir up hostility."7
Tenth, pray. Pray first about yourself. One of the most powerful prayers I ever learned to pray was whenI was at wits' end in a seemingly never-ending conflict. In utter frustration I literally begged God to face me with the truth of what I was contributingto this seemingly impossible situation. Within two weeks I saw my hopeless co-dependency (even though I hadn't even heard of the word at the time).
Once I saw the reality of what I was contributing, I knew what I could do and was able to resolve my part in the conflict. I wish I had learned to pray this prayer years before--even in Sunday School. Had I done so, I could have saved myself years of needless pain and frustration.
Next, pray together. When two people are willing to face the truth about themselves, accept responsibility for their part in the conflict, and pray accordingly, there are not too many conflicts that can't be resolved. Remember, "The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth."8
Suggested prayer: "Dear God, in every conflict situation in which I find myself please help me to see exactly what I am contributing--whether it be positive or negative--and always take responsibility for what I think, feel, say and do. And help me to learn to be Christ-like at all times. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus' name, amen."
Daily Encounter with ACTS
1. How to Fight Fair, Part II
"But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus,'And who is my neighbor?'" (Luke 10:29, NIV).
Author John Powell expressed this attitude poignantly when he said, "We defend our dishonesty [denying and not sharing our true feelings] on the grounds that it may hurt another person, and then, having rationalized our phoniness into nobility, we settle for superficial relationships."2
In continuing our series on resolving conflict the fourth point is to use "I" messages. That is, instead of saying, "You make me mad," or "You really hurt my feelings," say words to this effect. "When you say (or do) things like thus and so, I feel hurt and/or angry, and I need to talk to you about it." This helps you take responsibility for your feelings and avoid blaming others. Many of us are like the lawyer in theBible who, "wanting to justify himself, said to Jesus, 'And who is my neighbor?'"3 This was when Jesus told him that the greatest commandment was to love God and your neighbor as yourself.
Blaming others blocks resolution. As difficult as it may be, I need to admit that nobody causes my hurtfeelings or makes me angry without my permission. Asmy colleague Dr. Narramore puts it, "The other person is responsible for their action. We are responsiblefor our reaction!"
For instance, if I had a perfect self-concept--which I don't have--my feelings would rarely be hurt. What the other person said or did wouldn't upset me. But if I feel inferior or have low self-esteem, I will be easily wounded and/or angered. To the degree I overreact, however, that is my problem--not theirs.
Overreactions happen when unresolved issues or wounds from our past are triggered. So the more I have resolved my issues from the past, the less I will overreact when negative things happen to me. This isn't to say that we won't get our feelings hurt or that we shouldn't feel angry at times, but we need to learn how to react in the right manner at the right time in the right proportion to what has happened, not in proportion to our hypersensitivity.
Fifth. Working with several hundred divorced people over the past decade, I have found that the majority blame their former spouse for the breakup of their marriage without taking a serious look at what they contributed. Conflicts can only be resolved and we can only grow when both parties acknowledge their contribution to the problem or misunderstanding. Yes, it is true, some people are belligerent, dogmatic, and abusive. Even the Bible implies that some people are impossible to get along with.4 But even then there is something we can do. It may be standing up for ourselves--that is, overcoming our overly passive or overly dependent, or super-sensitive style by saying,"No more--enough is enough," and exercising toughlove. In every situation there is always some responsibility we can exercise. To be concluded ...
Suggested prayer: "Dear God, in every conflict situation please help me to be non-defensive, quit playing the blame-game, and see how in any way I mightbe overreacting and use this as a motivation to grow and become a more loving, understanding and mature adult. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer.Gratefully, in Jesus' name, amen."
"But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus,'And who is my neighbor?'" (Luke 10:29, NIV).
Author John Powell expressed this attitude poignantly when he said, "We defend our dishonesty [denying and not sharing our true feelings] on the grounds that it may hurt another person, and then, having rationalized our phoniness into nobility, we settle for superficial relationships."2
In continuing our series on resolving conflict the fourth point is to use "I" messages. That is, instead of saying, "You make me mad," or "You really hurt my feelings," say words to this effect. "When you say (or do) things like thus and so, I feel hurt and/or angry, and I need to talk to you about it." This helps you take responsibility for your feelings and avoid blaming others. Many of us are like the lawyer in theBible who, "wanting to justify himself, said to Jesus, 'And who is my neighbor?'"3 This was when Jesus told him that the greatest commandment was to love God and your neighbor as yourself.
Blaming others blocks resolution. As difficult as it may be, I need to admit that nobody causes my hurtfeelings or makes me angry without my permission. Asmy colleague Dr. Narramore puts it, "The other person is responsible for their action. We are responsiblefor our reaction!"
For instance, if I had a perfect self-concept--which I don't have--my feelings would rarely be hurt. What the other person said or did wouldn't upset me. But if I feel inferior or have low self-esteem, I will be easily wounded and/or angered. To the degree I overreact, however, that is my problem--not theirs.
Overreactions happen when unresolved issues or wounds from our past are triggered. So the more I have resolved my issues from the past, the less I will overreact when negative things happen to me. This isn't to say that we won't get our feelings hurt or that we shouldn't feel angry at times, but we need to learn how to react in the right manner at the right time in the right proportion to what has happened, not in proportion to our hypersensitivity.
Fifth. Working with several hundred divorced people over the past decade, I have found that the majority blame their former spouse for the breakup of their marriage without taking a serious look at what they contributed. Conflicts can only be resolved and we can only grow when both parties acknowledge their contribution to the problem or misunderstanding. Yes, it is true, some people are belligerent, dogmatic, and abusive. Even the Bible implies that some people are impossible to get along with.4 But even then there is something we can do. It may be standing up for ourselves--that is, overcoming our overly passive or overly dependent, or super-sensitive style by saying,"No more--enough is enough," and exercising toughlove. In every situation there is always some responsibility we can exercise. To be concluded ...
Suggested prayer: "Dear God, in every conflict situation please help me to be non-defensive, quit playing the blame-game, and see how in any way I mightbe overreacting and use this as a motivation to grow and become a more loving, understanding and mature adult. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer.Gratefully, in Jesus' name, amen."
Daily Encounter with ACTS
How to Fight Fair, Part I
"If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone" (Romans 12:18, NIV).
I recall hearing the pastor of a large church, when celebrating his twenty-fifth wedding anniversary, declare that he and his wife had never had a conflict.I didn't believe him. Wherever there are two people, there will always be some conflict, misunderstanding, or difference of opinion. About the only way to live without ever having an open conflict is to live in isolation as a hermit or have one partner become a doormat who chooses "peace at any price." But neither of these is actually conflict free. The conflicts have just gone underground or escaped.
Handled creatively, conflicts and disagreements can lead to growth and increased mutual understanding. But to make differences of opinions productive we need to learn to disagree agreeably, and to value the other person's perspective in the process. So how do we dothis?
First, and foremost, listen...listen...listen--not only with our ears, but even more so with our hearts. We need to hear what other people are really saying--not just what we think they are saying. We need to listen to their feelings as well as their thoughts. Good communication and conflict resolution requires listening beneath the other person's words to their sometimes hidden emotions and unspoken needs orwishes.
Careful listening ensures that we won't distort what the other person is trying to say. This is necessary because we each tend to interpret messages through our own lenses. If we are extremely sensitive to criticism, for example, we may interpret our spouse's potentially helpful suggestion as a criticism. The more our seeing and hearing "lenses" are distorted by our problems, the more likely we are to twist the messages people are giving us to try to make them match our perception of reality.
Second, always strive to speak the truth in love. Remember that "grace and truth came by Jesus Christ."1We, too, need to precede truth with grace; that is, to always give loving, gracious acceptance. Some of us are long at speaking the truth but short on listening and short on loving. Unless we speak from a point of sensitive caring, people will not feel safe enough to share openly. They will hide or become angry ordefensive. And unless they can share their thoughtsand feelings there can be no resolution.
Third, we need to be aware of our own true thoughts and feelings. If we feel angry, for example, it willbe important to acknowledge our anger. But we should also be aware of what feelings and thoughts lay beneath our anger. Anger, for example, often covers anxiety or fear. Instead of being aware of our fear, we get angry. That feels safer. But it only makes matters worse.
Other times we use anger to stop others from getting close because we fear intimacy. Equally destructive, we deny our feelings altogether and pretend to be something we are not. Each of these reactions prevents conflict resolution. Unresolved conflicts create resentment and festering resentment breaks many relationships.To be continued ....
Suggested prayer: "Dear God, whenever I am in a conflict situation please give me a listening and understanding heart so I will always hear and give consideration to the others person's point of view and not be deafened by my own need to defend myself nor blinded by my own self-interest. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus' name, amen."
"If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone" (Romans 12:18, NIV).
I recall hearing the pastor of a large church, when celebrating his twenty-fifth wedding anniversary, declare that he and his wife had never had a conflict.I didn't believe him. Wherever there are two people, there will always be some conflict, misunderstanding, or difference of opinion. About the only way to live without ever having an open conflict is to live in isolation as a hermit or have one partner become a doormat who chooses "peace at any price." But neither of these is actually conflict free. The conflicts have just gone underground or escaped.
Handled creatively, conflicts and disagreements can lead to growth and increased mutual understanding. But to make differences of opinions productive we need to learn to disagree agreeably, and to value the other person's perspective in the process. So how do we dothis?
First, and foremost, listen...listen...listen--not only with our ears, but even more so with our hearts. We need to hear what other people are really saying--not just what we think they are saying. We need to listen to their feelings as well as their thoughts. Good communication and conflict resolution requires listening beneath the other person's words to their sometimes hidden emotions and unspoken needs orwishes.
Careful listening ensures that we won't distort what the other person is trying to say. This is necessary because we each tend to interpret messages through our own lenses. If we are extremely sensitive to criticism, for example, we may interpret our spouse's potentially helpful suggestion as a criticism. The more our seeing and hearing "lenses" are distorted by our problems, the more likely we are to twist the messages people are giving us to try to make them match our perception of reality.
Second, always strive to speak the truth in love. Remember that "grace and truth came by Jesus Christ."1We, too, need to precede truth with grace; that is, to always give loving, gracious acceptance. Some of us are long at speaking the truth but short on listening and short on loving. Unless we speak from a point of sensitive caring, people will not feel safe enough to share openly. They will hide or become angry ordefensive. And unless they can share their thoughtsand feelings there can be no resolution.
Third, we need to be aware of our own true thoughts and feelings. If we feel angry, for example, it willbe important to acknowledge our anger. But we should also be aware of what feelings and thoughts lay beneath our anger. Anger, for example, often covers anxiety or fear. Instead of being aware of our fear, we get angry. That feels safer. But it only makes matters worse.
Other times we use anger to stop others from getting close because we fear intimacy. Equally destructive, we deny our feelings altogether and pretend to be something we are not. Each of these reactions prevents conflict resolution. Unresolved conflicts create resentment and festering resentment breaks many relationships.To be continued ....
Suggested prayer: "Dear God, whenever I am in a conflict situation please give me a listening and understanding heart so I will always hear and give consideration to the others person's point of view and not be deafened by my own need to defend myself nor blinded by my own self-interest. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus' name, amen."
Thursday, May 11, 2006
Sunday, May 07, 2006
Sunday Re-cap - 7th May 2006
Knowing God Personally (Ps. 46:1, 10 & Exodus 3:14-15; 33:11-17)
by. Ps Abel Phillips
Moses asked God who He was and got a peculiar answer. God said, "Say to the children of Israel, 'I AM has sent me to you.' . . . This is My name forever" (Exodus 3:14-15).
Jesus put flesh on God's bare-boned answer to Moses' question, "Who are You?" Jesus left heaven to show us what it means to bear His Father's name. He told His disciples, "I am the way, the truth, and the life" (John 14:6). He also said, "I am the bread of life" (6:48), "the light of the world" (8:12), "the good shepherd" (10:11), and "the resurrection and the life" (11:25). In Revelation, Jesus declared, "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last" (22:13). And He said, "Before Abraham was, I AM" (John 8:58). Jesus the Word of God (Jn.1:1).Jesus is the image of the invisible God. —Colossians 1:15
Exodus 33:11-17
God made known His ways to Moses. He made known His acts, or His works, to the children of Israel. Moses knew God in a way the rest of the people didn't. The rest of the people saw the works of God, but Moses knew the ways of God and God intimately.
Most Christians would prefer to see God perform mighty miracles rather than to have fellowship with Him and learn His ways.
The Benefits of knowing our God Personally or Intimately
1. To Know God Intimately Is the Way of Rest
- God says He will provide rest to those who know Him intimately. Verse 14 says, "My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest."
2. To Know God Intimately Is the Way of Stability
-Knowing God also provides stability. Israel, who only saw what God did, was fickle. If we don't know God intimately, we'll not be a stable Christian. We'll be just like Israel was. We'll blow hot and cold.
3. To Know God Intimately Is the Way of Necessity
Not only is knowing God a good thing; it is a necessity. (Exodus 33:1-3) When God said "…I will not go up in the midst of thee; for thou art a stiff-necked people: lest I consume thee in the way," and Moses replied, "God, if you're not going, I'm not going."
Conclusion:
We will only know Him by communion with Him face to face. That's what a quiet time is all about. We can’t know God if we don't spend time with Him.
by. Ps Abel Phillips
Moses asked God who He was and got a peculiar answer. God said, "Say to the children of Israel, 'I AM has sent me to you.' . . . This is My name forever" (Exodus 3:14-15).
Jesus put flesh on God's bare-boned answer to Moses' question, "Who are You?" Jesus left heaven to show us what it means to bear His Father's name. He told His disciples, "I am the way, the truth, and the life" (John 14:6). He also said, "I am the bread of life" (6:48), "the light of the world" (8:12), "the good shepherd" (10:11), and "the resurrection and the life" (11:25). In Revelation, Jesus declared, "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last" (22:13). And He said, "Before Abraham was, I AM" (John 8:58). Jesus the Word of God (Jn.1:1).Jesus is the image of the invisible God. —Colossians 1:15
Exodus 33:11-17
God made known His ways to Moses. He made known His acts, or His works, to the children of Israel. Moses knew God in a way the rest of the people didn't. The rest of the people saw the works of God, but Moses knew the ways of God and God intimately.
Most Christians would prefer to see God perform mighty miracles rather than to have fellowship with Him and learn His ways.
The Benefits of knowing our God Personally or Intimately
1. To Know God Intimately Is the Way of Rest
- God says He will provide rest to those who know Him intimately. Verse 14 says, "My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest."
2. To Know God Intimately Is the Way of Stability
-Knowing God also provides stability. Israel, who only saw what God did, was fickle. If we don't know God intimately, we'll not be a stable Christian. We'll be just like Israel was. We'll blow hot and cold.
3. To Know God Intimately Is the Way of Necessity
Not only is knowing God a good thing; it is a necessity. (Exodus 33:1-3) When God said "…I will not go up in the midst of thee; for thou art a stiff-necked people: lest I consume thee in the way," and Moses replied, "God, if you're not going, I'm not going."
Conclusion:
We will only know Him by communion with Him face to face. That's what a quiet time is all about. We can’t know God if we don't spend time with Him.
Thursday, May 04, 2006
Wednesday, April 26, 2006
Daily Encounter with ACTS
1. Diamonds in the Rough
"We proclaim him [Jesus Christ], admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect [complete and mature] in Christ."1
It is true that "God loves and accepts us as we are,but he loves us too much to leave us as we are."
God's design for each of us is that we become the persons he envisioned us to be-not only to receive forgiveness for our sins and the gift of eternal life,but also to grow and mature, to be made whole, to resolve any and all impaired relationships, and to learn to love and accept ourselves, others and Godmore fully.
Forgiveness and eternal life are gifts from God. There is nothing we can do to earn them. We receive them by faith and trust in Jesus Christ. But growth andmaturity are a life-long process. These are our responsibility. When we begin we are diamonds in the rough. To be polished takes a lot of time and pressure.
As Stuart Briscoe said, "The same sun that melts wax hardens clay." In the same way God's discipline hardens some folk and they become bitter; in others it produces gentleness, a loving spirit, growth and maturity. God's will is the latter but the choice is ours.
Suggested prayer: "Dear God, in every trial please help me to see what I need to learn, what I need to change, and how I can keep growing to become the person you have envisioned for me to be. And please give me the grace and courage I need to submit to your molding. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus' name, amen."
"We proclaim him [Jesus Christ], admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect [complete and mature] in Christ."1
It is true that "God loves and accepts us as we are,but he loves us too much to leave us as we are."
God's design for each of us is that we become the persons he envisioned us to be-not only to receive forgiveness for our sins and the gift of eternal life,but also to grow and mature, to be made whole, to resolve any and all impaired relationships, and to learn to love and accept ourselves, others and Godmore fully.
Forgiveness and eternal life are gifts from God. There is nothing we can do to earn them. We receive them by faith and trust in Jesus Christ. But growth andmaturity are a life-long process. These are our responsibility. When we begin we are diamonds in the rough. To be polished takes a lot of time and pressure.
As Stuart Briscoe said, "The same sun that melts wax hardens clay." In the same way God's discipline hardens some folk and they become bitter; in others it produces gentleness, a loving spirit, growth and maturity. God's will is the latter but the choice is ours.
Suggested prayer: "Dear God, in every trial please help me to see what I need to learn, what I need to change, and how I can keep growing to become the person you have envisioned for me to be. And please give me the grace and courage I need to submit to your molding. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus' name, amen."
Tuesday, April 25, 2006
Sunday Re-cap (23rd April 2006)
Developing Humility
By Ps Samuel Hari
Text: Matt 5:38-42; 43-48
Jesus often spoke about forgiveness (Matt 6:12, 14-15) especially in The Lord’s Prayer (Matt 6:9-13) and even in scriptures pertaining to FAITH (Mark 11:25-26). Why was forgiveness such an important part of Jesus teaching? What was the attribute that He was building in us through His teachings of forgiveness? One key attribute was HUMILITY. It requires HUMILITY to forgive and to ask for forgiveness. The first man fell because of PRIDE. The new Adam, Jesus, was exemplified by HUMILITY. How do we grow in HUMILITY?
The Word of God says, God resists the proud and gives grace to the humble (Js 4:6). He also says in 2 Chr 7:14,
If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
Let’s grow in HUMILITY!
By Ps Samuel Hari
Text: Matt 5:38-42; 43-48
Jesus often spoke about forgiveness (Matt 6:12, 14-15) especially in The Lord’s Prayer (Matt 6:9-13) and even in scriptures pertaining to FAITH (Mark 11:25-26). Why was forgiveness such an important part of Jesus teaching? What was the attribute that He was building in us through His teachings of forgiveness? One key attribute was HUMILITY. It requires HUMILITY to forgive and to ask for forgiveness. The first man fell because of PRIDE. The new Adam, Jesus, was exemplified by HUMILITY. How do we grow in HUMILITY?
- Matt 5:38-42: Renounce any form of RETALIATION. Leave ALL vengeance to GOD. This includes renouncing every intention of retaliation in the present and in the future. This includes walking in the opposite. Jesus speaks about giving the other cheek, the other cloak, walking another mile, etc.
- Matt 5:43-48: Love by choice, not by circumstances. Let mistreatment by others remind you to overcome their evil through love. Look at every mistreatment as an opportunity to grow from the Holy Spirit. Use it as a reminder from GOD.
- Matt 18:21-35 The parable of the unforgiving servant. FORGIVE DAILY those who have sinned against you. Allow God’s forgiving nature to guide us in forgiving others. We become like the FATHER as we forgive as that is His nature (Matt 5:48). If we want to become like the Father, FORGIVE.
The Word of God says, God resists the proud and gives grace to the humble (Js 4:6). He also says in 2 Chr 7:14,
If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
Let’s grow in HUMILITY!
Wednesday, April 19, 2006
Sunday Re-cap (16th April 2006)
How To Miss A Miracle
By Rev George Butron
Eph 4:7-12
Jesus descended and then ascended; He went behind enemy lines to rescue us. However, the disciples were not ready and almost missed their miracle (Luke 24:11).
How can we miss our miracle?
Be aware of these things and get your miracle today!
By Rev George Butron
Eph 4:7-12
Jesus descended and then ascended; He went behind enemy lines to rescue us. However, the disciples were not ready and almost missed their miracle (Luke 24:11).
How can we miss our miracle?
- Do not believe the testimony of another believer (Lk 24:11).
- Let our own emotions overrule the Word of God. Focus on our own situation rather than on Him (Road to Emmaus; Lk 24:13-35).
- Try to explain things from human understanding and experience (Jn 20:25-28).
- Fail to truly believe, remember, and embrace the Word of God. Even the Pharisees believed more than the disciples. We fail to believe when we’re under pressure (Matt 27:62-66).
- Decide beforehand how a miracle is going to happen and when it doesn’t, get disappointed, discouraged, angry, etc (Naaman: 2 Kgs 5:9-12).
- Placing our confidence in the wrong things.
- Allowing fear, failure, mistakes, and disappointments to isolate, condemn, imprison us and lock us in. The disciples were locked in. In hiding. (John 20;19)
Be aware of these things and get your miracle today!
Friday, April 14, 2006
Two Days that Changed the World
"But he [Jesus] was wounded for ourtransgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; Thechastisement [punishment] for our peace was upon Him,And by His stripes we are healed."1
G. Franklin Allee wrote how, "Years ago, a young mother was making her way across the hills of SouthWales, carrying her tiny babe in her arms when she was overtaken by a blinding blizzard. She never reached her destination alive, and when the blizzard subsided her body was found beneath the snow. But the searchers discovered that before her death she had taken off all her outer clothing and wrapped it about her baby. And when they unwrapped the child, to their great surprise and joy, they found he was alive and well. She had given her life for her child, providing the depth of her mother love. Years later that child, David Lloyd George, when grown to manhood, became prime minister of Great Britain, and without doubt was one of England's greatest statesmen.England was a better place for a time because a mother gave her life for her son.
On a much greater scale the world today is a better place because on Good Friday 2,000 years God the Father gave his Son, Jesus Christ, to die on a cruel Roman cross to pay the penalty for the sins of all mankind. Thank God that includes you and me. And now,because of Jesus' death, all who put their trust in him will live forever in Heaven with God where there will be no more sickness, sadness, sorrow or death. Thus Good Friday and Easter Sunday--when Jesus rosefrom the dead--are two days that changed the world forever.
"But he [Jesus] was wounded for ourtransgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; Thechastisement [punishment] for our peace was upon Him,And by His stripes we are healed."1
G. Franklin Allee wrote how, "Years ago, a young mother was making her way across the hills of SouthWales, carrying her tiny babe in her arms when she was overtaken by a blinding blizzard. She never reached her destination alive, and when the blizzard subsided her body was found beneath the snow. But the searchers discovered that before her death she had taken off all her outer clothing and wrapped it about her baby. And when they unwrapped the child, to their great surprise and joy, they found he was alive and well. She had given her life for her child, providing the depth of her mother love. Years later that child, David Lloyd George, when grown to manhood, became prime minister of Great Britain, and without doubt was one of England's greatest statesmen.England was a better place for a time because a mother gave her life for her son.
On a much greater scale the world today is a better place because on Good Friday 2,000 years God the Father gave his Son, Jesus Christ, to die on a cruel Roman cross to pay the penalty for the sins of all mankind. Thank God that includes you and me. And now,because of Jesus' death, all who put their trust in him will live forever in Heaven with God where there will be no more sickness, sadness, sorrow or death. Thus Good Friday and Easter Sunday--when Jesus rosefrom the dead--are two days that changed the world forever.
aMAZING GOD
Isn't it amazing how God works in our lives! On a Saturday nightseveral weeks ago, this pastor was working late, and decided to call his wife before he left for home. It was about 10:00pm, but his wife didn't answer the phone.
The pastor let the phone ring many times. He thought it was odd that she didn't answer, but decided to wrap up a few things and try again in a few minutes. When he tried again she answered right away. He asked her why she hadn't answered before, and she said that it hadn't rung at their house. They brushed it off as a fluke and went on their merry ways.
The following Monday, the pastor received a call at the church office, which was the phone that he'd used that Saturday night.
The man that he spoke with wanted to know why he'd called on Saturday night.
The pastor couldn't figure out what the man was talking about.
Then the man said, "It rang and rang, but I didn't answer." The pastor remembered the mishap and apologized for disturbing him, explaining that he'd intended to call his wife.
The man said, "That's, OK. Let me tell you my story.
You see, I was planning to commit suicide on Saturday night, butbefore I did, I prayed, 'God if you're there, and you don't want me todo this, give me a sign now.' At that point my phone started to ring. I looked at the caller ID, and it said, 'Almighty God'. I was afraid to answer!"
The reason why it showed on the man's caller ID that the call came from "Almighty God" is because the church that the pastor attends is called Almighty God Tabernacle!!
Isn't it amazing how God works in our lives! On a Saturday nightseveral weeks ago, this pastor was working late, and decided to call his wife before he left for home. It was about 10:00pm, but his wife didn't answer the phone.
The pastor let the phone ring many times. He thought it was odd that she didn't answer, but decided to wrap up a few things and try again in a few minutes. When he tried again she answered right away. He asked her why she hadn't answered before, and she said that it hadn't rung at their house. They brushed it off as a fluke and went on their merry ways.
The following Monday, the pastor received a call at the church office, which was the phone that he'd used that Saturday night.
The man that he spoke with wanted to know why he'd called on Saturday night.
The pastor couldn't figure out what the man was talking about.
Then the man said, "It rang and rang, but I didn't answer." The pastor remembered the mishap and apologized for disturbing him, explaining that he'd intended to call his wife.
The man said, "That's, OK. Let me tell you my story.
You see, I was planning to commit suicide on Saturday night, butbefore I did, I prayed, 'God if you're there, and you don't want me todo this, give me a sign now.' At that point my phone started to ring. I looked at the caller ID, and it said, 'Almighty God'. I was afraid to answer!"
The reason why it showed on the man's caller ID that the call came from "Almighty God" is because the church that the pastor attends is called Almighty God Tabernacle!!
Thursday, April 13, 2006
Sunday Re-cap (9th April 2006)
The Holy Spirit
By Ps Vera Lim
Jn 14:26 The Holy Spirit teaches us all things.
Eph 1:13-14
God PLANS everything, Jesus EXECUTES God’s PLAN and the Holy Spirit gives us the POWER and LEADS us. He is our TEACHER and HELPER.
1 Cor 14:2, 14 When we pray in the spirit, we speak to God and NOT to man. In no other way can our spirit pray effectively. Our mind is unfruitful (v14). Many give up praying in the spirit because they don’t understand. We aren’t supposed to understand!
Rom 8:26-27 The Spirit intercedes for us the perfect will of God.
1 Cor 2:7 Speak the wisdom of God in a mystery (to others BUT revealed to us (v10)). When the world is negative, we are positively in the WORD. That’s a mystery to the world.
1 Cor 2:9-10 We have wisdom in every situation i.e. exams, interview, homework, etc.
Prov 18:21 Watch our words! When we speak negatively, the devil can take it up to God to accuse us BUT when we speak GODLY words, Christ takes it up with God the FATHER. Who’s report do we believe? The LORD’S!
Jn 16:13-14 He takes us through a precise route as we agree with Him and one another.
1 Cor 14:4 We build ourselves up when we pray in the spirit.
By Ps Vera Lim
Jn 14:26 The Holy Spirit teaches us all things.
Eph 1:13-14
- We were sealed in the Holy Spirit when we were saved.
- Do we acknowledge the Holy Spirit in us?
- He guarantees our inheritance –present and eternity.
God PLANS everything, Jesus EXECUTES God’s PLAN and the Holy Spirit gives us the POWER and LEADS us. He is our TEACHER and HELPER.
1 Cor 14:2, 14 When we pray in the spirit, we speak to God and NOT to man. In no other way can our spirit pray effectively. Our mind is unfruitful (v14). Many give up praying in the spirit because they don’t understand. We aren’t supposed to understand!
Rom 8:26-27 The Spirit intercedes for us the perfect will of God.
1 Cor 2:7 Speak the wisdom of God in a mystery (to others BUT revealed to us (v10)). When the world is negative, we are positively in the WORD. That’s a mystery to the world.
1 Cor 2:9-10 We have wisdom in every situation i.e. exams, interview, homework, etc.
Prov 18:21 Watch our words! When we speak negatively, the devil can take it up to God to accuse us BUT when we speak GODLY words, Christ takes it up with God the FATHER. Who’s report do we believe? The LORD’S!
Jn 16:13-14 He takes us through a precise route as we agree with Him and one another.
1 Cor 14:4 We build ourselves up when we pray in the spirit.
Monday, April 10, 2006
Church Registration
The Pastor/Elder/Leader
NECF Member Churches
Malaysia
Dear Pastor/Elder/Leader,
Warm Christian greetings.
In response to the newspaper report last week of a pastor running an unlawful society (see below for the full article), we wish to advise our members the following:
Churches which are registered as a society can face deregistration when members lodge official complaints against them on violation of certain by-laws. When churches have been deregistered and continue to function using the same name and address, the police has the right to intervene and charge them accordingly.
As mentioned previously by us, the church needs not to be registered under the Registrar of Society and should function under the Freedom of Religion guaranteed by the Federal Constitution. See page 5 of our May/June 2004 Berita NECF for further details. (http://www.necf.org.my/view_file.cfm?fileid=36)
However, if the church is already registered as a society, we advise that extra care should be given to fulfil the bylaws of the constitution so that disgruntled members cannot fault the church on technical grounds.
Churches which are not registered should not be unduly worried about their legal status as this court case only affects those churches in the above category. However, there are other issues that you need to be aware of.
Our Secretary-General, Rev Wong Kim Kong who is on sabbatical at the moment, will address this issue in more details at the BGM on May 20. In view of the seriousness of the matter, you are strongly encouraged to attend that briefing. Kindly refer to the attached for the letter which has already been sent to you.
Yours in Christ,
Patrick Cheng
Executive Secretary
(Leadership Development)
c.c. Secretary-General
© 1995-2005 Star Publications (Malaysia) Bhd (Co No 10894-D)
The Star Online > Courts
Friday April 7, 2006
Pastor charged with running illegal society
By CHRISTINA KOH
IPOH: A church pastor was charged in a magistrate’s court here with running an unlawful society and getting funds for his Lim Garden church without permission.
However, Menon Manasa A.J. George, 41, declined to give his plea each time a court interpreter read out the charges in Tamil.
The court had to stand down twice after Menon pleaded for time, saying his lawyers, who were driving in from Kuala Lumpur, had yet to arrive.
He was charged with running Pertubuhan Persaudaraan Kristian Thaveethin Kudaram (Tabernacle of David) at Jalan Ng Weng Hup, Lim Garden, from Jan 28 to Feb 28, and with illegally procuring funds for the church at the same time and place.
When Menon persisted in waiting for his counsel, magistrate Teoh Chin Chong fixed Sept 6 for hearing and imposed bail of RM6,000 for both charges.
The courtroom was packed with the pastor’s followers and supporters who had to be silenced by court policemen when they murmured, “Yes, yes, yes,” after Teoh fixed the hearing date.
As early as 8am, some 200 of the followers staged a protest outside the lower courts.
The crowd, who held placards that read “Please release our apostle” and “Our pastor is being victimised,” dispersed after Ipoh district police chief Asst Comm Che Sab Hanafiah had a word with assistant pastor John Sentosan.
When lawyers M. Manoharan, A. Sivanesan, R. Kengadharan and R. Prabhakaran finally arrived around noon, Manoharan submitted before Teoh that the charges were unconstitutional.
“We ask that the court fix bail at RM1 or no bail at all,” he said, adding that Menon had a right to his lawyers and had not been able to enter his plea.
However, Teoh said the court had already fixed bail and maintained the hearing date of Sept 6.
Last year, the pastor claimed trial in another magistrate’s court here to threatening a housewife and her husband with death if she failed to withdraw a police report alleging that he raped her.
Menon posted bail at the end of the day.
Asst Superintendent Abd Shukor Mohd Kassim, from the Registrar of Societies in Putrajaya, prosecuted.
© 1995-2005 Star Publications (Malaysia) Bhd (Co No 10894-D)
NECF Member Churches
Malaysia
Dear Pastor/Elder/Leader,
Warm Christian greetings.
In response to the newspaper report last week of a pastor running an unlawful society (see below for the full article), we wish to advise our members the following:
Churches which are registered as a society can face deregistration when members lodge official complaints against them on violation of certain by-laws. When churches have been deregistered and continue to function using the same name and address, the police has the right to intervene and charge them accordingly.
As mentioned previously by us, the church needs not to be registered under the Registrar of Society and should function under the Freedom of Religion guaranteed by the Federal Constitution. See page 5 of our May/June 2004 Berita NECF for further details. (http://www.necf.org.my/view_file.cfm?fileid=36)
However, if the church is already registered as a society, we advise that extra care should be given to fulfil the bylaws of the constitution so that disgruntled members cannot fault the church on technical grounds.
Churches which are not registered should not be unduly worried about their legal status as this court case only affects those churches in the above category. However, there are other issues that you need to be aware of.
Our Secretary-General, Rev Wong Kim Kong who is on sabbatical at the moment, will address this issue in more details at the BGM on May 20. In view of the seriousness of the matter, you are strongly encouraged to attend that briefing. Kindly refer to the attached for the letter which has already been sent to you.
Yours in Christ,
Patrick Cheng
Executive Secretary
(Leadership Development)
c.c. Secretary-General
© 1995-2005 Star Publications (Malaysia) Bhd (Co No 10894-D)
The Star Online > Courts
Friday April 7, 2006
Pastor charged with running illegal society
By CHRISTINA KOH
IPOH: A church pastor was charged in a magistrate’s court here with running an unlawful society and getting funds for his Lim Garden church without permission.
However, Menon Manasa A.J. George, 41, declined to give his plea each time a court interpreter read out the charges in Tamil.
The court had to stand down twice after Menon pleaded for time, saying his lawyers, who were driving in from Kuala Lumpur, had yet to arrive.
He was charged with running Pertubuhan Persaudaraan Kristian Thaveethin Kudaram (Tabernacle of David) at Jalan Ng Weng Hup, Lim Garden, from Jan 28 to Feb 28, and with illegally procuring funds for the church at the same time and place.
When Menon persisted in waiting for his counsel, magistrate Teoh Chin Chong fixed Sept 6 for hearing and imposed bail of RM6,000 for both charges.
The courtroom was packed with the pastor’s followers and supporters who had to be silenced by court policemen when they murmured, “Yes, yes, yes,” after Teoh fixed the hearing date.
As early as 8am, some 200 of the followers staged a protest outside the lower courts.
The crowd, who held placards that read “Please release our apostle” and “Our pastor is being victimised,” dispersed after Ipoh district police chief Asst Comm Che Sab Hanafiah had a word with assistant pastor John Sentosan.
When lawyers M. Manoharan, A. Sivanesan, R. Kengadharan and R. Prabhakaran finally arrived around noon, Manoharan submitted before Teoh that the charges were unconstitutional.
“We ask that the court fix bail at RM1 or no bail at all,” he said, adding that Menon had a right to his lawyers and had not been able to enter his plea.
However, Teoh said the court had already fixed bail and maintained the hearing date of Sept 6.
Last year, the pastor claimed trial in another magistrate’s court here to threatening a housewife and her husband with death if she failed to withdraw a police report alleging that he raped her.
Menon posted bail at the end of the day.
Asst Superintendent Abd Shukor Mohd Kassim, from the Registrar of Societies in Putrajaya, prosecuted.
© 1995-2005 Star Publications (Malaysia) Bhd (Co No 10894-D)
Friday, April 07, 2006
Sunday Re-cap (26th March 2006)
What Do You Want?
by Ps David Lai
Text: Mark 10:51
In this text we see that Bartimeus displayed several characteristics that we as believers need to have:
Conclusion
A REVELATION of GOD’S WORD will give us DIVINE WISDOM and KNOWLEDGE to reach our DESTINY! 3 Jn 2
NT involves EQUAL SACRIFICE i.e. when we get a REVELATION that God want to HEAL us, we need to play our part in EATING HEALTHY & EXERCISING, etc. We cannot abuse our bodies.
When we get a REVELATION that God wants to PROSPER us, we will receive divine wisdom and knowledge to reach our DESTINY i.e. work hard, persevere, etc.
by Ps David Lai
Text: Mark 10:51
In this text we see that Bartimeus displayed several characteristics that we as believers need to have:
- Expect great things from God and attempt great things for GOD i.e. a passion for SOULS. Expect nothing and lose nothing.
- A great HUNGER. He knew that in spite of his circumstances, God is still God. Do we?
- Able to draw from Jesus. Like an eagle Is 40.31.
- Like Jacob who moved forward in spite of his fears over Esau, we need to keep MOVING FORWARD.
- Elisha had a PERSISTENCE to follow Elijah and to get his mantle.
- CLOSE OUR EARS to negative talk in us and around us (sons of the prophets in Elisha’s case and crowd who asked Bartimeus to keep silent).
- We need to REAMAIN FOCUSSED. Double minded person cannot receive. Matt 6.24, Js 1.8.
Conclusion
A REVELATION of GOD’S WORD will give us DIVINE WISDOM and KNOWLEDGE to reach our DESTINY! 3 Jn 2
NT involves EQUAL SACRIFICE i.e. when we get a REVELATION that God want to HEAL us, we need to play our part in EATING HEALTHY & EXERCISING, etc. We cannot abuse our bodies.
When we get a REVELATION that God wants to PROSPER us, we will receive divine wisdom and knowledge to reach our DESTINY i.e. work hard, persevere, etc.
Thursday, April 06, 2006
Here's the cry of a Father's love from Genesis to Revelation - Father's Love Letter to you....
My Child…
You may not know me,
but I k now everything about you. Psalm 139:1
I know when you sit down and when you rise up. Psalm 139:2
I am familiar with all you r ways. Psalm 139:3
Even the very hairs on your head are numbered. Matthew 10:29-31
For you were made in my image. Genesis 1:27
In me you live and move and have your being. Acts 17:28
For you are my offspring. Acts 17:28
I knew you even before you were conceived. Acts 17:28
I chose you when I planned creation. Jeremiah 1:4-5
You were not a mistake, for all your days are written in my book. Ephesians 1:11-12
I determined the exact time of your birth and where you would live. Acts 17:26
You are fearfully and wonderfully made. Psalm 139:14
I knit you together in your mother's womb. Psalm 139:13
And brought you forth on the day you were born. Psalm 71:6
I have been misrepresented by those who don't know me. John 8:41-44
I am not distant and angry, but am the complete _expression of love. 1 John 4:16
And it is my desire to lavish my love on you. 1 John 3:1
Simply because you are my child and I am your Father. 1 John 3:1
I offer you more than your earthly father ever could. Matthew 7:11
For I am the perfect father. Matthew 5:48
Every good gift that you receive comes from my hand. James 1:17
For I am your provider and I meet all your needs. Matthew 6:31-33
My plan for your future has always been filled with hope. Jeremiah 29:11
Because I love you with an everlasting love. Jeremiah 31:3
My thoughts toward you are countless as the sand on the seashore. Psalms 139:17-18
And I rejoice over you with singing. Zephaniah 3:17
I will never stop doing good to you. Jeremiah 32:40
For you are my treasured possession. Exodus 19:5
I desire to establish you with all my heart and all my soul. Jeremiah 32:41
And I want to show you great and marvelous things. Jeremiah 33:3
If you seek me with all your heart, you will find me. Deuteronomy 4:29
Delight in me and I will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4
For it is I who gave you those desires. Philippians 2:13
I am able to do more for you than you could possibly imagine. Ephesians 3:20
For I am your greatest encourager. 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17
I am also the Father who comforts yo u in all your troubles. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4
When you are brokenhearted, I am close to you. Psalm 34:18
As a shepherd carries a l amb, I have carried you close to my heart. Isaiah 40:11
One day I will wipe away every tear from your eyes. Revelation 21:3-4
And I'll take away all the pain you have suffered on this earth. Revelation 21:3-4
I am your Father, and I love you even as I love my son, Jesus. John 17:23
For in Jesus, my love for you is revealed. John 17:26
He is the exact representation of my being. Hebrews 1:3
He came to demonstrate that I am for you, not against you. Romans 8:31
And to tell you that I am not counting your sins. 2 Corinthians 5:18-19
Jesus died so that you and I could be reconciled. 2 Corinthians 5:18-19
His death was the ultimate _expression of my love for you. 1 John 4:10
I gave up everything I loved that I might gain your love. Romans 8:31-32
If you receive the gift of my son Jesus, you receive me. 1 John 2:23
And nothing will ever separate you from my love again. Romans 8:38-39
Come home and I'll throw the biggest party heaven has ever seen. Luke 15:7
I have always been Father, and will always be Father. Ephesians 3:14-15
My question is… Will you be my child? John 1:12-13
I am waiting for you. Luke 15:11-32
Love, Your Dad
My Child…
You may not know me,
but I k now everything about you. Psalm 139:1
I know when you sit down and when you rise up. Psalm 139:2
I am familiar with all you r ways. Psalm 139:3
Even the very hairs on your head are numbered. Matthew 10:29-31
For you were made in my image. Genesis 1:27
In me you live and move and have your being. Acts 17:28
For you are my offspring. Acts 17:28
I knew you even before you were conceived. Acts 17:28
I chose you when I planned creation. Jeremiah 1:4-5
You were not a mistake, for all your days are written in my book. Ephesians 1:11-12
I determined the exact time of your birth and where you would live. Acts 17:26
You are fearfully and wonderfully made. Psalm 139:14
I knit you together in your mother's womb. Psalm 139:13
And brought you forth on the day you were born. Psalm 71:6
I have been misrepresented by those who don't know me. John 8:41-44
I am not distant and angry, but am the complete _expression of love. 1 John 4:16
And it is my desire to lavish my love on you. 1 John 3:1
Simply because you are my child and I am your Father. 1 John 3:1
I offer you more than your earthly father ever could. Matthew 7:11
For I am the perfect father. Matthew 5:48
Every good gift that you receive comes from my hand. James 1:17
For I am your provider and I meet all your needs. Matthew 6:31-33
My plan for your future has always been filled with hope. Jeremiah 29:11
Because I love you with an everlasting love. Jeremiah 31:3
My thoughts toward you are countless as the sand on the seashore. Psalms 139:17-18
And I rejoice over you with singing. Zephaniah 3:17
I will never stop doing good to you. Jeremiah 32:40
For you are my treasured possession. Exodus 19:5
I desire to establish you with all my heart and all my soul. Jeremiah 32:41
And I want to show you great and marvelous things. Jeremiah 33:3
If you seek me with all your heart, you will find me. Deuteronomy 4:29
Delight in me and I will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4
For it is I who gave you those desires. Philippians 2:13
I am able to do more for you than you could possibly imagine. Ephesians 3:20
For I am your greatest encourager. 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17
I am also the Father who comforts yo u in all your troubles. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4
When you are brokenhearted, I am close to you. Psalm 34:18
As a shepherd carries a l amb, I have carried you close to my heart. Isaiah 40:11
One day I will wipe away every tear from your eyes. Revelation 21:3-4
And I'll take away all the pain you have suffered on this earth. Revelation 21:3-4
I am your Father, and I love you even as I love my son, Jesus. John 17:23
For in Jesus, my love for you is revealed. John 17:26
He is the exact representation of my being. Hebrews 1:3
He came to demonstrate that I am for you, not against you. Romans 8:31
And to tell you that I am not counting your sins. 2 Corinthians 5:18-19
Jesus died so that you and I could be reconciled. 2 Corinthians 5:18-19
His death was the ultimate _expression of my love for you. 1 John 4:10
I gave up everything I loved that I might gain your love. Romans 8:31-32
If you receive the gift of my son Jesus, you receive me. 1 John 2:23
And nothing will ever separate you from my love again. Romans 8:38-39
Come home and I'll throw the biggest party heaven has ever seen. Luke 15:7
I have always been Father, and will always be Father. Ephesians 3:14-15
My question is… Will you be my child? John 1:12-13
I am waiting for you. Luke 15:11-32
Love, Your Dad
Wednesday, April 05, 2006
Friday, March 31, 2006
Sunday Re-cap (26th March 2006)
Why Forgive?
Introduction
Last week we saw some theological reasons as to why we need to forgive:
This week let’s look at some practical reasons:
Introduction
Last week we saw some theological reasons as to why we need to forgive:
- In order to receive the forgiveness of God. (Matt 6:14-15)
- Even before worship.(Matt 5:23-24)
- Our prayers may not be hindered (1 Pet 3:7)
- To become like the Father (Matt 5:43-48)
- We release ourselves from being judge and allow God to do as He pleases in the love of the one we forgive.(Rom 12:14-21).
This week let’s look at some practical reasons:
- Forgiveness alone breaks the cycle of blame and pain.
- Forgiveness offers a way out-allows the relationship to start over, to begin anew. If not, we remain bound to the people we cannot forgive.
- Not to forgive imprisons us to the past and locks out all potential for change. We yield control to another and doom ourselves to all consequences of the wrong.
- It looses the stranglehold of guilt in us (Rom 4:7-8; 5:1).
- When we ask God for forgiveness and ask forgiveness of the one we've sinned against, we feel such a relieve. An opportunity to start over.
- Fellowship is restored both with God and one another (1 Jn 1:7-9).
- Helps us to realize that we are no different from the one we accuse. (parable of the unforgiving servant Matt 18:23-35))
- Jesus lived among us (mankind) and identified with us. He knew it was difficult to forgive and understood this completely when He said, “if it's possible, take this cup away from me...” However, in the end He realized that there was no other way to identify but to say “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.” Should we not also forgive?
Friday, March 24, 2006
Caught in the Act Part III
Jesus Christ said: "For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved."1
With the woman caught in the act of adultery, Jesus saw beyond the external act of sin to the deeper cause of why she acted out in the way she did.
We tend to see sin as only the external act. But the external act is often just the tip of the iceberg. Sin is anything that falls short of the perfection or wholeness God planned for us. It includes our damaged emotions, our wounded personality, our mixed motives, our unresolved inner conflicts, and our supercharged repressed negative emotions. These are the pains that keep us in bondage and cause us to act out in sinful ways. These are the barriers that alienate us from God, from others, and from ourselves so that we no longer know who or what we truly are. Sin is the whole "iceberg," not merely the external tip.
Because of this, when Jesus ministered to the woman caught in adultery, he dealt with her whole person not just her sinful act. As already noted, before he took away her act of sin he first met the basic need in her life, the lack of which was driving her to commit acts of sin. Jesus loved and accepted her. In doing this, possibly for the very first time in this woman's life, she was loved and accepted by a man for whom she was rather than for what she had to offer. Jesus knew her sin and her weaknesses. He understood her fully and loved and accepted her unconditionally. In so doing he confirmed her personhood and her womanhood. In other words, the needs that her father didn't or couldn't meet, Jesus met. In meeting these father needs Jesus set her free and could realistically say to her, "Go and don't commit this sin anymore."
Or take the person with a drinking problem, a lying problem, a stealing problem, a drug problem, a gossip problem, or any other kind of sin problem. Behind the external act of sin lies a deeper fault, problem, or sin. The external act of sin is merely the symptom of the deeper sin. And when a person is hiding a deeper sin or fault, he tends to confess a lesser sin all the more vigorously.
Therefore, how unkind it is of me, how lacking in understanding, and how unlike Christ to take away your external acts of sin or condemn you and make you feel guilty for them without seeking to understand and help meet the basic need in your life, the lack of which is causing you to commit sins.
It's easy to lay rules on you and make you feel guilty if you don't conform, and in so doing deceive myself into believing that I have been obeying God, which is anything but the truth. But how difficult it is to seek to understand you, to learn why you do what you do, and then attempt to meet your deepest needs—the lack of which are causing you to commit acts of sin. This takes true commitment to Christ and commitment to you—it is my being as Jesus to you.
Being a sinner myself, I do not have the right to tell you not to sin again. I only have the responsibility to accept you as a fellow sinner and help you meet your needs and thereby help take away your need for sinning. And in fact, if I take away your symptoms (your external acts of sin) without dealing with the deeper causes, I will drive your inner problems deeper underground and damage your personality even further.
Suggested prayer: "Dear God, please deliver me of the sin of being critical and judgmental and give me a spirit of understanding to be able to help any who genuinely need your help and healing. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus' name, amen."
1. John 3:17, (KJV).
With the woman caught in the act of adultery, Jesus saw beyond the external act of sin to the deeper cause of why she acted out in the way she did.
We tend to see sin as only the external act. But the external act is often just the tip of the iceberg. Sin is anything that falls short of the perfection or wholeness God planned for us. It includes our damaged emotions, our wounded personality, our mixed motives, our unresolved inner conflicts, and our supercharged repressed negative emotions. These are the pains that keep us in bondage and cause us to act out in sinful ways. These are the barriers that alienate us from God, from others, and from ourselves so that we no longer know who or what we truly are. Sin is the whole "iceberg," not merely the external tip.
Because of this, when Jesus ministered to the woman caught in adultery, he dealt with her whole person not just her sinful act. As already noted, before he took away her act of sin he first met the basic need in her life, the lack of which was driving her to commit acts of sin. Jesus loved and accepted her. In doing this, possibly for the very first time in this woman's life, she was loved and accepted by a man for whom she was rather than for what she had to offer. Jesus knew her sin and her weaknesses. He understood her fully and loved and accepted her unconditionally. In so doing he confirmed her personhood and her womanhood. In other words, the needs that her father didn't or couldn't meet, Jesus met. In meeting these father needs Jesus set her free and could realistically say to her, "Go and don't commit this sin anymore."
Or take the person with a drinking problem, a lying problem, a stealing problem, a drug problem, a gossip problem, or any other kind of sin problem. Behind the external act of sin lies a deeper fault, problem, or sin. The external act of sin is merely the symptom of the deeper sin. And when a person is hiding a deeper sin or fault, he tends to confess a lesser sin all the more vigorously.
Therefore, how unkind it is of me, how lacking in understanding, and how unlike Christ to take away your external acts of sin or condemn you and make you feel guilty for them without seeking to understand and help meet the basic need in your life, the lack of which is causing you to commit sins.
It's easy to lay rules on you and make you feel guilty if you don't conform, and in so doing deceive myself into believing that I have been obeying God, which is anything but the truth. But how difficult it is to seek to understand you, to learn why you do what you do, and then attempt to meet your deepest needs—the lack of which are causing you to commit acts of sin. This takes true commitment to Christ and commitment to you—it is my being as Jesus to you.
Being a sinner myself, I do not have the right to tell you not to sin again. I only have the responsibility to accept you as a fellow sinner and help you meet your needs and thereby help take away your need for sinning. And in fact, if I take away your symptoms (your external acts of sin) without dealing with the deeper causes, I will drive your inner problems deeper underground and damage your personality even further.
Suggested prayer: "Dear God, please deliver me of the sin of being critical and judgmental and give me a spirit of understanding to be able to help any who genuinely need your help and healing. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus' name, amen."
1. John 3:17, (KJV).
Caught in the Act Part II
"Neither do I condemn you," Jesus declared. "Go now and leave your life of sin."1
Yesterday we talked about the Pharisees trying to trap Jesus over the woman caught in the act of adultery. The last thing Jesus said to these pious religious bigots was, "Let the man who has never sinned be the one to cast the first stone."
Their own accusations had boomeranged on themselves. The silence was deafening. And now, like frightened puppy dogs, they tucked their "religious tails" between their legs and got out of there as quickly as they could.
Jesus was left alone with the woman. He knew she'd been used. He understood her deepest need and gently asked her, "What happened to your accusers? Where did they go? Isn't there anyone left to condemn you?"
"No, Lord," she replied, "they've all gone."
Then Jesus made a simple but profound statement: "I don't condemn you either. Go, and don't commit this sin anymore."
The dynamic in this story is that before Jesus told this woman to go and sin no more he first met the basic need in her life, the lack of which was causing her to sin. This is such a profound truth, it desperately needs understanding.
Let me explain. Counselors tell us that many a prostitute or a loose living woman, for example, is a woman who has been hurt deeply by her father—perhaps by her mother too, but mostly by her father. She is very hostile towards him. He didn't meet her needs for love; acceptance, and approval. Neither did he confirm her womanhood. For one or many reasons she felt rejected by him. Or he or another significant male in her early life may have sexually abused her. She doesn't come to this conclusion consciously, but the greatest way she can hit back at her father or men is by becoming a prostitute. She is also desperately searching for the father's love she never received as a child or as a young woman and is unconsciously trying to prove to herself that she is a woman. She is being driven into acts of sin because of unresolved hurt, anger and by an unmet need for love and acceptance—especially that of a father's love.
The same principle applies to the man who is running around using women. His problem includes lust, but it goes far deeper. He is not the great masculine figure he pretends to be. He may be angry at his mother and be using other women as a means of expressing his hostility. Or he may be still searching for the mother's love he never received as a child as well as trying to convince himself that he is adequate as a male.
Behind all external acts of sin, there is almost always a deeper sin, fault, unmet need, or damaged emotion. In other words, all behavior is caused or motivated. There is a reason why people do what they do. This is not to excuse their behavior. Not at all. Jesus didn't condemn the woman for her sin, but neither did he condone her actions. He told her not to do it again. However, He knew that this woman had a deep emotional need in her life and it was this unmet need that was driving her into acts of sin.
In meeting her needs, Jesus could realistically say to her, "Go and don't commit this sin anymore."
To be concluded ...
Suggested prayer: "Dear God, please help me to always be sensitive to the true needs of others when they fall, and seek to meet them at that point of need just as you did with the woman caught in adultery. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus' name, amen."
1. John 1:11, (NIV).
Yesterday we talked about the Pharisees trying to trap Jesus over the woman caught in the act of adultery. The last thing Jesus said to these pious religious bigots was, "Let the man who has never sinned be the one to cast the first stone."
Their own accusations had boomeranged on themselves. The silence was deafening. And now, like frightened puppy dogs, they tucked their "religious tails" between their legs and got out of there as quickly as they could.
Jesus was left alone with the woman. He knew she'd been used. He understood her deepest need and gently asked her, "What happened to your accusers? Where did they go? Isn't there anyone left to condemn you?"
"No, Lord," she replied, "they've all gone."
Then Jesus made a simple but profound statement: "I don't condemn you either. Go, and don't commit this sin anymore."
The dynamic in this story is that before Jesus told this woman to go and sin no more he first met the basic need in her life, the lack of which was causing her to sin. This is such a profound truth, it desperately needs understanding.
Let me explain. Counselors tell us that many a prostitute or a loose living woman, for example, is a woman who has been hurt deeply by her father—perhaps by her mother too, but mostly by her father. She is very hostile towards him. He didn't meet her needs for love; acceptance, and approval. Neither did he confirm her womanhood. For one or many reasons she felt rejected by him. Or he or another significant male in her early life may have sexually abused her. She doesn't come to this conclusion consciously, but the greatest way she can hit back at her father or men is by becoming a prostitute. She is also desperately searching for the father's love she never received as a child or as a young woman and is unconsciously trying to prove to herself that she is a woman. She is being driven into acts of sin because of unresolved hurt, anger and by an unmet need for love and acceptance—especially that of a father's love.
The same principle applies to the man who is running around using women. His problem includes lust, but it goes far deeper. He is not the great masculine figure he pretends to be. He may be angry at his mother and be using other women as a means of expressing his hostility. Or he may be still searching for the mother's love he never received as a child as well as trying to convince himself that he is adequate as a male.
Behind all external acts of sin, there is almost always a deeper sin, fault, unmet need, or damaged emotion. In other words, all behavior is caused or motivated. There is a reason why people do what they do. This is not to excuse their behavior. Not at all. Jesus didn't condemn the woman for her sin, but neither did he condone her actions. He told her not to do it again. However, He knew that this woman had a deep emotional need in her life and it was this unmet need that was driving her into acts of sin.
In meeting her needs, Jesus could realistically say to her, "Go and don't commit this sin anymore."
To be concluded ...
Suggested prayer: "Dear God, please help me to always be sensitive to the true needs of others when they fall, and seek to meet them at that point of need just as you did with the woman caught in adultery. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus' name, amen."
1. John 1:11, (NIV).
Caught in the Act Part I
"At dawn he [Jesus] appeared again in the temple courts, where all the people gathered around him, and he sat down to teach them. The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before the group and said to Jesus, "Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?"1
Perhaps one of the most beautiful examples of communicating Christ's love in the entire New Testament is where Christ ministered to the woman who was caught in the act of adultery.
Why the scribes and Pharisees brought only the woman to Jesus for judgment is a little difficult to understand. How only the woman could be caught in the act of adultery alone is beyond my comprehension. If truth be known, the guilty man may very well have been one of the accusers even if he weren't present in the accusing circle. The whole affair was undoubtedly a setup to trap Jesus.
Regardless, you can just see these religious bigots gloating over their victory. "We've got Him cornered at last," they bragged among themselves with a false sense of anticipated triumph. "He can't win. And we can't lose. Whatever way he answers, we have him trapped. If he says to punish her according to the law of God, we'll accuse him of having no mercy. If he says to let her go free, we'll accuse him of breaking God's law." Quite a scheme ... so they thought.
So here they are, encircling Jesus and the guilty woman. They were like a pack of hungry wolves just waiting for the signal to pounce on Jesus and devour Him. What did they care about the woman? Absolutely nothing. They were using her as a pawn in their game.
"Now, Master," they piously addressed Jesus undoubtedly in a sanctimonious tone of voice, "this woman was caught committing adultery in the very act. God's law demands that such a woman be stoned to death. How do you feel about that? What say you?"
Jesus ignored them. He stooped down and wrote on the ground. But these men were persistent. They were determined to win their devious game so they kept pressing Jesus for an answer.
So Jesus stood up, looked each one of them squarely in the eye, and agreed with them. "Yes," he said, "you're absolutely correct. The law of Moses, God's law, does say that such a woman should be stoned to death."
"He's agreeing with us," they mused among themselves, and you could see them going for the rocks tucked under their religious robes—the rocks of accusation they were about to hurl at Jesus. They were more concerned about killing Jesus than they were about stoning the woman or defending justice.
"So," continued Jesus, "go ahead and stone her to death if that's what you desire." After a brief moment's pause and with a burning look that pierced the depths of their consciences Jesus added, "However, gentlemen, wait just a minute, I'd like to add one condition—let the man who has never sinned be the one to cast the first stone."
Thud. The silence was deafening.
To be continued ...
Suggested prayer: "Dear God, please give me a spirit of discernment so that I will always know when enquirers are genuine or if they have a hidden agenda seeking to hurt a fellow struggler who has fallen. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus' name, amen."
1. John 8:2-5, (NIV).
Perhaps one of the most beautiful examples of communicating Christ's love in the entire New Testament is where Christ ministered to the woman who was caught in the act of adultery.
Why the scribes and Pharisees brought only the woman to Jesus for judgment is a little difficult to understand. How only the woman could be caught in the act of adultery alone is beyond my comprehension. If truth be known, the guilty man may very well have been one of the accusers even if he weren't present in the accusing circle. The whole affair was undoubtedly a setup to trap Jesus.
Regardless, you can just see these religious bigots gloating over their victory. "We've got Him cornered at last," they bragged among themselves with a false sense of anticipated triumph. "He can't win. And we can't lose. Whatever way he answers, we have him trapped. If he says to punish her according to the law of God, we'll accuse him of having no mercy. If he says to let her go free, we'll accuse him of breaking God's law." Quite a scheme ... so they thought.
So here they are, encircling Jesus and the guilty woman. They were like a pack of hungry wolves just waiting for the signal to pounce on Jesus and devour Him. What did they care about the woman? Absolutely nothing. They were using her as a pawn in their game.
"Now, Master," they piously addressed Jesus undoubtedly in a sanctimonious tone of voice, "this woman was caught committing adultery in the very act. God's law demands that such a woman be stoned to death. How do you feel about that? What say you?"
Jesus ignored them. He stooped down and wrote on the ground. But these men were persistent. They were determined to win their devious game so they kept pressing Jesus for an answer.
So Jesus stood up, looked each one of them squarely in the eye, and agreed with them. "Yes," he said, "you're absolutely correct. The law of Moses, God's law, does say that such a woman should be stoned to death."
"He's agreeing with us," they mused among themselves, and you could see them going for the rocks tucked under their religious robes—the rocks of accusation they were about to hurl at Jesus. They were more concerned about killing Jesus than they were about stoning the woman or defending justice.
"So," continued Jesus, "go ahead and stone her to death if that's what you desire." After a brief moment's pause and with a burning look that pierced the depths of their consciences Jesus added, "However, gentlemen, wait just a minute, I'd like to add one condition—let the man who has never sinned be the one to cast the first stone."
Thud. The silence was deafening.
To be continued ...
Suggested prayer: "Dear God, please give me a spirit of discernment so that I will always know when enquirers are genuine or if they have a hidden agenda seeking to hurt a fellow struggler who has fallen. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus' name, amen."
1. John 8:2-5, (NIV).
Tuesday, March 21, 2006
Sunday Re-cap (19th March 2006)
The Most Unnatural Act-Forgiveness Pt 1
by Ps Sam Hari
Mark 12:30-31
The word “love” in both verses is the same i.e. agape.
The quality of love that must be shown to one another is the same as the quality of love we show to God i.e. if we say we really love God, then we must really love one another.
V31-“And the second is like, namely this,”-means similar, the same
Without GRACE, we cannot forgive offenses, without GRACE, we cannot have good relationships.
The opposite of GRACE is UNGRACE (inability to show GRACE i.e. Offense, resentment, unforgiveness).
The law of nature admits no forgiveness. At the center of the Lord's prayer lurks the unnatural act of forgiveness. Here lies the key to forgiveness. “Forgive us our trespasses AS we forgive those who trespass against us”. The next statement is equally terrifying! “If you do not forgive men their sins, your father will not forgive your sins.”
As we allow ourselves to let go, break the cycle, start over, God will allow himself to let go, break the cycle and start over.
It's a command. It even takes precedence over formalities like worship and prayers (Matt 5:23-24; 1 Pet 3:7; Mark 11:25-26)
ISSUE No 1
We should only release forgiveness if the person concerned deserves it.
But the very meaning of forgive is to GIVE just as pardon contains donum, or gift.
(Mat 5:44-45)
ISSUE No 2
We only forgive those who show the same willingness. What does the WORD say? Parable of the LOST son. God so love the world HE GAVE (what? Forgiveness through His SON).
ISSUE No 3
Why should I forgive? I was wronged.
Many times when we say “I forgive you”, our heart remained angry and resentful. We still want to hear that we were right after all; still want to hear apologies and excuses; still want the satisfaction of receiving some praise in return-praise for being so forgiving!
God's forgiveness is unconditional.
Conclusion
Rom 12:17-21
Forgiveness is an act of FAITH. When we say we forgive, we are really saying that God is a better justice maker that I am.
Forgiveness involves a crucifying of the flesh. Without a crucifying of the flesh, there will be no signs and wonders and miracles (Mark 11:22-26). Without a crucifying of the flesh, we will not have the likeness of the son. (Gal 2:20).
by Ps Sam Hari
Mark 12:30-31
The word “love” in both verses is the same i.e. agape.
The quality of love that must be shown to one another is the same as the quality of love we show to God i.e. if we say we really love God, then we must really love one another.
V31-“And the second is like, namely this,”-means similar, the same
Without GRACE, we cannot forgive offenses, without GRACE, we cannot have good relationships.
The opposite of GRACE is UNGRACE (inability to show GRACE i.e. Offense, resentment, unforgiveness).
The law of nature admits no forgiveness. At the center of the Lord's prayer lurks the unnatural act of forgiveness. Here lies the key to forgiveness. “Forgive us our trespasses AS we forgive those who trespass against us”. The next statement is equally terrifying! “If you do not forgive men their sins, your father will not forgive your sins.”
As we allow ourselves to let go, break the cycle, start over, God will allow himself to let go, break the cycle and start over.
It's a command. It even takes precedence over formalities like worship and prayers (Matt 5:23-24; 1 Pet 3:7; Mark 11:25-26)
ISSUE No 1
We should only release forgiveness if the person concerned deserves it.
But the very meaning of forgive is to GIVE just as pardon contains donum, or gift.
(Mat 5:44-45)
ISSUE No 2
We only forgive those who show the same willingness. What does the WORD say? Parable of the LOST son. God so love the world HE GAVE (what? Forgiveness through His SON).
ISSUE No 3
Why should I forgive? I was wronged.
Many times when we say “I forgive you”, our heart remained angry and resentful. We still want to hear that we were right after all; still want to hear apologies and excuses; still want the satisfaction of receiving some praise in return-praise for being so forgiving!
God's forgiveness is unconditional.
Conclusion
Rom 12:17-21
Forgiveness is an act of FAITH. When we say we forgive, we are really saying that God is a better justice maker that I am.
Forgiveness involves a crucifying of the flesh. Without a crucifying of the flesh, there will be no signs and wonders and miracles (Mark 11:22-26). Without a crucifying of the flesh, we will not have the likeness of the son. (Gal 2:20).
Wednesday, March 15, 2006
Sunday Re-cap (12th March 2006)
Be Doers of the Word
By Ps. Dennis Balan
James 1:19 -27 ~ Be quick to listen attentively to the Word of God and be doers of the word of God.
1. Listen with attentive ears.
2. Slow to speak and if you want to speak, speak good things.
3. Slow to become angry. For an angry spirit is not an attentive spirit and you will not be able to listen.
Learn to be patient for uncontrolled anger releases all sorts of words that hinder the hearing of the Word of God.
Prov.16:32 ~ He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, And he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.
4. v.21 Get rid of all filthiness and evil. Take off our dirty garments and put aside. Wax out our ears that we be sensitive and listen to the Word of God.
5. Put into practice the Word of God. Matt. 7:24 “Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock.
6. Jer 31:33 - … I will put My law in their minds, and write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.
- Is the Word of God in our hearts transforming and changing us today?
- The word is inseparable and is a part of a Christian. Are we in the WORD?
- Without the WORD we may have salvation but of no power to live a life
pleasing unto God.
Successful life is by reading and obeying (doing) the WORD.
James 1:22 – But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.
When we put into practice the Word of God; God will bless and protect us.
Too many Christians mark their Bible, but their Bible never marks them!
By Ps. Dennis Balan
James 1:19 -27 ~ Be quick to listen attentively to the Word of God and be doers of the word of God.
1. Listen with attentive ears.
2. Slow to speak and if you want to speak, speak good things.
3. Slow to become angry. For an angry spirit is not an attentive spirit and you will not be able to listen.
Learn to be patient for uncontrolled anger releases all sorts of words that hinder the hearing of the Word of God.
Prov.16:32 ~ He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, And he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.
4. v.21 Get rid of all filthiness and evil. Take off our dirty garments and put aside. Wax out our ears that we be sensitive and listen to the Word of God.
5. Put into practice the Word of God. Matt. 7:24 “Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock.
6. Jer 31:33 - … I will put My law in their minds, and write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.
- Is the Word of God in our hearts transforming and changing us today?
- The word is inseparable and is a part of a Christian. Are we in the WORD?
- Without the WORD we may have salvation but of no power to live a life
pleasing unto God.
Successful life is by reading and obeying (doing) the WORD.
James 1:22 – But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.
When we put into practice the Word of God; God will bless and protect us.
Too many Christians mark their Bible, but their Bible never marks them!
Tuesday, March 14, 2006
Doing It God's Way
Romans 15:7 Accept one another, just as Christ also accepted us to the glory of God
There are four concepts we deal with as parents in communicating with our children: authority, accountability, affirmation and acceptance. We usually line them up this way:
We exert our parental authority over them. We demand that they be accountable to us. When they respond to our authority and comply by being accountable, we affirm them. When they put together a positive track record of affirmative behaviors, we convey our love and acceptance. The reason we have such difficulty communicating with our children is that we have it all backward. Look at God's approach to us as His children. At which end of the list does our heavenly Father start? He starts by expressing His love and acceptance (John 3:16; Romans 5:8). Our children won't care how much we know until they know how much we care. Paul instructs us to "accept one another, just as Christ also accepted us to the glory of God" (Romans 15:7).
When your child shares something personal with you, what is he looking for initially? Not a lecture, not a list of rules he must obey, but acceptance and affirmation. "Tell me I'm all right," he begs. "Give me some love and hope."
When you know that you are unconditionally loved and accepted by God and affirmed in your identity as His child, you voluntarily submit to His authority and hold yourself accountable to Him. Similarly, when your child knows that you love him and accept him regardless of his failures, he will feel safe sharing his problems with you and responding to the direction you give. Children who know they are loved are free to be themselves, free to grow, and free to be the people God wants them to be.
Prayer: Lord, I know I can't be a perfect parent, but help me trust You day by day to be the affirming, accepting parent You want me to be.
-----------
This daily devotional is published and distributed by Crosswalk.com. It is written by Neil Anderson at http://www.ficm.org
There are four concepts we deal with as parents in communicating with our children: authority, accountability, affirmation and acceptance. We usually line them up this way:
We exert our parental authority over them. We demand that they be accountable to us. When they respond to our authority and comply by being accountable, we affirm them. When they put together a positive track record of affirmative behaviors, we convey our love and acceptance. The reason we have such difficulty communicating with our children is that we have it all backward. Look at God's approach to us as His children. At which end of the list does our heavenly Father start? He starts by expressing His love and acceptance (John 3:16; Romans 5:8). Our children won't care how much we know until they know how much we care. Paul instructs us to "accept one another, just as Christ also accepted us to the glory of God" (Romans 15:7).
When your child shares something personal with you, what is he looking for initially? Not a lecture, not a list of rules he must obey, but acceptance and affirmation. "Tell me I'm all right," he begs. "Give me some love and hope."
When you know that you are unconditionally loved and accepted by God and affirmed in your identity as His child, you voluntarily submit to His authority and hold yourself accountable to Him. Similarly, when your child knows that you love him and accept him regardless of his failures, he will feel safe sharing his problems with you and responding to the direction you give. Children who know they are loved are free to be themselves, free to grow, and free to be the people God wants them to be.
Prayer: Lord, I know I can't be a perfect parent, but help me trust You day by day to be the affirming, accepting parent You want me to be.
-----------
This daily devotional is published and distributed by Crosswalk.com. It is written by Neil Anderson at http://www.ficm.org
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