Friday 31 August 2007

Where Was God?

(View Daily Bread)
Hebrews 13:5-8 (NIV)
5 Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said,

"Never will I leave you;
never will I forsake you."

6 So we say with confidence,

"The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid.
What can man do to me?"

7 Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith. 8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.
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Lord, help me know You are near. In times of confusion, temptation, hardships and sufferings, help me know You are near. It's always easy to follow You when prayers are answered, or when all things in life is smooth, but when things don't go well, it seems so much harder to continue walking in faith.

Father I understand that prayers will not always be answered immediately, for everything is in Your time. I also understand that hardships and pain are necessary to mold me into a better person. In such times O Lord, help me to focus on You. Ever more I need Your strength to tide me over such circumstances.

You're my Lighthouse in a sea of terrible storms. I pray to You Father, that no matter how heavy the rain, how strong the wind, how blinding the mist, I will never lose sight of Your light. Help me know You are near.

Thinking Like a Servant

Day Thirty-four
Thinking about My Purpose


Points to Ponder: To be a servant I must think like a servant.

Verse to Remember: "Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus." Philippians 2:5 (NIV)

Question to Consider: Am I usually more concerned about being served or finding ways to serve others?

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Thursday 30 August 2007

No Record Of Our Sins

(View Daily Bread)
Psalm 130 (NIV)
A song of ascents.

1 Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord;
2 O Lord, hear my voice.
Let your ears be attentive
to my cry for mercy.

3 If you, O Lord, kept a record of sins,
O Lord, who could stand?
4 But with you there is forgiveness;
therefore you are feared.

5 I wait for the Lord, my soul waits,
and in his word I put my hope.
6 My soul waits for the Lord
more than watchmen wait for the morning,
more than watchmen wait for the morning.

7 O Israel, put your hope in the Lord,
for with the Lord is unfailing love
and with him is full redemption.
8 He himself will redeem Israel
from all their sins.
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The stronger in faith we are, the more temptation the devil throws at us. Winning in temptation yields greater faith, but what will happen if we fall? Do you feel dejected, useless, full of guilt and ashamed that you sinned again?

You’re not alone. I've constantly been tempted by the devil, and while I try to resist, there were times when it seems to be too overpowering. Ever woke up in the middle of the night with a tempted thought? I had one recently. The outcome is nothing worth mentioning.

In addition to that, I fell into one of the "traps" that the devil laid. I was reading from an article about the badge "PBPGINFWMY", which means "Please be patient. God is not finished with me yet". At its own level, you will most probably see that it's actually a very encouraging and meaningful acronym. However, I gave in to the thought that since God is not finished with me, I could sin once in a while.

Knowing that I was wrong, I can turn back to God's Word. It's very encouraging to see what the psalmist wrote. It gives me renewed confidence that my God is ever-loving and will keep no records of my past sins as long as I repent. Since He does not keep mine, He will not keep yours.

Keep praying with me, so that our recurring sins do not come back and taunt us. Our God loves us indefinitely, and yearns our repentance. Let's not disappoint Him once and again.

We're forgiven! We're free!

Wednesday 29 August 2007

The Bug Zoo

(View Daily Bread)
Proverbs 30:24-28 (NIV)
24 "Four things on earth are small,
yet they are extremely wise:
25 Ants are creatures of little strength,
yet they store up their food in the summer;
26 coneys are creatures of little power,
yet they make their home in the crags;
27 locusts have no king,
yet they advance together in ranks;
28 a lizard can be caught with the hand,
yet it is found in kings' palaces."
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Lord there's many times when I wish that I have certain talents, the strongest being with music. I really used to envy people who are able to play musical instruments well so much, that I kind of lose sight that why I wanted to learn it in the first place is the possibility to serve You in the music ministry one day.

But thank You O Lord, for showing me the best way to serve You. In doing what I love most, which are things related with technology, I was able to help by setting up a blog for my cell group where we can use it as a repository for our life journey with You. Though it’s just a small task, I found that while I’m in the midst of doing it, I was really enjoying the process of what I was doing.

Through this experience, your Scripture brings forth strong meaning to me.

Romans 12:4-5 (NIV)
4 Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5 so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.

I am convinced that You can use whatever talents You’ve given to each human being, and use them to make a difference in all kinds of ministry, supporting one another and helping each other to grow.

I'm not going to give up my pursuit of musical instruments though. I know that I may not excel at it, but I'm still going to try nonetheless. I do not want to waste any spiritual gifts that You have blessed me with Lord. Let me use them to bring glory to You.

How Real Servants Act

Day Thirty-three
Thinking about My Purpose


Points to Ponder: I serve God by serving others.

Verse to Remember: "If you give even a cup of cold water to one of the least of my followers, you will surely be rewarded." Matthew 10:42 (NLT)

Question to Consider: Which of the six characteristics of real servants offers the greatest challenge to me?

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Tuesday 28 August 2007

Using What God Gave You

Day Thirty-two
Thinking about My Purpose


Points to Ponder: God deserves my best.

Verse to Remember: "Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth." 2 Timothy 2:15 (NIV)

Question to Consider: How can I make the best use of what God has given me?

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Visible Reminders

(View Daily Bread)
Deuteronomy 6:1-9 (NIV)
Love the LORD Your God

1 These are the commands, decrees and laws the LORD your God directed me to teach you to observe in the land that you are crossing the Jordan to possess, 2 so that you, your children and their children after them may fear the LORD your God as long as you live by keeping all his decrees and commands that I give you, and so that you may enjoy long life. 3 Hear, O Israel, and be careful to obey so that it may go well with you and that you may increase greatly in a land flowing with milk and honey, just as the LORD, the God of your fathers, promised you.

4 Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. 5 Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. 6 These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. 7 Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. 8 Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. 9 Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.
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Putting It Into Practice
  • Memorize a verse of Scripture as you go to work.
  • Write a verse on a card, and tape it where it is visible.
  • Meditate on that verse during the day.

Lord just a week ago, I tried to commit myself to memorising a verse of Scripture daily. Now looking back, I found that I had already lost that “habit” shortly after 3 days. I believe Father, that today's message is to help me get back on track and get rooted in Your Word.

By myself, not all things are possible, but with You, I'm encouraged that nothing is impossible. Help me Lord, to stretch and flex the muscles of my brain. You gave me a good and quality mind to be able to think extensively, process meticulously, and absorb thoroughly, so let it not go to waste. If I do not start remembering Your Word, I will regret one day when I find that I can no longer remember.

Father God, let my mind be focused on Your plans for me. If a verse per day is too much for a start, by Your grace I can take two days. If two days is still too little time, by Your love I can take three days. In my opinion, the important thing is that I start somewhere and not give up. Lord Jesus, guide me in my daily walk and prepare my mind for its daily task. Use its capability to bring glory and praise to You.

Monday 27 August 2007

Understanding Your Shape

Day Thirty-one
Thinking about My Purpose


Points to Ponder: Nobody else can be me.

Verse to Remember: "God has given each of you some special abilities; be sure to use them to help each other, passing on to others God's many kinds of blessings." 1 Peter 4:10 (LB)

Question to Consider: What God-given ability or personal experience can I offer to my church?

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The Lingo

(View Daily Bread)
1 Corinthians 9:19-23 (NIV)
19 Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. 20 To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. 21 To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God's law but am under Christ's law), so as to win those not having the law. 22 To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some. 23 I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.
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Father God this message hits a nail on my head. I've often used such Christian terminologies when talking to friends, in hope that I might be able to give a spark in their lives regarding You. Some people who did not understand any of the terms that I used will ask why, but mostly others just kept quiet, which I would plainly assumed that they actually got what I was trying to convey.

Now as I reflect on those past experiences, it seems like I am wrong to assume that way! Standing on the viewpoint of an unbeliever, if I'm not interested in the topic, and whatever words that I receive required an additional level of thinking or reflecting, I might just leave it be and keep quiet, or laugh away as a response.

As I read today's message, I remembered how I began to learn Your Word. At first I was shy and did not dare to ask any questions regarding terms that I did not understand. That period was spiritually dry as there were just too many terms that I dare not seek out. Learning truly took place when I bothered to find out.

I can’t wait for people to find out, now can I? Wouldn't it be great if I spread Your great news in plain simple lingo where everyone can understand without asking what they mean or flipping the dictionary to find out?

I can’t make sure that others will search up for things that they did not understand, but I can make sure I use simpler words so they don’t have to search in the first place. Lord I pray for Your wisdom in choosing the correct words to bring forth Your news of salvation to the masses of unbelievers.

Sunday 26 August 2007

My Love And My Light

Chorus
You are my love and my light
You are my purpose for living
You are my hope in the night
my reason for singing
You bring the joy to my life
and You're making it
better and better
And I will give thanks
forever and ever

Verse 1
Will we ever know
what we have been given
He has chosen us
and called us His own
Flowing from His throne
there is a river
bringing life and health
wherever it goes

Verse 2
We will bless Your name
for always and ever
and offer up
the sacrifices of praise
Teach us Lord we pray
to live in Your presence
Make us more and more
like You every day

Bridge
Oh-oh-oh
What a joy to know
Oh-oh-oh
Our Father loves us so

Tag
And I will give thanks
forever and ever
And I will give thanks
forever and ever

Spiritual Decompression

(View Daily Bread)
Mark 1:35-39 (NIV)
Jesus Prays in a Solitary Place

35 Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. 36 Simon and his companions went to look for him, 37 and when they found him, they exclaimed: "Everyone is looking for you!"

38 Jesus replied, "Let us go somewhere else - to the nearby villages - so I can preach there also. That is why I have come." 39 So he traveled throughout Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and driving out demons.
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As strange as it may sound, and as hard as I may try it to be, my room isn't my place for spiritual decompression. Even though it is here in my room where I do my QT daily, it's still not a place where I can focus on God. There are simply too many distractions.

Probably the first place that came to my mind was my church. I first experienced the peacefulness of being in an atmosphere anointed by God during worship before the service begins. Nowhere else have I ever experience that kind of overwhelming peace, where I feel being wrapped up entirely by His love and warmth, where I know that God is in absolute control of everything, where I can simply enjoy worshiping Him without a care in the world. Nothing else comes close to that.

I find that it is important to know God is always with me, and I can experience His love anywhere I am. Even the Holy Spirit dwells in me! Keeping these facts in sight, I can be assured that any place can be transformed by God’s power into a place of spiritual decompression.

I believe that as long as my heart seeks the Lord earnestly, the Lord will not forsake me.

Saturday 25 August 2007

The Battle Within

(View Daily Bread)
Galatians 5:16-23 (NIV)
Life by the Spirit

16 So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. 17 For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law.

19 The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
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Father I'm still deep in tough battles with my recurring sins. I thought I won, but in actuality, I'm still fighting. With Your strength and love, there can be only one result.

I will emerge victoriously on Your planned day!

Though this spiritual fight is no mean feat, I'm encouraged to know that I can't possibly fail in this match up against the devil.

Romans 8:31b (NIV)
If God is for us, who can be against us?

Father God I pray for daily renewal of my mind. Let it be enriched with Your Word, so that I may be strong and well equipped, and able to wield it as a spiritual sword in the fight against the devil.

Friday 24 August 2007

God Weeps With Us

(View Daily Bread)
Psalm 116 (NIV)
1 I love the LORD, for he heard my voice;
he heard my cry for mercy.
2 Because he turned his ear to me,
I will call on him as long as I live.

3 The cords of death entangled me,
the anguish of the grave came upon me;
I was overcome by trouble and sorrow.
4 Then I called on the name of the LORD:
"O LORD, save me!"

5 The LORD is gracious and righteous;
our God is full of compassion.
6 The LORD protects the simplehearted;
when I was in great need, he saved me.

7 Be at rest once more, O my soul,
for the LORD has been good to you.

8 For you, O LORD, have delivered my soul from death,
my eyes from tears,
my feet from stumbling,
9 that I may walk before the LORD
in the land of the living.
10 I believed; therefore I said,
"I am greatly afflicted."
11 And in my dismay I said,
"All men are liars."

12 How can I repay the LORD
for all his goodness to me?
13 I will lift up the cup of salvation
and call on the name of the LORD.
14 I will fulfill my vows to the LORD
in the presence of all his people.

15 Precious in the sight of the LORD
is the death of his saints.
16 O LORD, truly I am your servant;
I am your servant, the son of your maidservant;
you have freed me from my chains.

17 I will sacrifice a thank offering to you
and call on the name of the LORD.
18 I will fulfill my vows to the LORD
in the presence of all his people,
19 in the courts of the house of the LORD—
in your midst, O Jerusalem.

Praise the LORD.
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On a personal level, I've not yet gone through any experience of losing a close one, but even just the thought of it brings me sadness and a sense of lost. Maybe I'm a more emotional person? When I saw on news today about a 16 year old boy meeting with a fatal accident, it grieved my heart.

I wasn't connected in any way with the deceased, but my heart was deeply saddened. How much more pain will the parents feel, since the one who passed on is their child. At this point Lord, I pray that Your comfort will be showered on them, so that their pain of loss may be lessened. Protect their hearts and give them strength to overcome.

Father God I definitely believe that if Your children pass on, You will be grieving with the living, for You will hear our cries and feel our pain. I know that You will hear us, and Your heart, being full of compassion, will reach forth to us.

Let our heartbeats be in sync with Your heartbeat too Lord, so that we may be full of Your compassion and be prepared to reach out to people in their times of needs and sufferings.
Romans 12:15b (NIV)
Mourn with those who mourn.

Shaped for Serving God

Day Thirty
Thinking about My Purpose


Points to Ponder: I was shaped for serving God.

Verse to Remember: "God works through different men in different ways, but it is the same God who achieves his purposes through them all." 1 Corinthians 12:6 (Ph)

Question to Consider: In what way can I see myself passionately serving others and loving it?

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Thursday 23 August 2007

The Tipping Point

(View Daily Bread)
Romans 12:1-8 (NIV)
Living Sacrifices

1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. 2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

3 For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you. 4 Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5 so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. 7 If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; 8 if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.
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Once upon a time there was an unbeliever by the name of Lionel. He perpetually made a lot of excuses not to go to church. Not having the time is the generic excuse, and from there spun all other excuses.

"No, I have work to do."
"It's so late for church I don't want to go in. It's so embarrassing."
"I don't want to just go in to say 'Amen', and come out."
"I'm very tired."
"I've overslept."
"There's always next Sunday."

Bit by bit, after attending church for some time, he started believing but he's still a Sunday Christian. The other days of each week had no traces of God. Going to church seems to be just a mundane Sunday activity, where more exciting activities were planned after service.

Bit by bit, after hearing more every Sunday, he decided to go deeper into God's Word. He attended bible classes and cell groups. Through these sources, his faith grew, but yet he was still lazy. Daily reading of God's Word was something that he considered his personal time being robbed. He had other things that he had planned to use those times for, to self-study things which interest him, to entertain himself with games, or to sleep more.

Bit by bit, and after a bit more, the once unbeliever became who I am today. Over time, these little bits and pieces of treasured experiences that You had planned for me, fixed me for my daily commitment to You. Through this journey I learnt to surrender myself, over and over, to Your will. You have plans that are of ultimate goodness for us, and we will receive Your blessings and spiritual gifts if only we surrender ourselves to You.

Lord I forgot when was my tipping point, or what caused it. No matter when that happened, no matter what it was, I can be sure that it is You who made me grow.
1 Corinthians 3:6-7 (NIV)
6 I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow. 7 So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow.

I'm so happy that You found me, and guided me back onto You. I pray for Your continuous guidance and light upon my path Lord, so I will not be lost again. I surrender myself entirely to You.
Philippians 1:21 (NIV)
For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.

Wednesday 22 August 2007

Inner Peace

(View Daily Bread)
Isaiah 53:7-9 (NIV)
7 He was oppressed and afflicted,
yet he did not open his mouth;
he was led like a lamb to the slaughter,
and as a sheep before her shearers is silent,
so he did not open his mouth.
8 By oppression and judgment he was taken away.
And who can speak of his descendants?
For he was cut off from the land of the living;
for the transgression of my people he was stricken.
9 He was assigned a grave with the wicked,
and with the rich in his death,
though he had done no violence,
nor was any deceit in his mouth.
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Father God, I know there’s still a lot for me to learn. My pride always seems to get the better of me in a lot of circumstances. Whenever I feel insulted, criticised, mocked or accused, a huge mixture of self defense and pride will swell within me, and then I will lose control of my brain and rubbish will spill forth from my mouth. The results that these actions yield are probably not worth mentioning.

As I started reading regularly on Your Word not too long ago, I learned to tame my tongue whenever I feel that huge swell. Even though I kept quiet in such situations, and try to let go, I could not feel any sense of peace at all. Hurt is the strongest feeling registered, and I have a powerful urge to say something back, either to make myself feel better, or to clarify the situation.

Deep down in me, I know nothing good will be reaped in that state of impulse.

Lord Jesus, You are an excellent example of how I should live my life. There are many things that I do not understand at the moment, so all the more I pray for Your guidance on the road to find inner peace and a better grip on my pride. This is one area of my life that I really need Your help on.

Father God, let there be less of me, and more of You.

Accepting Your Assignment

Day Twenty-nine
Thinking about My Purpose


Points to Ponder: Service is not optional.

Verse to Remember: "For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." Ephesians 2:10 (NIV)

Question to Consider: What is holding me back from accepting God's call to serve him?

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Tuesday 21 August 2007

Distressed Travellers

(View Daily Bread)
Matthew 11:20-30 (NIV)
Woe on Unrepentant Cities

20 Then Jesus began to denounce the cities in which most of his miracles had been performed, because they did not repent. 21 "Woe to you, Korazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! If the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. 22 But I tell you, it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you. 23 And you, Capernaum, will you be lifted up to the skies? No, you will go down to the depths. If the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Sodom, it would have remained to this day. 24 But I tell you that it will be more bearable for Sodom on the day of judgment than for you."

Rest for the Weary

25 At that time Jesus said, "I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. 26 Yes, Father, for this was your good pleasure.

27 "All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.

28 "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."
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Lord Jesus, I believe You for what You have said. In the future, whenever I feel weary and in need of encouragement, I'll remind myself of these verses that I read today. Just a few days ago I managed to survive a rough patch in my journey by constantly keeping faith in You too, and I really want to thank You for it Lord.

I have read from "The Purpose Driven Life" that if we know how to worry, we already know how to meditate. Worry focus on the problems at hand, while meditate focus on Your Word. What’s important is to consider what to focus our attention on. God is always near, so why not cast our problems to Him?

Let Your Word sink in to all brothers and sisters who read this Father God. Let us be wise and to focus on Your precious living Word when we’re troubled, and I know that we will be lifted up by You, protected under Your wings, wrapped around by Your tender love, and be given peace and rest that we will not be able to find elsewhere.

It Takes Time

Day Twenty-eight
Thinking about My Purpose


Points to Ponder: There are no shortcuts to maturity.

Verse to Remember: "God began doing a good work in you, and I am sure he will continue it until it is finished when Jesus Christ comes again." Philippians 1:6 (NCV)

Question to Consider: In what area of my spiritual growth do I need to be more patient and persistent?

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Monday 20 August 2007

Consumer Mentality

(View Daily Bread)
1 Corinthians 3:5-15 (NIV)
On Divisions in the Church

5 What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe—as the Lord has assigned to each his task. 6 I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow. 7 So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. 8 The man who plants and the man who waters have one purpose, and each will be rewarded according to his own labor. 9 For we are God's fellow workers; you are God's field, God's building.

10 By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as an expert builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should be careful how he builds. 11 For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, 13 his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man's work. 14 If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward. 15 If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames.
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Father God I need Your grace again. Lord Jesus laid good foundation in my life, yet I've not used them wisely. I have not used it as a stepping stone to build a building that will endure Your fire of judgment. Instead, I've laid up straws.
Ephesians 4:11-13 (NIV)
11 It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, 12 to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.
This is the reason why God gave me my spiritual gifts.
1 Corinthians 3:10-11 (NIV)
10 By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as an expert builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should be careful how he builds. 11 For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.
This is what I should build my works on.
1 Corinthians 3:14 (NIV)
14 If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward.
This is the result of work that will last.

God keep me in check. Let me not stray away from You and be attentive to Your calls. Wake my sleeping faith, and always be alert. Let me not fall into the devil's traps, protect me Father, and bind the devil for his evil ways and cursed intentions.

Though I've failed, in You, Lord Jesus, I trust, and know that I'll succeed eventually with faith.

Sunday 19 August 2007

The Heart Of The Church

(View Daily Bread)
1 Thessalonians 3:6-13 (NIV)
Timothy's Encouraging Report

6 But Timothy has just now come to us from you and has brought good news about your faith and love. He has told us that you always have pleasant memories of us and that you long to see us, just as we also long to see you. 7 Therefore, brothers, in all our distress and persecution we were encouraged about you because of your faith. 8 For now we really live, since you are standing firm in the Lord. 9 How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy we have in the presence of our God because of you? 10 Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you again and supply what is lacking in your faith.

11 Now may our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus clear the way for us to come to you. 12 May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you. 13 May he strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all his holy ones.
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Father God, please continue to bless Lighthouse Evangelism, for the continuation of doing good works, bringing Your good news to unbelievers, the enlightening sermons that are being taught every Sunday, and the kind people who served dedicatedly in their respective ministries to facilitate the smoothness of each of the service.

I pray that You will bless Senior Pastor Rony Tan as well, for he has really shared many of Your valuable teachings and important principles, wrote many insightful books, and started different classes for different levels of believers so that our knowledge of You may increase both in width and depth. I, for one, was transformed because of these.

Father I want to commit myself to this church, and so I pray for Your calling to whichever ministry, that uses the talents which You have blessed me with, to please You. I believe only when I serve and belong in the church, can I really be considered to be a member of the whole body. I rest my faith in You.

The Heart Of Worship

Verse 1
When the music fades
All is stripped away
And I simply come
Longing just to bring
Something that's of worth
That will bless Your heart

Bridge
I'll bring You more than a song
For a song in itself
Is not what You have required
You search much deeper within
Through the way things appear
You're looking into my heart

Chorus
I'm coming back
To the heart of worship
And it's all about You
It's all about You Jesus
I'm sorry Lord for the thing
I've made it
When it's all about You
All about You Jesus

Verse 2
King of endless worth
No one could express
How much You deserve
Though I'm weak and poor
All I have is Yours
Every single breath

Refrain
It's all about You
It's all about You

Saturday 18 August 2007

Tree Vs. Bear

(View Daily Bread)
Jeremiah 8:4-12 (NIV)
Sin and Punishment

4 "Say to them, 'This is what the Lord says:

" 'When men fall down, do they not get up?
When a man turns away, does he not return?
5 Why then have these people turned away?
Why does Jerusalem always turn away?
They cling to deceit;
they refuse to return.
6 I have listened attentively,
but they do not say what is right.
No one repents of his wickedness,
saying, "What have I done?"
Each pursues his own course
like a horse charging into battle.
7 Even the stork in the sky
knows her appointed seasons,
and the dove, the swift and the thrush
observe the time of their migration.
But my people do not know
the requirements of the Lord.

8 " 'How can you say, "We are wise,
for we have the law of the Lord,"
when actually the lying pen of the scribes
has handled it falsely?
9 The wise will be put to shame;
they will be dismayed and trapped.
Since they have rejected the word of the Lord,
what kind of wisdom do they have?
10 Therefore I will give their wives to other men
and their fields to new owners.
From the least to the greatest,
all are greedy for gain;
prophets and priests alike,
all practice deceit.
11 They dress the wound of my people
as though it were not serious.
"Peace, peace," they say,
when there is no peace.
12 Are they ashamed of their loathsome conduct?
No, they have no shame at all;
they do not even know how to blush.
So they will fall among the fallen;
they will be brought down when they are punished,
says the Lord.
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Lord today's message almost seems to be directing to the problem that I had.

Many a times, I find myself being pretty confused over some of these matters. We are commanded to love, but what should we do if others step over us? What if we confront when we are hurt, but the other parties see no wrong? What if we explain, but they refuse to listen? Do we really not yoke with unbelievers then, when we should reach and spread Your Word out to them?

Father the incident that happened days ago really serves as a very good learning opportunity as I spent time to reflect. I was quick to anger, being prideful to certain issues even to the extent of self-righteousness (maybe?), and certainly did not have patience that mimics Jesus. I saw the speck of dust in the other party's eyes, and not the plank in mine.

I come to You with a heart of repentance Father. I want to turn away from my several character flaws that may become a barrier to daily communication with other people. In addition, tame the tongues of all parties involved and allow all of us to learn to listen. Listening empowers communication and I really learn this through the hard way.

I pray that the ill feelings will dissipate from within my heart, as a resolution to the problem before I head to church tomorrow, for there would not be a point in going to church if the burden is still unsettled. Thank You Lord.

Friday 17 August 2007

Special Delivery

(View Daily Bread)
Romans 16:1-16 (NIV)
Personal Greetings

1 I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a servant of the church in Cenchrea. 2 I ask you to receive her in the Lord in a way worthy of the saints and to give her any help she may need from you, for she has been a great help to many people, including me.

3 Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus. 4 They risked their lives for me. Not only I but all the churches of the Gentiles are grateful to them.
5 Greet also the church that meets at their house.
Greet my dear friend Epenetus, who was the first convert to Christ in the province of Asia.
6 Greet Mary, who worked very hard for you.
7 Greet Andronicus and Junias, my relatives who have been in prison with me. They are outstanding among the apostles, and they were in Christ before I was.
8 Greet Ampliatus, whom I love in the Lord.
9 Greet Urbanus, our fellow worker in Christ, and my dear friend Stachys.
10 Greet Apelles, tested and approved in Christ.
Greet those who belong to the household of Narcissus who are in the Lord.
12 Greet Tryphena and Tryphosa, those women who work hard in the Lord.
Greet my dear friend Persis, another woman who has worked very hard in the Lord.
13 Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord, and his mother, who has been a mother to me, too.
14 Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas and the brothers with them.
15 Greet Philologus, Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas and all the saints with them.
16 Greet one another with a holy kiss.
All the churches of Christ send greetings.
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Lord Jesus till today I am still disturbed over what happened a few days ago. Somehow the hurtful words are still lingering on in my mind, refusing to let go. As I dwell, some relationships seems to start falling apart, and I have no idea if it’s purely my own illusion or is it a reality. But Lord, I'm reminded of Your goodness and faithfulness, when I receive comfort from other friends who support me in this time of spiritual drought.

I would like to commend sister Geraldine, who called me up with concern, to talk me out which made me feel better. To sister Yan Bin, who listened patiently and provide very sound advice to the situation at hand. To sister Raphaela, who sent me an encouraging SMS of Your love and blessing.

While I slowly recover from the affliction Lord, I pray that my heart will continue to pursue You in faithfulness. Teach me to be like Job, who will continue to have faith and trust in You even through the hardest of times. I know my situation pales in comparison to Job’s, but I believe we are all tested during different levels of our faith, and probably this is my test on a small scale.

Through this experience Father, let me learn more about You. I believe through my weakness, I will experience Your strength. Through my foolhardiness, I will experience Your wisdom. Through humility, I will learn to obey Your will. I know You'll forever be my guide, and I continue to trust You Lord, no matter how adverse the circumstances.

Thursday 16 August 2007

Able To Forget?

(View Daily Bread)
Philippians 1:1-11 (NIV)
1 Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus,

To all the saints in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with the overseers and deacons:

2 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Thanksgiving and Prayer

3 I thank my God every time I remember you. 4 In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, 6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

7 It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart; for whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God's grace with me. 8 God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus.

9 And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, 10 so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.
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Lord I'm feeling down for two days in a row already. First being an argument, second an unsettled misunderstanding, third an unconfirmed emotion, fourth a feeling of being ignored.

These two days had started to build a real burden in my heart, and I'm struggling to keep my walk with You on track. I feel no motivation, tired, and I can't find rest. These troubles seem to spin around in both my head and my head, rendering me helpless.

Ttoday's message teaches me to cherish memories of the past, and not let today's burden erase them off. Father I pray that as I reminisce the times of joy , peace will be injected into my heart once again, and let all these burdens be cast onto You, for You have the power to handle all these, while I can't. I want to stop dwelling Father God…

Lord I know You'll be here for me, You're always here. You never left me, and You never will...

Wednesday 15 August 2007

Reformation

(View Daily Bread)
2 Kings 22:11-23:3 (NIV)
11 When the king heard the words of the Book of the Law, he tore his robes. 12 He gave these orders to Hilkiah the priest, Ahikam son of Shaphan, Acbor son of Micaiah, Shaphan the secretary and Asaiah the king's attendant: 13 "Go and inquire of the Lord for me and for the people and for all Judah about what is written in this book that has been found. Great is the Lord's anger that burns against us because our fathers have not obeyed the words of this book; they have not acted in accordance with all that is written there concerning us."

14 Hilkiah the priest, Ahikam, Acbor, Shaphan and Asaiah went to speak to the prophetess Huldah, who was the wife of Shallum son of Tikvah, the son of Harhas, keeper of the wardrobe. She lived in Jerusalem, in the Second District.

15 She said to them, "This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: Tell the man who sent you to me, 16 'This is what the Lord says: I am going to bring disaster on this place and its people, according to everything written in the book the king of Judah has read. 17 Because they have forsaken me and burned incense to other gods and provoked me to anger by all the idols their hands have made, my anger will burn against this place and will not be quenched.' 18 Tell the king of Judah, who sent you to inquire of the Lord, 'This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says concerning the words you heard: 19 Because your heart was responsive and you humbled yourself before the Lord when you heard what I have spoken against this place and its people, that they would become accursed and laid waste, and because you tore your robes and wept in my presence, I have heard you, declares the Lord. 20 Therefore I will gather you to your fathers, and you will be buried in peace. Your eyes will not see all the disaster I am going to bring on this place.' "

So they took her answer back to the king.

Josiah Renews the Covenant

23:1 Then the king called together all the elders of Judah and Jerusalem. 2 He went up to the temple of the Lord with the men of Judah, the people of Jerusalem, the priests and the prophets - all the people from the least to the greatest. He read in their hearing all the words of the Book of the Covenant, which had been found in the temple of the Lord. 3 The king stood by the pillar and renewed the covenant in the presence of the Lord - to follow the Lord and keep his commands, regulations and decrees with all his heart and all his soul, thus confirming the words of the covenant written in this book. Then all the people pledged themselves to the covenant.
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Reading the bible everyday has become a joyful habit ever since I started committing about a month and half ago. Your daily teachings, morals of parables, and the principles of Your Word enriches my life. I yearn to learn and be more like Christ with each passing day.

But Father, I believe I can do much more than what I’m committing at the moment. I'll pray for a bigger breakthrough in my spiritual journey with You. Lord, speak to me, and let me know of Your will. I want to live to fulfill Your purpose, for I am totally Yours.

Defeating Temptation

Day Twenty-seven
Thinking about My Purpose


Points to Ponder: There is always a way out.

Verse to Remember: "God is faithful. He will keep the temptation from becoming so strong that you can't stand up against it. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you will not give in to it." 1 Corinthians 10:13b (NLT)

Question to Consider: Who could I ask to be a spiritual partner to help me defeat a persistent temptation by praying for me?

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Tuesday 14 August 2007

The Leap

(View Daily Bread)
Genesis 12:1-4 (NIV)
The Call of Abram

1 The Lord had said to Abram, "Leave your country, your people and your father's household and go to the land I will show you.

2 "I will make you into a great nation
and I will bless you;
I will make your name great,
and you will be a blessing.
3 I will bless those who bless you,
and whoever curses you I will curse;
and all peoples on earth
will be blessed through you."

4 So Abram left, as the Lord had told him; and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he set out from Haran.
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Probably what I will always tell my friends when they asked me how I began being in touch with Christ, is that I started believing in the works of Jesus with a leap of blind faith. I did not know Your Word, I did not do much quiet time to study it, I did not have any cell group for spiritual learning, I did not have any ministry to learn to serve You, and I certainly did not know You well at all.

Strangely but surely, even though I did not know You, I could feel Your presence every time when I’m in church. That sense of overwhelming peace calms my troubled heart every time and affirms me that You are just right beside. With that as my source of faith, I got baptised, and now I am definitely a happy child of God. :)

Another instance of keeping faith was roughly about a year ago, when I was perplexed with where to move on with my life. I was at the crossroad between studies and work. Each option further branches out into different fields of studies and work opportunities. Naturally, I was confused. Yet again, trusting You, You showed me the way which led me to where I am today, and I can definitely not be any happier.

Lord in many areas of my life, I have my bits of uncertainty and confusion, which I believe is natural and happens to everyone. You taught me to always seek You first in every troubled situation and obey Your Word, which till now all had worked towards goodness. Though sometimes the wait might be long, let me not give up hope but instead to realise that You are in absolute control.
Hebrews 12:2a (NIV)
Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith.

Growing through Temptation

Day Twenty-six
Thinking about My Purpose


Points to Ponder: Every temptation is an opportunity to do good.

Verse to Remember: "God blesses the people who patiently endure testing. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him." James 1:12 (NLT)

Question to Consider: What Christlike character quality can I develop by defeating the most common temptation I face?

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Monday 13 August 2007

Check The Obvious

(View Daily Bread)
Colossians 3:12-17 (NIV)
12 Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. 17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
__________________________________________________________

Lord in the past I often find myself tightly grasped in anger with some fault or problem that I see in people. Why did they do this? How did it come to this? What happened? I am always the one quick to point the finger, easily overwhelmed with pride that it couldn't be my fault. It can’t be!

As years went by, by the power of the transformation of Your Word, slowly but surely, I'm beginning to check the obvious. Most of the times it was my fault, I was just too thick skin to admit that. If I’m really left with no choice, I would even try to push the blame to things that did not have mouths to speak for themselves.

It was obvious that my pride was getting in the way of day to day relationships with other people. My self-righteousness became a serious barrier for proper communication.

Father Lord, I thank You for providing me with Your Word, and provided the light to lead me out of my own conceited darkness. I should check and remove the plank of wood in my eyes, before I pick on the speck of dust in others’; I should always check from what's in the inside first, before checking what's on the outside.

Even though now, often as before my pride still swells up from within, I can control it better and follow Your principles, to check if things are really my fault. Even if they aren't, I can better communicate to that person because I will try to talk with Your patience and love.

Thank You Lord for Your patient guidance and sweet anointing, which without, I’ll be still the same old me.

Sunday 12 August 2007

Keep The Fire Burning

(View Daily Bread)
Romans 12:9-21 (NIV)
Love

9 Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. 11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13 Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality.

14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.

17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19 Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord. 20 On the contrary:

"If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head."

21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
__________________________________________________________

According to what Julie Ackerman Link wrote, to keep the fire of our devotion burning strong, we must continue the hard work of stocking our spiritual fuel supply with:
  • Hope
  • Patience
  • Steadfast prayer
  • Generosity
  • Hospitality
  • Humility
Father Lord let my heart not grow cold for Your teachings and Your children. With each day, I pray for renewal so I may head out with fervor to do Your work.

Lord I know it's easy to become lukewarm, especially when we're facing and living with people who have no passion for You. With each day passing by, if we do not do anything, we may follow mainstream and get cold, forgetting what sparked our flame to glorious brightness in the first place.

It's never easy when it comes to handling relationships. Lord I thank You for the brothers and sisters around me who encourage me through this journey, people who have helped to fuel my passion. While I'm still walking through this life on earth Father, I pray that people around me may be blessed as well, and when I bring Your good news to them, by Your will I may be able to ignite their long dried heap of grass into a blazingly beautiful fire of burning passion for You.

Spirit Of The Lord Upon Me

Luke 4:18-19 (KJV)
The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, to preach the acceptable year of the Lord.

Captivate My Heart

Verse
Captivate my heart
Make it all Your Own
Melt away my every longing
till I'm Yours alone

Breathe upon me Lord
Make my spirit new
Let me know
Your holy presence
as I worship You

Chorus
Holy
Holy
Hallelujah to the King
I worship You

Last Chorus
Holy
Holy
Holy
Holy
Worthy
Worthy
Mighty
Mighty
Hallelujah to the King
I worship You

Saturday 11 August 2007

A Bad Dream

(View Daily Bread)
John 6:15-21 (NIV)
15 Jesus, knowing that they intended to come and make him king by force, withdrew again to a mountain by himself.

Jesus Walks on the Water

16 When evening came, his disciples went down to the lake, 17 where they got into a boat and set off across the lake for Capernaum. By now it was dark, and Jesus had not yet joined them. 18 A strong wind was blowing and the waters grew rough. 19 When they had rowed three or three and a half miles, they saw Jesus approaching the boat, walking on the water; and they were terrified. 20 But he said to them, "It is I; don't be afraid." 21 Then they were willing to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat reached the shore where they were heading.
__________________________________________________________

Knowing You Father is my greatest happiness of my life. Some people used to tell me, that god is just someone that you make it up yourself, so that you can rely on it when you are not so sure about yourself. As for people who have full confidence in themselves and independency from all things, they do not even need the thought of a god. I must say that is true!

But the fact is this, men always fall. False gods will bring you despair when nothing comes true, when circumstances are bad, and for people who are so successful in their lives, when something happens, their world will crumble down. I’ve heard about such stories too many that some even have suicidal thoughts, just to end it all.

In your deepest hurts, pains, miseries, tragedies, mishaps, loneliness, ostracism, grievances, falls, wouldn't you want a person whom you know will love you and trust you, regardless of what is it exactly you have done, to listen to your problems and be there for you through it all?

People who have never believed God will never experience the healing power from Him. It's not what pagans believe to be just a simple reliance of burdens. The Lord heals, touches hearts, speaks to us, encourages, brings peace, provides comfort, gives rest, carries burdens, protects, and ultimately brings us closer to Him whenever we trust Him with our lives.

His spiritual presence is so awesome, so overwhelming, and yet so tangible, that once you feel it, you will know that our Lord is a Father who loves us with eternal mercy, gives grace and is ready to forgive our every transgressions against Him, as long as we repent from our old ways.

Because I know my Lord is always walking with me, I have nothing to fear. Whatever happens, I know it is in God's greater plans for me to grow into a better child of God. Nothing can ever get out of hand, for God is in perfect control of every single situation down to the minutest details.

Glory and praises be unto You my Lord, my King, my Savior, my God.

Friday 10 August 2007

Transformed by Trouble

Day Twenty-five
Thinking about My Purpose


Points to Ponder: There is a purpose behind every problem.

Verse to Remember: "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28 (NIV)

Question to Consider: What problem in my life has caused the greatest growth in me?

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Lessons From Jonah

(View Daily Bread)
Jonah 1 (NIV)
Jonah Flees From the Lord

1 The word of the Lord came to Jonah son of Amittai: 2 "Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it, because its wickedness has come up before me."

3 But Jonah ran away from the Lord and headed for Tarshish. He went down to Joppa, where he found a ship bound for that port. After paying the fare, he went aboard and sailed for Tarshish to flee from the Lord.

4 Then the Lord sent a great wind on the sea, and such a violent storm arose that the ship threatened to break up. 5 All the sailors were afraid and each cried out to his own god. And they threw the cargo into the sea to lighten the ship.

But Jonah had gone below deck, where he lay down and fell into a deep sleep. 6 The captain went to him and said, "How can you sleep? Get up and call on your god! Maybe he will take notice of us, and we will not perish."

7 Then the sailors said to each other, "Come, let us cast lots to find out who is responsible for this calamity." They cast lots and the lot fell on Jonah.

8 So they asked him, "Tell us, who is responsible for making all this trouble for us? What do you do? Where do you come from? What is your country? From what people are you?"

9 He answered, "I am a Hebrew and I worship the Lord, the God of heaven, who made the sea and the land."

10 This terrified them and they asked, "What have you done?" (They knew he was running away from the Lord, because he had already told them so.)

11 The sea was getting rougher and rougher. So they asked him, "What should we do to you to make the sea calm down for us?"

12 Pick me up and throw me into the sea," he replied, "and it will become calm. I know that it is my fault that this great storm has come upon you."

13 Instead, the men did their best to row back to land. But they could not, for the sea grew even wilder than before. 14 Then they cried to the Lord, "O Lord, please do not let us die for taking this man's life. Do not hold us accountable for killing an innocent man, for you, O Lord, have done as you pleased." 15 Then they took Jonah and threw him overboard, and the raging sea grew calm. 16 At this the men greatly feared the Lord, and they offered a sacrifice to the Lord and made vows to him.

17 But the Lord provided a great fish to swallow Jonah, and Jonah was inside the fish three days and three nights.
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Father these days a new game seems to have caught my focus and attention and I realised that I've been spending way too much precious time on it. Games should be a form of relaxation, but not a form of domination over my other priorities.

Another recent issue is about a matter of the heart Lord. A girl came along and she too grabbed my attention. Being single, it's nearly a natural attraction.

Father I confess to You these two things that have taken a part of my heart away from You. By confessing them, I declare that I don’t want to stray from You anymore. Lord You have full sovereignty in my life, and I want to commit it to Your hands, to let You mold me.

I don't want to be an empty vessel. I want to obey Your teachings and Your guidance Lord. I've been distracted for long enough and the time is now to get back on track. Fill me up O Lord, to bring Your good news forward.

Thursday 9 August 2007

Beautiful Feet

(View Daily Bread)
Romans 10:14-18 (NIV)
14 How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? 15 And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!"

16 But not all the Israelites accepted the good news. For Isaiah says, "Lord, who has believed our message?" 17 Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ. 18 But I ask: Did they not hear? Of course they did:

"Their voice has gone out into all the earth,
their words to the ends of the world."
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Lord I've always been grateful for my friend, Jamie, who brought me to You. Without her persistence and patience, I would most probably never be a believer of Your Word. I was a terrible atheist, who did not want to be constrained by any rules/laws/commandments, free from accountability to anyone.

Even though Jamie saw that stubbornness in me, it did not stop her from sharing Your Word, Your ways, and Your truths, and about Jesus' love and how He died on the cross for me. It must have taken a lot of her patience to guide and teach me so that I may be who I am today. It took 2 years.

According to Your Word Father, indeed how true it is! How can I call onto You today, if I dint believe You? And how can I believe in the first place, if I dint hear about Your great love and sacrifice?

I'm eternally grateful to Jamie. She isn't a bible teacher or pastor, but yet she shared Your Word with me and brought me to You. Now that this joy is mine, and that I may be able to call unto You Lord, I pray that in turn, I may be able to bring Your good news to my friends as well.

Father I pray to You that You bless all of Your children with the courage to do Your works, and renew our strength from day to day. Even though sharing of Your Word isn't the easiest thing to do, but we shall persist to do so in faith, love, and obedience to You.

Wednesday 8 August 2007

The Sound Of Sirens

(View Daily Bread)
Revelation 21:1-5 (NIV)
The New Jerusalem

1 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. 2 I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. 4 He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away."

5 He who was seated on the throne said, "I am making everything new!" Then he said, "Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true."
__________________________________________________________

Lord today's ODB's message talks about the siren outside in the world, outside of our physical self. However, I feel the need to share more deeply about the siren within us.

You've set up a good siren in me. Whenever sinful thoughts enter my mind, Your Holy Spirit prompts me, and immediately I try to think about better solutions in correspondence to those sinful thoughts, or divert my attention to something else more purposeful.

But Lord, I know I'm not perfect. I confess that there are so many times when I chose to close my ears from Your siren, and continue in my sins, either out of stubbornness, or out of willfulness. I tried to repent, yet recurring sins keep coming back to haunt me. Lord I truly want to get out of it and be free.

Father neither You said that life on earth will be easy, nor have You said that believing in You is easy, nor following Your commandments, and also believing in the works of Jesus Christ.

Help me attune my sensitivity to Your siren Father, until Your kingdom comes. I shall continue to walk in faith and believing in You. Thank You for Your mercy and grace that You’ve shown me time and again. I shall not take it for granted.

Tuesday 7 August 2007

Transformed by Truth

Day Twenty-four
Thinking about My Purpose


Points to Ponder: The truth transforms me.

Verse to Remember: "If you continue in my word, then are you my disciples indeed; and you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." John 8:31-32 (KJV)

Question to Consider: What has God already told me in his Word that I haven't started doing yet?

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Madame Curie

(View Daily Bread)
Psalm 1 (NIV)
1 Blessed is the man
who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked
or stand in the way of sinners
or sit in the seat of mockers.
2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord,
and on his law he meditates day and night.
3 He is like a tree planted by streams of water,
which yields its fruit in season
and whose leaf does not wither.
What he does prosper.

4 Not so the wicked!
They are like chaff
that the wind blows away.
5 Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment,
nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous.

6 For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous,
but the way of the wicked will perish.
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It is so easy to sin Lord. Small complains or gossips that we deemed as harmless, words of anger, a little act of selfishness, a wayward thought, will all have a ripple effect in our lives.

Lord teach me the way to wear the full armor of God, in order that the devil cannot affect my life in any way. I pray that You lead me to the path of righteousness, and apply what I learn from the Bible each day, and wage spiritual warfare against the devil. I am Your soldier O Lord.

Monday 6 August 2007

A Good Stretch

(View Daily Bread)
Romans 8:26-28 (NIV)
26 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. 27 And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will.

28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
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Father every now and then, when I hear something wrong being said about You, I always feel the tug at my heart. I know that it must be the Holy Spirit who's tugging me, wanting me to say something or react to that situation.

I have no fear of sharing Your love with others Lord, but I do fear for saying the wrong things, words that are mine and not from You, for I always doubt my level of understanding in Your Word. But then again, though I feel inadequate about myself, I find assurance when I know that it is the Holy Spirit who tugged me in the first place. If that's the case, it must have come from You.

Lord, I pray for confidence in my day to day walk with You, that I have the courage to share with people about Your grace and love, and to stretch my faith beyond my usual comfort zone, where I just do nothing but listen. Help me Father, to apply whatever that I learnt, so that praise and glory may be given unto You.

Sunday 5 August 2007

International Friendship

(View Daily Bread)
Colossians 1:1-12 (NIV)
1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother,

2 To the holy and faithful brothers in Christ at Colosse:

Grace and peace to you from God our Father.

Thanksgiving and Prayer

3 We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, 4 because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all the saints— 5 the faith and love that spring from the hope that is stored up for you in heaven and that you have already heard about in the word of truth, the gospel 6 that has come to you. All over the world this gospel is bearing fruit and growing, just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and understood God's grace in all its truth. 7 You learned it from Epaphras, our dear fellow servant, who is a faithful minister of Christ on our behalf, 8 and who also told us of your love in the Spirit.

9 For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. 10 And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, 11 being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully 12 giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light.
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I used to think that having friends are secondary. The relationship with my girlfriend seems to be of utmost priority. With or without friends, I can live on. Months and possibly up to a year could have passed before I up with my friends once.

In recent months since I’m back to singlehood, I've come to realise that mentality of the past was wrong. Friends are important. They provide the support when you are low, encourage and affirm you to do the right things, help you to see the bigger picture from their perspectives and make better decisions, and accompany you when you feel lonely.

Father I'm really thankful for all the friends You have seeded in my life, particularly those who stood by me for whatever crap that I was. Lord I pray that I will become such a friend to others as well, to always be there for them and share their joys and woes. Through all these Father, I pray they may see what You have done in me.

Jesus the Healer

Matthew 4:23-24 (KJV)
And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people. And his fame went throughout all Syria: and they brought unto him all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and torments, and those which were possessed with devils, and those which were lunatick, and those that had the palsy; and he healed them.

We All Bow Down

Verse 1
Princes and paupers
Sons and daughters
Kneel at the throne of grace
Losers and winners
Saints and sinners
One day will see His face

Chorus
And we all bow down
Kings will surrender their crowns
And worship Jesus
For He is the love
Unfailing love
He is the love of God

Verse 2
Summer and winter
The mountains and the rivers
Whisper our Savior's name
Awesome and holy
A friend to the lonely
Forever His love will reign

Bridge
He's the light of the world
And Lord of the Cross

How We Grow

Day Twenty-three
Thinking about My Purpose


Points to Ponder: It is never too late to start growing.

Verse to Remember: "Let God transform you inwardly by a complete change of your mind. Then you will be able to know the will of God - what is good and is pleasing to him and is perfect." Romans 12:2b (TEV)

Question to Consider: What is one area where I need to stop thinking my way and start thinking God's way?

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  • Spiritual growth is not automatic.
    • You must want to grow.
    • You must decide to grow.
    • You must make an effort to grow.
    • You must persist in growing.
  • God's part and your part.
  • Changing your autopilot.
    • Stop thinking immature thoughts, which are self-centred and self-seeking.
    • Start thinking maturely, which focuses on others, not yourself.

Saturday 4 August 2007

Created to Become Like Christ

Day Twenty-two
Thinking about My Purpose


Points to Ponder: I was created to become like Christ.

Verse to Remember: "As the Spirit of the Lord works within us, we become more and more like him and reflect his glory even more." 2 Corinthians 3:18b (NLT)

Question to Consider: In what area of my life do I need to ask for the Spirit's power to be like Christ today?

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God's Spirit Working in You
  • We must cooperate with the Holy Spirit's work.
    • Choose to let go of old ways of acting.
    • Change the way we think
    • "Put on" the character of Christ by developing new, godly habits.
  • God uses his Word, people, and circumstances to mold us.
    • God's Word provides the truth we need to grow.
    • God's people provide the support we need to grow.
    • Circumstances provide the environment we need to practice Christlikeness.
  • Becoming like Christ is a long, slow process of growth.

What Do You Believe?

(View Daily Bread)
Isaiah 50:4-10 (NIV)
4 The Sovereign Lord has given me an instructed tongue,
to know the word that sustains the weary.
He wakens me morning by morning,
wakens my ear to listen like one being taught.
5 The Sovereign Lord has opened my ears,
and I have not been rebellious;
I have not drawn back.
6 I offered my back to those who beat me,
my cheeks to those who pulled out my beard;
I did not hide my face
from mocking and spitting.
7 Because the Sovereign Lord helps me,
I will not be disgraced.
Therefore have I set my face like flint,
and I know I will not be put to shame.
8 He who vindicates me is near.
Who then will bring charges against me?
Let us face each other!
Who is my accuser?
Let him confront me!
9 It is the Sovereign Lord who helps me.
Who is he that will condemn me?
They will all wear out like a garment;
the moths will eat them up.

10 Who among you fears the Lord
and obeys the word of his servant?
Let him who walks in the dark,
who has no light,
trust in the name of the Lord
and rely on his God.
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Instruct me by Your will Father. Bless my ears so that whatever that I listen in I can sympathise with them in their situation, Bless my tongue so that it encourages and affirms others during their time of confusion or fear.

Lord You have placed many around me, and I hope to become the beacon of hope and strength that reflects Your great love, so that I may reach out to others and bring them comfort when they need a listening ear or wise advice.

Friday 3 August 2007

Squirrel Feeder

(View Daily Bread)
Psalm 65 (NIV)
For the director of music. A psalm of David. A song.

1 Praise awaits you, O God, in Zion;
to you our vows will be fulfilled.
2 O you who hear prayer,
to you all men will come.
3 When we were overwhelmed by sins,
you forgave our transgressions.
4 Blessed are those you choose
and bring near to live in your courts!
We are filled with the good things of your house,
of your holy temple.

5 You answer us with awesome deeds of righteousness,
O God our Savior,
the hope of all the ends of the earth
and of the farthest seas,
6 who formed the mountains by your power,
having armed yourself with strength,
7 who stilled the roaring of the seas,
the roaring of their waves,
and the turmoil of the nations.
8 Those living far away fear your wonders;
where morning dawns and evening fades
you call forth songs of joy.

9 You care for the land and water it;
you enrich it abundantly.
The streams of God are filled with water
to provide the people with grain,
for so you have ordained it.
10 You drench its furrows
and level its ridges;
you soften it with showers
and bless its crops.
11 You crown the year with your bounty,
and your carts overflow with abundance.
12 The grasslands of the desert overflow;
the hills are clothed with gladness.
13 The meadows are covered with flocks
and the valleys are mantled with grain;
they shout for joy and sing.
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Lord I want to thank You for blessing my life. You've provided more than I can ever ask for, even more than I can think of. All praises be upon You Father, for You're the most deserving.

Once I dint know You and kept running away from You. With Your patience and guidance, Your love touched my heart. Now I want to know You more and more, and I pray daily that You'll bless me with deeper understanding in Your Word.

The more I know You, the more I know about Your love for me.

Thursday 2 August 2007

Radical Generosity

(View Daily Bread)
1 Timothy 6:17-19 (NIV)
17 Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. 18 Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. 19 In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.
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Your Word carries precious truth O Father. I remembered that I read from somewhere, that earthly gold is good to be used to invest in relationships. Seeded relationships will naturally, over time, germinate and grow; good deeds will manifest and in turn, treasures will be laid up in heaven for us.

Naked we came, naked we go. We brought no riches when we were born, and will bring nothing from earth to heaven when we die. Why cling on to the thought of amassing more wealth when we have a brother/sister in need?

Thank You for showing me this truth, Lord. Giving to others is never easy for we are so naturally self-centered. Thank You for changing my perspective Father, from a stingy person who's so tight with his purse, to someone who knows how to use earthly gold more effectively.

Wednesday 1 August 2007

Wall-Bangers Anonymous

(View Daily Bread)
James 1:1-8 (NIV)
1 James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ,

To the twelve tribes scattered among the nations:

Greetings.

Trials and Temptations

2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4 Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. 6 But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. 7 That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does.
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Father, I was very pressed for time for the project that I was helping my friend with yesterday. I'm glad that even though I was feeling stressed, and tired, I knew the fact that You are in control. Though I worked till five in the morning, I wasn’t even feeling sleepy!

But Lord, I know too well that there will be times when I will not remember that You are with me, or You are in control. In times like these Father, I pray for Your wisdom to help me understand the situation better, guidance to lead me, and strength to carry me forward. Take me back to the fact of Your ultimate power over all things.

Nothing is too difficult for You O Lord. Nothing is not within Your control.

Protecting Your Church

Day Twenty-one
Thinking about My Purpose


Points to Ponder: It is my responsibility to protect the unity of my church.

Verse to Remember: "Let us concentrate on the things which make for harmony and the growth of our fellowship together" Romans 14:19 (Ph)

Question to Consider: What am I personally doing to protect unity in my church family right now?

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How to keep the unity in your Church family and among all believers?
  • Focus on what we have in common, not our differences.
  • Be realistic in your expectations.
  • Choose to encourage rather than criticize.
  • Refuse to listen to gossip.
  • Practice God's method for conflict resolution.
    • Private confrontation as soon as possible.
    • Take one or two witnesses to help confirm the problem and reconcile the relationship.
    • Take it to the church.
  • Support your pastor and leaders.