WOW!!

Speak up, stand up!

2012-02-21T15:14:00.003+08:00

Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute.......

- Proverbs 31:8 -

Thoughts on This Verse... God's people in every era are called to defend the rights of the weak, speak up for the disenfranchised, and protect the lives of those who are vulnerable. This comprehensive call is the great reminder that the blessings, rights, wealth, and power we may have is not ours alone; it is a gift from God to be used to bless those who have no power to speak, to defend, or to protect themselves.

**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**

Slow to anger

2012-02-21T15:13:00.001+08:00

The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love.......

- Psalm 103:8 -

Thoughts on This Verse... God is holy, righteous, and just. But, as important as these qualities are, he reveals them within his compassion, graciousness, patience, and overflowing mercy and love. We cannot only obey, worship, and reverently respect God; we can also love, appreciate, and adore him! Maybe the greatest challenge, however, is to reflect the character of God in our own lives in the ways that we interact with other people as well as the ways that we view him!

**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**

lack in nothing bad

2012-02-19T21:48:00.000+08:00

The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing.......

- Psalm 34:10 -

Thoughts on This Verse... While even the fiercest hunters cannot ensure their security and nourishment, those whose hunger is for God will find themselves nourished, blessed, and sustained.

**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**

Too demanding?

2012-02-19T21:46:00.000+08:00

''His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!'''......

- Matthew 25:21 -

Thoughts on This Verse... We want it all now! We don't want to have to wait for anything. But God has a principle that is absolutely vital: we will be entrusted with much only after we have been faithful with a little. So let's not discount those moral choices about''small and inconsequential matters.'' How we handle these reveals who we are and helps determine what we become.

**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**

Love God. God love

2012-02-19T21:44:00.000+08:00

And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him.......

- 1 John 4:16 -

Thoughts on This Verse... We can be sure that God loves us. He wants us to live in and be blessed by his love. That love is more than just the grace that reaches us when we are saved. God's love extends through us. His love is redemptive in our loving behavior to others. His presence is seen in our loving attitudes and deeds. God wants his love to be shared by us to others. In this way, his love blesses us when we receive it and also when we share it!

**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**

Old Familiarities vs New Challenges

2012-02-19T21:43:00.000+08:00

19 February 2012

Rev Ting Moy Hong

Ruth 1:1-18:

Ruth 1

Naomi Loses Her Husband and Sons

¹ In the days when the judges ruled,^[a] there was a famine in the land. So a man from Bethlehem in Judah, together with his wife and two sons, went to live for a while in the country of Moab. ² The man’s name was Elimelek, his wife’s name was Naomi, and the names of his two sons were Mahlon and Kilion. They were Ephrathites from Bethlehem, Judah. And they went to Moab and lived there. ³ Now Elimelek, Naomi’s husband, died, and she was left with her two sons. ⁴ They married Moabite women, one named Orpah and the other Ruth. After they had lived there about ten years, ⁵ both Mahlon and Kilion also died, and Naomi was left without her two sons and her husband.

Naomi and Ruth Return to Bethlehem

⁶ When Naomi heard in Moab that the LORD had come to the aid of his people by providing food for them, she and her daughters-in-law prepared to return home from there. ⁷ With her two daughters-in-law she left the place where she had been living and set out on the road that would take them back to the land of Judah. ⁸ Then Naomi said to her two daughters-in-law, “Go back, each of you, to your mother’s home. May the LORD show you kindness, as you have shown kindness to your dead husbands and to me. ⁹ May the LORD grant that each of you will find rest in the home of another husband.”
Then she kissed them goodbye and they wept aloud ¹⁰ and said to her, “We will go back with you to your people.”
¹¹ But Naomi said, “Return home, my daughters. Why would you come with me? Am I going to have any more sons, who could become your husbands? ¹² Return home, my daughters; I am too old to have another husband. Even if I thought there was still hope for me—even if I had a husband tonight and then gave birth to sons— ¹³ would you wait until they grew up? Would you remain unmarried for them? No, my daughters. It is more bitter for me than for you, because the LORD’s hand has turned against me!”
¹⁴ At this they wept aloud again. Then Orpah kissed her mother-in-law goodbye, but Ruth clung to her.
¹⁵ “Look,” said Naomi, “your sister-in-law is going back to her people and her gods. Go back with her.”
¹⁶ But Ruth replied, “Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. ¹⁷ Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried. May the LORD deal with me, be it ever so severely, if even death separates you and me.” ¹⁸ When Naomi realized that Ruth was determined to go with her, she stopped urging her.

*God was nevertheless with them
v19- ¹⁹ So the two women went on until they came to Bethlehem. When they arrived in Bethlehem, the whole town was stirred because of them, and the women exclaimed, “Can this be Naomi?”

*We may go through familiar places but we have grown and changed our perceptions towards the world
*The whole town STIRRED because of them
*Sinical question "Can this be Naomi? (Her name was meant pleasant)
*Naomi looks aged and unhappy
*She return as no long the same Naomi
*They pose her a new challenge
*People will gossip and the challenge is her response
*Mara- a deep sense of bitterness for us and Naomi
v20-21- ²⁰ “Don’t call me Naomi,” she told them. “Call me Mara,because the Almighty has made my life very bitter. ²¹ I went away full, but the LORD has brought me back empty. Why call me Naomi? The LORD has afflictedme; the Almighty has brought misfortune upon me.”

she addressed God as the Almighty= El Shaddai- brought bitterness but yet she is familiar with Him
*She is faced with the challenge of how she would handle the Shaddai that has afflicted her
*Another person that has affected badly by Shaddai- Joab
*2/3 of the psalms are psalms of lamentation (complains) and refer God as Shaddai
*Experiences allows us to think again whether we really know Him and allows us to suffer and make us bitter
*Almighty God suppose to bring us happiness but we may wonder if He can also bring us affliction
*Ruth wants to go the Naomi's returning home in Bethelehem
*Familiar with Naomi but not Ruth, the Moabite (non-Jew)
*Moabite wants to be and was given the choice to be with a Jew
*Makes the Jews rethink those who are not our kind
*Familiarity leads stability but we must accept the differences out of our comfort zone too
*We must allow Him to bring challenges to question whether we really believe Him.

If not, we will continue to be in a familiar zone

*The greatest challenge for Naomi is really herself
*We may be familiar with our talents and capabilities but maybe, we are the chosen ones
*We should allow God into our lives and ask Him what He wants us to do in our lives
*WE need to let God stretch us then can we change
*God is more interested in you than your works
*Naomi has a new understanding on the person she call- Shaddai
*This Shaddai will change us in ways beyond our understanding
Ruth 2:1-3:

Ruth 2

Ruth Meets Boaz in the Grain Field

¹ Now Naomi had a relative on her husband’s side, a man of standing from the clan of Elimelek, whose name was Boaz. ² And Ruth the Moabite said to Naomi, “Let me go to the fields and pick up the leftover grain behind anyone in whose eyes I find favor.”
Naomi said to her, “Go ahead, my daughter.” ³ So she went out, entered a field and began to glean behind the harvesters. As it turned out, she was working in a field belonging to Boaz, who was from the clan of Elimelek.

- Seasons come , seasons go but life goes on
*We might not know because we can't see God's plan yet
*The invisible hand of God is at work before you know it
*We need to open our eyes in His works
*We need God to let us be out of our comfort zone
*So our hearts need to be prepared

**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**

Abide in Me and I in Him

2012-02-16T12:33:00.000+08:00

As for you, the anointing you received from him [the Spirit] remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about all things and as that anointing is real, not counterfeit - just as it has taught you, remain in him.......

- 1 John 2:27 -

Thoughts on This Verse... When we became Christians, we were not only cleansed by the Holy Spirit; we were also filled with the Holy Spirit. John speaks of this as our anointing. The Spirit helps us hear the truth about Jesus and keeps us from surrendering that truth to false teaching that would diminish either side of Jesus' identity -- Jesus,''God with us'' or''God like us.'' We abide in Jesus when we hold on to both of these incredible truths.

**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**

Look up

2012-02-16T12:29:00.001+08:00

When you are knocked off your feet by life's difficulties, remember that "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble" -Psalm 46:1

When trouble knocks us down, we can look up. God is there. He understands and cares. It is not easy, but we can trust Him to help us get back on our feet again.

Psalm 116:1-6:

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 over me;
   I was overcome by distress and sorrow.
⁴ Then I called on the name of the LORD:
   “LORD, save me!”
⁵ The LORD is gracious and righteous;
   our God is full of compassion.
⁶ The LORD protects the unwary;
   when I was brought low, he saved me.

**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**

Can't get enough?

2012-02-15T21:15:00.001+08:00

Unfortunately, enough is never enough.

We need the power of Christ to break the cycle so that we can say with Paul, "I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content" -Philippians 4:11

Learning contentment requires practice
"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" v13

Philippians 4:10-20:

Thanks for Their Gifts

¹⁰ I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. ¹¹ I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. ¹² I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. ¹³ I can do all this through him who gives me strength. ¹⁴ Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles. ¹⁵ Moreover, as you Philippians know, in the early days of your acquaintance with the gospel, when I set out from Macedonia, not one church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you only; ¹⁶ for even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me aid more than once when I was in need. ¹⁷ Not that I desire your gifts; what I desire is that more be credited to your account. ¹⁸ I have received full payment and have more than enough. I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. ¹⁹ And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.
²⁰ To our God and Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**

He watches

2012-02-15T08:51:00.002+08:00

He will not let your foot slip -- he who watches over you will not slumber; ..........

- Psalm 121:3 -

Thoughts on This Verse... I still remember when my children were little. I would sneak in and watch them sleep. Sometimes it was to check on them when they were sick. Sometimes it was to just sit and pray for them, joining the Lord as he watched over them while they slept. Sometimes it was to bathe myself in the grace and wonder of God's love for giving me such blessings. Even now that they are much older, I still love to look in on them and pray for them -- on those rare nights we share the same roof -- marveling at the wonder of these precious gifts from the Father. To know that my Abba Father looks at me in the same way, but with even greater delight and joy, fills me with unspeakable wonder.

**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**

Sharp as a sword

2012-02-14T22:32:00.003+08:00

For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.......

- Hebrews 4:12 -

Thoughts on This Verse... What is the greatest tool to repair the human heart? ... by-pass surgery? ... angioplasty? ... artificial heart? ... transplant? How about the Word of God? You see, while these other techniques can be of great aid to the physical heart of people, God's tool for heart surgery is his Word. This sharp scalpel can reach the soul and spirit as well as being a physical blessing. So how much of your heart are you offering to God and his powerful heart-healing tool to touch? As you open God's Scripture, as you hear the message of God preached, why not ask for the Holy Spirit's help to help you understand, apply, and put into practice what is being taught? Let's offer our hearts to the Great Physician to do his work in us!

**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**

Real hope?

2012-02-14T22:31:00.001+08:00

In you, O LORD, I have taken refuge; let me never be put to shame; deliver me in your righteousness.......

- Psalm 31:1 -

Thoughts on This Verse... When all the clutter is stripped away, what is your real hope? When you push aside the diplomas, awards, accolades, and honors, what is the basis of your significance? Only One endures forever! Only God guarantees that our life is significant. Only our Savior can provide for us a place where our valuables won't decay and aren't stolen and won't rot. So let's not place our treasures or our hopes in anyone but the LORD.

**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**

blessed beyond imagination

2012-02-14T22:29:00.000+08:00

The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.......

- Psalm 23:1 -

Thoughts on This Verse... A sheep is only as good as its shepherd. We are incredibly blessed!

**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**

Love is in the air

2012-02-14T22:28:00.001+08:00

In this way, love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment, because in this world we are like him.......

- 1 John 4:17 -

Thoughts on This Verse... Because of what Jesus has done for us, when we live for God lovingly, we can have confidence in the face of death and before God at judgment. Our confidence is not in our efforts, but in our Savior. His love has not only redeemed us; it has changed us. His love is not only a gift to us, but it is a gift through us. We can be confident because we know that Jesus' life is present in us until we can stand with him in the presence of our Father.

**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**

fear in love

2012-02-14T22:26:00.000+08:00

There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.......

- 1 John 4:18 -

Thoughts on This Verse... There are many kinds of fear. Some of these are legitimate. Others are imagined. Still others are irrational. Thankfully, as Christians, we don't have to be afraid of the one crucial event in our lives -- judgment. God's love saves us, empowers us, blesses us, works in us, and touches others through us. Most of all, having experienced this love, we can cast fear out of our hearts because we know where we stand with God. He is our loving Father who longs to bring us home!

**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**

Knowing Christ and its defining effects

2012-02-14T21:41:00.001+08:00

Rev Ting Moy Hong

Philippians 3:1-11:

No Confidence in the Flesh

¹ Further, my brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord! It is no trouble for me to write the same things to you again, and it is a safeguard for you. ² Watch out for those dogs, those evildoers, those mutilators of the flesh. ³ For it is we who are the circumcision, we who serve God by his Spirit, who boast in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh— ⁴ though I myself have reasons for such confidence.    If someone else thinks they have reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: ⁵ circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; ⁶ as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for righteousness based on the law, faultless.
⁷ But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. ⁸ What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ ⁹ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith inChrist—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith. ¹⁰ I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, ¹¹ and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.

12 Feb 2012

*Keep time for the important things in life
*Don't mind saying these things again because it is important
*Paul called Jewish Christian dogs because of their emphasis and self reliant on the laws

*Psalm 14:4-6: ⁴ Do all these evildoers know nothing?
   They devour my people as though eating bread;
   they never call on the LORD.
⁵ But there they are, overwhelmed with dread,
   for God is present in the company of the righteous.
⁶ You evildoers frustrate the plans of the poor,
   but the LORD is their refuge.

*It would be harmful if the focus is turn away from God
*Circumcision has no value in our outward sign
Circumcision
*Deuteronomy 10:13-16:

¹³ and to observe the LORD’s commands and decrees that I am giving you today for your own good? ¹⁴ To the LORD your God belong the heavens, even the highest heavens, the earth and everything in it. ¹⁵ Yet the LORD set his affection on your ancestors and loved them, and he chose you, their descendants, above all the nations—as it is today. ¹⁶ Circumcise your hearts, therefore, and do not be stiff-necked any longer.

*Jeremiah 4:4: ⁴ Circumcise yourselves to the LORD,
   circumcise your hearts,
   you people of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem,
or my wrath will flare up and burn like fire
   because of the evil you have done—
   burn with no one to quench it.

*Deuteronomy 30:6: ⁶ The LORD your God will circumcise your hearts and the hearts of your descendants, so that you may love him with all your heart and with all your soul, and live.

*Romans 2:28-29: ²⁸ A person is not a Jew who is one only outwardly, nor is circumcision merely outward and physical. ²⁹ No, a person is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code. Such a person’s praise is not from other people, but from God.

*Galatians 5:16-25: ¹⁶ So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. ¹⁷ For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. ¹⁸ But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
¹⁹ The acts of the flesh 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, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. ²⁴ Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. ²⁵ Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.

*From nobody to somebody in Christ
*v4-6- Paul is talking about himself
*Paul obeyed every single law-who could have been
*Paul has such confidence nobody has had before
*Surely knowing Christ is something so precious to him
*To differentiate what is important
*Does our daily lives reflect on God living in us?
*v10-11-Coming back to the base- the suffering and resurrection
*No resurrection, no death
*No easter, no good friday
*We need to face death in other things so that Christ can be ushered in our lives
*How does knowing Jesus Christ effect our lives?
*Have we known Christ?

**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**

Till death not do us part

2012-02-14T21:22:00.006+08:00

John 11:1-26:

The Death of Lazarus

¹ Now a man named Lazarus was sick. He was from Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. ² (This Mary, whose brother Lazarus now lay sick, was the same one who poured perfume on the Lord and wiped his feet with her hair.) ³ So the sisters sent word to Jesus, “Lord, the one you love is sick.” ⁴ When he heard this, Jesus said, “This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God’s glory so that God’s Son may be glorified through it.” ⁵ Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. ⁶ So when he heard that Lazarus was sick, he stayed where he was two more days, ⁷ and then he said to his disciples, “Let us go back to Judea.”
⁸ “But Rabbi,” they said, “a short while ago the Jews there tried to stone you, and yet you are going back?”
⁹ Jesus answered, “Are there not twelve hours of daylight? Anyone who walks in the daytime will not stumble, for they see by this world’s light. ¹⁰ It is when a person walks at night that they stumble, for they have no light.”
¹¹ After he had said this, he went on to tell them, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I am going there to wake him up.”
¹² His disciples replied, “Lord, if he sleeps, he will get better.” ¹³ Jesus had been speaking of his death, but his disciples thought he meant natural sleep.
¹⁴ So then he told them plainly, “Lazarus is dead, ¹⁵ and for your sake I am glad I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him.”
¹⁶ Then Thomas (also known as Didymus) said to the rest of the disciples, “Let us also go, that we may die with him.”

Jesus Comforts the Sisters of Lazarus

¹⁷ On his arrival, Jesus found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days. ¹⁸ Now Bethany was less than two miles from Jerusalem, ¹⁹ and many Jews had come to Martha and Mary to comfort them in the loss of their brother. ²⁰ When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went out to meet him, but Mary stayed at home. ²¹ “Lord,” Martha said to Jesus, “if you had been here, my brother would not have died. ²² But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask.”
²³ Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.”
²⁴ Martha answered, “I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.”
²⁵ Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; ²⁶ and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?”

*Lazarus' sickness will bring glory to God
*Lazarus will physically be dead
*Jesus use the word sleep because there would be an awakening
*v14
*When we have a relationship with Jesus and die, we go with Him
*Christians pass on from earth to be where Jesus is
*v23
*v25- Jesus was telling about his own resurrection
*We seek comfort in knowing that we have given our best, our attention for our loved one
*Trusting God to complete the love we have for our dear ones
*Luke 23:26: ²⁶ As the soldiers led him away, they seized Simon from Cyrene, who was on his way in from the country, and put the cross on him and made him carry it behind Jesus.

**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**

Following Christ

2012-02-14T19:14:00.007+08:00

Rev Dr Timothy Ong

29 Jan 2012

*Relate in the way we think and react to each other
*How can we be more of Christ in our thinking and doing

Psalm 139
For the director of music. Of David. A psalm. ¹ You have searched me, LORD,
   and you know me.
² You know when I sit and when I rise;
   you perceive my thoughts from afar.
³ You discern my going out and my lying down;
   you are familiar with all my ways.
⁴ Before a word is on my tongue
   you, LORD, know it completely.
⁵ You hem me in behind and before,
   and you lay your hand upon me.
⁶ Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
   too lofty for me to attain.
⁷ Where can I go from your Spirit?
   Where can I flee from your presence?
⁸ If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
   if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
⁹ If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
   if I settle on the far side of the sea,
¹⁰ even there your hand will guide me,
   your right hand will hold me fast.
¹¹ If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me
   and the light become night around me,”
¹² even the darkness will not be dark to you;
   the night will shine like the day,
   for darkness is as light to you.
¹³ For you created my inmost being;
   you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
¹⁴ I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
   your works are wonderful,
   I know that full well.
¹⁵ My frame was not hidden from you
   when I was made in the secret place,
   when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.
¹⁶ Your eyes saw my unformed body;
   all the days ordained for me were written in your book
   before one of them came to be.
¹⁷ How precious to me are your thoughts,God!
   How vast is the sum of them!
¹⁸ Were I to count them,
   they would outnumber the grains of sand—
   when I awake, I am still with you.
¹⁹ If only you, God, would slay the wicked!
   Away from me, you who are bloodthirsty!
²⁰ They speak of you with evil intent;
   your adversaries misuse your name.
²¹ Do I not hate those who hate you, LORD,
   and abhor those who are in rebellion against you?
²² I have nothing but hatred for them;
   I count them my enemies.
²³ Search me, God, and know my heart;
   test me and know my anxious thoughts.
²⁴ See if there is any offensive way in me,
   and lead me in the way everlasting.

-Crafted by God. Our identity, way of life
- we must have Jesus in our life because our life cannot walk alone
*We should have the mindset and thinking like Jesus, to live like Him
*The status of your life on earth has not changed but we begin to relate more to people surrounding your life
*Meaning of fear and trembling-seriousness of being like Christ
*Fearful of failing God who has been at work with us and making us more Christlike
*We complain because we do not get what we want
*We must uphold our weaknesses to Jesus Christ
*Our focus must always be on Jesus
*Crooked and depraved generation because they have been deprived of Jesus
*They feel depress and longing to hear some real good news that will bring life to them
*We've got the good news
*He said that He will never leave nor abandon us
*A beacon of light= comfort, purpose
*If we are able to be more like Jesus Christ, it is worth everything
*In becoming more like Jesus Christ, we must put our ego self away and constantly live in awareness of Christ presence with us in all that we do and think

**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**

On The Threshold of God's Work

2012-02-14T17:37:00.004+08:00

Joshua 5:1-15: ¹ Now when all the Amorite kings west of the Jordan and all the Canaanite kings along the coast heard how the LORD had dried up the Jordan before the Israelites until they had crossed over, their hearts melted in fear and they no longer had the courage to face the Israelites.

Circumcision and Passover at Gilgal

The Fall of Jericho

¹³ Now when Joshua was near Jericho, he looked up and saw a man standing in front of him with a drawn sword in his hand. Joshua went up to him and asked, “Are you for us or for our enemies?” ¹⁴ “Neither,” he replied, “but as commander of the army of the LORD I have now come.” Then Joshua fell facedown to the ground in reverence, and asked him, “What message does my Lord^[e] have for his servant?”
¹⁵ The commander of the LORD’s army replied, “Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy.” And Joshua did so.

Introduction
Israel renews the covenant before experiencing the fullness of God's work
*Nation of Israel found themselves that a promise land is for them
*God's promises was on them
*Joshua 3:8: ⁸ Tell the priests who carry the ark of the covenant: ‘When you reach the edge of the Jordan’s waters, go and stand in the river.’”

*As we wait for God's revival and for God to act in and through our lives

Explanation
God prepared the people of Israel to enter the Promised Lang through:
i) An Act of Deliverance
Joshua 3:14-17: ¹⁴ So when the people broke camp to cross the Jordan, the priests carrying the ark of the covenant went ahead of them. ¹⁵ Now the Jordan is at flood stage all during harvest. Yet as soon as the priests who carried the ark reached the Jordan and their feet touched the water’s edge, ¹⁶ the water from upstream stopped flowing. It piled up in a heap a great distance away, at a town called Adam in the vicinity of Zarethan, while the water flowing down to the Sea of the Arabah (that is, the Dead Sea) was completely cut off. So the people crossed over opposite Jericho. ¹⁷ The priests who carried the ark of the covenant of the LORD stopped in the middle of the Jordan and stood on dry ground, while all Israel passed by until the whole nation had completed the crossing on dry ground.

Joshua 4:19-24: ¹⁹ On the tenth day of the first month the people went up from the Jordan and camped at Gilgal on the eastern border of Jericho. ²⁰ And Joshua set up at Gilgal the twelve stones they had taken out of the Jordan. ²¹ He said to the Israelites, “In the future when your descendants ask their parents, ‘What do these stones mean?’ ²² tell them, ‘Israel crossed the Jordan on dry ground.’ ²³ For the LORD your God dried up the Jordan before you until you had crossed over. The LORD your God did to the Jordan what he had done to the Red Sea when he dried it up before us until we had crossed over. ²⁴ He did this so that all the peoples of the earth might know that the hand of the LORD is powerful and so that you might always fear the LORD your God.”

*1st generation rejected the promised land
*2nd generation must now accept
ii) Circumcision and Celebration
Joshua 5:2-10:

Circumcision and Passover at Gilgal

² At that time the LORD said to Joshua, “Make flint knives and circumcise the Israelites again.” ³ So Joshua made flint knives and circumcised the Israelites at Gibeath Haaraloth. ⁴ Now this is why he did so: All those who came out of Egypt—all the men of military age—died in the wilderness on the way after leaving Egypt. ⁵ All the people that came out had been circumcised, but all the people born in the wilderness during the journey from Egypt had not. ⁶ The Israelites had moved about in the wilderness forty years until all the men who were of military age when they left Egypt had died, since they had not obeyed the LORD. For the LORD had sworn to them that they would not see the land he had solemnly promised their ancestors to give us, a land flowing with milk and honey. ⁷ So he raised up their sons in their place, and these were the ones Joshua circumcised. They were still uncircumcised because they had not been circumcised on the way. ⁸ And after the whole nation had been circumcised, they remained where they were in camp until they were healed.
⁹ Then the LORD said to Joshua, “Today I have rolled away the reproach of Egypt from you.” So the place has been called Gilgal to this day.
¹⁰ On the evening of the fourteenth day of the month, while camped at Gilgal on the plains of Jericho, the Israelites celebrated the Passover.

*Circumcision was for them as an act of faith
*Made no military sense because circumcising all soldiers would make no one able to fight
*God wanted to show He would protect them and to trust Him alone
iii)Provision in the Promised Land
Joshua 5:11-12: ¹¹ The day after the Passover, that very day, they ate some of the produce of the land: unleavened bread and roasted grain. ¹² The manna stopped the day after^[a] they ate this food from the land; there was no longer any manna for the Israelites, but that year they ate the produce of Canaan.

*Israelites started to realize the reality
*Move from desert provision to real food
*Started to see the blessings of God from temporary to permanent

Application
We look forward to God's work in the new year by:
1. Remembering our identity as God's chosen people
-Having being delivers from death, we now have a spiritual circumcision in Christ
Romans 2:28-29: ²⁸ A person is not a Jew who is one only outwardly, nor is circumcision merely outward and physical. ²⁹ No, a person is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code. Such a person’s praise is not from other people, but from God.

Colossians 2:1: ¹¹ In him you were also circumcised with a circumcision not performed by human hands. Your whole self ruled by the fleshwas put off when you were circumcised byChrist,

-Act of faith: to be "circumcised" or set apart is to be vulnerable
Joshua 5:8: ⁸ And after the whole nation had been circumcised, they remained where they were in camp until they were healed.

Luke 14:33: ³³ In the same way, those of you who do not give up everything you have cannot be my disciples.

-Whatever that is replacing Christ will be taken away
-An act of renewal: God's rolls away our former shame
Joshua 5:9: ⁹ Then the LORD said to Joshua, “Today I have rolled away the reproach of Egypt from you.” So the place has been called Gilgal to this day.

2 Corinthians 5:17: ¹⁷ Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!

-Other people might ask you your hope and identity
*Our identity can be replaced and diminished when we do not come back and remember our past/familiar identity
*We have a spiritual instead of physical circumcision
*We need God's spirit to cleanse and circumcise or heart and mind
*We need to experience this first-hand

2. Living under God's Promise
-Blessedness and Calling
Joshua 1:1-5:

Joshua Installed as Leader

¹ After the death of Moses the servant of the LORD, the LORD said to Joshua son of Nun, Moses’ aide: ² “Moses my servant is dead. Now then, you and all these people, get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land I am about to give to them—to the Israelites. ³ I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses. ⁴ Your territory will extend from the desert to Lebanon, and from the great river, the Euphrates—all the Hittite country—to the Mediterranean Sea in the west. ⁵ No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.

Matthew 5:1-16:

Introduction to the Sermon on the Mount

¹ Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, ² and he began to teach them.

The Beatitudes

    He said:    ³ “Blessed are the poor in spirit,
   for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
⁴ Blessed are those who mourn,
   for they will be comforted.
⁵ Blessed are the meek,
   for they will inherit the earth.
⁶ Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
   for they will be filled.
⁷ Blessed are the merciful,
   for they will be shown mercy.
⁸ Blessed are the pure in heart,
   for they will see God.
⁹ Blessed are the peacemakers,
   for they will be called children of God.
¹⁰ Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
   for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
   ¹¹ “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. ¹² Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Salt and Light

¹³ “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. ¹⁴ “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. ¹⁵ Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. ¹⁶ In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

-God's faithful provision
Joshua 5:11-12: ¹¹ The day after the Passover, that very day, they ate some of the produce of the land: unleavened bread and roasted grain. ¹² The manna stopped the day afterthey ate this food from the land; there was no longer any manna for the Israelites, but that year they ate the produce of Canaan.

Matthew 6:31-33:

³¹ So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ ³² For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. ³³ But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

-Faithfully line up our calling
Matthew 5:3-10: ³ “Blessed are the poor in spirit,
   for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
⁴ Blessed are those who mourn,
   for they will be comforted.
⁵ Blessed are the meek,
   for they will inherit the earth.
⁶ Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
   for they will be filled.
⁷ Blessed are the merciful,
   for they will be shown mercy.
⁸ Blessed are the pure in heart,
   for they will see God.
⁹ Blessed are the peacemakers,
   for they will be called children of God.
¹⁰ Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
   for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Isaiah 43:1-3:

Israel’s Only Savior

¹ But now, this is what the LORD says—
   he who created you, Jacob,
   he who formed you, Israel:
“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
   I have summoned you by name; you are mine.
² When you pass through the waters,
   I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers,
   they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire,
   you will not be burned;
   the flames will not set you ablaze.
³ For I am the LORD your God,
   the Holy One of Israel, your Savior;
I give Egypt for your ransom,
   Cush and Seba in your stead.

3. Aligning ourselves with God to experience His Victory
-The only sure victory is God's victory
Joshua 3:9-11: ⁹ Joshua said to the Israelites, “Come here and listen to the words of the LORD your God. ¹⁰ This is how you will know that the living God is among you and that he will certainly drive out before you the Canaanites, Hittites, Hivites, Perizzites, Girgashites, Amorites and Jebusites. ¹¹ See, the ark of the covenant of the Lord of all the earth will go into the Jordan ahead of you.

1 Corinthians 15:22-26: ²² For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. ²³ But each in turn: Christ, the firstfruits; then, when he comes, those who belong to him. ²⁴ Then the end will come, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father after he has destroyed all dominion, authority and power. ²⁵ For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. ²⁶ The last enemy to be destroyed is death.

-Joshua could not presume on God' he needed to make sure he was in line with God's purposes
Joshua 5:13-15:

The Fall of Jericho

Imperfect flaws

2012-02-10T14:55:00.000+08:00

Sometimes it is easier for us to understand people who aren't perfect because we know that WE are imperfect

Yet by God's grace we can overcome those imperfections by embracing His "strength (which) is made perfect in weakness" - 2 Corinthians 12:9

**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**

God is good, all the time!

2012-02-10T14:53:00.001+08:00

Psalm 100

A psalm. For giving grateful praise. ¹ Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth.
² Worship the LORD with gladness;
   come before him with joyful songs.
³ Know that the LORD is God.
   It is he who made us, and we are his;
   we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.
⁴ Enter his gates with thanksgiving
   and his courts with praise;
   give thanks to him and praise his name.
⁵ For the LORD is good and his love endures forever;
   his faithfulness continues through all generations.

"A man's steps are directed by the Lord" - Proverbs

**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**

Great is your reward

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When we are persecuted for His sake, for example, He says to "rejoice...for great is your reward in heaven" - Matthew 5:12

Jesus instructed us to do these things privately, because "your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly"

Yet we don't serve Jesus for the rewards. When He died for us on the cross, He did far more for us than we deserve.

Loyalty to Him is an act of worship that expresses our loving gratitude for His love toward us

In return, He delights to encourage us with the assurance that ultimately His rewards will outweigh whatever we have given up for Him.

LIVE FOR JESUS- REGARDLESS OF THE COST

**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**

refuge-less

2012-02-10T14:43:00.003+08:00

In you, O LORD, I have taken refuge; let me never be put to shame; deliver me in your righteousness.......

Your affairs, my affairs

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Rev Ting Moy Hong

5/2/2012

Philippians 2:19-30:

Timothy and Epaphroditus

¹⁹ I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, that I also may be cheered when I receive news about you. ²⁰ I have no one else like him, who will show genuine concern for your welfare. ²¹ For everyone looks out for their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. ²² But you know that Timothy has proved himself, because as a son with his father he has served with me in the work of the gospel. ²³ I hope, therefore, to send him as soon as I see how things go with me. ²⁴ And I am confident in the Lord that I myself will come soon. ²⁵ But I think it is necessary to send back to you Epaphroditus, my brother, co-worker and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger, whom you sent to take care of my needs. ²⁶ For he longs for all of you and is distressed because you heard he was ill. ²⁷ Indeed he was ill, and almost died. But God had mercy on him, and not on him only but also on me, to spare me sorrow upon sorrow. ²⁸ Therefore I am all the more eager to send him, so that when you see him again you may be glad and I may have less anxiety. ²⁹ So then, welcome him in the Lord with great joy, and honor people like him, ³⁰ because he almost died for the work of Christ. He risked his life to make up for the help you yourselves could not give me.

*Paul was testing waters among the Philippians
*Paul's concern is looking after other people's interest
*Do it without complaining and holding out the word of life
*That is the reason he sent Timothy
*He preached the gospel for the gospel sake, nothing else
*v22 - Timothy is his co-labourer labouring by Paul's side
*Friends are not meant to be taken granted for
*Paul is not trying to be dominating by sending Timothy but because he is caring
*"But we'll see how things go"
*v22-24
*Epaphroditus is Paul's brother, messenger, someone close whom he trust
*v30- journey was tough
*shows that Epaphroditus is a perserverant man
*We should care about other people's interest more than our own
*There are those who have live a life purely for the advancement of God
*Makes us wonder is Epaphroditus a great man
*Church is a community of faith for Paul, Timothy and Epaphroditus
*Their bonds have been common with Jesus Christ
*Was he being controlling by sending the Israelites another person to look after?
*Not really, but He was just providing in Christ
*Because we share the same Christ, what was happening to him affected Him
*My Affairs, Your Affairs because we share the same Lord and purpose of preaching the word
*These people will be a living testimony for the Philippians
*In Christ, we are unique having our own experience but at the end of the day, we are still brothers and sisters in Christ
*There would always be a place for us to return
*My Affairs, Your Affairs. That should be the community of faith
*Requires a continuous day to day choice to look our for others' welfare and to learn to forget and forgive as a Christian community
*True Christian community involves sharing our lives for Christ
*We need to see ourselves be accountable to one another so that we can build a community
*Numbers do not indicate that it is true Christian community
*When we don't look out for our friend's welfare, we might face things we do not want
*It is very easy to point fingers at country leaders but we are Christians can begin with us by looking out for one another as we are called to be because we are all one in Christ to be a beacon of light to take place within the community and care for one another's affairs

**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**

Obey is love

2012-02-08T15:07:00.002+08:00

If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.......

- John 14:23 -

Thoughts on This Verse... This chapter begins with Jesus promising that he is going back to heaven to prepare a place for us. Now, however, he wants us to know that we don't have to wait until heaven to be in the presence of God. As we love God and obey his Word, God comes and makes his home with us. Isn't it an amazing and gracious thought: God, the Creator of the Universe, the Holy One of Israel lives in me!

**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**

Great is Thy Faithfulness

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''And so I will show my greatness and my holiness, and I will make myself known in the sight of many nations. Then they will know that I am the LORD.''......

- Ezekiel 38:23 -

Thoughts on This Verse... ''They will know that I am the LORD'' is a familiar refrain in Ezekiel's prophecies. Here it is also a horrifying one to his people who have been rebellious, sinful, and wicked. God is holy. The people who claim him as their God had better reflect that glory and greatness. They had better magnify God's holiness. If they do not, God will do so even at their expense. God will be known as God. In a day when so many profane the name of God and use it so glibly in their reactions and frustration, this is a sobering reminder that even the name of God is holy. He will show his greatness and holiness.

**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**

Rejoice!

2012-02-03T15:44:00.003+08:00

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!......

- Philippians 4:4 -

Thoughts on This Verse... Sometimes the squabbles of church can be discouraging and cause us to lose sight of the incredible blessings we have in God's family. We have many reasons to rejoice in the Lord. Let's not lose sight of those, especially when those around us get caught up in pettiness and rivalry. Let's remember our hope is in the crucified Nazarene, who is also our resurrected Lord and ever-present Savior.

**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**

Only you Lord, only you

2012-02-02T21:37:00.003+08:00

No one has ever seen God, but God the One and Only, who is at the Father's side, has made him known.......

- John 1:18 -

Thoughts on This Verse... Jesus is God's greatest message. He not only proclaims and declares God's love, mercy, and grace; he has made it known. Only Jesus can display God to us fully, for he is one with the Father. Yet when we ''see'' Jesus ministering in the Gospels, we see God. If we want to know how God feels about us, all we have to do is look at how Jesus ministers to others. If we want to know what God would do for us, we can notice what Jesus does to bless others. Jesus is our window to the Father's heart. So why not make a commitment to get to know Jesus better by spending more time with him in the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John)? If you do, you will better know God!

**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**

Salty

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''You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men.''......

- Matthew 5:13 -

Thoughts on This Verse... Jesus wanted us to never give up our moral distinctiveness, our redemptive influence, or our loving impact on those around us. The purpose of our presence in the world is to be an influence in our culture against further decay and to season the bitter, dog-eat-dog world with grace and mercy.

**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**

Lord, I'm amazed:)

2012-02-02T21:08:00.003+08:00

''Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! ... For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen.''......

- Romans 11:33-36 -

Thoughts on This Verse... Some things in Scripture don't need commentary, explanations, or elaboration; they just need to be spoken and believed. I encourage you to memorize this short passage of praise and keep it close to your heart, and let it come from your lips during all your times of difficulty as well as times of bounty and blessing.

**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**

Humility

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Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.......

- 1 Peter 5:6-7 -

Thoughts on This Verse... You've probably had a similar experience to this one. Someone asks you how you're doing. At first, they seem interested, but as you begin to share the burdens of your heart, you begin to realize that they aren't really listening and aren't really interested; they're just being polite. Most people have so many burdens they simply don't know what to do with more. Our Father in heaven, however, says''Cast all your anxieties on me. You can share all of them with me, because I genuinely care for you.''

**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**

Modeling

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Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped.........

- Philippians 2:5-6 -

Thoughts on This Verse... Jesus did not hang on to his heavenly glory, but surrendered it to save us. Now he asks us to follow his example and share his heart. He wants us to treat each other as he has treated us, thinking of others' needs and God's will before our own. Now that's one revolution I hope I get to see fully happen!

**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**

Not seeing to believe

2012-01-19T13:00:00.005+08:00

The danger of those who doubt is that they stop looking for God because they believe He can't be found. Moses warned the Israelites that future generations would wander from God. He promised, however, that those who seek God with all their heart and soul will find Him

Deuteronomy 4:29: ²⁹ But if from there you seek the LORD your God, you will find him if you seek him with all your heart and with all your soul.

The book of Hebrews confirms that God rewards those who diligently seek Him

Deuteronomy 11:6: ⁶ and what he did to Dathan and Abiram, sons of Eliab the Reubenite, when the earth opened its mouth right in the middle of all Israel and swallowed them up with their households, their tents and every living thing that belonged to them.

If we struggle to believe, remember: Just because you don't see God doesn't mean He doesn't exist. He promises to be found by those who seek Him

**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**

Prayers heard

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This poor man called, and the LORD heard him; he saved him out of all his troubles.......

- Psalm 34:6 -

Thoughts on This Verse... So few hear the cry of the poor or respond to the plight of the disadvantaged. If we are going to be true children of our Father, his values must become our own, his lost sheep must become our quest. Let's help others around us who are in need find that when they call to God, they are not forgotten. Let's be his delivery system of grace.

**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**

Direction

2012-01-19T12:53:00.001+08:00

Direct my footsteps according to your word; let no sin rule over me.......

- Psalm 119:133-

Thoughts on This Verse... God's word is a light to our dark path in a morally uncertain world. It must be our standard for right and wrong, righteousness and evil. As God's will and Word have sway in our life, we are delivered from all sorts of destructive practices that can ruin our lives.

**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**

Wages of sin is death!

2012-01-17T13:25:00.003+08:00

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.......

- Romans 6:23 -

Thoughts on This Verse... Our sin earns us death. God's grace gives us life. The difference between these two extremes? The Cross of Christ which spans the chasm of our sin and brings us to the mercy, forgiveness, and redemption of God!

**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**

I surrender all!

2012-01-17T13:11:00.001+08:00

Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.......

- Proverbs 16:3 -

Thoughts on This Verse... The real question behind this promise is very simple: How do I define success for my plans? The answer is very simple as well: bringing glory to God for his grace (see Eph. 1:6, 12, 14). Committing our works and plans to God means surrendering them to God's will (James 4:13-15), trusting that God will be glorified in them (Col. 3:17), and recognizing that it is not in our power to properly guide our own steps (Prov. 16:9). God longs to bless us and empower us -- not for our own selfish ambition (James 3:16), but for our eternal good (Rom. 8:28) and God's glory. Like Jesus, when we commit our plans and works to the Lord, we are saying,''Not my will, Father, but yours be done!''

**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**

Life Worthy Of The Gospel

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*Philippians 1:1-11:

Philippians 1

¹ Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus,
To all God’s holy people 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 and, 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 for the day of Christ, ¹¹ filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.

*Affection Paul has for His people
*They were concern if Paul was going to be executed
*Knowing his good friends cared for Paul, he shifted the focus towards Jesus
*Philippians 1:12-26:

Paul’s Chains Advance the Gospel

¹² Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters,that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel. ¹³ As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. ¹⁴ And because of my chains, most of the brothers and sisters have become confident in the Lord and dare all the more to proclaim the gospel without fear. ¹⁵ It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. ¹⁶ The latter do so out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. ¹⁷ The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains. ¹⁸ But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice.
Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, ¹⁹ for I know that through your prayers and God’s provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance.²⁰ I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. ²¹ For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. ²² If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! ²³ I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; ²⁴ but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. ²⁵ Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, ²⁶ so that through my being with you again your boasting in Christ Jesus will abound on account of me.

*Paul related to his close friends that he was fine
*v13: ¹³ As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ.

*Paul had the opportunity to preach to the guards. Paul sees it in that way
*v14: ¹⁴ And because of my chains, most of the brothers and sisters have become confident in the Lord and dare all the more to proclaim the gospel without fear.

*v15: ¹⁵ It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill.

*Gave Paul the opportunity to correct the misunderstanding
*Paul was not complaining or accusing other people for preaching the gospel out of selfish ambition
*Jesus did not say much about His suffering
*Instead of becoming depress on rumours and hard times. Paul's deep heart says it is alright because the gospel is preached at the end of the day even though it comes from selfish ambition
*Paul was single mindedly occupied with Jesus
*For me to live is Christ, to die is gain
*Death is not something to be feared, but to be rejoiced
*To die is to relive
*v24: ²⁴ but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body - remain with you

*We may boast in Jesus Christ through Paul
*This is an example to be passionate for Jesus Christ
*When we do church, is Christ still proclaimed?
*Requires debts for insight and sermon
*More important than health we should see for knowledge and gaps of insight for sermon
*v27-30:

Life Worthy of the Gospel

²⁷ Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit,striving together as one for the faith of the gospel ²⁸ without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved—and that by God. ²⁹ For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him, ³⁰ since you are going through the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear that I still have.

*They were anxious if they would ever see Paul again
*Paul reassured them that whatever happened, conduct in a manner worthy of Christ
*Paul was addressing concern of the church. that was affected
*We may have differences but can we stand together and stand by what we believe in?
*We will be saved not by our doing but by God
*Suffer for and to Christ
*Are you doing your job today?
*For Christians, it is not God's will for you to be poor or ill but Christians need to suffer for God
*We live in an age so informed by the media
*We should then feel good about it
*If we say we believe in Christ, we should be ready to suffer for Christ
*Leaders and Pastors suppose to conduct them well but in a manner worthy of the gospel
*When this situation comes, we should be ready for it
*We must ask ourselves if we have shared Christ to our workplace, family etc
*Will Jesus Christ be preached?
*We are called to follow Christ
*If our live is filled with passion of Christ, the world will change
*Ministry motivated by the passion of Christ

**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**

SuffeRing

2012-01-15T15:32:00.001+08:00

Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.......

- Romans 5:3-4 -

Thoughts on This Verse... What are you living to produce in your life? Wealth? Fame? Status? Significance? Legacy? How about character! Isn't having the character of God our real goal in life? So even in our worst of times, if we can be people of character, then nothing can steal from us our most desired goal, the character of God, given us in Jesus Christ.

**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**

My delight is in the Lord

2012-01-15T14:19:00.003+08:00

But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night.......

- Psalm 1:2 -

Thoughts on This Verse... Delight! In things of God do you find delight? What holy things of the Father in heaven hold your thoughts throughout the day? Why not join me in trying to put more of God's word in your head through memorization and into your heart through prayerful Bible study?!

**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**

Make Disciples, Multiple Leaders

2012-01-13T14:31:00.005+08:00

Senior Pastor Daniel Ho
8th January 2012
Dream Centre

*Every year passes by faster but the best is yet to come
*The call to make disciples
Matthew 28:19: ¹⁹ Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

Character of a disciple:
-a learner, pupil, follower of Christ
Matthew 1:16-18: ¹⁶ and Jacob the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary, and Mary was the mother of Jesus who is called the Messiah.
¹⁷ Thus there were fourteen generations in all from Abraham to David, fourteen from David to the exile to Babylon, and fourteen from the exile to the Messiah.

Joseph Accepts Jesus as His Son

¹⁸ This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about^[a]: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit.

*'disciple'= Mathetes (Greek)- Martyr
*Cost of being Jesus' Disciples:-

whole-hearted and full-blooded commitment

*Consequence of such discipleship:
It is critical: The stakes are high
John 10:10: ¹⁰ The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
- thus the cost is hugh

*The only way to save the world

1 Timothy 2:5-6: ⁵ For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, ⁶ who gave himself as a ransom for all people. This has now been witnessed to at the proper time.
-Thus, we must have full of passion and it must be urgent

*The only way to transform the world

Philippians 2:14-16: ¹⁴ Do everything without grumbling or arguing, ¹⁵ so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.”^[a] Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky ¹⁶ as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain.

*It is the kind of people God wants
*When we do not complain, moan, we will make a different in our community, workplace
*Only by transforming people can we transform society

Commission to the world

Matthew 28:18-19:

¹⁸ Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. ¹⁹ Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

*To make disciples of all nations -ethne (Greek)
1. Status of the Great Commission
A church for every people group

2. The Gospel to the Ends of the Earth
How can we do this? Bible translation, make use of movies and Christian radio broadcasting

3. Dramatic recent progress
Stagnant, growing or declining
It is growing in an evangelical way

A Challenge of unfinished task

1. Spiritual challenge- Satan does not give up without a battle

2. Population challenge

3. People group challenge- geographic barriers

4. Political/National challenge- linguistic/cultural barriers

5. Resource challenge-imbalance in missionaries, distribution or finances

*That these might be worshipers
Revelation 7:9: ⁹ After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands.

To Multiply leaders effectively
2 Timothy 2:2: ² And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others.
-mentoring and accountability

*We pour only the Good things in peoples' lives
*Place importance in nurturing the leaders because it shows in church

What kind of leaders do we need?
*People with endurance (v3) ³ Join with me in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.

*Guard against entanglements (v4) No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs, but rather tries to please his commanding officer. - don't get sidetrack!

*Watch out with relationships, addictions, greed
*Play by the rules (v5) Similarly, anyone who competes as an athlete does not receive the victor’s crown except by competing according to the rules.

*Hardworking (v6) ⁶ The hardworking farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops.

*To make disciples and multiply leaders in a certain kind of culture

-Humility

-Holiness (take sin seriously)

-Authenticity (genuine)

*When there is authenticity, there is authority- we have nothing to be afraid about

-Generiousity

-Faith

-Courage-there are people that will make you suffer but we must have courage to stand for Jesus

-Servanthood

**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**

No man

2012-01-13T13:25:00.002+08:00

No one has ever seen God, but God the One and Only, who is at the Father's side, has made him known.......

Love God, Love Man

2012-01-13T01:55:00.000+08:00

God’s Love and Ours

Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.

-1 John 4:7-12-

**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**

Self-denial

2012-01-12T12:42:00.000+08:00

Then he said to them all:''If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.''......

- Luke 9:23 -

Thoughts on This Verse... Offering ourselves to God isn't easy because it means we must first die to our own selfish will. Like Jesus did in the Garden of Gethsemane, we face our own cross and must cry out,''Not my will, dear Father, but your will be done!''

**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**

Wo-men

2012-01-12T12:38:00.000+08:00

He who finds a wife finds what is good and receives favor from the LORD.......

- Proverbs 18:22 -

Thoughts on This Verse... Several great truths are taught us in the opening chapters of the Bible. First, we are made in God's image, both male and female. Second, we are made to be different (male and female). Third, we are made to bless each other and be complements of one another. Fourth, we are made to leave our families of origin and build our lives together (Gen. 1:26-2:25). To find a partner for life, one created by God in his image, is to find what is truly good!

**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**

Heavily guarded

2012-01-12T12:36:00.000+08:00

Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes.......

- Ephesians 6:11 -

Thoughts on This Verse... So often we are focused only on the things that we like, that we are good at doing, or that we are interested in accomplishing. God wants us to use every piece of his spiritual armor. He wants us to be disciplined and grow in the areas of our spiritual weakness and the areas we don't necessarily find exciting or interesting. Our evil opponent is crafty and will try to attack us in the areas of our weakness and vulnerability. So let's not just commit to be diligent in the areas of our interest and strength, but also in those areas where we are not.

**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**

Patience, my friend

2012-01-08T23:53:00.003+08:00

A patient man has great understanding, but a quick-tempered man displays folly.......

- Proverbs 14:29 -

Thoughts on This Verse... Responding quickly to aggravation, threat, insult, or difficulty suggests strength to many folks today. However, responding hastily out of anger is foolish. This response seldom produces the desired long term effect and nearly always compounds the problems that need to be addressed. Patiently dealing with frustrating and painful situations shows understanding and is nearly always more fruitful in the long run.

**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**

Trust and be blessed

2012-01-08T23:50:00.003+08:00

Whoever gives heed to instruction prospers, and blessed is he who trusts in the LORD.......

- Proverbs 16:20 -

Thoughts on This Verse... Those who seek the instruction of God's wisdom and who trust in God for their life's blessings and values will find joyful prosperity. While this philosophy doesn't play well in the world of commercials, this understanding is the key to a blessed and prosperous life!

**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**

Overlooked blessings

2012-01-06T13:35:00.004+08:00

Since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.......

- 2 Corinthians 7:1 -

Thoughts on This Verse... God has blessed us with so many wonderful promises. He has secured them through the sending of his Son''to conquer death and bring life and immortality to light.'' He will''transform our lowly bodies to be like his glorious body.'' He will take us home to be with him eternally, but until that day, he will live inside us and reveal himself to us. He will make us more than conquerors and will not allow anything to separate us from his love. So what should our response be? Yes, surely we should offer him praise. But, we must not limit our praise to words. God wants our lives to be pure, staying away from what is evil, vile, putrid, and corrupt. He wants us to do this, not so we can claim some moral superiority, but so that we can show him our adoration and reverence. In our desire to offer God praise, let's not forget that one of the greatest ways to praise him is to seek him in purity and holiness!

**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**

Belonging

2012-01-05T16:05:00.000+08:00

If we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.......

- Romans 14:8 -

Thoughts on This Verse... We are the Lord's. He bought us out of bondage to sin and death. We have voluntarily placed our lives in his hands. No matter what we do or where we go, his grace goes with us. He has promised to never leave us. He has assured us that nothing can separate us from his love. So let's live with a sense of excited anticipation, looking to see where the Lord will lead us. Let us face difficulty, and even death, with the assurance that we will not face tough times alone. Even in the shadow of death, we don't have to fear what the evil can do. We are the Lord's.

**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**

Centrality of Christ

2012-01-04T15:15:00.000+08:00

Greetings and Prayer

Rev Dr Timothy Ong

1st January 2012

*Passionate church- more of Jesus in our church
*Philippians 1:1: ¹ Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all God’s holy people in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with the overseers and deacons

*Paul gives a personal introduction
*The saints are the call of people like you and me
*The work of grace is going to lead us on till eternity
*We must be able to live peacefully with each other and remove the blockages to experience the full peace of God

1. Praying for one another

*Remembering one another with thanksgiving to God (v3)
³ I thank my God every time I remember you.

*Appreciating one another's contribution and works in ministry (v4)
⁴ In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy

*Galatians 5:22: ²² But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

*Remember to pray for our town, spouse, the sick, and ourselves
*We must desire the best for each other
*Philippians 1:6: 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.

2.Our feeling towards one another (v7,8)

*Bonding and oneness in God's grace (v7)
⁷ It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart and, whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God’s grace with me.

*Affection in Jesus Christ (v8)
⁸ God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus.

*If we're concern for others, we should pray for them

3. Our desire for each other (v9-11)

*Growing in the knowledge and insight of Christs' love
*Knowledge through learning
*Insight through learning from others
*Producing fruit of righteouness
*Remembering one another and not taking them for granted
*We should have more of His grace as we interact with one another
*Working inclusive and exclusive of the Holy Spirit
Closing thoughts
*How to have more of Christ in us?
*Praying for all these to be realized

**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**

Live to Die

2012-01-04T14:39:00.000+08:00

If we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.......

But Joy comes in the morning

2012-01-03T18:02:00.000+08:00

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. All who rage against you will surely be ashamed and disgraced; those who oppose you will be as nothing and perish.......

- Isaiah 41:10-11 -

Thoughts on This Verse... Not only does God's blessing rest on us, his presence goes with us. We cannot ever be in a place where he is not with us (see Psalm 139). His presence and power will uphold us and strengthen us. No matter what may happen in and to our physical bodies or our physical worlds, in Jesus, God has given us the ultimate triumph over every enemy and all wickedness. Even Jesus' doubters and enemies will worship our Lord and kneel at his feet and will recognize that our faith is not only appropriate, but it is victorious. (cf. 1 Thess. 1)

**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**

Count your blessings

2012-01-03T18:00:00.003+08:00

From the LORD comes deliverance. May your blessing be on your people.......

- Psalm 3:8 -

Thoughts on This Verse... Deliverance does come from the LORD, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, our Father. So we ask him to bless us with his richest and greatest blessings. But, he has already given his people the very greatest blessing, the gift of his Son. Now if we will only acknowledge and appreciate that blessing.

**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**

Fear not, He has conquered death

2012-01-03T17:54:00.003+08:00

What the wicked dreads will overtake him; what the righteous desire will be granted.......

- Proverbs 10:24 -

Thoughts on This Verse... The wicked fear the triumph of goodness, holiness, and righteousness. They fear not being in control. They fear death's overtaking them. The righteous desire the triumph of goodness, holiness, and righteousness. They offer their lives to be controlled by the Holy Spirit of God. They recognize death is an enemy, but one that has been conquered by their Savior. In times like these, isn't it comforting to know that the things that the wicked fear are really things that they can be sure of receiving!

**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**

Greater things have yet to come

2012-01-03T17:53:00.000+08:00

However, as it is written:''No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him.''......

- 1 Corinthians 2:9 -

Thoughts on This Verse... Kids look forward to Christmas, Disneyland, and summer vacation. They imagine how great those things could be. Christians look forward to heaven and dream of seeing the Lord face to face, of being reunited with those we love who have gone home to the Lord before us, and of sharing in the glory of Jesus and his angels. But we can't even begin to imagine the great things that God has prepared for us. They are far more glorious than anything we can dream or imagine. So let's anticipate being surprised and live with passion for the cause of the Kingdom knowing that any loss, any wound, any trouble, will''not be worth comparing to the glory to be revealed in us'' (Rom. 8:18).

**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**

May the force be with you

2011-12-29T19:03:00.003+08:00

So after they [the church at Antioch] had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them [Barnabas and Saul] and sent them off.......

- Acts 13:3 -

Thoughts on This Verse... While fasting is not widely practiced in many churches today, it is clearly something that was a part of the early church experience. Whether sponsored by our congregations or not, let's make sure that we prepare for major events with a time of prayer and fasting, asking for God's leading, power, and guidance as we embark on his work in the world.

**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**

Good habits

2011-12-29T18:58:00.002+08:00

And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another--and all the more as you see the Day approaching.......

- Hebrews 10:24,25 -

Thoughts on This Verse... We need each other. We cannot make it on our own. God calls us to get together regularly to encourage and to motivate each other to live vibrant lives of service and faith. With the day of Jesus' return and our ultimate victory on the horizon, we should be motivated even more to help and to encourage each other.

**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**

Light shineth over!

2011-12-27T10:37:00.004+08:00

The LORD is my light and my salvation-- whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life-- of whom shall I be afraid?......

- Psalm 27:1 -

Thoughts on This Verse... I love the coast of Maine. The craggy shorelines, the crashing surf, and the lighthouses perched at strategic and well-fortified points along the coastline. I cannot help but think of our heavenly Father when I watch the gloom gather as an impending storm noisily makes its way on shore. There in the storm -- with lightning ripping through the sky, winds howling, and the surf crashing -- stands the light that guides the way, strong against the elements and a beacon of direction and hope. Yes, the LORD, Yahweh the God of Israel, the Almighty Creator of all things, is my light and my salvation. My life, the eternal part of me, is entrusted to him. I choose not to fear. I place my trust in him.

**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**

Glory

2011-12-26T12:14:00.003+08:00

''I have brought you glory on earth by completing the work you gave me to do.''......

- John 17:4 -

Thoughts on This Verse... One of the most amazing things that Jesus ever said, he said to his Father in heaven:''I have completed the work you gave me to do ...'' In fact, when he breathed his last, he said,''It is finished.'' Let's live with the glory of God our highest priority! This is our purpose as God's children (cf. Eph. 1:6, 12, 14; 1 Pet. 2:9-10). The more we live by Kingdom priority (Matt. 6:33), the more we can rest assured that we can finish our lives with a line similar to Jesus'!

**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**

He is the reason

2011-12-25T18:21:00.000+08:00

As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.......

- Psalm 103:12 -

Thoughts on This Verse... Praise and thank God our Father. He doesn't just forgive our sins; he removes them from us completely!

Merry Christmas everyone. Remember that our dear Lord Jesus Christ was born this day and the true meaning of JOY is meant to be spread around!:)

**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**

Obey to Love

2011-12-25T18:16:00.002+08:00

[Jesus said]''Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him.''......

- John 14:21 -

Thoughts on This Verse... Love is much more than a feeling or an attitude: love is an action. When we love, we show it by our deeds. As disciples of Jesus, our love is shown by our obedience to the things Jesus taught. Of course, that obedience brings an incredible blessing -- Jesus reveals himself to those who obey him!

**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**

Everyone can fail you except God

2011-12-25T18:11:00.000+08:00

Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.......

- 1 Corinthians 15:58 -

Thoughts on This Verse... Our financial investment opportunities can be fickle. Friends can disappoint you. Nothing is truly sure except one thing, or better yet, our very special Someone! If we build our lives on his work and his plan, we can hang in, persevere, and even triumph regardless of what happens in this life.

**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**

Sense suround

2011-12-22T20:17:00.002+08:00

Sometimes, someone who professes to know Jesus chooses a life that rejects God's clear teaching. Whether the choices include sexual sin, addictive substances, a lack of ambition, or something else, any action that leaves God out risks ending badly.

If we ignore clear biblical morals and neglect our relationship with God, we can expect trouble.

Keep your senses around you. Live for God by the guidance of His Word

-the Daily Bread-

**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**

Delighted

2011-12-22T13:11:00.002+08:00

He [the one who delights in and meditates upon the Law of the Lord] is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.......

- Psalm 1:3 -

Thoughts on This Verse... Some kinds of earthly delight can feed our hearts for a short time. However, when difficulties come, our hearts will wither in the drought of their false nourishment. On the other hand, delighting in the LORD and in his will for us provides us with ongoing and ever-fresh joy. Out of this God-seeking lifestyle come both short-term and long-term benefits as well as a resiliency that withstands life's worst droughts.

**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**

Gifts

2011-12-21T10:03:00.002+08:00

Our gifts and abilities come to us by God's grace and are to be used by faith in love and service for Christ- not for personal recognition.

-Our daily bread-

**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**

Our best

2011-12-21T10:02:00.002+08:00

What do we gain from all our work?
I know the heavy burdens that God has laid on us. He has set the right time for everything. He has given us a desire to know the future, but never gives us the satisfaction of fully understanding what he does. So I realized that all we can do i to be happy and do the best we can while we are still alive/ All of us should eat and drink and enjoy what we have worked for. It is God's gift.

-Ecclesiastes 3:9-13-

**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**

Helper

2011-12-21T10:00:00.000+08:00

I lift up my eyes to the hills -- where does my help come from? My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.......

- Psalm 121:1-2 -

Thoughts on This Verse... Since God could speak into existence the universe, and since God knows our names and the number of the hairs on our head ... surely we know that we can go to him for our help. Let's lift up our eyes and our hearts to El Shaddai, Lord God of the Mountains, and know the Almighty sees our needs, hears our requests, and cares about our hearts.

**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**

Rejoice!

2011-12-20T13:32:00.000+08:00

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!......

Lips of an angel

2011-12-19T17:07:00.004+08:00

The lips of the righteous nourish many, but fools die for lack of judgment.......

- Proverbs 10:21 -

Thoughts on This Verse... I have several friends who are very wise in the way they speak. When they do speak up, everyone listens attentively because their words are always wise, well-timed, and worthwhile. Their righteous lives and careful use of words blesses and nourishes all who listen. There are others, however, that are constantly talking about everything and spending little or no time practicing what they preach. Their words are discounted as nothing more than their own desire to hear their own opinions about matters on which they know nothing. We each need to give serious consideration to what we say and how others will view the things that we say.

**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**

Yours faithfully

2011-12-18T22:44:00.003+08:00

Pastor Ricky Ho

18/12/2011

1. Faithful

Acts 20:17-27:¹⁷ From Miletus, Paul sent to Ephesus for the elders of the church. ¹⁸ When they arrived, he said to them: “You know how I lived the whole time I was with you, from the first day I came into the province of Asia. ¹⁹ I served the Lord with great humility and with tears and in the midst of severe testing by the plots of my Jewish opponents. ²⁰ You know that I have not hesitated to preach anything that would be helpful to you but have taught you publicly and from house to house. ²¹ I have declared to both Jews and Greeks that they must turn to God in repentance and have faith in our Lord Jesus.
²² “And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. ²³ I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me. ²⁴ However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.
²⁵ “Now I know that none of you among whom I have gone about preaching the kingdom will ever see me again. ²⁶ Therefore, I declare to you today that I am innocent of the blood of any of you. ²⁷ For I have not hesitated to proclaim to you the whole will of God.

*Adjective
*Minister of God must be faithful in

-serving the Lord

vs 18-20

-preaching the gospel

vs 21

-finishing the course

vs 24-27

2. Faithfulness

*noun
*true to the fact of the original
*steadfastness of stability
*reliability or dependability - God can depend of you to save souls
*We should resolve faithfulness rather than popularity
*The world is watching us
*The saints of God must
-be on guard
vs 28
-protect the church
-be alert
vs 31-32
-Remember God's love
vs 35
*We must not be single minded
*Many people use religion for financial purposes
*We should share with others God's love
*We should start thinking for our future generation
*Always embrace the good things rather than bad things of the church

3. Faithfully

*Adverb
*Actions that one does "in a royal manner"
*All of us must

-Pray

vs 36

-Remember

vs 37

-Begin anew

vs 38

*We make mistakes in the past but God is gracious

*Nobody is perfect, only Jesus

**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**

Unselfish prayer

2011-12-18T22:15:00.001+08:00

''My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.''......

- John 17:20-21 -

Thoughts on This Verse... Few things are more precious than knowing that Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, thought to pray for us! So often, we read the words of John 17 and study them as a prayer for his apostles in the upper room. But if we look closely at this passage, we also see that Jesus prays for us, those who believe on him because of the apostles' testimony. He wants us to be one! He wants us to live with the same unity, purpose, and character of God that he did. If we do not, then how will the people of the world know that God sent his Son? How will they know what to believe? How will they find Jesus as their Savior?

**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**

Wicked sin

2011-12-18T22:08:00.003+08:00

For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace.......

- Romans 6:14 -

Thoughts on This Verse... As we called on Jesus' name in baptism and trusted him to be our Savior, we died to sin. In this death, we die to dying and pass from death to life because of our faith in Jesus and in God's power (John 5:24; Col. 2:12). Our life is joined to Jesus, and his glorious future becomes our own (Col. 3:1-4). We are not under law, but grace. Let's respond to the gift of grace with passion and with zeal to be holy. Let's open ourselves to the transforming work of the Holy Spirit, who changes us to be like Jesus (2 Cor. 3:18). We are grace-children. We are not in bondage to sin, but liberated by grace to be all that God has made us to be -- his craftmanship (Eph. 2:1-10). Sin will not be our master!

**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**

Have a little faith!

2011-12-16T20:03:00.003+08:00

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.......

- Proverbs 3:5-6 -

Thoughts on This Verse... Trust. It can't be half-hearted. Either it is full trust or it is clouded with suspicion. So as we face the everyday challenges of life, or as we look for answers for deep and difficult problems, let's put our full trust in the LORD. Let's ask for his wisdom and guidance as we make our choices so that our paths may be straight. Let's give him praise for the good in our lives and seek his blessing for the days ahead. Why? Because he longs to bless us with life, both now, and forevermore.

**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**

Overflowing gifts

2011-12-15T13:07:00.003+08:00

For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless.......

- Psalm 84:11 -

Thoughts on This Verse... God doesn't hold back on his goodness! In fact, the Father loves to give his children gifts. These gifts are all encompassing. These gifts are gladly given. How do I know? Three ways: 1) I've been repeatedly blessed; 2) I've seen what God has done to bless his people through the centuries; and 3) his Word promises this to be so.

**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**

The Lord's Prayer

2011-12-15T13:06:00.000+08:00

So we say with confidence,''The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?''......

- Hebrews 13:6 -

Thoughts on This Verse... How can we be confident in what happens today? What is our assurance for tomorrow? Where do we muster excitement about eternity? The Lord is our helper! Fear will not be our master because our future, our destiny, our eternity rest in the hands of the eternal Lord. The worst that man can do is to send me home to my Lord.

**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**

Power of your love

2011-12-15T13:04:00.000+08:00

For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.......

- 2 Timothy 1:7 -

Thoughts on This Verse... When we became Christians, Jesus gave us the gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38; Titus 3:3-7). The Spirit lives in us, making our bodies a Temple (1 Cor. 6:19-20) and blessing us in many ways (Romans 8). We can be courageous people even in the face of attack, criticism, and ridicule because of the Spirit's presence. The fruit that the Spirit produces (Gal. 5:22-23) and the love that the Spirit pours into our heart (Rom. 5:5) do not make us weak. Instead, the Spirit's presence is a powerful force to help us overcome sin (Rom. 8:13) and live self-disciplined lives.

**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**

Accountability guaranteed

2011-12-12T17:37:00.001+08:00

Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.......

- James 5:16b -

Thoughts on This Verse... So many hearts, hopes, and homes are broken by sin. This brokenness infects our culture and invades our lives. God has provided both a deterrent to sin and a means of forgiveness for its guilt: honest and genuine confession of our sin. At the heart of confession is a passion to see sin for what it is in the eyes of God and to be anguished for our participation in it. No wonder confession is so healing (cf. 1 John 1:5-2:2). No wonder God wants us to confess our sin to each other and then come to him for each other's healing from sin and its damage. No wonder God grants such power to the prayer of a righteous person interceding for one led to confess. Let's confess our sin and leave it behind.

**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**

Immeasurable

2011-12-11T22:50:00.001+08:00

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.......

- Ephesians 3:20-21 -

Thoughts on This Verse... What is your biggest dream? God longs to do more than that through you! The real question is whether or not you will believe it, receive it, share it and then give him the glory for it!

**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**

Weary not

2011-12-10T13:46:00.001+08:00

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.......

- Galatians 6:9 -

Thoughts on This Verse... Weariness is a part of life. Weariness is a part of ministry. Weariness is definitely something that overtakes us when we set our hearts on doing good for others. The wonderful blessing of God, however, is that he will renew us and sustain us and rekindle us. He does it through the encouraging word of a friend. He does it through his presence, the Holy Spirit in us. He does it through songs that lift our hearts. He does it through Scripture and prayer. So while our bodies and spirits may get weary, let's not let our hands fall idle. If we will serve with faithfulness, discipline, and integrity, God's grace will empower us to do what he has called us to do.

**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**

No judgment taken

2011-12-09T17:45:00.001+08:00

Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on disputable matters.......

- Romans 14:1 -

Thoughts on This Verse... Our life in Christ is such a blessing! We welcome new Christians into our fellowship to share that blessing. We don't bring them in to scrutinize their past failures or the current struggles, but to bring them into the love of God's family. God has welcomed us graciously and compassionately. Let's do the same with new Christians.

**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**

Scar for life

2011-12-08T21:33:00.001+08:00

Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man.......

- Proverbs 3:3-4 -

Thoughts on This Verse... Character is measured by the love and faithfulness we genuinely display in our daily lives. These are not simple virtues that we can fake. Merciful love is displayed when we have power over another but choose to treat them with kindness and genuine concern. Faithfulness is being a person of truth -- genuine and trustworthy in word and deed. These virtues need to be a part of our everyday lives and permeate our very identity. When they do, others will notice and God will be pleased.

**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**

A new leaf

2011-12-07T20:49:00.001+08:00

Or don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.......

- Romans 6:3-4 -

Thoughts on This Verse... Baptism is far more than getting wet or checking off another thing on our obedience to do list. You see, what saves is Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection (1 Cor. 15:1-5). God has given us the incredible grace (Rom. 6:1,14,15) of being able to share in Jesus' saving work through faith and experience it in baptism (Gal. 3:26-27). We die to the old way of life and bury it in the past. It no longer holds us. This death is the death that matters most. Raised to a new life, our life is now joined to Christ and his future becomes our own (cf. Col. 3:1-4). The life we now live is to glorify God and to live with him forever. That means the Gospel is not just something preached; it is something we experience by grace.

**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**

Saved by the Only One

2011-12-06T22:42:00.001+08:00

Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in one spirit, contending as one man for the faith of the gospel without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved--and that by God.......

- Philippians 1:27-28 -

Thoughts on This Verse... Let's live as if we've been redeemed! Let's show our love and character in our daily lives. Let's especially work together, with one voice and spirit, making a vigorous effort to share the Gospel with those who have never heard of the grace of God in the ministry of Jesus. In the face of opposition, let's not be deterred or divided. Instead, let's work hand-in-hand for the cause of the Gospel.

**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**

With all your soul

2011-12-05T16:00:00.001+08:00

[Jesus replied,]'''Love the Lord 
your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your 
mind and with all your strength.' The second is this: `Love your 
neighbor as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than 
these.''......

- Mark 12:30-31 -

Thoughts on This Verse... Sometimes the most important 
things are not hard to understand. God wants us to love him with every 
fiber of our being and to also love those around us. All of his demands 
on character really boil down to honoring these two great principles 
that transcend law and bring the character of God to hearts.

**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**

Complete

2011-12-04T18:37:00.001+08:00

No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.......

- 1 John 4:12 -

Thoughts on This Verse... What an incredible thought! God can be seen in my home. The Father of the universe lives in my church. The Almighty God's love is recognizable in my life. How so? When I love those around me, when they love me back, when we choose to be loving instead of petty, unforgiving, critical, and harsh, God's presence, power, and perfection are revealed in us!

**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**

Sing to the Lord

2011-12-03T20:33:00.001+08:00

I will sing to the LORD all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live. May my meditation be pleasing to him, as I rejoice in the LORD.......

- Psalm 104:33-34 -

Thoughts on This Verse... Do you sing in the shower? What words are on your lips? Singing is such a wonderful gift! First, it is a gift from God to us, to help us express our joy, excitement, sorrow, and victory. Second, it is a gift from us to God, to help us communicate our respect, appreciation, love, and confidence in God. So let's sing, praising God for what he has done, proclaiming what he will do, and sharing what he is currently doing in our lives!

**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**

He loved sinners

2011-12-03T20:32:00.001+08:00

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.......

- Romans 5:8 -

Thoughts on This Verse... Interestingly, the Bible doesn't ever just say that God loves us. Instead, it says:''God demonstrated his love...''''In this is love, not that we loved God but that God loved us and gave...''''For God so loved the world that he gave...'' Love is more than emotion or intention. True love, redemptive love, God-styled love is active; it does something. For us, Jesus did more than something; he sacrificed everything. What's more, he did it when we most needed it. He demonstrated his love when we were sinners!

**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**

Set apart

2011-12-01T14:38:00.001+08:00

While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said,''Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.''......

- Acts 13:2 -

Thoughts on This Verse... When people genuinely worship, when they fast and seek God's will, he calls them to service and mission. Christian worship is not an end in itself, but a launching pad to Christian mission. We shouldn't get so caught up in the worship experience that we leave it at the door when we walk away. Instead, we must understand that our''private'' or church worship is to inspire us to public worship and service in the world during our everyday lives (cf. Rom. 12:1-2). As we worship with our brothers and sisters, we should also listen to the words to the songs, the message of the Scriptures, and the conviction of the Holy Spirit on our hearts. God is calling each of us to a special mission in our world!

**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**

Wicked

2011-12-01T14:37:00.001+08:00

Evil will slay the wicked; the foes of the righteous will be condemned.......

- Psalm 34:21 -

Thoughts on This Verse... God has promised a closing time, a reckoning where human power and influence cannot buy out the truth and where each person will have to face up to what he or she has done. Evil will overtake those who have been partners with evil. Those that hate good people, righteous people, will be condemned in their own hate. God's righteousness, truth, and justice will not be short-circuited!

**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**

He LIVES in you

2011-11-28T12:05:00.001+08:00

And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you.......

- Romans 8:11 -

Thoughts on This Verse... Romans 8 reminds us again and again of the blessings of the Holy Spirit's living in us, God's children. The Spirit in us is our guarantee that we will be raised from the dead! Because the Spirit that gave Jesus life and raised him from the dead is in us, we can have confidence in our resurrection. Mortality will not claim us -- our bodies may die, but the real and living part of us will go to be with Jesus (see Philippians 1:19-23). The Holy Spirit's life-giving power is stronger than death. We will live! Even though our bodies may die, the Spirit of God animates, inspires, and empowers us to victory.

**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**

The power of prayer

2011-11-27T08:57:00.001+08:00

I know that through your prayers and the help given by the Spirit of Jesus Christ, what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance.......

- Philippians 1:19 -

Thoughts on This Verse... Paul is possibly facing death. Yet he knows that his life, his future, is securely in the Lord's hands. The Holy Spirit will help empower him to be what he needs to be in the face of persecution and hardship. The Spirit will also work for his deliverance; either he will be delivered from prison and death to serve others, or he will be delivered into the presence of the Lord he loves. Either way, he awaits and expects deliverance!

**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**

Gentle like the wind

2011-11-27T08:54:00.001+08:00

But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, ..........

- 1 Peter 3:15 -

Thoughts on This Verse... How do we effectively share our faith, especially in situations hostile to faith? First, we consciously submit our hearts to Christ as Lord. Second, we prepare a presentation of faith that focuses on the hope we have in Jesus. Finally, when we share our reason for hope, we do it with respect, gently sharing our faith with others. Of course we would never have an opportunity to share our faith if we don't live a life of faith that makes an impact on those around us.

**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**

Messiah a baby boy

2011-11-25T14:03:00.001+08:00

The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.......

- Luke 2:20 -

Thoughts on This Verse... Can you imagine the shepherds returning to their flocks after the night they had? They had seen God's glory. They had experienced the presence of angels. They had seen the newborn King, the promised Messiah, the Savior of the world. Even more amazing, it was just as they had been told. As amazing as the angel's words of announcement had been, they were gloriously fulfilled. In addition to all that Jesus was at the moment of his birth, he is also the absolute answer to God's greatest promises and the greatest assurance that God keeps his word. Incredibly, God had chosen shepherds, unnamed to us and unimportant to their peers, to be the witnesses and participants in God's glorious story of salvation. It is our Father's way of reminding us that no matter who we are, Jesus came for us because we are important to him!

**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**

Teaching fear?

2011-11-24T08:49:00.001+08:00

Come, my children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD.......

- Psalm 34:11 -

Thoughts on This Verse... Is there any greater definition of what a parent's role is than this? Let's make sure that in the swirling demands and involvements of our lives we do not forget the MAIN thing that God has given us as parents, teachers, and friends to do in the lives of children.

**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**

Everyone can fail you except God

2011-11-23T10:27:00.001+08:00

They cried to you and were saved; in you they trusted and were not disappointed.......

- Psalm 22:5 -

Thoughts on This Verse... This Psalm of despair, referred to by Jesus from the Cross, is also a Psalm of hope and faith. The history of God's faithfulness with his people Israel is an ongoing reminder that we can trust him to deliver us. While in our human reckoning of time God's answer may be slow in coming, his track record in history reminds us that he will answer, deliver, and bless his people in his time. In our worst of nightmares, we can be reminded that God is faithful and is attentive to our cries of despair, lament, grief, agony, and fear.

**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**

Why does Jesus reveal God to us?

2011-11-22T19:59:00.001+08:00

''I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them.''......

- John 17:26 -

Thoughts on This Verse... Jesus reveals God to us. One of the reasons he does this is so that we can know who God is and what is important to him. Clearly, one of the most important things on Jesus' heart in this prayer is that we share his love for us with each other. In this way, Jesus comes to life in us.

**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**

Because of Him

2011-11-21T19:52:00.001+08:00

It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God -- that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption.......

- 1 Corinthians 1:30 -

Thoughts on This Verse... God's grace has brought us into a saving relationship with Jesus as our Lord and Savior. As believers, we recognize that Jesus' sacrifice on the Cross was much more than a terrible miscarriage of justice and the murder of a good and decent man. Jesus is God's wisdom, a wisdom to convince us of his love. Jesus is our righteousness; taking our sins upon himself he made us righteous. Jesus is our ongoing holiness. His blood cleanses us at the beginning and continues to do so today. Jesus is our holiness; his death means our righteousness. Jesus is our ransom payment, redeeming us from sin and death. Jesus is our everything!

**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**

Hands of a Maker

2011-11-19T22:43:00.001+08:00

For your Maker is your husband-- the LORD Almighty is his name-- the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer; he is called the God of all the earth.......

- Isaiah 54:5 -

Thoughts on This Verse... ''For God so loved the world...''''The Father, from whom every family on earth derives its name...'' God is not just the God of Israel. The LORD God, ruler of heaven and earth, is the God of all nations and one day''every knee will bow and every tongue will confess... that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father.''

**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**

Hard times?

2011-11-18T22:30:00.001+08:00

I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.......

- Romans 8:18 -

Thoughts on This Verse... Paul knew hardship: take a look in 2 Corinthians 11:22-33 at the list of just some of the difficult challenges he had to face. His''present sufferings'' make most of our difficulties seem tame by comparison. However, Paul could say confidently that the glory he would have with Christ (cf. Col. 3:1-4) would be so incredible, with blessings so fantastic, that his hardships are minor in comparison. That glory will also be ours! Now isn't that fantastic new.

**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**