Shawn on 19 April 2005

John 8, Acts 15, 16

Scripture

(MkJV)
Act 16:27 And being awakened, and seeing the doors of the prison being open, drawing a sword, the jailer was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped.
Act 16:28 But Paul called out with a loud voice, saying, Do yourself no harm, for we are all here.
Act 16:29 Then asking for a light he rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas.
Act 16:30 And leading them outside, he said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?
Act 16:31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you shall be saved, and your household.
Act 16:32 And they spoke the Word of the Lord to him, and to all who were in his household.
Act 16:33 And taking them in that hour of the night, he washed from their stripes. And he was baptized, he and all his, immediately.
Act 16:34 And bringing them up to the house, he set a table before them and rejoiced, believing in God with all his household.
Act 16:35 And day coming, the judges sent the floggers, saying, Let those men go.
Act 16:36 And the jailer spoke these words to Paul: The judges have sent to let you go. Now therefore depart, and go in peace.
Act 16:37 But Paul said to them, Having beaten us publicly, men who are Romans and uncondemned, they threw us into prison. And now do they put us out secretly? No indeed! But coming themselves, let them bring us out.
Act 16:38 And the floggers reported these words to the judges. And hearing that they were Romans, they were afraid.
Act 16:39 And coming they begged them. And bringing them out, they asked them to depart out of the city.

Observation

Here, the jail that Paul and Silas were in was split open. A chance for them to escape! However, they stayed and managed to convert their jailer and his family. The next day, Paul and Silas were quietly released by the officials but boldly asked the Judges themselves to come free them.

Application

Wow. I see a situation where I would have acted differently. Instincts tell me what I should escape when I get the chance to. Paul and Silas had a chance to escape from jail but instead chose to minister to the jailer. Instincts tell me to leave when given the chance to, but instead Paul and Silas chose instead to confront the judges and demanded they personally brought them out. God defies convention. He acts when people least expect it and His acts are acts of boldness. I need that sense of daring.

Prayer

God. Impart a sense of daring and ‘can-do’ in me. I want to be like Paul and Silas. Unafraid, bold and deeply convicted in faith. Let me defy convention and the expected. Use me in ways that surprise people and as a result, come to know you. In your name I pray, Amen!

Jonathan on 18 April 2005

Scripture
Acts 13:14-16
On the Sabbath they went to the meeting place and took their places.
15After the reading of the Scriptures--God's Law and the Prophets--the president of the meeting asked them, "Friends, do you have anything you want to say? A word of encouragement, perhaps?"

16Paul stood up, paused and took a deep breath, then said, "Fellow Israelites and friends of God, listen…"


Observation
Here we see Paul seizing an opportunity. With his in depth knowledge of the Scripture as a Pharisee, his encounter with the Message of Jesus Christ, and his preparedness to witness to the total life change, Paul makes an incredible speech, arguing the case for Christ with confidence
and quoting scripture as his authority. All the people respected what he said and he is invited back 3 weekends in a row before they were forced to leave. Many come to know the Lord.

Application
How does Paul do it? He finds the perfect opportunity and utilizes language and history and his knowledge and the crowd's eagerness to paint a picture of Jesus and his resurrection; the essence of God's work.

Should I expect myself to do so well? I'm not as studious as Paul but that can change. I'm afraid of public speaking but that too is nothing permanent. I look for opportunities but only spot them after I miss them. People don't seem as interested in the things of the Spirit anymore but maybe I don't go to the right places.

Prayer
Father God, How does Paul do it? How did Jesus do it all? What standards would you have me set for myself and what sort of results do you expect from my life? Teach me Lord to speak you Message and do so with full confidence, integrity and love. And help me to be content doing the best I can do, leaving the rest to you. Grant me your Holy Spirit that I may play my part in your big plan. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

Jonathan on 14 April 2005

Scripture
John 7:7
7On the final and climactic day of the Feast, Jesus took his stand. He cried out, "If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. 38Rivers of living water will brim and spill out of the depths of anyone who believes in me this way, just as the Scripture says." 39(He said this
in regard to the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were about to receive. The Spirit had not yet been given because Jesus had not yet been glorified.)

Observation
Jesus is at the early stages of his ministry. He lingers quietly on the sidelines, not wishing to draw any attention to himself. No one, not even his brothers, are sure who he really is, and as he teaches, nobody understands a thing. Finally on the last day of the feast, Jesus makes this proclamation and his words polarizes the rest of the people to those who believe him to be a criminal, just another prophet, or the true messiah.

Application
I find this passage speaks to me in two ways. Firstly, I'm challenged to match myself up against Jesus, to see if I dare to be as irrelevant as him. He speaks with confidence (just like Peter and John in Acts 7) though he may not be very educated. I'm usually too concerned about what others think and keep silent about what Jesus is all about and why humanity needs him so. At the other times I'm too tired and prefer to linger at the sidelines till it's all over.

Secondly, the words point to my own insufficiency; I don't feel like I am brimming and spilling over with the living waters of the Holy Spirit. Am I not drinking from the source that Scripture speaks about?

Prayer
Father by the daily infilling of the Holy Spirit, make me more like your son Jesus, who walked the earth in strange ways , always a citizen of your kingdom, representing you in all your character. Amen

Steve on 15 April 2005

Scripture

Acts 9: 4-9

4. He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, ‘Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?’

5. ‘Who are you Lord?’ Saul asked. ‘ I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,’ he replied. 6. ‘Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.’

7. the men traveling with Saul stood there speechless’ they heard the sound but did not see anyone. 8. Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing. So they led him by the hand into Damascus. 9. For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink anything.

Observation

In this scripture it talks about Saul’s conversion and how he was confronted by Jesus and sent to Damascus. After Jesus spoke to him he became blind and did not eat or drink. In this scripture we begin to see a change in Saul who began to preach in the Synagogues.

Application

It amazing how the Lord has so much power to change a man like Saul, from a person who was seen as an evil and torturous man to a person of the Lord. A lot of people in today’s world will not believe in something unless they have proof or evidence that it exists. As in Saul’s case the only time he believed that Jesus exists was when he heard his voice without actually seeing him. A lot of people will question our religion asking, how can you believe in something that you can’t see. As Christians although we cannot actually see the face of the lord we can see Him in the actions of people. Such as the way Christians deal with every day to day things in a positive manner (well we try any way), and be considerate and loving to those around us.

Prayer

Lord I know sometimes it can be hard to be patient and considerate to every circumstance in every day to day event. But I know with you help I can learn to become more a better person and serve your purpose in my life. In Jesus name I pray amen.

Shing Fuh on 15 April 2005

Soap Devotion
John 6, Acts 9,10

Scripture
Acts 10:44-46

While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles. For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God.

Observation

Actually, the whole of Acts 10 is talking about how two very different man get to know each other through God. Cornelius was a Roman, which meant that he represent the absoulte opposite of Jewsish culture and religion. A good Jew could never enter the house of Roman and so on. Believers who had come with Peter were shocked by the fact that even the Holy Spirit can
fill the Gentiles.

Application

As I was dong this devotion, so many things spoke to me. Even a person like Cornelius, who probably is the least likely person to be converted into Christian, so faithfully prayed and believed. Who else cant the Lord moved and convert in our modern soceity. This just
made me think of the people in the flemington community where the Pita Bread bunch served the Lord every week. There were muslim, Hindus and many other people with different race and religion. The Lord can surely touched their heart through people serving. For my family, I used to think that it is impossible to bring God into their life. My mother is a very devoted
buddist, and my family is quite supersitious. But right now, I just felt God telling me to take things slowly and he will show me what to do, nothing is impossible.

Prayer

Father, I want to thank you for today, thank you for what you had been doing in my life. Lord, I thank you for being by my side each and everyday. Lord, thank you for the passage. Lord, at times we may think that things, people are impossible to change but Lord with you around, everything is possible. Lord, I just want to uplift my family to you, uplift the people in the
flemington community to you father. Father I just pray that one day, they will come to know you. They will also not only come to know you father, they will come to seek you, seek you for more meaningful things to do in life. Seek you for life, rather than for money and earthly belongs. Father, I just pray for strength and stronger faith in all the things that we are doing.
Pray all these in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Steve on 14 April 2005

Scripture

Acts 7:59-60

59. While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, ‘ Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.’ 60. The he fell on his knees and cried out, ‘ Lord, do not hold this sin against them.’ When he had said this, he fell asleep.

Observation

In this chapter of acts Stephen is captured and brought to the high priest. He begins to tell the high priest. He told the story of Moses and how he freed the people of Egypt. At the end of his speech he calls the people ‘stiff necked’ and starts to abuse them. The people became furious and began to stone Stephen.

Application

In this scripture of acts an evangelist named Stephen (a powerful man, how ironic) stood up to the people and defended God’s word. To often enough, as humans we are afraid of what people may think or how they will react towards our actions. Which is why to be an evangelist of God you need courage and faith to overcome these barriers.

Prayer

Lord I pray that you will give me the strength and courage to become a powerful Evangelist like Stephen. Let me talk freely of your word to those around me and develop a better relationship with you. I know sometimes due to my own fear of what people will think it is hard to tell people about Jesus, but I know that with you to guide me this fear will disappear. All this I pray in Jesus name amen.

Shing Fuh on 13 April 2005

John 3, Acts 5,6

Scripture
Act 5:38-39

Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or
activity is of human origin, it will fail. But if it is from God, you will not be abe to stop
these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God."

Observation

Day after day, Peter and the other apostles never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that
Jesus is the christ. The high priests were furious and wanted to put Peter and the other apostles to death. However, a teacher who is hounoured by all the people stood up in Sanedrin and ordered the men to be put away. He said, if the men were doing human activity, they will fail. But if they are doing God's work, whoever is against them is like fighting against God!

Application

Once again, this passage spoke to me so strongly. Spoke to me about God's work. Again, it says that
God's kingdom will advance. No matter what people do, God's kingdom will advance. And whoever is fighting against the people of God, it will be like fighting against God. We will never fail in doing God's work, there will be mutiplications and so on. Sometime, God's work is so powerful that it kept me thinking: Shing fuh, whats more can I do, whats more are needed. I just hope that Im doing the right thing, and I want to be involved.

Prayer

Heavenly father, even as Im in a rush doing this devotion, Lord I just thank you for yet another quiet
time that I can learn something from you. Lord, I just want to pray for bigger picture of what you want to do in my life, pray that one day, I will see what you want me to see. Lord, I know that your will will be done regardless of me. But Lord, I want to be involved. Put me in your plan. Lord, I also want to pray for my bunch, whoever is down, Lord I pray that you will be with them, raise them up Lord. I pray for strength and wisdom as we continue to do your work. Pray all these in Jesus name.
Amen.

Vince on 13 April 2005

S

John 3: 20-21

“They hate the light because they want to sin in the darkness. They stay away from the light for fear their sins will be exposed and they will be punished. But those who do what is right come to the light gladly, so everyone can see that they are doing what God wants.”

O
Nicodemus, a respected Jewish teacher came to speak with Jesus. He knows that that God has sent him to teach the people. And the miracles are signs of proof that God is with Jesus. “To see the Kingdom of God you are to be born again, of the water and the Spirit”. Nicodemus is surprised at this statement. He is told that there is no judgment for those who trust him but those who do not trust him hav already been judged for not believing.

A
When reading this passage it really stood out to me but for many minutes I didn’t know why. What was God trying to speak to me in this passage? For me, reading this made me realize where God wants me to be. I don’t regard myself as a very powerful evangelistic type of Christian where I can go up to some bum in the city and shout to him the way, the truth & the light. I think I would be quite fearful of what his next action would be =) but this passage made me realize that there are people out there no different to us that are living in the darkness, fearful of what our world thinks & expects of them. That’s some pressure. For me as a Christian it really stood out to me of how I can serve God’s people. I want to be able to live in the light and gladly show everyone how powerful God is and how he is moving through many of us. Whether it be my friends thru uni, high school and even the average person on the street let them have courage of stepping into the light.

P
Lord, I thank you for your raising in me as a 19 year old student that wants to follow you and live a life of light. Let it be shown in my life to others of what you are doing in me. I pray for your power and passion stirred in me to be raised up as a strong powerful man. Let me spread the light in me of how I use my words, of how I move around and how I live life to any simple person. May you shine light in Melbourne and use us. Thank you for your work in me & others around me. In the name of Christ, who leads me in my life, Amen.

Jonathan on 11 April 2005

Scripture
Acts 1

7He told them, "You don't get to know the time. Timing is the Father's business. 8What you'll get is the Holy Spirit. And when the Holy Spirit comes on you, you will be able to be my witnesses in Jerusalem, all over Judea and Samaria, even to the ends of the world."

Observation

Luke is writing about the Acts of the Apostles/Acts of the Holy Spirit. He is trying to communicate the power of the move of God to Theophilus, how nothing can stand in the way of the work God wants to achieve. These are Jesus'' last words to his chosen disciples before his final ascension.

Application

Like the Disciples, I want to know, "Is this the time?" I struggle with the uncertainty of representing Christ and living the life he has called not knowing what he wants to achieve, or whether anything will be achieved any time soon.

Case in point: I want to be a witness but I don't say anything about God or his work in my life. Though I get many opportunities, I don't tell anyone anything of what I've experienced, either because I don't know how or because I can't know God's timing. I need the Holy Spirit to enable me to witness as the Apostles did, as the Holy Spirit did in the days of Acts.

Prayer

Father, let me not be frustrated by the lack of results. Teach me trust you God and your timing. When nothing I do seems to bear fruit, when the people I speak to remain unchanged by your reality in my life, help me to be steadfast as your witness. Grant me your Holy Spirit once again that I may live a life trusting in your timing, witnessing of your goodness and love. Holy Spirit fill my heart once again today. In the name of Christ who instructs me in all these things I pray, Amen.

Shawn on 12 April 2005

John 2, Acts 3, 4

Scripture

(MkJV)
Joh 2:3 And when they lacked wine, the mother of Jesus said to Him, They have no wine.
Joh 2:4 Jesus said to her, Woman, what do I have to do with you? My hour has not yet come.
Joh 2:5 His mother said to the servants, Whatever He says to you, do it.
Joh 2:6 And there were six stone waterpots there, according to the purification of the Jews, each containing two or three measures.
Joh 2:7 Jesus said to them, Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled them up to the brim.
Joh 2:8 And He said to them, Now draw out and carry it to the master of the feast. And they carried it.
Joh 2:9 When the ruler of the feast had tasted the water which was made wine (and did not know where it was from, but the servants who drew the water knew), the master of the feast called the bridegroom.
Joh 2:10 And he said to him, Every man at the beginning sets forth good wine, and when men have drunk well, then that which is worse. You have kept the good wine until now.
Joh 2:11 This beginning of miracles Jesus did in Cana of Galilee. And it revealed His glory. And His disciples believed on Him.

Observation

Here’s the famous story of Jesus’ first miracle. We all know that it was at a wedding (yes!) and that Jesus turned water into wine. The thing about this is that the mother of the bride was the one who asked Jesus for wine.

Jesus declined, saying that ‘his hour has not yet come’. Yet the mother went out and told the servants (in faith) to prepare for the miracle…and it happened! This was the start of miracle and scripture said that it revealed His glory and His disciples believe on him.

Application

I want to be like the mother who asked God for something and even though he initially declined, clung on in faith for it. And I want the end result: that people look at the results of the faith and have a revelation of God’s glory. I want both believers and non-believers to be empowered and strengthened in their beliefs by the ‘miracles’ that God does in my life.

Prayer

Father. Thank you simple acts of faith that empower. God, I have so many dreams. You know them all. Many of them are born out of the desire to use my gifts that you have given me. Do a working miracle. I respond, like the mother of the bride, in faith to you. Jesus. Jesus. Your miracle in my life shall be apparent for all to see! Let my life be a testament to you power and grace. Let everything I do, every word I say be of you and inspired by you. In your name I pray. Amen.

Victor on 11 April 2005

Scripture
Acts 2

Observation
The early church had one spirit living in them. They broke bread and prayed together, sold their possessions and gave to those who had need. The spirit that was in each of them were one and the same. Why is it that today there can be so many differences between those that should have the same spirit?

Application
The reason that we may have differences is because we may not be connected to the one who gives us his spirit. It is very noticeable when everyone seems to have the same spirit except you. The sense of connectedness is not there. The only way to have the same spirit is to be connected to the one who gives us his spirit.

Prayer
Lord I want to stay connected to you. I want myself and those around me to be united in one spirit. Lord help us to put you as our priority and give us compassion, help to keep us sensitive to the needs around us. Let your work be done through our lives. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen

Aaron on 040405

Scripture:
Isaiah 57

Observation:
This passage by Isaiah was basically talking about Israel's sinful
deeds including their idol worship of man-made gods. God was angry at
them for it, but still showed that he was a God who understands, who
loves and who forgives his people.

Application:
What people are doing today are no different from what people then
were doing. We constantly worship idols of the material world, while
God only exists when problems arise. I think one thing to do is to
prioritize things in our lives, and God should be at the top of the
list.

Prayer:
God, thank you for your everlasting mercy and love for your people.
We've taken you for granted for so many decades, yet you've never
failed to forgive us for our trespasses. Open up our spiritual eyes
and ears to see and listen to what you want to tell us, let us be
sensitive to your words as we live our daily lives. Amen.

Jonathan on 040405

Scripture
Isaiah 57,58
v6-14
Is this not the kind of fasting I have chosen:
to loose the chains of injustice
and untie the cords of the yoke,
to set the oppressed free
and break every yoke?

Is it not to share your food with the hungry
and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter –
when you see the naked, to clothe him,
and not turn away from your own flesh and blood?
Then your light will break forth like the dawn,
and your healing will quickly appear;
then your righteousness will go before you,
and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard.
Then you will call, and the Lord will answer;
you will cry for help and he will say, Here am I.

If you do away with the yoke of oppression,
with the pointing finger and malicious talk,
and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry
and satisfy the needs of the oppressed,
then your light will become like the noonday.
The Lord will guide you always;
he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land
and will strengthen your frame.
You will be like a well-watered garden,
like a spring whose water never fail.
Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins
and will raise up the age-old foundations;
you will be called repaired of Broken Walls,
Restorer of Streets with Dwellings.

I you keep your feet from breaking the Sabbath
and from doing as you please on my holy day,
if you call the Sabbath a delight
and the Lord’s day honourable,
and if you honour it by not going your own way
and not doing as you please or speaking idle words,
the you will find your joy in the Lord,
and I will cause you to ride on the heights of the land
and to feast on the inheritance of your father Jacob.

Observation
This passage from Isaiah is officially just 8 verses long but it says so much more. The words come from God at a time when a primitive Israel is engrossed with her idolatry and superstitious beliefs. They persist in their worship of false gods.

Those who do seem to seek God are actually just putting on a show. They make a big deal of their fast before God, expecting him to respond to their half-hearted efforts at pleasing him while not realising that the rest of their lives are characterised by exploitation, quarrelling, strife and violence.

God sets out a paradigm shift from verse 6 onwards, to reinspire the people of Israel.

Application
When it comes to loving God, worshipping Him and doing his work here on earth, there is a line every person needs to cross. I may be living well and faithfully, but I want to live the kind of life that is described here; I want to live the kind of life where God, his glory, his voice and his reward are totally evident in my life. I feel like my efforts are falling just short of a complete breakthrough.

I believe it has something to with the way I spend my Sabbath, my times of rest.

Prayer
Dear God, thank you for today, a precious day off. But God for today, and all the free-time I get, I don’t want the Sabbath to be for me; let it be your Sabbath dear Lord. Use my moments of quietness to rediscover my joy in you.
God I know you are real but my heart continues to desire greater evidence of you, at work in my world and my life. Help me to seek and do your will that all may see your glory. May my paltry acts of service pale in comparison with the shining face of the Almighty breaking through the darkness of this world.
In the name of Christ who achieved all these things I pray, Amen.

Shingfuh on 010405

Scripture
Acts 2:14-15
Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd:" Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you; listen carefully to what I say. These men are not drunk, as you suppose. It's only nine in the morning!No, this is what spoken by the prophet Joel...

Observation
Peter, a cowardly disciple of Jesus who used to denied Jesus raised up like a leader. He addresses the crowd, whom could not understand what Jesus's disciples were doing. Could not understand why they were speaking like they were speaking. Peter stood up, speak boldly
to the people about what God, through Joel has to say.

Application
What I get out from this message is that, each and everyone of us should always step out in our life as a leader. Step up to be leaders of our daily life, in the sense that whatever we do, we have control over it. If its time to study, be discipline. If its things we should not do, take control and not do it. Step up in our circles of friend, as long as we can speak confidently, people will listen. Just as Peter did, he spoke boldly about the truth of God and the Crowd listen. We can all be like Peter, speak boldly to others about the word of God, so that more and more people can be saved.

Prayer
Lord, I just want thank you for today Lord. Thank you for the basketball, thank you for being with me throughout the day Lord. Lord, I know that Im not perfect Lord, at times I still give in to temptations Lord. Lord but I pray that you will be with me, so that I can learn more about you each and everyday. Lord, use me to speak to people Lord, use me to help do what is needed Lord. Father, I also pray for each and everyone of us here Lord, pray that we will all step up in each and every different you as Leaders Lord. Use us to speak to people you want us to speak
to father. Once again, thank you for this day father. pray all this in Jesus name. Amen

Guojin on 040405

Scripture: Isaiah 52:12

" But you will not leave in haste or go in flight, for the Lord will go before you, the God of Israel will be your rear guard."

Observations:
Isaiah told the people to leave not just fumbling and quickly leaving aimlessly, but with the constant recognition that their Lord, their God, will go ahead of them, and where they're most vulnerable, their backs, will be guarded by God.

Applications:
These few weeks, i was very relunctant to move to another level of spirituallity i felt God has challenged me to, in many sense, beliving that if i was to move, it would be moving forward into a unchartered territory, aimlessly, finding that God that called me for that journey in that first place.Thinking that my vulnerability and limitations will fait me. Fear is very evident. However, i could sense God telling me move forward not aimlessly , or in haste, but in constant recognition the expedition leader that called me will go before me and guard my back and my vulnerabilities, just press on. Could really hear a voice saying: " come on, come on, i got your back, and i know where u're going next, just keep your eyes on the ball"

Prayer:
Lord father, everything i push myself to reconnect with You, You will answer, just as you have today. Oh God, i wanna move on to the next level you called me too. But Lord, i dont wanna just aimlessly charge forward like a headless chicken. Oh God, You declare that you will be ahead of me and be my "rear guard" that the future paths i stepping into will be paths that u've walked on, and my limitations and weaknesses on my back will be protected by You. Lord, thank you ,thank you for being a very patient God through my weaknesses. Father, i ask for wisdom and discipline in this phase of the journey. Lord, let not Your Spirit cease to "hunt" me down whenever my sights gone out of that "ball".

In Jesus awesome name, Amen

Jonathan on 040405

Scripture
Isaiah 49

Observation
Isaiah is an amazing prophet. The message he brings is striking. He doesn’t harp on and on about doom and gloom or sing songs of happy thanksgiving. His book is balanced. Just as the Psalms capture the different aspects of life, in its ups and downs, Isaiah presents a complete view of God in all his glorious righteousness and tender redemptive nature.

Application
Just like an Israel living in the slavery of idolatry, despair and foreign dominance, I am not living as free as I could be. As this semester’s responsibilities pile on in church, in work and in school, I find my spirit being crushed under the weight of all the things that need to get done. I can list them all out in my head and on paper and the effect is paralysing.

v8-10
It is good to hear God’s redeeming voice:
in the time of my favour I will answer you
and in the day of salvation I will help you;
I will keep you and make you to be a covenant for the people,
restore the land and to reassign its desolate inheritances.
to say to the captives, ‘Come out,’
and to those in darkness, ‘Be free.’

They will feed beside the roads
and find pasture on every barren hill.
They will neither hunger nor thirst
nor will the desert heat or sun beat upon them.
He who has compassion on them will guide them
and lead them beside springs of water.

Prayer
Father, I want to live as your son; I want to live free. Not free to cast off responsibility but in the freedom to know that your favour and compassion is upon me and that your voice calls me forward to be a representative for you, and to live in communion with you. God today I trade by burdens for your burdens, not just for the sake of it, but so that I may find myself in your presence once again. Free me Lord, to live a life where I can love you with every part of my life and every part of my being. May it be that for today, you are all I need. In the precious name of Christ I pray, Amen.

Steven on 010405

Scripture

Acts 2:25-28

25. David said about him: ‘ I saw the Lord always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. 26. Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will live in hope, 27. because you will not abandon me to the grave, nor will you let your Holy One see decay. 28. You have made known to me the paths of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence.

Observation

On the day of Pentecost the Holy Spirit came and touched the Galileans and they began to speak in tongues. Some made fun of them and described them as being drunk with wine. Peter and the disciples stood up and told them that they were not drunk but touched by the Holy Spirit and began to speak the words of the prophet Joel.

Application

My interpretation of this scripture is that as long as you have the faith and trust in the Lord nothing will bring harm to you. It is interesting to observe the people in today’s society and is clear to distinguish those with the love of God in their life and those without. To often it is easy to get distracted with all the materialistic things in the world. But in the end none of it really matters. What matters is where your heart lies with the Lord and how you live your life according to His ways.

Prayer

Dear Lord, please don’ let me be distracted with the materialistic things in this world so much that I block out the words you are trying to speak to me. Open my ears so that I may hear your word and live a life that is meaningful. With all this I pray in Jesus name Amen.

Steven on 310305

Scripture

Isaiah 50:5-6

5. The Soverign Lord has opened my ears, and I have not been rebellious; I have not drawn back. 6. I offered my back to those who beat me my cheeks to those who pulled out my beard;

Acts 1: 11

‘Men of Galilee,’ they said, ‘why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come bck in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.

Observation

Jesus spoke to his apostles over 40 days and spoke about the kingdom of God. Jesus tells them not to leave Jerusalem for there is a gift that was promised by the Father. Jesus was then taken up into the clouds and two men in white addressed the apostles.

Application

What I feel the word of God is telling me through these scriptures is to love your enemy’s unconditionally. It is easy to talk the talk, but to actually walk the walk is a different story. The love that God has for us is unconditional, even though we may make mistakes throughout our life God will always be there and love us with out question.

Prayer

Dear heavenly father, I just pray that you will give me the strength to share your love with those around me. Allow me to show the unconditional love that you show towards me, to those whom it may be hard to do so. Lord I know I’m not the perfect person, probably far from it, but I just pray that you continue to show me the way to becoming a better person and to be more like you. In Jesus name I pray Amen.

Shing Fuh on 300305

Luke 24, Isaiah 47,48

Scripture
Luke 24:25-16
He said to them,"How foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken!Did not the Christ have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?"

Observation
The dream of Jesus's followers died along with their leader on the cross. The dream of "the one who was going to redeem Israel". That was why they were slow of heart to believe all Jesus have spoken. When jesus speak to them as a stranger, Jesus speaks life into his two followers. So much so that, they asked Jesus to stay for dinner.

Application
Sometimes when I read the bible and hear what people have to say about Jesus, my heart is slow to believe. It is the same as Jesus's followers. Why is this so? I believe it is due to the mere fact that what Jesus has been doing its just so unbelievable. From his resurrection to what he is doing in my life now. Ironically, what Jesus is doing now in my life, only made my faith grew stronger. What he did in the past is unbelievable, but what he is doing now is just as powerful and meaningful.

Prayer
Lord, as I come before you today, I just ask for stronger faith Lord. What you did seem so impossible for us human being to comprehend Lord. So Lord, I just pray to see bigger picture in my life Lord. Let me see how you want to use me father. Father, fill me up, father if Im down, lift me up father. Father I just prayed for renewed strength, renewed power to go about doing your work father. Father, I thank you for this easter break, thank for the rest that you have gave to each and everyone of us father. Father, I pray for self discipline father, pray that I know what things to do at that paticular time father. Father, as I leave this week in your hand, father I just pray that my bunch of friends will continue to receive blessings that you had showered upon them. Pray all these in Jesus name. AMEN.

Jonathan on 280305

Scripture:
Luke 22
31"Simon, stay on your toes. Satan has tried his best to separate all of you from me, like chaff from wheat. 32Simon, I've prayed for you in particular that you not give in or give out. When you have come through the time of testing, turn to your companions and give them a fresh start." 33Peter said, "Master, I'm ready for anything with you. I'd go to jail for you. I'd die for you!" 34Jesus said, "I'm sorry to have to tell you this, Peter, but before the rooster crows you will have three times denied that you know me."

54Arresting Jesus, they marched him off and took him into the house of the Chief Priest. Peter followed, but at a safe distance. 55In the middle of the courtyard some people had started a fire and were sitting around it, trying to keep warm. 56One of the serving maids sitting at the fire noticed him, then took a second look and said, "This man was with him!" 57He denied it, Woman, I don't even know him." 58A short time later, someone else noticed him and said, "You're one of them." But Peter denied it: "Man, I am not."

59About an hour later, someone else spoke up, really adamant: "He's got to have been with him! He's got "Galilean' written all over him." 60Peter said, "Man, I don't know what you're talking about." At that very moment, the last word hardly off his lips, a rooster crowed. 61Just then, the Master turned and looked at Peter. Peter remembered what the Master had said to him: Before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times." 62He went out and cried and cried and cried.

Observation
This is the popular tale of Simon Peter denying Jesus. Jesus pin-pointedly predicts Peter’s denial and sure enough, 20 verse later, when Jesus was arrested Peter does that very thing which Jesus warned him he would do. How easily Peter fears for his own safety that he dare not be known as a follower of Christ for even a few hours after Christ is captured. He violently protests against his accusers, as passionately as he had declared his allegiance to Jesus just moments earlier.

Application
I can always identify with Peter. His life is full of ups and downs. One moment he is the Rock and the next he is a tool of the enemy. In this episode, he is full of life, passion, conviction and loyalty to Christ but even before his master is judged guilty, he denies Him. I can only imagine the look on our Lord’s face when the rooster crowed. Peter and Jesus must have been caught in a gaze of deep sadness, disappointment and horror that as a man, Peter really was that weak.
And then I wonder how many more times I’ve missed the look on my God’s face when I’ve let him down. In such a time, what else can you do but cry and cry and cry.

Prayer
Lord God, I am Peter. I am the one who alternates between postures of promise and passion before slumping into denial and destruction. Forgive me, help me, teach me to be faithful. You know my future and I know how your heart aches to endure my unfaithfulness. And for that I
cry. Give me the endurance to be a stable foundation in the big things and the little things, upholding the work and people you are moving through in this world, today. In the precious name of Christ I pray, Amen.

Victor on 280305

Scripture
Isaiah 43, 44

Observation
God is telling us through his prophet Isaiah that he is the one and only God. There are those that have made idols from wood and metal. People are lovers of emptiness, they worship pieces of wood and don’t have the brains to realize how crazy it is.

Application
Why are we so easily entrapped into the things of the world? We know that the idols we have aren’t real, yet they seem to be at the top of our list of priorities. My desires go against the things that God wants for me. I am a lover of emptiness, the things I do have no substance. God would give his entire creation for me, and yet I ignore him and place him in a hidden corner in my heart. I want to live for him.

Prayer
God thank you for your grace, so many times I’ve found myself taking it for granted. I’m sorry that I ignore you and can’t hear you calling out to me. Help me be sensitive to your voice. Help me to realize that things of substance can only come from you. Give me the desire to go after those things. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

Vince on 280305

Scripture
Luke 22:25 “In this world the kings and great men order their people around, and yet they are called friends of the people.”
Luke 22:26 “But among you, those who are the greatest should take the lowest rank, and the leader should be like a servant”


Observation
Passover dinner is drawing near and the twelve disciples are to prepare the meal. They are told to greet a man carrying a bucket of water where he will take them to a large room for them to prepare their meal. At the time Judah is planning to betray Jesus, helping the captains and leading priest to arrest him. It is at the table where Jesus proclaims that there is a betrayer here at this table. Arguments arise up at the Passover supper and Jesus proclaims he will die and will not return until the Kingdom of God has come. After Jesus prays on the Mount of Olives to pray and as he return found his disciples sleeping. It is here that the mob arrives, arresting Jesus.

Application
What is it to be a friend? What is it to be a friend of Jesus? Questions went through my mind of the people around me of what ‘friend’ am I to my brothers and sisters of Christ. I think some of us tend to live a life of friends of hierarchy – “my best friends” “my girl friends” and would place them on the highest rank. This scripture spoke to me of the people in my life, the people I see each day in ACCF and in Uni. Am I really being a ‘friend of Christ’ to them? On Sunday’s to sit, to have lunch and to talk to everyone in the community is quite difficult. As I was reading this scripture, for me I feel that I should be taking the lowest rank. And not place hierarchy in my life but be an awesome servant for them. And I feel Jesus wants me to be his friend and take the lowest rank and serve him.

Prayer
Heavenly Father thank you for this glorifying day that I am able to wake up early and seek you. Thank you for bringing friends in my life. Lord, leach me to be a friend to you. Not to be a great man who will order his people around but a friend of the people who will bow down to his own. Let me lead like a servant as I continue to grow your kingdom. In Jesus name.
Amen

Shawn on 270305

Luke 21, Isa 41, 42

Scripture

(MkJV)
Isa 41:4 Who has planned and done it, calling forth the generations from the beginning? I, Jehovah, am the first and the last; I am He.

(Message)
Isa 41:4 "Who did this? Who made it happen? Who always gets things started? I did. GOD. I'm first on the scene. I'm also the last to leave.
Isa 41:8 "But you, Israel, are my servant. You're Jacob, my first choice, descendants of my good friend Abraham.
Isa 41:9 I pulled you in from all over the world, called you in from every dark corner of the earth, Telling you, 'You're my servant, serving on my side. I've picked you. I haven't dropped you.'
Isa 41:10 Don't panic. I'm with you. There's no need to fear for I'm your God. I'll give you strength. I'll help you. I'll hold you steady, keep a firm grip on you.

Observation

The prophet Isaiah spent so many chapters on God’s judgement and now we move into messages of comfort. God, after talking about about vengence and hardness (done out of good heart and pure intentions) shows his other face; one of firm kindness.

I parallel this to a father who disciplines the child not by being overly harsh or soft but someone who rebukes out of love then reassures with promises that were planted from early days.

God through Isaiah is talking to the people of Israel and their descendents (US!) and is reassuring us that we’re a CHOSEN people. He pulled us from all over and keeps us steady…wow. He’s asking us to be reassured by His promises in a world that worships so many other Gods and false idols.

Application

Modern prophets…people on the radio and tv, vie for our attention with flashy words and easy promises. But God’s word through the Prophets of the Old Testament stand the test of time.
Why? It’s because He’s the I AM. His Word is Him. And that Word will therefore withstand and outlast all other false prophets that seek to bring across a message that’s different from what God intended.

I need to rely on this reassurance. And meditate on God’s love song to us.

Prayer

Father. Thank you for Prophets who were obedient to your call and word. Who gave their lives for a belief. Who clung on to a faith that wasn’t cheap or easy at all. And whose divinely inspired words withstand all the ravages of time.

May your promises inspire and reassure us. If we are feeling lost and low, let your word and promise lift us up. WE are your chosen people and because of that, we never lack. We will never want. Our souls are satisfied. We are held safe and steady in your strong grip.

May you hold us firm and propel us along a course that can only be guided by You.

Amen.

Shawn on 220305

Luke 18, Isa 25, 26

Scripture
Luke 18, v15-16, 39-43

5 Some of the people were bringing even their babies to Jesus, for him to touch them; but, when the disciples saw it, they began to find fault with those who had brought them.
16 Jesus, however, called the little children to him. "Let the little children come to me," he said, "and do not hinder them; for it is to the childlike that the Kingdom of God belongs.
39 Those who were in front kept telling him to be quiet, but he continued to call out the louder. "Son of David, take pity on me!"
40 Then Jesus stopped and ordered the man to be brought to him. And, when he had come close up to him, Jesus asked him. 41 "What do you want me to do for you?" "Master," he said, "I want to recover my sight." 42 And Jesus said. "Recover your sight, your faith has delivered you."
43 Instantly he recovered his sight, and began to follow Jesus, praising God. And all the people, on seeing it, gave glory to God.

Observation
People closest to Jesus, his disciples, rejected people who wanted to call out to Jesus for healing and aid. Why? These were people who walked so close to Jesus should know His heart (they have previously seen him heal, cast out demons, perform miracles, etc), yet when people
came to Jesus, they acted as 'barriers'. They wanted to 'police' Jesus and in doing so, decided who could get close to Jesus and who couldn't/shouldn't.

Yet Jesus always stepped in and takes hold of the situation with much firmness. His character; steadfast, big hearted, compassionate, tore down all the pride and pretensions and sheer 'stupidity' of the disciples.

Application

I don't EVER want to behave like the disciples did. The personal and intimate knowledge of God and Jesus is to be shared and not policed. Yes, I have such a privilege being a 'christian'. And that shouldn't translate to pride. There are times where (no thanks in part to man-made structures in the church) positions of leadership gives a false sense of 'headiness' and power. We become mediators between people who want to know God and God Himself. In doing so, we may end up limiting what God really wants to do.

Prayer
Lord. Lord. God. Cut away all pretensions to 'power' and to 'authority'. Let me not limit your desires, your heart and your work in the world. Let me work in the way YOU want me to work. Let me catch the essence of your being; of Jesus' steadfast character. I want all aspects of your son to be assimilated in my character and I want it to burn out every selfish, evil and ugly parts of my person. Soften my heart and let it be of Christ. God, I am yours to wield. I look forward
to your continuing work in my life. In your most powerful name, Amen.

Shing Fuh on 220305

SOAP DEVOTION
Luke 17, Isaiah 33,34

Scripture

Luke 17:4
If he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times comes back to you and says,'I repent,' forgive him."

Luke 17:15-16
One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back praising God in a loud voice. He threw himself at Jesus' feet and thanked him- abd he was a Samaritan.

Observation

Temptions that made people sin are everywhere. However, these misfortunes will come from the person himself. Jesus know everyone will sin, but if the person is willing to repent, forgive him. Jesus was on his way back to Jerusalem, when he travelled along the border between Samaria and Galilee.He came across ten people who have Leprosy, they begged Jesus to save them. Jesus did, but only one return to thank and praise Jesus.

Application

Sometimes, I cant even forgive myself for the things I do. But beacause of the grace of God, people can forgive us. Forgiveness has never been an easy task for people. However, from this passage, what I get out is not about how he should learn to forgive but for myself learn how to repent. Not to repent and forget about it, but repent and know for the grace of God that he forgives. Even with so much temptions around us, learn never to give in, and always remeber for he is so graceious how can we always do wrong and go back to him.

God made prayer such a powerful thing. For as long as we ask, he will give. He made it so power that we sometimes take it for granted. Busy as our life can be, we neglect the fact that we should always be grateful. This just serve as a reminder for me to be grateful and never forget to thank our all mighty God!

Prayer
Heavenly Father, as I sit in front of my computer, I just want to thank you. Thank you for forgving all our wrong doings. God, we are gladly of your graceiousness. Lord, I just pray that we will never take you for granted, and will always remember you are the one that brought us this far. Lord, with so many temptions around us, Lord I just pray that you take them away from us. Take away rivalries, take away perverted thoughts, take away lust. God take away all temptions that caused us to sin. Lord, even if we commited any wrong doings, help us learn how to repent, help us forgive and forget. Lord, just want to pray for my bunch of friends who are journeying with me, Lord I pray that you will give them strength, give them the motivation to go on and do your work, give them the precious time even to take a rest Lord, so that they can go on to do your mighty work. Lord I just want to put the remaining week in your hands, and pray all this is Jesus most precious name.

Amen.

Vince on 210305

Scripture: Isaiah 30:18
But the Lord still waits for you to come to him so he can show you his love and compassion. For the Lord is faithful God.

Observation: The warning for the rebellious Judah. People are refusing to listen to the Lord’s instructions. Refusing his prophets and tired of listening. He tells the people by only in returning to me and waiting for him then you will be saved.

Application: Much of journey seems to involve with searching for Gods will. We search for his will/presence through out jobs, home, school, church and relationships. And this week I felt that I was getting frustrated alot with those things. Yesterday during the service I found that when I get frustrated I feel that God is silent. This passage showed me in my heart that God is not silent. It is his Word that reveals our purpose for today and it is the same as for every past generation.
Its SO SO hard to remain by His side when being pressed down from all directions and when the pulls of the world seem relentless.
But as I press down no matter how bad the situation may appear or how difficult it is, its so wonderful of how he can reveal his plans to me. HE is in Control!
Maybe he is just waiting for me to follow him.
There is no greater challenge to our faith! And the question of Who is control? Our attitudes or our beliefs.


Scripture: Luke 15: 31
His father said to him ‘ Look dear son, you and I are very close and everything I have is yours. We had to celebrate this happy day. For your brother was dead and has come back to life! He was lost, but now he is found!.
Observation: The story of two sons and his father. Where the younger son had moved out of his family taking all the money his parents had saved for him, trying to start a new life. Soon he had no more money left & starved. He returned home thinking that he was no longer of being called their son. But instead his father bringing the youngest son the finest servants, killing the finest calf and bringing him the finest robe and slippers pronounce that his son has come back. The oldest son questioned his father asking him these questions of why all these valuables went to the youngest brother. He himself has worked hard and stuck with his family.

Application: Im so blessed that I am able to have this chapter to share with you guys. I sense that this story touched me a lot with my family. Knowing that my parents love me and my brother a lot I can sense of how these brothers can feel envious of who gets treated better or not. I can still remember when I was young my brother would get all the cool toys and I would get his reject ones ( I didn’t mind). To myself I asked, where am I to my parents and what do I need to do to get new toys. Seeing when I was young, I would take all his toys and never share. I guess I have grown a lot of that day =P and from reading the scripture I get to sense celebrations of returning back to Christ. I would give up everything that I own today for my brother to come back to Christ and live a life of freedom, joy and thanks.

Pray
Lord I pray that we live each moment with thanks and joy regardless of our situation. It is here & now that I pray that you reveal yourself to me. Let me see the real God. Let me continue seek you and pursue you, harder & stronger. I pray for my family that you bless them with strength, wisdom and wealth. I pray that one day i can celebrate by giving up my finest cattle, my best clothes and my belongings to see you do your work in my friends & my brother.
Let me walk in a journey starting from today that is perfect in Gods will with faith n love. Amen

Jonathan on 210305

Scripture

18But GOD's not finished. He's waiting around to be gracious to you.
He's gathering strength to show mercy to you.

GOD takes the time to do everything right--everything. Those who wait around for him are the lucky ones.

19Oh yes, people of Zion, citizens of Jerusalem, your time of tears is over. Cry for help and you'll find it's grace and more grace. The moment he hears, he'll answer. 20Just as the Master kept you alive during the hard times, he'll keep your teacher alive and present among
you. Your teacher will be right there, local and on the job, 21urging you on whenever you wander left or right: "This is the right road. Walk down this road." 22You'll scrap your expensive and fashionable god-images. You'll throw them in the trash as so much garbage, saying, "Good riddance!"
23God will provide rain for the seeds you sow. The grain that grows will be abundant. Your cattle will range far and wide. 24Oblivious to war and earthquake, the oxen and donkeys you use for hauling and plowing will be fed well 25near running brooks that flow freely from mountains and hills. 26Better yet, on the Day GOD heals his people of the wounds and bruises from the time of punishment, moonlight will flare into sunlight, and sunlight, like a whole week of
sunshine at once, will flood the land. 27Look, GOD's on his way...

Observation

I have found Isaiah to be a very difficult book to read. The passages so far seem to depict a vengeful God, who seems to be left with no choice but to punish a disobedient Israel. Isaiah seems to just go on and on about all the bad things that must happen to bad people. But
this passage reveals the other side of the almighty God, the side of His grace. God has a well-rounded personality and we must learn to know him in his anger and his wrath as well as in his loving kindness.

Application

I've been struggling to wake up in the mornings and it worries me. I pride myself in waking up early, attacking each day with vigour and passion but this last week I have felt rather lifeless. I have found myself remaining in the warm comforts of my bed, not wanting to leave.
I'm embracing sleep as if there's nothing better going on in the world, nothing great in the day worth getting up for. That's worrying. I know that something's not right but I'm struggling to pinpoint what it is. I have so many people to serve and uphold, so many responsibilities to fulfill with school, with work, with ministry and with family, and so many relationships to foster and nurture, and yet my bed seems hold me much tighter than any of these. Perhaps all my busyness has cut me off from God.

Prayer

Father I am lost. There are so many things you have placed before me, so much you have entrusted me with but that's not enough to give me the will to live. I long to live for you. I long to know you more, through a direct connection, no intermediaries. I throw away the things that
merely remind me of you. I forsake the tasks that have become too important. I scrap it all for one day and say "Good Riddance" and I cry out for the grace of your presence.

Give me a day today Lord when I can sense your presence, interact with your Spirit and learn to love your Son again. Give me a day to reconnect with the Almighty, The Holy of Israel, God of the Angel Armies, that I may rediscover my passion for living. In the precious name of Christ I pray these things, Amen.

E-Gene on 140305

SOAP Devotion

Luke 8, Isaiah 15, 16
Scripture

Luke 8:4 As they went from town to town, a lot of people joined in and traveled along. He addressed them, using this story:
Luke 8:5 "A farmer went out to sow his seed. Some of it fell on the road; it was tramped down and the birds ate it.
Luke 8:6 Other seed fell in the gravel; it sprouted, but withered because it didn't have good roots.
Luke 8:7 Other seed fell in the weeds; the weeds grew with it and strangled it.
Luke 8:8 Other seed fell in rich earth and produced a bumper crop. "Are you listening to this? Really listening?"

Observation

Jesus is telling the people the parable of the sower. A parable is an illustrated story that Jesus uses very often to bring the point across to the people. As the people listening to Him at that point were probably most familiar with farming, He uses this illustration to explain to them about how we should be "listening" to the word of God.

He them explains what the parable means in the following verses

Luk 8:11 "This story is about some of those people. The seed is the Word of God.
Luk 8:12 The seeds on the road are those who hear the Word, but no sooner do they hear it than the Devil snatches it from them so they won't believe and be saved.
Luk 8:13 "The seeds in the gravel are those who hear with enthusiasm, but the enthusiasm doesn't go very deep. It's only another fad, and the moment there's trouble it's gone.
Luk 8:14 "And the seed that fell in the weeds--well, these are the ones who hear, but then the seed is crowded out and nothing comes of it as they go about their lives worrying about tomorrow, making money, and having fun.
Luk 8:15 "But the seed in the good earth--these are the good-hearts who seize the Word and hold on no matter what, sticking with it until there's a harvest.

Application

I guess for me, after reading these verses, though it was something that I've read before and am suppose to be familiar with, the explanation that Jesus gives about the different categories of people started to hit me again. The question for me is, where am I? And the last bit in verse 8 is really taunting me " Are you listening to this? Really listening?

How many times have I read the word of God without really listening to it? How many times have glazed through the passages which are the Living Breathing Word of God, without really opening my heart to receive it. Even now as I'm reading it, I really pray that His words are carved into my heart.

I do not want to be the category of people in verse 13 which I think that has been the way it is for most of my life, there'll be times when I get really excited about the word and then it dies off the first chance I get.

I WANT for the words to fall on "good-hearts", on my heart that will seize it and hold on to it, no matter what, sticking to it until there's a harvest.

Prayer

Lord I pray for a soft heart that will learn to open itself to you. A heart that will receive your word in not only with temporal enthusiasm, but a heart that will stick to it till the time of your harvest. Lord that I ask for an attentive heart, I ask for a heart that will crave your word, a heart that will recognise it's maker's voice, a heart that will beat to the rhythm of your heart. I pray for a teachable spirit. Lord I ask to be thirsty for your word. Let your agenda run my life and not my own. Amen

Charles on 190305

Reading from Luke 13 Isaiah 25, 26.

Scripture

Luke 13:6 - 9
6 And Jesus told them this parable--"A man, who had a fig tree growing
in his vineyard, came to look for fruit on it, but could not find any.
7 So he said to his gardener 'Three years now I have come to look for
fruit on this fig tree, without finding any! Cut it down. Why should it
rob the soil?' 8 'Leave it this one year more, Sir,' the man answered,
'till I have dug round it and manured it. 9 Then, if it bears in
future, well and good; but if not, you can have it cut down.'"
Luke 13: 18 - 21
18 So Jesus said. "What is the Kingdom of God like? and to what can I
liken it? 19 It is like a mustard-seed which a man took and put in his
garden. The seed grew and became a tree, and 'the wild birds roosted in
its branches.'" 20 And again Jesus said. "To what can I liken the
Kingdom of God? 21 It is like some yeast which a woman took and
covered in three pecks of flour, until the whole had risen."

Observation

Jesus spoke about the the parable of the fig tree, but did not end with
a moral or concluding lesson - rather unusual for me as there's usually
a nice wrap up at the end where it is clear what the parable aims to
teach. As it hung in the back of my mind, another parable-like passage
came up a few verses down - Jesus describing the Kingdom of God with an
organic metaphor - yeast and mustard-seed. These metaphorical uses
spoke of potential.

I have heard many motivational speakers speak on the subject of
potential and the positive future. They have this to say, "You are not
your story yet". It is easy for us to look at our own lives, our
problems and the closing walls and allow them to implode and conclude
that that is all there is to our lives, story, or situation. The
Kingdom of God is a kingdom not bound by static circumstances but by
his perfect will. His perfect will is for our abundance and He has
already built it into our DNA to grow and flourish. This helps me
understand what the earlier parable is about. The fig tree represents
us who at some stage of our lives look barren and dry. The negatives
are quick to take it at face value and decide that it is taking up
space (aka good soil). However, those who have the Kingdom perspective
sees the vision of the potential within. It is interesting to note that
the gardener did not just speak up on his philosophical beliefs but
puts them to action. He makes a decision to give the tree a hand to
help it bear fruit.

Application
This passage is thick with many levels of wisdom. On one hand I can
appreciate the gratitude it brings me as I look back in my life when it
took me a while to bloom. There were people around me, believers of my
potential in Christ, who were patient with me and allowed me the space
and time to find my footing in life to become fruitful & abundant. In
fact, some of them did not get a chance to see me bear fruit and moved
on to where God has called them. God bless their souls and may our
paths cross again. My life is so filled with adventure and abundant
living because they never gave up on me and got down to my level to
give me the boost I need. Those days of "digging and manuring" must
have been quite an experience for them.

So what am I doing to plow into the lives of people? Have I made
conclusions about people and thus stifled their potential? This new
kingdom perspective ought to challenge me to live differently and seek
to use every moment I can to invest in the souls of men - one of the
two things that will last forever. One of my goals this year is in line
with this perspective and isn't it so divine that God is sealing it in
today!

Prayer
My Lord, how wise are you! You span time and space and you see the past
and future of our being. Thank you for imparting this wisdom today and
for sealing in the reason for the desires on my heart. Now I need to
get myself some tools to dig deep. So I am asking you to provide me
with the right tools to burrow into the hearts of men. Help me find the
grooves and quantize them according to your big picture, your kingdom
which I am constantly witnessing. Keep reminding me when I get
disappointed with people of why I am doing all this. For your kingdom's
sake and in your name I ask this. Amen!

Jonathan on 170305

Scripture
Luke 11:2-4
Father,
Reveal who you are.
Set the world right.
Keep us alive with three square meals.
Keep us forgiven with you and forgiving others.
Keep us safe from ourselves and the Devil.

Luke 11:9
"Here's what I'm saying:
Ask and you'll get;
Seek and you'll find;
Knock and the door will open.


Observation
Eugene Peterson's translation of the Bible is phenomenal. No "thy," "thine," or "thou."

In this passage in Luke, the Disciples ask Jesus to teach them to pray and he provides two illustrations. First, he prays what we have come to know as "The Lord's Prayer." It is clear, concise and very profound. Second, Jesus recommends sincere persistence in what one prays for.

Application
Why is it I always feel that for a prayer to be worthy, it must command respect. It must be eloquent but not wordy, passionate, climactic, Biblical, timely and relevant. Jesus on the other hand prays a simple prayer, something that would not get much applause or approving Amens.
In fact, the prayer is completely unimpressive. Some people might even scoff at it. But the more I read it, the louder it resonates with the essence of God and what he's up to in this world.

I replace the consistent heartfelt longings of my heart with long fancy one-off prayers. Simplicity and consistency are what I need, above all, in my prayer life.

Scripture
Luke 11:23-28
"This is war, and there is no neutral ground. If you're not on my side, you're the enemy; if you're not helping, you're making things worse.

"When a corrupting spirit is expelled from someone, it drifts along through the desert looking for an oasis, some unsuspecting soul it can bedevil. When it doesn't find anyone, it says, "I'll go back to my old haunt.' 25On return, it finds the person swept and dusted, but vacant. 26It then runs out and rounds up seven other spirits dirtier than itself and they all move in, whooping it up. That person ends up far worse than if he'd never gotten cleaned up in the first place."

While he was saying these things, some woman lifted her voice above the murmur of the crowd: "Blessed the womb that carried you, and the breasts at which you nursed!"

Jesus commented, "Even more blessed are those who hear God's Word and guard it with their lives!"

Observation
I believe this is Jesus' encounter with a heckler. Here He is, speaking the truth of who we are and what we do and there she goes blessing Mary's mammaries.

Christ makes a powerful comment on the way we try to suspend our lives. It is true a man cannot serve two Gods, but he also cannot serve no God. An empty heart will eventually be found. This is a powerful warning to the spiritual spectators of our generation; we may think
we'll just kick back, relax and see how things work out but the truth is either we follow him whole-heartedly, or some other unclean spirit will take the Holy Spirit's place.

Prayer
Father, I don't want to be a spectator but I want to take part in your divine plans for this world. And my first step is to pray simple prayers without ceasing.

Reveal who you are. Set the world right. Keep us alive with three square meals. Keep us forgiven with you and forgiving others. Keep us safe from ourselves and the Devil.
In the name and leadership of your son Jesus Christ I pray, Amen.

Guojin on 18 March 2005

Scripture:

Luke 12: 47-48
The servant who knows what his master wants and ignores it, or insolently does whatever he pleases,will be thoroughly thrashed. But if he does a poor job through ignorance, he'll get off with a slap on the hand. Great gifts mean great responsibilities; greater gifts, greater responsbilities.

Observation:

Jesus was telling to Peter the parable about the 2 steward's attitude when the Master went away for holidays. One was really quick to do and finish up all the duties he was appointed to while the other assumed the master would take his time so this steward went on making merry. When the master returns, he gave the 2 steward different responses ie thus follows verse 47-48.

Application:

I somewhat sense that i'm the state where i'm the 2nd steward, making rationals of things saying that "the master will take his time" , so i could play my lil' games first and i would still of heaps of time, ie controlling my lil world make sure its in place. I felt like i knew what i was suppose to do, however, i chose to do the other. I could sense God reminding me that there God is very particular on my attitude to approach things that come way, instead of justifying myself saying i could do it a "different" way as long i get it done. I starting to realise there's a different between pushing boundaries with the wrong attitude and doing the ordinary with the right attitude. Reminds me that God is more concerned of my obedience
not my sacrifices that i could churn out using the wrong attitude.

Prayer:

Father, thank you for Your ever so timely words. Father God, i ask that You deal with me to the core of being. I'm not content just to walk through this life making really good sacrifices but forgets to learn the lesson of obedience to You.Lord, give me the discernment and wistom to know when i'm playing games to rationalise my wrong doings with Your work. Holy spirit, convict me thoroughly when i do as i dont want to be a servant that "knows what his master wants and ignores it, or insolently does whatever he pleases" and forgive me as i've done it many times in the past. Lord, i want to be a servant thats obedient and responsible to what's given. Lord,
be my reward. In Jesus' name, Amen

Shing Fuh on 18 March 2005

Luke 12, Isaiah 23,24

Scripture
Luke 12:19-20

And I'll say to myself,"you have plenty of good things laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry."

But God said to him,'You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who wil get what you have prepared for yourself?'

Observation

After good harvest, the rich were talking about how they should store their grains and goods. One of them said that, 'good' things will be laid up for many years to come. Living in a comfort zone; eat and drink well adn get richer. But God said and asked, what if we die tonight, who is going to get the things that we prepare for ourselves.

Application

In this modern society, there are so much emphasis on financial security. In order to live a 'better' life, people will save up, will work so hard to get more money and so on. But, what if one day, misfortune occur, accident happened. What and where will our storage of financial possession become or go to? As a christian, we know that God is going to come back one day, but we never know when is that going to happen.

What if, what if he comes for us all tomorrow, will we still bother about how much money we have, how good we look, how impressing our personal status is. I certainly will not. So why not do something for other people, do something more useful so that even if when we are not around, the society will still benefit from our past doings. Personally, I know my purpose of going to ocf is to help my housemate learn about
christ( Im 'dragging' them there now). They are still learning about christianity.. I just feel that God is challenging me now. What if one day Im not attending ocf. Is my housemate still going to go? Can I make them stay there even if Im not around?

Prayer
Lord, I just feel so fulfilling whenever I do devotion. And Lord, I just want to thank you Lord, thank you for letting me see bigger picture in my life Lord. Lord, I know at times i might get so involved in pursuing earthly possesion that I forgot about the most important thing in my life Lord. Lord I forget about you Lord. Lord, for now I just want to do something for you Lord. So that whenever you come for me Lord, Im ready Lord. I just want to uplift my housemate to you. Lord I just pray that one day Lord, whenever my housemate go to ocf or go to church Lord,they dont go there for company, but they go there for YOU Lord. Lord I thank you for the challenges you set before me and I just pray them you continue to shower your blessing in our community Lord. I pray all this in Jesus name. Amen

Steven on 18 March 2005

Scriptures:

Luke 12: 8-12
8. ‘ I tell you, whoever acknowledges me before men, the Son of Man will also acknowledge him before the angels of God. 9. But he who disowns me before men will be disowned before the angels of God. 10. And everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven , but anyone who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven.
11. When you are brought before the synagogues, rulers and authorities, do not worry about how you will defend yourselves or what you will say, 12 for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what you should say.

Observation:

In this chapter of Luke, a crowd of many thousands of Pharisees faces Jesus and his disciples. Jesus tells his disciples that they should not fear anything or anyone , but only fear the One that has the power to throw you into hell.

Application:

In today’s society, which is filled with materialism and distractions, it is easy to lose sight of who really is the true ‘supreme being’. God is trying to deliver to us through this parable, that as long as you have the faith and trust in the Lord, it doesn’t matter what you may come up against in life, whether it be Uni, work or even your enemy’s. With God, who is for you, there is nothing that may come up against you.

Bob Larson’s powerful words about having the confidence in deliverance and speaking publicly, last week were hammered into my brain. This scripture demonstrates that we don’t have to worry about what we are going to say or even how we want to say it. With God and the Holy Spirit in your life the words will flow from your mouth and the word of God will be delivered to those who listen. All we need to do is over come the boundaries and barriers of how we will be perceived and judged by people and just put our faith in the Lord.

Prayer:

Dear heavenly father, I pray that as I grow both physically and spiritually that you will teach me to become more and more like you. Give me the strength to deliver the word of God to those that I may come into contact with, so that they to may experience the unconditional love of God. Lord thank you for giving me the opportunity to share your word through Life*TV and ACCF, I just pray that you will give me the strength to continue on doing so in the future.
Amen.

Jonathan on 17 March 2005

Scripture
Luke 11:2-4
Father,
Reveal who you are.
Set the world right.
Keep us alive with three square meals.
Keep us forgiven with you and forgiving others.
Keep us safe from ourselves and the Devil.

Luke 11:9
"Here's what I'm saying:
Ask and you'll get;
Seek and you'll find;
Knock and the door will open.


Observation
Eugene Peterson's translation of the Bible is phenomenal. No "thy," "thine," or "thou."

In this passage in Luke, the Disciples ask Jesus to teach them to pray and he provides two illustrations. First, he prays what we have come to know as "The Lord's Prayer." It is clear, concise and very profound. Second, Jesus recommends sincere persistence in what one prays for.

Application
Why is it I always feel that for a prayer to be worthy, it must command respect. It must be eloquent but not wordy, passionate, climactic, Biblical, timely and elevant. Jesus on the other hand prays a simple prayer, something that would not get much applause or approving Amens. In fact, the prayer is completely unimpressive. Some people might even scoff at it. But the more I read it, the louder it resonates with the essence of God and what he's up to in this world.

I replace the consistent heartfelt longings of my heart with long fancy one-off prayers. Simplicity and consistency are what I need, above all, in my prayer life.

Scripture
Luke 11:23-28
"This is war, and there is no neutral ground. If you're not on my
side, you're the enemy; if you're not helping, you're making things
worse.

"When a corrupting spirit is expelled from someone, it drifts
along through the desert looking for an oasis, some unsuspecting soul
it can bedevil. When it doesn't find anyone, it says, "I'll go back to
my old haunt.' 25On return, it finds the person swept and dusted, but
vacant. 26It then runs out and rounds up seven other spirits dirtier
than itself and they all move in, whooping it up. That person ends up
far worse than if he'd never gotten cleaned up in the first place."

While he was saying these things, some woman lifted her voice
above the murmur of the crowd: "Blessed the womb that carried you, and
the breasts at which you nursed!"

Jesus commented, "Even more blessed are those who hear God's Word
and guard it with their lives!"

Observation
I believe this is Jesus' encounter with a heckler. Here He is, speaking the truth of who we are and what we do and there she goes blessing Mary's mammaries.

Christ makes a powerful comment on the way we try to suspend our lives. It is true a man cannot serve two Gods, but he also cannot serve no God. An empty heart will eventually be found. This is a powerful warning to the spiritual spectators of our generation; we may think we'll just kick back, relax and see how things work out but the truth is either we follow him whole-heartedly, or some other unclean spirit will take the Holy Spirit's place.

Prayer
Father, I don't want to be a spectator but I want to take part in your divine plans for this world. And my first step is to pray simple prayers without ceasing. Reveal who you are. Set the world right. Keep us alive with three square meals. Keep us forgiven with you and forgiving others. Keep us safe from ourselves and the Devil.
In the name and leadership of your son Jesus Christ I pray, Amen.

E-Gene on 14 March 2005

Luke 8, Isaiah 15, 16

Scripture
Luke 8:4 As they went from town to town, a lot of people joined in and traveled along. He addressed them, using this story:
Luke 8:5 "A farmer went out to sow his seed. Some of it fell on the road; it was tramped down and the birds ate it.
Luke 8:6 Other seed fell in the gravel; it sprouted, but withered because it didn't have good roots.
Luke 8:7 Other seed fell in the weeds; the weeds grew with it and strangled it.
Luke 8:8 Other seed fell in rich earth and produced a bumper crop. "Are you listening to this? Really listening?"


Observation
Jesus is telling the people the parable of the sower. A parable is an illustrated story that Jesus uses very often to bring the point across to the people. As the people listening to Him at that point were probably most familiar with farming, He uses this illustration to explain to them about how we should be "listening" to the word of God.

He them explains what the parable means in the following verses

Luk 8:11 "This story is about some of those people. The seed is the Word of God.
Luk 8:12 The seeds on the road are those who hear the Word, but no sooner do they hear it than the Devil snatches it from them so they won't believe and be saved.
Luk 8:13 "The seeds in the gravel are those who hear with enthusiasm, but the enthusiasm doesn't go very deep. It's only another fad, and the moment there's trouble it's gone.
Luk 8:14 "And the seed that fell in the weeds--well, these are the ones who hear, but then the seed is crowded out and nothing comes of it as they go about their lives worrying about tomorrow, making money, and having fun.
Luk 8:15 "But the seed in the good earth--these are the good-hearts who seize the Word and hold on no matter what, sticking with it until there's a harvest.

Application
I guess for me, after reading these verses, though it was something that I've read before and am suppose to be familiar with, the explanation that Jesus gives about the different categories of people started to hit me again. The question for me is, where am I? And the last bit in verse 8 is really taunting me " Are you listening to this? Really listening?

How many times have I read the word of God without really listening to it? How many times have glazed through the passages which are the Living Breathing Word of God, without really opening my heart to receive it. Even now as I'm reading it, I really pray that His words are carved into my heart.

I do not want to be the category of people in verse 13 which I think that has been the way it is for most of my life, there'll be times when I get really excited about the word and then it dies off the first chance I get.

I WANT for the words to fall on "good-hearts", on my heart that will seize it and hold on to it, no matter what, sticking to it until there's a harvest.

Prayer
Lord I pray for a soft heart that will learn to open itself to you. A heart that will receive your word in not only with temporal enthusiasm, but a heart that will stick to it till the time of your harvest. Lord that I ask for an attentive heart, I ask for a heart that will crave your word, a heart that will recognise it's maker's voice, a heart that will beat to the rhythm of your heart. I pray for a teachable spirit. Lord I ask to be thirsty for your word. Let your agenda run my life and not my own.