Tuesday, July 31, 2007

How a day should end

Exodus 24:3-8

1. How did Moses ensure the Israelites understood their promise?

When Moses went and told the people all the LORD's words and laws, they responded with one voice, "Everything the LORD has said we will do." Moses then wrote down everything the LORD had said.

He got up early the next morning and built an altar at the foot of the mountain and set up twelve stone pillars representing the twelve tribes of Israel. Then he sent young Israelite men, and they offered burnt offerings and sacrificed young bulls as fellowship offerings to the LORD.

Moses took half of the blood and put it in bowls, and the other half he sprinkled on the altar. Then he took the Book of the Covenant and read it to the people. They responded, "We will do everything the LORD has said; we will obey."

Moses then took the blood, sprinkled it on the people and said, "This is the blood of the covenant that the LORD has made with you in accordance with all these words."

Luke 19:1-8

2. How did Zacchaeus validate his commitment?

Zacchaeus validated his commitment to Jesus by standing up and said to the Lord, "Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount."

Monday, July 30, 2007

Doing what is right

Matthew 5:23-24

1. Why should we confront others?

If you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift. Therefore we need to confront.

Galatians 2:11-16; James 5:19-20

2. What is the goal of confrontation?

We are justified by faith in Christ and not by observing the law, because by observing the law no one will be justified.

Whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save him from death and cover over a multitude of sins.

Sunday, July 29, 2007

When very angry

Matthew 5:21-22; 15:17-20

1. Why is anger subject to judgement?

God tells us from His Word that if anyone who is angry with his brother, he will be subject to judgment.

Whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and then out of the body?

But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and these make a man 'unclean.' For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander. These are what make a man 'unclean'; but eating with unwashed hands does not make him 'unclean.' "

Ephesians 4:17-32

2. How can we be angry but not sin?

In your anger do not sin: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold. He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need.

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

Saturday, July 28, 2007

Rich man - poor man

1 Timothy 6:6-19

1. How should rich people behave?

godliness with contentment- people who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil.

pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness- fight the good fight of the faith

not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain- to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.

do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share- in this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.

1 John 3:16-18

2. What should they beware of?

If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him?

They should not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.

Friday, July 27, 2007

Don't get into a rut!

Acts 16:6-10

1. What made Paul an effective leader?

Paul and his companions traveled throughout the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word in the province of Asia. When they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to. So they passed by Mysia and went down to Troas. During the night Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia standing and begging him, "Come over to Macedonia and help us." After Paul had seen the vision, we got ready at once to leave for Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.

Therefore, Paul's sensitivity to the Holy Spirit and the visions from God made him an effective leader.

2 Corinthians 11:20-30

2. What made Paul an understanding leader?

Paul, though have gone through trials even facing deaths many times, he has kept his faith and strength from the Lord. He boasts in his weakness because God gives the strength to go through all the tribulations.

Thursday, July 26, 2007

Armed for warfare

2 Cor. 10:3-5

1. What is our nature of our warfare?

For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does.

The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.

We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.

Eph. 6:10-18

2. List our different weapons and their uses.

Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.

(i) Put on the full armor of God

so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes.

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. So that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.

(ii) Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place

and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.

(iii) Take up the shield of faith

with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.

(iv) Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit

which is the word of God.

(v) Pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests

With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.

Wednesday, July 25, 2007

Faith versus fear

Psa. 27:1-14

1. Why was the psalmist confident?

The LORD is our light and my salvation, stronghold of our life. For in the day of trouble he will keep us safe in his dwelling; he will hide us in the shelter of his tabernacle and set us high upon a rock.

The psalmist is confident as he will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.

Psa. 43:1-5

2. What emotions did the psalmist experience?

For the psalmist is bothered with deceitful and wicked men, he felt oppressed and mourned.

He said "Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God."

What a prayer!

Acts 4:23-31; 7:59-60, 2 Tim. 4:14

1. How did the disciples pray in respect of Herod and Pilate?

The disciples prayed to God to consider Herod and Pilate's threats, to enable them to speak God's word with great boldness. So that they can stretch out their hand to heal and perform miraculous signs and wonders through the name of Jesus.

After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.

2. Should we ask God to punish our enemy or show mercy?

While people were stoning Stephen, he prayed, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit." Then he fell on his knees and cried out, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them." When he had said this, he fell asleep.

Therefore, we should ask God to show mercy to our enemies.

Monday, July 23, 2007

Unbeatable and unbreakable

Acts 16:19-25

1. How did Paul and Silas respond to persecution?

Direct from Acts 16:19-25,

When the owners of the slave girl realized that their hope of making money was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace to face the authorities. They brought them before the magistrates and said, "These men are Jews, and are throwing our city into an uproar by advocating customs unlawful for us Romans to accept or practice."
The crowd joined in the attack against Paul and Silas, and the magistrates ordered them to be stripped and beaten.

After they had been severely flogged, they were thrown into prison, and the jailer was commanded to guard them carefully. Upon receiving such orders, he put them in the inner cell and fastened their feet in the stocks.

About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them.

Heb. 11:32-39

2. For what reasons were people commended for their faith?

The people conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword; whose weakness was turned to strength; and who became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies.

Sunday, July 22, 2007

A leader's knack

Luke 10:1-20

1. What principles of leadership do you see in Jesus?

As Jesus sends out the seventy-two, we see Jesus possesses the four principles: co-ordination, co-operation, commendation, and communication.

2. How did Jesus prioritise work for God?

He told his disciples to rejoice that their names are written on heaven that all work done is for the Lord's kingdom and not for self pride (that they might rejoice that the demon submit to them).

Saturday, July 21, 2007

House repairs!

Eph. 5:22-6:4

1. What should a Christian home be like?

Direct from Eph. 5:22-6:4

Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything.

Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless.

In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. After all, no one ever hated his own body, but he feeds and cares for it, just as Christ does the church— for we are members of his body.

"For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh." This is a profound mystery—but I am talking about Christ and the church. However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.

Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. "Honor your father and mother"—which is the first commandment with a promise— "that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth."Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.

1 Pet. 3:7-8

2. What may hinder answers to my prayers?

Inconsiderate husbands who do not live in harmony, be sympathetic, or be compassionate and humble to one another will have hindered answers to prayers.

Friday, July 20, 2007

'Good work, Malkijah'

Gen 2:19-20

1. Why are names important?

For the LORD God had formed out of the ground all the beasts of the field and all the birds of the air. He brought them to the man to see what he would name them; and whatever the man called each living creature, that was its name.

So the man gave names to all the livestock, the birds of the air and all the beasts of the field.

Rom. 16:1-16

2. What was Paul's practice?

Paul commended the people and also ask the people to greet and receive commendable people in the Lord, in a way worthy of the saints.

Thursday, July 19, 2007

Expressing appreciation

Esth. 2:21-23

1. Why do you think Xerxes failed to express appreciation?

I think that Xerxes failed to express appreciation because Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king's officers who guarded the doorway, eventually became angry and conspired to assassinate King Xerxes.

Esth. 6:1-11

2. How did he correct his mistake?

When Mordecai found out about the plot and told Queen Esther, who in turn reported it to the king, credit was given to Mordecai. All this was recorded in the book of the annals in the presence of the king.

King Xerxes then rewarded Mordecai by bringing a royal robe the king has worn and a horse the king has ridden, one with a royal crest placed on its head and then let the robe and horse be entrusted to Mordecai whom the king delights to honor. Mordecai will be led on the horse through the city streets, proclaimed, 'This is what is done for the man the king delights to honor!' "

Wednesday, July 18, 2007

Side by side

Exod. 36:1-7

1. How do we know Moses was an inspiring leader?

Moses summoned Bezalel and Oholiab and every skilled person to whom the LORD had given ability and who was willing to come and do the work.

They received from Moses all the offerings the Israelites had brought to carry out the work of constructing the sanctuary.

Phil. 4:3

2. What should be our attitude to fellow Christian workers?

We are to help those who have contended at the Lord's side in the cause of the gospel, along with the rest of His fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.

Tuesday, July 17, 2007

T-e-a-m-w-o-r-k

Eccles. 4:9-12

1. Why should we do things with others?

Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work. If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!

Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone?
Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.

Luke 9:12-17; 10:1; 22:7-8

2. How did Jesus practise teamwork?

Despite impossibility of feeding the 5 thousand men with only 5 loaves of bread and 2 fishes, Jesus said to his disciples, "Have them sit down in groups of about fifty each." Then taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke them. Then he gave them to the disciples to set before the people. They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over.

Jesus in another scenario told, "The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field." He delegated task to his disciples, showing teamwork.

Jesus also sent Peter and John, saying, "Go and make preparations for us to eat the Passover."

Monday, July 16, 2007

The unbending neck

Prov. 16:18; Jer 17:23

1. Why is pride dangerous?

Pride goes before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall. If we make our necks stiff and not listen or receive instructions, we might fail.

John 13:1-5

2. How did Jesus bend His neck?

He washed His disciples' feet and wiped them with the towel which he was girded.

He led as a good example that we must humble ourselves and show love to the people around us.

Sunday, July 15, 2007

What's your gift?

Rom 12:4-13

1. How many gifts can you identify?

There are many gifts mentioned: prophesying, ministering, exhortation, teaching, leadership and showing mercy.

I feel I can identify with teaching and leadership personally.

1 Cor. 12:27-31

2. What gifts do you have and how are they being used?

God appointed these in the church: apostles, prophets, teachers, administrators, miracles, gifts of healings, helps, varieties of tongues. God wants us to desire the best gifts and He will show us in a more excellent way.

Personal response portion not shown here.

Saturday, July 14, 2007

First principles

Exod. 35:20-29

1. How did the Israelites combine to build the tabernacle?

God instructed the children of Israel to coordinate and everyone does one part of the building of the different parts of the tabernacle.

1 Cor 3:6-10

2. How did God co-ordinate the efforts of Apollos and Paul?

Paul planted, Apollos water, but God gave the increase. So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase. Each one will receive our on rewards according to his own labor. Let us also take heed to how we build.

There is no one-man show. It is not biblical. There must be a bodily ministry.

Friday, July 13, 2007

'We will not be diverted'

Esth. 3:12-4:17

1. How did Mordecai and Esther prepare for spiritual battle?

Mordecai upon knowing the bad news immediately put on sackcloth and cried. He went to the city's gate and told Hathach to convey the message to Esther that she has to take action. Esther did not retreat but agreed to convey the message to the king. They all agreed to fast and pray for 3 days, believing in God that Esther will not be killed for talking to the king without being called.

2. How is position linked to opportunity and responsibility?

Esther, being the queen, is not to just sit back and relax. As she holds position, she is able to talk and give sound influence to the king to do the right thing, despite the danger involved. She is responsible for the state of the Jews that is now being tested and she has to make full use of the opportunity God has given her.