Bible study « ..be transformed by the renewing of your mind

Memory verse

July 11, 2008 at 5:07 am | In Bible study, Personal | Leave a Comment

(Memory verse of the day):

Be very careful then, how you live, not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore, do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. (Ephesians 5:15-17)

The words in bold speak greatly to me in my personal life.

My annual leave is drawing to a close.

More than half a year is gone, and my goals for this year aren’t met very well yet.

Best

June 24, 2008 at 5:20 pm | In Bible study | 2 Comments

One of the best videos I’ve seen in a while.

HAHAHA

I would have given a standing ovation. Salutes.

No Way Out?

June 24, 2008 at 4:56 pm | In Bible study, Personal | Leave a Comment

*I was reading this entry for June 25, from [ Cowman, E. C., (1925) Streams in the Desert, Volume One, Lakeland, Great Britain] and found this post really encouraging. I have never thought of the Red Sea crossing as an example of putting faith in God when passing through impossible-looking obstacles. It really encourages me in my current work place situation and personal life. *

June 25

Speak unto the children of Israel, that they go forward. (Exodus 14:!5)

(The writer here is describing on the Israelites and their emotions when they crossed the Red Sea).

Imagine, O child of God, if you can, that triumphal march! The excited children restrained from ejaculations of wonder by the perpetual hush of their parents; the most uncontrollable excitement of the women as they found themselves suddenly saved from a fate worse than death; while the men followed or accompanied them ashamed or confounded that they had ever mistrusted God or murmured against Moses; and as you see those mighty walls of water piled up by the out-stretched hand of the Eternal, in response to the faith of a single man, learn what God will do for His own.

Dread not any result of implicit obedience to His command; fear not the angry waters which, in their proud insolence, forbid your progress. Above the voices of many waters, the mighty breakers of the sea, ” the Lord sitteth King for ever.”

A storm is only as the outskirts of His robe, the symptom of His advent, the environment of His presence.

Dare to trust Him; dare to follow Him! And discover that the very forces which barred your progress and threatened your life, at His bidding become the materials of which an avenue is made to liberty. —- F.B. Meyer.

Have you come to the Red Sea place in your life,

Where, in spite of all you can do,

There is no way out, there is no way back,

There is no other way but through?

Then wait on the Lord with a trust serene

Till the night of your fear is gone;

He will send the wind, He will heap the floods,

When He says to your soul, ” Go on.”

And His hand will lead you through—clear through—

Ere the watery walls roll down,

No foe can reach you, no wave can touch,

No mightiest sea can drown;

The tossing billows may rear their crests,

Their foam at your feet may break,

But over their bed you shall walk dry shod

In the path that your Lord will make.

In the morning watch, ‘ neath the lifted cloud,

You shall see but the Lord alone,

When He leads you on from the place of the sea

To a land that you have not known;

And your fears shall pass as your foes have passed,

You shall be no more afraid;

You shall sing His praise in a better place,

A place that His hand has made

—-Annie Johnson Flint

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June 18, 2008 at 11:42 am | In Bible study | Leave a Comment

Matthew 5:27-30 — (NIV)

Adultery

27“You have heard that it was said, ‘Do not commit adultery.’^[e] 28But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 29If your right eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. 30And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell.

Galatians 5 (NIV)

Freedom in Christ

1It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.

2Mark my words! I, Paul, tell you that if you let yourselves be circumcised, Christ will be of no value to you at all. 3Again I declare to every man who lets himself be circumcised that he is obligated to obey the whole law. 4You who are trying to be justified by law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace. 5But by faith we eagerly await through the Spirit the righteousness for which we hope. 6For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.

7You were running a good race. Who cut in on you and kept you from obeying the truth? 8That kind of persuasion does not come from the one who calls you. 9“A little yeast works through the whole batch of dough.” 10I am confident in the Lord that you will take no other view. The one who is throwing you into confusion will pay the penalty, whoever he may be. 11Brothers, if I am still preaching circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? In that case the offense of the cross has been abolished. 12As for those agitators, I wish they would go the whole way and emasculate themselves!

13You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature^[a]; rather, serve one another in love. 14The entire law is summed up in a single command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”^[b] 15If you keep on biting and devouring each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.

Life by the Spirit

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

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

22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. 25Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. 26Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.

Footnotes:

Galatians 5:13 Or the flesh; also in verses 16, 17, 19 and 24
Galatians 5:14 Lev. 19:18

Helpful Bible study for Women (Proverbs 31) — [The Best of All -part1]

June 16, 2008 at 8:47 am | In Bible study | Leave a Comment

*Got this book from Uncle Chris, [Karsen. G, (1977) The Best of All, Navpress,Netherlands, pp21]

It’s quite helpful to me to get a glimpse of women who live their lives for God. This book is based on Proverbs 31, a role model – someone whose example we can follow. She is the prototype of God’s ideal woman. The first chapter ends with questions for personal or group study, I’ll just put up those questions for women who may be looking for it online.. *

THE CHOICE (Questions behind Chapter 1)

a) What characterizes the women mentioned in the following passages? Proverbs 5:3, 9:13, 21:19; and 22:14.

b) What statements are made about wives in Proverbs 18:22 and 19:14?

2. Read Genesis 1:26-28. What does this passage say about the creation of woman and her calling?

3. The Bible portrays women who may have been wives and mothers, but who also had other interests. What were they? Read Acts 9:36-42; 16:13-15; and 18:1-3. 18-19, and 24-26.

4. The BIble also includes accounts of female leaders. What were their tasks?

What influence did each one have on their people?

a) Miriam (Exodus 15:19-21; Micah 6:4)

b) Deborah (Judges 4)

c) Huldah (2 Chronicles 34:22-33)

5. Read the book of Ruth. Two women in identical situations, and each made a choice.

a) Summarize what these choices were and how they affected the lives of the women and those around them.

b) How should this story affect your life? (p.s. This is a true story and is a historical fact, not a story that was made up)

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I’m quite impressed by what Dorcas/Tabitha did for the people around her, Deborah was quite pro, able to lead Israel to victory against the Caananites, Hulda’s actions had a tremendous impact on Israel’s repentance, Miriam is one of the earliest leaders of Israel and worship leader, Priscilla, Aquilla’s wife and Lydia, do good to people around them too. Ruth is deeply loyal to those she love, she had a self-sacrificing love for Naomi, her mother-in-law, and was willing to suffer together with her. But Orpah chose the more practical option available to her and went back to Moabite and her people.

But the important lesson I’ve learnt is that women are created in God’s own likeness and image, as does men.

It is important to find out what God desires and what pleases Him. So that we can live our lives more carefully and give thought to our ways.

I just feel that I need to change more ( character wise and the way I do things) for the better. These lessons show us what pleases God and how these women are able to do those things for Him..

Be humble, forgive and forget…

June 14, 2008 at 5:07 pm | In Bible study, Personal, Thoughts | Leave a Comment

The scary thing is that sometimes, one may think that one is a very good person. But actually, that someone himself/herself, is a very shrewd, cunning and someone full of vengeance. It is even more scarier if that someone is you yourself.

Faith should go with deeds.

It is immature to jump to conclusions, or act in an impulsive way…

Nor being too extreme.

There is so much I need to improve on.

It is foolish to be wise in your own eyes.

Maturing isn’t an overnight thing.
I really need to absorb and apply what Christ has taught below:

Turning the other cheek is to respond to an aggressor without violence. The phrase originates from the Sermon on the Mount in the New Testament.

In the Sermon on the Mount in the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus says:

You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.

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Wished I’ve read these few verses days before:

Leviticus 19:16-18 (New International Version)

16″ ‘Do not go about spreading slander among your people.
” ‘Do not do anything that endangers your neighbor’s life. I am the LORD.

17 ” ‘Do not hate your brother in your heart. Rebuke your neighbor frankly so you will not share in his guilt.

18 ” ‘Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against one of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD.

Will not be easy, but with God, while putting the best effort…. all things are possible….

Too busy….

June 13, 2008 at 4:31 pm | In Bible study, Thoughts | Leave a Comment

For this one month until the end of July, I’ll be really busy..

Haha

And it’s really strange. Even with the Great Singapore Sale and all, this time, it’s really not usual of me to not have any shopping urges. I just don’t feel like shopping at all. It’s like there is no inspirations yet to go out and shop. Even though my favorite is Forever 21.. It just doesn’t excite me this time like it used to.

I guess that during this period I just want to focus more on the things I should be doing, and other things just seem so unnecessary at times. Just want to survive through these 2 months and I’ll be really happy. (There’s so many “just”s in this entry, dunno why).

My travelling expenses would be higher than normal I would say for this period. So I’ll just cut down on the extras..

This period is rather a major period of transition for me, at work, at home and in school… Heeee

So there is really a lot to learn up on…

Just have this thought just now…

When a person looks over a window edge on top of a high building, the fear the person has, pulls him/her back into the building. The natural instinct to prevent self-destruction. But if the person is looking at something which will cause him/her to sin and lead to self-destruction, the natural instinct should be there originally. However, the person will feel a strong attraction to plunge into the temptation. The person may just go ahead, silencing the alarm inside him/her. In the end, the person harms himself/herself, leading to serious consequences or a tarnished future/life.

I think in order to have this natural self-protection instinct when looking at a temptation or something wrong, you must think of the end result of your action. I hope that will be able to make the difference. I guess it would.

Random thought of the day…

From Lucy Larcom [Cowman, E.C., (1925) Streams in the Desert]:

* This book was written by a missionary who went to Japan and Korea. Her famous devotion book has encouraged many missionaries when they got discouraged. Got this vintage devotion book as from Uncle Chris as he has got an extra copy, I think I have this interest to collect vintage books from now on, books older than me, but still in a good condition.*

Is it raining, little flower?

Be glad of rain;

Too much sun would wither thee;

‘Twill shine again,

The clouds are very black, ’tis true;

But Just behind them shines the blue.

Art thou weary, tender heart?

Be glad of pain;

In sorrow sweetest virtues grow,

As flowers in rain.

God watches, and thou wilt have sun,

When clouds their perfect work have done.

—Lucy Larcom

Rest is not a hallowed feeling that comes over us in church; it is the repose of a heart set deep in God.

—Drummond

God smiles on His child in the eye of the storm– a little leaflet that laid at Mr and Mrs Charles’ feet when they were almost wondering if “God had forgotten to be gracious”.

Armor of God

May 29, 2008 at 7:40 am | In Bible study, Thoughts | Leave a Comment

How I see it:————– (My own words in italics)

Ephesians 6:

The Armor of God

10Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. (The devil has schemes to pull us away from God, to do the wrong things, to tempt us, to make us guilty and unable to grow in God. We can put on the full armour of God to take our stand against the devil, just like in a battle, the armour protects us, and enables us to fight the devil/evil.)

12For 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. ( These powers of the darkness are very real, and that is why it is so important to pray– spirtual warfare occurs when we pray.)

13Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. (I think this verse means we need to put on the armour daily, because so that when the day of evil comes, we will be able to stand our ground. It also states that we need to do our part, to stand our ground.)

14Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, ( Learnt this from Yuwei last time, the belt holds the whole outfit together, the belt of truth is God’s truth. God’s truth versus the lie of the evil one. e.g. The truth is that God has created us for His glory and to be like him, but the evil one tells us that we live for our own glory and to live our own lives and desires apart from God. The breastplate protects the vital organs like our hearts, lungs, liver..etc., the breastplate of righteousness protects our heart. Righteousness is important to prevent our heart from being injured by the evil one or corrupted.)

15and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. (Our feet brings us where we will be going, either to the right path, or a path of sin. To fit our feet with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace, also means to run away from sin and towards those who haven’t yet know God. Readiness as in a race, the competitors are always ready to dart ahead.. it means speed to me, and what I want to pursue..)

16In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.( The shield of faith to extinguish the flaming arrows of the evil one. Flaming arrows can be accusations, bombardments of impure things, impure thoughts or evil thoughts… To take up the shield of faith, faith in God and what He promises to do for us, and has done.)

17Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. (The helmet protects the brain and what we think, it guards our mind. The helmet of salvation, we should always think and dwell on the eternal salvation we have and how it guides our life purpose. My favorite item here is the sword. The only defensive weapon in the armour of God. The sword which is offensive towards the evil one is God’s word. We need to keep God’s word in mind so that in times of temptation, we can use it to rebuke our evil thoughts or lies from the evil one. And with the sword, the evil one will be defeated.)

18And 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. (Can always pray for everything that troubles us and for others..) (niv)

(From The Student Bible, NIV):

Ephesians concludes with a concise analogy, perhaps inspired by a glimpse of a Roman soldier, outfitted in armor, patrolling the grounds of Paul’s prison. Paul viewed the Christian life as a kind of warfare, and he wanted his readersto prepare for combat with a dangerous opponent. Bible scholars often note two details: (1) Only the “sword of the Spirit” is an offensive weapon; all the rest were used for defense. (2) No armor protects the back and rear; Paul made no provision for running away from a spiritual battle.

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Need to put into action.

Battle. Choice. Dead or alive.