Rambling Thoughts in SMK Serian

Spiritual Contentment

noreply@blogger.com (Yeo KH) — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 01:13:01 PST

Psalm 32:1-11

Psalm 32 was written by David after he committed adultery with Bathsheba, and had her husband, Uriah, put to death.

David committed these sins and tried, unsuccessfully, to cover them up.

He was confronted by Nathan the prophet and made a full confession.

During this time, David also wrote Psalm 51. There, David made a full confession of his sins and requested forgiveness. He also promised that he would teach other sinners the ways of the Lord.

Psalm 32 seemed to be David’s fulfillment of that promise.

********

David reminded us that spiritual contentment is possible (1-2).

Spiritual contentment needs a heart that is clean, forgiven and honest before the Lord.

True contentment is found when we know that our sins, and all their defilement and the judgment associated with them, are gone forever!

True contentment comes when we are right with the Lord!

********

Spiritual contentment involves chastisement (3-4).

When David sinned with Bathsheba, he tried to cover up that sin.

He succeeded for about a year.

While David lived with unconfessed sin, his world was turned upside down as God brought chastisement into his life to confront his sin.

********

Spiritual contentment involves confession (5).

When David was confronted with his sin, he came totally clean with the Lord.

He dealt with his sin, his iniquity and his transgressions.

He opened his heart to the Lord in transparent honesty and held nothing back!

********

Spiritual contentment gives us divine protection (6-7a).

When we walk closely with the Lord and turn to Him in times of trouble and temptation, we find that He has all the resources we need to escape the danger at hand.

God is a place of refuge and safety.

********

Spiritual contentment gives us divine preservation (7b).

When we walk closely with the Lord, we are preserved through troubles and trials.

We are not exempted from troubles and trials, but we are kept in them and strengthened by them.

********

Spiritual contentment gives us divine proximity (8-9).

God promised to give David guidance and direction in his life.

God also warned David of stubbornness and disobedience.

He told David that He will guide him with loving eyes.

With His eyes, God could give David a warning look, a warming look or a welcoming look.

********

Spiritual contentment gives us divine peace (10).

Those who submit to God and walk with Him shall have joy, peace and blessing.

Those who refuse to walk in the ways of the Lord will have sorrows.

********

Spiritual contentment gives us divine praise (7c, 11).

We walk with the Lord.

We are saved and secure in our relationship with Him.

We are sanctified and clean.

We have hope for the future.

We have every reason to lift our voices and shout for joy.

********

Some thoughts:

We must be saved before we can experience true contentment and peace!
We must get before the Lord, confess our sins and forsake it, before God restore our contentment and joy.

Let us go for spiritual contentment.

Let Us Not Be Ashamed

noreply@blogger.com (Yeo KH) — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 02:07:55 PST

Psalm 31:1-24

Let us not be ashamed to possess Him.

He is our God.

It is not a sign of weakness to express a need for God.

God is our source of strength, comfort, security, and refuge.

*******

Let us not be ashamed to profess Him.

If we possess Him, we need to profess Him.

We must not be ashamed of people knowing that we are Christians.

We must hold our head high and proudly tell the world that the Lord Jesus Christ is ours.

*******

Let us not be ashamed to pray to Him.

Praying is not a sign of weakness.

Prayer is a demonstration of power!

The real weakling is a person who thinks he can handle everything himself.

Prayer is the Christian's greatest resource.

It opens the bank of Heaven and unlocks the power of God in our lives.

Let us use it liberally!

There are 2 areas of life where we need to be avowed liberals.

One is in the area of giving.

The other in the area of prayer!

The Lord Jesus Christ promised to hear us and help us.

*******

Let us not be ashamed to praise Him.

We have much to praise Him!

We are commanded to praise Him.

It is our duty to praise Him.

*******

Let us not be ashamed to present ourselves to Him.

We are not worthy to enter His presence as we are, but through the blood of Jesus we are declared worthy!

We are to present ourselves now in service.

We are to present ourselves in Heaven unashamed, because of what the Lord Jesus Christ did.

Through the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ we will be able to present ourselves before Him in Heaven.

*******

Let us not be ashamed to prescribe Him.

He is the cure for the disease of sin.

The Gospel is healing medicine for every sick soul.

We must tell others about Him.

We must never be ashamed to witness.

We must be proud of who we are, whose we are, and tell others how they can become that also!

We must tell the lost about the Lord Jesus Christ.

*******

Some thoughts.

We must never be ashamed of anything to do with the Lord God!
The Lord God is never ashamed of us.

Let us never be ashamed of God!

Hope In The Midst Of Battle

noreply@blogger.com (Yeo KH) — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 02:15:17 PST

Psalm 27: 1-6

Confidence in the Lord provides hope (1-3).

*******

David had confidence in the Person of the Lord.

He called the Lord his light, his salvation and his strength.

*******

As light, God delivered him from darkness.

As light, God guided his steps.

*******

As salvation, God delivered him from damnation.

As salvation, God secured his soul.

*******

As strength, God delivered him from defeat.

As strength, God guaranteed his success.

*******

David had confidence in the performance of the Lord.

*******

David declared that his present hope in the Lord rested upon that which the Lord had done for him in the past.

God did not fail him then, and He would not fail him now.

The God he served was unchangeable.

He is the same God with the same power that He has always been.

He has never, and He will never change.

*******

Commitment to the Lord provides hope (4).

*******

David was committed to lingering near the Lord.

David wanted to spend his entire life in the house of the Lord.

He wanted to be in that place where the Lord dwells and where the Lord’s presence is real.

David wanted to be where the Lord is honored and where He is worshiped.

He desired that place of closeness and intimacy with the Lord.

He wanted to linger in God’s presence all the days of his life.

*******

David was committed to loving the Lord.

David wanted to behold the beauty of the Lord.

He wanted to seek His face.

He was committed to worship the Lord.

*******

David was committed to leaning on the Lord.

David expressed his desire to call upon the Lord, to commune with Him, and to make requests of Him.

David declared his utter dependence upon the Lord for the necessities of life.

David looked beyond his own abilities and saw the limitless provisions of the Lord.

Therefore he wanted nothing more than to be able to call upon the Lord

*******

Comfort in the Lord provides hope (5-6).

*******

God has a sheltered place for us.

*******

David said the Lord would hide him in His pavilion.

It was a tent erected in the middle of the army’s encampment.

It was surrounded by an army of brave soldiers.

It was the safest place on the battlefield.

It was a place protected by the soldiers and entertained by the king during the battle.

*******

God has a secret place for us.

*******

It is the place of worship.

It is a place where the very presence of God dwells and the glory of God can be seen.

It was there that God took David during the battles of his life.

It was there that David found himself shut up with God and shut off from the world around him.

It was a place that gave him quiet, peace and the profound presence of God.

*******

God has a secure place for us.

*******

The Lord would set David on a rock, a place that is unchangeable, powerful and immovable.

This Rock was none other than the Lord Himself (Psalm 40:1-2).

David was promised a place of refuge that would lift him far above the stormy seas that would threaten to drown him.

*******

God has a special place for us.

*******

David said he would worship the Lord.

He would praise the Lord because of the things the Lord had done for him.

*******

Some thoughts.

In the midst of battles, we must have hope.
We must have the deep, settled confidence that everything is going to be alright.
We must praise the Lord.
God has brought us to that special place of blessing from which we can offer praise to His name.

Praise the Lord!

Assurance In The Secret Place

noreply@blogger.com (Yeo KH) — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 02:00:18 PST

Psalm 27:1-5

God will personally guide His people.

He will actively guide them.

He is intimately involved in the details of everything in their lives.

He is working in their lives day by day, guiding them step by step.

*******

God will powerfully guard His people.

He will hide them in His pavilion. A pavilion is erected in the middle of the army's encampment. It is surrounded by an army of brave soldiers. It is the safest place on the battlefield.

They will be protected from their enemies.

They will have the joy of the Lord God always.

They will face the storms of life with confidence and victory.

*******

God will show them His profound glory.

He will hide them in the secret place of His tabernacle.

They will be in the place of worship.

They will be in a place where the very presence of God dwells and the glory of God can be seen.

It is a place where the enemy dares not follow.

It is a place where God meets with His people alone.

*******

God will give them His precious grace.

God will set them high upon a rock, a place that is unchangeable, powerful and immovable.

They are promised a place of refuge that will lift them far above the battles.

God’s grace will carry them far above the attacks of all their enemies.

God’s grace will be with them to weather the storms.

*******

Some applications.

Let us abide in the secret place of God.
Let us seek His protection and provisions.
Let us enter the place of safety.
Let us see God and experience His grace and glory.

Praise To Our Great Shepherd

noreply@blogger.com (Yeo KH) — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 01:25:34 PST

Psalm 23:1-6

David exalted God.

*******

David called God ‘The LORD’.

God is worthy of our exaltation.

We must never be ashamed to exalt, praise and worship Him.

*******

David called God his shepherd.

Our Shepherd loves us.

He tends to us, cares about us, leads us, feeds us, protects us and guides us through our lives.

*******

David experienced God.

*******

David had personal experiences with God.

He had a close and intimate relationship with Him.

*******

David had precious experiences with God.

God had led him to the place of safety, and the abundant supply of food and drink.

David was confident that God would take care of all his needs.

*******

David had profound experiences with God.

God had brought him from death to life.

God had restored his soul.

God had always led him in the right way. It was the best path of all: His path.

*******

David praised God.

*******

David praised God for His power.

*******

David praised God for giving him peace as he passed through the frightening and dangerous places.

David praised God for His presence to lead him, feed him, protect him and watch over him.

David praised God for correcting, protecting, rescuing and restoring him.

*******

David praised God for His provisions.

*******

David praised God for giving him food.

David praised God for giving him rest.

David praised God for giving him refreshment.

David praised God for giving him peace.

*******

David praised God for His promises.

*******

David praised God for promising to help him today.

David praised God for promising to give him hope for tomorrow.

*******

Some applications.

*******

We can also sing praises to the great Shepherd.

Our God is worthy of our love, our faith, our praise and our devotion.

Let us praise Him now!

He is our Great Shepherd!

Believer's Song

noreply@blogger.com (Yeo KH) — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 03:57:00 PST

Psalm 18:1-3

King David declared his love for the Lord.

He was so filled with love for the Lord that he wanted to get real close to Him and hug Him.

*******

King David declared his absolute dependence upon the Lord.

He planned to live for the Lord, to love the Lord and to depend on the Lord for everything he needed, did and was in life.

*******

David’s praised God.

*******

It was praise for a personal God.

*******

It was praise for a powerful God.

To him, God was his rock where he found his stability.

To him, God was his fortress where he found his safety and perfect peace.

To him, God was his deliverer who saved and rescued him in times of danger.

To him, God was his God who was over all things and who was in control of all things.

To him, God was the strength of his life.

To Him, God was his shield who stepped between him and his trials.

To him, God was the horn of his salvation. He was totally secure in Him.

To him, God was his stronghold with a place of rest, refreshment and ready supply.

*******

David’s pledged to call on God and to trust Him and Him alone for the victories of life.

He pledged to walk by faith and not by sight!

*******

God is all that the Bible says He is and even more.

We are to love God, to live for Him, and to depend on Him for everything in our lives.

*******

Let us be like king David.

Blessed Believer

noreply@blogger.com (Yeo KH) — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 02:43:48 PST

Psalm 1

Believer is separated from the wicked.

*******

He refuses the counsel and invitation of the wicked.

He refuses to behave like them.

He refuses to belong to them.

*******

Believer is careful how he lives every day.

He is careful not to go from bad to worse.

*******

Believer is in love with the word of God.

*******

The Word of God has captured his full affection.

It is the Word of Truth.

It is God-breathed and infallible, inerrant and absolutely perfect.

*******

Believer loves the Bible, finding in its pages all he needs to grow and prosper for the Lord Jesus.

*******

Believer is attentive to the Word of God.

*******

The Word of God has captured his full attention.

He lives out the Word of God daily.

The Bible has become his singular standard for faith and practice.

Every thought, every move, every decision he makes is made according to the Word of God.

*******

Believer spends his days and his nights in the pursuit of the Bible.

He is consumed with its content and mesmerized in the meditation of it.

*******

Believer will prosper.

*******

Believer lives close to God every day.

He is vibrant, lively and productive, because he is connected to an unfailing source of life and strength.

*******

He is prominent among all those around him.

He has his roots deep into the water of life.

He has a ready source of life.

*******

Believer is a blessing to all those around him.

Plenty of fruit will come in its season.

*******

Believer is evergreen.

He lives consistently!

He is always stable, faithful and dependable.

*******

Believer is blessed.

God will bless his personal life, family life, business life, church life, and spiritual life.

*******

Blessed believer!

The Truth

noreply@blogger.com (Yeo KH) — Sat, 10 Dec 2011 02:09:35 PST

Mark 10:23-31

As the rich man walked away, the Lord Jesus looked around at His disciples and made an astonishing statement.

He said that people who possessed the riches of this world would have great difficulty to enter into God’s kingdom.

The problem was not with the person having the money.

The problem was when the money had the person.

********

The disciples were amazed at His statement.

The Jews saw health, wealth, and prosperity as blessings from God.

They had the example of rich Abraham, David, Job, and Solomon.

********

The Lord Jesus sensed their amazement and He clarified what He meant.

First, He called them, “Children”.

That was a term of endearment.

Then He told them that people who trusted in riches would find salvation impossible.

It would be like trying to stuff a camel through the eye of a sewing needle.

This was a hyperbole, an exaggeration used to emphasize a truth.

The Lord Jesus was referring to a literal camel and a literal needle.

If a person trusted in their riches, he or she would not go to Heaven!

The rich man’s wealth was the focus of his faith.

His wealth was his reason for living.

And he refused to let it go.

********

Those who sought salvation in their own resources would be disappointed at the end of their lives.

They would find that their money, fame, power and position couldn't provide them with the salvation for their souls.

********

The disciples were dumbfounded by what they heard.

They responded by asking, “Who then can be saved?”

They realized that everybody could be caught up with the things of the world.

********

The Lord Jesus told them that though men might find it impossible to break the hold of their things, but God in His power, could set them free.

If the rich man would obey the Lord Jesus, He would have given him grace to relinquish his hold on his wealth.

He would have saved his soul, and blessed him with heavenly and spiritual riches.

********

Peter spoke up.

He told the Lord Jesus that they had left everything to follow Him.

********

The Lord Jesus responded by saying that God saw, recorded and rewarded every sacrifice that was made for Him.

And God would reward them far more in their future than all that they had left behind in their past.

********

But there was a price to pay in following Jesus.

Difficulties and trials would come because of commitments to God.

But God would bless His people in spite of any trial they might face along the way.

********

The Lord Jesus promised eternal life.

********

But those who were first in this world would finish last in the race to Heaven.

********

In God’s eyes, it is not riches that make a person somebody special.

It is faith in Jesus.

********

The poor and faithful servants will have God’s attention.

And they will be rewarded accordingly.

********

What do we trust to take us to Heaven?

Anything but the Lord Jesus will ultimately fail.

********

What is our attitude toward our money?

Money must always be used as a tool in our service to the Lord.

********

What have we given up to follow the Lord Jesus?

The Lord God will reward us much more than we can imagine.

Don’t Hinder The Children

noreply@blogger.com (Yeo KH) — Sun, 04 Dec 2011 02:32:05 PST

Mark 10:13-16

The Lord Jesus turned His attention to the children brought to Him by their parents.

He prayed for them and blessed them.

The disciples rebuked the parents.

The Lord Jesus was indignant.

He rebuked the disciples for their attitude regarding the children.

He told them that little children were what the kingdom of Heaven was all about.

*******

Parents are to tell their children about Jesus Christ.

They are to expose their children to the Gospel.

They are to bring them to the church on a regular basis.

They are to pray for them.

They are to guide them in the Bible study at home.

They are to be consistent in their lives as believers.

*******

Parents are to educate their children about Jesus Christ.

They are to educate their children about the things of God.

They should bring their children face to face with the saving Lord early in their lives.

*******

Parents are to encourage their children to believe in Jesus Christ.

They are to encourage their children to seek the things of God.

They are to teach them to pray at an early age.

They are to make the Bible a big part of their daily life.

They are to pray with them.

They are to bring them to Sunday School and preaching.

They are to involve them in church activities.

*******

Children need to be saved.

They are sinners too.

Parents are to do all they can to bring their children face to face with the claims of the Gospel.

They are to expose them to the Word of God.

*******

Children become accountable for their sins when they come to age.

They are responsible for their sins when they can understand the difference between right and wrong, and are able to choose between them.

When children reach a level of mental understanding regarding the nature of sin and its consequences, and are able to make a decision for or against Jesus Christ, they are to make correct decision.

*******

Children are trusting, humble and dependent.

They don’t worry over food, clothing or shelter.

They don’t doubt that their family members love them.

They simply accept profound things by faith.

They don’t look beyond the obvious.

They just believe!

So should we; we must have childlike faith if we are to be saved!

*******

When the disciples rebuked the parents, the Lord Jesus Christ was indignant.

He was very angry when the disciples tried to prevent children from coming to Him.

Children hold a special place in His heart!

And He took the time to bless each individual child that came before Him.

*******

The Lord Jesus cares about children.

He prays for them and blesses them.

*******

The Lord Jesus loves believers with childlike qualities.

He will readily help them and bless them when they come to Him.

And They Could Not

noreply@blogger.com (Yeo KH) — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 03:20:26 PST

Mark 9:14-29

When the Lord Jesus Christ and His 3 disciples came down from mountain Hermon, they found the other 9 disciples engaged in an argument with the scribes.

*******

A distraught father had brought his demon possessed son to the Lord Jesus Christ for healing.

Since the Lord Jesus Christ had gone up on the mountain, so he asked the disciple to heal his son.

But they could not cast out the demon.

The scribes mocked them for their lack of power.

*******

The Lord Jesus Christ asked for an explanation.

The father described the pitiful condition of his son because of demonic torment.

*******

The Lord Jesus Christ expressed His displeasure.

He was hurt because they all lacked faith.

The Lord Jesus Christ cried out, “How long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you?”

It was a heartbreaking moment for Him.

*******

The saddest aspect of this whole scene was not the condition of the boy, the spirit of the scribes, or the anguish of the father.

It was the powerlessness of the disciples.

They had seen Him performed countless amazing miracles, yet they still lacked genuine faith.

They had even cast out demons in the past.

They had seen many miracles and they had performed miracles themselves.

But now it was said of them “but they could not.”

*******

The Lord Jesus Christ commanded the boy to be brought to Him.

When he arrived, the demon in the child recognized the Lord Jesus Christ and attacked the boy again.

The child was gripped by convulsions, and he wallowed on the ground, foaming at the mouth.

*******

As the child writhed on the ground, the Lord Jesus Christ questioned this father how long his child had been this way.

The father answered it was since the boy was little.

He then told Him that the demon had attacked the boy repeatedly, trying to burn him to death or drown him in the water.

*******

Then the father looked at the Lord Jesus Christ and said, “But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.”

It was a pitiful plea.

But it was a plea of a faithless man.

*******

He had trusted that the disciples could heal his son.

When they failed, his faith in the Lord Jesus Christ also shattered.

*******

He had brought his son believing that the Lord Jesus Christ could deliver him.

Now, his faith had been reduced to “But if you can do anything …”

*******

The Lord Jesus Christ responded immediately!

“‘If you can’?”

“Everything is possible for one who believes.”

*******

The Lord Jesus Christ rebuked the father for his doubt.

When the father heard this, he looked at Him and said, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”

He was asking the Lord Jesus Christ to help him to grow in his faith.

*******

Then the Lord Jesus commanded the spirit to leave the boy and never to return.

The demon attacked the child one more time and came out.

*******

The child became so quiet and still that the onlookers assumed that he was dead.

Then the Lord Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him up.

The child rose and he was free.

*******

When the disciples were alone with the Lord Jesus Christ, the 9 who had failed to deliver the child asked Him why they failed.

His answer was that they lacked spiritual discipline in their lives.

*******

They were not communing with God as they should have been.

They were not surrendering to God as they should have been.

As a result, they lacked the power of God on their lives and they could not cast out the devil.

*******

The father of the boy said, “But they could not!”

What a tragic statement!

*******

The power of God was not with the disciples because they lacked spiritual discipline in their lives.

*******

We too if we do not walk closely with the Lord Jesus Christ.

Do You See Anything?

noreply@blogger.com (Yeo KH) — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 01:51:49 PST

Mark 8:23-26

The Lord Jesus Christ and His disciples returned to Bethsaida.

Some people brought a blind man to Him.

They requested Him to touch him.

*******

The Preparation For His Healing (23a)

The Lord Jesus Christ took the blind man by the hand and led him out of the town, away from the crowds to do His healing work.

*******

He led him around the obstacles that were in his path.

*******

He patiently led him along one step at a time, all the while holding his hand.

*******

The Lord Jesus Christ leads the lost and the blind sinners, and brings them to the place of salvation.

*******

Throughout our whole lives, the Lord Jesus Christ is working and leading us to bring us to the place of saving faith.

In every event, every circumstance, every tragedy and every blessing, He is taking our hand in His grip, and He brings us to Himself.

*******

We can’t get to God on our own!

In our natural state we are dead.

*******

It is the Lord Jesus Christ who comes to us, rescues us, and leads us to Himself.

He tenderly brings us along until our eyes are opened, and we can see ourselves for who we are and see Him as our only hope.

*******

The Lord Jesus Christ leads us and works in the events of our lives to bring us to that place of faith and repentance.

*******

The Process Of His Healing (23b-25)

The Lord Jesus Christ spat on the blind man's eyes and put His hands on him.

He was indicating to him that He was about to do something for his eyes.

*******

The Lord Jesus Christ then asked him if he could see anything.

The man opened his eyes and looked around.

He said, “I see people; they look like trees walking around.”

*******

This tells us that the man hadn’t always been blind.

He was able to identify the people around him as people.

*******

This also teaches us that his healing was far from complete.

He could discern light and shapes, but he couldn’t see clearly.

*******

Then, the Lord Jesus Christ touched him again.

This time, everything became crystal clear.

His healing was complete.

His eyesight was restored.

*******

When the Lord Jesus Christ begins His work in us, we are totally blind in our sinful condition.

He brings us into conviction.

He uses this conviction to open our spiritual eyes and point us to Himself.

*******

When we are saved, we are like the man in this miracle.

We see some times, but we do not see them clearly.

As we spend time with the Lord Jesus Christ in His Word and in prayer, He develops our spiritual sight.

He causes us to grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

He makes us more like Himself.

*******

The Postscript Of His Healing (26)

The Lord Jesus Christ healed the blind man.

Then He told him not to return to Bethsaida or tell anyone there about the miracle.

*******

Bethsaida had been given clear evidence that the Lord Jesus Christ is the Messiah.

But the people there refused to believe in Him.

As a result, the Lord Jesus Christ pronounced a curse on it (Matthew 11:21-22).

The people there would receive no more light.

That was why the Lord Jesus Christ took the man out of town to heal him.

That was why He told the man not to return to the town.

*******

We are lost sinners, headed for the fire of Hell.

The Lord Jesus Christ is our only hope of salvation.

*******

He had died on the cross to pay for the sins of His people.

He had risen again from the dead to provide eternal salvation to all who would believe in Him.

*******

Have we seen the truth that we stand in need of a Savior today?

Has the Lord revealed our condition to us?

Is He calling us to come to Him?

*******

If He is, we must not delay.

We must come to Him now.

Asking For The Crumbs

noreply@blogger.com (Yeo KH) — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 03:54:18 PST

Mark 7:24-30

The Lord Jesus Christ was approached by a mother who had desperate need.

*******

The Mother And Her Request (25-26)

The Reason She Came

The woman was concerned about her daughter.

The child was demon possessed.

The Reason She Called

The woman was desperate and she saw the Lord Jesus as her only hope!

*******

The Mother And Her Resolve (27-28)

The Obstacles Of Faith

This woman had to overcome many obstacles in order to secure her daughter’s healing:

The Obstacle Of Race

She was a Canaanite from Tyre and Sidon.

She was descended from a cursed people.

She was from a region known for vile religious practices.

The Obstacle Of Religion

She was a Gentile woman.

But she came to the Jewish Messiah.

The Obstacle Of Racism

When the disciples saw and heard her calling out to their Messiah, they reacted by telling the Lord Jesus to send her away!

She was not one of their people!

The Obstacle Of Rejection

The Lord Jesus told her that His whole purpose in coming to this world was to reach the lost sheep of Israel.

But she persisted.

*******

The Opportunities Of Faith

The obstacles that were thrown up by the Lord Jesus were not placed there to discourage and defeat her.

The obstacles were placed there to mature her faith.

*******

The woman replied, “Lord, even the dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs.”

The woman wasn’t asking for everything, just a crumb!

*******

The Lord Jesus took this woman and her small faith and led her along and helped grow her faith.

*******

When we continue to seek the Lord in spite of every hindrance, we will eventually see Him do what we need done.

*******

The Obligations Of Faith

The woman persisted in spite of everything that was thrown into her pathway.

She persisted because her little daughter needed to be delivered from her bondage and her family needed to be saved.

She needed help and she was determined to get it!

She wouldn’t give up until she got what she needed!

*******

The Mother And Her Reward (29-30)

Jesus Responded To Her Faith

He was amazed by the depth of her faith!

He had tested her faith with hard words and her faith had risen to the challenge!

Jesus Rewarded Her Faith

He rewarded her faith by giving her exactly what she asked for; He healed her daughter!

*******

A little crumb from the Lord’s Table may be all we need today.

*******

Do we need to be saved?

Do we need a mountain moved in our lives?

Do we need to be restored to faith and fellowship?

Do we need to see God moving in someone else’s life?

*******

Regardless of what our need today, we can come to the Lord Jesus and we can get it.

The Savior Cares

noreply@blogger.com (Yeo KH) — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 02:10:45 PST

Mark 6:30-34

He Cares About Laboring Servants (30-32)

Their Activity

The Lord Jesus Christ had sent the 12 disciples out to preach, teach and heal.

They returned and told Him all about their ministry in the surrounding villages.

They were excited about all that they had done.

His Advice

The Lord Jesus Christ called them away for a time of rest and refreshment.

He called them away from the limelight for a little while to help them keep things in the proper perspective.

*******

He Cares About Lost Sheep (33-34)

The Lord Jesus Christ and His men made their escape from the crowds.

But they didn’t slip away unnoticed.

The people saw them leaving and recognized that the boat carried the Lord Jesus.

The people ran around the shore of the lake and were waiting on Him when He arrived on the other side.

*******

It was 4 miles across the lake by boat.

It was 10 miles around the shore of the lake.

*******

The Lord Jesus Christ was moved with compassion toward the people.

He was touched by their need.

He was moved by a strong desire to meet their need.

The Reasons For His Concern

The Lord Jesus Christ looked at them as a flock of lost sheep, with no one to care about them.

They were lost sheep in need of a shepherd.

They had no sense of direction.

They couldn't find their way to God.

*******

They needed a Shepherd to come and rescue them.

They were absolutely defenseless.

They needed the Heavenly Shepherd or they would never be able to avoid the wrath of God and the fires of Hell.

*******

They were dumb.

Apart from the ministry of the Heavenly Shepherd, they didn't even know that they were lost.

This truth must be revealed to them by the convicting work of the Holy Spirit.

*******

The Reach Of His Concern

When the Lord Jesus Christ saw the crowd, He saw a huge group of people.

He also saw every individual in that crowd.

He saw every broken heart, every physical ailment, every emotional need, every spiritual problem; He saw them all!

Our God sees everything that happens in this universe, but He still has the ability to focus on the individual.

*******

The Response Of His Concern

These people came to the Lord Jesus Christ for help and He did not drive them away.

Instead, He began to teach them many things.

He gave them a feast of eternal truth.

He gathered them up that day and pointed them to God.

He told them of the true way of salvation.

*******

Are we weary in the work of the Lord?

Have we lost the joy of His salvation?

Are we spiritually tired and worn out?

Let us come to the Shepherd.

He will restore our soul.

He cares about us!

*******

Are we a lost sheep today?

Are we out there on the wild hills of sin, away from God and all alone?

The Shepherd cares about us!

If we will come to Him, He will take us into His fold and give us the peace, the joy and the security we need.

A Touching Moment

noreply@blogger.com (Yeo KH) — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 17:41:35 PDT

Mark 5:22-34

The Horror She Endured (24-26)

Her Symptoms

The woman suffered from an issue of blood.

She was hemorrhaging or bleeding from some part of her body.

Her Sufferings

She Suffered Physically

She was weak and pale.

Her disease was constantly beating her down.

She had tried all the remedies of the physicians and she suffered under their care.

She Suffered Socially

She could not mix with others because of the danger of defilement.

Her condition left her on the fringes of society.

She Suffered Emotionally

She had been this way for 12 years.

She had lived her life moving from one rejection to another.

She was lonely, isolated and desperate!

She Suffered Religiously

She was considered unclean under the Law.

She could not go to the Women’s Court of the Temple.

She Suffered Financially

She had spent all she had.

She has been left penniless and destitute.

*******

Her Sorrow

She was living under a death sentence.

She would die from this disease.

Her life was draining out of her body little by little, day by day.

*******

The Hope She Embraced (27-28)

The Declaration She Heard

She heard about the Lord Jesus Christ.

She heard that there was power in His touch.

The Determination She Held

She was determined to get to Him.

The Lord Jesus Christ was her only hope.

She believed she could be healed by Him.

*******

She demonstrated great courage by approaching the Lord Jesus Christ in that crowd.

She was taking a great risk.

If she was recognized, she would probably be subjected to public humiliation, ridicule and retribution.

She might be stoned to death!

*******

The Healing She Experienced (29-34)

It Was Powerful Healing

She reached out her trembling hand.

She touched His garment.

Immediately, she was healed!

It Was Personal Healing

As soon as she touched Him, the Lord Jesus Christ knows what has happened.

He asked “Who touched My clothes?”

*******

Many touched Him and bumped into Him that day.

But she touched Him with the fingers of faith!

*******

She fell before Him in fear.

She was afraid of rejection......

But she needn’t have feared.

The Lord Jesus Christ was merely interested in helping her with her problem!

It Was Profound Healing

She got more than just physical healing that day.

Her faith had brought her into a saving relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ.

*******

The Lord Jesus Christ told her to go in peace.

She has done the right thing in coming to Him and touching Him.

She was finally and fully freed from her plague.

*******

The Lord Jesus Christ is the answer to our problem.

Many were with physical, spiritual, and emotional needs that day.

But only she got help.

Many touched the Lord Jesus Christ that day.

But only she was transformed.

Why?

Because she believed in the Lord Jesus Christ and she did it by faith.

How about you?

The Maniac Became A Messenger

noreply@blogger.com (Yeo KH) — Sat, 29 Oct 2011 03:29:26 PDT

Mark 5:1-20

The Man's Condition (1-7)

His Home

This man lived among the dead.

He was a sad, lonely, hurting, longing, unloved, unwanted individual.

His Helplessness

His passions were stronger than his ability to control them.

No man could change and control him.

He was a man sold under the influence of the evil in his life.

His Hopelessness

His torment was continual.

Day and night he cried out.

Day and night he was in isolation.

Day and night he injured and harmed himself.

His Helper

Only the Lord Jesus Christ could rescue him.

*******

The Man's Conversion (8-17)

It Was Divine

One word from the Lord Jesus Christ and this man was free.

He was totally and radically healed.

It Was Dramatic

The demons left the man and entered a herd of 2,000 swine that ran down the Sea and drowned!

It Was Definite

The wild, uncontrollable demoniac was sitting down with a big smile on his face.

He wasn't crying out!

He wasn't hurting himself!

He wasn't naked.

He was just sitting there, fellowshipping with the Lord Jesus Christ.

*******

The Man's Commission (18-20)

The Man's Wish

This man wanted to be with the Lord Jesus Christ.

The Master's Will

But the Lord Jesus Christ wanted him to share what the Lord had done for him in his hometown.

The Man's Work

The man arose immediately and returned home.

He began to preach the good news of salvation through the Lord Jesus Christ.

*******

The Lord Jesus Christ had made a difference in this man.

He can also do the same to us if we will come to Him.

Come!

Come to Him now!

The Message Of The Mighty Mustard Seed

noreply@blogger.com (Yeo KH) — Sun, 23 Oct 2011 03:45:53 PDT

Mark 4:30-34

The Lord Jesus Christ compared the Kingdom of God to a tiny mustard seed.

How The Kingdom Begins (31)

In Jesus’ day, the mustard seed was the smallest seed planted in the gardens.

It was a tiny seed, but it produced a very large plant.

*******

Most people believed that nothing would come of the Lord Jesus Christ and His ministry.

They could see the tiny seed, but they could not see the great tree.

*******

The Kingdom of our Lord was like the tiny, insignificant mustard seed in the beginning.

No one could see what the tiny seed the Lord Jesus Christ was sowing would become.

*******

How The Kingdom Builds (32a)

When the tiny mustard seed was planted in good soil, it germinated and produced a very large shrub-like plant that eventually grew to resemble a tree.

When the seed was planted in ancient Israel, the prospects for success seemed far away.

In the beginning, there were just the Lord Jesus Christ and a few followers.

By the time the Day of Pentecost came around, there were just 120 devoted followers of the Lord.

But on that day something amazing took place!

Over 3,000 people came to faith in Christ.

A short time later, another 5,000 were saved at one time.

The church began to grow at an astounding rate.

It wasn’t many days until the church in Jerusalem was said to have numbered some 50,000.

That was just the beginning!

As the message was carried around the world, vast multitudes began to come to the Lord Jesus Christ.

Cities and nations fell on their knees in the face of the message of the Gospel of grace.

This amazing growth has continued down to this day.

Everywhere the Gospel seed has been planted, souls have been saved and lives have been changed.

The church has continued to grow and the Kingdom of God on earth has continued to expand.

God has a way of bringing great things out of humble beginnings.

*******

How The Kingdom Blesses (32b)

This tiny seed grew into an immense plant.

Its branches spread themselves abroad offering a place for the birds to rest.

In the shadow of that plant, the birds found shelter from the storms, rest from their weariness and shade from the heat of the sun.

*******

The humble mustard seed produced a plant that had many uses.

*******

The Kingdom of God has also provided many benefits for those who have turned to the Lord Jesus Christ.

Everywhere the Gospel has germinated, compassion, decency and morality have sprung up.

Hospitals and schools have been founded.

Truth and salvation have been proclaimed and lives have been changed.

Everywhere the Gospel has gone, it has brought about the destruction of demonism, cannibalism, polygamy, child sacrifice and ten thousand other evils.

The spread of the Gospel has built orphanages for the fatherless and homes for the homeless.

The Gospel has reached out to comfort the bereaved, care for the infirm, and cure the sick.

The Gospel has changed individuals, communities and nations.

When the Kingdom of God moves in with divine power, the kingdom of Satan must fall before its appearance.

It may have had humble beginnings, but God has used it to accomplish great and wonderful things.

*******

The Kingdom of God may have had humble beginnings.

But it will expand and grow until it has a universal impact.

*******

God can take something that seems so small and insignificant, and transform it into something real big!

*******

Let us bring our mustard seed to the Lord Jesus Christ today and watch Him take it and turn it into a massive plant for the glory of God.

Are We In The Family?

noreply@blogger.com (Yeo KH) — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 03:01:29 PDT

Mark 3:31-35

The Lord Jesus Christ was teaching in the city of Capernaum.

He was surrounded by a vast multitude of people who were fascinated by His messages and miracles.

His family came to rescue Him.

They thought He had lost His mind.

They were worried about Him.

They came to get Him and take Him back home.

The Lord Jesus Christ used the arrival of His physical family as an opportunity to teach about His relationship with His spiritual family.

*******

A Tense Moment (31-33)

As the Lord Jesus Christ was teaching, His family showed up.

This created a moment of tension for everyone there.

The Family’s Request

His family was on the outside of the crowd.

They couldn’t get to Him because of the multitude.

So they sent word through the crowd to tell Him to come to where they were.

The Crowd’s Reaction

The crowd saw nothing wrong with this.

They fully expected Him to stop teaching and to go to His relatives.

The Lord’s Response

Instead of stopping what He was doing and going to His mother and brothers, the Lord Jesus Christ simply said, “Who is My mother, or My brothers?”

The crowd must be shocked.

His mother devastated.

His brothers probably got angry.

They had traveled all the way from Nazareth to get Him and He even refused to talk with them.

*******

A Teaching Moment (33-35)

Instead of reaching out to his earthly family, the Lord Jesus Christ spoke to the members of His spiritual family.

He used this moment as an opportunity to teach some eternal truth.

The Question

“Who is My mother, or My brothers?”

This question is all important!

The issue here is about spiritual relationships.

Who are those people that are in a personal, spiritual relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ?

The Qualifications

After He asked the question, He looked at the crowds and proclaimed them to be His spiritual family.

Then He spoke about what it takes for a person to be considered a member of His spiritual family.

There Is A Spiritual Requirement

The Lord Jesus Christ said that whosoever did the will of the Father was a member of His spiritual family.

The will of the Father is for sinners to believe on the Son.

It is faith in the finished work of the Lord Jesus Christ!

If we can believe on Him and what He did for us, we will be saved and we will receive everlasting life.

There Are Some Spiritual Realities

The true children of God have experienced the new birth. There was a moment in time when they saw their sins and understood that they were condemned in the eyes of God. At that moment, they looked away by faith to the Lord Jesus. They accepted His death as the payment for their sins. They believed in Him as the risen Lord and they were saved.
They love the Bible and feed on it so that they may grow in the Lord. They have a hunger for it. They pattern their lives after its teachings.
They are men of prayer. They find hope, comfort and help in spending time with God the Father in Heaven.
They will be busy for the works of the Lord Jesus Christ. They will serve Him.

*******

Are we in the family?

Do we possess the marks of the believer?

If we do, then praise the Lord.

Let us place spiritual relationships before earthly relationships.

The Lord Jesus Christ must be our priority.

Our family and our interests take second place.

The Scandal Over Sacraments

noreply@blogger.com (Yeo KH) — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 03:11:31 PDT

Mark 2:18-22

Jesus And The Rebuke (18)

The Ritual

The Pharisees and the disciples of John the Baptist observed fasting as part of their lifestyles.

The Rebuke

The Lord Jesus Christ and His disciples were feasting at the house of Matthew.

It was probably a Monday or a Thursday, one of the Jewish fasting days.

This upset the Pharisees.

The disciples of John the Baptist were upset too.

Their leader had been arrested and was possibly dead at this time.

They were mourning the absence of John the Baptist and they were upset that the Lord Jesus Christ wasn’t upset too!

*******

Jesus And His Response (19-20)

An Explanation

The Lord Jesus Christ responded to their criticism by talking about wedding.

In Jesus’ day, as soon as the wedding was over, the newlyweds would host their families and friends in a week of celebration.

The Lord Jesus Christ told His critics that His presence among His people was like that of a bridegroom among his friends.

It was not a time for mourning, self-denial and sadness.

It was a time for celebration and gladness.

An Expectation

Having set the record straight, the Lord Jesus Christ told them that there would come a day when the Bridegroom would be taken away.

His disciples would then fast and be sorrowful in those days.

*******

Jesus And His Revelation (21-22)

To make His point crystal clear, Jesus used two vivid illustrations from everyday life.

The Illustration Of The Clothes

If a person took a torn and worn garment and sewed in a new piece of cloth as a patch, the first time it got wet and dried, the new piece of cloth would shrink.

When it did, it would pull apart the older, weaker garment and the hole would be worse than before.

Judaism, with its external rituals and rules could not contain Christianity with its emphasis on an internal relationship with God.

The Illustration Of The Containers

If new wine was poured into an old wineskin and began to ferment, the old wineskin couldn’t stretch to accommodate the gases put off by the fermenting wine and would burst.

The only fit container for new wine was a new wineskin.

Judaism, with its rituals and rules, could not contain the ministry and message of the Lord Jesus Christ.

The Lord Jesus Christ did not come to pour the new wine of His Spirit into hearts that were trying to please God by keeping the rules and traditions of men.

He came to take the old wineskin of our flesh and make us new by His power.

Only one who has been saved by grace and is born again is a fit container for the Spirit of God!

*******

We cannot mix the Lord Jesus Christ and our religion.

We cannot mix the Lord Jesus Christ and our old way of living.

To be saved, we have to come to the Lord Jesus Christ and completely forsake the rest.

When we do, we will discover that He has the power to transform us from what we are into what we could never have imagined.

*******

Maybe we have done all the rituals.

We have been baptized.

We have taken the Lord’s Supper.

We have joined the church.

We have done it all, but we have never bowed as a lost sinner, repented of our sins and asked the Lord Jesus Christ to come into our heart.

We have religion, but we don’t have the Lord Jesus Christ.

Change that today!

Come to the Lord Jesus Christ right now.

The Touch That Transforms

noreply@blogger.com (Yeo KH) — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 04:28:24 PDT

Mark 1:40-45

In this account of the healing of the leprous man, we can see the compassion and power of the Lord Jesus Christ.

********

A Sick Man (40)

The Nature Of His Ailment

Leprosy is a highly infectious and incurable disease in Bible times.

It attacked the nervous system, compromising the body’s ability to feel pain.

One of the worst aspects of leprosy was the social isolation it brought.

********

The Nature Of His Approach

This poor leper came to the Lord Jesus Christ when he heard His Word.

Faith was awakened in his heart.

********

It took great courage for him to approach the Savior that day.

He risked stoning, humiliation and death to get to the Lord.

********

His fellow lepers tried to discourage him.

But with great faith he went toward the Lord Jesus Christ.

********

The Nature Of His Appeal

This poor man came to the Lord Jesus Christ humbly and in faith.

He realized that he deserved nothing.

But he knew that if the Lord Jesus Christ wanted to, He could heal his body.

********

When this leper spoke, he acknowledged the Lord’s power and the Lord’s sovereignty.

He said “If You are willing, You can make me clean.”

********

A Sovereign Messiah (41-42)

The Messiah’s Compassion

The Lord Jesus Christ saw the poor man and saw His condition.

He did not shrink back in fear.

He was moved with compassion.

He had deep feeling of sympathy and sorrow for the leper.

He had a strong desire to alleviate his suffering.

He stretched out His hand and touched him.

Oh how glorious that one touch must have felt to this man!

********

The Messiah’s Command

The Lord Jesus Christ simply touched the leper and gave a command for him to be clean.

Instantly, His leprosy departed.

His deformed body was made whole again.

His face was normal again.

His shattered hands and feet were restored to wholeness.

The ruined skin was instantly as smooth as a baby’s.

The defilement of his disease was immediately taken away.

Everything changed when the Master spoke!

********

A Strange Mandate (43-45)

The Demand

As soon as the Lord Jesus Christ healed the man, He sent him away to the priest at the temple.

This man was told to go and fulfill the requirements of the Law for his cleansing.

This leper was told to go and present himself to the priest and get a certificate of cleansing on the basis of a ceremony in Lev. 14.

********

The Disobedience

What a testimony it would have been when that poor old leper was glorious cleansed and applied at the temple for cleansing!

This miracle would have notified the priests that the Messiah had come!

********

Sadly, the man disobeyed.

What would have been a great testimony went untold.

********

The Lord Jesus Christ told the man to tell no one but the priests.

But the man went out and told everyone but the priests!

********

The leper disobeyed the command of the Lord Jesus Christ.

As a result, the Lord Jesus Christ was forced to move His ministry into the country.

Many who could have heard the Word of the Lord never did because of one man’s disobedience!

********

Are we like this poor leper before he was cleansed, afflicted and devastated by sin?

If so, there is hope in the Lord Jesus Christ!

Let us come to Him and find cleansing and a new life!

********

Maybe, like this poor leper, we have been cleansed, but there are areas of disobedience in our lives.

And the Lord can’t use us to our fullest.

Today would be a good day to get down before Him and get that right.

********

Wherever we are in our spiritual journey, The Lord Jesus Christ cares!

He is ready to reach into our lives and touch us at the very point of our need.

He stands ready to help us, if we will simply come to Him in faith as this poor leper did!

Is Jesus Calling You?

noreply@blogger.com (Yeo KH) — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 04:05:44 PDT

Mark 1:16-20

The public ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ had commenced.

He called certain people to salvation and service.

Let us consider the characteristics of His call.

*******

His Call Is Personal

The Lord Jesus Christ walked up to those boats.

He called 4 specific men in those 2 specific boats.

He called them and dealt with them personally.

*******

The Lord Jesus Christ called them when they were busy in their works.

This was the second encounter these men had had with Jesus.

*******

The first time when they met Him (John 1:35-42), they were called to salvation.

Here, they were called into His service.

*******

His Call Is Private

The call was felt in the hearts of the 4 men who left all to follow Him.

Their hearts were touched.

They felt a strange power drawing them to go after the Lord Jesus Christ.

*******

His Call Is Public

These men are called upon to make a public stand for the Lord Jesus Christ.

They are called upon to publicly line up with Him.

*******

His Call Is Precious

These men were nothing special.

They were just ordinary fishermen.

But the Lord Jesus Christ chose them.

He called them to be the first of His followers.

*******

It is a privilege and a blessing beyond comparison!

It is a thing most precious!

*******

His Call Is Pricey

These men were called upon to make some really expensive choices.

They were called upon to leave their friends, their family, their fortune, etc.

They were to give up everything to walk with the Lord Jesus Christ.

Yet they determined that the price was worth paying.

*******

His Call Is Powerful

When the Lord’s call came, these men left their nets and their profession without question.

When Jesus called, they left everything to follow Him immediately!

They stepped out of their ships.

They stepped away from their lives.

They went after Jesus.

And they experienced a powerful change of life.

Their lives were never the same again.

They were walking in His direction, to His destination, at His speed and in His steps.

*******

His Call Is Profound

All these men knew was the life of a fisherman.

But from now on, they would be angling for men.

They would cast the Gospel net into the sea of humanity.

*******

The Lord Jesus Christ passed by those boats by the Sea of Galilee that morning.

He called 4 specific men.

And their lives would never be the same again.

*******

How about you?

Is the Lord Jesus Christ calling you?

Our Precious Possessions

noreply@blogger.com (Yeo KH) — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 04:35:36 PDT

2 Pet. 1:1-4

5 times in his 2 epistles, the apostle Peter mentions possessions that are precious to the people of God.

Let us go through them and take note of our precious possessions.

*******

There Are Precious Trials (1 Peter 1:7)

The apostle Peter tells us that the trials of life are very precious things.

They have a way of helping us.

They remove the impurities from our lives.

They bring us closer to the Lord.

We will be reminded of several great truths that we often forget when life is easy.

We will be reminded that :

The Lord Jesus is always with us.
Our valleys of life are planned by the Lord.
Our trials are helping us grow in the Lord.
Something better is waiting just down the way
Even when times are bad, God is still good.

*******

The trials and valleys of life are no fun and we would rather be spared having to go through them.

But when we have gone through the valley and come out on the other side, we will know the Lord better than we could have otherwise.

We will be stronger in the faith than we ever could have been.

The valley shows us a side of God we could never see otherwise.

*******

There Is Precious Blood (1 Peter 1:19)

The apostle Peter tells us that the Blood of Jesus is a precious substance.

It is of great price and is to be held in honor and great esteem.

It is the price of redemption.

It is the proof of God's love for us.

It is the only substance known to God or man that can cleanse away our sins.

It is pure blood that was shed by an innocent man.

And His blood and His death were accepted in place of our own by the Father in Heaven.

The blood of the Lord Jesus Christ is precious blood!

His blood, and the blood alone, makes us right with God.

It is precious blood.

We need to cherish, protect and proclaim the blood of Jesus.

*******

There Is A Precious Savior (1 Peter 2:6-7)

The apostle Peter tells us that the Lord Jesus Himself is precious.

His value to His believers is beyond all human comprehension.

He loves them.

He cares about them.

He understands their needs.

He is always near to help them.

He paid the ultimate price to save them.

*******

There Is A Precious Faith (2 Peter 1:1)

The apostle Peter tells us that our faith, our system of belief, is a precious thing.

It is the only one that is valid in the eyes of God!

All the people involved in all the other religious systems in the world are being deceived by their false doctrines.

There is one, and only one, means of salvation and that is through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

Our faith is precious because:

It is free.
It is open to all.
It is complete.
It is totally the work of God.
It is foolproof.
It is eternal.
It is something that can be lived.

We must not take our precious faith for granted.

We must cherish our faith.

We must cherish and see the value in the things God has given to us.

We must protect the faith and passing it on to another generation.

*******

There Are Precious Promises (2 Peter 1:4)

The apostle Peter tells us that there are some promises of God that are valuable and are to be held in great esteem.

There is the promise of His Love.

There is the promise of His Presence.

There is the promise of His Provision.

There is the promise of His Grace.

There is the promise of His Heaven.

There are many promises contained in the pages of the Holy Scriptures.

God will bring them all to pass!

The promises of God are forever!

We can hold onto them for they shall never fail!

*******

God has indeed given us some very precious and valuable things.

Are we cherishing them as we should be?

Are we guarding the things of God and passing them along to others so that there will be another generation that knows God and will walk with Him?

Get Our Lives Out Of The Pit

noreply@blogger.com (Yeo KH) — Thu, 15 Sep 2011 05:00:33 PDT

1 Peter 5:5-10

Life is full of difficulties. But we must be determined to survive.

As Christians, we have a better reason to endure tough times. We live for God. We are assured in His Word that better times are ahead. In spite of the prosperity of the wicked, the righteous will be vindicated.

There are times when we find our lives down in the pits. We lose our desire to go on for God. We just want to give up.

How do we get our lives out of the pits?

*******

We Must Submit Ourselves To God (5:5-6).

We must surrender our will to God. We must allow God to have the place of pre-eminence in our lives.

We must clothe ourselves with humility. We must seek only to do God’s will, God’s plan, and God’s desire.

We must willingly place ourselves under God. He will lift us up in His own way. He will use us for His glory.

*******

We Must Send Our Worry To God (5:7)

We must cast all our anxiety to God because He cares for us. We must give them up once for all. We must give them all up. We must have absolute confidence that the Lord Jesus Christ Himself is actively involved in caring for us.

*******

We Must Strengthen Our Walk With God (5:8-9)

We must be serious about the devil's reality. Satan is real! Satan is a devil. He is a slanderer or a false accuser. He is our enemy. He hates us and wants to see us fall.

We must be serious about the devil's ferocity. The devil is like a roaring lion. He is forceful and is far stronger than us. We cannot fight him on our own. The devil is ferocious. He is never satisfied with his conquests. The devil roars to create fear in the hearts of God's children. Fear paralyzes faith! If the devil can get us to listen to his roar, he can keep us from hearing God's Word. If he can paralyze our faith, then he can attack our lives.

We must be serious about the devil's susceptibility. The devil can be defeated by the child of God! The secret to overcoming him is to resist him! We must stand up against the devil! We must be steadfast in our faith, knowing that the Lord has already defeated the devil and that victory for the child of God is found in the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ. Let us stand against him and see the victory! We can resist him and we can see him defeated in our lives. If we will resist him, he will flee from us. Let us grow in the Lord and strengthen our walk with Him daily through prayer and the study of His Word!

*******

We Must See The Work Of God (5:10)

One of the greatest incentives to walking in continuous victory is to be able to see the Lord at work all around us!

We must remember that God’s grace is sufficient for us. God would change us in the midst of our difficulty so that we could be successful in our walk with Him. There is grace for every trial and for everything we face as we go through life!

We must remember that we have the Lord’s promise of His Presence and His Promotion. Therefore let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith!

We must remember that when the suffering days are over, there are glory days ahead! We are going to a place where troubles and trials can no longer afflict the children of God.

*******

Are our lives in the pits? If so, there is a way out.

Let us submit ourselves to God.

Let us send our worries to God.

Let us strengthen our walk with God.

Let us see the work of God in our lives.

Reasons to Rejoice

noreply@blogger.com (Yeo KH) — Fri, 09 Sep 2011 05:17:25 PDT

1 Peter 1:1-5 (NIV)

The apostle Peter was writing to Jewish believers in exile.

These people had been forced to leave their homeland.

They had been dispersed into other parts of the world.

And, because of their beliefs and faith, they had been subjected to terrible persecutions and sufferings.

*******

The apostle Peter was writing this letter to encourage them in the faith.

*******

Th apostle Peter was reminding them that in the midst of their trials, there were some reliable reasons for rejoicing!

*******

They Were Saved By Grace (1:2-4)

They had been chosen
- According to the foreknowledge of God the Father.
- Through the sanctifying work of the Spirit of God.
- To be obedient to Jesus Christ and sprinkled with His blood.

In the great mercy of God the Father, through the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ from the dead, they had been given a new birth into a living hope and an inheritance that can never perish, spoil, or fade, and that is kept in heaven for them.

*******

They Were Sealed By God’s Power (1:5)

Through faith, they were shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.

*******

Since we are saved by grace, sealed by the Spirit of God and secured by the power of the Father, we can be absolutely certain that God’s salvation will last forever!

*******

Those who are saved by grace have reasons to rejoice.

Let us get our eyes off the troubles and turmoil that is going on in the world today.

Let us rejoice in our salvation.

Let us learn to praise God for who we are, what we have and where we are going!

*******

When we learn the secret that we can rejoice when we want to, it will make the rest of life far more bearable!

That is why every Christian must learn to rejoice!

Church Elder Is Not Given To Wine

noreply@blogger.com (Yeo KH) — Sun, 04 Sep 2011 05:25:31 PDT

Titus 1:7c

Wine is used as a symbol of joy.

Wine makes glad the heart of man.

*******

Wine is also used as a symbol of wrath of God against immorality.

*******

Deacons is not given to much wine. (1Tim. 3:8)

Deacons are permitted to partake of alcohol, but not in regularity, frequency, or quantity.

*******

Older women are not given to much wine. (Titus 2:3)

*******

In short, Christians must not be addicted to wine.

*******

Elder is not given to wine. (1 Timothy 3:3, Titus 1:7c)

A church elder is not to be with or near any wine at all.

He is to completely abstain from alcohol.

*******

Some said, "But Timothy, a pastor and elder, was instructed to drink wine."

But Timothy suffered from a number of internal physical problems.

Paul wrote to him and said, "No longer drink only water, but use a little wine for your stomach's sake and your frequent infirmities." (1Tim. 5:23)

Paul made an exception because of Timothy's condition.

*******

Some said, "But Jesus drank wine."

Yes, He did.

He created wine for the wedding in Cana of Galilee (John 2).

He drank wine with sinners and was accused of being a glutton and a drunkard (Luke 7:34).

He drank wine with the disciples at the Last Supper.

But He told the disciples during the Last Supper, "But I say to you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in My Father's kingdom." (Matthew. 26:29)

Jesus doesn't drink wine anymore.

*******

Church elder must completely abstain from partaking any alcohol because of the dangers it presents to him as a spiritual man.

*******

Usage of alcohol can turn a church elder into one who loses control, clarity, and even consciousness.

*******

Using alcohol impairs his ability to think logically, make decisions rightly, and hear from God clearly.

*******

Alcohol tends to make people stupid.

A drunken man staggers in his vomit. (Is. 19:14)

Wine is a mocker, Strong drink is a brawler, And whoever is led astray by it is not wise. (Proverbs 20:1)

*******

Christians are not allowed to get drunk.

And Christians are not to associate with drunkards in the church. (1 Cor. 5:11)

*******

If we are not in spiritual authority, we do have the freedom to drink a little wine.

But we must make sure we don't make another Christian stumble. (Rom. 14:21)

*******

It is better not to drink.

No one is going to stumble if we don't drink.

*******

But just how many of us choose to exercise our freedom instead of walking in love?

Eternal Life

noreply@blogger.com (Yeo KH) — Mon, 29 Aug 2011 05:31:04 PDT

Titus 1:2-3 (NIV)

Paul's apostleship was for the purposes of evangelism and discipleship.

Apostle Paul was to bring faith to those chosen of God.

He was also to educate them in the knowledge of the truth that is according to godliness.

*******

Now, Paul continues his thoughts regarding faith and truth...

*******

1:2 In The Hope Of Eternal Life

Faith and truth are in the hope of eternal life.

In other words, eternal life is dependent upon having faith and walking in the truth.

*******

Those who don't have faith have no hope of eternal life.

Without faith, it is impossible to please God.

*******

In addition to faith, living in obedience to the truth according to godliness is also intricately tied to the hope of eternal life.

We have faith, but we must also walk in it, and live a life marked by it.

*******

What we need is an active faith, not passive.

Inactive faith isn't faith at all.

We must grab hold of eternal life by living a faithful life.

*******

If we have faith and walk in the truth of godliness, we can expect eternal life.

If we do not obey the truth, we don't have the hope of eternal life.

*******

We might be saved, but we have no real full assurance from the Scripture which reassures us that when we are not obeying the truth, we shouldn't expect anything but wrath and indignation.

*******

We are to build ourselves up on our most holy faith while waiting for eternal life.

*******

1:2 Promised Before The Beginning Of Time

Apostle Paul said that God promised eternal life long ages ago.

It wasn't just early in man's history that God promised eternal life.

God promised it before the beginning of time - before the creation even happened.

God chose us before the foundation of the world (Eph. 1:4).

To Him, our salvation was a deal done before the world was even created.

*******

1: 3 At His Appointed Season He Has Brought To Light

Eternal life was promised in eternity past.

But at the proper time it was brought to light.

*******

The Lord Jesus Christ has always existed.

But the world didn't see Him until He appeared to them.

*******

The Lord Jesus Christ is eternal, and He came to the world at the proper time.

*******

The Lord Jesus Christ came to us, then died for us, granting to us the promise of eternal life.

The death of the Lord Jesus Christ was at just the right time.

*******

1:3 Through The Preaching Entrusted To Me By The Command Of God Our Savior

Paul knew that he was one of the people entrusted with the task of preaching that message to people.

He'd been commanded by "God our Savior," that is the Lord Jesus Christ Himself.