Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
Cluster camp pics..
Dear all,
Pls click on the link to view some of the pics... Look out for the remaining pics from our cluster's blog.. coming soon (i think.. hehe)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ah_pao/sets/72157603235805068/show/with/2046783397/
Pls click on the link to view some of the pics... Look out for the remaining pics from our cluster's blog.. coming soon (i think.. hehe)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ah_pao/sets/72157603235805068/show/with/2046783397/
Saturday, November 03, 2007
ESTHER
Heya! For the benefit of those who couldn't make it on Thur, i've uploaded the lesson here. (Sorry, a bit long as i dunno how to put attachments.) The last question in red is our reflection for this week. Please post your reflection as a comment to this post.
luv,
choi.
Outline
Royal Banquet
-The story opens with a royal banquet by the Persian King Ahasuerus (v 1-9).
- Queen Vashti refused the request of the king to attend his banquet and thus forfeited her claim to the throne (v10-22).
Esther becomes Queen
- Esther found favor in the eyes of Hegai and eventually became Queen.
The Moment of Crisis
- Mordecai’s refusal to bow before Haman incited him against the Jews.
Notes
The story of Esther is similar to other stories in the Bible, e.g. Joseph ( Gen 37-50), Moses( Ex 2), David (1 Sam 29-30), Daniel etc. Can you tell what is common among them?
In each of these stories, a gifted Israelite is taken into the palace of a foreign king and there is granted an opportunity to preserve the life of God’s people.
The unique feature about the story of Esther is that it teaches about God’s provision for his people without ever mentioning God in the book.
God is like the author of the script of the drama which unfolds in the story. Given the “coincidences” at key moments in the story, there is no room for doubt that the events happened as they did because they were planned that way by God.
God’s Sovereign Grace and Divine Providence
The situations in our lives are not always the way we want them to turn out. E.g. the place we live, the people we must associate with everyday, the problems we encounter. And these things may not be our fault. We may be the victim of circumstances, or we may have made decisions we thought were right but did not work out as expected.
Mordecai understood God’s sovereign grace and divine providence. He said to Esther, “Do not think in your heart that you will escape in the king’s palace any more than all the other Jews. For if you remain completely silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” (Esther 4:13-14)
Esther is no safer than any other Jew. When it is known that she is Jewish, her life will be endangered too. Mordecai is convinced that God cares for his people, and if He doesn’t use Esther to deliver them, He will use some other means. He is a sovereign God.
Application
- God is sovereign and He is able to turn difficult circumstances round to work for our good. This includes the wrong decisions we have made.
- This, however, does not mean we should live our lives in total disregard for the will of God, and then expect Him to clear up our mess. The result is unhappiness, sorrow and regret, as many Christians can testify. The consequences of willful sin can be unbearable.
- The sovereignty of God simply means that when we put our lives in Christ’s hands and yield ourselves unreservedly to Him, we can be certain that He has a great plan for us. He can use everything that has happened to us in the past and every circumstance in our present experience to help carry out his plan.
- God has a purpose for you, right now, right where you are, no matter who you are, where you live, to whom you are married, what you have experienced in the past, or what you are facing in the future. In fact, He has allowed you to come to this place in your life for a specific purpose, “for such a time as this”. He has something specific for you to accomplish in your present situation, and He wants you to look for the opportunities in that sphere of influence.
- As believers, we are a part of God’s great program on earth. We have a destiny. God does not want us to moan our plight and look for a way out. He will be honored if we claim His Grace to be what He wants us to be and do what He wants us to do in our present circumstances. We must take advantage of the opportunities He has made available to us in the here and now. He may later open up wider spheres of opportunity if that suits His purpose, but that is in His Hands. Our responsibility is to let Him use us where we are.
- God is at work in our lives just as definitely as in Esther’s. Our circumstances may not be all we would like them to be. But we can thank God for them anyway. They provide Him with the opportunity to demonstrate His sovereign love and care, and for us to glorify Him. Rom 8:28- And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose”.
Q: Recount some of the problems or circumstances you have faced in the past that you now realize God has worked out for good.
Q: What are the present circumstances in your life that you wish were different? What opportunities to glorify the Lord are provided by these circumstances? How can you serve the Lord in them?
luv,
choi.
Outline
Royal Banquet
-The story opens with a royal banquet by the Persian King Ahasuerus (v 1-9).
- Queen Vashti refused the request of the king to attend his banquet and thus forfeited her claim to the throne (v10-22).
Esther becomes Queen
- Esther found favor in the eyes of Hegai and eventually became Queen.
The Moment of Crisis
- Mordecai’s refusal to bow before Haman incited him against the Jews.
Notes
The story of Esther is similar to other stories in the Bible, e.g. Joseph ( Gen 37-50), Moses( Ex 2), David (1 Sam 29-30), Daniel etc. Can you tell what is common among them?
In each of these stories, a gifted Israelite is taken into the palace of a foreign king and there is granted an opportunity to preserve the life of God’s people.
The unique feature about the story of Esther is that it teaches about God’s provision for his people without ever mentioning God in the book.
God is like the author of the script of the drama which unfolds in the story. Given the “coincidences” at key moments in the story, there is no room for doubt that the events happened as they did because they were planned that way by God.
God’s Sovereign Grace and Divine Providence
The situations in our lives are not always the way we want them to turn out. E.g. the place we live, the people we must associate with everyday, the problems we encounter. And these things may not be our fault. We may be the victim of circumstances, or we may have made decisions we thought were right but did not work out as expected.
Mordecai understood God’s sovereign grace and divine providence. He said to Esther, “Do not think in your heart that you will escape in the king’s palace any more than all the other Jews. For if you remain completely silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” (Esther 4:13-14)
Esther is no safer than any other Jew. When it is known that she is Jewish, her life will be endangered too. Mordecai is convinced that God cares for his people, and if He doesn’t use Esther to deliver them, He will use some other means. He is a sovereign God.
Application
- God is sovereign and He is able to turn difficult circumstances round to work for our good. This includes the wrong decisions we have made.
- This, however, does not mean we should live our lives in total disregard for the will of God, and then expect Him to clear up our mess. The result is unhappiness, sorrow and regret, as many Christians can testify. The consequences of willful sin can be unbearable.
- The sovereignty of God simply means that when we put our lives in Christ’s hands and yield ourselves unreservedly to Him, we can be certain that He has a great plan for us. He can use everything that has happened to us in the past and every circumstance in our present experience to help carry out his plan.
- God has a purpose for you, right now, right where you are, no matter who you are, where you live, to whom you are married, what you have experienced in the past, or what you are facing in the future. In fact, He has allowed you to come to this place in your life for a specific purpose, “for such a time as this”. He has something specific for you to accomplish in your present situation, and He wants you to look for the opportunities in that sphere of influence.
- As believers, we are a part of God’s great program on earth. We have a destiny. God does not want us to moan our plight and look for a way out. He will be honored if we claim His Grace to be what He wants us to be and do what He wants us to do in our present circumstances. We must take advantage of the opportunities He has made available to us in the here and now. He may later open up wider spheres of opportunity if that suits His purpose, but that is in His Hands. Our responsibility is to let Him use us where we are.
- God is at work in our lives just as definitely as in Esther’s. Our circumstances may not be all we would like them to be. But we can thank God for them anyway. They provide Him with the opportunity to demonstrate His sovereign love and care, and for us to glorify Him. Rom 8:28- And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose”.
Q: Recount some of the problems or circumstances you have faced in the past that you now realize God has worked out for good.
Q: What are the present circumstances in your life that you wish were different? What opportunities to glorify the Lord are provided by these circumstances? How can you serve the Lord in them?
Monday, October 22, 2007
Friday, October 12, 2007
God is.....
Compassionate
Persistent
A God Of Second Chance
A Miracle Performer
Commander
Powerful
Disciplinarian
Teacher
Healer
Environmentalist
Giver & Taker Of Life
Love
Source: Funny Pictures (2003)
Persistent
A God Of Second Chance
A Miracle Performer
Commander
Powerful
Disciplinarian
Teacher
Healer
Environmentalist
Giver & Taker Of Life
Love
Source: Funny Pictures (2003)
Tuesday, October 09, 2007
Book of Jonah
(Permission of use obtained from author)No time to read the book of Jonah?
Need some pictorial help in visualising the story of Jonah?
Click on the picture to read the Jonah comics!
Need some pictorial help in visualising the story of Jonah?
Click on the picture to read the Jonah comics!
Monday, October 08, 2007
The Steward Exercise
We have an ultra-interesting application this week, I want to invite all of you to join in! And in case those who were at processing thought I wasn't serious about it...well, this entry shows that I am, so, please do homework hor! Here goes...
Consciously note your week's expenditure for 8 Oct-13 Oct.
While doing this exercise, remember that we're assuming that this is a typical week. So don't try to deliberately curb your spending. If you are giving tithe this week, divide your tithe amount by 4 and add on to your week's total expenditure.
After you have done your recordings of expenditure at the end of Sat, observe from your spendings the following:
1. Are you content with what you have? (i.e. are you content with what you've spent on...or do you want more?)
2. Do you give to God first?
3. What are the things we spend on?
4. Do you give to the poor?
We are to be good stewards!
Consciously note your week's expenditure for 8 Oct-13 Oct.
While doing this exercise, remember that we're assuming that this is a typical week. So don't try to deliberately curb your spending. If you are giving tithe this week, divide your tithe amount by 4 and add on to your week's total expenditure.
After you have done your recordings of expenditure at the end of Sat, observe from your spendings the following:
1. Are you content with what you have? (i.e. are you content with what you've spent on...or do you want more?)
2. Do you give to God first?
3. What are the things we spend on?
4. Do you give to the poor?
We are to be good stewards!
Wednesday, October 03, 2007
3-Step Bible Study Process
(Taken from "Living by the Book" by Howard G. Hendricks & William D. Hendricks)
(1) Observation: What do I see? (TSLA)
a. Terms: key words (e.g. "but")
b. Structure: grammatical (e.g. what is the Subject/Object), literary (e.g. cause &
effect, question & answer)
c. Literary form (e.g. poetry, epistle, narrative)
d. Atmosphere: setting, author’s feelings
(2) Interpretation: What does it mean?
a. Questions: keep asking
b. Answers: find answers from observation process
c. Integration: put answers together into a meaningful whole
(Tip: The longer time you spend on making observations, the shorter time you take to interpret the passage and the more accurate your interpretation.)
(3) Application: How does it work?
a. For me: personal application for credibility & authority before you teach the Word
b. For others: for effective ministry
(1) Observation: What do I see? (TSLA)
a. Terms: key words (e.g. "but")
b. Structure: grammatical (e.g. what is the Subject/Object), literary (e.g. cause &
effect, question & answer)
c. Literary form (e.g. poetry, epistle, narrative)
d. Atmosphere: setting, author’s feelings
(2) Interpretation: What does it mean?
a. Questions: keep asking
b. Answers: find answers from observation process
c. Integration: put answers together into a meaningful whole
(Tip: The longer time you spend on making observations, the shorter time you take to interpret the passage and the more accurate your interpretation.)
(3) Application: How does it work?
a. For me: personal application for credibility & authority before you teach the Word
b. For others: for effective ministry
Monday, October 01, 2007
Sunday, September 30, 2007
Reflections on Daniel 6:10-23
Reflections on Daniel 6:10-23
How can we grow in doing what is right no matter what's the cost?
1. Foster a close relationship with God
2. Always Pray
3. Always be thankful
4. Always trust God
Daniel is one of my favourite character in the bible because like David, he has a very close walk with God and is called the highly esteemed by God.
In passage 6:10-23, we see Daniel's actions in work with his faith. Regardless of the harsh decree issued by the king, he fearlessly continue his daily routine, that is to pray 3 times a day. Obedience to God is better than sacrifice. And God honors him and save him from the seemingly hopeless situation of death.
For me, what I want to catch from Daniel is his admirable trust in God.
"And when Daniel was lifted from the den, no wound was found on him, because he had trusted in his God." (Daniel 6:23)
Sometimes, we may be weighed down by many wordly worries in our lives but when we turned our eyes to God and trust Him to help us, it's then that we truly live out what we believe in - that Jesus Christ is Lord.
So just want to encourage all of you, no matter what circumstances we are in, let us always pray to God and trust in Him in everything.
Amen!
~ Posting on behalf of Huili
How can we grow in doing what is right no matter what's the cost?
1. Foster a close relationship with God
2. Always Pray
3. Always be thankful
4. Always trust God
Daniel is one of my favourite character in the bible because like David, he has a very close walk with God and is called the highly esteemed by God.
In passage 6:10-23, we see Daniel's actions in work with his faith. Regardless of the harsh decree issued by the king, he fearlessly continue his daily routine, that is to pray 3 times a day. Obedience to God is better than sacrifice. And God honors him and save him from the seemingly hopeless situation of death.
For me, what I want to catch from Daniel is his admirable trust in God.
"And when Daniel was lifted from the den, no wound was found on him, because he had trusted in his God." (Daniel 6:23)
Sometimes, we may be weighed down by many wordly worries in our lives but when we turned our eyes to God and trust Him to help us, it's then that we truly live out what we believe in - that Jesus Christ is Lord.
So just want to encourage all of you, no matter what circumstances we are in, let us always pray to God and trust in Him in everything.
Amen!
~ Posting on behalf of Huili
blog layout
hehe, i dunno what u all want leh :/
so i shall leave the blog like this first...
at least it looks more decent... o.O compared to the one where everything was squashed to one side...
so i shall leave the blog like this first...
at least it looks more decent... o.O compared to the one where everything was squashed to one side...
Thursday, September 27, 2007
Reflection on Nahum
Nahum
1) God is Awesome
2) Remember God is Awesome
3) Return to the Awesome God
4) Reveal/ Reflect/ Represent the Awesome God
1) God is Awesome
2) Remember God is Awesome
3) Return to the Awesome God
4) Reveal/ Reflect/ Represent the Awesome God
In Nahum, God chose to afflict Israel no more. I was reminded of God's love. He chose me just as he chose Israel. I could have been destroyed just like Nineveh but God included me in His sovereign plan.
"The clouds are the dust of His feet" Nahum 1:3. God has been awesome to me and I want to be used by God to do awesome things. I want to hear Him, see Him, and know Him more intimately. I want people to know this awesome God such that their lives will be transformed in awesome ways.
I was reminded that God is not only a God of love, but also a God of power - power to save, vindicate, punish and destroy. Lets return to our Awesome God.
New Updates - Our Family Devotion Time Schedule
After discussion during last meeting, here's the new schedule....
20 Sep: Nahum (by Sharon)
27 Sep: Daniel (by Huili)
4 Oct: Jonah (by Grace)
11 Oct: Ecclesiates (by Jess)
18 Oct: Esther (by Choi)
25 Oct: ?
1 Nov: Malachi (by Joan)
8 Nov: Zechariah (by Yating)
15 Nov: Ruth (by Sharmaine)
22 Nov: Joel (by Eunice)
29 Nov: Isaiah (by Weiqing)
6 Dec: ?
Let's immerse ourselves in the Word of God, nourishing our souls.
20 Sep: Nahum (by Sharon)
27 Sep: Daniel (by Huili)
4 Oct: Jonah (by Grace)
11 Oct: Ecclesiates (by Jess)
18 Oct: Esther (by Choi)
25 Oct: ?
1 Nov: Malachi (by Joan)
8 Nov: Zechariah (by Yating)
15 Nov: Ruth (by Sharmaine)
22 Nov: Joel (by Eunice)
29 Nov: Isaiah (by Weiqing)
6 Dec: ?
Let's immerse ourselves in the Word of God, nourishing our souls.
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
reflection on Nahum
Hmmz... seems like no one else has blogged their reflection yet.... anyway, main take-away was to remember once again how Awesome God is... and as He reminded me of all the times He had seen me thru'...the joy and the pain.... once again i find myself speechless...and eternally grateful..
Friday, September 21, 2007
Thursday, September 20, 2007
Growing deep in the word of God
Dear all (esp those who were not at G12 meeting last thursday)
As discussed,
Each person will have to pick a book in the Old Testament to share. You do not have to share the whole book, it can be just a passage in the book.
To be presented during G12 meeting in any way you want it to be. (One person per G12 meeting). The sharing can be around 30 mins
- To share on one of your personal learning from the Book
- To share on one application that you can help the family to grow in.
(Someone pls correct me if i wrote wrongly)
Pls check with Fang Siang on the schedule and books that are still available.
As discussed,
Each person will have to pick a book in the Old Testament to share. You do not have to share the whole book, it can be just a passage in the book.
To be presented during G12 meeting in any way you want it to be. (One person per G12 meeting). The sharing can be around 30 mins
- To share on one of your personal learning from the Book
- To share on one application that you can help the family to grow in.
(Someone pls correct me if i wrote wrongly)
Pls check with Fang Siang on the schedule and books that are still available.
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Our Family Devotion Time
Okie, this may sound a lil abrupt cos there was supposed to be a preamble to this (Yating was supposed to blog about our last meeting, you see... Still waiting for you k? =P)
But, this is what we will be doing for the next few weeks...
20 Sep: Nahum (by Sharon)
27 Sep: Proverbs (by FS)
4 Oct: Jonah (by Grace)
11 Oct: Ecclesiates (by Jess)
18 Oct: 1 Samuel (by Huili)
25 Oct: ?
1 Nov: ?
8 Nov: ?
15 Nov: ?
22 Nov: ?
29 Nov: Joel (by Eunice)
6 Dec: Isaiah (by Weiqing)
13 Dec: Zechariah (by Yating)
Joan, Ady, Sharmaine & Choi may not know what's going on yet. You'll know when you join us for the next meeting.
I'm reading "Living by the Book" by Howard G. Hendricks & William D. Hendricks to equip myself for our devotion time. Tune in to our meetings for great treasures uncovered....
But, this is what we will be doing for the next few weeks...
20 Sep: Nahum (by Sharon)
27 Sep: Proverbs (by FS)
4 Oct: Jonah (by Grace)
11 Oct: Ecclesiates (by Jess)
18 Oct: 1 Samuel (by Huili)
25 Oct: ?
1 Nov: ?
8 Nov: ?
15 Nov: ?
22 Nov: ?
29 Nov: Joel (by Eunice)
6 Dec: Isaiah (by Weiqing)
13 Dec: Zechariah (by Yating)
Joan, Ady, Sharmaine & Choi may not know what's going on yet. You'll know when you join us for the next meeting.
I'm reading "Living by the Book" by Howard G. Hendricks & William D. Hendricks to equip myself for our devotion time. Tune in to our meetings for great treasures uncovered....
Saturday, September 15, 2007
Testing
Hi
It's me learning how to post blog again :)
I'm now at Jeremiah & Titus for my devotion...at my office, we're doing Isaiah...
:) FOr He knoWs the plans for u! Plans to prosper & not to harm u. Plans to give U HoPe & a FuTure! May God bless U with this confidence in Him!
Thank God for seeing me thru everyday at work! Letting me have wonderful colleagues and workload. So blessed in these 2 years :) At work, we emphasize the being rather than the doing. Are we the Mary at Jesus's feet or the Martha jealous of Mary?
It's me learning how to post blog again :)
I'm now at Jeremiah & Titus for my devotion...at my office, we're doing Isaiah...
:) FOr He knoWs the plans for u! Plans to prosper & not to harm u. Plans to give U HoPe & a FuTure! May God bless U with this confidence in Him!
Thank God for seeing me thru everyday at work! Letting me have wonderful colleagues and workload. So blessed in these 2 years :) At work, we emphasize the being rather than the doing. Are we the Mary at Jesus's feet or the Martha jealous of Mary?
Thursday, August 09, 2007
I asked the Lord, that I might grow
In faith, and love, and every grace;
Might more of His salvation know,
And seek more earnestly his face.
I hoped that in some favoured hour
At once He'd answer my request,
And by His love's constraining power
Subdue my sins, and give me rest.
Instead of this, He made me feel
The hidden evils of my heart;
And let the angry powers of hell
Assault my soul in every part.
"Lord, why is this?" I trembling cried,
"Wilt thou pursue Thy worm to death?"
"'Tis in this way," the Lord replied,
"I answer prayer for grace and faith.
These inward trials I employ
From self and pride to set thee free;
And break thy schemes of earthly joy,
That thou may'st seek thy all in me."
John Newton.
In faith, and love, and every grace;
Might more of His salvation know,
And seek more earnestly his face.
I hoped that in some favoured hour
At once He'd answer my request,
And by His love's constraining power
Subdue my sins, and give me rest.
Instead of this, He made me feel
The hidden evils of my heart;
And let the angry powers of hell
Assault my soul in every part.
"Lord, why is this?" I trembling cried,
"Wilt thou pursue Thy worm to death?"
"'Tis in this way," the Lord replied,
"I answer prayer for grace and faith.
These inward trials I employ
From self and pride to set thee free;
And break thy schemes of earthly joy,
That thou may'st seek thy all in me."
John Newton.
Monday, June 25, 2007
Devotion by Ps Shufang
Love God with all your weakness
by Jon Walker
“‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind ….'” (Luke 10:27 NIV)
No doubt it sounds strange, but in order to love God with all your strength, you have to admit that you are weak and that your strength is limited.
By doing this, you acknowledge God as the true source of your strength, and that in your weakness, he is strong. You become strong as you become totally dependent upon him, allowing his strength to work through you.
As you allow God to show his strength, you will find yourself doing things you never thought possible. God promises you can do all things through the Father as he gives you his strength (Phil. 4:13). You’ll take steps of faith you never thought possible, and you’ll love others in a way you never imagined as God supplies you with supernatural strength and energy.
God is strong and he wants you strong. He will change you in places where you cannot change yourself, and he will transform the broken places of your life in order to use them for his own glory.
God doesn’t ask you to take steps of faith alone; he is with you in every step, filling you with a grace-charged strength. God only asks you to take one step of faith at a time.
So what?
· Tell God you need his strength – and really mean it this time. Ha! When you try to love and serve others with just your own strength, you’ll inevitably fail. After all, there are a lot of frustrating, unlovable people out there. (Just ask some of my friends!) And that’s OK because God wants you to fail in your own strength so you’ll start to rely upon his strength.
· You can’t love God wholeheartedly – Jesus knows you won’t be able to love God with your whole heart until you become dependent upon his strength to do so. You simply can’t do it through your own energy or strength, but Jesus also knows you’ll come to realize this yourself the more you attempt to love God – and others – on your own. At that point, you’re faced with a very clear but difficult choice: Keep on keeping on in your own strength, wondering why this abundant life thing doesn’t work, or take the “Nestea plunge” into the deep end of dependence on God’s strength.
· One step of faith at a time – Relying on God’s strength doesn’t mean he will require you to take giant leaps of faith. He’s taking you on a lifelong journey, and my experience is that God only asks for one step at a time. The so-called “leaps of faith” you see some people take actually are the culmination of a lot of little steps of faith that you may not be aware of. The first step is to ask God to be your strength as you take your first steps of faith. Willingness to rely on him is a step of faith.
· Question for meditation: How dependent on God am I each day as I walk out my faith? Where am I moving independently of him?
by Jon Walker
“‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind ….'” (Luke 10:27 NIV)
No doubt it sounds strange, but in order to love God with all your strength, you have to admit that you are weak and that your strength is limited.
By doing this, you acknowledge God as the true source of your strength, and that in your weakness, he is strong. You become strong as you become totally dependent upon him, allowing his strength to work through you.
As you allow God to show his strength, you will find yourself doing things you never thought possible. God promises you can do all things through the Father as he gives you his strength (Phil. 4:13). You’ll take steps of faith you never thought possible, and you’ll love others in a way you never imagined as God supplies you with supernatural strength and energy.
God is strong and he wants you strong. He will change you in places where you cannot change yourself, and he will transform the broken places of your life in order to use them for his own glory.
God doesn’t ask you to take steps of faith alone; he is with you in every step, filling you with a grace-charged strength. God only asks you to take one step of faith at a time.
So what?
· Tell God you need his strength – and really mean it this time. Ha! When you try to love and serve others with just your own strength, you’ll inevitably fail. After all, there are a lot of frustrating, unlovable people out there. (Just ask some of my friends!) And that’s OK because God wants you to fail in your own strength so you’ll start to rely upon his strength.
· You can’t love God wholeheartedly – Jesus knows you won’t be able to love God with your whole heart until you become dependent upon his strength to do so. You simply can’t do it through your own energy or strength, but Jesus also knows you’ll come to realize this yourself the more you attempt to love God – and others – on your own. At that point, you’re faced with a very clear but difficult choice: Keep on keeping on in your own strength, wondering why this abundant life thing doesn’t work, or take the “Nestea plunge” into the deep end of dependence on God’s strength.
· One step of faith at a time – Relying on God’s strength doesn’t mean he will require you to take giant leaps of faith. He’s taking you on a lifelong journey, and my experience is that God only asks for one step at a time. The so-called “leaps of faith” you see some people take actually are the culmination of a lot of little steps of faith that you may not be aware of. The first step is to ask God to be your strength as you take your first steps of faith. Willingness to rely on him is a step of faith.
· Question for meditation: How dependent on God am I each day as I walk out my faith? Where am I moving independently of him?
I thought this is a very timely devotion for all of us as the 100k campaign is about a faith journey, depending on God's strength and His strength alone. May you grow in faith as a warrior of light!
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