Seeing Jesus In Our Daily Bible Reading Part 4

For the week of March 22 - 28, 2009, the Bible reading covered Numbers 33 : 40 - Deuteronomy 10 : 22 in the Old Testament, Luke 5 : 12 - 8 : 21, Psalm 65 - 69 and Proverbs 11 : 23 - 12 : 3. 

1.  The verses which impacted me are :

• Luke 6 : 20 - 38
• Luke 6 : 45 "The good person out of the good tresure of his heart produces good,and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks."
• Luke 8 : 5 - 15 "The Parable of the Sower".
• Deuteronomy 5 : 6 - 21 "The Ten Commandments"
• Deut 6 : 4 - 19 "The Shema" 
• Psalm 68 : 19 - 20 "Blessed be the Lord, who daily bears us up; God is our salvation. Our God is a God of salvation, and to God, the Lord, belong deliverances from death."
• Deut 8 : 18 "You shall remember the LORD your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth, that he may confirm his covenant that he swore to your fathers, as it is this day." 
• Proverbs 12 : 3 "A man cannot be established through wickedness but the righteous cannot be uprooted."

2.  What I learned about God (Jesus) this week are :

• In Numbers 35 we read that if a murder is unintentional, a person can flee to a city of refuge and receive a public trial which was held to ensure that anyone who had killed intentionally would not escape the death penalty. As long as the person stayed in the city of refuge, he was protected and when the high priest died, he was free to go home. The cities of refuge served as ancient illustrations of the Good News about Jesus. In Jesus Christ, our supreme city of refuge, we are safe forever from God's righteous judgement.
• In Deut 3 : 25, Moses pleaded with God for permission to "go over and see the good land." But this time God not only refused Moses his request but appeared annoyed with him in verse 26 : "That is enough...Do Not speak to me anymore about this matter." While voicingour requests and concerns to God is crtically important, God will sometimes say no, just as He dis to Moses.
• The Shema, meaning "hear" in Deut 6 : 4 - 5 emphasises God's unity. This passage states that there can be only one all-powerful, infinite, limitless and perfect God. Because God has revealed Himself to us, we are able to identify the God of the Bible as that one true God. Christians believe that God is a tri-unity or Trinity - One being expressed in three persons, God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit.
• Luke 5 : 11 illustrates the power of "pull" from our Saviour to follow Him. Following Jesus implies total abandonment to Him. True disciples turn their backs on all the encumbrances and earthly baggage that might pull them back or slow them down.
• Luke 6 : 31 has become known as the Goden Rule through the years i.e. Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." Jesus is revolutionary even in His time.
• Psalm 68 speaks of our Triumphant Lord. Life does not have to defeat us. The God of the universe will, through his precious Son Jesus, scatters his enemies.
• Psalm 69 is most frequently quoted in connection to the ministry and suffering of Jesus. Because Jesus suffered insult, betrayal and unspeakable anguish of body and spirit, he knows how we feel when we grow weary and bruised from life's blows. 

3.  How I have been inspired by this week's reading

• I thank Jesus that He is a "city of refuge for me". I can go to spend time alone with Him in total safety and security.
• When God says "No", He has every right to do so and He always have our best interest in mind. Looking back, I can see evidence of God's gentle hand nudging me in a different direction.
• I thank God that in the New Covenant, He has written His laws in our hearts and our minds and given us His Spirit.
• Reading Duet helped me to ask before making any significant decisions : "What would Jesus do ?"
• The chapter in Luke on "Following Jesus" inspired me to follow Him in total abandonment.
• Reading Psalm 68 helps me reflect on specific accounts where Jesus led me through "spritual wastelands" back to His living waters.

4.  My Application

      To put into practice what I have been inpired by as in 3 above. So help me God ! Amen !

HAPPY EASTER !

"Only Jesus, Only He, 

Brings redemption, full and free

There's a yearning in all our lives

That only Jesus satisfies..."

Calvary's love will sail forever

Bright and shining, full and free

Like an ark of peace and safety

On the sea of human need

Through the hours of all the ages

Those tired of sailing on their own

Finally rest inside the shadow

Cast by Calvary's love becomes a fire

Calvary's love, calvary's love

Priceless gift, Christ makes us worthy of

The deepest sin can't rise above Calvary's love..."

This song which I have sung many years ago in church still rings loud within me every Easter as I remember the sacrificial love of our LORD Jesus Christ. Indeed, the deepest sin can't rise above Calvary's love. Christ has done it all for us. Thank you LORD for your indescribable gift of salvation !

Happy Easter everyone and may we all give thanks and praise to Almighty God for His Son's sacrificial love. To God Be The Glory Great Things He Has Done !

Seeing Jesus In Our Daily Bible Reading Part 3

For the week of March 15 - 21, 2009, the Bible reading covered Numbers 22 : 21 - Numbers 33, Luke 1 : 57 - 5 : 11, Psalm 58 : 1 - 64 : 10 and Proverbs 11 : 12 -22.

1.  The verses which impacted me are :

• Numbers 22 : 21 - 41 on Balaam's donkey - God can use anyone,  even a "donkey" to fulfill His purposes. Let's be a "donkey" for God !
• Luke 1 :68 "Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he has visited and redeemed his people." - Praise God for His gift of redemption.
  
• Luke 4 : 18 - 19 "The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favour."
• Psalm 61 : 1 - 2 "Hear my cry, O God, listen to my prayer; from the end of the earth I will call to you when my heart is faint." - On Christ the Solid Rock I will stand.
• Psalm 62 : 7 - 8 "On God rests my salvation and my glory; my mighty rock, my refuge is God. Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us." - We can take refuge in God our mighty Rock.
• Psalm 64 : 10 "Let the righteous one rejoice in the Lord and take refuge in him ! Let all the upright in heart exult !"
• Proverbs 11 : 20 "The Lord detests men of perverse heart but he delights in those whose ways are blameless."

2.  What I learned about God (Jesus) this week are :

• Jesus always warned against false prophets and the "angel of the Lord" who talked to Balaam may have been Jesus Hinself, who in Old testament times periodically stepped into human history to bless and defend His people.
• Balaam's fourth prophecy recorded in Numbers 24, was inspired by the "Spirit of God" (vs 2). God used this pagan prophet to proclaim the truth, and Balaam correctly predicted that "a star would come out of Jacob; a scepter arise out of Israel (vs 17). This prophecy was initially fulfilled by David but was ultimately realised in the birth and ministry of Jesus.
• Mary's song in Luke was a shining example of both praise and submission to God. There are 4 parts to her song. First, she confessed her understanding of who God is and of who she was in comparison to him. Next, she described what God is like and then marveled at his intimate concern for the details of her life. Finally, she reflected back on God's covenant with Abraham.
• Psalm 58 reveals God's righteous vengeance.
• Some scholars believe that David wrote Psalm 62 after his son Absalom had tried to usurp the throne from him. David began his song by asserting that his "soul found rest in God alone". God offers true rest for his children; true rest is spiritual, eternal rest, a place of refuge with God where we can be released from the burdens and struggles of this physical life.
• Proverbs teach us that treating others with kindness may not necessarily guarantee reciprocal kindness from others. Nevertheless, God urges us to be kind regardless of how others respond.

3.  How I have been inspired by this week's reading

• God is in charge and in every situation, He can show Himself strong on behalf of His people.
• Mary, though a virgin, was with child from the Holy Spirit. She did not try to explain herself even if it meant that she may be criticised or ridiculed. I am inspired by her story and applying to myself, I should let God "vindicate" me and not justify.
• When Jesus was baptised, the Holy Spirt descended upon Him and God's voice was heard from heaven : "You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased." I long to hear these words from God and picture myself as one who is tenderly and passionately loved by the Lord. 
• Psalm 62 inspired me to rest in Jesus, whose arms are outstretched asking me to come to Him and find rest.

4.  My Application

     To put into practice what I have been inspired by as in 3 above. To God be All the Glory !

Seeing Jesus In Our Daily Bible Reading Part 2

Continuing on my journalling based on my church's Bible reading plan, for the week 8 - 14th March 2009, we covered Numbers 10 - 22 : 20, Mark 14 - Luke 1, Psalm 51 - 57 : 11 , Proverbs 10 : 31 - 11 : 11. For this week the format adopted for my journalling is based on the following outline which will be the standard format in the weeks to come :

1. The verses which impacted me are ...

• Numbers 13 on "The 12 Spies" - It is not what you see but who you see tnhat matters. Joshua and Caleb saw opportunities for their conquering God to show Himself strong. In the final analysis, faith and obedience are what matter to God. 
• Psalm 51 : 10 - 12 "Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit." - I thank God that in the dispensation of Grace, the Holy Spirit indwells us and God will not remove the Holy Spirit from us. Yes, we at times we grieve the Holy Spirit but He will never leave us nor forsake us.
  
• Psalm 55 : 22 "Cast your cares on the Lord and He will sustain you; He will never let the righteous fall." 
• Mark 14 : 22 - 24 on the Holy Communion. 

2.   What I learned about God (Jesus) this week are :

• God will be a conquering God for us if we trust Him to deliver what He has promised.
• The story of the red heifer in Numbers 19 reminds us of the cleansing power of Jesus' blood in Hebrews 9 : 12 - 14. 
• Moses' partial obedience of striking the Rock twice instead of speaking to the Rock is clearly a lapse of self control and outright disobedience on his part. Christ the Rock can only be smitten once and for all and not twice.
• The lifting up of the bronze serpent and the need for those biten to look up and be healed is paralleled to John 3 : 14 - 15 "Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that every one who believes may have eternal life."
• The chapters in Mark's gospel for this week deals with the last few hours leading to Christ's crucifixion. But thanks be to God for His resurrection, without which our faith in Christ would be in vain.
• Psalm 51 shows us a "God of second chances".
• Psalm 57 declares that God is preeminent in everything.
• Proverbs 10 : 31 - 11 : 11 gives us principles for life.

3.  How I have been inspired by this week's reading

• The story of the 12 spies inspired me to see beyond the obstacles in my life to the presence and power of God.
• The story of Moses who was to speak to "the Rock" inspired me to continually drink from the "Rock of living waters". Is my soul satisfied with Jesus' love ?
• The reluctance of some Israelites to look up to the bronze serpent for healing made me think back at those times when I too held back from obeying a simple instruction.
• The story of Judas' betrayal reminded me to consider if there is anything in my life that could grow like spiritual cancer and gradually replace loyalty to Jesus ?
• Psalm 51 reminded me of my righteous standing in God's sight based on Jesus' sacrifice.
• Psalm 57 inspired me to put God first in everything.

4.  My application 

      To put into practice what I have been inspired as in 3 above. So, help me God. Amen !

Seeing Jesus In Our Daily Bible Reading

It has been a long while since I last updated my blog. Since our church started on the Daily Bible reading plan in March 2009, I was thinking : "Why don't I just blog on my daily readings with the objective of sharing what I see about Jesus in all my readings ?". For the week 1st March through 7th March, we were supposed to have read Leviticus 24 - 27 Numbers 1 - 9, Mark 10 - 13, Psalm 44 - 50 : 23  and Proverbs 10 : 20 - 30. 

In Leviticus, the final chapters deal, among others, on the topic of "Resting With God." The Jewish religious establishment developed complicated and rigid rules about Sabbath observance. Jesus also encountered legalistic attitudes from people who devoted much of their energy to strict adherence to rules. Instead of allowing Himself to become buried in sorting through the technicalities of religious life, Jesus defended doing good deeds on Sabbath as he stated, "My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I, too am working" (John 5 : 17). The Bible makes it clear that attitude and heart are much more important to God than keeping religious traditions. 

Chapter 25 also talks about the Year of jubilee i.e. to consecrate the fiftieth year and proclaim liberty throughout the land to all its inhabitants. The verse which appeals to me in Chapter 26 is verse 8 : "Five of you will chase a hundred, and a hundred of you will chase ten thousand, and your enemies will fall by the sword before you." The final cahpter of Leviticus emphasizes the importance of paying vows and tithes when they are due. Leviticus reminds us that there is always a price to pay when buying back somoeone or something. It is said to have been redeemed. That is exactly what Jesus did for us as his death is referred to as "a ransom for many" (Mark 10 : 45).

Moving on to the book of Numbers, we see a God of mercy who even in Old Testament times held His arms open wide for those who would turn back to Him. Jesus' sacrificial deathwould later personify that mercy and would also fully satisfy God's demand for justice. Consider that just as God promised to lead the Israelites into their promised land, Jesus has promised to be with us in our journey toward our own. Numbers 1 begin with the taking of a census. God knew that as His people made their way out of Egypt in search of the promised land, they would need a "map". 

God's map included travel instructions. Each individual knew his position with relation to his tribe (Numbers 2 : 3 - 33). Also, each tribe knew its position with relation to the larger community. Finally, the whole community knew its position in relation to God. In the very centre of the community, the people set up the Tent of Meeting, ensuring that God will remain the central focus of all activity. Every Christian is also on a journey, and it is vital on that journey to have a proper relationship both with God and with each other. As we travel along, Jesus is whom we have to imitate as we learn what He desires. 

Numbers 3 considers the family of Levites. Levi's descendants constituted the priestly line and were also a part of the Messiah's lineage through Jacob and Leah (Numbers 3). Numbers 4 talks about the Levites' clans and families whilst Numbers 5 talks about purity in the camp, restitution of wrongs and the introduction of the law of jealousy. Chapter 6 gives a definition of a Nazarite being a man or woman who wants to make a special vow of separation to the Lord. The most intersting passage for the week's reading is in Numbers 6 : 24 - 26 which is the Priestly Blessing or often called "A Blessing of All Time" : "The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace."

Chapter  7 continues with "Offerings at the Dedication of the Tabernacle" and chapter 8 on "Setting up the Lamps" and the "Setting Apart of the Levites". Chapter 9 deals with how the Israelites are to celebrate the Passover and the presence of God expressed as a cloud above the Tabernacle. When the cloud of His Glory settled down to cover the Tent of Meeting, the people stopped, set up camp and stayed put until further notice. When the cloud lifted from the Tent of Meeting, the people pulled up stakes and follow wherever it led them. 

Over to the New testament, for the week we considered Mark 10 - 13. The most significant part of chapter 10 which spoke to me is in verse 36 : "What do you want me to do for you ?". If Jesus were to appear before us this very moment and asked this same straightforward question, how would we respond ? In order for us to experience all that Jesus has for us, it is imperative that we first of all realise that we lack something and blind Bartimaeus knew that he needed his sight. The greatest commandment was given in Mark 12 : 30 - 31 : "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this : "Love your neighbour as yourself". There is no commandment  greater than these."  The latter part talks about the secret of giving when Jesus pay tribute to a widow's offering which to Him is more than all the others. Chapter 13 of Mark deals with the "Signs of the End of the Age". Reading these makes one think and know that indeed the Lord is coming very soon. 

In Psalm 45, this psalm was written to commemorate a wedding day. It is a picture of Jesus and His bride - the Church. This psalm ultimately points to Jesus, God's promised One - to Jesus the ultimate King who will reign for all eternity. Psalm 46 : 1 - 3 makes a good memory verse. Psalm 46 is one of the many psalms that refer to the "city of God". The author cleraly intended to remind us that wherever God is present, there is abundant reason for unwavering confidence. Psalm 47 - 48 are psalms of praise and exultation and Psalm 49 reminds us that no amount of money can ransom anyone from death. Psalm 50 is a psalm of Asaph on the soverignity of God.

Lastly, in Proverbs 10 : 20 - 30, we read about living our lives by "God's way". God's way is perfect - which makes sense because he is pefect. We all need help getting through life and God's Word provides all of the direction and correction we require. God's perfect instruction offers us the hope of a long and satisfying life, while ignoring God's Word and living life on our own terms eventually result in destruction and grief. 

In summary :

The verses that impacted me are :

1.  Lev. 26 verse 8 : "Five of you will chase a hundred, and a hundred of you will chase ten thousand, and your enemies will fall by the sword before you."
   
2. Numbers 6 : 24 - 26 which is the Priestly Blessing or often called "A Blessing of All Time" : "The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace."
   
3. Mark 12 : 30 - 31 : "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this : "Love your neighbour as yourself". There is no commandment  greater than these." 
   

What I learnt about God is that He is a Holy God and yet He is One who cares for His creation and especially us, the crowning glory of His creation. He is ever willing to bless us and keep us if only we continue to trust and obey. Even when we fail Him, He is faithful and true to His word because He cannot deny Himself.

How I have been inspired this week is to continually look to Jesus, the author and perfector of my faith that I may aspire to live a life holy and pleasing unto him.

My application is as per various exegesis of the passages above. This is the end of week 1 of my journaling for the Daily Bible reading. To God be all the Glory !

Guiding Bible Verse for 2009

In the hour leading to the end of the year 2008 and the beginning of the year 2009, my Senior Pastor, under the inspiration of God, shared with us a very appropriate Bible verse as our guiding verse for 2009. It is found in 2 Chronicles 20:09 "If calamity comes upon us, whether the sword of judgment, or plague or famine, we will stand in Your presence before this temple that bears Your Name and will cry out to You in our distress, and you will hear us and save us."  This verse is so appropriate that even its reference Chapter 20:09 represented the year that we are in now, 2009. 

For 2009, all of us whether rich or poor, Godly or ungodly, wicked or kind, will face challenging and difficult times ahead. When it rains, it rains on the good and the bad. All, irrespective of who we are, will be affected. Already, we are seeing many being retrenched, facing calamities (as in the case of my good friend who lost his wife and 2nd son in a car accident on 1st Jan 2009), war in the Middle East, famine, political unrest, etc. We do not need to be prophets of doom to predict that we are in for difficult days ahead. 

So, what posture should we adopt as Christians ? It is found in this verse in 2 Chronicles 20:09 -"We will stand in God's Presence before this temple (a church) that bears His Name and cry out to Him in our distress and God will hear us and save us." My friends, this is a year not to run away from God and church but may this be a year where we stand in His Presence in a good church which glorifies and magnifies His Name. We have to pray like never before and P.U.S.H.

(Pray Until Something Happens). 

When we do that, even as we read of God's deliverance for His people in the latter verses of 2 Chronicles chapter 20, God will Restore, Bless, Give us Breakthroughs, Peace and Turnaround our situations even as we put our faith and trust in Him and seek Him with all our hearts. In the end, we read that Peace, Joy and Rest came upon God's people.  May we too find Peace, Joy and Rest in God's Presence for the whole year of 2009. God Bless & Keep You ! Shalom...

Log In To God's Covenant Promise

In this modern age, we use PCs and have to "log in" our passwords in order to access the various programs or sites and gain usage. Similarly, in these troubled times, how do we "log in" to God and His covenant promise ? Remember that God is a covenant keeping God, and even in the best or worst of times, He is there with us and for us and His promises are "Yes and in Him, Amen !"

In the Bible, there is a story of a famine recorded in Genesis 26 for which Isaac was given specific instructions to follow. Although our current world financial crisis has not caused widespread famine yet, it can be likened to a financial famine for many especially to those who have lost their jobs and every asset that they ever had. Let us observe what God told Isaac and how He kept His covenant and blessed him even in a famine situation :

1. Do Not Rely On Old Ways Of Provision

The first instruction given when God appeared to Isaac during the famine was in verse 3 : "Do not go down to Egypt". The natural tendency for human beings in a disaster situation or when they face financial challenges is to "go to Egypt". We have borrowed before, just take a personal loan to tide over first, let's mortgage the house, let's emigrate to Australia, etc.

We do all things in the natural which seems to be the "right thing to do" and limit God to meet all our needs according to His riches in glory. God is a creative God. He can make a way where there seems to be no way. Trust Him with an open and renewed mind and He will come through for you.

2. Dwell In The Land Which I Shall Tell You

The second instruction to Isaac was : "Dwell in the land which I shall tell you". After this second instruction, God reminded Isaac that He will keep His promises as given to his father Abraham. In troubled times, we tend to worry and think : "Should I go for a better job ?, What if I get retrenched ?, I better save for a rainy day...etc". Most times, God will want us to just be still and stay where we are and know that He is God. Proverbs 3 : 5 - 6 reads : "Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths." There is a Chinese proverb which says that when you reach a crooked bridge, it will straighten out by itself. Choose whom or what you want to put your trust in.

3. Presence Of God Will Be With You

God assured Isaac that He will be with him when he sojourn and dwell in the land where He will show him. In troubled times, the Presence of God in us is our everything. We must learn to stay in His Presence in abounding and lean times. Most Malaysians and Christians alike have been so blessed that we only know how to bless the Lord and know His Presence in good times. May we be ever more sensitive to His leading and ever aware of His Presence in us.

4. God Blesses You & Your Descendants

The story in Genesis 26 continue to assure the reader that God keeps His covenant and reminded Isaac of His covenant with Isaac's father, Abraham. We may forget the promises of God, but God will keep His part of the covenant and fulfill it. Our side of the covenant is to remain in Him as Jesus is the fulfillment of all the laws, statutes and commandments. We are the head and not the tail and even in crisis times, God can still bless us and even transfer the wealth of the world (or unrighteous) to the righteous (that's us - the righteousness of Christ).

5. Do Not Cease To Sow

Whilst God is a covenant keeping God, that doesn't absolve us of doing our bit. In verse 12, Isaac sowed in that land and reaped in the same year a hundredfold. The LORD blessed him and the man became rich and gained more and more until he became very wealthy." In "famine times", we must continue to sow into His Kingdom (i.e. tithe) and work hard and we will reap a bountiful harvest. The world's system is one of borrowing and lending but God's Kingdom principle is one of sowing and reaping. I have heard of so many testimonies where even in economic downturns, the church's tithes and offerings went up and many are still blessed. I am not saying it will be true for all Christians, but He will meet all our needs, not necessarily our wants.

6. Reaping A Hundredfold

Consistent to the parable of the sower, how we sow will reap us the kind of harvest we will get. Those who sow sparingly into His Kingdom will also reap sparingly. Crisis time is a good time to exercise our faith. Give your dues to God and let Him prove Himself strong in meeting all your needs. Let us all keep the faith and reap a hundredfold like Isaac.

Look to God as He is indeed a covenant keeping God. God is with you, no matter what. Remain in Him and He will remain in you. He's got the whole world in His Hands and God is still on the throne. God Bless and have yourself a very blessed Christmas and bountiful New Year 2009 !