On a lovely summer evening, a capacity crowd gathered in a beautiful outdoor venue for a concert by one of my college friends. It happened to be his birthday, so the emcee hinted that we might want to sing “Happy Birthday” to him. One by one, people started singing, each in a different key, each at a different tempo. As the jumble of notes and words joined together, the result was, well, less than harmonic. It wasn’t even melodious. It was in fact downright pitiful. When my friend took the stage, he gave us another chance. He didn’t give us the pitch, but he did give us a downbeat, so at least we were singing together. By the end of the song most people were somewhat close to the same key.
The noise that was supposed to be a song reminded me of a problem in a first-century church. They couldn’t agree on their leader. Some followed Paul; others Apollos (1 Cor. 3:4). The result was conflict and division (v.3). Instead of music, they were making noise. When people don’t agree on a leader, they all “sing” (I’m speaking metaphorically here) at the pace and pitch most comfortable for them.
To make beautiful music that will attract unbelievers to Jesus, all believers must follow the same leader, and that leader must be Christ.
Lord, give us wisdom. We know it’s good to follow
the example of our godly leaders, but help us not to
think so highly of them that we worship them
instead of You. Amen.
Keeping in tune with Christ keeps harmony in the church.
s t e P s ~
- LCharmaine
- Damansara, Selangor, Malaysia
- "Before I formed you in the womb I knew" you, before you were born I set you apart; ..... ( Jeremiah 1:5 ) I'm just an ordinary girl bt is special in God's eyes!!
Sunday, February 5, 2012
In the dessert =)
In the Desert
Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.
Matthew 4:1
There is no victory without a struggle. There is no breakthrough without opposition. There is no God’s way without the devil’s alternatives. It was the Spirit who led Jesus into the desert to be tested for forty days. Moses spent forty years in the desert for having murdered an Egyptian. Not until then was he mature and ready for his task.
Jesus fasted and prayed for forty days. Then Satan came forth. He came when Jesus was at His weakest. The Bible says Satan came when Jesus was hungry. To be hungry means to be weakened to the point of starvation. Yet His Spirit was strong. Jesus was tempted in spirit, soul and body. The first temptation concerned food—“Command these stones to become bread.” This was the temptation of the physical body. The second temptation concerned the will—“Throw Yourself down from the pinnacle of the temple.” This was the temptation of the soul, the temptation to take the easy way out, to work out a strategy without involving God and to stiff-necked yet claim to follow God. The third temptation concerned inner loyalty—the temptation of the spirit, the heart, to stop living for God, to swap lords along the way and to compromise in order to gain power and influence. On each of these occasions, Jesus answered Satan with a Bible verse. The only begotten Son of God responded to Satan by quoting Scripture. And Satan backed off.
There is an enormous power in the Word of God. If Jesus Himself used it, we, too, must use it. Jesus was filled with God’s Word, and whenever it was needed, the Word sprang up from His inner man. God’s Word is the sword of the Spirit, and a sword is necessary to fight off the attacks of Satan. Where Adam failed, Jesus succeeded. Where Jesus succeeded, you, too, can succeed because you are in Him and His victory is for you. The way through the desert is not the way of defeat but a journey of trials, which results in your becoming stronger than ever before. Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit.
PRAYER
Thank You, God, that You are in every desert and that Your grace is sufficient in every wilderness. In You I have everything I need, and Your weapons enable me to ward off every attack of the enemy. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.
Matthew 4:1
There is no victory without a struggle. There is no breakthrough without opposition. There is no God’s way without the devil’s alternatives. It was the Spirit who led Jesus into the desert to be tested for forty days. Moses spent forty years in the desert for having murdered an Egyptian. Not until then was he mature and ready for his task.
Jesus fasted and prayed for forty days. Then Satan came forth. He came when Jesus was at His weakest. The Bible says Satan came when Jesus was hungry. To be hungry means to be weakened to the point of starvation. Yet His Spirit was strong. Jesus was tempted in spirit, soul and body. The first temptation concerned food—“Command these stones to become bread.” This was the temptation of the physical body. The second temptation concerned the will—“Throw Yourself down from the pinnacle of the temple.” This was the temptation of the soul, the temptation to take the easy way out, to work out a strategy without involving God and to stiff-necked yet claim to follow God. The third temptation concerned inner loyalty—the temptation of the spirit, the heart, to stop living for God, to swap lords along the way and to compromise in order to gain power and influence. On each of these occasions, Jesus answered Satan with a Bible verse. The only begotten Son of God responded to Satan by quoting Scripture. And Satan backed off.
There is an enormous power in the Word of God. If Jesus Himself used it, we, too, must use it. Jesus was filled with God’s Word, and whenever it was needed, the Word sprang up from His inner man. God’s Word is the sword of the Spirit, and a sword is necessary to fight off the attacks of Satan. Where Adam failed, Jesus succeeded. Where Jesus succeeded, you, too, can succeed because you are in Him and His victory is for you. The way through the desert is not the way of defeat but a journey of trials, which results in your becoming stronger than ever before. Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit.
PRAYER
Thank You, God, that You are in every desert and that Your grace is sufficient in every wilderness. In You I have everything I need, and Your weapons enable me to ward off every attack of the enemy. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
God - the eternal one
God—the Eternal One
Then Abraham planted a tamarisk tree in Beersheba, and there called on the name of the Lord, the Everlasting God.
Genesis 21:33
Eternity has always fascinated people. We instinctively know that we are created to live eternally. No one wants to die. No one wants to disappear. No one wants to be insignificant. No one wants to think of himself as a mere coincidence, a purposeless, trivial being or an animal without a soul. We know that we are created for something more, something higher. God created us in His image. He placed in each of us abilities, characteristics and qualities that long to be expressed.
The Creator placed His creative genius in us. But even more so, He created us for all eternity. He, the Eternal One, created us to live and have fellowship with Him, eternally. Every person has a deep need for fellowship. People’s endless search for relationships proves this time and time again. In its deepest sense, this longing for relationship is a need for God. Jesus says in John 17:3, “And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.” Eternal life is not merely an endless time period but a quality of life, a deep, intimate relationship with the Eternal One. Jesus calls this abundant life.
This abundant life, or ‘zoe’, only comes from the Eternal One. From Him life flows into us when we receive Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord. This eternal, abundant life comes from the Spirit of God who comes to dwell in our inner man when we are born again. The born again experience ushers us into supernatural fellowship, an abundant life, that endures past death and throughout all eternity. It endures forever. It is for this we have been created, and if we miss this, we miss everything, no matter what great things we might accomplish in this life. Eternity is the perpetual, eternal beginning that never ends but only increases in glory.
PRAYER
God, I praise You that I will spend all eternity with You. Let me help as many others as possible to spend eternity with you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Then Abraham planted a tamarisk tree in Beersheba, and there called on the name of the Lord, the Everlasting God.
Genesis 21:33
Eternity has always fascinated people. We instinctively know that we are created to live eternally. No one wants to die. No one wants to disappear. No one wants to be insignificant. No one wants to think of himself as a mere coincidence, a purposeless, trivial being or an animal without a soul. We know that we are created for something more, something higher. God created us in His image. He placed in each of us abilities, characteristics and qualities that long to be expressed.
The Creator placed His creative genius in us. But even more so, He created us for all eternity. He, the Eternal One, created us to live and have fellowship with Him, eternally. Every person has a deep need for fellowship. People’s endless search for relationships proves this time and time again. In its deepest sense, this longing for relationship is a need for God. Jesus says in John 17:3, “And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.” Eternal life is not merely an endless time period but a quality of life, a deep, intimate relationship with the Eternal One. Jesus calls this abundant life.
This abundant life, or ‘zoe’, only comes from the Eternal One. From Him life flows into us when we receive Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord. This eternal, abundant life comes from the Spirit of God who comes to dwell in our inner man when we are born again. The born again experience ushers us into supernatural fellowship, an abundant life, that endures past death and throughout all eternity. It endures forever. It is for this we have been created, and if we miss this, we miss everything, no matter what great things we might accomplish in this life. Eternity is the perpetual, eternal beginning that never ends but only increases in glory.
PRAYER
God, I praise You that I will spend all eternity with You. Let me help as many others as possible to spend eternity with you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Saturday, December 31, 2011
The End of 2011
The Final Day of the Year
I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things in the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star. … You crown the year with Your goodness, and Your paths drip with abundance.
Revelation 22:16-17; Psalm 65:11
Look back! See all the wonderful things the Lord has done. Add up all the blessings and you will be deeply awed. Of course problems, attacks and disappointments have occurred during the year. Of course there are areas where you have failed or where you have fallen. Welcome to humanity! But you live, breathe and, most of all, believe in Jesus. And He believes in you. Look ahead! Place the sins under the blood of Jesus. Place the disappointments there, too. Forgive everyone who has wronged you. Ask for forgiveness, and allow God to forgive and forget. Forgive yourself! Do not condemn yourself anymore, and remember that the Bible says chagrin rests in the bosom of fools (Swedish translation).
Stand up, come to the Lord and expect His goodness. A new year is waiting; it is a year of new grace and new possibilities. You will have new experiences, you will meet new people and you will see the Lord perform more miracles. You will be more sensitive and obedient to the guidance of the Spirit. Listen to Him now this final day of the year and you will hear what He is saying to the Church. You will hear the voice of the Spirit speaking to your inner man about new plans, new adventures and new possibilities for the expansion of God’s kingdom through you. During the upcoming year, you and the Lord, as covenant partners, will accomplish important, revolutionary and radical things that will be of great importance for people’s lives and salvation. Let God take you by the hand, and get started! A wonderful adventure with God is waiting for you.
PRAYER
Lord Jesus Christ, I am entering the new year with You. Thank You for the adventure that awaits. It will be wonderful to follow and serve You. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things in the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star. … You crown the year with Your goodness, and Your paths drip with abundance.
Revelation 22:16-17; Psalm 65:11
Look back! See all the wonderful things the Lord has done. Add up all the blessings and you will be deeply awed. Of course problems, attacks and disappointments have occurred during the year. Of course there are areas where you have failed or where you have fallen. Welcome to humanity! But you live, breathe and, most of all, believe in Jesus. And He believes in you. Look ahead! Place the sins under the blood of Jesus. Place the disappointments there, too. Forgive everyone who has wronged you. Ask for forgiveness, and allow God to forgive and forget. Forgive yourself! Do not condemn yourself anymore, and remember that the Bible says chagrin rests in the bosom of fools (Swedish translation).
Stand up, come to the Lord and expect His goodness. A new year is waiting; it is a year of new grace and new possibilities. You will have new experiences, you will meet new people and you will see the Lord perform more miracles. You will be more sensitive and obedient to the guidance of the Spirit. Listen to Him now this final day of the year and you will hear what He is saying to the Church. You will hear the voice of the Spirit speaking to your inner man about new plans, new adventures and new possibilities for the expansion of God’s kingdom through you. During the upcoming year, you and the Lord, as covenant partners, will accomplish important, revolutionary and radical things that will be of great importance for people’s lives and salvation. Let God take you by the hand, and get started! A wonderful adventure with God is waiting for you.
PRAYER
Lord Jesus Christ, I am entering the new year with You. Thank You for the adventure that awaits. It will be wonderful to follow and serve You. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Thursday, December 29, 2011
No shadow of Death
No Shadow of Death
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
Psalm 23:4
The Bible contains many accounts of trials endured by God’s people There are accounts of miraculous rescues, of blessing and protection. David does not refer to the valley of death but the valley of the shadow of death. When death casts its shadow, we easily become paralyzed. But the Lord is there with His staff, and it comforts us.
The staff represents guidance, authority and protection. The shepherd led his flock with his staff; it gave him authority. With his staff he resisted wolves and bears and protected the sheep. The Lord’s staff comforts us in difficult situations. His comfort enables us to pass through the valleys and carry on. We must go forward, beyond our present situation. Even if we feel the chill of the valley of the shadow of death, we must remember that a shadow is not reality.
Remember that you are on your way, and when the Lord leads you, He helps you out of the valley and keeps you moving forward. Focus on the future. Expect green pastures and fresh water ahead, and realize it is the Lord’s desire and His good will to lead you there. He leads you there, not only to satisfy you, but also so you can pass His life on to others. Everything He does for you, He wants you to pass on to others. When you do, you will be refreshed and blessed and you will receive all the help you need.
PRAYER
Thank You, Lord, that You are with me in every situation. The only thing that is certain is that everything changes. And with You, change is always for the better. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
Psalm 23:4
The Bible contains many accounts of trials endured by God’s people There are accounts of miraculous rescues, of blessing and protection. David does not refer to the valley of death but the valley of the shadow of death. When death casts its shadow, we easily become paralyzed. But the Lord is there with His staff, and it comforts us.
The staff represents guidance, authority and protection. The shepherd led his flock with his staff; it gave him authority. With his staff he resisted wolves and bears and protected the sheep. The Lord’s staff comforts us in difficult situations. His comfort enables us to pass through the valleys and carry on. We must go forward, beyond our present situation. Even if we feel the chill of the valley of the shadow of death, we must remember that a shadow is not reality.
Remember that you are on your way, and when the Lord leads you, He helps you out of the valley and keeps you moving forward. Focus on the future. Expect green pastures and fresh water ahead, and realize it is the Lord’s desire and His good will to lead you there. He leads you there, not only to satisfy you, but also so you can pass His life on to others. Everything He does for you, He wants you to pass on to others. When you do, you will be refreshed and blessed and you will receive all the help you need.
PRAYER
Thank You, Lord, that You are with me in every situation. The only thing that is certain is that everything changes. And with You, change is always for the better. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
The Lord is my Shepherd
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.
Psalm 23:1-3
The year is coming to a close. It has been a good year, and the Lord crowns the year with His goodness. A new year is waiting. How will it be? It depends who is allowed to decide. If the Lord is allowed to be your shepherd, if He is allowed to lead you, you will have a wonderful year. You will lack nothing. The shepherd carefully watches over His sheep. He teaches them to listen to His voice. He calls them to Himself. He searches for them if they get lost. It is His responsibility to ensure the sheep lack nothing. Sheep require protection, rest, food and water. Sheep need refreshing and guidance. The Lord offers all these things to those who allow Him to be their shepherd.
Will you sincerely allow Him to be your shepherd during the upcoming year? Will you allow Him to determine the route, the pace, the content and the company for your journey? If you allow Him to do this, you will experience His compassion, love and care like never before. No one else can lead as He can. No one else can help as He can. No one else can refresh as He can. Allow the Lord to be your shepherd, not only for the year to come but also for your whole life. His guidance will help you avoid many crises in life. Allow Him to satisfy you with His goodness and you will be strengthened, happy and free. Allow the Lord to lead you on paths of truth and righteousness and His name will be glorified, and your life filled with purpose.
PRAYER
Lord Jesus, be my shepherd, and lead me on paths of righteousness for Your name’s sake. Then everything else in my life will fall into place. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Psalm 23:1-3
The year is coming to a close. It has been a good year, and the Lord crowns the year with His goodness. A new year is waiting. How will it be? It depends who is allowed to decide. If the Lord is allowed to be your shepherd, if He is allowed to lead you, you will have a wonderful year. You will lack nothing. The shepherd carefully watches over His sheep. He teaches them to listen to His voice. He calls them to Himself. He searches for them if they get lost. It is His responsibility to ensure the sheep lack nothing. Sheep require protection, rest, food and water. Sheep need refreshing and guidance. The Lord offers all these things to those who allow Him to be their shepherd.
Will you sincerely allow Him to be your shepherd during the upcoming year? Will you allow Him to determine the route, the pace, the content and the company for your journey? If you allow Him to do this, you will experience His compassion, love and care like never before. No one else can lead as He can. No one else can help as He can. No one else can refresh as He can. Allow the Lord to be your shepherd, not only for the year to come but also for your whole life. His guidance will help you avoid many crises in life. Allow Him to satisfy you with His goodness and you will be strengthened, happy and free. Allow the Lord to lead you on paths of truth and righteousness and His name will be glorified, and your life filled with purpose.
PRAYER
Lord Jesus, be my shepherd, and lead me on paths of righteousness for Your name’s sake. Then everything else in my life will fall into place. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
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