Sunday, November 29, 2020
#SundaySermon Emotionally Healthy Series: Forum
Saturday, November 28, 2020
#SaturdayDevotion: Firmly Established in Truth
Firmly Established in Truth (2 Peter 1:12-15)
12 So I will always remind you of these things, even though
you know them and are firmly established in the truth you now have. 13 I think it is right to refresh your
memory as long as I live in the tent of this body, 14 because I know that I will soon put it
aside, as our Lord Jesus Christ has made clear to me. 15 And I will make every effort to see that
after my departure you will always be able to remember these things.
Truth. What is truth? In this day and age, the
truth of God is under attack. In fact, many people no longer believe there is
such a thing as absolute truth. They claim that all truths are “truths”,
subjective and relative. By saying that all truths are “truths”, it demeans the
power of the Gospel. This is a demonic attempt to disillusion humankind from
the reality of God and Jesus Christ.
Everything that Christians claim to be truth, in
terms of the nature of humanity, sin and human redemption, is established by
the witness of the Holy Scripture and those that proclaim it. Most importantly,
Jesus himself claimed in John 14:6 to be the Truth. However, even Jesus’
personal claim to be “the Way, the Truth, and the Life” is being contested.
Humans simply do not like to have one absolute
truth because it eliminates choice and diminishes the human “free will”. So, it
is according to our human nature, we renounce absolute truth and embrace the
“pantheons” of truths that are made available to us. We will claim Jesus is
truth but so is Buddha. Jesus is truth but so is Marxism. Jesus is truth but so
is Democracy. Jesus is truth but so is Darwinism. But to claim that there are
many truths implies that there is no truth – that everything is a lie. This
cannot be!
Close to 2000 years ago, the Apostle Peter wrote
to the believers scattered among the nations to be firmly established in the
truth that they already know – that Jesus is the Christ and Son of God,
and that who believes in Him will received eternal life. The apostle’s personal
encounter with Jesus at the Mountain of Transfiguration (Matt. 17:1-8) gave
evidence of the Truth Claim. This truth has been set in stone and should not
be tampered. The believers were to remember this Gospel truth, and
to disallow doubt or other “truths” to rob them from the joy of experiencing
their salvation.
Friends, as you consider this, please bear in
mind that not all things that seem to appeal the mind and the heart are
necessarily the truth of God. The best way to attest truth is to study the
Scripture and test every truth claims against the Word of God. Ask yourself, “is
what presented as truth aligned to the Bible and the attitude of Christ?” If
they are, we may consider them further. However, whenever there are
contradictions against the Biblical claims, it is wise to resist them.
Finally, ensure that you are anchored in the
Truth – Jesus Christ. Continue to daily establish yourself firmly in the
truth so that nothing can shake you from the foundation that has been set for
you.
Thursday, November 26, 2020
#ThursdayDevotion: 1 Peter 5
Date: 26th November 2020
This is such a meaty passage - so much to chew on! The verses that I want to touch on are 8 -10:
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you.
The devil wants to take us out. I remember years ago a family member told me about a vivid dream they had. They dreamt they were on a beach watching a lion walking. Thinking they were safe, they were alarmed when they realised the lion had started stalking them and cut off their way of escape. I remembered this passage and shared it with the relative. God was showing them an area of temptation in their life that they thought they had control over, that it wasn't such a big deal, but God was showing them it was. Not because it hurt God, but because ultimately it was harmful to the person.
How do we resist the devil? We do God's will. There is no point in praying spiritual warfare if you are still sinning. When we choose to distance ourselves from the temptation and focus on loving God, we are resisting the devil. If we haven't yielded authority to him through disobeying God, he cannot hold onto us.
I love how Paul reminds us that many others have experienced the same suffering, and that with the suffering there is a promise. After we have suffered a little, God will perfect is, establish us, strengthen us and settle us. We are settled when we have His peace. This is such a beautiful thing - to he able to put our head on His shoulder and rest. We have an awesome God who walks with us and wants our best.
God bless you.
Tuesday, November 24, 2020
#TuesdayDevotion: 1 Peter 4:1-10
#TuesdayDevotion: 1 Peter 4:1-10
Date: 24 November 2020
As Christians, we often find it difficult to avoid
evil human desires and to live in a way pleasing to God. We often feel the
tension between living an earthly life and a Godly life. How do we overcome
this? As I meditate on this passage. There are a couple of things that I stood
out for me: Jesus’s attitude going towards the cross was one of submission.
Verse 1 tells us to “arm ourselves with the same attitude because whoever
suffers in the body is done with sin”.
Verse 2 tells us we are to live a life of submission to the will of God
and if we do, we will avoid evil human desires. But we struggle with
submission, let just think about submitting to authority: your parents, your
teachers and your bosses. Is it easy? The answer is no. However, as Christians,
through renewing of our mind through the power of the Holy Spirit, we can
submit to God’s will. The Christian idea of submission is not one of coercion
but out of our love for Christ and our gratitude for his gift of salvation. Living
a life of submission also means we must be focused and committed to do all
things pleasing to God. In Jesus’ ministry, he was committed even to his death
on the cross and he lived a life showing submission to the will of the Father. We
submit and obey because Jesus submitted himself to our Heavenly Father for our
sake. He laid down his life for us so that we can enjoy a relationship with
Him.
Second thing that occurred to me was the seriousness
of sin that Jesus Christ had to pay an awful price so set us free from the
bondage of sin. Jesus "died for sins once for all, the righteous for the
unrighteous, to bring you to God" (1 Peter 3:18). Throughout the
Bible, sin is mentioned so many times and the Bible has warned us that the
punishment is death (Romans 6:23). Sin can simply mean anything that takes the
place of God in our lives. Money, power, lust and pride to name a few are
somethings that ‘knock’ God off his rightly throne in our lives. Those who live
a life of sin must face the reality that one day, we will be called to account
to God. But thankfully, those who are in Christ are empowered by the Holy
Spirit to live a life victorious over sin. Our sinful nature has passed away
though we will still have sinful habits in which we have to be aware of. We
live in appreciation focusing on the gift of righteousness given by God.
Hebrews 12:1-2, it tells us to fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfector
of our faith. Those who fix their eyes on Jesus, will be occupied by His Word,
His Ways and purposes.
Prayer:
Dear Lord, teach me to be
submissive and obey Your will. Help me through the process of surrendering my
all to you so that my life will be pleasing to you. Give me a heart that is
open to receive and ears to hear from Your Word. Holy Spirit, strengthen me to
defeat any areas of sin I may have.
Amen
Sunday, November 22, 2020
#SundaySermon Emotionally Healthy Series: Present to God & Present to People
#SundaySermon Emotionally Healthy Series: Present to God & Present to People
Date: 22.11.20
Saturday, November 21, 2020
#SaturdayDevotion: Submission, Equality and Reciprocity (1 Peter 3:1-12)
Date: 21st November
This passage can be difficult to read in these modern times. Verses 1 to 6 instruct wives to submit to their husbands. In today’s world of individuality and self-determination, this can initially feel like a backward step for women’s rights. Let us try to understand what Peter is telling us. The context for this passage is the early church. People were becoming new believers at times separately from their families. Some marriages would have a spouse who became a Christian whilst the other spouse had not. Peter was giving advice to women who had become Christians, without their husbands having already accepted the new faith. In the Jewish culture at the time women had no rights in comparison to men. Women were essentially owned by their fathers and then by their husbands. Wives who became Christians before their husbands were therefore in a difficult position. If a husband became a Christian, he would automatically take his wife and children into the church with him. A wife however, had no such power. This was a very real domestic problem. What should a woman in this position do?
Peter advised women to submit to their “own husband”. This does not mean that women should be subjugated to men throughout society. Peter was providing women in a specific marital situation with advice on how to keep the peace in the house and how to hopefully bring their husbands into the Christian faith. He encouraged women to behave in a manner that is good and pure, that there may be no criticism of their new faith. He warned against pride or distraction from God. He also encouraged women in this situation to do what is right and not to give way to fear. I imagine that many women may have become discouraged and fearful when facing the completely unprecedented challenge of having their own faith, which was different to their husbands. Peter was acknowledging that women could choose their own faith and have confidence in their hope in God. This may have been the first time that this was acknowledged in this culture.
Peter then gave another unprecedented instruction in verse 7. He introduced the concept of reciprocity in marriage between a husband and wife. Remember that in this culture, a wife had no rights at all and was owned by her husband who could treat her however he wished. She had no say in anything. Peter instructed husbands that in the same way (as he had instructed wives), they should be considerate as they live with their wives and treat them with respect. He reminded husbands that their wives are physically weaker. This was a society with no household equipment, very limited legal protection for women, arguably no health or childcare services. Peter gave husbands the responsibility to look after their wives with care and respect. He reminded husbands that women are co-heirs (equal heirs) of the gracious gift of life (the eternal kingdom of God). Women and men are equal spiritual heirs in God’s plan. Peter warned husbands to behave in a considerate and respectful manner so that nothing would hinder their prayers to God. This is how important the instruction is. If you do not treat your wife well, you will damage your relationship with God.
Now, the potentially tricky issue of submission in a marriage. God’s plan for Christian households is for there to be love, unity, consideration, peace and order. Have you experienced a family where there is strife or lack of respect? It is likely that there will be very little peace or security. God has established the structure of authority in a family with the father as the head. Being the head does not mean being a bully and having your way all the time. Quite the opposite. Have any of you ever been in leadership?
You will probably have realized that good leadership requires sacrifice and a willingness to serve others. In 1 Ephesians 5: 21 – 33, a marriage is compared to the sacrificial relationship between Christ and the church. Verse 21 starts by instructing all parties in a Christian household to submit to each other out of reverence for Christ. Christ submitted himself to God’s will in order to die on the Cross to save us. In turn, we submit ourselves to Christ when we accept his sacrifice. Using this comparison, wives are instructed to submit to their own husbands and husbands are instructed to love their wives sacrificially, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy. Husbands are instructed to love their wives, to feed and care for them as their own bodies. The Bible therefore provided some groundbreaking marital advice! Husbands are instructed to look after their wives sacrificially, to treat them with consideration and respect and love them like they love themselves. Wives are therefore advised that they can have full confidence in their husbands’ decision making and submit to their husbands’ decisions, provided that they do not dishonour God. These are instructions for Christian households, where both parties in the marriage are in full obedience to God.
1 Peter 3: 8-12 wraps this lesson up by instructing all Christians to be united and to love one another. We are told to be like-minded, sympathetic, compassionate and humble. Unity is the key instruction in these scriptures. We should not repay evil with evil or insult with insult (in other words, do not fight), but instead to repay evil with blessing because this is what we are called for; to bless people. We are promised a blessed inheritance. We must turn from evil and do good, seek peace and pursue this (instead of division and strife). We are reassured that God will always keep watch over us and his ears are attentive to our prayers, but he will turn his face away from us if we do evil. In summary, these scriptures provide us with instructions on how to live well with our spouses, families and church fellowship. Some of this teaching can be very challenging, but we can trust in God’s wisdom and in His perfect plan.
Personal Reflection
Spend some time in prayer as you meditate on this scripture. Pray with someone if you can. Ask God to help you and the people in your fellowship to show a greater measure of love, respect and compassion towards each other. Pray for greater unity and understanding. Pray that God may use you and the people in your fellowship to bless others. If you are married, spend some time praying (together with your spouse if possible), for God’s protection, peace, grace and blessing over your marriage and household. Ask Him to show you areas in your marriage that may need further prayer, understanding, thought and effort.
Thursday, November 19, 2020
#ThursdayDevotion: 1 Peter 2:1 - 10
Tuesday, November 17, 2020
#TuesdayDevotion: 1 Peter 1:1-16 (Living in the Presence of our Heavenly Father, Son and Holy Spirit)
#TuesdayDevotion: 1 Peter 1:1-16 Living in the Presence of our Heavenly Father, Son and Holy Spirit
Date:17th November 2020
We should take note that we are in relationship with all the Persons of the Trinity. Chosen by the Father before we knew Him, having the Holy Spirit sanctifying us, and living in obedience to Jesus Christ and sprinkled by his blood. Think about this for a moment. Is this not amazing?!
Because of the Presence of God in our lives, in verse 2 Peter gives a blessing. He says to us: “Grace and peace be yours in abundance.”
What quantity of grace and peace do you have in your life? If not an abundance, then something is wrong! We have all three Persons of the Godhead involved in our lives. We have access to the full riches of the Presence of God! Take time now in prayer and Scriptural meditation of these verses to fix your eyes on Jesus.
We live “in his great mercy” (verse 3).
Verse 4 says, He has birthed us into a living hope through Jesus’ resurrection in heaven, into an inheritance that cannot be stolen or spoiled.
Verse 5 states our faith is shielded by God’s power. Peter, in vs. 6, states we should: “greatly rejoice”.
We should often give thanks and remember all the privileges of having the love, mercy and grace of God poured out in our lives.
Peter changes tone in verses 6-7, to discuss the grief of suffering in all kinds of trials. Why do trials come? Peter states, in verse 7, we are refined, so our faith is proven genuine. This occurs so praise, glory and honour are given to God when Jesus returns.
We love Him and have His joy in our lives, because He gives us His salvation (verse 9).
If you have ever wondered why we as Christians also have the Old Testament books in our Bible, Peter provides a very succinct summary in verses 10 to 13. He states that the Old Testament prophets were looking forward to: “the grace that was to come to you.”
This “you,” means us! The prophets spoke by the revelation of the Holy Spirit, of the appearing and sufferings of Christ and: “the glories that would follow”
Peter finishes verse 12 stating: “Even angels long to look into these things.”
In verses 13-16 Peter states, as a consequence of these amazing revelations of the grace and Presence of God, these should be a positive impact on our attitudes and behaviour.
“Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled, set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: Be holy, because I am holy.”
We are called to obey the Holy Spirit and not the sinful nature. God wants us to be holy because He is holy. He wants us to live a life of love and goodness with the anointing of His Holy Spirit.
Suggested prayer: Dear Father, Son and Holy Spirit. We thank you for working in us to make us better people as we become more like You. May we love you more and more. As Your love overflows in our lives, may we live in obedience to Your commands and in love for others. In Jesus Name. Amen
Sunday, November 15, 2020
#SundaySermon Emotionally Healthy Series: Present to God, Present to People & The Emotion of Worry
Date: 15.11.20
Shalom Church! Come and join us for this week's Sermon on Emotionally Healthy Series! Have a Blessed Sunday and Stay Safe! God Bless!
Saturday, November 14, 2020
#SaturdayDevotion Saturday False Hope (2 Kings 24)
Date: 14 Nov 2020
False
Hope (2 Kings 24)
2 Kings 24 was a sad and
shocking event in the history of Israel and Judah. Judah was conquered,
Jerusalem was emptied and the temple of God was plundered. Read from the
perspective of the Jews. Can God's holy city and God's house be taken and
defiled by the pagan enemies? Surely not. Surely God Almighty protects us. Surely,
we are safe as long as we have the temple with us. Surely God’s salvation is
with us!
The impossible happened. The Babylonian
destroyed and plundered Judah. The only people left in Judah was the poor,
those who had no capacity to rebuild Jerusalem. The question rang loud,
"Where is God? And why has He not protected Jerusalem and His
temple?"
One answer, it was false hope.
Judah's hope was on this, 'As long as we have the temple, God won't abandon
us.' Thus, the mindset 'Sins are no big deal because as long we have the temple,
we have the protection.' This is false hope. God shall not be hold ransom. At
the end He executed His punishment by sending Judah into exile.
Reflection: Do you and I build our lives on real hope or
false hope? The real hope is on Christ. Christ has finished the work of
salvation. This is our hope. Yet there is the cross we are to carry. This is
not a part we do to achieve salvation but it is a center part of a real
relationship with Christ. Carrying the cross means we love and obey Him. He is
first in my life. Let's never have this idea, 'As long as I have said the
sinner's prayer, I now don't need to take sin seriously. I can sin. No big
deal.'
Prayer:
Lord, teach me to watch for wrong hope and deceptive attitude which says
"Because of your finished work on the cross I can take sins lightly."
Instead teach me to love and fear you that I would never want to sin and break
your heart. In the Name of Christ who is my hope and salvation. Amen
Thursday, November 12, 2020
#ThursdayDevotion: James 4:13 - 17
Date: November 12th, 2020
James 4:13-17 reminds us of a problem many
of us Christians have, and it’s something we need to change.
This passage assumes that as believers, we
readily acknowledge Jesus as Lord. But
when it comes to the business of daily living, we set that fact aside and
function as if Jesus is not really our Lord.
We acknowledge Him in the spiritual aspect of our lives, but don’t
acknowledge Him or invite His Lordship into everyday life. We make our daily plans (or even just drift
through the day), set our life-goals and accomplish our dreams without checking
in with Him or waiting on Him for guidance.
Or we may pray for His blessings and guidance but not wait to listen for
it. We behave like believers in our
devotional life, but like unbelievers in our daily life.
James, the half-brother of Jesus, was not
admonishing people for making plans. It
is what is lacking in the plans that is the problem. If God wants you somewhere, then that’s where
you need to be. I remember years back a
man sharing a testimony of how he had two job interviews lined up in one day
due to some kind of mix up. One was
working in a company in a management role, the other was with someone who
wanted to start up a business. In his heart he wanted the secure job working in
management, but felt prompted by the Holy Spirit to skip that interview and
just go to the other one, which he did.
He soon joined this person in starting up what is now one of New
Zealand’s biggest fruit companies. The
other business? It folded within the
year. Make time to stop and listen to
what the Lord has to say, even if it is over your morning coffee.
Be persistent!
Tuesday, November 10, 2020
#TuesdayDevotion
#TuesdayDevotion
Sunday, November 8, 2020
#SundaySermon Beatitudes Series: (Peacemaker & Persecuted)
Date: 08.11.20 Shalom, church! Come and join us for the Sunday sermon on Beatitude Series! Have a blessed Sunday and stay safe everyone!
Saturday, November 7, 2020
#SaturdayDevotion: James 2:14-26 (Real and Living Faith)
#SaturdayDevotion: James 2:14-26 (Real and Living Faith)
Date: 7th November 2020