The more i learn, the more i read, the more i see, the more i hear - the more i am convinced that Jesus Christ has been mostly head-knowledge to me all these years since i trusted Him, with only short drizzles of it raining into my heart during youth camps etc.
Now, my life is CHANGED! Wonderfully, Gloriously, Definitely, CHANGED!
I have not known such peace, such joy, such gladness, except in Christ my Lord... and truly, i have truly accepted Him into my HEART and trusted IN HIM FOR THE POWER to live a SINLESS life!
Many who do not read the Bible think that the only sins which are listed are in the 10Commandments in Exodus 20, which are, in brief:
3Thou shalt have no other gods before me.
4Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image.
7Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain. (i.e. Using the name of God carelessly or flippantly)
8Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. (check out Luke 6:6onwards, Luke 13:10-15, Luke 14:1-4, etc)
12Honour thy father and thy mother (Obeying with the RIGHT-HEART ATTITUDE)
13Thou shalt not kill.
14Thou shalt not commit adultery.
15Thou shalt not steal.
16Thou shalt not bear false witness. (LIE)
17Thou shalt not covet (wish, long, crave for)
Also, more are found here in Romans1:
29Being filled with all
1.unrighteousness,
2.fornication,
3.wickedness,
4.covetousness,
5.maliciousness;
6.full of envy,
7.murder,
8.debate,
9.deceit,
10.malignity;
11.whisperers,
12.Backbiters,
13.haters of God,
14.despiteful,
15.proud,
16.boasters, ....
and so on.
Romans 2
15Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;)
Giving excuses for sin of others IS WRONG TOO!
Yet, come to them IN LOVE, bringing them to repentence- instead of accusing and bringing anger at the person instead of his sin (which is definitely NOT of the Holy Spirit).
Churches, have we been despising the PEOPLE instead of their SIN? Are we being self-righteous, condemning them because of their sin? Are we biased against them because we think that WE are MORE righteous than them, and therefore DESERVE the Kingdom of God MORE THAN THEM?
Call your sin SIN! Don't call your LIE a "oh, its just an exxageration... that's not really a lie, right?" And, LYING is one of the 10Commandments- RIGHT THERE ON THE SLAB OF STONE, TOGETHER WITH ADULTERY!
So many of us are scandalised when we hear of people commiting adultery- that is satan's cunning ruse of leading us to believe that adultery is MUCH MORE SINFUL THAN LYING!
The truth is, BOTH are on the SAME slab of stone (Moses), and are part of the 10commandments.
I wonder, how many of you would be as scandalised at an EXXAGERATION (Yes, even a half-lie, a white-lie, a small lie, an exxageration... are FALSEHOODS) as you are to an adultery?
Are we like the Pharicees? Oh, brethren, that we might call our sin as it is: SIN! Instead of giving excuses for it... and CONFESS that we might become a clean vessel before God's sight!
Then, only, can we see HOW THE LORD WILL BLESS US, HOW HE WILL USE US- OH SO GREATLY!
Friday, March 28, 2008
Sunday, February 10, 2008
Loved Ones
Chinese New Year came and passed this year as it has always come and passed- but for me it has been a vast difference, as things have been for these past three months or so.
Being in the midst of the throngs has been a constant temptation- the temptation to forget what has been learnt and to just 'revert' back to my old, sinful self...
But Only by the grace (note: the supernatural enabling) of God, i have not. "Give us this day our daily bread".. (:
I guess i have been too accustomed to see my close relatives all going to church with me (except for my grandpa...Pray for him! "he that goes forth weeping, bearing precious seed, shall DOUBTLESS come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him" Ps 126 i AM claiming upon that promise!), and today the Lord led me to read a dear friend's blog... and i was struck with the severity of it all.
My heart burns when i think about it. How can we mingle with loved ones whom we care so much for, unconcerned about the reality of death and hell for those who are not saved? This is not even about the lost in general yet- it is about those we care about and love! The church is praying for a (very dear to me- and all of us) sister-in-Christ, but how many have been on their knees burdened and crying out for the souls of their loved ones as well? Ps 126 says Doubtless- DOUBTLESS! Why are we giving up on the possibility of our loves ones being so wonderfully saved? Can we not trust in our GOD to save them and keep His promises in His Word, as we do for our salvation?
How about those whom we know have lost the fire for Christ? Are we not, then, as brethren in Christ, to encourage and exhort.. "Convince, rebuke, Exhort, with all longsuffering and patience" (NOT by any of our effort to persuade, but only by the supernatural enabling of our LORD!) -Yes! Even REBUKE... or are we too afraid to do so for FEAR of offending others? FEAR! "Be anxious for nothing.." "God has NOT given us a spirit of fear..." if not of God, who then can it be from? Is this feeling then an excuse for not following the Word of our God? I am so humbled by this rebuke the Lord has given me.
Truly, my heart aches. People who have 'disappeared'... and you know what the awful, Awful thing is? (i have had people who give me this answer as a 'reason' for not going... although not a justifiable reason -because we are to go FOR OUR GOD- but it does play an unavoidable part) THE REASON WHY PEOPLE STOP WANTING TO COME IS BECAUSE THEY ARE SO DISCOURAGED BY OUR BEHAVIOUR AS CHRISTIANS!
True accounts.
"Because i see back-biting, gossiping, disputes.. which i do not even see outside". (and this is about our church!)
"you people do not follow the bible at all.. how can it be real?.."
I truly do not know if they are saved, apostates, or not saved... but that strikes real heartache and fear in my heart.. not fear of man, but FEAR OF MY LORD! Have we turned this holy, sacred place into a "gambling den", where Jesus himself went and turned the tables over? Is church now a place for socializing without concern for our Lord? Is it a place where we come and sit or sleep through a sermon, then go out and chit-chat about latest fashions, soccer matches and the like? O Lord, forgive Your people.
O, Lord.
Being in the midst of the throngs has been a constant temptation- the temptation to forget what has been learnt and to just 'revert' back to my old, sinful self...
But Only by the grace (note: the supernatural enabling) of God, i have not. "Give us this day our daily bread".. (:
I guess i have been too accustomed to see my close relatives all going to church with me (except for my grandpa...Pray for him! "he that goes forth weeping, bearing precious seed, shall DOUBTLESS come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him" Ps 126 i AM claiming upon that promise!), and today the Lord led me to read a dear friend's blog... and i was struck with the severity of it all.
My heart burns when i think about it. How can we mingle with loved ones whom we care so much for, unconcerned about the reality of death and hell for those who are not saved? This is not even about the lost in general yet- it is about those we care about and love! The church is praying for a (very dear to me- and all of us) sister-in-Christ, but how many have been on their knees burdened and crying out for the souls of their loved ones as well? Ps 126 says Doubtless- DOUBTLESS! Why are we giving up on the possibility of our loves ones being so wonderfully saved? Can we not trust in our GOD to save them and keep His promises in His Word, as we do for our salvation?
How about those whom we know have lost the fire for Christ? Are we not, then, as brethren in Christ, to encourage and exhort.. "Convince, rebuke, Exhort, with all longsuffering and patience" (NOT by any of our effort to persuade, but only by the supernatural enabling of our LORD!) -Yes! Even REBUKE... or are we too afraid to do so for FEAR of offending others? FEAR! "Be anxious for nothing.." "God has NOT given us a spirit of fear..." if not of God, who then can it be from? Is this feeling then an excuse for not following the Word of our God? I am so humbled by this rebuke the Lord has given me.
Truly, my heart aches. People who have 'disappeared'... and you know what the awful, Awful thing is? (i have had people who give me this answer as a 'reason' for not going... although not a justifiable reason -because we are to go FOR OUR GOD- but it does play an unavoidable part) THE REASON WHY PEOPLE STOP WANTING TO COME IS BECAUSE THEY ARE SO DISCOURAGED BY OUR BEHAVIOUR AS CHRISTIANS!
True accounts.
"Because i see back-biting, gossiping, disputes.. which i do not even see outside". (and this is about our church!)
"you people do not follow the bible at all.. how can it be real?.."
I truly do not know if they are saved, apostates, or not saved... but that strikes real heartache and fear in my heart.. not fear of man, but FEAR OF MY LORD! Have we turned this holy, sacred place into a "gambling den", where Jesus himself went and turned the tables over? Is church now a place for socializing without concern for our Lord? Is it a place where we come and sit or sleep through a sermon, then go out and chit-chat about latest fashions, soccer matches and the like? O Lord, forgive Your people.
O, Lord.
Monday, January 28, 2008
Convictions That Conquer
to read: Daniel
You Don't Really Believe What You Don't Behave
-Are your convictions just as strong as when people are JEERING at you as when they are cheering for you?
-Are you a Play-Dough Christian?
Why do we let the world pressure us from without, when the Word should mold us from within?
-You're not going to lose any friends when you stand for your convictions (FROM THE WORD)... you're gonna find out who your real friends are! If we stand for righteousness, God WILL give us a spiritual perception that others don't get!
2 Tim 2:24
24And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,
25In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;
26And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.
When a man's ways please the Lord, he makes even his enemies be at peace with him.
1Cor 15:58
58Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.
[Mule Plowing Illustration]
Don't take your eyes off that "tree"!
You CANNOT sight-see and expect to get anything done!
You Don't Really Believe What You Don't Behave
-Are your convictions just as strong as when people are JEERING at you as when they are cheering for you?
-Are you a Play-Dough Christian?
Why do we let the world pressure us from without, when the Word should mold us from within?
-You're not going to lose any friends when you stand for your convictions (FROM THE WORD)... you're gonna find out who your real friends are! If we stand for righteousness, God WILL give us a spiritual perception that others don't get!
2 Tim 2:24
24And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,
25In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;
26And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.
When a man's ways please the Lord, he makes even his enemies be at peace with him.
1Cor 15:58
58Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.
[Mule Plowing Illustration]
Don't take your eyes off that "tree"!
You CANNOT sight-see and expect to get anything done!
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
220108, Tuesday.
Wow. It might not seem like a long time, but within this period i have learnt such a vast amount of things that i can only fall down at my Heavenly Father's feet and thank Him for what He has revealed to me.
It is so, so Amazing how much the Lord gives when you walk by faith in Him. There is no such thing as "more faith" in the quantative sense. "More", "Great", "Little" faith all mean the DURATION, be it long-termed or short-termed...
We are either exercising faith, or we are not! It IS as simple as that. For we do not somehow try to "muster up more (quantitative) faith"; Instead we look to our Saviour and trust Him for it!
How great my shame when i realised that i only had this revelation TODAY... but i thank my Great God who reveals Himself to us in His time (: And when i applied this concept, my prayers were answered almost immediately! I managed to talk to 3friends (F, S, T) about Christ today.. and it WAS a DIVINE APPOINTMENT... to S, and F joined in the conversation on the walk to the mrt with F and T. After F left, i sat the same bus as T to go home. Now usually i wouldnt like to go home with other people cos i would want to do my stuff on the bus (so i was thinking of catching the other bus to go home instead), but the Lord spoke and reminded me that it was His time! And so i went ahead with her... and she voluntarily continued the conversation! It was like... a miracle. Everything flowed so smoothly that.. i just look back and gasp in amazement at how my Lord works... truly! Wow..
It is so, so Amazing how much the Lord gives when you walk by faith in Him. There is no such thing as "more faith" in the quantative sense. "More", "Great", "Little" faith all mean the DURATION, be it long-termed or short-termed...
We are either exercising faith, or we are not! It IS as simple as that. For we do not somehow try to "muster up more (quantitative) faith"; Instead we look to our Saviour and trust Him for it!
How great my shame when i realised that i only had this revelation TODAY... but i thank my Great God who reveals Himself to us in His time (: And when i applied this concept, my prayers were answered almost immediately! I managed to talk to 3friends (F, S, T) about Christ today.. and it WAS a DIVINE APPOINTMENT... to S, and F joined in the conversation on the walk to the mrt with F and T. After F left, i sat the same bus as T to go home. Now usually i wouldnt like to go home with other people cos i would want to do my stuff on the bus (so i was thinking of catching the other bus to go home instead), but the Lord spoke and reminded me that it was His time! And so i went ahead with her... and she voluntarily continued the conversation! It was like... a miracle. Everything flowed so smoothly that.. i just look back and gasp in amazement at how my Lord works... truly! Wow..
Wednesday, December 26, 2007
Proverbs
Proverbs 1
1The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel;
2To know wisdom and instruction; to perceive the words of understanding;
3To receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, and judgment, and equity;
4To give subtilty to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion.
5A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels:
6To understand a proverb, and the interpretation; the words of the wise, and their dark sayings.
7The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.
8My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother:
9For they shall be an ornament of grace unto thy head, and chains about thy neck.
10My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not.
11If they say, Come with us, let us lay wait for blood, let us lurk privily for the innocent without cause:
12Let us swallow them up alive as the grave; and whole, as those that go down into the pit:
13We shall find all precious substance, we shall fill our houses with spoil:
14Cast in thy lot among us; let us all have one purse:
15My son, walk not thou in the way with them; refrain thy foot from their path:
16For their feet run to evil, and make haste to shed blood.
17Surely in vain the net is spread in the sight of any bird.
18And they lay wait for their own blood; they lurk privily for their own lives.
19So are the ways of every one that is greedy of gain; which taketh away the life of the owners thereof.
20Wisdom crieth without; she uttereth her voice in the streets:
21She crieth in the chief place of concourse, in the openings of the gates: in the city she uttereth her words, saying,
22How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity? and the scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge?
23Turn you at my reproof: behold, I will pour out my spirit unto you, I will make known my words unto you.
24Because I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded;
25But ye have set at nought all my counsel, and would none of my reproof:
26I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh;
27When your fear cometh as desolation, and your destruction cometh as a whirlwind; when distress and anguish cometh upon you.
28Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me:
29For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the LORD:
30They would none of my counsel: they despised all my reproof.
31Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices.
32For the turning away of the simple shall slay them, and the prosperity of fools shall destroy them.
33But whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil.
Proverbs 2
1My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee;
2So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding;
3Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding;
4If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures;
5Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God.
6For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.
7He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous: he is a buckler to them that walk uprightly.
8He keepeth the paths of judgment, and preserveth the way of his saints.
9Then shalt thou understand righteousness, and judgment, and equity; yea, every good path.
10When wisdom entereth into thine heart, and knowledge is pleasant unto thy soul;
11Discretion shall preserve thee, understanding shall keep thee:
12To deliver thee from the way of the evil man, from the man that speaketh froward things;
13Who leave the paths of uprightness, to walk in the ways of darkness;
14Who rejoice to do evil, and delight in the frowardness of the wicked;
15Whose ways are crooked, and they froward in their paths:
16To deliver thee from the strange woman, even from the stranger which flattereth with her words;
17Which forsaketh the guide of her youth, and forgetteth the covenant of her God.
18For her house inclineth unto death, and her paths unto the dead.
19None that go unto her return again, neither take they hold of the paths of life.
20That thou mayest walk in the way of good men, and keep the paths of the righteous.
21For the upright shall dwell in the land, and the perfect shall remain in it.
22But the wicked shall be cut off from the earth, and the transgressors shall be rooted out of it.
Proverbs 3
1My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments:
2For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee.
3Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart:
4So shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man.
5Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
6In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
7Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.
8It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones.
9Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase:
10So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.
11My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD; neither be weary of his correction:
12For whom the LORD loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.
13Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding.
14For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold.
15She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her.
16Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honour.
17Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.
18She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy is every one that retaineth her.
1The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel;
2To know wisdom and instruction; to perceive the words of understanding;
3To receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, and judgment, and equity;
4To give subtilty to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion.
5A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels:
6To understand a proverb, and the interpretation; the words of the wise, and their dark sayings.
7The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.
8My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother:
9For they shall be an ornament of grace unto thy head, and chains about thy neck.
10My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not.
11If they say, Come with us, let us lay wait for blood, let us lurk privily for the innocent without cause:
12Let us swallow them up alive as the grave; and whole, as those that go down into the pit:
13We shall find all precious substance, we shall fill our houses with spoil:
14Cast in thy lot among us; let us all have one purse:
15My son, walk not thou in the way with them; refrain thy foot from their path:
16For their feet run to evil, and make haste to shed blood.
17Surely in vain the net is spread in the sight of any bird.
18And they lay wait for their own blood; they lurk privily for their own lives.
19So are the ways of every one that is greedy of gain; which taketh away the life of the owners thereof.
20Wisdom crieth without; she uttereth her voice in the streets:
21She crieth in the chief place of concourse, in the openings of the gates: in the city she uttereth her words, saying,
22How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity? and the scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge?
23Turn you at my reproof: behold, I will pour out my spirit unto you, I will make known my words unto you.
24Because I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded;
25But ye have set at nought all my counsel, and would none of my reproof:
26I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh;
27When your fear cometh as desolation, and your destruction cometh as a whirlwind; when distress and anguish cometh upon you.
28Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me:
29For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the LORD:
30They would none of my counsel: they despised all my reproof.
31Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices.
32For the turning away of the simple shall slay them, and the prosperity of fools shall destroy them.
33But whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil.
Proverbs 2
1My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee;
2So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding;
3Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding;
4If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures;
5Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God.
6For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.
7He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous: he is a buckler to them that walk uprightly.
8He keepeth the paths of judgment, and preserveth the way of his saints.
9Then shalt thou understand righteousness, and judgment, and equity; yea, every good path.
10When wisdom entereth into thine heart, and knowledge is pleasant unto thy soul;
11Discretion shall preserve thee, understanding shall keep thee:
12To deliver thee from the way of the evil man, from the man that speaketh froward things;
13Who leave the paths of uprightness, to walk in the ways of darkness;
14Who rejoice to do evil, and delight in the frowardness of the wicked;
15Whose ways are crooked, and they froward in their paths:
16To deliver thee from the strange woman, even from the stranger which flattereth with her words;
17Which forsaketh the guide of her youth, and forgetteth the covenant of her God.
18For her house inclineth unto death, and her paths unto the dead.
19None that go unto her return again, neither take they hold of the paths of life.
20That thou mayest walk in the way of good men, and keep the paths of the righteous.
21For the upright shall dwell in the land, and the perfect shall remain in it.
22But the wicked shall be cut off from the earth, and the transgressors shall be rooted out of it.
Proverbs 3
1My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments:
2For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee.
3Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart:
4So shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man.
5Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
6In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
7Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.
8It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones.
9Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase:
10So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.
11My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD; neither be weary of his correction:
12For whom the LORD loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.
13Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding.
14For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold.
15She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her.
16Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honour.
17Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.
18She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy is every one that retaineth her.
Sunday, November 4, 2007
LOVE
John 21:15-19
15 So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Feed My lambs.” 16 He said to him again a second time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Tend My sheep.” 17 He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?” Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, “Do you love Me?” And he said to Him, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.” Jesus said to him, “Feed My sheep. 18 Most assuredly, I say to you, when you were younger, you girded yourself and walked where you wished; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and carry you where you do not wish.” 19 This He spoke, signifying by what death he would glorify God. And when He had spoken this, He said to him, “Follow Me.”
This is a well-known passage: When Jesus had to ask Peter 3 times if Peter loved Him. However, many of us do not understand the whole meaning of it! The reason is because this Bible is TRANSLATED.
The actual words that Jesus used each time are AGAPE, AGAPE and finally, PHILIAS- there IS a difference in these words!
Jesus asks Peter twice if he AGAPEs Him, and Peter twice replies that he PHILIASes Him. The third time, Jesus then lowers Himself to Peter's standard by asking Peter if he PHILIASes Him..and thus Peter is grieved because the third time, Jesus had to lower himself to what Peter could offer Him.
This illustrates how Jesus also lowered Himself to take on human form (i.e. our standards), and shows that He lowers himself to what we can offer Him when we cannot reach His level!
This was a humbling experience for Peter (note that Jesus asks Peter this question 3 times- which is the same number of times Peter denied Him when He was crucified.) However, after He did that, Peter became His most effective servant! -Note:In 1 & 2 Peter, Peter never uses 'PHILIAS' anymore , but the love words shown there are all 'AGAPE'. Surely, pride comes before a downfall.
Are we willing to surrender our lives to Christ? Many might unwittingly say 'Yes!' but yet know not how great a scope this covers. If we are not faithful in little things, how can we be faithful in great things? (Read the parable of Talents):
Matthew 25
14 “For the kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them.
15 And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability; and immediately he went on a journey.
16 Then he who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents.
17 And likewise he who had received two gained two more also.
18 But he who had received one went and dug in the ground, and hid his lord’s money.
19 After a long time the lord of those servants came and settled accounts with them.
20 “So he who had received five talents came and brought five other talents, saying, ‘Lord, you delivered to me five talents; look, I have gained five more talents besides them.’
21 His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’
22 He also who had received two talents came and said, ‘Lord, you delivered to me two talents; look, I have gained two more talents besides them.’
23 His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’
24 “Then he who had received the one talent came and said, ‘Lord, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed.
25 And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground. Look, there you have what is yours.’
26 “But his lord answered and said to him, ‘You wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed.
27 So you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest.
28 So take the talent from him, and give it to him who has ten talents.
29 ‘For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away.
30 And cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’
Yup. If we cant give ourselves for hours or days, how will we give ourselves for a Lifetime!
The Lord does not do things without a reason- he provided you with your job / school so that we can Feed God's Sheep and Plead for Christ's Cause!
If you are going to be a bridge for God- expect to be WALKED UPON.
Meditate upon this (:
15 So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Feed My lambs.” 16 He said to him again a second time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Tend My sheep.” 17 He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?” Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, “Do you love Me?” And he said to Him, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.” Jesus said to him, “Feed My sheep. 18 Most assuredly, I say to you, when you were younger, you girded yourself and walked where you wished; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and carry you where you do not wish.” 19 This He spoke, signifying by what death he would glorify God. And when He had spoken this, He said to him, “Follow Me.”
This is a well-known passage: When Jesus had to ask Peter 3 times if Peter loved Him. However, many of us do not understand the whole meaning of it! The reason is because this Bible is TRANSLATED.
The actual words that Jesus used each time are AGAPE, AGAPE and finally, PHILIAS- there IS a difference in these words!
Jesus asks Peter twice if he AGAPEs Him, and Peter twice replies that he PHILIASes Him. The third time, Jesus then lowers Himself to Peter's standard by asking Peter if he PHILIASes Him..and thus Peter is grieved because the third time, Jesus had to lower himself to what Peter could offer Him.
This illustrates how Jesus also lowered Himself to take on human form (i.e. our standards), and shows that He lowers himself to what we can offer Him when we cannot reach His level!
This was a humbling experience for Peter (note that Jesus asks Peter this question 3 times- which is the same number of times Peter denied Him when He was crucified.) However, after He did that, Peter became His most effective servant! -Note:In 1 & 2 Peter, Peter never uses 'PHILIAS' anymore , but the love words shown there are all 'AGAPE'. Surely, pride comes before a downfall.
Are we willing to surrender our lives to Christ? Many might unwittingly say 'Yes!' but yet know not how great a scope this covers. If we are not faithful in little things, how can we be faithful in great things? (Read the parable of Talents):
Matthew 25
14 “For the kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them.
15 And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability; and immediately he went on a journey.
16 Then he who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents.
17 And likewise he who had received two gained two more also.
18 But he who had received one went and dug in the ground, and hid his lord’s money.
19 After a long time the lord of those servants came and settled accounts with them.
20 “So he who had received five talents came and brought five other talents, saying, ‘Lord, you delivered to me five talents; look, I have gained five more talents besides them.’
21 His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’
22 He also who had received two talents came and said, ‘Lord, you delivered to me two talents; look, I have gained two more talents besides them.’
23 His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’
24 “Then he who had received the one talent came and said, ‘Lord, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed.
25 And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground. Look, there you have what is yours.’
26 “But his lord answered and said to him, ‘You wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed.
27 So you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest.
28 So take the talent from him, and give it to him who has ten talents.
29 ‘For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away.
30 And cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’
Yup. If we cant give ourselves for hours or days, how will we give ourselves for a Lifetime!
The Lord does not do things without a reason- he provided you with your job / school so that we can Feed God's Sheep and Plead for Christ's Cause!
If you are going to be a bridge for God- expect to be WALKED UPON.
Meditate upon this (:
"Ye Have Not, Because..."
Because, YE ASK NOT!
That is a big problem with christians today. Many conveniently think that since God knows everything,
"Then we don't need to pray and ask for anything, what. Since He knows everything, and since He has already laid out the best path, then why do we need to pray and ask Him for it?"
And then, when 'bad' things happen to us, we then cry to God : "WHY!"
Doesn't that sound familiar?
Well, the thing is, God sometimes does not give us the 'best' because He is waiting for us to ASK.
Take Moses at the mountain-top with God, when He wanted to destroy the nation of Israel and start a whole new Chosen Nation from Moses:
7 Then the LORD said to Moses, "Go down, because your people, whom you brought up out of Egypt, have become corrupt. 8 They have been quick to turn away from what I commanded them and have made themselves an idol cast in the shape of a calf. They have bowed down to it and sacrificed to it and have said, 'These are your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of Egypt.'
9 "I have seen these people," the LORD said to Moses, "and they are a stiff-necked people. 10 Now leave me alone so that my anger may burn against them and that I may destroy them. Then I will make you into a great nation."
11 But Moses sought the favor of the LORD his God. "O LORD," he said, "why should your anger burn against your people, whom you brought out of Egypt with great power and a mighty hand? 12 Why should the Egyptians say, 'It was with evil intent that he brought them out, to kill them in the mountains and to wipe them off the face of the earth'? Turn from your fierce anger; relent and do not bring disaster on your people. 13 Remember your servants Abraham, Isaac and Israel, to whom you swore by your own self: 'I will make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and I will give your descendants all this land I promised them, and it will be their inheritance forever.' " 14 Then the LORD relented and did not bring on His people the disaster He had threatened.
If Moses had not asked, the Lord would have indeed have killed the whole nation of Israel, and athough He had promised Abraham that his offspring would become a Great Nation "numerous as the stars in the shy", God would be justified in doing so!
However, because Moses pleaded, the Lord RELENTED and thus the Israelites were not killed.
Is that not enough to convince anyone that prayer is so very important?
More verses (NIV):
Genesis 25:21Isaac prayed to the LORD on behalf of his wife, because she was barren. The LORD answered his prayer, and his wife Rebekah became pregnant.
2 Samuel 21:14They buried the bones of Saul and his son Jonathan in the tomb of Saul's father Kish, at Zela in Benjamin, and did everything the king commanded. After that, God answered prayer in behalf of the land.
2 Samuel 24:25David built an altar to the LORD there and sacrificed burnt offerings and fellowship offerings. Then the LORD answered prayer in behalf of the land, and the plague on Israel was stopped.
1 Kings 9:3The LORD said to him: "I have heard the prayer and plea you have made before me; I have consecrated this temple, which you have built, by putting my Name there forever. My eyes and My heart will always be there.
2 Chronicles 30:27The priests and the Levites stood to bless the people, and God heard them, for their prayer reached heaven, His holy dwelling place.
Ezra 8:23So we fasted and petitioned our God about this, and he answered our prayer.
Job 42:9So Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite and Zophar the Naamathite did what the LORD told them; and the LORD accepted Job's prayer.
Psalm 17:1[ A prayer of David. ] Hear, O LORD, my righteous plea; listen to my cry. Give ear to my prayer— it does not rise from deceitful lips.
Psalm 80:4O LORD God Almighty, how long will your anger smolder against the prayers of your people?
Psalm 102:17He will respond to the prayer of the destitute; he will not despise their plea.
Proverbs 15:8The LORD detests the sacrifice of the wicked, but the prayer of the upright pleases him.
Proverbs 15:29The LORD is far from the wicked but he hears the prayer of the righteous.
Proverbs 28:9If anyone turns a deaf ear to the law, even his prayers are detestable.
Lamentations 3:44You have covered yourself with a cloud so that no prayer can get through.
Matthew 6:5[ Prayer ] "And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full.
Matthew 21:22If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer."
Mark 9:29He replied, "This kind can come out only by prayer. "
Acts 10:5The angel answered, "Your prayers and gifts to the poor have come up as a memorial offering before God. Now send men to Joppa to bring back a man named Simon who is called Peter.
Acts 10:31and said, 'Cornelius, God has heard your prayer and remembered your gifts to the poor.
Romans 12:12Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
2 Corinthians 1:11as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many.
Philippians 4:6Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
Colossians 4:2[ Further Instructions ] Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.
Colossians 4:12Epaphras, who is one of you and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends greetings. He is always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured.
Etc etc. For more verses on Prayer, check out Bible Gateway (type 'Prayer').
Hope this has managed to convince to all the importance of prayer!
That is a big problem with christians today. Many conveniently think that since God knows everything,
"Then we don't need to pray and ask for anything, what. Since He knows everything, and since He has already laid out the best path, then why do we need to pray and ask Him for it?"
And then, when 'bad' things happen to us, we then cry to God : "WHY!"
Doesn't that sound familiar?
Well, the thing is, God sometimes does not give us the 'best' because He is waiting for us to ASK.
Take Moses at the mountain-top with God, when He wanted to destroy the nation of Israel and start a whole new Chosen Nation from Moses:
7 Then the LORD said to Moses, "Go down, because your people, whom you brought up out of Egypt, have become corrupt. 8 They have been quick to turn away from what I commanded them and have made themselves an idol cast in the shape of a calf. They have bowed down to it and sacrificed to it and have said, 'These are your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of Egypt.'
9 "I have seen these people," the LORD said to Moses, "and they are a stiff-necked people. 10 Now leave me alone so that my anger may burn against them and that I may destroy them. Then I will make you into a great nation."
11 But Moses sought the favor of the LORD his God. "O LORD," he said, "why should your anger burn against your people, whom you brought out of Egypt with great power and a mighty hand? 12 Why should the Egyptians say, 'It was with evil intent that he brought them out, to kill them in the mountains and to wipe them off the face of the earth'? Turn from your fierce anger; relent and do not bring disaster on your people. 13 Remember your servants Abraham, Isaac and Israel, to whom you swore by your own self: 'I will make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and I will give your descendants all this land I promised them, and it will be their inheritance forever.' " 14 Then the LORD relented and did not bring on His people the disaster He had threatened.
If Moses had not asked, the Lord would have indeed have killed the whole nation of Israel, and athough He had promised Abraham that his offspring would become a Great Nation "numerous as the stars in the shy", God would be justified in doing so!
However, because Moses pleaded, the Lord RELENTED and thus the Israelites were not killed.
Is that not enough to convince anyone that prayer is so very important?
More verses (NIV):
Genesis 25:21Isaac prayed to the LORD on behalf of his wife, because she was barren. The LORD answered his prayer, and his wife Rebekah became pregnant.
2 Samuel 21:14They buried the bones of Saul and his son Jonathan in the tomb of Saul's father Kish, at Zela in Benjamin, and did everything the king commanded. After that, God answered prayer in behalf of the land.
2 Samuel 24:25David built an altar to the LORD there and sacrificed burnt offerings and fellowship offerings. Then the LORD answered prayer in behalf of the land, and the plague on Israel was stopped.
1 Kings 9:3The LORD said to him: "I have heard the prayer and plea you have made before me; I have consecrated this temple, which you have built, by putting my Name there forever. My eyes and My heart will always be there.
2 Chronicles 30:27The priests and the Levites stood to bless the people, and God heard them, for their prayer reached heaven, His holy dwelling place.
Ezra 8:23So we fasted and petitioned our God about this, and he answered our prayer.
Job 42:9So Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite and Zophar the Naamathite did what the LORD told them; and the LORD accepted Job's prayer.
Psalm 17:1[ A prayer of David. ] Hear, O LORD, my righteous plea; listen to my cry. Give ear to my prayer— it does not rise from deceitful lips.
Psalm 80:4O LORD God Almighty, how long will your anger smolder against the prayers of your people?
Psalm 102:17He will respond to the prayer of the destitute; he will not despise their plea.
Proverbs 15:8The LORD detests the sacrifice of the wicked, but the prayer of the upright pleases him.
Proverbs 15:29The LORD is far from the wicked but he hears the prayer of the righteous.
Proverbs 28:9If anyone turns a deaf ear to the law, even his prayers are detestable.
Lamentations 3:44You have covered yourself with a cloud so that no prayer can get through.
Matthew 6:5[ Prayer ] "And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full.
Matthew 21:22If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer."
Mark 9:29He replied, "This kind can come out only by prayer. "
Acts 10:5The angel answered, "Your prayers and gifts to the poor have come up as a memorial offering before God. Now send men to Joppa to bring back a man named Simon who is called Peter.
Acts 10:31and said, 'Cornelius, God has heard your prayer and remembered your gifts to the poor.
Romans 12:12Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
2 Corinthians 1:11as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many.
Philippians 4:6Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
Colossians 4:2[ Further Instructions ] Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.
Colossians 4:12Epaphras, who is one of you and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends greetings. He is always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured.
Etc etc. For more verses on Prayer, check out Bible Gateway (type 'Prayer').
Hope this has managed to convince to all the importance of prayer!
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