Matthew 17-19

• Jesus says our (level of) faith can affect how we serve the Lord. The disciples faced problems (17:20)
• First time Jesus fortells of his death (v22-23)
• It appears to suggest that Jesus, and disciples being citizens need not pay tax (v26), but because Jesus has a much bigger plan to achieve, he told Simon to just pay and not fuss.

• Jesus did not even address there question yet. He addressed a more important question: can you make it into heaven (18:1-3)
• We must humble ourselves first and not think we know it all.
• We are to lead a good example for the young (perhaps both in a spiritual and physical sense) (v6)
• Stop the actions that lead you to sin (v7-8)
• God not only gives those who have sinned a chance, but also proactively goes and brings them back (v12-14)
• How to deal with disputes within God's family (v15-17)
• Forgiveness (v21-35): seventy times seven, and remember to forgive the way God has forgiven us for he wrongs we have done.

• Divorce: whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery (19:9)
• A few chosen that would be better not to marry (v10-12)
• Did the disciples just forget? In beginning of Chapter 18, Jesus welcomes the little children, and now they in rebuke! (v13)
• The rich man (v16-23): He realises that something needs to be done (asks what good things needs to be done for eternal life); finds out he keeps the commandments already. Realises if that was the case, he has done it already, but he knows this is not the crux of it (v20 - what do I still lack? he asks)
• Jesus then focuses on the crux of it: let go of what appears to be the most important to him - the monies that he possess, AND FOLLOW HIM. (v21)
• Many are often like the young man, very rich and satisfied with what we have in our lives now. We do what is morally good, but when it comes to the crunch, it is hard to forego what you have for the sake of Jesus.
• "It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God" (v24)

Isaiah 34-39

• All, not just Israel, falls under the wrath of God (34:1-2)
• Judgment (v5)
• What it will be like after judgment. (v5-16). Letting them know beforehand is just? Was there a chance for repentance?

• Those who are humbled will be exalted? (35:1-5)
• Peace and joy assured (v10)

• Tried to bring the people back to God but the people feared their king more than God. Did the people make up stupid excuses to not accepted the message by saying it wasn't in their native language so they didn't understand. He God wanted them to hear the message and they had heart, would language really become a barrier? (Chapter 36)

• They maybe unhappy about the people rejecting God, comparing Him with other gods but God says not to fret, He'll reveal himself and show the powers (37:6-7)

Job 13-14

• Job says to his friends that he knows what they are talking about but tells them that they don't appreciate his position. He says what they have said does not appropriately apply to his case. Tells them their best wisdom is to shut up! (13:1-5)
• He holds his case that he has not been partial, not even quietly (v6-10)
• He still thinks he has a non-losable case before God. All he pleads is God not been clouded by unrighteous smears against him. (v16-18)

• Job asks for God to leave him alone. Life is short, it is going to end soon anyway.
• Although he is know it is going to end, he acknowledge God determines when life ends (v5), so he has not asked for death. He has only asked for shelter for all the pains he has going through (v13-14)

Judges 7-11

• God shows off his abilities (7:1-3)
• Chooses which one to stay (v4-5)
• The lapped ones totalling 300 stay with Gideon (v7)
• Was God testing how much trust he had? (v10-11). God still have a choice rather telling him to just do as you are told!
• Midian was delivered to Gideon by God. All Gideon and his team of 300 did was simply to blow horns (v18-22)

• Gideon has won battle, has the full support from Israel for ousting God, but still remembers to humble himself and honours God, making sure Israel knows who is the true ruler. (8:22-23)
• Israel falls immediately after the death of Gideon (v33-35)

• So they put away the foreign gods from among them and served the LORD, and he became impatient over the misery of Israel. (10:16)
• Were they supposed to destroy rather than put away?

Psalms 18-20

• God is the rock (18:2)
• Distressed and called for help (v6)
• God shows his wrath (v7-18) and rescues David (v19) justly (v20-27)
• God provides (v28-30)
• Compares the anchor (rock) God provides is like deer on the heights (v31-33)
• A thanksgiving psalm that honours God

• Ask by praying and praise the Lord (Chapter 20)

Genesis 24-27

• God had blessed Abraham in ALL things (24:1)
• Was that the oath of the day, "Put your hand under my thigh ... (v2)
• Even at such old age, Abraham remembers what God says and makes sure his head servant to follow (v3-8)
• The servant askes God for guidance (v12)
• The Lord gives him a sign that Rebekah is the one (v13-25)
• Immediately gave thanks to the Lord (v26-27)
• Re-tells the story (v28-48) and lets them choose (v49)
• The faithful brother of Rebekah basically says there are no choice if that is God's will and tells the servant to take Rebekah (v51)

• Abraham had concubines but had kept the children away from Isaac by sending them to the east (25:1-6)
• "Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples from within you shall be divided; the one shall be stronger than the other, the older shall serve the younger." (v23)
• Esau gives up his rights as firstborn to Jacob (v29-34)

• A challenge for Isaac. (26:2-6) Going through a very bad famine and God tells him to stay there and trust Him. He stayed without thinking twice.
• Is it in their blood or something?!?! What is the logic, say is sister so he could spare his own life? What did Rebekah think at the time? (v7)
• What is the significance of well digging? (v15-22)
• Did Esau take a wrong wife? (v34-35)

• Jacob cheats his father for the blessing under the direction of his mother (27:5). How important was this "blessing" anyway? Is this blessing supposed to be like the inheritance from a will? Otherwise shouldn't blessings all come from the Lord? Why hasn't God intervened in all of this? Surely this blessing is greater than thinking Jesus will save you he you wear a cross pendant in today's world.
• Esau wanted to revenge because all has been taken away from him, will he be cursed though after Isaac's blessings in v29: "Let peoples serve you, and nations bow down to you. Be lord over your brothers, and may your mother's sons bow down to you. Cursed be everyone who curses you, and blessed be everyone who blesses you!"

Week 7

Mon 09 Jun 2008	Genesis 24-27
Tue 10 Jun 2008	Judges 7-11
Wed 11 Jun 2008	Psalms 18-20
Thu 12 Jun 2008	Job 13-14
Fri 13 Jun 2008	Isaiah 34-39
Sat 14 Jun 2008	Matthew 17-19
Sun 15 Jun 2008	Romans 13-14

Week 6

Genesis 20-23
It was astonishing fact how Abraham demonstrated his complete obedience to God by almost sacrificing his one and only loved son as a burnt offering!! This shows that God does test our heart for Him! He jealously loves us and wants to see if we love Him back the same!

Reflection – if God one day order me to sacrifice something I grab onto tight, will I do it? Will I do it and do it willingly?

Job 11-12
The scripture tells us God is an almighty God.
He is higher than heaven,
and deeper than the depths of the grave.
His measure is longer than the earth and wider than the sea.

Therefore, if we devote out heart to him and stretch out our hands to him
And put away sins in our hand. Then we can stand firm and with no fear. We will also feel secure, for there is hope. We can also rest in safety.

Romans 11-12

• God chose by grace in the past (11:4), now he still chooses by grace (v5).

But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works; otherwise grace would no longer be grace.

-- Romans 11:6

• If grace flows to God's non-chosen people, how much greater would it be for his chosen. (v12)
• Used grafting to describe the relationship of Gentiles and Jews. God being the root. If If decides to nourish both, it is a matter for him to decide. Remember He loves and provides, he is the source (v17-24)

• We as living sacrifice (12:1)
• Put down earthly desires and be transformed to what is good and acceptable and perfect in God's eyes (v2)
• Limbs of the one body (v4-5)

Characteristics of a True Christian:

• Genuine love (v9)
• Honour (and respect) (v10)
• Not slothful but serves the Lord (v11)
• Rejoice in hope (v12)
• Helping fellow brothers and sisters (v13)
• Blessing enemies (v14)
• Care (v15)
• Live in harmony (v16)
• Do not avenge (v19)
• Overcome evil with good (v20)