Week 14

Mon 28 Jul 2008	Exodus 1-4
Tue 29 Jul 2008	1Samuel 16-20
Wed 30 Jul 2008	Psalms 39-41
Thu 31 Jul 2008	Job 27-28
Fri 01 Aug 2008	Jeremiah 7-11
Sat 02 Aug 2008	Mark 7-8
Sun 03 Aug 2008	1Corinthians 11-12

Week 13 Summary

It has been a long time where I have provided summaries of what has happened. I must confess that making a steadfast commitment to read God's word in 365 days is a very difficult task in deed. I believe it is easy if a specific time is dedicated for the Lord to spend time with him, however, once you start falling behind, it seems like a huge wrestle to try and stay on course.

Praise the Lord RL has been able to stay on course in reading God's word everyday. May we continue to remember her in prayer to provide her strength to maintain her momentum! Out of the 4 of us contributors, her dedication has definitely been able to constantly remind us in better disciplining ourselves to stay with our commitment.

As for the rest of us, we (or I at the very least) must confess that we have not been able to keep up-to-date. Sharon is around 1 week behind (after chasing up and continues to strive and close that gap), I am around 3 days behind, and Jot.. err ... I think Jot needs to put more dots behind his name to describe where he is at. I have been trying to encourage him to pick up his game to catch up, or even just "write off" what he has not read and just continue on in the schedule.

Busy lives lead to many temptation. I must admit that during the 13 weeks, it is easy to use busy lives as an excuse to set aside this commitment. May the Lord continue to guide us 4 to have wisdom in prioritising our responsibilities so there is sufficient time to read His word.

13 down, 39 to go! Don't give up ...

1 Corinthians 9-10

• the Lord commanded that those who proclaim the gospel should get their living by the gospel. (9:14)
• Sharing the gospel is not something to boast about, it is our duty as a christian to share: For if I preach the gospel, that gives me no ground for boasting. For necessity is laid upon me. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel! (v16)
• We are challenged by Paul that while we are free, we should serve others to bring people to Christ (v19)

• All our spiritual needs are taken care of through the rock: Christ Jesus (10:4)
• V11 teaches us that we are to learn from the examples from the old testament (v8-10) in what we should or should not do
• There is always a way out of temptation because God is faithful (v13)

"All things are lawful," but not all things are helpful. "All things are lawful," but not all things build up. Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor.

-- 1 Corinthians 10:23-24

• So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.(v31)

Mark 5-6

• Look at the man's faith. He falls in front of him and calls him son of most high God (5:6-7)
• Poor bloke who owned the 2000 pigs it all drowned (v13)
• Jesus did something and was still not welcomed (v17)
• Jesus teaches the demon possessed man to live a living testimony and share how God has impacted his life: "Go home to your friends and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you." (v19)
• The woman with blood disorders had no hope but only Jesus. She has tried all possibilities and no improvement (v26). Jesus is her only hope. (v27-28)
• "Do not fear, only believe." (v36)

Whenever you enter a house, stay there until you depart from there. And if any place will not receive you and they will not listen to you, when you leave, shake off the dust that is on your feet as a testimony against them.

-- Mark 6:10-11

• Do we leave and move on if people reject us when we share the gospel?
• There are times where we have to rest after serving the Lord: "Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while." (v31) But don't go lazy and not serve him after. REST A WHILE ONLY!

Psalms 36-38

• Sinners often think they are so good they don't see anything wrong with themselves (36:2)
• In God's eyes, that is not wise at all (v3) and doesn't do or think anything good at all (v4)
• God's love and righteousness is just so great (v5-6)
• He is life and our light to provide guidance (as well as showing our bad side) (v9)
• Ask God for guidance in preventing him from falling into the pits of sin (v11)

• Sometimes it may seem sinners reaping so much (earthly) benefits but we are reminded that it is not what we are after. God promises that these won't last (37:1-2, 9-10)
• He reminds us to trust the Lord and anchor yourself with God (v3-5)

Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way, over the man who carries out evil devices!

-- Psalms 37:7

1 Samuel 11-15

• See Saul's trust in the Lord before he gets anointed king of Israel. He believes no one will get hurt as God delivers salvation (Chapter 11)

• Samuel gives thanks to the Lord for all the things He has done (12:7-13)

If you will fear the LORD and serve him and obey his voice and not rebel against the commandment of the LORD, and if both you and the king who reigns over you will follow the LORD your God, it will be well.

-- 1Samuel 12:14

• Saul does not act within God's commands (13:9-14)

• It may be that the LORD will work for us, for nothing can hinder the LORD from saving by many or by few. (14:6) Is this the right attitude? God working for you rather than them working for God? Especially when Jonathan does not tell Saul.
• "Do all that is in your heart. Do as you wish. Behold, I am with you heart and soul." (v7)
• Seems very self-centred.
• The Lord was still with Him though? (v15)
• Is Israel's plea not to kill Jonathan actually sinning against God? (v45)

• Saul disappoints God for not obeying (15:1-11)
• Built monument (v12) and didn't knew he did wrong (v13)
• Is Saul trying to find excuses to think he can decide or improve on God's commands through seizing stuff for God's offering (v20)

And Samuel said, "Has the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams.

-- 1Samuel 15:22

• God wants obedience, not acts like going to church pray or sing hymns when your heart is not there.
• Saul reveals his rebelling heart in v24, a reversal from his smart excuse in v20
• Denying God from the driver seat: He is separated in ruling God's people (v26)

Genesis 48-50

• Jacob/Israel and Joseph always give thanks to the Lord (48:3-4, 9, 11)
• Blessings to the following generations by Israel (v15-16)
• Why was Joseph so concerned about blessing the firstborn in the right way? If he trusted God, shouldn't they be blessed according to God's will, not what Israel or Joseph thinks? (v17)
• Are Joseph's sons going to walk the same path as Joseph in that the younger will rule? (v19)

As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.

-- Genesis 50:20

Isaiah 56-61

• Salvation for everybody (56:1-6)
• Saying the religious leaders (Pharisees?) are not doing what they are supposed to do (v10-12)

• There is no peace," says my God, "for the wicked." (57:21)

• God looks at the heart. Although they fast, It's for their own personal benefit (58:3-4)
• I don't understand this fasting thing (v6)
• But if the heart is right, then God promise he will be there (v9-11)

• People usually blame God for not being there (59:1), but really, it is because they want to go their own way (sin), they have chosen to hide God away. (v2)
• Is this a description of Jesus showing us he is the only one interceding and brings us salvation? (v15b-21)

• Jesus is described as the light over darkness (60:2-3)
• The 3 wise men (v6)

• These are all things that Jesus has fulfilled. (61:1-2)

Week 13

In 1 Corinthians 10:
There are examples of things we should not do, in v7 – do not worship idols, in v8 – do not commit sexual sins, in v9 – do not test the Lord, in v10 – do not grumble.

And the above is written down as warnings for us who are living at an age in which Jesus is soon to return. (v11)

The passage continued in stating God’s faithfulness – v14. He will help us through all kinds of hardship, even that means as Christians we will be tested and we will go through different kinds of trial. But God’s promise to us here in this verse clearly stated that “He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. When you are tempted, he will provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.”