Psalms 45-50

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling. Selah

-- Psalms 46:1-3

• The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. (v7,11)

• A Psalm full of praise (Chapter 47)

• Always reflect on God's love (48:9)

15 But God will ransom my soul from the power of Sheol, for he will receive me. Selah
16 Be not afraid when a man becomes rich, when the glory of his house increases.
17 For when he dies he will carry nothing away; his glory will not go down after him.
18 For though, while he lives, he counts himself blessed --and though you get praise when you do well for yourself--
19 his soul will go to the generation of his fathers, who will never again see light.
20 Man in his pomp yet without understanding is like the beasts that perish.

-- Psalms 49:15-20

• God does not ask us to sacrifice because he needs those offerings, he owns them (50:1-13), but the real purpose is

Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving, and perform your vows to the Most High, and call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me."

-- Psalms 50:14-15

The one who offers thanksgiving as his sacrifice glorifies me; to one who orders his way rightly I will show the salvation of God!"

-- Psalms 50:23

2 Samuel 1-4

• The first thing David does after a change (death of God's anointed Saul in Chapter 1) was consulting God (2:1-2).

1 Samuel 26-31

• Despite Saul is coming after David again, and he now has the opportunity to kill Saul again, he resists this temptation and puts everything in God's plan by reminding that he is the anointed one. (26:9)
• It's not for up to judge (v10-11)
• Has Saul really resented this time? (v21), seems so in v25

• David flees to Philistines and is prospering (Chapter 27)

• God doesn't answer Saul so he goes and find some woman medium (28:6-7)
• She does call up Samuel. (v14-15)

Exodus 9-16

• More plagues where Pharaoh's heart is still hardened (Chapter 9-11)

• Lord's passover (12:1-11)
• A memorial day (v14) in the future.
• Passover: It is the sacrifice of the LORD's Passover, for he passed over the houses of the people of Israel in Egypt, when he struck the Egyptians but spared our houses. (v27)

• Consecrating the first born was so that Israel would remember God saving them from Egypt (Chapter 13)

• They obeyed God's commands (14:4)
• Rather than run, they cried out to the Lord (v10) but they still had their doubts with God (v11-12) Moses stood firm (v13-14) and God hears (v15) and delivers (v20-21)

• Singing hymns to give thanks (15:1), and dances (v20)
• The Lord provides (v25-26)

• Manna from Heaven (Chapter 16)

Week 17

Mon 18 Aug 2008	Exodus 13-16
Tue 19 Aug 2008	2Samuel 1-4
Wed 20 Aug 2008	Psalms 48-50
Thu 21 Aug 2008	Job 33-34
Fri 22 Aug 2008	Jeremiah 22-26
Sat 23 Aug 2008	Mark 13-14
Sun 24 Aug 2008	2Corinthians 1-3

Week 16

Mon 11 Aug 2008	Exodus 9-12
Tue 12 Aug 2008	1Samuel 26-31
Wed 13 Aug 2008	Psalms 45-47
Thu 14 Aug 2008	Job 31-32
Fri 15 Aug 2008	Jeremiah 17-21
Sat 16 Aug 2008	Mark 11-12
Sun 17 Aug 2008	1Corinthians 15-16

1 Corinthians 13-14

• Love is more important than deeds. Remember God looks at the heart, the reason behind why you are doing it, not the fact that you did it (13:1)

Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

-- 1Corinthians 13:4-7

• So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love. (v13)

• Have to remember the lesser of importance tongues are (14:6-9) Paul urges it is more important to build the church (v12), Nevertheless, in church I would rather speak five words with my mind in order to instruct others, than ten thousand words in a tongue. (v19)

If any speak in a tongue, let there be only two or at most three, and each in turn, and let someone interpret. But if there is no one to interpret, let each of them keep silent in church and speak to himself and to God.

-- 1 Corinthians 14:27-28

• Female deacons? (v34-35)

Mark 9-10

• Why does Jesus ask? He should know everything already (9:23)

If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all." And he took a child and put him in the midst of them, and taking him in his arms, he said to them, "Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me, receives not me but him who sent me."

-- Mark 9:35-37

"Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him if a great millstone were hung around his neck and he were thrown into the sea.
43 And if your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life crippled than with two hands to go to hell, to the unquenchable fire.
44 (OMITTED TEXT)
45 And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life lame than with two feet to be thrown into hell.
46 (OMITTED TEXT)
47 And if your eye causes you to sin, tear it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into hell,
48 'where their worm does not die and the fire is not quenched.'
49 For everyone will be salted with fire.
50 Salt is good, but if the salt has lost its saltiness, how will you make it salty again? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another."

-- Mark 9:42-50

"Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery against her, and if she divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery."

-- Mark 10:11-12

"Children, how difficult it is to enter the kingdom of God! 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."

-- Mark 10:24b-25

• The decision to leave earthly desires to follow Jesus will bring great rewards (v29-31)
• For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. (v45)

Jeremiah 12-16

• The evil may be going through good times right now (12:1-3). But God promises that they will be plucked out. He knows what each and everyone has done (v14). He they repent, God loves (v15-16), but otherwise destroyed (v17)

"Thus says the LORD: Even so will I spoil the pride of Judah and the great pride of Jerusalem. This evil people, who refuse to hear my words, who stubbornly follow their own heart and have gone after other gods to serve them and worship them, shall be like this loincloth, which is good for nothing.

-- Jeremiah 13:9-10

• Consequences of not repenting (chapter 15), but towards the end at v19-21, God still provides the option to choosing the valuable road to take.

• God hates idolatry. (16:11) He emphasises this over and on top of breaking the laws generally.

Psalms 42-44

• As a deer pants for flowing streams, so pants my soul for you, O God. (42:1)
• By day the LORD commands his steadfast love, and at night his song is with me, a prayer to the God of my life. (v8)
• Rock (v9)

• He feels left behind by God (43:2), but still trust God and ask him for guidance (v3)
• Gives praise (v4)
• His mind is in a struggle but constantly reminds himself that Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God. (v5)
• When you're down, try to praise the Lord!

• It is those times where God seems so distant. We feel we are doing what is right in God's eyes but he doesn't seem to be there. (44:20-26)

1 Samuel 21-25

• Holy bread that David ate (21:6)

• Saul is out of his mind, killing God's priests (22:18-19)

• David seeks God's intentions before going ahead (23:2)
• Notice Saul says "God has given him into my hand" but he does not really pray and ask God to reveal and he just does it (v7-8)
• David constantly prays for direction (v10-11)
• And God will answer (v12)

• Abigail trusted David for being kind. She probably didn't know him but trusted (Chapter 25)

Exodus 5-8

• The Pharaoh rejects Aaron and Moses' request in going out to wilderness to worship God. He makes their burden even greater. Is he like the people today who say if we have so much extra time to worship then plenty of extra time to work. (Chapter 5) Moses blames God for not delivering (v22-23)

• But God tells Moses to wait a minute, God remembers what he promised and knows what Israel is going through so it will be done (v6:1-8), but people lacked faith (v9)
• Even Moses lacked faith,twice (v12, 30)

• Everything is in God's control. He makes Pharaoh's heart harden (7:3-4)
• Opportunity was given to Pharaoh but he did not even try to seek God's repentance (v9-12)
• Pharaoh thinks whatever God can do, he can also with the magicians. So he fails to repent the second time (v14-25)

• 3 further plagues and Pharaoh's heart is still hardened. He promises to get himself out of troubles and overturn these decisions and not let go of Israel (Chapter 8)

Week 15

Mon 04 Aug 2008	Exodus 5-8
Tue 05 Aug 2008	1Samuel 21-25
Wed 06 Aug 2008	Psalms 42-44
Thu 07 Aug 2008	Job 29-30
Fri 08 Aug 2008	Jeremiah 12-16
Sat 09 Aug 2008	Mark 9-10
Sun 10 Aug 2008	1Corinthians 13-14

1 Corinthians 11-12

• the head of every man is Christ, the head of a wife is her husband, and the head of Christ is God. (11:3)
• in the Lord woman is not independent of man nor man of woman; for as woman was made from man, so man is now born of woman. And all things are from God. (v11-12)
• "This is my body which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me." (v24) This is done to remember what God has done in our lives, not to recleanse ourselves through communion.
• Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. (v28) Reflect before taking communion

Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.

-- 1 Corinthians 12:4-7

• Working as one body of Christ (v12-31)

Mark 7-8

• There is nothing outside a person that by going into him can defile him, but the things that come out a person are that defile him ... For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. (7:15, 21-22)

• The Lord will provide. What are you worried about? (8:14-21)
• A two step process in healing the blind (v22-26)
• Jesus cares for the personal relationship with you, not what other thinks of him (v27-30)

Jeremiah 1-11

• "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations."
• God created each and everyone of us and had a plan before he created (1:5)
• We sometimes feel like Jeremiah and say we are young and incapable of serving the Lord (v6) , but he you are called by him, he knows you are capable so just do it (v7-8)
• Why is God letting his people suffer by inducing war in north? (v15) He answers because Jerusalem does not repent and has clung onto evil (v16)

• God remembers when Israel was loyal and faithful to Him (2:2-3)
• God was gracious in providing the promise land after years of wilderness (v5-7)
• God was known to Israel (v8)
• God warns this is wrong to change attitude towards God (v11) God explains which aspects of change is wrong: evil, apostasy, and foresaking God (v19)

• Sadly, God describes the separation of Israel and God, and their choice of connecting with their self-created gods is like man divorcing wife, or playing the whore and returning to a relationship? (3:1)
• They have lacked the heart to fear the Lord (v6-11)
• Askes them to repent (v12-4:4)

• God feels heartached when Judah chooses the wrong path (4:19)
• They are 'wise' - in doing evil! But how to do good they know not (v22)

• Opportunity for repentance for Judah (7:3)
• den of robbers (v11)
• He Judah does not repent, the consequences are "And I will cast you out of my sight, as I cast out all your kinsmen, all the offspring of Ephraim." (v15)
• Sufficient warning is given he they don't repent (v20)
• This is what God is concerned about the most:

But this command I gave them: 'Obey my voice, and I will be your God, and you shall be my people. And walk in all the way that I command you, that it may be well with you.'

-- Jeremiah 7:23

• My joy is gone; grief is upon me; my heart is sick within me (8:18). God is sad he we choose to depart from him

Everyone deceives his neighbor, and no one speaks the truth; they have taught their tongue to speak lies; they weary themselves committing iniquity.

-- Jeremiah 9:5

"Because they have forsaken my law that I set before them, and have not obeyed my voice or walked in accord with it, but have stubbornly followed their own hearts and have gone after the Baals, as their fathers taught them. Therefore thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel: Behold, I will feed this people with bitter food, and give them poisonous water to drink. I will scatter them among the nations whom neither they nor their fathers have known, and I will send the sword after them, until I have consumed them."

-- Jeremiah 9:13-16

• Therefore, thus says the LORD, Behold, I am bringing disaster upon them that they cannot escape. Though they cry to me, I will not listen to them. (11:11) God draws the line where they choose not to repent

Job 27-28

"From where, then, does wisdom come? And where is the place of understanding? It is hidden from the eyes of all living and concealed from the birds of the air. Abaddon and Death say, 'We have heard a rumor of it with our ears.'
"God understands the way to it, and he knows its place. For he looks to the ends of the earth and sees everything under the heavens. When he gave to the wind its weight and apportioned the waters by measure, when he made a decree for the rain and a way for the lightning of the thunder, then he saw it and declared it; he established it, and searched it out. And he said to man, 'Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, and to turn away from evil is understanding.'"

-- Job 28:20-28

Psalms 39-41

A prayer of hope. (Chapter 40)

• God provides the rock as foundation (v2)
• Sing hymn to give thanks (v3)

Blessed is the man who makes the LORD his trust, who does not turn to the proud, to those who go astray after a lie!

-- Psalms 40:4

• God's will is done (v8): gospel sharing (v9-11)
• Very humble

As for me, I am poor and needy, but the Lord takes thought for me. You are my help and my deliverer; do not delay, O my God

-- Psalms 40:17

• Sounds like David is injured and humbles himself by saying he is sinner. He thanks God that they are protected by God from enemies (Chapter 41)

1 Samuel 16-20

For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.

-- 1 Samuel 16:7

• God often likes to let us know his intentions, but he does not make it crystal clear the intricate details. Often we do not see a clear direction on what we should do, but we should be like Samuel and be assured that he is with us so that his will is done. (16:1-13)
• the Lord's Spirit leaves Saul, and he gets attacked by the evil spirit (14-23), David, with the Lord's spirit, soothes.

• Description of Goliath was so mighty that everyone thought he was the clear winner (17:4-7)
• Eliab cares only about the sheep (v28), but David thinks for the nation of God (v26-27), and has courage and strength through the faith in God that God will deliver him (v34-37), unlike others who remain helpless.
• The fact that he does not rely on the armour, is it a sign showing he completely relies on the Lord and not by our own wisdom in protecting ourselves with equipment that thinks we are safer? (v38-40)

You come to me with a sword and with a spear and with a javelin, but I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This day the Lord will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you down and cut off your head.

-- 1 Samuel 17:45-46

• The Lord has delivered (v50) and Goliath is killed.
• Saul approves David to fight for Israel in v37, and now he wins, he wants to find out his background (v55-58)

• Saul wants to pin David to the wall (18:6-16), but still lets his elder daughter marry Merab? (v17)
• He reveals his plan to have him killed before the daughter gets to marry him. David is poor so the only gift the King wanted was a hundred foreskins of the Philistines so he may be killed by the Philistines. He ended up doubling that number, and ended up getting Michal rather than Merab instead. (v18-30)

• Saul is warned by his son Jonathan not to kill the innocent (19:4-5), and Saul listened to Jonathan (v6) but the evil spirit let him astray (v9). Sad Saul, why couldn't he repent?

Exodus 1-4

• Israel multiplying even when they are under Egyptian control. Is that God's blessing? (1:1-12)
• Became slaves (v13) I wonder how much of Israel was as thankful to God even when they were persecuted?
• What is evident is that their faith in God did not change even when the midwives ignored the King's orders because they feared God (v17)

• What a blessing from God. Get paid for looking after her own child (2:9) who becomes the one we know as Moses (v10)
• Moses gets wife (v21)

• Moses interacts with God (3:1-6)
• God sees and knows pains of his people (v7-8)
• Moses' faith is still weak. He couldn't trust God and finds excuses that he is incompetant (v11). If he had the faith, God would not need to say v12
• What's the name of God? (v13)
• God said to Moses, "I AM WHO I AM." And he said, "Say this to the people of Israel, 'I AM has sent me to you.'" 'The LORD, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you.' This is my name forever, and thus I am to be remembered throughout all generations. (v14-15)
• God's promise to his people (v17)

• After God shows Moses his tricks, (4:1-9) Moses still does not trust that God will cover our deficiencies (v10)
• People believe in God towards the end of Chapter 4

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.”

Week 12

God’s grace and His love for us is endless – we can see from Psalm 34:18 “The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”

Often we rely on our ability when we deal with our daily things but in Psalm 16-22 tells us: that “no king is saved by size of his army or no warrior escapes by his great strength”. Even a horse “is in vain hope for deliverance despite his great strength it cannot save” but only God’s unfailing love for us and Him continually having mercy on us to deliver us from death and keep us alive!

Let us remember to fear God for “The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their cry” and the consequences of turning away from God would be forever forgotten by God – Psalm 34: 15-16

Week 13

Mon 21 Jul 2008	Genesis 48-50
Tue 22 Jul 2008	1Samuel 11-15
Wed 23 Jul 2008	Psalms 36-38
Thu 24 Jul 2008	Job 25-26
Fri 25 Jul 2008	Jeremiah 1-6
Sat 26 Jul 2008	Mark 5-6
Sun 27 Jul 2008	1Corinthians 9-10

1 Corinthians 7-8

• It's good for man not to have sexual relations (7:1). This was raised by the Corinthian church when communicating with Paul. But is this God's intention?
• But for the sake of temptation, should just get married. (v2)
• Once married, life is not about self anymore. Husband has authority over wife's body and likewise wife has authority over husband's body (v4)

• Food will not commend us to God. We are no worse off if we do not eat, and no better off if we do. But take care that this right of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak. (8:8-9)
• While we know these things will not distant our relationship with God, we must be aware not do these things if it will make others stumble (also v13)

Mark 3-4

• Even the uncleaned spirit acknowledged Jesus is the son of God (3:11)
• Appointing the Apostles (v14-19)
• Jesus rebukes why the logic of Jesus being part of Satan to rid unclean spirits is flawed (v22-26)
• "Truly, I say to you, all sins will be forgiven the children of man, and whatever blasphemies they utter, but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is guilty of an eternal sin" (v28-29)
• What is blasphemy against Holy Spirit?
• For whoever does the will of God, he is my brother and sister and mother." We are all part of God's one family (v35)

And others are the ones sown among thorns. They are those who hear the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches and the desires for other things enter in and choke the word, and it proves unfruitful.

-- Mark 4:18-19

• There are those who do not bear fruit, who enjoy God's word but also still get attached to the earthly desires, failing to spread God's word beyond to other people.
• We are the light of the world, so we should serve our purpose and do what we are supposed to do (v21)
• They are already with the Lord, who could they perish? (v38) Even the apostles are learning to live in faith.

Psalms 33-35

Our soul waits for the LORD; he is our help and our shield. For our heart is glad in him, because we trust in his holy name. Let your steadfast love, O LORD, be upon us, even as we hope in you.

-- Psalms 33:20-22

Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking deceit. Turn away from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it. The eyes of the LORD are toward the righteous and his ears toward their cry. The face of the LORD is against those who do evil, to cut off the memory of them from the earth.

-- Psalms 34:13-16

1 Samuel 6-10

• Have the Philistines just made this guilt offering and its constituents up, but one thing is, they are living in fear of God (6:3-4)
• It's funny how even their priests and magicians acknowledge that their gods are below God. Then why aren't they throwing it away? (v5)

• They lament and feel bad. (7:2). Repenting always followed by your commitment to the repentance by throwing your old life out and coming back to God (v3)
• God wants us to understand that we are limited and acknowledge we can only rely on Him alone, and he will provide (v8-10)

• Israel wants Kings (8:5) now that Samuel's sons could not be successors. What happened to his sons? Why weren't Samuel blessed for the generations after him for following God? Does that mean we can't take things for granted?
• Wanting a king is rejecting God as his rule. (v6). I wonder whether that has any implications on the catholic church in particular with head of church
• God warns the consequences of departing God (v8-18), like today warns us the consequences of not submitting to Christ.

• Saul was a Benjaminite, from the least of the tribes of Israel, but God still chooses. O God's plans are different to what we perceive. (9:21)

• They wanted king and they got one, but them they complainedhe wasn't good enough (10:27)

Genesis 44-47

• Joseph is not angry at all but is thankful with the things the Lord has provided (45:5)
• Pharaoh looks after Joseph and leaves for him the best (v16-20)

• Israel gives thanks to God by offering to God immediately after good news (46:1). Today, if we thank God, what are we to offer?
• Jacob trusted God and took ALL family down to Egypt without any doubt about being killed by Pharaoh etc after seeing vision (v3-26)

Week 11

This week in 1 Corinthians 5-6, once again we examine about ‘worldly Christians’ and God’s judgment on Christian’s sinful behaviour.

In 5:11 warns us to flee from someone who claims themselves as brother but is someone who is sexually immoral, a slanderer, a drunkard or a swindler!! For these people their heart are open both for God and for Satan!

In 6: 9-10 it specifically stated these people will not enter the kingdom of God.

This reminds me of previous week’s bible reading where it mentioned “our mind is willing (to be Godly) but our body is weak”. The only way to strengthen our body and stand firm against satan is to shut the door to satan and anything immoral including any person who would bring us close to immorality!

Week 12

Mon 14 Jul 2008	Genesis 44-47
Tue 15 Jul 2008	1Samuel 6-10
Wed 16 Jul 2008	Psalms 33-35
Thu 17 Jul 2008	Job 23-24
Fri 18 Jul 2008	Isaiah 62-66
Sat 19 Jul 2008	Mark 3-4
Sun 20 Jul 2008	1Corinthians 7-8

1 Corinthians 5-6

• Paul already "pronounced judgment" on clear sexual immorality (5:3). If we are clear of actions that are wrong, then we should voice out, not fold our hands and think its God's role to judge? (5:3)
• "For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Is it not those inside the church whom you are to judge? God judges those outside. "Purge the evil person from among you." (v12-13)

• If you have disputes between brothers (and sisters), it should be done witihn the church (6:1-5)
• "All things are lawful for me," but not all things are helpful. "All things are lawyful for me," but I will not be enslaved by anything (v12) This suggests that we are not bound by anything, so with the Holy Spirit from God, we could walk away without falling into any addictions. Further, although we possess this freedom, it does not mean we could do whatever we like. Do whatever is helpful.

Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral pperson sins against his own body. Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.

-- 1 Corithians 6:18-20

Mark 1-2

• John the baptist paves way for Jesus, fulfilling the prophecy in Isaiah (1:1-3)
• Prepares people to repent for the forgiveness of sins (v4)
• Were the people who repent believing the fulfilment of the prophecy? (v5)
• I have baptised you with water, but he will baptise you with the Holy Spirit. (v8)
• Jesus is the belovede Son of God, declared by God immediately after baptism (v11)
• While Jesus is being tempted, why are there angels ministering him (v13b)
• Jesus he himself proclaims he has fulfilled the prophecy (v15), so repent!
• Demons believe that Jesus is the Holy One of God (v24)
• Simon's mother-in-law is healed (v30)
• Jesus has quiet time (v35)
• Leper implores Jesus to heal him if he will (v40)
• Jesus reaches out and touches him to heal him. He shows care (v41)
• Jesus has power to clean him, but still tells him to be endorsed by human-rule by telling him to be declared clean by priest (v44)

• Look how much they trusted Jesus in healing the paralytic, and hence so much effort just to get him to Jesus (2:1-4)
• The scribes were hard-hearted. Jesus clearly showed this "sign" and they just kept questioning (v8-12)
• Jesus helps those who are in need, those who are not righteous, that is the purpose why he is here on earth (v17)

Psalms 30-32

• The Lord saves (30:1-3)
• Gives thanks for the Lord's protection (v4)
• We may momentarily experience grief, but God will provide us Joy (v5)
• David's faith will not move (v6)
• God will turn what seems bad to good, hold on and give thanks to Him (v11-12)

• David being so powerful, remains humble and still asks for God to provide him refuge. (31:1)
• Reference to the Lord as the rock, the foundation (v2-3)
• Submitted himself entirely for God (v5)
• The challenges that David has faced has not changed his views that God provides and will love us without change (v7-8)

1 Samuel 1-5

• Hannah prays to God when she goes through grief, not blame God (1:10)
• Notice her prayer in v11, she asks if God will (in accordance to His will), to give her a son that she will dedicate to God
• There maybe times where we make the wrong judgment with our observations. (v12)
• Pray, and God will provide you peace (v18)
• God answers her prayers (v20)
• Is Hannah just fulfilling her responsibility in rearing the child until he has weaned? (v22), or is she postponing her promise in offering Samuel to God?
• She honours her promise in v24-28, “he is lent to the Lord”

• God – rock (2:2)
• Samuel remains to be consistently with God even though he is near bad influences such as Eli’s sons (v21b, v26)
• Characteristics of Faithful priest: does according to what is my heart and in my mind. God will build him a sure house, anointed forever. (v35)

• Sometimes, we are a bit like Samuel, we are not clear who is calling us (3:1-9). We need to make sure we leave time for God to speak to us (v10)
• Eli accepts what God will be going to do and acknowledges he is the Lord, and we should let Him do what seems good to Him (v18)

• Israel got it all wrong. God did not defeat them, God left them. And they thought bringing the ark would me God will be on their side. They do not realise it is God who gives them power, not the ark! (4:3) Today, we often place our emphasis on the wrong things thinking God is with us when we possess something symbolic. The question should be where our heart is. If our heart is with God, he will be there with us. Failing to know this, they lose the battle, losing what was symbolically meaningful to him as well, the ark itself! (v11)

Genesis 40-43

• Joseph is humble and honours God (41:16)
• After all these years of suffering, if finally has a chance for good lifestyle, but he still acknowledges others needs before his own. Although it was blatantly obvious that he was best person to help Pharaoh, he still did not sell himself as best candidate to lift himself from grief, but let Pharaoh make decision (v38)

• After all these years of suffering, Joseph does not have anger over his brothers, only filled with love and care over his family. (43:27-30)

Week 11

Mon 07 Jul 2008	Genesis 40-43
Tue 08 Jul 2008	1Samuel 1-5
Wed 09 Jul 2008	Psalms 30-32
Thu 10 Jul 2008	Job 21-22
Fri 11 Jul 2008	Isaiah 56-61
Sat 12 Jul 2008	Mark 1-2
Sun 13 Jul 2008	1Corinthians 5-6

Week 10

This week is Matthew 26-28, Jesus went away to pray and find his disciples were sleeping when he return.
Jesus told them to “watch and pray” so not to fall into temptation. Because the spirit is willing but the body is weak. This reminds us as Christian we are strangers and aliens on this earth and this ‘’earth” represent sins and temptations. Many times we know what is right to do but in the end we choose to do the opposite. So why would this happen? - that is because our body is weak!! If we do not stay awake and pray, we will be more prone to temptation.

1 Corinthians 3-4

• I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth. (3:6-7) Paul clarified to the Corinthian church who is the head of church, who was responsible for driving the church.
• Another analogy on buildings: or we are God's fellow workers. You are God's field, God's building. According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and someone else is building upon it. Let each one take care how he builds upon it. (v9-10)
• The foundation being Jesus Christ (v11)
• Your foundation is revealed on Judgment Day. Do you have christ or just earthly material? (v13-15)
• We are God's temple (v16-17)

• As Christians we should be trustworthy stewards (4:1-2)
• We are rich already if all we have is God's word. (v6-8)

I have applied all these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, brothers, that you may learn by us not to go beyond what is written, that none of you may be puffed up in favor of one against another.

-- 1 Corinthians 4:6

• We are only to take whatever is in the bible, nothing more.

Matthew 26-28

a woman came up to him with an alabaster flask of very expensive ointment, and she poured it on his head as he reclined at table. And when the disciples saw it, they were indignant, saying, "Why this waste?

-- Matthew 26:7-8

• We often think that things may be done in other ways for better utilisation. The apostles thought it could help others while Jesus here tells us that the woman who poured the perfume is not wrong because she had her priorities with the Lord.
• Betrayal by Judas (v14-16)
• Communion (v26-28)

Then Jesus said to them, "You will all fall away because of me this night. For it is written, 'I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.' But after I am raised up, I will go before you to Galilee."

-- Matthew 26:31-32

• Foretells that the apostles' heart won't be strong. Peter thinks he is better (v33) but Jesus goes into more detail for his denial of Christ.
• Jesus suffering badly. (v38-39) For God the son to experience such pressure of taking all sin of the world must be too great to comprehend
• God's will be done (v39, 42)
• He could have asked for backup but for God's will, he allowed them to seize him. (v53)
• Peter's betrayal (v69-75)

• A King who should be exalted actually gets mocked to full extent. If he was slightly tempted, the whole plan for salvation could have failed (27:26-35)
• The temple is torn down (v51)
• The tombs also were opened. And many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised, and coming out of the tombs after his resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to many. (v52-53)
• They secured the tomb as much as they can to ensure this is true about Jesus' resurrection (v63-66)

Then go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and behold, he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him. See, I have told you. (28:7) as promised in 26:32
And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted. (v17) Some had stronger faith than others
"All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age."

-- Matthew 28:18-20

Isaiah 51-55

• Reminds us who our foundation should be set on (51:1) and reminds up that God provides in the past (v2)

Listen to me, you who know righteousness, the people in whose heart is my law; fear not the reproach of man, nor be dismayed at their revilings. For the moth will eat them up like a garment, and the worm will eat them like wool; but my righteousness will be forever, and my salvation to all generations."

-- Isaiah 51:7- 8

• Reveals Jesus bearing our transgressions (53:1-5)
• Describes us as lost sheep (v6)

Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy? Listen diligently to me, and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in rich food. Incline your ear, and come to me; hear, that your soul may live; and I will make with you an everlasting covenant, my steadfast, sure love for David.

-- Isaiah 55:2-3

• We often waste our time, effort and money doing things that are not beneficial to ourselves. We should listen to our Lord.

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.

-- Isaiah 55:8-9

• We may sometimes not comprehend God's actions when we are going through grief, but we should trust that what he has for us are more meaningful than what we can imagine.

Job 19-20

Job still thinks that these bad encounters are not because of him doing wrong deeds. He feels that these are induced by God. Hope has been taken away from him. (19:1-10) We are told he is righteous enough to say this, but it sounds awfully similar to people complaining the bad things they go through and say God left them. Surely, they are not righteous as Job is!

Psalms 27-29

• Steadfast faith in God, tries to live with him (27:4) and trust God will look after him (v5)
• He knows he will be delivered from the enemies and has a heart to give thanks (v6)
• Very encouraging to learn off David especially when we are weak and are surrounded by temptations

• God will protect and is the rock, the foundation. (28:1-3)
• Trust God judges fairly. (v4-5)

The LORD is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to him.

-- Psalms 28:7

Ruth

• Ruth was very loyal to mother-in-law. Although Naomi did not want them to be widows forever, Ruth chose to stay (1:16) Declares the true God as her God

• Ruth a hard worker (2:7)
• Boaz provides Ruth despite she is a foreigner (v8-10)
• Ruth is protected from danger (v22)

• Ruth trusts what mother in law says (3:5)
• This is supposed to be very great loyalty to marry Boaz (v10)

Genesis 36-39

• Geneology of Esau (Edom) - Chapter 36

• Brothers jealous of Joseph (37:4)
• Joseph was given a vision to rule over his brothers (v5-8)
• This time in another dream, he finds himself ruling even his parents. (v9-10)
• "Here I am." (Isaiah said that to God - v13)
• They plot to kill Joseph (v14-20)
• Reuben repented at the last minute (v21)
• Made a plan to say he was killed by animal (v22-33)
• He was sold to Egypt (v36)

• Chapter 38 had the biggest immoral and inter-relationship issues.

• Joseph has all this respect and power given to him. He is handsome but he does not abuse the powers given to him and sin against God. Notice he fears God more than not being accountable to his master. He he is accountable to God, he will be accountable to his master. (39:1-9)
• Joseph was framed in raping master's wife (v14) and put in prison (v20)
• Joseph has lived a testimony to affect the guard's life next to him (v21), and was given power (v22)

Week 10

Mon 30 Jun 2008	Genesis 36-39
Tue 01 Jul 2008	Ruth
Wed 02 Jul 2008	Psalms 27-29
Thu 03 Jul 2008	Job 19-20
Fri 04 Jul 2008	Isaiah 51-55
Sat 05 Jul 2008	Matthew 26-28
Sun 06 Jul 2008	1Corinthians 3-4

1 Corinthians 1-2

• Called by the will of God. God made the decision (1:1)
• Grace and peace from God (v3)
• Thanksgiving nature for what God has given (v4-6)
• Who will sustain to the end (v8) - assurance that God will be there with us in every moment
• No division within a church (v10). Paul explains there is no division in the body of Christ so no division in the church (v12-13)
• Wisdom cannot in beyond God's thinking or his plan (v19-22)

• Paul may have delivered a respectable speech, but he humbles himself and honours God for using the spirit to guide him (2:4)
• God's wisdom is not our wisdom, otherwise Jesus would not have been crucified (v6-8)
• And God's wisdom is revealed through the spirit (v10), because the spirit is from him and no one can understand him better but through himself.
• So it is not our wisdom who teaches us but through the Holy Spirit (v13)

Ruth

When reading Ruth, I realise how a faithful, happy family can experience unfortunate event and how this unfortunate event can be the beginning of a blessing.

From how Ruth takes care of Naomi, I can imagine she is a faithful woman who is loyal to her family. The death of Naomi's husband and the two sons is perhaps the worst thing which could have happened in Naomi and Ruth's life. Unfortunate event brings a lot of sadness to the happy family (Naomi calls herself Mara).

However, this seemingly unfortunate event could be the beginning of a blessing. Ruth continues to be loyal to Naomi and obedience to God after her husband is dead. She meets Boaz and eventually becomes the grandmother of one of the great kings, David; and the ancestors of the Saviour and the Lord, Jesus. How great is that blessing!

As I think about this, I am really encouraged by Ruth that, while we may be facing the most unfortunate, the worst thing in our life, we can never imagine how God will turn it around.

Matthew 23-25

• Jesus says what the Pharisees say is right, but don't follow their actions, because they do not live what they teach. Jesus wants us to live God's teaching, not just speak of it. It all comes from the heart (23:2-3)
• They tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear, but they are not willing to take on these burdens. (v4) Consistent with the fact that Jesus wants us to carry our cross.
• They do it just for people to see them. So they can earn people's respect. (v5) not to please God.
• There is only one leader (whether it be called rabbi, teacher, father, or instructor), and he is Christ Jesus. It's wrong to have other religious leaders leading on earth. (v7-10)
• And he is there to serve (v11), for "Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted" (v12)
• Proselytes are supposed to be very bad? (v15)
• Jesus says that the scribes and pharisees have missed the point. They go so much into the details and forget what the source of 'sacredness' comes from(v16-21)
• Jesus says they are good on the outside, but bad on the inside by comparing them with the insides of cups and plates (v25-26)
• So you also outwardly appear righteous to others, but within you are full of hpyocrisy and lawlessness. (v28) and describes them as serpents and brood of vipers.

• Foretells the fall in the temple. (24:2)

Signs of Closing of Age

• v7: Nation will rise against nation - wars we have, Iraq, Afghanistan; Famines and Earthquakes (China)
• v9: Christian persecution
• v10: Betraying one another and hate one another - selfish society - self-centred
• v11: All the leaders of different religions ...
• v12: People leaving the Christian faith - more secular society, what do we get? Divorces, one-night stands, selfishness, irresponsible unplanned births ...
• v13: Promise that God will save us if we hold on to the end.
• v14: Gospel reaching the world before the end

• But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son,but the Father only. (v36)
• Jesus' second coming is like Noah and the Flood coming when no one expected! (v37-39)
• Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect. (v44)

• The servant not only doubts the Master allocating money for the servants to invest according to their capabilities, accuses that he is a hard man, and reaps where he did not sow! (25:24-25), said he was "afraid", but was he? If he was, he would have listened to the Master and did as he was told.
• Master asks how could he come to such conclusion (v26)?

Week 9

This week in Matthew 23-25 there is a topic on the end of this age and when Jesus will return as well as on who will get into Heaven and who will be thrown into hell.

This reminds us "No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son,[f] but only the Father” and the return of Christ will be like the ‘Days of Noah’ where the whole earth was flooded with water and there was warning of this coming beforehand but no one listens!! What it is saying here is, now that Jesus has warned us about what will happen before end of the age and how there will be signs when that day is getting closer and closer. This passage followed by the parables of the 10 virgins – illustrates those who are lazy to fill up the oil for their lamp came knocking on the door of Heaven and asked to be accepted by God will be rejected - 'I tell you the truth, I don't know you’.

Let us listen and repent and get ourselves ready before that day arrive and not foolishly think there are still time and the master will be late in arrival.

Isaiah 45-50

I am the LORD, and there is no other, besides me there is no God; I equip you, though you do not know me, that people may know, from the rising of the sun and from the west, that there is none besides me; I am the LORD, and there is no other. I form light and create darkness, I make well-being and create calamity, I am the LORD, who does all these things.

-- Isaiah 45:5-7

• God is the one and only creator. He will be there to guide us. He has made everything so that we may discover, find and know him.
• Again, compares us as the clay and God as the potter. (V9)
• A general chapter on God being righteous and will save Israel.

"Listen to me, you stubborn of heart, you who are far from righteousness: I bring near my righteousness; it is not far off, and my salvation will not delay; I will put salvation in Zion, for Israel my glory." (46:12-13)

• Prophecy that no one will escape God's wrath and Judgment? (47:1-3)
• Knowledge will not get you saved. (v10)
• Foretells that those that have magical powers will end up being powerless (v11-15)

• God's assurance that he has not forgotten us. (49:15) A mother who gives birth to a child would not forget to nurture, but even if they ever happen to, God wouldn't forget us in any event!
• We are engraved into the palm of God's hands. (v16)

Job 17-18

• Job is still so confident that he has done no wrong although his case is very weak (17:3) Is this arrogant, or is he so perfect he is confident about his own faith? I mean for us we would naturally think whether we did something rather than blaming others as we are not perfect.

• Frustrations of Job's friends not understanding and them not understanding Job (18:3)

Psalms 24-26

• Acknowledges God is the creator (24:1-2)
• Askes who can be with the Lord? (v3) Those who are clean, righteous, and have heart after God (v4-6)

• Place his trust in God (25:2)
• Humbler himself for God to show him directions (v4-5, 9)
• Askes for forgiveness (v11)

• David has so confident in his own faith he believes he has asked the Lord to test him out (26:1-3)

Genesis 32-35

• Jacob is afraid about returning to Esau, probably because what he had done to Esau in the past (32:8)
• He immediately prays to God about his worries (v9-11), but remembers God's promises that his generations beyond are countless (v12). Jacob, like up are also weak. If we fully trust God will deliver, will we fear?
• Who is this man? (v24) Why can he bless? (v26) and ask him to change his name to Israel?(v28)

• Israel bows in front of Esau 7 times (33:3) because of the bad things he has done to Esau in the past.
• Esau shows qualities of forgiveness, and love. (v4) Two brothers who now share a lord-servant relationship?

• Is this revenge approved by God? It is just to kill all males? (34:25)

• Why rename twice? (35:9-10)

Week 9

Mon 23 Jun 2008	Genesis 32-35
Tue 24 Jun 2008	Judges 17-21
Wed 25 Jun 2008	Psalms 24-26
Thu 26 Jun 2008	Job 17-18
Fri 27 Jun 2008	Isaiah 45-50
Sat 28 Jun 2008	Matthew 23-25
Sun 29 Jun 2008	1Corinthians 1-2

Week 8

In Matthew 20 it talks about the parable of workers in the Vineyard.
This story tells its not about how long you have been a Christian that judges the right to go into heaven and be rewarded.
It could be someone who becomes a Christian 40 years later than you and be accepted into heaven.
It is up to God to judge who deserve to go to heaven and who don’t!

In Matthew 22 another parable about the Kingdom of heaven, it tells “For many are invited, but few are chosen”. V14
This remind me a friend of mine who believes Jesus has died on the cross but she never wanted to attend church or read the bible or bear any fruits for Christ.
My other friend said, “well, I can see that she believes in God and I don’t see why she doesn’t get to go to heaven.”

And if we read what Matthew 21: 43 saids “Therefore I tell you that the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people who will produce its fruit.”

What do you think your answer will be if that friend of mine comes to you to ask if she could get into heaven but she is lazy to go to church and not interested in reading the bible?
And of course….God is a righteous, He judges us on different circumstances too. For example a terminally ill person who becomes a Christian the night before he died could get to go to heaven (provide he truly believes!) and that goes back to Matthew 20 the parables of workers in the Vineyard.

Romans 15-16

• As children of Christ, Paul tells us we are strong (15:1), and our purpose is not there to please our own desires.
  
• We are to lead a good example and to bring the weak to become strong too (v2)
• Christ is our perfect example (v3)
• God's words bring hope (v4)
  
• This hope is opened for both Jews and Gentiles (v8-9)
• We are challenged and reminded by Paul that Gospel sharing is not just stagnating at places where the gospel has been heard. We must reach out to the places where the gospel has not been heard (v19-21)

• Greet fellow brothers and sisters. Don't neglect them! Paul used 16 verses to acknowledge their hard work! (16:1-16)
• Be strong and know when people are teaching contrary to the true doctrine (v17) and be wise to what is good and evil! (v19)
  

Matthew 20-22

• Master, God is the owner. He agrees to give one denarius for labourers (20:2)
• He promised 'whatever is right I will give you' (v4)
• Ends up giving the labourers who worked only 1 hour one denarius also. The first labourers show discontent. (v12) They are not content with what they are given. They did not realise it is them who agreed to whatever the master was going to give in v2. They failed to acknowledge who was the one going to give. (v13)
• Jesus foretells his death third time (v17-19)
• Mother of sons of Zebedee asking something she does not know what she is asking for: sitting on the right hand side of Jesus. Jesus explains he has come to serve, not to rule, so he cannot decide, but God the Father is the one who decides (v20-28)

• Jesus furious because of people turning the temple, a house of prayer to a market place, den of robbers (21:12-13)
• Everyone was amazed with Jesus performing miracles.
• Why did Jesus curse the tree just because it did not have fruit as and when he needed food? Does that have a meaning on our lives? (v18-19)
• Have faith and it will be done. Ask in prayer and you will receive, if you have faith (v21-22)
• Chief priests tried to set a trap for Jesus (v23), but Jesus out smarted them by getting them to answer his question first (v24). From the thoughts in v25-26, it appears the priests know they are stuffed, but they choose not to humble themselves and say they are wrong. In the end they do not get what they want (v27)
• Jesus sees their heart and addresses the issue, saying prostitutes and tax collectors who repent will get into heaven before the priests, who says they will go (v30b), but dont end up doing the will of God. Those that say without the heart will not get there.
  
• Parable of the tenants (v33-46)

• Parable of the Wedding Feast (22:1-14)
• God has chosen but they refuse to answer his call - Jews?
• They treat the prophets badly or ignored them
• God destroys the cities
• What is the selection criteria (v9)? It does not seem to show what the criteria is.
  
• What is evident though, that not everyone seems to make it into heaven. The man 'without the wedding garment' was refused entry (v11-14). What does the wedding garment symbolise? Was the fact that the servants went out (v10) meant that they were invited through an invitation of the gospel. The man without the garment did not accept such invitation of the gospel?
  
• Paying taxes to Caesar (v15-22) - they wanted to trap him by getting Jesus to say stuff the Roman government, but he did not do that. Pay Caesar what is his and pay God what belongs to God!
• The greatest commandment:

You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbour as yourself. On these two cammandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.

-- Matthew 22:37-40

• Jesus declares that he is there before David, so Christ is not son of David. (v41-46)
  

Isaiah 40-44

• Is this section prophesising the coming of Christafter much punishment of Jerusalem?
• "In the wilderness prepare the way of the LORD; make straight in the desert a highway for our God (40:3),
• Get you up to a high mountain, O Zion, herald of good news; lift up your voice with strength, O Jerusalem, herald of good news; lift it up, fear not; say to the cities of Judah, "Behold your God!" (v9)
• Shepherd (v11)
• but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint. (v31)

• God protects (40:13-15)
• God provides (v17) - is this still prophesising Jesus providing the "living water"?

• He will not cry aloud or lift up his voice, or make it heard in the street; (42:2) Is this the reason why Jesus tells people not to make huge noise after performing miracles?
• Hear, you deaf, and look, you blind, that you may see! (v18) Listen if you have ears
• God says there will be many who will be stubborn (v20)

You are my witnesses," declares the LORD, "and my servant whom I have chosen, that you may know and believe me and understand that I am he. Before me no god was formed, nor shall there be any after me.
11 I, I am the LORD, and besides me there is no savior.
12 I declared and saved and proclaimed, when there was no strange god among you; and you are my witnesses," declares the LORD, "and I am God.
13 Also henceforth I am he; there is none who can deliver from my hand; I work, and who can turn it back?"

-- Isaiah 43:10-13

• I, I am he who blots out your transgressions for my own sake, and I will not remember your sins. (v25)

Psalms 21-23

• Submitting your life to him (21:4)
• His name is glorified through you (v5)
• Don't stray (v7)
• The Lord will take care of the enemies (v9-11)

• Times where God seems so far (22:1-2)
• Still acknowledges Him and reminds that we are to trust Him and He delivers (v3-5)
• Feeling of vulnerability (v12-13)
• But we should all turn to the Lord, the one who has ultimate rule over the earth (27-31)

Psalms 23
1 A Psalm of David. The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters.
3 He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
4 Even 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.
5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

Genesis 28-31

• Jacob gets blessed directly by God Himself,assures that the blessing handed down through Isaac is true. (28:13-15)
• One-tenth offering (v20-22)

• Jacob finds the guy who Isaac told him to find in 28:5 (29:4)
• So warm hearted the relatives of Jacob (v11-14)
• Proposed to marry Rachel, the more beautiful one in form and appearance (v17) in v18. V21 he takes wife. Notice he hasn't married but calls her give me my wife already (v21)
• Wedding feast (v22)
• Dad gives the wrong daughter to Jacob (v23)
• Were they both so drunk that neither knew the mistake? Was dad intentional? We find out Isaac was deceived in v25
• V26 , excuse or true? Why didn't he explain this tradition to Isaac when he proposed 7years ago?

• Gives Rachel to him ultimately (v27)
• God is just, now that both are Isaac's wives, he should not have unequal treatments. (v30-31)
• V32-35: each son with a different name to tell the feelings of the mother at different times! Notice the change from complaints to thanksgiving attitude. Has Leah grown spiritually? Or has she just been treated better by the husband because Rachel bore no children and Leah ultimately got better treatment as a result?

• Just envy, no love. Envy brought unreasonableness (30:1-2)
• To secure her position as wife she was prepared to let husband have sex with the servant? As if sharing your husband with your sister was not enough! (v3)
• And husband actually did it! (v4)
• Look at her naming policies, they are all envious ones. (v6,8)
• Now Leah is also bringing her slave on! (v9- 13)
• For whatever Leah has, Rachel needs to also have, even mandrakes? Can't they 23 content for once? (v14)
• Love as an exchange for mandrakes. What pathetic view is this? Buy-back husband for the night regime. (v15)
• How does God put up with this relationship and still bless them! Is this all to honour His promise of Isaac having a properous nation? (v17-21)
• Laban had deal to give Jacob some livestock but Jacob was being sly about this plan to take all of Laban's stronger stock. (v28-43)
• Laban was selfish too and drove away all the livestock that Jacob was supposed to get.

• Why is he blaming Laban for not looking after him when he was being cheeky? (31:2,5)

Week 6 & 7

Sorry for being absence for about two weeks.

不過仍然要感謝神, 讓我在考試期間依然可以按365godsword的schedule讀聖經 (雖然.. 我時時都比預定的schedule慢了一兩天...)

沒有blog的這段期間, 我用簿寫下了我讀聖經時的感受. 但上載需時, 請原諒我暫時不貼新post!

Fellow 365 teammates, 'add oil' hehe...

Week 8

Mon 16 Jun 2008	Genesis 28-31
Tue 17 Jun 2008	Judges 12-16
Wed 18 Jun 2008	Psalms 21-23
Thu 19 Jun 2008	Job 15-16
Fri 20 Jun 2008	Isaiah 40-44
Sat 21 Jun 2008	Matthew 20-22
Sun 22 Jun 2008	Romans 15-16

Romans 13-14

• We cannot ignore the authorities governing our day and age even if we have become a Christian (13:1-2)
• We must also live an accountable life during our stay here under the authorities as everything is under God's rule. There is no fear if you have not done something wrong (v3-7)
• We are reminded the source of not doing wrong is love. If we love, it could not be wrong or hurt anyone. (v9-10)

• Evangelising tip: Don't have heated arguments, just open your invitation to them (14:1- 2) and don't make fusses about little differences (v3)

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.