THE PURPOSE OF FASTING

Matthew 17:14-21, Matthew 6:16-18

[A] – ACCEPT / RECEIVE GOD’S WORD:
I will direct my heart and mind to meditate on today’s Word of God. But first I will pray that today’s Word is able to change my life.

Matthew 17:14-21

Jesus Heals a Demon-Possessed Boy

¹⁴ At the foot of the mountain, a large crowd was waiting for them. A man came and knelt before Jesus and said, ¹⁵ “Lord, have mercy on my son. He has seizures and suffers terribly. He often falls into the fire or into the water. ¹⁶ So I brought him to your disciples, but they couldn’t heal him.”

¹⁷ Jesus said, “You faithless and corrupt people! How long must I be with you? How long must I put up with you? Bring the boy here to me.” ¹⁸ Then Jesus rebuked the demon in the boy, and it left him. From that moment the boy was well.

¹⁹ Afterward the disciples asked Jesus privately, “Why couldn’t we cast out that demon?”

²⁰ “You don’t have enough faith,” Jesus told them. “I tell you the truth, if you had faith even as small as a mustard seed, you could say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it would move. Nothing would be impossible.”

Matthew 6:16-18

¹⁶ “And when you fast, don’t make it obvious, as the hypocrites do, for they try to look miserable and disheveled so people will admire them for their fasting. I tell you the truth, that is the only reward they will ever get. ¹⁷ But when you fast, comb your hair and wash your face. ¹⁸ Then no one will notice that you are fasting, except your Father, who knows what you do in private. And your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.

[C] – CONTEMPLATE / MEDITATE ON:
I believe that the Lord is speaking to me through His word. Therefore I will respond to it earnestly so that I will experience transformations in both my mind and character.
1. Why did Jesus ask the disciples to fast? [Matthew 17:21]

2. What are the wrong motivations in fasting [meditate on Matthew 6:16-18]

[T] – TAKE ACTION / APPLY:
Today I will protect myself from the lusts and things that try to pollute my thoughts.

DECLARATION OF GOD’S WORD:
Declare James 5:16, “Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.”

[S] – SHARE / STRENGTHEN:
I pray an agreement prayer with my family.

LESSON:

Jesus taught the disciples to take up fasting. He said: “When you fast…” (Matthew 6:16). Fasting is one form of spiritual disciplines that is normally done by restraining oneself from consuming food and water for a certain period of time; it’s usually done for a certain moment or situation. These days there are many forms of fasting: some fast from food and water from morning till the evening, while others only fast from food. There are those who fast from certain kind of food (e.g. salt or meat). There are those who fast themselves from going online, instead spending their time reading the Bible or having quite time.

What’s important of all is the determination and purpose of fasting; that is to draw near to God, to hone one’s sensitivity to God’s presence, and to control oneself from any fleshy desires. Therefore, don’t fast for wrong reasons/motivations (due to peer pressure, church’s obligations, or, worse still, to lose weight). If it’s done right, fasting produces God’s power. Fasting is the form of act of self-humiliating before the Lord, praying fervently, repenting, and seeking God’s will.

Tuesday, 9 February 2010

FASTING AND REPENTANCE
Jonah 3:1-10

[A] – ACCEPT / RECEIVE GOD’S WORD:
I will direct my heart and mind to meditate on today’s Word of God. But first I will pray that today’s Word is able to change my life.

Jonah 3:1-10

Jonah Goes to Nineveh

¹ Then the Lord spoke to Jonah a second time: ² “Get up and go to the great city of Nineveh, and deliver the message I have given you.”

³ This time Jonah obeyed the Lord’s command and went to Nineveh, a city so large that it took three days to see it all. ⁴ On the day Jonah entered the city, he shouted to the crowds: “Forty days from now Nineveh will be destroyed!” ⁵ The people of Nineveh believed God’s message, and from the greatest to the least, they declared a fast and put on burlap to show their sorrow.

⁶ When the king of Nineveh heard what Jonah was saying, he stepped down from his throne and took off his royal robes. He dressed himself in burlap and sat on a heap of ashes. ⁷ Then the king and his nobles sent this decree throughout the city:

“No one, not even the animals from your herds and flocks, may eat or drink anything at all. ⁸ People and animals alike must wear garments of mourning, and everyone must pray earnestly to God. They must turn from their evil ways and stop all their violence. ⁹ Who can tell? Perhaps even yet God will change his mind and hold back his fierce anger from destroying us.”

¹⁰ When God saw what they had done and how they had put a stop to their evil ways, he changed his mind and did not carry out the destruction he had threatened.

[C] – CONTEMPLATE / MEDITATE ON:
I believe that the Lord is speaking to me through His word. Therefore I will respond to it earnestly so that I will experience transformations in both my mind and character.
1. Why did the Lord wanted to destroy Nineveh? What actions did the citizen of Nineveh take that brought them to restoration?

2. What about my own daily repentance? [Make the time to do self evaluation]

[T] – TAKE ACTION / APPLY:
Today I will fast from my favorite past times [Internet, shopping, food, watching TV, etc] and try to spend the time to pray and read the Bible.

DECLARATION OF GOD’S WORD:
Declare God’s word from Monday and also add James 4:8, “Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world.“

[S] – SHARE / STRENGTHEN:
I will share my commitment today with my believer friends and pray together in agreement prayers.

LESSON:
The fasting that we observe is indeed used by the Lord to bring us into true repentance. This repentance reflects our lives that are worthy of God’s heart and honoring the holiness of live. Therefore this repentance is not found in traditions or religious customs, but on true repentance. Joel 2:13 says, “Don’t tear your clothing in your grief, but tear your hearts instead.” What the Lord expects from us is a true heart that’s been ‘broken’; a heart that regrets all the past mistakes and sin, not a torn garment. This brings up the hope that through fasting, we can experience transformations, becoming wiser in dealing with struggles and problems that arise. When we’re fasting, we should be more loving and forgiving toward one another. Fasting can help us overcoming our mistakes, weaknesses and sin – and converting them to strengths. Fasting helps us to be more humble; purging the need to be proud, selfish, instead to care more for other people’s needs. Let us straighten our motivations so that our fasting can become more effective. During fasting, make sure we make the time to pray. A pray-less fasting is indeed a diet.

Wednesday, 10 February 2010

CROSS YOUR EGO

1 Corinthians 12:12-26

[A] – ACCEPT / RECEIVE GOD’S WORD:

I will direct my heart and mind to meditate on today’s Word of God. But first I will pray that today’s Word is able to change my life…

1 Corinthians 12:12-26

One Body with Many Parts

¹² The human body has many parts, but the many parts make up one whole body. So it is with the body of Christ. ¹³ Some of us are Jews, some are Gentiles, some are slaves, and some are free. But we have all been baptized into one body by one Spirit, and we all share the same Spirit.

¹⁴ Yes, the body has many different parts, not just one part. ¹⁵ If the foot says, “I am not a part of the body because I am not a hand,” that does not make it any less a part of the body. ¹⁶ And if the ear says, “I am not part of the body because I am not an eye,” would that make it any less a part of the body? ¹⁷ If the whole body were an eye, how would you hear? Or if your whole body were an ear, how would you smell anything?

¹⁸ But our bodies have many parts, and God has put each part just where he wants it. ¹⁹ How strange a body would be if it had only one part! ²⁰ Yes, there are many parts, but only one body. ²¹ The eye can never say to the hand, “I don’t need you.” The head can’t say to the feet, “I don’t need you.”

²² In fact, some parts of the body that seem weakest and least important are actually the most necessary. ²³ And the parts we regard as less honorable are those we clothe with the greatest care. So we carefully protect those parts that should not be seen, ²⁴ while the more honorable parts do not require this special care. So God has put the body together such that extra honor and care are given to those parts that have less dignity. ²⁵ This makes for harmony among the members, so that all the members care for each other. ²⁶ If one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it, and if one part is honored, all the parts are glad.

[C] – CONTEMPLATE / MEDITATE ON:
I will meditate on the verses above and answer the questions below honestly before the Lord:
1. what’s my role in the Body of Christ? What characters that ought to be avoided in order to maintain the unity?

2. What should I do to maintain the unity of the Body of Christ? [Verses 22-26]

[T] – TAKE ACTION / APPLY:
I will become motivators to my friends who are weak in faith.

DECLARATION OF GOD’S WORD:

Declare God’s word from Monday thru Tuesday, and add 1 Corinthians 1:10 – I appeal to you, dear brothers and sisters, by the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ, to live in harmony with each other. Let there be no divisions in the church. Rather, be of one mind, united in thought and purpose.

[S] – SHARE / STRENGTHEN:
I will pray in agreement with a friend from cell group with topics from our VIP prayer list and also for our own prayer topics.

LESSON:

In any ministry, ego can be a stumbling stone and the source of problem – self-appraisal, trying to show off, etc. Ministries are indeed the collections of different services. We will always be on dependency on others in our ministry. Paul illustrates the church as parts of the body – each with their own different functions and responsibilities – no one is more important than others. Therefore the main factor in ministering one another, is how we can put our ego aside and to show Christ in our lives.

Thursday, 11 February 2010
ANGER CONTROL

James 4:1-6

[A] – ACCEPT / RECEIVE GOD’S WORD:

I will direct my heart and mind to meditate on today’s Word of God. But first I will pray that today’s Word is able to change my life.

James 4:1-6

Drawing Close to God

¹ What is causing the quarrels and fights among you? Don’t they come from the evil desires at war within you? ² You want what you don’t have, so you scheme and kill to get it. You are jealous of what others have, but you can’t get it, so you fight and wage war to take it away from them. Yet you don’t have what you want because you don’t ask God for it. ³ And even when you ask, you don’t get it because your motives are all wrong—you want only what will give you pleasure.

⁴ You adulterers! Don’t you realize that friendship with the world makes you an enemy of God? I say it again: If you want to be a friend of the world, you make yourself an enemy of God. ⁵ What do you think the Scriptures mean when they say that the spirit God has placed within us is filled with envy? ⁶ But he gives us even more grace to stand against such evil desires. As the Scriptures say,

“God opposes the proud but favors the humble.”

[C] – CONTEMPLATE / MEDITATE ON:
I will meditate on the verses above and answer the questions below honestly before the Lord:
1. According to God’s word today, what causes the quarrels and fights among us?

2. How can I deal with the issue of jealousy? [Meditate on verses 1-3 and make the time for self-evaluations]

[T] – TAKE ACTION / APPLY:
I will not let my emotions affecting my speech or actions today.

DECLARATION OF GOD’S WORD:

Declare God’s word from Monday thru Wednesday, also add James 4:7, “So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”

[S] – SHARE / STRENGTHEN:
I will share what I get form today’s devotional to believer friends who are backsliding and start to bring them back to the Lord.

Today I will pray in agreement with my family with prayer topics from our VIP list.

LESSON:

The writer of James 4 dissected one of our roots to a deep issue: we’re often fall in our own evil desires – following our own ways and desires. If not met, our desires can blow into anger that hurt others and us. Yet though we get what we wanted, we often feel discontented.

It’s better for us to ask God to fulfill our desires through His own hands, His timing and His methods. It’s better for us to surrender our will to His and pray like Jesus did: Not my will, but your will, be done” (Luke 22:42).

It’s not good to always think about unfairness, trying to manage everything according to our own plan, or to let our emotions take over our decisions. Seeking pleasures by following our desires can bring up quarrels and fights – both to ourselves and to others (James 4:10).

Before our anger explodes, we can retrieve for a second and walk Him who cares and understands us more than we do and realize. We can vent our anger to Him and think about things together with Him.

We can plead Him to fulfill our needs according to His way. James wrote, “He gives us even more grace to stand against such evil desires” (verse 6).

Friday, 12 February 2010
BE CAREFUL WITH BUSYNESS

2 Timothy 3:1-7, 1 Corinthians 15:33

[A] – ACCEPT / RECEIVE GOD’S WORD:

I will direct my heart and mind to meditate on today’s Word of God. But first I will pray that today’s Word is able to change my life.

2 Timothy 3:1-7

The Dangers of the Last Days

¹ You should know this, Timothy, that in the last days there will be very difficult times. ² For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred. ³ They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good. ⁴ They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God. ⁵ They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that!

⁶ They are the kind who work their way into people’s homes and win the confidence of^[a] vulnerable women who are burdened with the guilt of sin and controlled by various desires. ⁷ (Such women are forever following new teachings, but they are never able to understand the truth.)

1 Corinthians 15:33

Don’t be fooled by those who say such things, for “bad company corrupts good character.

[C] – CONTEMPLATE / MEDITATE ON:
I will meditate on the verses above and answer the questions below honestly before the Lord:
1. what are the characteristics of the people in the last days (this century)? [Ponder on this issue and examine yourself if you think you might have one of the characteristics]

2. What’s God’s advice so that I will not sway from His way? [1 Corinthians 15:33] Make the time to evaluate your current relationship with the Lord.

[T] – TAKE ACTION / APPLY:
I will pray today for family members or friends that still live in sin.

DECLARATION OF GOD’S WORD:

Declare God’s word from Monday thru Thursday, also add 1 Corinthians 15:33, “Don’t be fooled by those who say such things, for “bad company corrupts good character.”

[S] – SHARE / STRENGTHEN:
I will pray in agreement with a friend from cell group with topics from our VIP prayer list and also for our own prayer topics.

LESSON:

Busy often becomes the closest word people use on their lives today. Many are trapped in their own busyness that gives them the excuses not to pray, read the Word, or help others.

At many places, quite often people struggle with time. As a result many don’t have the time for themselves, their family, or even God. Time is wasted. As the consequences, kids are going into rebellions and fighting for attentions. There’s a saying in Chinese language that explains the word busy as some kind of ‘dysfunctional heart’. Busyness often makes people to lose their sense of feeling. It steals what becomes the most precious in us – our sensitivity. Buy people lose their sensitivities over God’s presence and others. Worse still, busy people often become selfish – care less about others, but themselves.

Apostle Paul reminded one of His students, Timothy, about the conditions of mankind in the end times, where people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred (2 Timothy 3:2). As God’s children, we need to have the spiritual sensitivity in observing the sign of end times, so that we’ll not be trapped in the busyness that can bring us to spiritual paralyze.

Saturday, 13 February 2010
RESPONSE TO EVERY WARNING

1 Thessalonians 5:1-11

[A] – ACCEPT / RECEIVE GOD’S WORD:
I will ask the Holy Spirit to guide me in meditating on the Word of God so that I am able to experience an encounter with God, in His truth and experience change.

1 Thessalonians 5:1-11

¹Now, brothers, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, ²for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. ³While people are saying, “Peace and safety,” destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.

⁴But you, brothers, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief. ⁵You are all sons of the light and sons of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. ⁶So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be alert and self-controlled. ⁷For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night. ⁸But since we belong to the day, let us be self-controlled, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet. ⁹For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. ¹⁰He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. ¹¹Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.

[C] – CONTEMPLATE / MEDITATE ON:
I will meditate on the verses above and answer the questions below honestly before the Lord:
1. Have I ever suffered from doing good? What’s God’s advice today on sufferings? (Verse 17)

2. How can we love like in verses 8-11?

[T] – TAKE ACTION / APPLY:
Today I will carry all the tasks and responsibilities in prayers so that I will not fall into evil thoughts and actions.

DECLARATION OF GOD’S WORD:

Declare God’s word from Monday thru Friday, and also add 1 Thessalonians 5:9-10, “For God chose to save us through our Lord Jesus Christ, not to pour out his anger on us. 10 Christ died for us so that, whether we are dead or alive when he returns, we can live with him forever. “

[S] – SHARE / STRENGTHEN:
I will call or visit one person on my VIP list and do well to them.

AGREEMENT PRAYER:
I will pray today with my cell group friend and pray for the people on our VIP list.

LESSON:

When we believe one advice, our actions will be affected. This is valid for every part of our lives, including our spiritual walk.

Apostle Paul wrote to the believers in Thessalonica and reminded them that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night (1 Tess 5:2). He urged them to avoid spiritual conflicts and at the same time be alert, on the lookout and to have self control (verse 6). His challenges was to repeat what Jesus said to His disciples about the unknown nature of coming of the day of the Lord (Matt 24:44).

If we believe God’s word about his coming, how can that influence the way we think and act today?

Sunday, 14 February 2010
DON’T GIVE INTO THE DEVIL’S
Matthew 4:1-11

[A] – ACCEPT / RECEIVE GOD’S WORD:
I will direct my heart and mind to meditate on today’s Word of God. But first I will pray that today’s Word is able to change my life.

Matthew 4:1-11

The Temptation of Jesus

¹Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil. ²After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. ³The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”

⁴Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”

⁵Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. ⁶“If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written:
” ‘He will command his angels concerning you,
and they will lift you up in their hands,
so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’^[b]”

⁷Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’^[c]”

⁸Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. ⁹“All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.”

¹⁰Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’^[d]”

¹¹Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.

[C] – CONTEMPLATE / MEDITATE ON:
I will meditate on the verses above and answer the questions below honestly before the Lord:
1. How did Jesus face the temptations from the Devil?
2. What did the Devil do when he saw Jesus fought back using God’s word? [verse 11]

[T] – TAKE ACTION / APPLY:
Today I will say NO to every temptation to sin.

DECLARATION OF GOD’S WORD:

Declare God’s word from Monday thru Saturday, and also add 1 Corinthians 10:13, “The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.”

[S] – SHARE / STRENGTHEN:
I will share what I get from today’s devotional with one of my believer friends who are backsliding and pray in agreement prayer for them to be revived.

AGREEMENT PRAYER:
Today I will pray in agreement with my believer friends for America and God’s churches.

LESSON:

We can keep ourselves away from troubles by not giving into temptations or not letting our anger to take over us. We protect ourselves by not giving in. By not giving into lies, we keep ourselves from losing our self-honoring and wrong view about ourselves. By not giving into temptations of becoming greedy, we keep ourselves away from being discontented or dissatisfied. Yet the most important thing is that by not giving into temptations, it means that we’re pleasing God’s heart.

In every temptation, God provides solutions (1 Corinthians 10:13). You will find them by drawing near to Him and seeking His guidance in every moment.

LIVING IN THE KINGDOM OF GOD
BERJALAN BERSAMA TUHAN [WALK WITH GOD]

Monday, 1 February 2010
FAITH AND SUFFERING

John 20:1-11

[A] – ACCEPT / RECEIVE GOD’S WORD:
I will direct my heart and mind to meditate on today’s Word of God. But first I will pray that today’s Word is able to change my life.

John 20:1-11
The Resurrection

¹ Early on Sunday morning, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and found that the stone had been rolled away from the entrance. ² She ran and found Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved. She said, “They have taken the Lord’s body out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they have put him!”

³ Peter and the other disciple started out for the tomb. ⁴ They were both running, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. ⁵ He stooped and looked in and saw the linen wrappings lying there, but he didn’t go in. ⁶ Then Simon Peter arrived and went inside. He also noticed the linen wrappings lying there, ⁷ while the cloth that had covered Jesus’ head was folded up and lying apart from the other wrappings. ⁸ Then the disciple who had reached the tomb first also went in, and he saw and believed—⁹ for until then they still hadn’t understood the Scriptures that said Jesus must rise from the dead. ¹⁰ Then they went home.

Jesus Appears to Mary Magdalene

¹¹ Mary was standing outside the tomb crying, and as she wept, she stooped and looked in.

[C] – CONTEMPLATE / MEDITATE ON:
I will meditate on the verses above and answer the questions below honestly before the Lord:

1. What is produced by the trials and sufferings that happen in my life? Do these things make me to love God more or withdraw from Him?
2. Meditate on verses 3-11, these verses can strengthen our faith in Christ despite all the trials/sufferings/tribulations in life.

[T] – TAKE ACTION / APPLY:
Every time negative thoughts and feelings start to take over me, I will declare God’s word from Romans 5:8, “But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.”

[S] – SHARE / STRENGTHEN:
I will share what I got from today’s devotional from one of my family members and pray in agreement with them with our VIP prayer topics and also for other topics from our family members.

AGREEMENT PRAYER:
Today I will pray in an agreement prayer with my believer friend with topics from our VIP list and our own.

LESSON:
We often rely our faith on others’ when we’re in the midst of other believers, affirming ourselves with God’s promises. Yet, when we’re in the midst of unbelievers, our faith starts to sink and we no longer posses the boldness to declare ourselves as His followers. When we fail to plant our faith in the Lord, then the values that come from this world –the media, popular opinions, and tribulations– will become the foundation the way we think, act, and speak. Trials and tribulations are always going to be part of our lives while we’re on this earth. Yet for those who posses a strong foundation in their faith, trials and sufferings, and even blessings can blur our vision and steps. Yet when our faith toward the Lord is continually cultivated through the reading of God’s word and fellowshipping with other believers, then those trials and tribulations can further strengthen our faith and loyalty toward Christ.

Tuesday, 2 February 2010
DO NOT DEVIATE TO THE LEFT AND TO THE RIGHT

Joshua 1:1-9

[A] – ACCEPT / RECEIVE GOD’S WORD:
I will direct my heart and mind to meditate on today’s Word of God. But first I will pray that today’s Word is able to change my life.

Joshua 1:1-9

The Lord’s Charge to Joshua

¹ After the death of Moses the Lord’s servant, the Lord spoke to Joshua son of Nun, Moses’ assistant. He said, ² “Moses my servant is dead. Therefore, the time has come for you to lead these people, the Israelites, across the Jordan River into the land I am giving them. ³ I promise you what I promised Moses: ‘Wherever you set foot, you will be on land I have given you—⁴ from the Negev wilderness in the south to the Lebanon mountains in the north, from the Euphrates River in the east to the Mediterranean Sea^[ in the west, including all the land of the Hittites.’ ⁵ No one will be able to stand against you as long as you live. For I will be with you as I was with Moses. I will not fail you or abandon you.

⁶ “Be strong and courageous, for you are the one who will lead these people to possess all the land I swore to their ancestors I would give them. ⁷ Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the instructions Moses gave you. Do not deviate from them, turning either to the right or to the left. Then you will be successful in everything you do. ⁸ Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do. ⁹ This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

[C] – CONTEMPLATE / MEDITATE ON:
I will meditate on the verses above and answer the questions below honestly before the Lord:

1. What does it mean by deviating to the left and to the right [draw examples from your personal experiences]
2. What’s God’s advice on this issue? [read verses 6-9 audibly]

[T] – TAKE ACTION / APPLY:
Today I will guard my mouth from any negative words and declare God’s word from Joshua 1:9: “This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

[S] – SHARE / STRENGTHEN:
I will share what I got from today’s devotional from one of my family members and pray in agreement with them with our VIP prayer topics and also for other topics from our family members.

LESSON:
Faith means to believe what the word says and actions and speech should follow what we believe in. If our faith says that we believe in Christ, we need to be in agreement that we believe what He does for us – forgiveness and eternal salvation; we believe in His promises and do our part. One simple thing we can do to test our true believe in Christ is to evaluate our speech. Do we keep on believing, even when we’re in the midst of unbelievers? Do we still remain faithful toward God’s word, though we’re faced with the situations opposite from what we believe?

This is called the test of faith, especially when we’re left alone, while others have turned their faces away from God and found other outlets, therefore, God’s message for us: not to sway to the left or to the right. This means that the straight way might be uncomfortable, narrow or even take a long time and there might be other short cuts that look better. When our heart becomes cold, doubtful, and bitter, God’s message for us is: Do not forget to declare God’s word, meditate on it every day, so that our actions will not sway. As the result, we will reach God’s promises, successful, and blessed [verse 8].

The less often we declare and meditate on God’s word, the more difficult we’ll gain our faith and become obedient toward Him.

Wednesday, 3 February 2010
WHEN FAITH STARTS TO SHAKE

Acts 7:54-60, Hebrews 13:1-3

[A] – ACCEPT / RECEIVE GOD’S WORD:
I will direct my heart and mind to meditate on today’s Word of God. But first I will pray that today’s Word is able to change my life.

Acts 7:54-60
⁵⁴ The Jewish leaders were infuriated by Stephen’s accusation, and they shook their fists at him in rage. ⁵⁵ But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed steadily into heaven and saw the glory of God, and he saw Jesus standing in the place of honor at God’s right hand. ⁵⁶ And he told them, “Look, I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing in the place of honor at God’s right hand!”

⁵⁷ Then they put their hands over their ears and began shouting. They rushed at him ⁵⁸ and dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. His accusers took off their coats and laid them at the feet of a young man named Saul.

⁵⁹ As they stoned him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” ⁶⁰ He fell to his knees, shouting, “Lord, don’t charge them with this sin!” And with that, he died.

Hebrews 13:1-3

Concluding Words

¹ Keep on loving each other as brothers and sisters. ² Don’t forget to show hospitality to strangers, for some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it! ³ Remember those in prison, as if you were there yourself. Remember also those being mistreated, as if you felt their pain in your own bodies.

[C] – CONTEMPLATE / MEDITATE ON:
I believe that the Lord is speaking to me through His word. Therefore I will respond to It earnestly so that I will experience transformations in both my mind and character.

1. what’s Stephen’s response toward the persecutions that’s directed against him? What’s his attitude toward those who hurt him? Conduct self-evaluation on your response towards problems.
2. What does it mean by preserving the brotherly love? How can I put this into practice in my household, school, and workplace or even in church?

[T] – TAKE ACTION / APPLY:
Today I will pay attentions to the need of others more than my own need.

DECLARATION OF GOD’S WORD:
Declare God’s word from Monday to Tuesday, and also add 1 Peter 1:22: “You were cleansed from your sins when you obeyed the truth, so now you must show sincere love to each other as brothers and sisters. Love each other deeply with all your heart.”

[S] – SHARE / STRENGTHEN:
I will share my commitment today with friends from my cell group and pray in agreement.

LESSON:
Stephen’s death, a first martyr, is documented in Acts 7. During his time, persecutions toward the believers were becoming more real. It all began with the threats toward Apostle Peter and John in Acts 4 and 5. Then it was followed by Stephen’s death sentence. Yet, they’re all surrendered to it, even felt, contented by these incidents (Acts 5:41). How so? This was possibly contributed by solid assurance of their faith in Christ. This assurance rose up in them as they’ve seen God’s wondrous works for their lives. In our day-to-day lives as believers, there are moments when our faith weakens. We start to wonder about God’s existence – His love, live, death and His resurrection, and so on. In time like this, let us meditate on the lives of the martyrs, such as Stephen’s. Would they be so willingly to be put to death, had it not because of their assurance on their own faith [also as well as ours] to be that solid?

Hebrews 13:1-3 encourages us to cultivate our sympathy and solidarity toward other believers. There are people, like us, who can exercise their faith freely and peacefully, yet there are also believers out there that are experiencing trials and persecutions as a result of their faith/believes. As one body in Christ, supposedly it’s a natural thing for us to offer support to each other, as Apostle Paul put it in 1 Cor 12:26: “If one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it, and if one part is honored, all the parts are glad.” Make the time today to support your believer friends who are suffering so that they will gain strength in bearing their sufferings.

Thursday, 4 February 2010
EVERY STEP CARRIES A PURPOSE

Genesis 5:21-24, Hebrews 11:5-6

[A] – ACCEPT / RECEIVE GOD’S WORD:
I will direct my heart and mind to meditate on today’s Word of God. But first I will pray that today’s Word is able to change my life.

Genesis 5:21-24
²¹ When Enoch was 65 years old, he became the father of Methuselah. ²² After the birth of Methuselah, Enoch lived in close fellowship with God for another 300 years, and he had other sons and daughters. ²³ Enoch lived 365 years, ²⁴ walking in close fellowship with God. Then one day he disappeared, because God took him.

Hebrews 11:5-6

⁵ It was by faith that Enoch was taken up to heaven without dying—“he disappeared, because God took him.” For before he was taken up, he was known as a person who pleased God. ⁶ And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.

[C] – CONTEMPLATE / MEDITATE ON:
I will ponder on the questions below and self-reflect.

1. What does it mean by “fellowshipping with God”? Take you time today to meditate on this.
2. What’s the connection between faith and my fellowship with God?

[T] – TAKE ACTION / APPLY:
I will testify about God’s goodness with one of my friends who is not a believer.

DECLARATION OF GOD’S WORD:
Declare God’s word from Monday thru Wednesday, also add Hebrews 11:6, “And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.”

[S] – SHARE / STRENGTHEN:
I will pray for the leaders of this country, leaders of the church, and family with faith and in agreement prayers.

LESSON:

Those who want to live a healthy, less stressful live, or trying to lose some weight can find that walking is the most effective exercise. Health experts was first to announce the importance of 10,000 steps a day, which was first implement by the Japanese. Then this philosophy was adopted by other countries. The experts recommended to us that we should be taking these steps slowly, but not forgetting that every step matters.

But what’s more important is our spiritual health through walking [fellowshipping] with the Lord. The Bible has many examples on this issue. “Enoch got to live and walk with the Lord for the next 300 years” (Genesis 5:22) “Noah was a righteous man before the Lord (Gen 6:9). Both men were praised in Hebrews 11 for their excellent faith. “For Enoch was known as a person who pleased God” (verse 5), and “Noah received the righteousness that comes by faith” (verse 7).

We need to watch our steps when walking with the Lord so that we will not walk past him or trail behind. Along the way, we communicate with him, listen to Him, and enjoy his presence. We trust His leadership whenever we can’t see what lies before our eyes. Our goals no only comprise of our purpose, but also our walk with Him.

Today is the best time to start walking with Him, for every step we take with Him matters.

Friday, 5 February 2010
ACTIONS MUST FOLLOW AFTER FAITH

Hebrews 2:17-24, Luke 11:46

[A] – ACCEPT / RECEIVE GOD’S WORD:
I will direct my heart and mind to meditate on today’s Word of God. But first I will pray that today’s Word is able to change my life.

Hebrews 2:17-24
¹⁷ Therefore, it was necessary for him to be made in every respect like us, his brothers and sisters, so that he could be our merciful and faithful High Priest before God. Then he could offer a sacrifice that would take away the sins of the people. ¹⁸ Since he himself has gone through suffering and testing, he is able to help us when we are being tested.

Luke 11:46

⁴⁶ “Yes,” said Jesus, “what sorrow also awaits you experts in religious law! For you crush people with unbearable religious demands, and you never lift a finger to ease the burden.

[C] – CONTEMPLATE / MEDITATE ON:
I will ponder on the questions below and self-reflect.

1. Which part of God’s commandments that I still need to carry out? What’s been holding me up?
2. Why is it important for me to do what I expect others to do to me? [verses 21-23]

[T] – TAKE ACTION / APPLY:
I will do good to people I meet today.

DECLARATION OF GOD’S WORD:

I will declare God’s word from Monday thru Thursday and also add James 1:22: “But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves.”

[S] – SHARE / STRENGTHEN:
I will share my testimonies on God’s miracles in my life to one person who is not a believer yet.

I will pray in agreement with my believer friend with prayer topics from out VIP prayer topics and also our other prayer topics.

LESSON:

Our character and daily actions reflect the true nature of who we are. It is important to put into practice what we know. It’s not how knowledgeable we’re with God’s word, but rather how well we carry those out into actions. People see our actions more than what we say about God’s word.

Mahatma Gandhi pioneered the people’s movement toward India’s independency from British’s rule. His Hindu teaching that’s been implemented deeply in His life and his political philosophy brought radical influences and revolutionized millions of citizens. Gandhi once showed some interests in becoming Christ’s follower. Because he’s attracted by Christ’s life and His teaching, he decided to attend a service at a church in Pretoria, South Africa. Yet, he later wrote, “I personally felt that the congregations gave him no impression of a believer, but a group of unbelievers who just attended church for recreation purposes and followed religious rituals as a customary.” He concluded that Christianity did not add any values to Hindu teaching. Therefore he decided not to become a Christian. He remain a Hindu, a lost soul, and so are his many followers.

Do we often act inappropriately like the congregations at the church in Pretoria? Is our obedient merely just a custom for us to build our social relationship? By seeing our quality of life and obedient toward Christ, do we bring impact toward the people around us to become interested in becoming Christ’s followers? Or the opposite happen? Do we seriously lead a Christian life according to what we believe? Do we put into actions what’s been taught to us? (Romans 2:21).

Saturday, 6 February 2010
SUFFERING FOR DOING GOOD
1 Peter 3:8-17

[A] – ACCEPT / RECEIVE GOD’S WORD:
I will ask the Holy Spirit to guide me in meditating on the Word of God so that I am able to experience an encounter with God, in His truth and experience change.

1 Peter 3:8-17

All Christians

⁸ Finally, all of you should be of one mind. Sympathize with each other. Love each other as brothers and sisters. Be tenderhearted, and keep a humble attitude. ⁹ Don’t repay evil for evil. Don’t retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has called you to do, and he will bless you for it. ¹⁰ For the Scriptures say,

“If you want to enjoy life
and see many happy days,
keep your tongue from speaking evil
and your lips from telling lies.
¹¹ Turn away from evil and do good.
Search for peace, and work to maintain it.
¹² The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right,
and his ears are open to their prayers.
But the Lord turns his face
against those who do evil.”

Suffering for Doing Good

¹³ Now, who will want to harm you if you are eager to do good? ¹⁴ But even if you suffer for doing what is right, God will reward you for it. So don’t worry or be afraid of their threats. ¹⁵ Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your Christian hope, always be ready to explain it. ¹⁶ But do this in a gentle and respectful way. Keep your conscience clear. Then if people speak against you, they will be ashamed when they see what a good life you live because you belong to Christ. ¹⁷ Remember, it is better to suffer for doing good, if that is what God wants, than to suffer for doing wrong!

[C] – CONTEMPLATE / MEDITATE ON:
I will meditate on the verses above and answer the questions below honestly before the Lord:

1. Have I ever experienced suffering for doing good things? What’s God’s advice today about suffering? (verse 17).
2. How can I start to love according to verses 8-11?

[T] – TAKE ACTION / APPLY:
I will guard my tongue from useless words.

DECLARATION OF GOD’S WORD:
Declare God’s word from Monday thru Friday and also add 1 Peter 3:15-17:” ¹⁵ Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your Christian hope, always be ready to explain it. ¹⁶ But do this in a gentle and respectful way. Keep your conscience clear. Then if people speak against you, they will be ashamed when they see what a good life you live because you belong to Christ. ¹⁷ Remember, it is better to suffer for doing good, if that is what God wants, than to suffer for doing wrong!”

[S] – SHARE / STRENGTHEN:
I will call and visit one person from my VIP list and do good to them.

AGREEMENT PRAYER:
I will pray an agreement prayer with my family to pray for the people on our VIP list.

LESSON:

Sufferings are not from God, but He sometimes allow those to happen in us so that we can draw wisdom and lessons from them; whether lessons in holiness, repentance, or about God Himself. Therefore, rather than crying or complaining, let us find what God’s will we can learn from our sufferings.

The Bible recorded that Job was a righteous man, worthy of praises from God himself (1:1). Yet Job had to undergo countless trials and tribulations – from his wealthy and healthy life to poor and ill life. He lost all of His children and left alone by his own wife. Why did he have t go through this? For God wanted to show him who He really was. Through sufferings, God wanted Job to know Him in deeper level. This what Job said in the end of the book? He said: “I had only heard about you before, but now I have seen you with my own eyes” (Job 42:5).

Sunday, 7 February 2010
TAKE PRIDE IN CHRIST
Romans 13:8-10, Ephesians 2:8-10

[A] – ACCEPT / RECEIVE GOD’S WORD:
I will direct my heart and mind to meditate on today’s Word of God. But first I will pray that today’s Word is able to change my life.

Romans 13:8-10
Love Fulfills God’s Requirements

⁸ Owe nothing to anyone—except for your obligation to love one another. If you love your neighbor, you will fulfill the requirements of God’s law. ⁹ For the commandments say, “You must not commit adultery. You must not murder. You must not steal. You must not covet.” These—and other such commandments—are summed up in this one commandment: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” ¹⁰ Love does no wrong to others, so love fulfills the requirements of God’s law.

Ephesians 2:8-10

⁸ God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. ⁹ Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. ¹⁰ For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.

[C] – CONTEMPLATE / MEDITATE ON:
I will meditate on the verse above and answer the questions below honestly before the Lord:

1. How can I put into practice the love toward others? [Romans 13:9-10]
2. What should I remember after I finish doing good? [Ephesians 2:9-10]

[T] – TAKE ACTION / APPLY:
I will share God’s deeds in my life to one person I meet today.

DECLARATION OF GOD’S WORD:

Declare God’s word from Monday thru Saturday, also add Ephesians 2:8, “God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God.”

[S] – SHARE / STRENGTHEN:
I will share what I get from today’s devotional with one of my believer friends who are backsliding and pray in agreement prayer for them to be revived.

LESSON:

When you dearly love someone, you expect the same desires and purpose from that person. The same thing with our heavenly Father. He loves you and longs for you to get involved in revealing His divine purposes. It doesn’t mean that He totally relies Himself on our ability, but His divine purpose in each and every one of us will not be fulfilled when without the collaborations form our end.

Sometimes we’re reluctant to emphasize this fact. We freely quote Ephesians 2:8-9, “⁸ God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. ⁹ Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.” We then skip verse 10 that explains about “Good works.” Apostle Paul tried to explain to us that good deeds will not able to bring us the salvation, but we’re saved so that we can do good deeds.

The Lord has prepared tasks for us to do and we’re His fellow workers (1 Corinthians 3:9). He has planned to bless others through you. He can do the things that others can’t. And, remember, that if He’s using you, give back all the glory to Him.