Focus!

Monday, December 1, 2008: Philippians 4:5

Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand.
Focus: how can we do this practically? Suggestion: pick one individual who bothers you and be gentle in dealing with that individual.

Tuesday, December 2, 2008: Philippians 4:6-7

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Paul separates emotions and thoughts. Focus: how can God’s peace guard both in us? Make sure you quickly pray when any kind of anxiety strikes today.

Wednesday, December 3, 2008: Philippians 4:8

Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.
Focus: why should we think about these things instead of TV shows? We carry their violence and betrayals into our workplace.

Thursday, December 4, 2008: Philippians 4:9

The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.
Focus: what is one example of doing things you have learned? Gentleness, anxiousness, thinking good thoughts, or anything else that applies this week.

Friday, December 5, 2008: Philippians 4:13

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Focus: what is one thing you can do through Christ today? Any personal answer is fine.

Tabernacle / Dwell

Monday, November 24, 2008: John 1:14

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.
{to fix one’s tabernacle, have one’s tabernacle, abide (or live) in a tabernacle (or tent)}
What is the implication of ‘dwelt’? He set up His tent of flesh on Earth to live with mankind. Dwell = tabernacle = set up a tent.

Tuesday, November 25, 2008: John 2:19–21

Jesus answered and said to them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.”
Then the Jews said, “It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and will You raise it up in three days?”
But He was speaking of the temple of His body.
What did the Jews fail to understand? Resurrection wasn’t conceivable then and still isn’t. But that’s exactly what the Lord was prophesying to them.

Wednesday, November 26, 2008: Hebrews 9:11–12

But Christ came as High Priest of the good things to come, with the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands, that is, not of this creation. Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption.
Why is Christ Jesus as a High Priest? After His ascension into heaven, He entered God’s the perfect tent and its inner holiest tent with His own blood as full payment for all sin!

Thursday, November 26, 2008: Happy Thanksgiving! Dwell in peace.

Friday, November 28, 2008: Revelation 21:3–4

And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”
How will a perfect God dwell with mankind? Those who accept the payment that Christ made on their behalf have all their sins washed away; they can and will dwell eternally with God.

Walk and War

Walk and War

Monday, November 17, 2008

Ephesians 4:1–2
I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love,

2 Corinthians 10:3
For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh.

What is the difference between our walk and our war? Our walk is in humility and love towards our fellow man; our war is not against flesh (and blood) but against powers of spiritual darkness.

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

Ephesians 4:3
endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

2 Corinthians 10:4
For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds,

How are our actions different in our walk and war? Our walk amidst other believers is to keep the Unity of the Spirit using the chords of peace to tie us together. Our Spiritual war (as a leaders) is to go on the offensive against the defense fortifications built by the Prince of wickedness in the minds of unbelievers among whom we live.

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Ephesians 4:4
There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling;

2 Corinthians 10:5a
casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God,

How is our thinking different in our walk and war? The Body of Christ is one, the sustaining Holy Spirit is one, the hope of resurrection by which we have become believers is also one. On the side of the war, there are two sides: and the enemy is always exalting human knowledge and thoughts against belief in God and the knowledge of God Himself.

Thursday, November 20, 2008

Ephesians 4:5
one Lord, one faith, one baptism;

2 Corinthians 10:5b
bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,

How is our belief different in our walk and war? We have one Master, our example who brings us under one body of faith through one baptism that is a witness to other believers that we are of Christ. In our warfare, we take prisoners: thoughts that lead astray are to be regulated and subjugated under Christ.

Friday, November 21, 2008

Ephesians 4:5
one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

2 Corinthians 10:6
and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.

How is our strength different in our walk and war? God is our sustainer and strength in the daily walk; punishment is reserved for those defeated in war.

If...!

If…!
Monday, November 10, 2008: Hebrews 3:6

But Christ was faithful as a Son over his own house; whose house we are, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm to the end.
Does this mean we need to do something to assure our being part of the house of God? No, it is a question of confidence and faith, NOT actions and deeds like good works.

Tuesday, November 11, 2008: Hebrews 3:14

For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end
What does beginning and end refer to? Your life as a believer in Christ: it is our confidence in Him and NOT in our own works.

Wednesday, November 12, 2008: Hebrews 3:18-19

And to whom did He swear that they should not enter into His rest, but to those who did not believe? So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief.
Background: This refers to the journey of Israel from Egypt to the promised land.
How many believed that God, not their own accomplishments, would get them into the promised land? Aside from Moses, only two: Caleb and Joshua! The rest did not believe in spite of the unmistakable signs and plagues.

Thursday, November 13, 2008: 1 Corinthians 15:1-2

And, brothers, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you have received, and in which you stand; by which you also are being kept safe, if you hold fast the word which I preached to you, unless you believed in vain.
Does your eternal safety depend on what you do? No, it depends on being faithful to the words of the gospel preached to you.

Friday, November 14, 2008: 1 Corinthians 15:3-4

For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received, that Christ died for our sins, according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures
Is this the Gospel? Yes, this is probably the earliest expression of the gospel as a brief statement. Continued belief in this is what commends us to God, never the things we do.

Looking Out

Monday, November 3, 2008: 1 Corinthians 10:24

Let no one seek his own, but each one the other’s well-being.
Who is the other your should look out for? This applies to other Christians in general. More specifically, to those in your Christian group or Church. Even more appropriately, those who irritate you to no end!

Tuesday, November 4, 2008: 1 Corinthians 13:4–5

Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil;
Is this a reciprocal thought? It could be, but it doesn’t start out that way. It’s a one-way street to begin with , and might never change. But keep on loving- it’s God’s way.

Wednesday, November 5, 2008: 1 Corinthians 14:12

Even so you, since you are zealous for spiritual gifts, let it be for the edification of the church that you seek to excel.
What is the normal reason to look for spiritual gifts? We tend to look for self-glorification, even in seeking after spiritual gifts: we are to look to build others up.

Thursday, November 6, 2008: Colossians 3:1–2

If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.
Isn’t it normal for a believer to look for heavenly things? Yes, as far as good intentions go. But other things common in everyday life get in the way.

Friday, November 7, 2008: 1 Peter 5:8–9

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.
Is this the battle’s frontline? There are two others: the world, the flesh and then the devil.

Armor of Light

Monday, October 27, 2008: Romans 13:11–14

And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.

How do we cast off or put on these things? Casting off is by confession before God in prayer; putting on is by reading God’s word.

Tuesday, October 28, 2008: Romans 6:12–14

Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts. And do not present your members as instruments of unrighteousness to sin, but present yourselves to God as being alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God. For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace.

What do the words reign and dominion have to do with sin? When you are in Christ, sin has lost its grip: you have the weapons to break free instead of living under dominion of sin.

Wednesday, October 29, 2008: 2 Corinthians 6:4–7

But in all things we commend ourselves as ministers of God: in much patience, in tribulations, in needs, in distresses, in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in sleeplessness, in fastings; by purity, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Spirit, by sincere love, by the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armor of righteousness on the right hand and on the left

What is the implication of Paul putting on armor on his hands? Paul’s strong and weak actions are for God’s kingdom.

Thursday, October 30, 2008: 2 Corinthians 10:3–5

For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ

What is the battleground in the Christian’s life? The battleground is the thoughts of our mind!

Friday, October 31, 2008: Ephesians 6:14–17

Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God

What weapon allows to fight, and not merely stand? Without doubt, that weapon is knowledge of how the Bible, the Word of God, can be used daily.

Taken in the Act

Taken In The Act

Monday, October 20, 2008: John 8:3–4

Then the scribes and Pharisees brought to Him a woman caught in adultery. And when they had set her in the midst, they said to Him, “Teacher, this woman was caught in adultery, in the very act.

Background: Jesus Christ spent the night on the Mount of Olives while those He taught went back home. Jesus Christ returned to the temple and so did the people. He taught them there.
The Scribes and the Pharisees did not like this, and the incident we look at this week followed.

Where was the man who was with her? They let him go but they laid hold of the woman. This shows the intentions of the leaders towards Jesus Christ.

Tuesday, October 21, 2008: John 8:5–6

Now Moses, in the law, commanded us that such should be stoned. But what do You say?” This they said, testing Him, that they might have something of which to accuse Him. But Jesus stooped down and wrote on the ground with His finger, as though He did not hear.

What is unique about these verses? This (and the verses that follow) is the only record of Jesus Christ writing something. He wrote with His finger, reminiscent of the Law, written by the Finger of God, and the judgment against the King in the book of Daniel where a hand without a writing utensil wrote. Note that Jesus Christ stooped down. John the Baptist said that the One who came after himself was so great that he was not fit to even do the menial task of stooping down and untying his shoes.

Wednesday, October 22, 2008: John 8:7–8

So when they continued asking Him, He raised Himself up and said to them, “He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first.”
And again He stooped down and wrote on the ground.

What is unique about these verses? He stood up and spoke with authority. He was the only one present that day without sin! The woman was silent, not screaming, nor protesting her innocence. Was she praying in her heart to God for forgiveness? Was Jesus Christ listening to the agony without words? Did He hear her confess, as she perceived this to be her last moment on earth? Did He write off her sin to His account? Did He write her name in the Lamb’s book of life? I think so.

Thursday, October 23, 2008: John 8:9–10

Then those who heard it, being convicted by their conscience, went out one by one, beginning with the oldest even to the last. And Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. When Jesus had raised Himself up and saw no one but the woman, He said to her, “Woman, where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you?”

What is unique about these verses? Only Jesus Christ was left with the woman. None could bear their conscience. The oldest scribes and Pharisees left first, their trap diffused and their purposes defeated. Jesus Christ rose and spoke to the repentant woman, asking her a question.

Friday, October 24, 2008: John 8:11

She said, “No one, Lord.”
And Jesus said to her, “Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.”

What is unique about this verse? The woman acknowledged His not as Rabbi, but Lord. Graciously, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world, tells her there is no condemnation from Him.