BSF (29 Apr 2014) Lesson 11

1. Jesus Gives Power to Walk (Matthew 9:1-8)

Principle 1: Jesus' authority to forgive sin gives a new beginning.

2. Jesus Gives Power to Follow (Matthew 9:9-17)

Principle 2:  Jesus gives new life of joy and hope to those who follow Him.

3. Jesus Gives Power to Live (Matthew 9:18-34)

Principle 3: No one is beyond Jesus' power to transform lives freed from the power of sin.

Proverbs 14:21

Proverbs 14:21 NIV

[21] It is a sin to despise one’s neighbor, but blessed is the one who is kind to the needy.

Jesus' Miracles from the Gospels

A summary of the miracles as documented in the 4 gospels

My Prayer

Dear God

Please teach me to forgive myself and others.

Remove the walls that keep love out, behind which I am a prisoner.

Heal my guilt and remove my anger, that I might be reborn.

Make gentle my heart and strong my spirit and show me how to love.

Lord I pray that I can follow your words from

Ephesians 4:31-32

New International Version (NIV)

31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.

32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

 

Do not let the pain dwell and make me hate.

Do not let bitterness steal my sweetness.

Pray that you work your healing in us Lord. Give me wisdom as you taught in

Proverbs 19:11

New English Translation (NET)

11 A person’s wisdom makes him slow to anger,
and it is his glory to overlook an offense.

Forgiveness is a promise; not a feeling.

That when I forgive others, I am making a promise never to use their past sin against them.

I pray that others will also be compasionate on my traspasses and be able to forgive me.

Just like how Jesus had by grace forgiven me of my sins and no longer count them against me.

Lord I pray for strength and your healing love to mend the wounds in our family and that you be the anchor and center of our lives.

Amen

BSF (22 Apr 2014) Lesson 10

1) Jesus' authority over disease & sin (Matt 8:1-7)

Principle 1: Only Jesus has authority to make us right with God

2) Jesus' authority over His followers (Matt 8:8-22)

Principle 2: Only Jesus has authority to make demands that require immediate obedience for His followers.

3) Jesus' authority over the unseen realm (Matt 8:23-34)

Principle 3: Only Jesus has authority over both visible & invisible forces of life.

Easter 2014

The Cross & Cheap Grace ( 2 Corinthians 5:18-21) - Dr Tan Kim Huat

1. Great Price

2. Great Power

3. Great Proclamation (great responsibilities)

___________________________

2 Corinthians 5:21

New International Version (NIV)

21 God made him who had no sin to be sin[a] for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

Matthew 6: The Lord's Prayer

We should not wait to pray .... many pray when they need things and these are often the only times that they pray. 

The Lord’s Prayer is perfectly designed to encapsulate the way in which we should communicate with our Father.

It isn’t about asking for things we need. It’s about giving over to the will of God, waiting eagerly for His Kingdom to come, and worshiping Him and His name. 

The help that we ask for in this prayer is for forgiveness and delivery from evil as we are unable to fight temptation completely on our own. We should admit our weakness and humbly ask for God's protection.

Matthew 7:1 - Do not Judge others

Pray that I am discerning and humble ... Not quick to judge others but instead be self conscience of my own weaknesses. For all fall short of God's standard ... Only by grace of Jesus that we are able to stand sanctified before God. Alway have a pure motive that is love centered.

Something interesting I read ..... 

God Who Actually Does Know What You’re Going Through

Before you criticize someone, you should walk a mile in their shoes. That way when you criticize them, you are a mile away from them and you have their shoes. – Jack Handey

The reality is, when someone is suffering we don’t know what they’re going through. Even if we have experienced similar circumstances as a person who is suffering, we don’t process the world the way they do. And we don’t have the same personal history, biological makeup, or support system. When someone is going through the meat grinder we can only know a tiny portion of what they are really experiencing.

Our limited ability to know the suffering of others is what makes 2 Corinthians 7:6 so precious. It says, “But God, who comforts the downcast….”

Jesus knows us fully. He knows our strengths and weaknesses, our family history, our biological makeup, our worldview. He knows every nook and cranny of us. He knows us better than we know ourselves. And he also knows suffering on an intense, personal level. Jesus’ knowledge of suffering is not abstract, ivory tower, textbook knowledge. Jesus was a man of sorrows. He was mocked, betrayed, and humiliated. As he hung on the cross he was cut off from the Father. Jesus knew excruciating, overwhelming, crushing sorrow.

The combination of Jesus’ omniscience and personal experience with deep suffering perfectly equip him to comfort us in our own suffering. He really does know what we’re going through, and he is ready to comfort us when we are downcast. He doesn’t leave us to muddle and slog through suffering on our own. He doesn’t tell us to suck it up, buck up, and get up. He meets us in our downcast state and pours out grace upon us.

BSF (15 Apr 2014) Lesson 9

Matthew 7

Principle 1: In relating to people, Christians must be discerning, not condemning.

Principle 2: God the Father gives good gifts to those who ask, seek & knock.

Principle 3: Jesus knows those who live by what He says.

Matthew 7:13-14 Path of a Disciple

May I be clear as to the path I am taking ... Pray that Jesus guides me.

Jesus our Messiah Foretold - Genesis 3:15

Another reminder of the character of God .... He first created us .... but when we fell to sin, he continued to reach out to us .... and provided Jesus as the redeeming Messiah.

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The Messiah Foretold

Philip Nation

“I will put hostility between you and the woman,and between your seed and her seed. He will strike your head,and you will strike his heel.”  Genesis 3:15

The Scriptures begin by describing the grandeur of God’s creative work. Having brought planets, light, vegetation, and animal life into existence, the Lord then brought into being that which He deemed “very good”—humankind. Made in the image of God, humans unique among all of God’s creation. Tragically though, our first parents marred that image through disobedience.

When Adam and Eve faced temptation, they chose to believe a lie rather than God’s truth. They trusted in their own potential and did not hold God as trustworthy for their future. Because of their choice, sin entered the world and humanity’s pure relationship with the Heavenly Father became broken. Goaded along by the cunning of our enemy—the fallen angel Lucifer in the form of a serpent—humanity seemed to have met its end right at its beginning. Ashamed of their unclothed state, Adam and Eve hid from God and covered themselves from one another’s sight.

It is, however, for His glory and our benefit that God is by nature on mission. This is seen first in the fact that God sought out the shamed and sinful pair. He sought reconciliation with Adam and Eve even though it would be at great cost to Him. He confronted their sinful state and the deceitful serpent who had coaxed them into ruin. Adam and Eve had excuses and accusations on their lips, but God was undaunted. He was committed to the mission to reconcile humanity to Himself by being the One who does the seeking. Though Adam and Eve hid because of their shame, God sought them out for their benefit. He is committed to more than just scolding them for their sin. In Genesis 3:14-15, the Lord pronounces judgment on the enemy and promises to send a Messiah. He said to the serpent, “I will put hostility between you and the woman, and between your seed and her seed. He will strike your head and you will strike his heel” (v. 15). God said life would be difficult due to the curse, but He also said that the “seed” of the woman would strike the head of our enemy and prevail against Satan.

This statement about the One to come is the first prophecy of the Christ. As inheritors of a sin nature that opposes God, it should amaze us that God so quickly moved from His role as Creator to that of Redeemer. We expect wrath and judgment, not grace and a promise of a coming Savior. But God shatters our expectations. His love for humanity drove Him to provide the Savior who can make all things new.

From the beginning, God has done every work necessary so that we might know Him and abide with Him. He sought us when we did not want to be found. And at just the right time, God sent the Christ to die as a ransom for sin and rise in victory over hell itself. Our God is a God who sends, redeems, and restores.

Jesus Through the Bible

Below daily devotion was a great summary of the bible and how Jesus is the center of the Word ... from the OT to NT.  Pray that I will anchor Christ at the  center of how I live and that I hang onto God's word.

As I journey through the Bible to remember how Jesus is linked to the word.

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Jesus Through the Bible

Philip Graham Ryken

We believe in a Christ-centered Bible. The salvation that was expected in the Old Testament is exhibited in the Gospels and then explained in the rest of the New Testament.

• From Genesis we learn that Jesus is the seed of the woman who will crush Satan’s head, and the son of Abraham who will bless all the nations of the earth.
• From Exodus we learn that Jesus is the Passover Lamb whose blood saves us from the angel of death, and the wilderness tabernacle where God dwells in glory.
• From Leviticus we learn that He is the atoning sacrifice that takes away our sin.
• From Numbers we learn that He is the bronze serpent lifted up for everyone who looks to Him in faith.
• From Deuteronomy we learn that He is the prophet greater than Moses who comes to teach us God’s will.

What do we learn from the historical books?

• From Joshua we learn that Jesus is our great captain in the fight. 
• From Judges we learn that He is the king who helps us do what is right in God’s eyes, and not our own. 
• From Ruth we learn that Jesus is our kinsman-redeemer. 
• From 1 and 2 Samuel we learn that He is our anointed king. 
• From 1 and 2 Kings we learn that He is the glory in the temple. 
• From 1 and 2 Chronicles we learn that He is the Son of David — the rightful king of Judah. 
• From Ezra and Nehemiah we learn that He will restore the city of God. 
• From Esther we learn that He will deliver us from all our enemies.

Then we come to the poetic writings.

• From Job we learn that Jesus is our living redeemer, who will stand on the earth at the last day. 
• From the Psalms we learn that He is the sweet singer of Israel — the Savior forsaken by God and left to die, yet restored by God to rule the nations. 
• From Proverbs we learn that Jesus is our wisdom. 
• From Ecclesiastes we learn that He alone can give us meaning and purpose. 
• From the Song of Solomon we learn that He is the lover of our souls.

This brings us to the prophets, whose special mission it was to prophesy about the coming of Christ.

• Isaiah tells that He is the child born of the Virgin, the son given to rule, the shoot from the stump of Jesse, and the servant stricken and afflicted, upon whom God has laid all our iniquity. 
• Jeremiah and Lamentations tell us that Jesus is our comforter in sorrow, the mediator of a new covenant who turns our weeping into songs of joy. 
• Ezekiel tells us that the Spirit of Jesus can breathe life into dry bones and make a heart of stone beat again. 
• Daniel tells us that Jesus is the Son of Man coming in clouds of glory to render justice on the earth.

These are the Major Prophets, but the Minor Prophets also bore witness to Jesus Christ.

• Hosea prophesied that He would be a faithful husband to His wayward people. 
• Joel prophesied that before He came to judge the nations, Jesus would pour out His Spirit on men and women, Jews and Gentiles, young and old. 
• Amos and Obadiah prophesied that He would restore God’s kingdom. 
• Jonah prophesied that for the sake of the nations, He would be raised on the third day. 
• Micah prophesied that Jesus would be born in Bethlehem. 
• Nahum prophesied that He would judge the world. 
• Habakkuk prophesied that He would justify those who live by faith.
• Zephaniah prophesied He would rejoice over His people with singing. 
• Haggai prophesied that He would rebuild God’s temple. 
• Zechariah prophesied that He would come in royal gentleness, riding on a donkey, and that when He did, all God’s people would be holy. 
• Malachi prophesied that before He came, a prophet would turn the hearts of the fathers back to their children.

From Genesis to Malachi, the Old Testament is all about Jesus. But of course it is in the New Testament that Jesus actually comes to save His people. Whereas the Old Testament gives us His background, the New Testament presents His biography.

The gospels give us the good news of salvation through His crucifixion and resurrection. 

• The Gospel of Matthew is that Jesus is the Messiah God promised to Israel. 
• The Gospel of Mark is that He is the suffering servant. 
• The Gospel of Luke is that He is a Savior for everyone, including the poor and the weak. 
• The Gospel of John is that He is the incarnate word, the Son of God, the light of the world, the bread of life, and the only way of salvation. 

But all the gospels end with the same good news: Jesus died on the cross for sinners and was raised again to give eternal life; anyone who believes in Him will be saved.

Then the New Testament turns its attention to the church, which is still about Jesus because the church is His body.

• The book of Acts shows how Jesus is working in the church today, through the gospel, by the power of the Holy Spirit.
• Then come all the letters that were written to the church — letters that tell about Jesus and how to live for Him. 
• In Romans Jesus is righteousness from God for Jews and Gentiles; 
• In 1 and 2 Corinthians He is the one who unifies the church and gives us spiritual gifts for ministry. 
• In Galatians Jesus liberates us from legalism; 
• In Ephesians He is the head of the church; 
• In Philippians He is the joy of our salvation;
• In Colossians He is the firstborn over all creation. 
• In 1 and 2 Thessalonians Jesus is coming soon to deliver us from this evil age; 
• In 1 and 2 Timothy and Titus He shepherds His people; and 
• In Philemon He reconciles brothers who are separated by sin. This is the gospel according to Paul.
• In Hebrews: Jesus is the great high priest who died for sin once and for all on the cross and who sympathizes with us in all our weakness. 
• In the epistle of James, Jesus helps us to prove our faith by doing good works. 
• In the epistles of Peter He is our example in suffering.
• In the letters of John He is the Lord of love.
• In Jude He is our Master and Teacher. 
• Last, but not least, comes the book of Revelation, in which Jesus Christ is revealed as the Lamb of God slain for sinners, Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end, the King of kings and Lord of lords, the great Judge over all the earth, and the glorious God of heaven.

The Bible says that in Jesus "all things hold together" (Colossians 1:17) and this is as true of the Bible as it is of anything else. Jesus holds the whole Bible together. 

From Genesis to Revelation, the Word of God is all about Jesus, and therefore it has the power to bring salvation through faith in Him.

It is by reading the Bible that we come to know Jesus, and it is by coming to know Jesus that we are saved. This is why we are so committed to God’s Word, why it is the foundation for everything we do, both as a church and as individual Christians.

We love the Word because it brings us to Christ.

Rely on the Holy Spirit

2 Timothy 1:7 NIV
[7] For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.

When I read this verse of the day, how appropriate after the sharing yesterday about being salt & light ... That God will give us he strength to overcome our fears, to seize the moment to share about Him and His great love for us .... to people around us. Pray that I can plant the seeds that may move the people to want to know you Lord.

BSF (8 Apr 2014) - Lesson 8

Lesson 8 - Matthew 6

Principle 1: God rewards those who seek to know & please Him.

Principle 2: Treasures in heaven are eternal.

Principle 3: Worry is the lack of faith in God's fatherly care.

Matthew 6:14-15 Forgiveness

Remember God's amazing grace, for he freely gave his son Jesus to die on the cross for my sins, it was not through any of my works or rights .... But his love for me!

Pray that I am to have a merciful character as what is expected of followers of Christ (8 beatitudes in Matthew 5). That I will not be quick to anger and judge others ... for I fall short of God's standards by a far measure.

BSF (1 Apr 2014) - Lesson 7

Lesson 7: Matthew 5

Principle 1: The inability to perfectly keep God's commandments drives a believer to Christ.

Principle 2: A disciple of Jesus Christ is to express His life in him to everyone daily.

Matthew 5:43-45 NIV

[43] “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy .’ [44] But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, [45] that you may be children of your Father in heaven. …

BSF (25 Mar 2014) - Lesson 6

Lesson 6 - Matthew 5

Principle 1: A Christian's life is blessed by God when his inward & outward life is characterised by the 8 beatitudes.

Principle 2: Christians are called to be salt & light in the world to glorify God.

BSF (11 Mar 2014) - Lesson 5

Lesson 5 - Matthew 4

Principle 1: God test our faith through temptations.

Principle 2: Trusting God's purpose for our lives keeps us from falling into temptation.

Principle 3: Jesus' teaching, preaching & healing verify that He is the promised Messiah.

BSF (3 Mar 2014) - Lesson 4

Lesson 4 - Matthew 3

Was not able to attend the session as we were on Holiday in Gold Coast, Queensland Australia.

Key Learning was:

Principle 1: Confession of sins is the first step to inviting Jesus Christ into your life.

Principle 2: Every believer in Christ receives the indwelling Holy Spirit to guide them to eternal glory.

Principle 3: Jesus’ baptism pleases God.

BSF (25 Feb 2014) - Lesson 3

Lesson 3: Matthew 2

Principle 1: Many people seek Jesus, but only the faithful will truly find Him.

Principle 2: True worship of the living God is an act of passionate devotion, extravagant love and absolute submission.

Principle 3: God protects his people

BSF (18 Feb 2014) - Lesson 2

Lesson 2: Matthew 1

Principle 1: Jesus' genealogy shows that God fulfil His promises in Jesus Christ.

Principle 2: Jesus Christ, God's Son, comes to save His people from their sins.

Principle 3: Jesus Christ comes into the world to give new life to those who follow Him.

BSF (11 Feb 2014) - Lesson 1

Lesson 1: Gospel of Matthew

Principle 1: Encountering God in His Word puts life's questions into its right perspective.

Principle 2: The Gospels pronounces Jesus Christ as God's son who will restore His reign over us.

Principle 3: Answering God's call to come to Jesus Christ brings direction & hope for today.

And Can It Be That I Should Gain? Charles Wesley

Thank you Jesus for the heavy price you pay for my redemption!!

This is truly amazing love that my God had died for "me"!!

http://youtu.be/NH0PdaQEONM

Starting a Journal

I have decided that it will be good to journal my thoughts and learning as I journey with my walk with Jesus.

I pray that, On a daily basis that I will have the discipline to keep God's word & have a close relationship with Jesus.

I know that God's standards is impossible for me to attain by my own strength. It is through his GRACE through Jesus that I can be justified in the eyes of God.

Pray with thanks that God loves "me" and insignificant soul in the context of the multitude of people on earth. That he is calling me and have provided Jesus as the ultimate sacrifice for my redemption and adopting me back to his family (Sonship) that I can be a co-heir with Jesus! Thank you Lord for you merciful grace.


John 3:16-17 NIV
[16] "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. [17] For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.