Revelation 1: Game over

A. Seems like it's game over
1. Many believers are compromising
2. Many have given in to temptations
3. Faithful preaching & teaching has not helped
4. Most churches are not growing

B. Synopsis of game over
1. Jesus will be ruler over all kings & governments
2. Jesus will be all power
3. All will see Jesus
4. Jesus is Almighty & history is in His control
5. The key to everything is in Jesus hands

C. Stay until game over
1. You will triumph together with Jesus
2. You will see Jesus unveiled for who He is
3. You are not with a loser
4. You will experience victory

Colossians 3: Living a holy life

1. Focus on things above v1
- it is difficult to be focused
- lives are unfocused & undisciplined
- holy living is only possible for those who are saved
- we are to focus on things in phil4:8 (Finally, brothers, whatever is
true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever
is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or
praiseworthy—think about such things.)

2. Flush away earthly things
- you cannot hold hands with Satan and walk with Christ
- flush away things (sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires
and greed. anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language)
- put to death
- pack our mind with heavenly things instead of thinking "don't do bad
things okay"
- 1Peter1:14

3. Fill up with the Word v16
- the Word read, meditated, applied, & ingrained
- by default, choices & decision are based upon the Word
- read the Word of God

Colossians 2: How to keep from straying

To grow spiritually & avoid straying we must be:
1. Rooted
- tree with weak root can't resist rough weather
- be firmly established Christ alone
- unwavering confidence we are saved
- full dependence on God alone
- convinced God absolutely loves you
- trust that God's plans are the very best

2. Built up
- continue to grow
- it requires a body of believer to built up, not alone
- remain interconnected
- united in love
- apply our bible knowledge
- Christ wants us to experience fullness
- sins hinder being built up

3. Strengthened in Faith
- focusing on God
- look to Him rather than circumstances

Judges 6

A God to Worship (6:1-16)
God watches over us
God discipline our wayward life
God hears our pain and cry
God sends His answer
God meet us personally
God listens to our questions
God choose to work through our lives
God sends us and goes with us

An Altar to Build (6:17-24)
God speaks at the altar
God awaits the atonement
God accept the atonement
God is our Peace

An Idol to Tear Down (6:25-32)
An idol cannot defend itself
An idol is worhthless worship
An idol corrupts the soul of man
An idol sows fear and enslave
An idol must be torn down

Hebrews 11:4-7

Without faith it is impossible to please God

"Catch me, Daddy!" Fear and excitement danced in me as I sat atop the slide and gripped the sides. I wanted to fly down the slick surface into my father's waiting arms. Other kids had done it, but my 4-year-old hands just couldn't let go. It was a long way down to the bottom. If Dad missed me, I thought, I'd crash in the sand.

After many long moments and my father's persistent reassurance, I let go. Dad caught me in his arms and hugged me close. My father wouldn't have asked me to trust him and then suddenly pulled away.

Neither does my heavenly Father play such tricks. He delights in our trust.

Show me how to let go and trust You more, knowing You'd never let me fall.

1 Samuel 15

The Amalekites cannot be spared.

Sins are like Agag and Amalekites.
How do we deal with sins?
It must be God's way, not ours.

Sins:
Cannot spare.
Long term enermy of God.
Seek to destroy us.
Breed slowly and waiting to launch an attack.

We cannot live with what God has banned, and hope to please Him with
sacrifices.
Sins only seeks to destroy us. They wait for an opportunity & will be
merciless.
Hidden and unconfessed sins will eventually show up and do more damage
than we imagine.

Are there Agag or Amalekites in your life?

1 Corinthians 10:23-11:1

So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God

How can a human being bring glory to God? Yes, praising and thanking Him certainly glorifies Him. But are our words and prayers enough?
Jesus stressed over and over again that we should love . . . love God above all else, and love one another as He loves us.
"All to the glory of God", that involves action-doing the loving thing in every situation we face.

Lord, please give me the power and wisdom to do the loving thing, as Your Son, Jesus, would do, in every situation.

Romans 14:22, 23

Happy is the man who does not sin by doing what he knows is right

I know I'm supposed to take good care of the body God has given me.
And I know I am suppose to eat the healthy food and fewer unhealthy food.
But! Then I see something that would be soooo delicious.
Good-bye resolve. Hello indulgence.

That is surely the way to happiness-simply doing right in the first place, avoiding the sticky problems of sin.
John Dryden once put it: "Better shun the bait than struggle in the snare."

God, forgive me for my self-indulgence. I know that, without You, I can do nothing. But with You, all things are possible. Please help me conquer temptations.

Titus 2:11-15

God wants us to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures and to live good, God-fearing lives

God's love is strong and when touched, it could not be resisted. In time, will change life dramatically, becoming joyous and God fearing. This miracle of grace that transforms lives only comes from God

Dear Lord, transform my life into a better and one that thinks of You as an almighty God. Along each step of my way today, help me to turn to You for the wisdom and guidance I need.

Luke 15:1-7

All the tax collectors and the sinners were coming near Him to listen to Him

Like magnets with paper clips and pins, all of these were instantly drawn by an invisible force. Jesus said, "If I am lifted up from the earth, [I] will draw all men to Myself". Jesus is doing the drawing.

Jesus, will You continue to draw me closer to You in Your way.

1 Timothy 6:3-10

If anyone advocates a different doctrine and does not agree with sound words, those of our Lord Jesus Christ, and with the doctrine conforming to godliness, he is conceited and understands nothing

What Would Jesus Say? Christian doctrine flows from truth Jesus taught. To benefit from His sound words, though, we must read and meditate on them.

Thank you for giving us Your word written in the bible. Lord help me cherish it and draw me closer to You.

Philemon 21

Confident of your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I ask

When a widow gave two pennies as her offering, Jesus deemed this to be her best. "˜I tell you the truth,' he said, ˜this poor widow has put in more than all the others'" (Luke 21:3). She did it out of love, the "more" that comes from the heart.

Father, build into me the willingness to go the extra mile for souls who need to be loved.

Philemon 1-7

Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the saints

Philemon received this complimentary letter from Paul,
his heart was refreshed too. Words of encouragement can do this for
us. Whether delivered by letter, phone, or even e-mail, they soothe
the spirit.
Prayers are also important. Paul mentions this first in his
letter to his friend and fellow believer.
"I always thank my God as I remember you in my prayers"

God, May I encourage others with my words to them. And may I lift
them up for Your blessing as I pray for them.

John 14:21-24

Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him

That's the truth, plain and simple.
"Don't you just love this pudding?"
"Yes, though I wish you wouldn't use that word  so loosely. I mean, you don't have to love everything. It OK to just like some things."
"And I like green beans. However, I love banana pudding."
"I know. But can you truthfully say you love the one who prepared it for you?"

Lord, I want to obey you, teach me how.

Colossians 3:18-25

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men

A son earn money from cutting grass and another person saw it and said, "you've got the blade set way too low"., "at that rate, you'll only need to mow once a week", "set your blade up, mow more, earn more".
Integrity? Take high road?
Maid sweeps kitchen is doing will of God just as much as monk who prays, not because she sing hymn as she sweeps but because God loves clean floors. Shoemaker does christian duty not by putting little crosses on shoe, but making good shoes because God is interested in good craftsmanship.

Lord, I want to do my best in everything, not only when others are watching but with sincerity of heart and reverence for You, no matter who sees.

1 John 4:18

“There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.”

“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction” (Proverbs 1:7). Though we may fear the Lord in the beginning, it is not the end of our spiritual quest, for “perfect love casts out fear.” Jesus perfect love casts out our fears when He embraces us as His friends (John 15:13, 14).

Lord, how do I love You?

Romans 8:38-39

“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

The love of God is unchanging. Jesus loves no matter what, no matter when. Nothing can separate us from the love of God. Disease can take away our health, sadness can take away our happiness, a thief can steal our money, but no one can take Jesus away.

Thank You God for your unchanging love. Lord I pray that I won't take this great love of Yours for granted. Instead treasure it and obey Your every word.


Romans 8:35,37

“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.”

Those who are in Christ – those who are called the sons of God. To be in Christ is to accept salvation from God in His right time by faith. From darkness into light, from death into everlasting life.
For that work begins in eternity when God purposed to save a people, and purposed to save them in His Son. That’s where salvation lies – in the eternal purpose of God, in the eternal covenant of God between Father and Son, by which God chose a people in Christ “before the foundation of the world” (Ephesians 1:4), a people whom He predestinated “unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, to the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved” (Ephesians 1:5-6). It is this people whom Christ, in time, redeemed through His blood, to bring forgiveness of sins, to whom God then makes known “the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself”. 
Nothing can separate sons of God from God Himself as they have the faith to conquers situations. It is by such faith that and we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him who have been called according to his purpose.

Lord, I want to have this kind of love relationship with You that nothing can separate it. I pray that I will have to strength, will, wisdom and courage to conquer troubled situations.

1 John 3:11

“[Love one another] This is the message you heard from the beginning: We should love one another.”

Again and again written, we are to love one another. This week's shows of verses about loving others and loving one another, as God first loves us, we should also love others.




1 John 4:10

“This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.”

Because of God's holiness, human's sins has to be punished. But because of God's love, out of love He gave Jesus to die on the cross for human's sins as an atonement sacrifice. This is love.

Dear God, You are Holy, You are wonderful and Your love is amazing. Thank You for Your great love towards us. I pray that I wont take this for granted.

It's Your blood that cleanses me,
It's Your blood that gives me life,
It's Your blood that took my place,

In redeeming sacrifice.
Washes me whiter than the snow ,than the snow,

My Jesus, God's precious sacrifice.

It's Your love

John 13:34-35

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

And again love one another as God first loves us. This command is not really new from God as old testament such as Lev 19:18 teaches about loving others. But this is a new command for the disciples, from Jesus special love for them.

Thank You Jesus for Your love for us. Teach me to love other like how You love Your disciples and people. In that way, others may see that I belongs to You and they will also come to know You.

1 Corinthians 13:4-5

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.”

This is a very famous verse about love, that even many non-believers would know this verse. And it connects very well with my previous post regarding loving others too. Our God is love, He is patient, He is kind. I guess It is not self-seeking would be the most difficult. Many times the thoughts of what will I get out of it? comes and that is self-seeking. Jesus is the role model for this, He gave up His life for humans even when those people mock at Him and test Him (if He is Son of God, come down from the cross). He is patient with those people and He prayed for forgiveness of their sins.

Jesus, You are love. So much love that You gone through all the pains and sufferings then died for these sinful humans. Really want to thank You for Your amazing love. Jesus, will You teach me to love others, the way that You did. I am always self-seeking, change me. Give me opportunity to exercise loving others.

Matthew 5:43-45

“[Love for Enemies] "You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.”

MSG Lim is very bossy, always gives others things to do, one after another. I got tired of solving all his problems, so I started to do the bare minimum requirement. Also started not to take initiative automatically do task. I think now he dislike me, I don't respect him either.

Today's verse asked me to love my enemies and pray for those who persecute. I wonder how to love someone who thinks he is a very big boss and always gives load of tasks to complete. Love is patient, love is kind, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.

Lord, You have place me here at this level, where I have many 'bosses'. I can't take it when others keep controlling me, I'm not this kind of person. Lord I pray that I will have kind 'bosses' and I will enjoy the task given to me. If not, teach me to love this mean 'bosses' as I face them each day.

Psalm 33:4-5

“For the word of the LORD is right and true; he is faithful in all he does. The LORD loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of his unfailing love.”

The word of the Lord is always complete, proper and 'solid'. He is order and good in all He does. He is the perfect God. His goodness and love to all He has created; humans, animals and plants. God's love is faithful and forever to those who are righteous.

God, You are always a loving God who loves everything You have created. Will You show me what it is to be righteous. Show me Lord what it is to be in Your unfailing love.

Psalm 86:5

“You are forgiving and good, O Lord, abounding in love to all who call to you.”

God loves those who belongs to Him and forgives them from their wrong doings. And when they turn to God, He forgives them too. It is comforting to know that we are given chances to turn back to God, but we are not to abuse this goodness.

Thank You Lord for being such a loving God, who is so merciful even though I'm undeserving of it. Time after time when I stray, I'm given the opportunity to turn back to You and You are still be the same: hands wide and welcoming. I understand it is not right to break Your heart time after time, so Lord please keep me strong in Your presence.

Ephesians 4:2

“Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.”

We are called to be humble, gentle, patient and bear with one another and these are the keys to being united. What am I lacking? Sometimes want to get things done, or feel that others are slower yet not patient with them. If the heart is filled with love, the other qualities will be shown forth. Love others is the start point to unity.

Lord of love, long ago when people still sin against you in many ways everyday, You still love and send Your Son to save. Thank You for Your love for us. Teach me to love others, the way that is acceptable to You. Sometimes I get impatient when things not getting the way I expected it to be, will You help me in this area.

John 4:24

“God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth.”

We are to worship God in the way that is acceptable to Him. We must make sure we obey all of His commandments as given by Him in the Bible on how He is to be worshiped and from the Bible, not more, not less. To do so, have to be equip with the Word of God first ourselves.

God, will you show me the way to worship You, the way that is pleasing to You. Not just Sunday worshiping in church, also daily. Continue to give me perseverance to go into Your Word daily so that I could be equipped with it closely, also to obey the things that You said through the Bible.

Ephesians 6:12-13

¹²For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. ¹³Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.

The root of all these struggles is because of the evil one around us. As there will be more and more of such temptations and struggles in near future; it is important for us to be ready to be against it. Equipped with the full armor of God by being rooted in the word of God. So we can be firm whenever such trials comes to us.

Lord I asked that You would help me with the discipline to be and stay rooted in You, in Your word. Not rooted in my own intelligence or strength but just in You. I just want to be where You are but sometimes got distracted by things around. I pray that at such times, the Holy Spirit will prompt and I will do the right thing; do what the Spirit prompts.

Philippians 4:8-9

 ⁸Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. ⁹Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

This is indeed the verse of the day for me, to really just think about God's goodness, not only the negative that had happened. Whatever I have learned and received, that He has His plans ahead and my 'wonderful' plans isn't His plan. Put into practice by believing in Him. Thus peace will be with me.

Dear God, help me to focus on You and not only the things that I am worrying about. I know of the theory that I need to trust You but when things doesn't happen the way planned, sometimes it is just difficult. Will your peace be with me God.