If a prophet or a dreamer of dreams arises among you and gives you a sign or a wonder, and the sign or wonder that he tells you comes to pass, and if he says, 'Let us go after other gods,' which you have not known, 'and let us serve them,' you shall not listen to the words of that prophet or that dreamer of dreams. For the Lord your God is testing you, to know whether you love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul. You shall walk after the Lord your God and fear him and keep his commandments and obey his voice, and you shall serve him and hold fast to him. (Deuteronomy 13:1-4 ESV)
For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. (Matthew 24:24 KJV)
Beginning at Moses, we were warned that false prophets will come with miracles. Finally, in the last days, our Lord Jesus also warned us of deceivers coming to us with signs and wonders. But what we need to do is to test them based on the Gospel that we already knew.
But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. (Galatians 1:8 ESV)
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
The First Church
The First Church (Acts 1:12 - 8:1)
Fellowship
Acts 1:14 Devoting themselves to prayer
Acts 2:45 Sold their possessions and distributed the proceeds
Acts 4:34 Sold their possessions and distributed the proceeds
Acts 8:1 Scattered by persecution into Judea and Samaria
Growth
Acts 1:15 120 disciples
Acts 2:41 3000 added
Acts 4:4 5000 men believed
Acts 6:7 Many priests believed
Organisation
Acts 1:26 Matthias replaced Judas
Acts 6:5 Seven appointed to look after the distribution of food
Miracles
Acts 2:1-12 Tongues
Acts 3:1-10 Lame beggar healed
Gospel preached
Acts 2:14-40 Preached by Peter
Acts 3:11-26 Preached by Peter
Persecutions
Acts 4:21 Peter and John, warned against preaching about Jesus and His resurrection
Acts 5:19 Apostles, imprisoned but freed by an angel
Acts 5:40 Apostles, beaten, and warned against preaching about Jesus and His resurrection
Acts 7:60 Stephen, the first martyr, stoned to death
Acts 8:1 The church suffered the first general persecution
Sin
Acts 5:1-11 Ananias and Sapphira died for lying
Dispute
Acts 6:1 Greek speaking Jewish widows were overlooked in the daily distribution of food
Fellowship
Acts 1:14 Devoting themselves to prayer
Acts 2:45 Sold their possessions and distributed the proceeds
Acts 4:34 Sold their possessions and distributed the proceeds
Acts 8:1 Scattered by persecution into Judea and Samaria
Growth
Acts 1:15 120 disciples
Acts 2:41 3000 added
Acts 4:4 5000 men believed
Acts 6:7 Many priests believed
Organisation
Acts 1:26 Matthias replaced Judas
Acts 6:5 Seven appointed to look after the distribution of food
Miracles
Acts 2:1-12 Tongues
Acts 3:1-10 Lame beggar healed
Gospel preached
Acts 2:14-40 Preached by Peter
Acts 3:11-26 Preached by Peter
Persecutions
Acts 4:21 Peter and John, warned against preaching about Jesus and His resurrection
Acts 5:19 Apostles, imprisoned but freed by an angel
Acts 5:40 Apostles, beaten, and warned against preaching about Jesus and His resurrection
Acts 7:60 Stephen, the first martyr, stoned to death
Acts 8:1 The church suffered the first general persecution
Sin
Acts 5:1-11 Ananias and Sapphira died for lying
Dispute
Acts 6:1 Greek speaking Jewish widows were overlooked in the daily distribution of food
Monday, February 27, 2012
The Workman is Worthy of His Meat
Provide neither gold, nor silver, nor brass in your purses, nor scrip for your journey, neither two coats, neither shoes, nor yet staves: for the workman is worthy of his meat. (Acts 10:9-10 KJV)
When I stay in the hotel, breakfast is paid for and I do not have to worry about it nor bring spare breakfast. Mammon took care of that. I paid for them with money.
Our Lord is telling the disciples that they do not have to take money, bags, extra clothings, shoes or walking sticks. The Lord will provide because we are His worker. Do we have the faith to believe in the Lord, just as I believed that my breakfast is supplied, because I paid for it with money?
When I stay in the hotel, breakfast is paid for and I do not have to worry about it nor bring spare breakfast. Mammon took care of that. I paid for them with money.
Our Lord is telling the disciples that they do not have to take money, bags, extra clothings, shoes or walking sticks. The Lord will provide because we are His worker. Do we have the faith to believe in the Lord, just as I believed that my breakfast is supplied, because I paid for it with money?
Sunday, February 26, 2012
Rewards
Rewarder
But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. (Hebrews 11:6 KJV)
Rewards
God is our exceeding great reward:
After these things the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward. (Genesis 15:1 KJV)
Keeping of God's word has great reward:
Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward. (Psalm 19:11 KJV)
Love your enemies and receive a reward:
If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink: For thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the LORD shall reward thee. (Proverbs 25:21-22 KJV)
But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil. (Luke 6:35 ESV)
Christians will be rewarded according to works:
According to the grace of God which was given to me, like a wise master builder I laid a foundation, and another is building on it. But each man must be careful how he builds on it. For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each man’s work will become evident; for the day will show it because it is to be revealed with fire, and the fire itself will test the quality of each man’s work. If any man’s work which he has built on it remains, he will receive a reward. If any man’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire. (1 Corinthians 3:10-15 NASB)
Reward for the Persecuted:
Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you. (Matthew 5:11-12 KJV)
Reward for the Prosperous:
When Jesus heard this, he said to him, "One thing you still lack. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me." (Luke 18:22 ESV)
Motivation
Christ's motivation:
Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12:2 KJV)
Abraham's motivation:
By faith he stayed as a foreigner in the land of promise, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, coheirs of the same promise. For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose architect and builder is God. (Hebrews 11:9-10 HCSB)
Moses's motivation:
He considered the reproach of Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking to the reward. (Hebrews 11:26 ESV)
The doctrine of eternal rewards for our obedience is the neglected key to unlocking our motivations. Bruce Wilkinson.
Action
Work towards the prize
Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:12-14 KJV)
Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. (1 Corinthians 9:24 KJV)
Do not despise your birthright
Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright. (Hebrew 12:16 KJV)
Ultimate
He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it. (Revelation 2:17 KJV)
But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. (Hebrews 11:6 KJV)
Rewards
God is our exceeding great reward:
After these things the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward. (Genesis 15:1 KJV)
Keeping of God's word has great reward:
Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward. (Psalm 19:11 KJV)
Love your enemies and receive a reward:
If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink: For thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the LORD shall reward thee. (Proverbs 25:21-22 KJV)
But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil. (Luke 6:35 ESV)
Christians will be rewarded according to works:
According to the grace of God which was given to me, like a wise master builder I laid a foundation, and another is building on it. But each man must be careful how he builds on it. For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each man’s work will become evident; for the day will show it because it is to be revealed with fire, and the fire itself will test the quality of each man’s work. If any man’s work which he has built on it remains, he will receive a reward. If any man’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire. (1 Corinthians 3:10-15 NASB)
Reward for the Persecuted:
Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you. (Matthew 5:11-12 KJV)
Reward for the Prosperous:
When Jesus heard this, he said to him, "One thing you still lack. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me." (Luke 18:22 ESV)
Motivation
Christ's motivation:
Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12:2 KJV)
Abraham's motivation:
By faith he stayed as a foreigner in the land of promise, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, coheirs of the same promise. For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose architect and builder is God. (Hebrews 11:9-10 HCSB)
Moses's motivation:
He considered the reproach of Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking to the reward. (Hebrews 11:26 ESV)
The doctrine of eternal rewards for our obedience is the neglected key to unlocking our motivations. Bruce Wilkinson.
Action
Work towards the prize
Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:12-14 KJV)
Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. (1 Corinthians 9:24 KJV)
Do not despise your birthright
Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright. (Hebrew 12:16 KJV)
Ultimate
He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it. (Revelation 2:17 KJV)
Saturday, February 25, 2012
Democracy, Christian-based vs Islamic-based
He presented another parable to them: "The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a man who sowed good seed in his field. But while people were sleeping, his enemy came, sowed weeds among the wheat, and left. When the plants sprouted and produced grain, then the weeds also appeared. The landowner’s slaves came to him and said, 'Master, didn’t you sow good seed in your field? Then where did the weeds come from?'
'An enemy did this!' he told them. 'So, do you want us to go and gather them up?' the slaves asked him.
'No,' he said. 'When you gather up the weeds, you might also uproot the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest. At harvest time I’ll tell the reapers: Gather the weeds first and tie them in bundles to burn them, but store the wheat in my barn.'"
Matthew 13:24-30 (HCSB)
That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. (Matthew 5:45 KJV)
Fight those who believe not in Allah nor the Last Day, nor hold that forbidden which hath been forbidden by Allah and His Messenger, nor acknowledge the religion of Truth, (even if they are) of the People of the Book, until they pay the Jizya with willing submission, and feel themselves subdued. (Surah 9:29 Yusuf Ali)
After the Arab Spring, many people are talking about democracy in the Arab countries and they expect these countries to become like Europe. Basically, those who think so are ignorant of the Bible and the Quran.
Christian-based democracies, such as those practised in Europe, allow equality of all men. The decision of who is just or unjust is left to God in the last judgement.
In Islamic democracy, there will be two classes of people, the Muslims and the infidels. Muslims will be given preferential treatment. Infidels will be subjected to humiliation until they convert. They will have to pay the Jizya tax and will not have full equality with Muslims. Full equality and democratic rights are only for the Muslims.
'An enemy did this!' he told them. 'So, do you want us to go and gather them up?' the slaves asked him.
'No,' he said. 'When you gather up the weeds, you might also uproot the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest. At harvest time I’ll tell the reapers: Gather the weeds first and tie them in bundles to burn them, but store the wheat in my barn.'"
Matthew 13:24-30 (HCSB)
That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. (Matthew 5:45 KJV)
Fight those who believe not in Allah nor the Last Day, nor hold that forbidden which hath been forbidden by Allah and His Messenger, nor acknowledge the religion of Truth, (even if they are) of the People of the Book, until they pay the Jizya with willing submission, and feel themselves subdued. (Surah 9:29 Yusuf Ali)
After the Arab Spring, many people are talking about democracy in the Arab countries and they expect these countries to become like Europe. Basically, those who think so are ignorant of the Bible and the Quran.
Christian-based democracies, such as those practised in Europe, allow equality of all men. The decision of who is just or unjust is left to God in the last judgement.
In Islamic democracy, there will be two classes of people, the Muslims and the infidels. Muslims will be given preferential treatment. Infidels will be subjected to humiliation until they convert. They will have to pay the Jizya tax and will not have full equality with Muslims. Full equality and democratic rights are only for the Muslims.
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Delayed Gratification
The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy. (Psalm 103:8 KJV)
The principal of CJC spoke of delayed gratification during the Parents Information Evening (PIE) today. She counselled the new J1 students to delay their enjoyment for two years.
God also practise delayed gratification. After creating the perfect heavens and earth, it was ruined by sin. He has to wait till the new heavens and new earth before He can fully enjoy His creation. His delayed gratification is the longest of them all.
Cast your bread upon the waters, for you will find it after many days. (Ecclesiastes 11:1 ESV)
The principal of CJC spoke of delayed gratification during the Parents Information Evening (PIE) today. She counselled the new J1 students to delay their enjoyment for two years.
God also practise delayed gratification. After creating the perfect heavens and earth, it was ruined by sin. He has to wait till the new heavens and new earth before He can fully enjoy His creation. His delayed gratification is the longest of them all.
Cast your bread upon the waters, for you will find it after many days. (Ecclesiastes 11:1 ESV)
Monday, February 20, 2012
God's Humility and Patience
Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. (Philippians 2:5-8 KJV)
We have many impatient and proud people who wants immediate justice. However, this is not how God acts. He is both humble and patient. He is willing to put aside His glory and come to earth to die for our sins.
We have many impatient and proud people who wants immediate justice. However, this is not how God acts. He is both humble and patient. He is willing to put aside His glory and come to earth to die for our sins.
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