1 Apr 2008

31 Mar 2008 was published but lost.

Anyway, it was a study on Luke 9:23-27 with Josef.

23 And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. 24 For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. 25 For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself? 26 For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words, of him will the Son of Man be ashamed when he comes in his glory and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels. 27 But I tell you truly, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God.”

To a child, what is taking up the cross means - what is not gaining the world but seek Christ.

Simple - remember the Lord Jesus. It is not about not studying hard, but read the bible and seek God. Josef job is to study hard that is his role as a student. It is about doing it for Jesus. The good result, is not about him, but for the glory of God. Taking up the cross, simple to Josef, is about remembering Jesus, read the word and pray.

To adults, it is not about not working hard, the suceess because of the talents we are given, is for the glory of God - remember Jesus. Whatever we do, we remember Christ and do it all for Him.

Deu 20:1 “When you go out to war against your enemies, and see horses and chariots and an army larger than your own, you shall not be afraid of them, for the Lord your God is with you, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt. 2 And when you draw near to the battle, the priest shall come forward and speak to the people 3 and shall say to them, ‘Hear, O Israel, today you are drawing near for battle against your enemies: let not your heart faint. Do not fear or panic or be in dread of them, 4 for the Lord your God is he who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies, to give you the victory.’ 5 Then the officers shall speak to the people, saying, ‘Is there any man who has built a new house and has not dedicated it? Let him go back to his house, lest he die in the battle and another man dedicate it. 6 And is there any man who has planted a vineyard and has not enjoyed its fruit? Let him go back to his house, lest he die in the battle and another man enjoy its fruit. 7 And is there any man who has betrothed a wife and has not taken her? Let him go back to his house, lest he die in the battle and another man take her.’ 8 And the officers shall speak further to the people, and say, ‘Is there any man who is fearful and fainthearted? Let him go back to his house, lest he make the heart of his fellows melt like his own.’ 9 And when the officers have finished speaking to the people, then commanders shall be appointed at the head of the people.

The battle belongs to the Lord. He wants His people to be focus, lest he make the heart of his fellows melt like his own. The Lord is with us - be not fearful and fainthearted. Do you not known, have you not heard, the Lord your God will go before you and level the exalted places! If you know, then be not be fearful nor be fainthearted.

On Sunday, Pastor Edmund spoke about Christ as everything and when Christ is everything - it is enough.

Lord, I want to remember Rachael. Bless her with the joy and recover her - just like a game - start again. I pray that she will began to look beyond the river and see the promise land the Lord is going to bless. Remember only what the Lord has done, remember the covenant the Lord has given, but do not bring the malpractice into the new land. New wine with new wineskins. I pray for that renew and having the new land clear with the inhabitants and have everything renew!