Read 1 Corinthians 10:1-13
As we read from Colossians that Jesus defeated every enemy, triumphing over them by the cross, we have to examine the battle each one of us faces daily with temptation. Granted, we are all tempted by different things and different issues, but the truth remains, we are all tempted. Even Jesus was tempted.
But what does the victorious, risen Lord do for us in the hour of temptation?
1 Cor 10:13 is a wonderful promise.
No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.
Several points need to be made as we read this promise:-
µ God does not promise to take away temptation. He promises us a way through it. Expecting temptation to end in this life is a false and unbiblical expectation.
µ God will allow temptation into our lives only to a point which we can bear. Those times when we regrettably gave into temptation were our choices and fall on our heads. God is not to blame for tempting me too much.
µ God will provide a way out of temptation. He provides the way and it’s often up to us to take that way, to walk along the route that He has provided.
µ We can choose not to take His provision to stand up under temptation. We can choose to give into temptation. Don’t be fooled. This does not please the Lord.
From experience (my own and from others) has taught me that God provides a way out in several forms. Sometimes He will grant the supernatural power to walk away from temptation. Praise God when He does. At other times he will provide a verse or portion of Scripture to meditate on and to strengthen us. It’s very hard, for example, to be greedy and covetous when a relevant verse is enlarged in our heart and mind. At other times He will bring along a brother or sister to aid us in the hour of temptation. Again, we can seek their help or we can lie and deceive them that all is ok with us. Still at other times He will intervene and remove the temptation from before us.
Often what happens in temptation is very subtle and dangerous. When we begin to face temptation, the urge or the desire wells up within us. Sometimes we begin to look for excuses or reasons why we should indulge our passions or lusts. We begin to justify our plan to indulge. We begin to make an excuse for it. Sometimes we’ll play around with that excuse for some time before we indulge. When our bodily passions are fully ignited, we indulge.
It’s at that early stage that we need to pray and to seek God’s deliverance out of temptation. Flirting with it is dangerous and foolish. Pray. Ask God to give you a way out before it’s too late. Ring a brother or sister and get prayer and practical help. Do what ever it takes to nip sin and temptation in the bud.
God has promised a way out of temptation. No wonder the very next verse says, “Therefore, my dear friends, flee from idolatry.”.
Prayer:-
m Pray for your church leaders, session, teachers, preachers, youth leaders, cell leaders and kids work leaders. Pray that God would provide avenues of escape for them in the hour of temptation. Ask God to make these men and women strong in the Lord, people filled with integrity and the ability to walk continually on paths of righteousness.
m If you struggle with a particular kind of temptation or source of temptation pray that God would release you from that temptation and that He’ll provide a mechanism to keep it in check, once for all.
Get Into It!
If you struggle with temptation, ring a trusted mature Christian friend and ask them to be praying with you.
Thursday, 30 September 2010
Wednesday, 29 September 2010
Wednesday September 29, 2010
Read Mark 15:16-16:39
The scene of Jesus’ crucifixion and death had many intricate and amazingly glorious details. Who among the throng and the crowd could not have noticed this one concerning the Roman centurion that knelt to confess Jesus as Lord?
As a Roman soldier assigned to the Jesus’ case, he would have no doubt seen Jesus much earlier that day. It’s highly probable that he was in the arrest party searching for Jesus and bringing Him in as a captive.
It’s possible that he was there guarding the captive during the interrogation. Maybe he joined in the insults and the mocking. Maybe he laughed and cajoled Jesus as He wore the crown of thorns and endured the whipping. Maybe he partook of the several beatings that Jesus received. It’s probable that he mocked and insulted the Lord of Grace.
Whatever role this Roman centurion played, we can be sure that he had witnessed the entire panoply of events - the arrest, the interrogation, the whipping and beatings, the carrying of the cross, the involuntary addition of Simon, the nailing, the darkness, the splitting rocks, the dead bodies raised to life, the darkness, the tearing of the curtain in the temple and Jesus’ last words before His spirit departed. At the crucial hour of 3 in the afternoon, he stood in front of a pathetic and bloodied victim of Roman brutality and Jewish connivery. Being a Roman soldier he had no reason to get emotionally involved. He had no reason to trust this figure hanging from the cross. He had no reason to change his mind. But watching this Jesus die was just too much to bear. When he had seen all that transpired, this soldier confessed, “Surely this man was the Son of God”.
There in lies the victory that Christ wins every time another sinner repents and believes in Jesus. Whenever another person turns to the Lord for salvation that cry is heard again, ‘Surely this man is the Son of God’.
Prayer:-
m Pray for three people that you would love to hear say, “Surely Jesus is the Son of God”. Pray that God would grant them faith and repentance in Christ Jesus. Pray that God would be pleased to use you in relationship with these people, to bring them to Himself.
m Pray that every church in Australia would come again to realise that our mission is to make disciples throughout all the world. Pray that those churches who have turned askew from this mission would repent and come back to it. Pray for a revival to start in your congregation and to flow outwards.
The scene of Jesus’ crucifixion and death had many intricate and amazingly glorious details. Who among the throng and the crowd could not have noticed this one concerning the Roman centurion that knelt to confess Jesus as Lord?
As a Roman soldier assigned to the Jesus’ case, he would have no doubt seen Jesus much earlier that day. It’s highly probable that he was in the arrest party searching for Jesus and bringing Him in as a captive.
It’s possible that he was there guarding the captive during the interrogation. Maybe he joined in the insults and the mocking. Maybe he laughed and cajoled Jesus as He wore the crown of thorns and endured the whipping. Maybe he partook of the several beatings that Jesus received. It’s probable that he mocked and insulted the Lord of Grace.
Whatever role this Roman centurion played, we can be sure that he had witnessed the entire panoply of events - the arrest, the interrogation, the whipping and beatings, the carrying of the cross, the involuntary addition of Simon, the nailing, the darkness, the splitting rocks, the dead bodies raised to life, the darkness, the tearing of the curtain in the temple and Jesus’ last words before His spirit departed. At the crucial hour of 3 in the afternoon, he stood in front of a pathetic and bloodied victim of Roman brutality and Jewish connivery. Being a Roman soldier he had no reason to get emotionally involved. He had no reason to trust this figure hanging from the cross. He had no reason to change his mind. But watching this Jesus die was just too much to bear. When he had seen all that transpired, this soldier confessed, “Surely this man was the Son of God”.
There in lies the victory that Christ wins every time another sinner repents and believes in Jesus. Whenever another person turns to the Lord for salvation that cry is heard again, ‘Surely this man is the Son of God’.
Prayer:-
m Pray for three people that you would love to hear say, “Surely Jesus is the Son of God”. Pray that God would grant them faith and repentance in Christ Jesus. Pray that God would be pleased to use you in relationship with these people, to bring them to Himself.
m Pray that every church in Australia would come again to realise that our mission is to make disciples throughout all the world. Pray that those churches who have turned askew from this mission would repent and come back to it. Pray for a revival to start in your congregation and to flow outwards.
Tuesday, 28 September 2010
Tuesday September 28, 2010
Read Colossians 2:15. Revelation 5:7-12
It’s often hard to see Jesus as victorious right now isn’t it? Think about the world we live in. It’s still filled with violence. There is still hatred. There is still disease and death and dying. There is still sin!
But the Word of God assures us that Jesus has been victorious. He has defeated the powers and authorities, triumphing over them by the cross! Jesus’ resurrection was the crowning victory that brings hope and eternity to all who believe in Him. And we are assured that one day the risen Lord Jesus will return and He will gather the elect to Himself. He will judge the wicked and the evil. He will repay those who have hated Him and worked against Him. When Death and Hades have been finally defeated He will open paradise for you and I and all who believe. You and I will see that heavenly scene where the elders and angels and creatures bow down to the Lord Jesus Christ. You and I will witness every tongue in heaven and on the earth and under the earth confessing “Jesus Christ is Lord”, to the glory of God the Father.
But for now we wait patiently as we fight the good fight, straining and striving for our heavenly inheritance. We fight and we strive because He is victorious, not to win the victory.
As 1 Peter 1:8-9 says:-
Though you have not seen Him, you love Him; and even though you do not see Him now, you believe in Him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
Prayer:-
m Pray that our brothers and sisters in Christ in Iraq and Iran would know the victory of Christ as they struggle and fight the good fight each and every day. Pray that they will stand strong in the face of opposition, shining the light of Jesus and proclaiming the gospel.
m Pray that we would valiantly stand up for the truth of God’s word and willingly put on our spiritual armour to fight the true battle. Pray for those in your congregation who may need encouragement and uplifting at this time.
Get Into It!
Spend a few moments describing heaven.
Find bible verses that describe heaven. Pray that you can share this with someone today.
It’s often hard to see Jesus as victorious right now isn’t it? Think about the world we live in. It’s still filled with violence. There is still hatred. There is still disease and death and dying. There is still sin!
But the Word of God assures us that Jesus has been victorious. He has defeated the powers and authorities, triumphing over them by the cross! Jesus’ resurrection was the crowning victory that brings hope and eternity to all who believe in Him. And we are assured that one day the risen Lord Jesus will return and He will gather the elect to Himself. He will judge the wicked and the evil. He will repay those who have hated Him and worked against Him. When Death and Hades have been finally defeated He will open paradise for you and I and all who believe. You and I will see that heavenly scene where the elders and angels and creatures bow down to the Lord Jesus Christ. You and I will witness every tongue in heaven and on the earth and under the earth confessing “Jesus Christ is Lord”, to the glory of God the Father.
But for now we wait patiently as we fight the good fight, straining and striving for our heavenly inheritance. We fight and we strive because He is victorious, not to win the victory.
As 1 Peter 1:8-9 says:-
Though you have not seen Him, you love Him; and even though you do not see Him now, you believe in Him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
Prayer:-
m Pray that our brothers and sisters in Christ in Iraq and Iran would know the victory of Christ as they struggle and fight the good fight each and every day. Pray that they will stand strong in the face of opposition, shining the light of Jesus and proclaiming the gospel.
m Pray that we would valiantly stand up for the truth of God’s word and willingly put on our spiritual armour to fight the true battle. Pray for those in your congregation who may need encouragement and uplifting at this time.
Get Into It!
Spend a few moments describing heaven.
Find bible verses that describe heaven. Pray that you can share this with someone today.
Monday, 27 September 2010
Monday September 27, 2010
Read Colossians 2:13-15
The Bible makes no bones about our condition before we were saved by Jesus. We were NOT nice, well to do people. We were not top candidates for salvation. We were not on the A list of good points earners. (I know that’s a hard pill to swallow). But read vs 13 again. We were dead in our transgressions. We were under the power of the evil one. We were held in chains to our lusts, passions and sins. We were, in Old Testament language, uncircumcised in our heart.
But God took us out of that deadness and made us alive with Christ. He breathed new birth into us. He gave us eternal life. He actually took the law that was against us—all the accusations, all the demerits and He nailed them to the cross with Christ Jesus. Every sinful thought, every harsh and abusive word, every act of vengeance, every lust and every ounce of greed that exists in me and you was nailed to the cross. The punishment was paid in full. The words ‘Fully Pardoned’ were irreversibly and irrevocably stamped on our release papers.
It’s hard to be proud and uppity when we realise that everything we have in terms of our salvation is from God. That’s exactly the way that He wants it. Salvation is a gift of grace from God to us. As we realise this more and more in our own lives, we will readily, even joyously, share that gift with those in our world who desperately need it. Who in your world needs the gift of salvation? I pray that you and I are never too proud to share it with them.
Prayer:-
m Spend time praising God for the two weeks of mission we’ve had earlier. Pray that we’ll be able to follow up any contacts and God willing, continue to see Him powerfully at work in people’s lives.
m Pray that God would use each one of us to build relationship with non believers and to share with them the good news of life in Christ.
Get Into It!
Write out your testimony and pray for opportunities to share it with others today.
The Bible makes no bones about our condition before we were saved by Jesus. We were NOT nice, well to do people. We were not top candidates for salvation. We were not on the A list of good points earners. (I know that’s a hard pill to swallow). But read vs 13 again. We were dead in our transgressions. We were under the power of the evil one. We were held in chains to our lusts, passions and sins. We were, in Old Testament language, uncircumcised in our heart.
But God took us out of that deadness and made us alive with Christ. He breathed new birth into us. He gave us eternal life. He actually took the law that was against us—all the accusations, all the demerits and He nailed them to the cross with Christ Jesus. Every sinful thought, every harsh and abusive word, every act of vengeance, every lust and every ounce of greed that exists in me and you was nailed to the cross. The punishment was paid in full. The words ‘Fully Pardoned’ were irreversibly and irrevocably stamped on our release papers.
It’s hard to be proud and uppity when we realise that everything we have in terms of our salvation is from God. That’s exactly the way that He wants it. Salvation is a gift of grace from God to us. As we realise this more and more in our own lives, we will readily, even joyously, share that gift with those in our world who desperately need it. Who in your world needs the gift of salvation? I pray that you and I are never too proud to share it with them.
Prayer:-
m Spend time praising God for the two weeks of mission we’ve had earlier. Pray that we’ll be able to follow up any contacts and God willing, continue to see Him powerfully at work in people’s lives.
m Pray that God would use each one of us to build relationship with non believers and to share with them the good news of life in Christ.
Get Into It!
Write out your testimony and pray for opportunities to share it with others today.
Saturday, 25 September 2010
Saturday September 25, 2010
Read Colossians 2:1-12
Do you understand what Christ has done for you? Of course you do! But have you ever realised that circumcision of the Old Testament is akin to baptism in the New Testament?
But let’s back track a little bit. When God called Abram out of Ur of the Chaldeans He entered into a covenant with him. The sign of the covenant was circumcision. Interestingly, not only Abram (later called Abraham) was circumcised. All his family (males) and servants were circumcised as well. God entered into a covenant with Abram and his family entered into it as well, because Abram was the head of the household. Circumcision was a symbolic removal of sin. Joshua 5:7-9 shows the relationship with the ritual and the removal of sin.
You and I have entered into the New Covenant with God through Christ Jesus. In effect, we have the sign of the New Covenant that is the Old Testament equivalent.
How did I come to this conclusion? Look at Colossians 2:11-12.
You and I were circumcised in Jesus. You simply cannot get a greater link to OT circumcision and baptism than this verse right here. Our sinful nature was put off or cut off when God entered into the New Covenant with us. We were buried with Christ in our baptism and raised with Him through faith in the power of God. The symbolic nature of the washing of water (see 1 Peter 3:21) is parallel to the symbolic nature of the removal of sin through circumcision.
The Covenant that was initiated with Abraham has been fulfilled in Christ and you have been included through the circumcision done by Christ Jesus.
Prayer:-
m Pray that you and your brothers and sisters would be ready to stand before God tomorrow and worship Him in purity and truth.
m Pray that our worship will be acceptable.
m Pray for our brothers and sisters in Pakistan who are undergoing a terrible trial by fire. Pray for strength, for courage and for the Spirit given ability to love their enemies, bless them and to minister Christ to them.
Get Into It!
Ring another believer and ask how you can be praying for him/her/them before our church gathering tomorrow.
Do you understand what Christ has done for you? Of course you do! But have you ever realised that circumcision of the Old Testament is akin to baptism in the New Testament?
But let’s back track a little bit. When God called Abram out of Ur of the Chaldeans He entered into a covenant with him. The sign of the covenant was circumcision. Interestingly, not only Abram (later called Abraham) was circumcised. All his family (males) and servants were circumcised as well. God entered into a covenant with Abram and his family entered into it as well, because Abram was the head of the household. Circumcision was a symbolic removal of sin. Joshua 5:7-9 shows the relationship with the ritual and the removal of sin.
You and I have entered into the New Covenant with God through Christ Jesus. In effect, we have the sign of the New Covenant that is the Old Testament equivalent.
How did I come to this conclusion? Look at Colossians 2:11-12.
You and I were circumcised in Jesus. You simply cannot get a greater link to OT circumcision and baptism than this verse right here. Our sinful nature was put off or cut off when God entered into the New Covenant with us. We were buried with Christ in our baptism and raised with Him through faith in the power of God. The symbolic nature of the washing of water (see 1 Peter 3:21) is parallel to the symbolic nature of the removal of sin through circumcision.
The Covenant that was initiated with Abraham has been fulfilled in Christ and you have been included through the circumcision done by Christ Jesus.
Prayer:-
m Pray that you and your brothers and sisters would be ready to stand before God tomorrow and worship Him in purity and truth.
m Pray that our worship will be acceptable.
m Pray for our brothers and sisters in Pakistan who are undergoing a terrible trial by fire. Pray for strength, for courage and for the Spirit given ability to love their enemies, bless them and to minister Christ to them.
Get Into It!
Ring another believer and ask how you can be praying for him/her/them before our church gathering tomorrow.
Friday, 24 September 2010
Friday September 24, 2010
Read Colossians 2:9-10
The evil one seeks to lead believers astray. He wants to dampen our enthusiasm. He wants to make our lives unproductive and unfruitful for the gospel. He will use lies, deceits, dread and distractions to sabotage your Christian witness. He will do anything to stop you from sharing Christ with others and even from growing closer to your Lord and Saviour.
In face of this attack, what do we have? What can we be doing. Read vs 9-10 again.
For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head over every power and authority.
In Jesus you have been given His fullness. Jesus is the head over every authority and power. Because you have His fullness, you have His headship, His authority with you as well.
In Christ you have the equipping and the empowering to stand up to the lies and deceits of the world and the evil one.
Prayer:-
m Praise God for the two weeks of mission that we’ve had. Praise God for every single individual that has been involved and supported/partnered in the mission.
m Pray that the teams partnering with the mission will have adequate and blessed rest. Pray that God would reward them for their dedication, their hard work and their faithfulness.
Get Into It!
Discuss the implications of having the fullness of Christ with another mature believer.
The evil one seeks to lead believers astray. He wants to dampen our enthusiasm. He wants to make our lives unproductive and unfruitful for the gospel. He will use lies, deceits, dread and distractions to sabotage your Christian witness. He will do anything to stop you from sharing Christ with others and even from growing closer to your Lord and Saviour.
In face of this attack, what do we have? What can we be doing. Read vs 9-10 again.
For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head over every power and authority.
In Jesus you have been given His fullness. Jesus is the head over every authority and power. Because you have His fullness, you have His headship, His authority with you as well.
In Christ you have the equipping and the empowering to stand up to the lies and deceits of the world and the evil one.
Prayer:-
m Praise God for the two weeks of mission that we’ve had. Praise God for every single individual that has been involved and supported/partnered in the mission.
m Pray that the teams partnering with the mission will have adequate and blessed rest. Pray that God would reward them for their dedication, their hard work and their faithfulness.
Get Into It!
Discuss the implications of having the fullness of Christ with another mature believer.
Thursday, 23 September 2010
Thursday September 23, 2010
Read Colossians 2:8-10
Even though I have worked with people who have been in prison, I couldn’t imagine what it would be like to be a prisoner. I can’t imagine (and I don’t want to imagine) what it’s like to be held captive. What would it have been like to be in Jerusalem when Babylon invaded and took the prisoners captive? What would it have been like in Germany to be a Jew and to be taken captive?
The Lord does not want you or I to be taken captive (a prisoner against our own desires and will) through the deceptive teachings of the world. These philosophies, or ways of thinking, that are contrary to the Bible are described as being hollow and deceptive. They are there to deceive us, to lead us astray. We are also told that these philosophies depend on human tradition and the basic principles of the world. They do not come from Christ and they are not built on Christ. Unfortunately, the church has been racked with traditions and teachings that contradict the Bible, Paul himself will expand a few later on - Don’t eat that. Don’t touch that. Don’t get married. That table is holy. That water is holy... and on and on it goes.
Any teaching that contradicts the Scripture, the Word of God, from any department or discipline, is to be rejected.
See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ.
Prayer:-
m Ask God to unite the team of Kids workers this week with love, patience, unity and oneness. Pray that they will be able to see the eternal importance of their work.
m Pray for opportunities for adult helpers to talk with parents and to share the good news with them.
m Pray that the Kingdom of God would grow through these two weeks of mission.
Get Into It!
Spend the day keeping an eye out for deceptive arguments. Prepare a biblical rebuke for each one you find. Share this with someone else.
Even though I have worked with people who have been in prison, I couldn’t imagine what it would be like to be a prisoner. I can’t imagine (and I don’t want to imagine) what it’s like to be held captive. What would it have been like to be in Jerusalem when Babylon invaded and took the prisoners captive? What would it have been like in Germany to be a Jew and to be taken captive?
The Lord does not want you or I to be taken captive (a prisoner against our own desires and will) through the deceptive teachings of the world. These philosophies, or ways of thinking, that are contrary to the Bible are described as being hollow and deceptive. They are there to deceive us, to lead us astray. We are also told that these philosophies depend on human tradition and the basic principles of the world. They do not come from Christ and they are not built on Christ. Unfortunately, the church has been racked with traditions and teachings that contradict the Bible, Paul himself will expand a few later on - Don’t eat that. Don’t touch that. Don’t get married. That table is holy. That water is holy... and on and on it goes.
Any teaching that contradicts the Scripture, the Word of God, from any department or discipline, is to be rejected.
See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ.
Prayer:-
m Ask God to unite the team of Kids workers this week with love, patience, unity and oneness. Pray that they will be able to see the eternal importance of their work.
m Pray for opportunities for adult helpers to talk with parents and to share the good news with them.
m Pray that the Kingdom of God would grow through these two weeks of mission.
Get Into It!
Spend the day keeping an eye out for deceptive arguments. Prepare a biblical rebuke for each one you find. Share this with someone else.
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