Tuesday 24 September 2013

Read: Ecclesiastes 3:11, Psalm 139:13-18

I wonder what your immediate thought is when you look in the mirror first thing in the morning. Do you reel back in shock? Are you surprised at how tired you look? Do you smile at how tremendously good looking you are today? Do you notice another pimple or blemish that cries out to be squeezed? Do you carefully inspect for an extra wrinkle or another missing hair from your hairline?

What if instead your first thought was to reflect on how you are made in the image of God? Imagine if first thing every morning you took a moment to praise God for what He has done.

In this passage Solomon reminds us of the significance of being made in the image of God by writing that God has set eternity in the hearts of men. In Genesis 1 we read that God forms and shapes the heavens and the Earth and He fills his creation with heavenly lights, plants and animals. God pronounces this creation good. But He isn't finished yet. Finally He creates man and sets him apart from the rest of creation by saying, "Let us make man in our own image." Mankind alone is made in God's image. Solomon's statement reflects our creation and reminds us that we are different, we are made in God's image, made with eternity in our hearts.

Think about this for a moment. God has made you in His own image. God has set eternity in your heart. This makes you incredibly precious to God and incredibly valuable.

The Psalmist bursts out in praise to God at this: "I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well." God takes tremendous care with everything He makes. He was involved in every moment of your formation: When you were being formed in your mother's womb, He was involved. When you were born into this world for the first time, He was involved. In every moment of your childhood which shaped you to be the person you are today, He was involved and active. When you were lost in your sin and far from Him, He saw fit to suffer and die to bring you into relationship with Himself.

That image that you see in the mirror first thing in the morning is a wonderful, good creation of God, one that He has been working on for years and one that He died to redeem. Your value is not tied to your appearance, it is tied to Him. How does this change the way you see yourself in the mirror today?

Prayer: Write down your prayer points in the space provided. Use today’s reading to help you get ideas.

Adoration:

Confession:

Thanks:

Supplication:

ª Pray for the ladies pamper night happening at Christlife tonight. Pray that many women from the community who don't know Christ would come along and hear about His love for them. Pray that the women would feel valued and precious through the pampering, the fellowship and the other women.

ª Pray for all the children in the congregation at your church. Pray that God would give their parents great wisdom and grace with their children. Pray that the children would know Jesus and love Him. Pray that God would work in their hearts that they might grow up to love and serve Him.

My Additional Prayer Points.

1/.

2/.

 Discussion Questions For Families and Groups

1. How does the fact that mankind is made in the image of God change the way you treat others?

2. We live in a world that is obsessed with outward appearance. The Bible teaches instead that God is more concerned with our hearts. What would it look like to look after our hearts every day like we look after our appearance?

Monday 23 September 2013

Read: Ecclesiastes 3:9-10, Genesis 1:26-31, Colossians 3:22-25

How would you work differently if you worked directly for God? Imagine it. You turn up to work Monday morning and pop your head into God's office to say good morning. Later on God joins everyone for a quick morning tea break. At the end of the day God calls you into His office for a quick report on what you've done during the day. How do you think that this would change the way that you work? Would you work harder? Would you not waste as much time?

This is not some ridiculous exercise of the imagination. The truth is that this is the way that the Bible describes our work. Work is not something evil invented by humans to make money, work is something given directly by God to mankind. In fact prior to the fall, right from the point of man's creation, God gave him work to do. In Genesis 1:28 God says, "Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground."

Notice that after God creates man and gives him work to do He concludes that all He made was very good. Everything that God had made, including the work that He had given to man to do, was very good. God is the one who invented work and He made it as something good.

So why is our work so difficult? The answer lies in the next few chapters of Genesis. After being created, given work, blessed with a wife, placed in a garden paradise and enjoying an intimate relationship with God, man chooses to sin against God by breaking His one explicit command, not to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. The consequences of this action are terrible: no longer will he enjoy eternal life in the garden in intimate relationship with God, instead he is cast out, cursed to one day die apart from God. Even his work is affected. God curses the ground making all his labour difficult and painful (Genesis 3:17). A curse which endures to this day and continues to make our work difficult.

This is the burden that Solomon writes about in verse 10. God has given mankind work to do, work which is difficult and oftentimes burdensome because of man's sin. Despite this difficulty work is a good thing which God has given to mankind.

Colossians 3 shows us the implications of all this. Paul is writing to the Colossians about how Christian households should operate as a result of God's grace to them. Writing to slaves Paul writes a profound principal of work which applies to all Christians: "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men,” (Colossians 3:2)

How would you work differently if you worked directly for God? This isn't a crazy question. The truth is that no matter who our earthly boss is, no matter what work we do or how hard we work we are working directly for God. Everything we do we are to do as for Him and one day we will be called into His office to give a final account for our work. How will you work differently today?

Prayer: Write down your prayer points in the space provided. Use today’s reading to help you get ideas.

Adoration:

Confession:

Thanks:

Supplication:

ª Pray for Extreme Week Holiday Kids Club beginning at Christlife today. Pray that many community children would come along to hear about Jesus and His love for them. Pray that families would be touched by the love shown to them by the church and that we would see many people come to faith in Christ this week.

ª Pray for the staff and volunteers involved in Extreme Week. Pray that God would give them wisdom and energy throughout this week. Pray that they would be gracious, kind and loving towards the children as they demonstrate God's love by their actions.

My Additional Prayer Points.

1/.

2/.

 Discussion Questions For Families and Groups

1. In what ways should you work differently if you worked directly for God?

2. Working for God not only affects how we work but also what we do. How do you think working for God should influence your choice of career?

Saturday September 21, 2013

Read Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

Seasons come and go. Sometimes they are long. Sometimes they are short. God in His providence has ordained both.

 

Each and every Lord’s Day, God has ordained a time to gather together to refocus our hearts and minds and lives on Him. Together we encourage one another, edify one another, sharpen one another and turn together to look at our Lord and Saviour. For some it will be a tough day as they mourn loss. For others it will be a day of celebration and praise for His love and blessings. Still for others it may be a run-of-the-mill day like any other day. Where ever we are in life God has called us to gather together, to sing His praises and to love each other.

 

Tomorrow is an opportunity for each of us to walk arm in arm, to stand side by side and to encourage/edify each other.

 

Will you be there tomorrow for your brothers and sisters? Will you turn up equipped and ready to serve, to bless, to give and to edify? Will you put the needs of others above your own needs and serve? Will you be ready to worship God together tomorrow?

 

Prayer:

Write down at least one prayer point in each category based on the following verse.

Give thanks to the Lord and call on His name’ make known among the nations what He has done and proclaim that His name is exalted.

Isaiah 12:4

Adoration:

 

Confession:

 

Thanks:

 

Supplication:

¥ Spend time asking God to be powerfully present at tomorrow’s service. Pray that He would reveal Himself and show Himself Lord to all who are gathered. Pray that God would grow each and every believer gathered tomorrow.

Discussion Questions For Families and Groups

MJ has said that she doesn’t want to go to church any more because of her tough times.

1. How do you encourage her?

2. How could you help her make a right and good decision?

3. Why do you think MJ made this decision? What other passages of Scripture bear light upon MJ and her situation?

 

 

 

Friday September 20, 2013

Read Ecclesiastes 3:1-4. Romans 12:9-15

I remember well the chorus of an old Finnish song I used to listen to as a teenager. The chorus chimed, ’We also need cloudy days in our lives’. What the song was hinting at was what the Teacher of Ecclesiastes nailed on the head. There are seasons in our lives that include weeping and mourning as well as laughing and dancing. God has allowed both and, as we’ve seen many times, uses both in His sovereignty and grace.

 

As believers we need to be aware of such seasons and should be wary of swapping these seasons. It’s inappropriate to laugh in bad times and to cry in good times. King David illustrated this beautifully when Saul died in battle. David could have rejoiced and praised the Lord that the king was dead and that he could now ascend to his God-given position on the throne of Israel.  Instead, however, he mourned and wept for the King of Israel. See 2 Samuel 1.

 

By knowing and applying these principles in our lives we can have a powerful impact in our world, especially among those who continue to reject Christ. If, for example, our enemies are blessed in a particular way we can be jealous and angry, or we can rejoice with those who rejoice. We can be truly happy for them. If they suffer tragedy we can mourn and weep with them. If they suffer loss through death, we can mourn with them, much like David mourned and lamented the loss of King Saul.

 

This attitude reflects the very heart of Christ. Out of love and compassion for His enemies He came into our world and suffered rejection from God and death on a cross so that the enemies could be saved. Rather than gloating and boasting and being happy about the miserable condition of His enemies, Christ stepped into their world and suffered with them and for them.

 

If you and I have that kind of pathos for the people in our world, Christ will indeed be glorified.

 

 

Prayer:

Write down at least one prayer point in each category based on the following verse.

Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil. Cling to what is good.

Romans 12:9

Adoration:

 

 

Confession:

 

 

Thanks:

 

 

Supplication:

¥ Think of those people in your life who don’t know Christ yet. Write down their names and pray for each one specifically. Ask the Lord to open a door for you to step into their world and to share the love of Christ with them. Pray that He would use this love to bring them to repentance and faith in Christ.

¥ Pray that God’s church throughout this land would be united and standing together on the big issues of our society, namely abortion, sexuality and same sex marriages. Pray that the Word of God would be our standard and that all would submit to the Word.

Discussion Questions For Families and Groups

1. How could today’s passage and learning encourage MJ?

2. What good things can come out of bad situations or negative seasons?

3. How should a Christian act through tough times?

 

 

 

Thursday September 19, 2013

Read Ecclesiastes 3:1-4. Revelation 21:1-4

As we read in Ecclesiastes that there is a time to kill, we have to ask ourselves, ‘Is it ever right to kill another human?’

 

We know that every person is created in the image of God and has intrinsic value because of that God-image. Take away that image and postulate that man is the by-product of time and chance working on some meaningless goo and the question has to be, ‘Is it ever right to keep someone alive?’ Under this system, death is valuable and helpful and the weaker members of the human race should die!

 

But if we are made in the image of our Creator, we have to wrestle with the question, ‘Is it ever right to kill another human being?’ God, in the Ten Commandments stipulated, ‘Thou shall not kill’. The word “kill” could be translated as “murder”. God forbade the unjust killing, the murder, of human beings. But God also demanded life for life. If a person deliberately killed another person then that person forfeited his right to life.

 

We also need to consider the concept of just warfare. We have to consider if going to war against an unjust and tyrannical leader, who is causing unfair and unjust suffering to many, is a good thing or a bad thing. Is it better to end his reign and bring peace to many, or is it better to let him continue causing suffering and death to the masses?

 

In this world we will face death and suffering. Sometimes that death and suffering will be cruel and heartless. Sometimes it will rock us to core of our being. Sometimes we will ache! But we look forward to a time, to a world, where there will be no death and no suffering. We look forward to a world where people will not kill each other. They will not hate each other. They will not despise each other. We look forward to a perfect world where Christ rules at the centre of His creation and everyone walks in perfect obedience.

 

Are you assured of your position in such a world? Do you know for certain that this is where you are headed? Are you living your life like a citizen of that perfect world?

 

Prayer:

meetings and the low priority meetings and the low priority given to cell, home-group, or Bible study attendance suggest that we don’t have to rely on God.

 

God is seen most powerfully at work when His people have to rely on Him and desperately call out to Him.

 

Prayer:

Write down at least one prayer point in each category based on the following verse.

Give thanks to the Lord and call on His name; make known among the nations

what He has done and proclaim that His name is exalted.

Isaiah 12:4

Adoration:

 

Confession:

 

Thanks:

 

Supplication:

Ask the Lord to bless our youth group with growth and maturity. Pray that God would bring depth and knowledge to the youth and that He

¥  would equip them to be faithful ambassadors for Christ in their respective environments.

¥ Pray that the MOPS and Play Pals programs here would bring many people to Christ for salvation. Pray that God would continue to raise up the leaders and helpers needed.

 

Discussion Questions For Families and Groups

Let’s assume that MJ confides in you that she is thinking about suicide. She can’t see the point of pushing on.

1. What would you do in this situation?

2. Who could you turn to for help?

3. What kind of support would MJ need through this?

 

Wednesday September 18, 2013

Jesus Challenge:

Do you think it would be worthwhile having a sub-goal concerning your friends and family?

If yes, what would such a goal look like? If no, why not?

What factors need to be considered when putting together a goal concerning our friends and family?

Discuss the pros and cons of having this type of goal for the relationships in your life.

 

Read Ecclesiastes 3:1-3

The Jewish calendar was based on the seasons of the years. Seasons for us mean primarily a change of wardrobe. In winter it’s time to get the woollies out. In summer it’s time to break out the board shorts and T-shirts. Many shops now anticipate a new season and bring out the next season’s range well before we’ve even had time to think about the current season, let alone the next one.

 

Not so in Jerusalem. The various seasons were all tied to farming and thus to life. Each person had to know when to sow or plant crops. Each person had to know when to harvest, or when to pull up weak or damaged crops. One’s own harvesting had to correlate with the seasons and hence with the festivals that the Lord Himself had instituted. Life and meaning revolved around the seasons. Unfortunately our seasons have nothing to do with life because we shop at supermarkets and expect everything we need to be stocked in the aisles. Most city folk would have no idea about when to plant, when to harvest and so on. The harvest festivals have little meaning to city folk.

 

But the seasons, especially the need to plant and harvest and to pull  reminded the people that they had to work with God not against God. They relied on Him for everything. They had to bow down and beseech God for rain, for warmth, for growth and for herds to increase. In Israel, the people relied on God and had to work with God, not against God.

 

Where and how do we have to rely on God? We work. We get paid. If we don’t work the government gives us handouts and the charities make sure we have enough. Do we really need to rely on God? Perhaps the dwindling numbers in churches across the western world, the small turnouts at prayer meetings and the low priority given to cell, home-group or Bible study attendance suggest that we don’t have to rely on God.

 

God is seen most powerfully at work when His people have to rely on Him and desperately call out to Him.

 

Prayer:

Write down at least one prayer point in each category based on the following verse.

Give thanks to the Lord and call on His name’ make known among the nations what He has done and proclaim that His name is exalted.

Isaiah 12:4

Adoration:

 

 

Confession:

 

 

Thanks:

 

 

Supplication:

¥ Ask the Lord to bless the work of the Reformed Bible College in Myanmar. Ask Him to provide their needs and to raise up godly men and women who can faithfully peach the Word. Pray that God would be powerfully at work in that country.

¥ Pray that God would also provide the needs of the Mustard Seed orphanage in Myanmar as they seek to support orphans, widows and handicapped people.

 

Tuesday September 17, 2013

Read Ecclesiastes 3:1-2, Genesis 2:15-17

If I had a dollar for every time someone asked, ‘Why God would allow _______?’, I would be a literal millionaire. So many unbelieving people are asking this kind of question. Even worse, so many people are saying that they can not and will not believe in God because of evil and suffering and death. I’ve personally heard far too many people declare that they reject God because someone they loved died.

 

Interestingly, many of these people are happy to be or to support the “pro-choice” movement, giving the royal nod to the innocent killing of 90,000 babies each year in Australia alone. Yet they immediately reject God and blame God for death. I’m not sure the inconsistency sits well.

 

Death was not God’s doing. When God created mankind, He gave mankind a command with a consequence. Adam and Eve were told not to eat from the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil. The consequence of disobedience was death. Mankind, in choosing to disobey God, brought death into the world.

 

But even with death, we see a tinge of goodness and grace from God. When mankind rejected God, they became biased towards sin and God brought death into the world. But can death ever be positive and good? Think of people like Hitler, Mussolini, Mao, Stalin who between them killed millions and millions of innocent people. Without death in the world, their reign could go on forever and ever. Death brings an end to evil and limits the evil that one person or one group can perpetrate. God in His wisdom has allowed death into the world as a consequence of mankind’s rebellion and as constant reminder that all is not as it should be.

 

Prayer:

Write down at least one prayer point in each category based on the following verse.

...Death has been swallowed up in victory. Where O Death is your victory? Where O Death is your sting?

1 Cor 15:54-55.

Adoration:

 

 

Confession:

 

 

Thanks:

 

 

Supplication:

¥ Pray for the older members of your congregation. Ask the Lord to enable them to pass on their wisdom and Bible knowledge and experience to the younger generations. Pray that we would see many people grow in their faith and love for Jesus through their ministry and mentoring.

¥ Pray that the Lord would grow the children in your congregation in their faith, their boldness, their willingness to live for You. Ask God to raise up an army of ambassadors who put God first in their entire lives.

Discussion Questions For Families and Groups

1. What comfort can we give Mary Jo if she had lost someone close to her?

2. How does Christian grieving differ to non Christian grieving?