BAA.

Monday, November 21, 2005

November 20, 2005
Don't Make News!

Read:1 Thessalonians 4:1-12

You should abound more and more, just as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God. - 1 Thessalonians 4:1

Bible In One Year: 1 Thessalonians 1-5

A story in our local newspaper reported that a $1.73 billion highway and mass transit project in Denver, Colorado, was nearing completion on schedule and within the budget. But the story wasn't on the front page. In fact, it was tucked into a sidebar of brief summaries in small type on page 3 of the local news section. If the project had been plagued by fraud, delays, and cost overruns, no doubt it would have been headline news.

I've decided that "Don't Make News" might be a good motto in life. If we lie, cheat, and steal, that's news. If we live honestly and morally, we can have an unnoticed yet effective spiritual influence on people around us.

When Paul commended the Christians in Thessalonica for showing love toward each other, he urged them, "Aspire to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your own hands . . . that you may walk properly toward those who are outside" (1 Thessalonians 4:11-12).

Since our goal is to please God in everything we do (v.1), it makes no difference whether anyone applauds our actions or not. We are called to be faithful, not famous. Bad behavior sells newspapers. Honesty and integrity honor the Lord. Don't make news! - David McCasland

I'd rather have Jesus than men's applause,I'd rather be faithful to His dear cause;I'd rather have Jesus than worldwide fame,I'd rather be true to His holy name. - Miller© Renewal 1950, Chancel Music, Inc.

The world's applause cannot compare to the Lord's approval.

Taken from http://www.rbc.org/odb/odb.shtml (Our Daily Bread).

The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall never be in want.
12:34 PM

Saturday, November 12, 2005

November 11, 2005

Ordinary People

Read:Acts 4:1-21
When they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. - Acts 4:13
Bible In One Year: Acts 3-5

Bestselling novelist Arthur Hailey (1920-2004) once said of his characters, "I don't think I really invented anybody. I have drawn on real life." When readers open a book by the British author, they encounter ordinary people whom the writer has placed in extraordinary situations.

In Acts 4 we find ordinary people, including the fishermen Peter and John, whom God placed in unexpected situations as witnesses to the reality of the risen Christ. These men, who had fled when Jesus was arrested, were now boldly facing threats and punishment for telling others about Him.

Even the authorities who opposed these followers of Jesus were astonished "when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men . . . . And they realized that they had been with Jesus" (v.13).

Most of us are ordinary people in a real life of work, relationships, and everyday circumstances. Our opportunities to demonstrate the reality of Christ may sometimes come disguised as difficulties, as they did for the disciples in Acts.

As ordinary people, we can have an extraordinary impact for Christ if we will trust the Author of our circumstances and rely on the Holy Spirit's power. - David McCasland

Just what do Christians look like?What sets their lives apart?They're ordinary peopleWho love God from the heart. - D. De Haan

God is looking for ordinary people to do extraordinary work.

Taken from http://www.rbc.org/odb/odb.shtml (Our Daily Bread).

The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall never be in want.
3:22 PM

Wednesday, November 09, 2005

November 8, 2005

I Will Come Back For You

Read:John 14:1-6
I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you. - John 14:18
Bible In One Year: John 14-17

In 1914 Ernest Shackleton led an expedition to sail to Antarctica, and then walk to the South Pole. The expedition went according to plan until ice trapped the ship and eventually crushed its hull. The men made their way by lifeboat to a small island. Promising to come back for them, Shackleton and a small rescue party set out across 800 miles of perilous seas to South Georgia Island.

With only a sextant to guide them, they made it to the island. Shackleton then led his party over steep mountainous terrain to the whaling port on the other side. Once there, he acquired a ship to rescue his crew. Their leader had kept his word and returned for them. Not one man was left behind.

As Jesus was preparing to leave His disciples, He promised to return. He said, "If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also" (John 14:3). After enduring the horrors of the cross, Jesus rose from the dead to provide eternal life to all who believe in Him as their Savior. He indwells us today by the Holy Spirit, but one day He will return and gather us into His presence (1 Thessalonians 4:15-18). Jesus is true to His word

If you are His, He will come back for you! - Dennis Fisher

Lift up your heads, pilgrims aweary!See day's approach now crimson the sky;Night shadows flee, and your Beloved,Awaited with longing, at last draweth nigh. - Camp© Renewal 1941, Singspiration, Inc.

Christ's second coming is as certain as His first.

Taken from http://www.rbc.org/odb/odb.shtml (Our Daily Bread).

The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall never be in want.
2:40 AM

Tuesday, November 08, 2005

November 7, 2005
The Lord Is My Rock

Read:Psalm 18:1-3
The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust. - Psalm 18:2

Bible In One Year: John 11-13

It turns out that we humans reason largely by means of our hearts and not by our heads. As French mathematician and theologian Blaise Pascal noted long ago, "The heart has reasons that reason does not know."

Poets, singers, storytellers, and artists have always known this. They use symbols and metaphors that speak to our hearts rather than to our minds. That's why their ideas penetrate where everything else has failed. And that's why we say, "A picture is worth a thousand words." Images remain in our minds when all else is forgotten.

David wrote, "The Lord is my rock and my fortress, . . . my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold" (Psalm 18:2). He was thinking of physical elements that convey spiritual realities. Each picture expresses a deeper thought, linking the visible world to the invisible realm of the Spirit. David doesn't wander into definition and explanation, for explanation can blunt imagination. Each picture is left hanging in our minds - images that evoke mystery, arouse our imagination, and deepen our understanding.

David wakes up what is hidden deep within us. It's good to think long thoughts about it. What does this mean to you: God is my rock, my fortress, my shield? - David Roper

O love of God, our shield and stayThrough all the perils of our way;Eternal love, in Thee we rest,Forever safe, forever blest. - Bonar

Faith bridges chasms that reason cannot fathom.

Taken from http://www.rbc.org/odb/odb.shtml (Our Daily Bread).

The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall never be in want.
10:49 AM

Sunday, November 06, 2005

November 5, 2005
No Fast Food In The Bible
Read:Psalm 119:9-24
I will meditate on Your precepts, and contemplate Your ways. —Psalm 119:15
Bible In One Year: John 4-6

I love the sight of cows lying in the field, chewing their cud. But what is cud? And why do they spend so much time chewing it?

Cows first fill their stomachs with grass and other food. Then they settle down for a good long chew. They bring the food back up from their stomachs and rework what they've already eaten, assimilating its goodness and transforming it into rich creamy milk. Time-consuming? Yes. A waste of time? Not if they want to give good milk.

The phrase "chewing the cud" is used to describe the process of meditation. The writer of Psalm 119 obviously did a lot of mental chewing as he read God's Word. No fast food for him! If we follow his example of careful and prayerful Scripture reading, we will:

- Be strengthened against sin (v.11).
- Find delight in learning more about God (vv.15-16).
- Discover wonderful spiritual truths (v.18).
- Find wise counsel for daily living (v.24).

Meditation is more than reading the Bible and believing it. It's applying Scripture to everyday life.

God's Word is not meant to be fast food. Take time for a good long chew. - Joanie Yoder

Break Thou the bread of life, dear Lord, to me,As Thou didst break the loaves beside the sea;Beyond the sacred page I seek Thee, Lord;My spirit pants for Thee, O living Word. - Lathbury

To be a healthy Christian, don't treat the Bible as snack food.

Taken from http://www.rbc.org/odb/odb.shtml (Our Daily Bread).

The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall never be in want.
3:14 PM

Saturday, November 05, 2005

SFers Please Send this URL to ur Friends. Invitation e-card to invite ur friends to the SF Program[Lei Sheng Xiong].
http://lccsf-invitation.blogspot.com

The date n time for doing invitation cards are as follow:
ate: 6 Nov 05 (Sat)
Time: 2pm-4pm
Venue: Church
Things to bring: Colour pencils if u have any

Cya!

The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall never be in want.
2:36 PM

The Servants Knew

Read:John 2:1-11

[Jesus'] mother said to the servants, "Whatever He says to you, do it." - John 2:5

Bible In One Year: John 1-3

Few weddings are matters of life and death, but they often feel that way to the people involved. After giving three daughters in marriage, I can appreciate the concern parents have over proper arrangements for their guests. So whenever I read about the wedding in Cana in John 2:1-11, I find myself smiling at every turn.

Although the events strike me as lighthearted, Jesus' miracle of turning water into wine had the serious purpose of revealing Himself as the Son of God to His disciples.

Many people may have seen the large stone jars being filled with water. But it was the servants, who had poured every gallon, to whom the Lord said, "Draw some out now, and take it to the master of the feast" (v.8). The Bible says simply, "And they took it." Their unhesitating obedience is a model for us in our daily God-given tasks.

The master praised the bridegroom, saying, "You have kept the good wine until now!" He didn't know its origin (v.10), "but the servants who had drawn the water knew" (v.9).

Like them, we recognize that whenever God uses our meager efforts to help others, it's a miracle of His power. The servants at Cana who drew the water knew that the praise belonged to Jesus. And so do we. - David McCasland

I can always count on God, my heavenly Father,For He changes not; He always is the same - Yesterday, today, forever, He is faithful,And I know He loves me, praise His holy name. - Felten

God's great power deserves our grateful praise.

Taken from http://www.rbc.org/odb/odb.shtml ( Our Daily Bread)

The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall never be in want.
12:27 PM

Thursday, November 03, 2005

This will be a place where Stuff of SF will be post up. Eg. Topic of words for this week. Some Praying List of our SF and manys other.So pls check this blog more offen. anystuff u wanna share will SF can type it in Tagboard. Thank U.

The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall never be in want.
10:56 PM