taken from "Remember Jesus - 50 Days of Reading and Reflection"
The disciple is a learner. A disciple of Christ follows the teachings and example of his Lord. Carrying the cross is a distinguishing mark of discipleship.
When Christ carried His cross, He walked the path of humility. This implies that His fervent disciple should display the distinct characteristic of meekness. The true follower of Christ takes pain to abandon selfish desires. He works hard at being selfless.
The man of meekness turns the other cheek when in verbal combat. Having nothing to say may sometimes be a clever thing to do. He may even sense a loss of dignity, but he deliberately chooses to honour God rather than to please man.
The person who insists on personal right and freedom cares not, first of all, for the benefit or comfort of others. Selfish concerns is the antithesis to genuine and ungrudging outreach to friends and foes alike. Despite private pursuits of wisdom, wealth and health, the authentic disciple balances time and activities to meet needs of the less fortunate.
He does not call attention to his achievements, experience or qualifications and is willing to let others be considered before him. He merely presses on with perseverance, fulfilling purpose with an eternal perspective.
The cross symbolises disgrace, degradation and death. The call to discipleship is about promotion in godly ranks but quiet submission to the will of God.
Which specific humble step are you proceeding today?
Thursday, January 21, 2016
Tuesday, January 12, 2016
One Generation Away
- Pastor Joey
Judgess 2:6-15
Spiritual education is very important
- What would you have done for the next generation in the next 10 years?
- Losing them in secularism?
- Losing them to faithlessness?
- In the ways of the world?
- If not now then when, if not here then where, if not you then who?
Point 1
We are one generation away from losing the zeal of God
Point 2
We are one generation away from the judgement of God. Deuteronomy 4:24 tells us that our God is a devouring fire; He is a jealous God.
Point 3
We are one generation away from making a difference for God
3 tactical steps that we can help the next generation :
- Model for us (in the house, at work, in church)
- Serve with us (be spiritual sign post, be the experience banks, be the knowledge banks)
- Pray with us
Dr. Bruce Principles - 3 Chairs Principles
Chair One: COMMITMENT
The first chair person is a believer in Jesus, but has gone beyond accepting the gift of salvation to willfully being under Christi’s authority and direction. This person knows the Lord as a personal friend and Savior, and is developing a meaningful and growing relationship with Him for himself and those he’s responsible for. They are deeply committed to Jesus Christ in all they do.
Chair Two: COMPROMISE
The second chair represents someone who has received new life in Christ but hasn’t decided how little or much they will follow Him. He claims to believe all the same truths as someone in the first chair, follows the Christian ‘lifestyle’ in many outward ways, and usually has the best intentions. But instability and inconsistency mark his course. Children who grow up in a Christian home tend to sit in Chair Two. Also, it is easy for Christians to slide from Chair One to Chair Two.
Chair Three: CONFLICT
The third chair stands for someone who has not responded personally to God. A third chair person may have always known he wasn’t a Christian, or may be confused about his spiritual state. Especially if he has grown up in a Christian family surrounded by God-talk, he may look, act, feel, and think like Christians – almost. But a gulf of sin and rebellion lies between him and God. Until he repents of his sin and surrenders to Jesus Christ for salvation, he is at odds with his Creator and his purpose in life. A person who grows up in the home of Chair Two parents tends to sit in Chair Three. Having seen Christianity in name only, they reject it as they get older.
Judgess 2:6-15
Spiritual education is very important
- What would you have done for the next generation in the next 10 years?
- Losing them in secularism?
- Losing them to faithlessness?
- In the ways of the world?
- If not now then when, if not here then where, if not you then who?
Point 1
We are one generation away from losing the zeal of God
Point 2
We are one generation away from the judgement of God. Deuteronomy 4:24 tells us that our God is a devouring fire; He is a jealous God.
Point 3
We are one generation away from making a difference for God
3 tactical steps that we can help the next generation :
- Model for us (in the house, at work, in church)
- Serve with us (be spiritual sign post, be the experience banks, be the knowledge banks)
- Pray with us
Dr. Bruce Principles - 3 Chairs Principles
Chair One: COMMITMENT
The first chair person is a believer in Jesus, but has gone beyond accepting the gift of salvation to willfully being under Christi’s authority and direction. This person knows the Lord as a personal friend and Savior, and is developing a meaningful and growing relationship with Him for himself and those he’s responsible for. They are deeply committed to Jesus Christ in all they do.
Chair Two: COMPROMISE
The second chair represents someone who has received new life in Christ but hasn’t decided how little or much they will follow Him. He claims to believe all the same truths as someone in the first chair, follows the Christian ‘lifestyle’ in many outward ways, and usually has the best intentions. But instability and inconsistency mark his course. Children who grow up in a Christian home tend to sit in Chair Two. Also, it is easy for Christians to slide from Chair One to Chair Two.
Chair Three: CONFLICT
The third chair stands for someone who has not responded personally to God. A third chair person may have always known he wasn’t a Christian, or may be confused about his spiritual state. Especially if he has grown up in a Christian family surrounded by God-talk, he may look, act, feel, and think like Christians – almost. But a gulf of sin and rebellion lies between him and God. Until he repents of his sin and surrenders to Jesus Christ for salvation, he is at odds with his Creator and his purpose in life. A person who grows up in the home of Chair Two parents tends to sit in Chair Three. Having seen Christianity in name only, they reject it as they get older.
Monday, January 4, 2016
Embracing Our Destiny
by Pastor Calvin Lee
(1) A church that loves God and people
(2) A church that live out the gospel of Jesus Christ
Joel 1:14
Let's begin 2016 with a heart for God
Vision and Direction of Grace Assembly is to be Missional, is to be the gospel wherever you are. We are a Missional Family Church.
(A) Love Father God with everything that we have, every ounce of energy. It is an upward focus.
Matthew 22:37-38
(B) Love your family (spiritual & biological), love your enemy, love your neighbour with the supernatural strength and love of God that fills our hearts. It is an inward focus. It is a badge of Christianity.
Matthew 22:39-40
John 13:34-35
(C) Love your friends. It is an outward focus.
Matthew 28:19-20
4 Key trusts that we are embarking on :
(1) Equipping the gracians (to be, then to do)
- Learn the word, live out the word, lead with the word
- Who we are is more important than what we do
- Our character is more important than our charisma
(2) Empowering the families
- Spiritual and biological families
- To be personal not impersonal, neither professional
- High touch not just high tech
- Whatever is your vision for your family at the end of your life journey? Start building it intentionally now!
(3) Engaging the community
(4) Expanding into the world
Paradigm shifts we need to make :
(1) Missional not just ministry. Restore our mission
(2) Alignments not just assignment. Reorder our priorities
(3) Purpose not just performance
(4) Authenticity not just accomplishment
(5) We not just me. Revise our perspective
(6) Him not just us. Recalibrate our agenda
We have just one life, use it for God's Glory!!
(1) A church that loves God and people
(2) A church that live out the gospel of Jesus Christ
Joel 1:14
Let's begin 2016 with a heart for God
Vision and Direction of Grace Assembly is to be Missional, is to be the gospel wherever you are. We are a Missional Family Church.
(A) Love Father God with everything that we have, every ounce of energy. It is an upward focus.
Matthew 22:37-38
(B) Love your family (spiritual & biological), love your enemy, love your neighbour with the supernatural strength and love of God that fills our hearts. It is an inward focus. It is a badge of Christianity.
Matthew 22:39-40
John 13:34-35
(C) Love your friends. It is an outward focus.
Matthew 28:19-20
4 Key trusts that we are embarking on :
(1) Equipping the gracians (to be, then to do)
- Learn the word, live out the word, lead with the word
- Who we are is more important than what we do
- Our character is more important than our charisma
(2) Empowering the families
- Spiritual and biological families
- To be personal not impersonal, neither professional
- High touch not just high tech
- Whatever is your vision for your family at the end of your life journey? Start building it intentionally now!
(3) Engaging the community
(4) Expanding into the world
Paradigm shifts we need to make :
(1) Missional not just ministry. Restore our mission
(2) Alignments not just assignment. Reorder our priorities
(3) Purpose not just performance
(4) Authenticity not just accomplishment
(5) We not just me. Revise our perspective
(6) Him not just us. Recalibrate our agenda
We have just one life, use it for God's Glory!!
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