January Devotional Journal 2019

JA N UARY

Who has believed our message and to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed?

ISAIAH 53:1 (NIV)

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DEVOTIONA L JOUR NA L JANUARY 2 0 1 9

Who has believed our message and to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed?

ISAIAH 53:1 (NIV)

Also available at www.cefc.org.sg and “Covenant EFC” mobile app.

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VERSES 2019

JANUARY

Who has believed our message and to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed?

ISAIAH 53:1 (NIV)

FEBRUARY He grew up before him like a tender shoot, and like a root out of dry ground. He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him.

ISAIAH 53:2 (NIV)

MARCH He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain. Like one from whom people hide their faces he was despised, and we held him in low esteem.

ISAIAH 53:3 (NIV)

APRIL Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted.

ISAIAH 53:4 (NIV)

M AY

But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.

ISAIAH 53:5 (NIV)

JUNE We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.

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J U LY He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth.

ISAIAH 53:7 (NIV)

AUGUST By oppression and judgment he was taken away. Yet who of his generation protested? For he was cut off from the land of the living; for the transgression of my people he was punished.

ISAIAH 53:8 (NIV)

SEPTEMBER He was assigned a grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death, though he had done no violence, nor was any deceit in his mouth.

ISAIAH 53:9 (NIV)

OCTOBER Yet it was the LORD’s will to crush him and cause him to suffer, and though the LORD makes his life an offering for sin, he will see his offspring and prolong his days, and the will of the Lord will prosper in his hand.

ISAIAH 53:10 (NIV)

NOVEMBER After he has suffered, he will see the light of life and be satisfied; by his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many, and he will bear their iniquities.

ISAIAH 53:11 (NIV)

DECEMBER Therefore I will give him a portion among the great, and he will divide the spoils with the strong, because he poured out his life unto death, and was numbered with the transgressors. For he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.

ISAIAH 53:12 (NIV) D E V O T I O N A L J O U R N A L 2 0 1 9 // 5

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// B Y S E N I O R P A S T O R S //

2019 is the Year of Proclamation – That None Should Perish!

C

elebration of Hope (COH) which runs from 17 to 19 May is not mass evangelism on a large scale, but personal evangelism on a massive scale. In other words, unless we pray and sow the Gospel into as many people as possible on a personal basis, we will not see a massive conversion of souls. If we expect 2019 to be a year of harvest for our family and friends, then we have to prepare for it.

When we were praying on the mountain during our annual Listening Retreat in July 2018, these verses from the book of Acts convicted us: Acts 8:8 “And there was much joy in that city” The context was the revival in Samaria under Philip’s ministry. Imagine the joy in Singapore when, under the preaching of the Gospel and the power of God, many people are healed of various sicknesses and delivered from spiritual oppression!

Acts 13:44 “The next Sabbath almost the whole city gathered to hear the word of the Lord.” Back then in Pisidian Antioch, huge crowds came to listen to Paul’s preaching. Imagine large multitudes turning up at the Sports Hub at each COH rally to hear the Gospel!

Acts 13:47 (cf. Isa 49:6) “For so the Lord has commanded us, saying, I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.”

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“Isaiah” means “The LORD is Salvation”. Preaching through the book of Isaiah in 2019 will challenge us to fulfil our calling to be a light to the nations!

During that same retreat, we received news about a crisis in Northern Thailand. On 23 June last year, 12 teenage boys and their soccer coach were trapped 2.5 miles inside the Tham Luang cave complex after heavy rains flooded it and cut off their exit route. On 2 July, they were found by two British expert cave divers. A rescue operation was carefully planned. There were 1,800 rescue personnel from 18 countries. In the midst of the rescue preparation, a tragedy happened. Mr Kunan, a volunteer and former Thai Navy SEAL diver, died while transporting air tanks into the tunnels. Although it was an extremely difficult rescue mission, all 13 survivors were eventually rescued from the cave on 10 July. Many people did their part to rescue them. And one man even gave his life to save them.

So, dear brothers and sisters, let us use this 2019 Devotional Journal to spend daily, dedicated time with the Lord in His Word and in prayer ...

The Scripture verses and the cave rescue were a confirmation of 2019 as the Year of Proclamation. Here was a fresh picture of how the Saviour died on the Cross so that people everywhere can be saved from eternal judgement. Our Lord Jesus has given us the Great Commission to make disciples of all nations. So, dear brothers and sisters, let us use this 2019 Devotional Journal to spend daily, dedicated time with the Lord in His Word and in prayer, so that we can know Him more, and be led and empowered

by His Spirit to be faithful witnesses for a fruitful harvest in 2019!

In Christ, Rev Tony Yeo and Rev Tan Kay Kiong

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TO USING

THIS DEVOTIONAL JOURNAL

Step One

Prepare your heart in God’s presence // Select a fixed time (preferably in the morning before you begin your day) and a quiet place where you can be alone and undisturbed. // Observe a moment of silence as you acknowledge God’s presence. Centre down. // Begin with a song of worship. Meditate on the lyrics even if you are unfamiliar with the tune. (Refer to the list of worship songs provided.) // Ask God to open your heart to hear Him.

SOMETHING TO PONDER ...

Examining your life is essential in your faith journey.

Your redeemed life as a disciple of Christ deserves careful examining. May you take root and bear fruit in Him!

The English Standard Version (ESV) is the default Bible version translation unless otherwise specified.

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Step Two

Allow God to S.O.A.P. you with His Word and Spirit // Scripture – Take your time to meditate on the Scripture passage for the day. Pause and mull over words and phrases that stand out to you. // Observation – Jot down significant insights and reflections from the passage you have read. You may use the guiding questions provided. The “Deeper Reflection” section is to aid your contemplation of the Scripture. It is not to replace your own observation, for the Holy Spirit illuminates the Scripture to you as you seek Him earnestly. // Application – Note down a specific and practical commitment to God’s Word for you. Is there a command to obey, a sin to avoid, an example to follow, or a principle to live out? Where appropriate, share your devotional entry with someone. // Prayer – Bring your heartfelt response to God in prayer.

P R AY E R P O I N T E R S F O R 2 0 1 9 Prayer pointers for Pastors and Staff are included every Tuesday. Every Thursday, a prayer pointer is included for outreach/missions/New Life Leaders. On each Friday, there is a prayer pointer for Lay Leaders (e.g. Zone Mentors, CG Leaders, Assistant CG Leaders and Ministry Leaders).

A prayer pointer for Church Board Members is included every Saturday. Please pray for each group as well as any specific individuals whom God may bring to your mind.

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JA N UA RY– F E B R UA RY

HOLY SPIRIT (LIVING BREATH OF GOD) Verse 1 Holy Spirit, living Breath of God Breathe new life into my willing soul Let the presence of the risen Lord Come renew my heart and make me whole Cause Your Word to come alive in me Give me faith for what I cannot see Give me passion for Your purity Holy Spirit, breathe new life in me Verse 2 Holy Spirit, come abide within May Your joy be seen in all I do Love enough to cover every sin In each thought and deed and attitude Kindness to the greatest and the least Gentleness that sows the path of peace Turn my strivings into works of grace Breath of God, show Christ in all I do Verse 3 Holy Spirit, from creation’s birth Giving life to all that God has made Show Your power once again on earth Cause Your church to hunger for Your ways Let the fragrance of our prayers arise Lead us on the road of sacrifice That in unity the face of Christ May be clear for all the world to see Keith Getty | Stuart Townend © 2006 Thankyou Music (Admin. by Crossroad Distributors Pty. Ltd.) CCLI Song # 4779872 CCLI License # 324618

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BE THOU MY VISION Verse 1 Be Thou my vision, O Lord of my heart Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art Thou my best thought, by day or by night Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light Verse 2 Be Thou my Wisdom, and Thou my true Word I ever with Thee and Thou with me, Lord Thou my great Father, and I Thy true son Thou in me dwelling, and I with Thee one Verse 3 Riches I heed not, nor man’s empty praise Thou mine inheritance, now and always Thou and Thou only, first in my heart High King of heaven, my treasure Thou art Chorus Oh, God, be my everything, be my delight Be, Jesus, my glory My soul’s satisfied Oh, God, be my everything, be my delight Be, Jesus, my glory My soul’s satisfied Verse 4 High King of heaven, my victory won May I reach heaven’s joys, O bright heaven’s Sun! Heart of my own heart, whatever befall Still be my vision, O Ruler of all Eleanor Henrietta Hull | Mary Elizabeth Byrne © Words: Public Domain CCLI Song # 30639 CCLI License # 324618

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BUILD MY LIFE Verse 1 Worthy of every song we could ever sing Worthy of all the praise we could ever bring Worthy of every breath we could ever breathe We live for You Verse 2 Jesus the name above every other name Jesus the only one who could ever save Worthy of every breath we could ever breathe We live for You Oh, we live for You Chorus Holy there is no one like You There is none besides You Open up my eyes in wonder Show me who You are And fill me With Your heart And lead me In Your love to those around me Bridge I will build my life upon Your love It is a firm foundation I will put my trust in You alone And I will not be shaken Brett Younker | Karl Martin | Kirby Elizabeth Kaple | Matt Redman | Pat Barrett © 2016 Martin, Karl Andrew (Admin. by Arkyard Music Services Limited) Capitol CMG Genesis (Admin. by CopyCare Asia Ltd (Singapore Branch)) Housefires Sounds (Admin. by CopyCare Asia Ltd (Singapore Branch)) Said And Done Music (Admin. by CopyCare Asia Ltd (Singapore Branch)) sixsteps Music (Admin. by CopyCare Asia Ltd (Singapore Branch)) Thankyou Music (Admin. by CopyCare Asia Ltd (Singapore Branch)) worshiptogether.com songs (Admin. by CopyCare Asia Ltd (Singapore Branch)) Bethel Music Publishing (Admin. by SHOUT! Music Publishing) Kaple Music (Admin. by SHOUT! Music Publishing) For use solely with the SongSelect® Terms of Use. All rights reserved. www.ccli.com CCLI Song # 7070345 CCLI License # 324618

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YOUR LOVE AWAKENS ME Verse 1 There were walls between us By the cross You came and broke them down You broke them down And there were chains around us

By Your grace we are no longer bound No longer bound Pre-Chorus You called me out of the grave You called me into the light You called my name and then my heart came alive!

Chorus Your love is greater!

Your love is stronger!

Your love awakens, awakens, awakens me!

(Repeat) Verse 2 Feel the darkness shaking All the dead are coming Back to life back to life Hear the song awaken all creation Singing we’re alive ‘Cause You’re alive!

Bridge And what a love we’ve found!

Death can’t hold us down!

We shout it out We’re alive ‘cause You’re alive!

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Ending Your love awakens me Your love is greater Your love is stronger Your love awakens, awakens, awakens me!

Chris Quilala | Phil Wickham © Capitol CMG Genesis (Admin. by CopyCare Asia Ltd (Singapore Branch)) Jesus Culture Music (Admin. by CopyCare Asia Ltd (Singapore Branch)) Phil Wickham Music (Admin. by Music Services, Inc.) Seems Like Music (Admin. by Music Services, Inc.) Sing My Songs (Admin. by Music Services, Inc.) For use solely with the SongSelect® Terms of Use. All rights reserved. www.ccli.com CCLI Song # 7054720 CCLI License # 324618

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THE COMPASSION HYMN Verse 1 There is an everlasting kindness You lavished on us When the radiance of heaven Came to rescue the lost You called the sheep without a shepherd To leave their distress For Your streams of forgiveness And the shade of Your rest Verse 2 And with compassion for the hurting You reached out Your hand As the lame ran to meet You And the dead breathed again You saw behind the eyes of sorrow And shared in our tears Heard the sigh of the weary Let the children draw near Chorus What boundless love What fathomless grace You have shown us, O God of compassion Each day we live An offering of praise As we show to the world Your compassion Verse 3 We stood beneath the cross of Calvary And gazed on Your face At the thorns of oppression And the wounds of disgrace For surely You have borne our suffering And carried our grief As You pardoned the scoffer And showed grace to the thief

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Verse 4 How beautiful the feet that carry This gospel of peace To the fields of injustice And the valleys of need To be a voice of hope and healing To answer the cries Of the hungry and helpless With the mercy of Christ Keith Getty | Kristyn Getty | Stuart Townend © 2008 Thankyou Music (Admin. by CopyCare Asia Ltd (Singapore Branch)) For use solely with the SongSelect® Terms of Use. All rights reserved. www.ccli.com CCLI Song # 5468807 CCLI License # 324618

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CHRIST IS ENOUGH Verse 1 Christ is my reward And all of my devotion Now there’s nothing in this world That could ever satisfy Through every trial My soul will sing No turning back I’ve been set free Chorus Christ is enough for me Christ is enough for me Everything I need is in You Everything I need Verse 2 Christ my all in all The joy of my salvation And this hope will never fail Heaven is our home Through every storm My soul will sing Jesus is here To God be the glory Bridge I have decided to follow Jesus No turning back no turning back Post-Bridge The cross before me the world behind me No turning back no turning back Jonas Myrin | Reuben Morgan © 2012 Hillsong Music Publishing CCLI Song # 6514035 CCLI License # 324618

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OVERCOME Verse 1 Seated above Enthroned in the Father’s love Destined to die Poured out for all mankind Verse 2 God’s only Son Perfect and spotless One And He never sinned But suffered as if He did Pre-Chorus All authority Every victory is Yours All authority Every victory is Yours Chorus Savior worthy of honor and glory Worthy of all our praise For You overcame Jesus awesome in power forever Awesome and great is Your Name For You overcame Verse 3 Power in hand Speaking the Father’s plan You’re sending us out Light in this broken land Bridge We will overcome By the blood of the Lamb And the word of our testimony Everyone overcome Jon Egan © 2007 Integrity Worship Music (Admin. by CopyCare Asia Ltd (Singapore Branch)) For use solely with the SongSelect® Terms of Use. All rights reserved. www.ccli.com CCLI Song # 5064359 CCLI License # 324618

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GOD IS HERE Intro Oh oh oh Oh oh oh Verse 1 Open our eyes, Lord We want to see You Open our hearts, Lord We want to know You Open our ears, Lord We need to hear You Jesus be revealed Jesus be revealed Chorus God is here God is here God is here He is able We draw near To see Jesus face to face God is here God is here God is here He is faithful We draw near to see Jesus Oh Jesus be revealed Verse 2 Open the gates, Lord Reveal Your glory Open the nations Establish Your Kingdom Open the Heavens Pour out Your Spirit Jesus be revealed Jesus be revealed

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Bridge Holy We cry holy Hallelujah God is here (x4) Darlene Zschech | Israel Houghton | Phil Wickham © EWI (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing); Integrity Worship Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing); Integrity’s Praise! Music (Admin.

by EMI Christian Music Publishing); Sound Of The New Breed (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing); Phil Wickham Music (Admin. by Simpleville Music, Inc.); Seems Like Music (Admin. by Simpleville Music, Inc.) CCLI Song # 6454669 CCLI License # 324618

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GOD IS ABLE Verse 1 God is able He will never fail He is Almighty God Greater than all we seek Greater than all we ask He has done great things Chorus Lifted up He defeated the grave Raised to life Our God is able In His Name We overcome For the Lord Our God is able Verse 2 God is with us God is on our side He will make a way Far above all we know Far above all we hope He has done great things Bridge God is with us He will go before He will never leave us He will never leave us God is for us He has open arms He will never fail us He will never fail us

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Ending For the Lord Our God is able For the Lord Our God is able Ben Fielding | Reuben Morgan © 2010 Hillsong Music Publishing CCLI Song # 5894275 CCLI License # 324618

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GOD OF AGES Verse 1 God of ages Bringing glory here You are good, You are good Son of righteousness You are all I seek With all my heart Pre-Chorus Giver of life Hope for the lost Is in You All of the earth Shines with Your light Your glory Chorus You are the God who lives You are the God who heals You are my hope, my everything You brought salvation to us Offered Your peace to the world You are my Lord My everything Verse 2 In your promise And your faithfulness I will trust all my days King forever Reign in majesty Be glorified Ben Fielding Š 2007 Hillsong Music Publishing CCLI Song # 4869933 CCLI License # 324618

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TUESDAY // 01 JANUARY 2019

A Life Pleasing to God S CRIPTURE 1 Timothy 2:1-7

O B S E RVAT I O N What is God’s desire for all people regardless of ethnicity, background and social status?

DEEPER REFLECTION

A

‘‘

ll people” is a phrase that appears twice in this passage (vv.1, 4).

Note also the word “all” in the phrase “ransom for all” (v.6), which clearly refers to all people. We are to pray for the salvation of all people regardless of their differences. Contrast “all people” with the word “one”, which occurs twice in the phrases “one God” and “one mediator” (v.5). Both the deity and humanity of Christ are seen here.

We have one God who is our Saviour. We have one mediator between God and all people. That one mediator is the man Christ Jesus. Christ gave Himself as a ransom for all people and is therefore the Saviour of all who believe in Him. Christ is a man, yet at the same time He is the second distinct person of the one God who exists (the Holy Spirt is the third distinct person of the Triune God1). It is right that all believers seek to please this God and live in accordance with His will. Therefore, the apostle Paul urges Christians in the behaviour that is “pleasing in the sight of God our Saviour” (v.3). God “desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth” (v.4), though He has given them the free will to choose to believe or reject Him. This means that every Christian’s life and ministry, in order to be pleasing to God, must be directed towards helping all people to know the truth about God and enter into a relationship with God through Jesus Christ, who is the one mediator between God and people.

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A P P L I CAT I O N In the light of this text, how can I ensure that my life and ministry is pleasing to God?

P R AY E R Write a prayer to God as your

Prayer Pointers

response from your meditation on and application of

// Give thanks:

the Scriptures.

// Pray for pastors and staff: To always seek to help people know Jesus Christ

// Pray for significant people:

// Pray for those in need:

// Pray for self:

1

See further https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/what-is-the-doctrine-of-the-trinity and https://www.gty.org/library/ articles/A215/our-triune-god for helpful articles on the Christian doctrine of the Trinity.

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WEDNESDAY // 02 JANUARY 2019

A Judge Patient Towards Sinners S CRIPTURE 2 Peter 3:1-18

O B S E RVAT I O N What do scoffers in the last days say about God’s judgement, and why?

DEEPER REFLECTION

T

he scoffers in the last days deny God’s existence and mock God’s judgment, because they want to keep on “following their own sinful desires” (v.3). No one and nothing should stand in their way by troubling their conscience, curbing their “freedom” to live in sin and impeding their wicked, self-centred actions. The scoffers “deliberately overlook this fact” (v.5) — that God will do according to His Word (vv.68). They intentionally delude themselves that there is no God to reckon with and that there will be no coming day of divine judgment to fear. The delay of God’s judgment does not mean He will not judge. It does not mean that God is absent or absent-minded; He is not asleep nor apathetic.

The Creator God is the righteous judge of humankind’s evil, wickedness and sinfulness. God’s deferment of judgment is His conferment of grace on sinners to repent. God is patient with humankind before He executes sure and certain judgment at the end (v.9). We are to “count the patience of our Lord as salvation” (v.15). During this period leading to the day of judgment, people can still turn from their sins to faith in Jesus Christ. When “the day of the Lord comes” (v.10), God will create “new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells” (v.13). No unrighteousness whatsoever will exist in the consummated Kingdom of God. The Bible is clear — “the day of judgment” is coming! When that day comes, there will no longer be opportunity for people to repent and receive salvation through faith in Christ. The ungodly will be destroyed (v.7). All unbelievers will perish.

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A P P L I CAT I O N What is my response in view of the coming judgement day of the Lord?

P R AY E R Lord God, thank You for Your

Prayer Pointers

patience towards sinners.

While there is still time for

// Give thanks:

people to repent and believe in Jesus Christ, use me to warn my unbelieving friends and relatives. They may scoff

// Pray for leaders:

at me, but let Your grace and love motivate me to tell them the good news of Jesus Christ nonetheless. Enable me to be

// Pray for significant people:

faithful, watchful and steadfast as I wait for Your return. Amen.

// Pray for those in need:

// Pray for self:

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THURSDAY // 03 JANUARY 2019

A Love Immeasurable in Christ S CRIPTURE

John 3:16-21; Luke 19:10

O B S E RVAT I O N Why did the Lord Jesus come into the world?

DEEPER REFLECTION

R

ecorded for us in these verses are explanations of the extent and manner of God’s love toward us in His Son Jesus Christ and the purpose why Jesus came. The most concise and wellknown description of God’s love is found in verse 16 – “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.” God’s only Son was given to humankind for eternal life and salvation. He was given freely to us but at an unimaginable cost to God. Anyone can believe in the Son of God. No ethnic group nor individual is excluded from coming to Him. Indeed, “the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost” (Lk 19:10). Jesus Christ is “the Son of God”. His favourite self-reference is “the Son of Man”. These two terms tell of the deity and the humanity of Christ. He is fully God and fully Man, and therefore the only One who could be the perfect sacrifice for sins once and for all. God’s grace and love for people has been revealed supremely in His Son, who died on the cross as an atoning sacrifice for their sins. That history-changing event took place in Jerusalem about 2,000 years ago and continues to stand as the most significant event in all of human history. The Gospel is God’s cry of love for sinners. God’s chosen messenger to carry the Gospel is the Church. Every Christian is called to tell people about Jesus, so that believing in the Son of God, they will have eternal life and salvation through Him.

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A P P L I CAT I O N How will I tell people about Jesus Christ in this Year of Proclamation?

P R AY E R Write a prayer to God as your

Prayer Pointers

response from your meditation on and application of

// Give thanks:

the Scriptures.

// Pray for outreach/missions/ New Life leaders: To faithfully lead the church to reach out to the lost

// Pray for significant people:

// Pray for those in need:

// Pray for self:

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FRIDAY // 04 JANUARY 2019

A Gift of God’s Grace S CRIPTURE

Romans 3:21-26; 6:23; Ephesians 2:8-9

O B S E RVAT I O N What is the basis of the salvation of believers in Jesus Christ?

DEEPER REFLECTION

T

here is no distinction among people. With respect to their standing before the righteous and holy God, there is no basic difference. “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (v.23). In the Bible, “glory” usually refers to the magnificent presence of the Lord, and the eternal state was often pictured as a time when God’s people would experience and have a part in that “glory”2. “And just as this sharing in God’s ‘glory’ involves a conformity to the ‘image of Christ’…, so the absence of glory involves a declension from the ‘image of God’ in which human beings were first made.”3 Because all people have sinned, they “fail to exhibit that ‘being-like-God’ for which they were created.”4 All believers in Jesus Christ are justified by God’s grace as a gift (v.24a).

“Justify” means to “to declare righteous”. “To be justified” means “to be acquitted by God from all ‘charges’ that could be brought against a person because of his or her sins”5. Justification is a matter of God’s grace.

It is totally unmerited by people. It cannot be earned. It is a gift of God. Justification can only be received through faith in Jesus Christ. It is only possible because of the redemption wrought by Christ when He died on the cross for people’s sins (v.24b). “Redemption” means “liberation through payment of a price”6. Christ’s death was the costly payment that takes the place of sin’s penalty owed by sinners to God. By His own blood shed on the cross, Jesus averted God’s wrath upon and cleansed the sins of all sinners who put their faith in Jesus (v.25).

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A P P L I CAT I O N How can I guard myself from taking God’s grace for granted?

P R AY E R Write a prayer to God as your

Prayer Pointers

response from your meditation on and application of

// Give thanks:

the Scriptures.

// Pray for lay leaders: To be grateful for God’s grace and faithful in sharing about Christ

// Pray for significant people:

// Pray for those in need:

// Pray for self:

2 3 4 5 6

Douglas J. Moo, The Epistle to the Romans, The New International Commentary on the New Testament (Eerdsmans, 1996), 226.

Douglas J. Moo, 226.

Douglas J. Moo, 226.

Douglas J. Moo, 227.

Douglas J. Moo, 229.

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SATURDAY // 05 JANUARY 2019

A Mission for God’s People S CRIPTURE Romans 10:9-17

O B S E RVAT I O N Why is the preaching of the Gospel so important?

DEEPER REFLECTION

B

elieving in Jesus is the requirement for salvation (v.11).

Everyone who believes in Jesus will not be put to shame, i.e. will experience deliverance at the judgment. Believing in one’s heart is the inner response of which confession with one’s mouth is the outward manifestation (v.9). Two central elements of Christian beliefs are: (1) Jesus is Lord; and (2) God raised Jesus from the dead.

The Lordship of Christ and the resurrection of Christ are foundational truths that are found in faithful Gospel preaching. A preacher is a herald, someone entrusted with a message and sent to deliver that message to the intended audience. Preachers must be sent out, because without preaching, people will not hear the Gospel. If they do not hear the good news of Jesus Christ, they cannot believe in Him. If people do not believe in Jesus, they cannot call on the name of the Lord and be saved (vv.13-14)! Therefore the messenger’s feet are seen as beautiful for they bring the messenger to the unbelievers who need to hear the good news. However, not all who hear the Gospel will believe (v.16). Some people will reject the Gospel. But Christians are to preach nonetheless and proclaim the name of Jesus, the only name that saves. Because “faith comes from hearing and hearing through the word of Christ” (v.17).

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A P P L I CAT I O N How can I be a faithful messenger of the Gospel to others around me?

P R AY E R Write a prayer to God as your

Prayer Pointers

response from your meditation on and application of

// Give thanks:

the Scriptures.

// Pray for church board: To wisely steward church resources for Gospel proclamation

// Pray for significant people:

// Pray for those in need:

// Pray for self:

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SUNDAY // 06 JANUARY 2019

Sunday Journal

S CRIPTURE

O B S E RVAT I O N

A P P L I CAT I O N

P R AY E R

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THE PAST WEEK Review What was my high point and my low point for the week?

What gave me life and what drained me?

How was the Spirit of God at work?

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THE PAST WEEK Reflect What is one key thing that God said to me this week in light of what has happened?

Respond What is one thing I need to do in light of what God is saying? Commit in prayer.

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FAMILY DEVOTIONAL

JANUARY 2019 WEEK 1

WHAT BELONGS TO GOD?* Everything on earth belongs to God. Scripture: Psalm 24:1 ACTIVITY BITE Write down on a piece of a paper everything that belongs to you. Next, get a big poster and write the words, “The Earth is the Lord’s” on it. Then, look through old magazines or newspapers for pictures of animals, plants and objects, cut them out and paste them on the poster.

CHAT TIME Q1: What does Psalm 24:1 mean?

Q2: Are there things that don’t belong to God? Why or why not?

Q3: What does it mean to you when you realise that all your stuff actually belongs to God? LEARNING POINT God is the creator of all things. This makes Him the owner of the earth, animals, trees, seas and everything else. These include our belongings, time, money and abilities. He gave them to us for enjoyment and stewardship, like gifts on loan from Him to us. You can choose to waste them, throw them around or let them become broken and messed up. Or you can decide to guard them as if they belong to you. To be a good steward is to take care of the things that have been given to you. So, think about what you can do with what you have and use them wisely. Using them to bless others is one of the best ways to be a good steward of what you have.

ACTION POINT Think of something that you have or an ability you possess. If you are good at drawing, draw a picture and give it as a present to a friend. If you have a toy, invite your friend to play with it together.

FAMILY PRAYER POINTS Thank God for the things He has given to us. Ask Him to help us be good stewards who will take good care of them.

*Adapted from 252Basics, Oct 2017. www.ThinkOrange.com

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MONDAY // 07 JANUARY 2019

Leaving Your Past Behind S CRIPTURE

Genesis 11:26-12:9

O B S E RVAT I O N Despite the uncertain journey ahead, how did Abram respond (Gen 12:4, 9) when he was called to leave the comfort of his settlement, security and significance?

DEEPER REFLECTION

V

erses 26 to 32 paint a brief background of Abram (later known as Abraham), who had no outstanding qualities. Like Abram, we too are called and blessed by God’s grace. Terah, Abram’s father had taken him, Sarai, his wife, and Lot, his nephew, on a journey towards Canaan, but they settled down at Haran before reaching Canaan. Abram was in his comfort zone when he dwelled with his father and lived amidst lulling familiarity, secular security and earthly significance. Allegiance shapes identity. Yet a life of faith is not to be one where we “settle there” (v.31) in the consolation of our comfort zone. A life of faith is one with an allegiance, identity, purpose, values and priorities founded upon the Lord the Divine Creator. Abram was commanded by the Lord to go away from his familiarities: his countrymen, close relatives and, even closer to heart, his father’s house (Gen 12:1). Abram faithfully went (v.4) and he kept going (v.9). It is noteworthy that it was Lot his nephew who “went with” Abram (12:4) — it was Lot’s choice. Lot was not to be the heir of Abram, even though Sarai was still barren at that time. A breakthrough will come to remove the barrenness.7 Are you experiencing barrenness in your life? Departure from security is the way out of barrenness into fruitfulness. Abram made the important decision to leave his past, thus developing a God-centred identity. So can you. In Genesis 22, we shall see Abraham leave his future behind as well.

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A P P L I CAT I O N What security and significance of my past must I let go of, so as to abide in God and journey in faith?

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Leaders

Lord God, draw me close to You, never let me go. I lay down my security and significance, simply to say that I come to You by grace through faith. You are my One Desire, let nothing else take your place. Help me find the way forward, above all, lead me back to You. You’re all I want, You are all I ever needed. Help me know You are always near. Amen.8

Significant people

P R AY E R

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Walter Brueggemann, Genesis, John Knox Press (1982), 118.

Adapted from Michael W. Smith, “Draw Me Close to You”.

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TUESDAY // 08 JANUARY 2019

Leaving Your Future Behind S CRIPTURE

Genesis 12:1-3; 22:1-19

O B S E RVAT I O N In the light of Abraham being asked to give up his son Isaac, the heir of his future, what is the significance of the repeated word “son” in Genesis 22:1-19?

DEEPER REFLECTION

A

life of faith requires an abandonment of both the past and the future, no matter how precious they are. The same commandment “go by yourself ” (Hebrew: lekh-lekha) came from the Lord in verse 1 and Genesis 22:2. In Genesis 22:1, Abraham was tested by God. This test served to strengthen him, not to lead him to do wrong. Here, Abraham was “torn between his faith in the divine promises and the command to nullify them, between his affection for God’s gift and for God”9. The beloved Isaac, who was Abraham’s heir and promise of a great nation, signified Abraham’s glorious future. It is noteworthy that in Genesis 22:1-19, the word “son” was repeated 13 times, signifying Isaac’s importance to his father. However, Abraham’s identity, security and purpose was not to be found in his only beloved son. Likewise, God does not want our identity, security and purpose to be founded on the gifts He has bestowed upon us. These are not to be the hope of our future, for although they are precious, they are nonetheless transient. We are not to make an idol of His gifts. Have our future and hope been built on our descendants, relationships, academic qualifications, credentials or finances? Let us choose to build our faith and hope in God, and not in His gifts. Leave your past (v.1) and your future (Gen 22:2) and journey with faith in God.

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A P P L I CAT I O N What earthly security and significance of my future must I let go to abide in God and journey in faith?

P R AY E R Prayer Pointers

Write a prayer to God as your response from your meditation on and application of

// Give thanks:

the Scriptures.

// Pray for pastors and staff: To leave our earthly security and significance and only abide in God

// Pray for significant people:

// Pray for those in need:

// Pray for self:

9

Bruce K. Waltke and Cathi J. Fredricks, Genesis (Zondervan, 2001), 304.

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WEDNESDAY // 09 JANUARY 2019

Obeying Faithfully Amidst Uncertainties S CRIPTURE

Genesis 12:1-3; 22:1-2

O B S E RVAT I O N What observations can you make about the certainty of the destinations in both verse 1 and Genesis 22:2, and how did Abram respond?

DEEPER REFLECTION

I

n verse 1, Abram was commanded to go by himself to the land that the Lord would show him. Likewise, in Genesis 22:2, the Lord commanded him to go to one of the mountains of which He would tell him. Both were uncertain destinations. Yet Abram obeyed faithfully and went as the Lord had commanded. Unlike the prophets Moses (Exo 4:1-17) and Jeremiah (Jer 1:4-8), Abram did not give excuses or decline to go. Abram was faithful and obedient when God’s Word came to him. As we seek God’s divine guidance in life, we too are to turn to His Word − both promises and commands — to clearly discern His will.

Divine guidance must be anchored on His revealed truth. His Holy Spirit also illumines and guides us. He has placed mature believers around us to provide wise counsel which are aligned to His revealed truth. The future is uncertain, but we can be assured of the one certainty ­­— the assurance of His Presence, whenever we turn to Him. And when He calls, may we humbly respond as Abraham did, “Here am I” (Gen 22:1, 11) and go with Him. This is biblical faith and obedience!

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A P P L I CAT I O N What is one specific area that God is commanding me today from His Word, and which I must radically and faithfully obey?

P R AY E R Lord God, although the future

Prayer Pointers

is uncertain, I need not fear for You are with me. I need not be

// Give thanks:

dismayed, for you are my God. You will strengthen me, You will help me; You will uphold me with Your right hand of

// Pray for leaders:

righteousness.10 In this one life, I will journey with faith in You, knowing that You will lead me in the righteous paths, for Your

// Pray for significant people:

Name’s sake, for Your Glory!

Amen.

// Pray for those in need:

// Pray for self:

10

Isaiah 41:10

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THURSDAY // 10 JANUARY 2019

Staying Thankful and Mindful Amidst Adversities S CRIPTURE

Genesis 12:1-10; 13:1-4

O B S E RVAT I O N As Abram entered the promised land, what is the significance of the reality that “the Canaanites were in the land” (v.6) and “now there was a famine in the land” (v.10).

DEEPER REFLECTION

P

eople naturally shun adversity. Obstacles and trials can appear to frustrate the plans we have in mind. When Abram entered Canaan, the land which the Lord soon promised to his descendants, the land was in fact occupied by the Canaanites. Abram’s physical eyes saw the Canaanites, but his eyes of faith were fixed on the Lord’s call and promise.

In the Lord’s call of Abram, He had already promised that blessings would come from many in verse 3 (note the plural “those who bless you”) vis-à-vis the comparatively fewer who would dishonour Abram (note the singular “him who dishonours you” which serves as a parenthetical clause). We need spiritual eyes to see as He sees. When facing adversity, be thankful for His countless blessings of peace and provision. Immediately following the observation that the Canaanites were there, the Word of the Lord again came to assure Abram – “To your offspring I will give this land”.

Consequently Abram worshipped, building an altar to the Lord who appeared to him. When we go through times of adversity and darkness, God’s Word comes to strengthen us. In times of darkness, we must especially remember what we have heard from God’s Voice through His Word while in the light. In times of adversity, be mindful of His precious promises of His power and presence. God is faithful and He will bring His promised blessings to pass.

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A P P L I CAT I O N What adversities am I facing and what promises in His Word must I hold fast to?

P R AY E R Write a prayer to God as your

Prayer Pointers

response from your meditation on and application of

// Give thanks:

the Scriptures.

// Pray for outreach/ missions/New Life leaders: To stay thankful and mindful of His blessings and promises amidst adversities

// Pray for significant people:

// Pray for those in need:

// Pray for self:

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FRIDAY // 11 JANUARY 2019

Christ Died for Me S CRIPTURE

Galatians 1:13-14; 2:20; Luke 15:1-3, 11-32

O B S E RVAT I O N How might Paul, once a zealous persecutor of the Christian Church (verse 13), have felt about Christ’s zealous love for him?

DEEPER REFLECTION

P

aul, the writer of the epistle to the Galatians, had been “extremely zealous … for the traditions” of his fathers (vv.13-14). So much so that in Paul’s former days as a Pharisee, he persecuted the Christian church violently and tried to destroy it. His zeal for traditions stands in stark contrast with the zeal of Christ, who loved him and gave Himself on the cross for him. It was the love in Christ that caused Him to come to seek and save the lost, and that led Him to die on the cross for us sinners. Nothing that we have done or can do will change God’s perfect love towards us. Yet, like the two sons in the parable in Luke 15, we often think we can come to God to strive and earn our place in the faith community, when it was all about His grace and compassion. By the active work of God’s grace and power, our filthy pre-believing old self has been co-crucified (Gal 2:20; Greek: syne-stauromai, in perfect tense, passive voice) with Christ. There is nothing we can do to be co-crucified with Him. It is the gracious work of the Spirit — then and now. The life we now live in the body, we live having been co-crucified, we live by faith in Christ who loved us and gave Himself for us. Open your heart and let God’s love embrace you again today!

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A P P L I CAT I O N Write a heartfelt prayer of thanksgiving and praise to Christ Jesus who loved you and gave Himself for you.

P R AY E R Write a prayer to God as your

Prayer Pointers

response from your meditation on and application of

// Give thanks:

the Scriptures.

// Pray for lay leaders: To know Christ’s compassionate love and to show compassion to others

// Pray for significant people:

// Pray for those in need:

// Pray for self:

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SATURDAY // 12 JANUARY 2019

Christ Be Formed in Me S CRIPTURE

Galatians 2:20; 4:19; 5:13-25

O B S E RVAT I O N What are the bondages, works, passions and desires of the flesh which believers (who are co-crucified with Christ) are free from?

DEEPER REFLECTION

I

n Paul’s thinking, all parts of the body constitute a totality known as flesh, which is ruled by sin to the extent that wherever flesh is, sins of all forms are present. Nothing good can live in it.11 This pertains to our unregenerated and sinful state of being. However, the one life that we live, which is regenerated by the work of the Holy Spirit, stands in stark contrast against the life in the flesh. Indeed, we have been co-crucified with Christ and we no longer live in this state of sinful being (v.20). The Spirit of Christ lives in us, and Christ is formed in us (Gal 4:19). The life we now live in this body, we live by faith in Christ who loved us and gave Himself for us. This new life in Christ enables us to produce the fruit of the Spirit, which is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Gal 5:22-23). Not only does a rooted disciple of Christ bear the fruit of the Spirit-controlled life, their passions and desires are renewed by the Spirit to do God’s will, God’s way.

As we live by the Spirit, we must keep in step with the Spirit (Gal 5:25).

We must steward our capacity, energy and passions well, even as Christ is formed in us, making us more Christ-like day by day.

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A P P L I CAT I O N What is one thing that I can do in stewarding my renewed passion, capacity and energy in a Christ-centred life?

P R AY E R Write a prayer to God as your

Prayer Pointers

response from your meditation on and application of

// Give thanks:

the Scriptures.

// Pray for church board: To steward their passion, capacity and energy in Christ-centred lives

// Pray for significant people:

// Pray for those in need:

// Pray for self:

11

BDAG Lexicon, 6593.

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SUNDAY // 13 JANUARY 2019

Sunday Journal

S CRIPTURE

O B S E RVAT I O N

A P P L I CAT I O N

P R AY E R

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THE PAST WEEK Review What was my high point and my low point for the week?

What gave me life and what drained me?

How was the Spirit of God at work?

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THE PAST WEEK Reflect What is one key thing that God said to me this week in light of what has happened?

Respond What is one thing I need to do in light of what God is saying? Commit in prayer.

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FAMILY DEVOTIONAL

JANUARY 2019 WEEK 2

HOW CAN I USE MY TIME WISELY?* Do something that matters with our time, not waste it.

Scripture: Psalm 90:12 ACTIVITY BITE Give your family members one minute to write down as many encouraging notes as they can to someone at home. For example, “You are very patient” or “You are very good at cooking”. Then compare the number of encouraging notes with each other.

CHAT TIME Q1: Does it take much time to write encouraging words to someone?

Q2: What time-wasting activities do you engage in on a regular day? How could you have used your time better?

Q3: Why does God want us to consider how we should use our time?

LEARNING POINT We have 24 hours in a day. Part of it is for needful activities like sleeping, eating or going to school, while the remaining part is up to us to decide how to use it. For example, we play games, take a walk in the park or do volunteering work to help others. Whatever we do, remember that it all matters to God. Sadly, sometimes we waste hours watching videos on the internet or playing handphone games when we could have been doing something more fruitful. God gives us time so that we can use it wisely to do significant things.

ACTION POINT List down the hours you spend daily on necessary activities like sleeping, eating or doing your schoolwork. Share with your family how you can spend your remaining hours, such that it is spent wisely, rather than wasting it.

FAMILY PRAYER POINTS Thank God for the time He has given us. Ask Him to help us be wise in how we use our time.

*Adapted from 252Basics, Oct 2017. www.ThinkOrange.com

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MONDAY // 14 JANUARY 2019

God’s View of the Family S CRIPTURE

Deuteronomy 6:1-9

O B S E RVAT I O N What do you notice after the Lord gives His people the greatest commandment (vv.4-5)?

DEEPER REFLECTION

W

e note several things in this important Old Testament passage. First, it contains what Jesus says is the greatest commandment – that we love God with all that we have (v.5). Second, we see in verses 1 to 3 that in keeping these commands, there will great blessings not just to the current generation but to the generations to come. Finally, what is significant is how the commandment is to be transmitted. There is a two-part sequence to this.

It is premised upon the reality that these commandments must first be “upon your hearts”. In other words, before we even hit the “send” button to transmit any teaching, we ourselves must first have treasured and lived out God’s commands. We call that authentic discipleship. There is no perfect discipleship, only authentic ones. We walk the talk as best as we know how. Discipleship begins with ourselves. Then verses 7 to 9 exhort us to pass it on. Notice the context in which God’s teaching is passed on.

It happens within the family – parents passing it on to their children.

This then, is God’s grand plan for discipleship – where parents take responsibility to nurture, love and grow their children to love their God! The family is where intentional discipleship must take place!

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A P P L I CAT I O N Given that discipleship begins in my heart, how am I loving God as I begin this year?

P R AY E R Dear Heavenly Father,

Prayer Pointers

thank You for Your reminder that discipleship begins in my

// Give thanks:

heart. Help me to love You with all my heart and with all my soul and with all my strength. As I begin this week, I surrender to

// Pray for leaders:

Your Kingship in my life. Come and reign over my life. Glorify Yourself in my family. In Jesus’ name I ask, amen.

// Pray for significant people:

// Pray for those in need:

// Pray for self:

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TUESDAY // 15 JANUARY 2019

Discipling at Home (1) S CRIPTURE

Deuteronomy 6:6-9

O B S E RVAT I O N What are some things that parents are called to do in order to intentionally disciple their children?

DEEPER REFLECTION

I

f the family is to be the place where God’s life and His laws are to be passed on, how are we to do it? These verses give us a picture of what we can do. It is to create a certain kind of environment. What is this environment? We see this in verses 7 to 9. The picture of “impressing them” on our children is where through constant repetition, our children get the meaning of God’s Word. The idea of having conversations about God’s Word (i.e. talk about it) is to bring up God’s Word constantly in whatever life situations we find ourselves in. The tying on the hand, binding on the forehead and writing on the doorposts are visible ways by which we remind ourselves of the importance of God’s Word. To pass on God’s life and laws, we must create an environment where His Word is constantly brought to the fore. It is also a value statement. We put what is most important to us constantly before us. So then, what can you do to create such an environment at home? We strongly suggest that you begin with Scripture memory. In our effort to make Scriptures easily available (e.g. on our smart devices), one unintended consequence is that we no longer feel the need to memorise them. This in turn causes God’s Word to be devalued and we lose out on discipleship where it really counts. Will you work at turning this around, so that our families value God’s Word?

We can do so by simply memorising His Word. That reflects how much we value His Word!

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A P P L I CAT I O N Practise memorising Scripture this year, starting with Psalms 1, 8 and 23.

P R AY E R Write a prayer to God as your

Prayer Pointers

response from your meditation on and application of

// Give thanks:

the Scriptures.

// Pray for pastors and staff: To love, treasure, memorise, meditate on and obey God’s Word

// Pray for significant people:

// Pray for those in need:

// Pray for self:

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WEDNESDAY // 16 JANUARY 2019

Discipling at Home (2) S CRIPTURE

Deuteronomy 6:20-25

O B S E RVAT I O N How was the father to reply his son when he asked about “the meaning of the stipulations, decrees and laws that the Lord our God has commanded you?” (v.20).

DEEPER REFLECTION

T

hese verses come at the end of the same passage that spoke about disciplemaking in the home (Deut 6:7-9). Here again, we find an interaction between a son and his father. The child wonders at all the things their family must do to keep the requirements of the Lord, and asks his father, “Why do we have to do all these things?”. This provides a wonderful discipleship opportunity for the father! He recounts his own experience of God’s mighty deliverance. Perhaps we can imagine the father saying something like this: “I grew up as a slave in Egypt – those were terrible years. We had to work all the time, there was no rest and we constantly felt the whip of our Egyptian slave masters…Then our God acted! He came down, delivered us through His servant Moses and with His own mighty arm smote the vast Egyptian army in the Red Sea!” What has this to do with discipleship? Telling the next generation of God’s mighty deliverance and blessings in our lives enables faith to be passed on! Not merely through cold “stipulations, decrees and laws”.

Living faith is passed on when our personal stories of encounters with God are shared with the next generation, making our faith real and alive.

The retelling of such genuine encounters lifts the faith of our young ones and helps them see our great and glorious God!

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A P P L I CAT I O N What are my own encounters with God? Give thanks and find opportunities to share them.

P R AY E R Dear Heavenly Father,

Prayer Pointers

thank You that You are a living God. I thank You for genuine

// Give thanks:

encounters with You in the past. I boldly ask for fresh encounters with You this year. I will testify to the next

// Pray for leaders:

generation of Your mighty deliverance and blessings, so that they may know that You are the all-powerful and

// Pray for significant people:

covenant-keeping God. In Jesus’ name I ask, amen.

// Pray for those in need:

// Pray for self:

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THURSDAY // 17 JANUARY 2019

Disciplemaking and Parenting S CRIPTURE

1 Thessalonians 2:7-11

O B S E RVAT I O N How did the apostle Paul describe his disciplemaking efforts towards the Thessalonians?

DEEPER REFLECTION

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ew would associate the words “paternal” or “maternal” with the great apostle Paul! Yet as far as Paul was concerned, disciplemaking is akin to parenting! Notice how he used both the analogies of being a mother (v.7) and a father (v.11) when it came to dealing with the Thessalonians. Truth be told, disciplemaking and parenting are very similar. They both have to do with loving, caring, modelling and sacrificing for another. Those who learn to parent well will be able to disciple well. Conversely, those of us who learn to disciple well should be able to parent well. Notice how in the Old Testament, God pictures Himself as a father caring for his son (Deut 1:31) and as a mother comforting her child (Isa 66:13). God disciples us, and grows us as a parent would train and grow his or her children. This elevates parenting to a very important place in God’s Kingdom. It is not something to be entered into lightly, but reverently, intentionally and with much dependence upon God. Here is a special call to fathers. Because many fathers tend to leave the parenting to mothers, focusing on their careers to bring home the bacon. God has designed for both the father and the mother to nurture the children. May our fathers give that much-needed relationship-building attention to their children. May we see our efforts to grow people towards maturity — whether it be at home or in the church — as disciplemaking!

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A P P L I CAT I O N For singles: How will seeing my disciples as my spiritual children help me be a better discipler?

For parents: How will seeing my children as my disciples help me be a better parent?

P R AY E R Write a prayer to God as your

Prayer Pointers

response from your meditation on and application of

// Give thanks:

the Scriptures.

// Pray for outreach/missions/ New Life leaders: To intentionally parent others towards maturity

// Pray for significant people:

// Pray for those in need:

// Pray for self:

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FRIDAY // 18 JANUARY 2019

Our Spiritual Family S CRIPTURE

1 Timothy 3:14-15; 5:1-2

O B S E RVAT I O N What imagery did Paul use to describe the Church of God?

DEEPER REFLECTION

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aul wrote his first letter to Timothy, his “true son” in the faith (1 Tim 1:2), to help Timothy grow the Ephesian church well while he was away. Among the many things Paul wrote, he painted the picture of the Church as God’s family (v.15). He also gave a picture of the kind of relationships that ought to exist in the Church. He speaks of how Timothy should relate to older men as he would his father, to younger men as his brothers, to older women as he would his mother and to younger ladies as his sisters. While God has given us biological families, when we enter the Kingdom, we become part of the spiritual family of a local church. If discipleship (i.e. the maturing of our souls towards Christlikeness) should take place in our biological families, then by extension it should also take place in the Church. Often, the context in which our lives are changed or we find ourselves challenged is the sphere of relationships.

It is easy to get things done, attend programmes or be taught through the pulpit. Yet it is mostly in the sphere of relationships that we find ourselves challenged to actualise love or discover our lack of it. Seeing the Church as our spiritual family and learning how to relate with and be responsible for one another beyond our biological family becomes an important part of our discipleship. How is the Church your family?

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A P P L I CAT I O N How can I love a fellow church member as I would my own family member this coming week (e.g. give an encouraging note or an appreciation gift)?

P R AY E R Write a prayer to God as your

Prayer Pointers

response from your meditation on and application of

// Give thanks:

the Scriptures.

// Pray for lay leaders: To see and love all their CG and ministry members as their own family

// Pray for significant people:

// Pray for those in need:

// Pray for self:

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SATURDAY // 19 JANUARY 2019

Relationships as the Conduit of Faith S CRIPTURE 2 Timothy 1:5

O B S E RVAT I O N How many generations of faith do you see in verse 5?

DEEPER REFLECTION

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hat a joy to see that sincere faith had been passed on through three generations into Timothy’s life! By God’s grace and with much intentionality, it can be done! Faith is not merely transmitted by the passing on of information. It is carried by something far more organic and emotional. Faith is best passed on from life to life – imparted through loving, trusted relationships. Josh McDowell wrote in The Disconnected Generation12: “If I were asked to identify the core reason that our young people are succumbing to the lure of a godless culture and lashing out with rage, I would say that they feel alone, disconnected and unsure of who they really are. Many young people, even those from good Christian homes, feel disconnected and alienated from their parents….” The point is that these young ones feel alone and disconnected emotionally from their parents. Ultimately it is not material things that the young ones long for, but emotional connection in deep relationships. Their desire for such relationships is the desire for emotional intimacy, to be deeply known and at the same time deeply accepted. This hunger is at the core of what it means to be human and how God has hardwired us. Therefore, it is hard for genuine discipleship to take place apart from such genuine relationships. It is through consciously and conscientiously learning to relate better, to love deeper, that we become more human and, thus, more Christ-like. And when we do so, we will be able to pass on genuine faith!

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A P P L I CAT I O N How can I grow my ability to accept and love myself and other people (Matt 22:39)?

P R AY E R Write a prayer to God as your

Prayer Pointers

response from your meditation on and application of

// Give thanks:

the Scriptures.

// Pray for church board: To grow in loving and trusted relationships with one another

// Pray for significant people:

// Pray for those in need:

// Pray for self:

12

Josh McDowell, The Disconnected Generation, 8

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SUNDAY // 20 JANUARY 2019

Sunday Journal

S CRIPTURE

O B S E RVAT I O N

A P P L I CAT I O N

P R AY E R

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THE PAST WEEK Review What was my high point and my low point for the week?

What gave me life and what drained me?

How was the Spirit of God at work?

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THE PAST WEEK Reflect What is one key thing that God said to me this week in light of what has happened?

Respond What is one thing I need to do in light of what God is saying? Commit in prayer.

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FAMILY DEVOTIONAL

JANUARY 2019 WEEK 3

HOW CAN I USE MY THINGS WISELY?* Take care of the things we have and use them for good works.

Scripture: Matthew 25:14-30 ACTIVITY BITE Ask your family members to each put five pieces of their personal belongings on the table. Next, take turns picking up one item at a time and thinking of a good deed you can do with it. For example, if it is a story book, you pass it to someone to read after you have finished reading it.

CHAT TIME Q1: How would you feel if someone uses his or her things to bless you?

Q2: Why is it good to do good deeds with our belongings?

Q3: Why is it sometimes difficult to give away some of our things to bless others?

LEARNING POINT Kids are used to saying, “It’s mine!” when it comes to personal belongings. But when we grow older, we will realise that all our things belong to God. He gives them to us because He is a good Father. But He expects us to be grateful to receive them and be responsible in taking care of them. Imagine giving a toy to a friend, only to see him throwing it around and making it dirty by rubbing it in dirt. God also wants us to use the things we have been given wisely, like blessing others with them. It’s about being a good steward for the things we have.

ACTION POINT Over the coming weeks, try putting into action the five good deeds that you listed down in the activity.

FAMILY PRAYER POINTS Pray for a grateful heart for all the things that we have and the creativity to know how to use them to bless others.

*Adapted from 252Basics, Oct 2017. www.ThinkOrange.com

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MONDAY // 21 JANUARY 2019

Walking with God S CRIPTURE

Genesis 5:21-24; 6:5-10

O B S E RVAT I O N What were some key traits of the men of old who walked with God (cf. Jude 14-16; 2 Peter 2:5)?

DEEPER REFLECTION

A

s Genesis chronicled the lives of Adam’s descendants after sin came into the picture, we see the repeated description: “when so-and-so lived for ___ years he fathered a son. He lived another ___ years and fathered sons and daughters…all the days of soand-so were ___ years…and he died” (Gen 5:3-31). That was it.

No drama. No other features of a life worth remembering. Death was the ultimate leveller and consequence of their ancestors’ disobedience (Gen 2:17; 3:3). But out of that repeated sad commentary came a glimmer of hope: “Enoch walked with God…” (Gen 5:24)…“Noah walked with God…” (Gen 6:9). What made these men worth remembering and emulating? While walking with God, Enoch served as a prophet who declared God’s coming judgement to an ungodly world, while Noah became a preacher of righteousness to his generation.

While building the ark, Noah was probably also warning people about the coming judgment by his works (who would have missed seeing the ark!) and words, despite their likely ridicule and rejection. These men walked with God when they saw — with eyes of faith (Heb 11:7) — that God’s impending judgement was near. That kept them walking in righteousness and blamelessness, as well as preaching and prophesying to their generation to warn them. God’s grace (Gen 6:8) was upon such people. Walking with God begins with seeing by faith what is at the end of the road. That, together with God’s empowering grace, keeps us on the higher road as we warn others along the way.

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A P P L I CAT I O N What will help me to keep seeing the coming judgement upon this world while living in a fast-paced and high-tech world that faces the tyranny of the urgent?

P R AY E R Lord, I confess I cannot see.

Prayer Pointers

And when I do, I don’t see clearly, because my heart is

// Give thanks:

divided by the things in this life. Remove the clutter in my heart and help me see them in the light of the end and eternity. In turn, I will help

// Pray for leaders:

others see. Lord, let me walk with You day by day and see You more clearly, love You more dearly and follow You

// Pray for significant people:

more nearly. Amen.

// Pray for those in need:

// Pray for self:

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TUESDAY // 22 JANUARY 2019

Walking According to the Law S CRIPTURE Psalm 1:1-6

O B S E RVAT I O N How would you describe (in your own words) the outcome of the way of the righteous versus that of the wicked?

DEEPER REFLECTION

P

salm 1 contrasts the outcomes of the righteous and the wicked.

The righteous delight and meditate on God’s law constantly, whereas the wicked do not simply sin, but scoff at what is right and good in God’s eyes. But when the righteous continue this “long obedience in the same direction”13, something happens to their spiritual lives, slowly but surely. They become like a well-watered tree. The effects may not be seen immediately. But in due time, the fruit will appear.

Meanwhile, you can tell its condition by its leaves: not brown and brittle, but supple and evergreen when deeply rooted in its water source, even during the dry seasons. The wicked, on the contrary, become like the dry chaff: the leftover and unworthy parts of the crops during harvest time, that will be blown away by the wind, forgotten and seen no more. John the Baptist warned that on this day of judgment, this chaff will be burned with unquenchable fire (Matt 3:12). In stark contrast, freshness and fruitfulness are God’s desire and destiny for those who walk according to His law.14 Not just acquiring more Bible knowledge! Rather, it is to keep delighting and meditating on God’s Word. Meditation involves pondering over what we have read, learnt and studied, so that it can be meaningfully applied for life change. This requires time and attention. It will not happen by a mere skim-reading of the Bible and a quick prayer each day! Don’t just go through the motions of Bible reading. Pause. Ponder. Pray. It will have long-term effects on you and those around you.

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A P P L I CAT I O N What does it take for me to give time and attention to pause, ponder and pray over God’s Word (suggestion: turning off your gadgets would be a good start)?

P R AY E R Write a prayer to God as your

Prayer Pointers

response from your meditation on and application of

// Give thanks:

the Scriptures.

// Pray for pastors and staff: To stay fresh and fruitful as they meditate on God’s Word with delight

// Pray for significant people:

// Pray for those in need:

// Pray for self:

13 14

To quote the late Eugene Peterson. https://www.ivpress.com/a-long-obedience-in-the-same-direction.

See also Jeremiah 17:7-8, Ezekiel 47:12 and Revelation 22:2.

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WEDNESDAY // 23 JANUARY 2019

Walking in the Light S CRIPTURE Isaiah 2:1-5

O B S E RVAT I O N How does the description of the last days (vv.1-4) motivate Israel to walk in the light of the Lord (v.5)?

DEEPER REFLECTION

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he prophet Isaiah was given a glimpse of the last days when Jerusalem would be elevated as the focal point of the world.

Something deemed impossible would happen. The nations, pictured as like mighty rivers,15 would flow upwards to Jerusalem!

The Gentiles would come to the Temple, wanting to learn and walk in God’s ways. In an era when Judah was threatened by the mighty empires of Assyria and Babylonia, this was a grand picture of hope.

International conflicts would be no more. War instruments would be transformed into farming tools, because it was harvest time. Gentile nations (including even Assyria and Babylon) would come to Jerusalem no longer to plunder and pillage, but to learn and live among them.

With that end in view, Judah was called to walk in the light. How Judah lived had consequences beyond their society. God’s call for them to repent of their sins and stop oppression (Isa 1:16-17) was not simply to make them live better, but shine brighter. Because the nations were watching! Mahatma Gandhi was once asked why he quoted Christ often but rejected being a Christian. His reply? “I love Christ. It’s just that so many of you Christians are so unlike Christ … If Christians would really live according to the teachings of Christ, as found in the Bible, all of India would be Christian today.”16 Imagine what could have happened to India if Gandhi had become a Christian! Our living in the light is meant to attract nations, beginning with our unbelieving friends and family. Let’s not just live better but brighter!

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A P P L I CAT I O N What must I change about my speech and behaviour, so as to shine brighter for Jesus? (Ask the Lord to search your heart and reveal it to you.)

P R AY E R Lord Jesus, I confess the

Prayer Pointers

recent times when I have not lived according to Your Word,

// Give thanks:

dishonouring You before people through my ungodly speech and behaviour. They know I am a Christian and

// Pray for leaders:

hence they speak and think badly about You. Please forgive me. In this new year, help me to live brighter and let my life

// Pray for significant people:

shine for You and glorify Your name. Amen.

// Pray for those in need:

// Pray for self:

15 16

Mighty political oppressors of Israel were described as rivers in Isaiah. See Isaiah 8:6-8. http://www.christiantoday.co.in/article/mahatma.gandhi.and.christianity/2837.htm

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THURSDAY // 24 JANUARY 2019

Walking in Sadness S CRIPTURE Luke 24:13-35

O B S E RVAT I O N How did an encounter with Jesus transform His disciples’ sadness (v.17)?

DEEPER REFLECTION

T

wo disciples left Jerusalem gloomy and disappointed. All their hopes had been pinned on Jesus as their Messiah who would conquer their cruel Roman oppressors. They could not believe what they saw: Jesus terminated on a cross! On the third day, they started out on their journey to Emmaus with their heads down and hopes gone.

Then Jesus came and walked with them. In His patience, Jesus took them as they were, even in their unbelief. If Jesus wanted them to believe He had risen, He could have transfigured Himself again,17 with clothes blinding white and said, “Behold! It’s Me!” Or asked the two angels to appear again18 and caused the disciples to bow and shudder. At the very least, why not show them His nail-scarred hands and feet right there and then? But Jesus chose to reveal Himself to them through the Scriptures, then the supper.

Those few hours with Jesus had transformed them from dejected disciples to excited messengers who couldn’t wait until the next day to tell the other disciples (v.33)! In 1738, John Wesley went to a prayer meeting reluctantly with a heavy heart. It was there, hearing a preface to Romans that his heart was strangely warmed. From that encounter, he became a man who told multitudes about Jesus and fanned revival flames in England. In our disappointments and grief, our gracious and patient God takes us as we are and takes us into His Word. When He reveals Himself through it, our disappointments and grief are transformed. From such God-encounters, we have wonderful stories of hope and joy to tell others!

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A P P L I CAT I O N What disappointment or grief do I need to bring to Jesus, so as to allow Him to speak through His Word to me?

P R AY E R Write a prayer to God as your

Prayer Pointers

response from your meditation on and application of

// Give thanks:

the Scriptures.

// Pray for outreach/missions/ New Life leaders: To bring their disappointments to Jesus for His perspective and encouragement

// Pray for significant people:

// Pray for those in need:

// Pray for self:

17 18

Luke 9:28-36 Luke 24:4-5

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FRIDAY // 25 JANUARY 2019

Walk in Love S CRIPTURE

John 13:1-15, 31-35; Ephesians 4:29-5:2, 1 John 4:7-12

O B S E RVAT I O N How did Jesus want His disciples to love one another?

DEEPER REFLECTION

I

f we were at the Last Supper, we might have scratched our heads and become more confused at the end than the beginning. For starters, Jesus washed His disciples’ feet. An unthinkable task! As their teacher and Lord, Jesus was not supposed to do such a thing. Only the lowest slave in the pecking order of the household did it. Then at the end, He gave His disciples a “new” commandment – love one another. What was so new about it? Were not His disciples already taught to love their neighbours since their childhood days (Lev 19:18)? You see, this is the new comparison: To love one another “just as I have loved you”. Jesus showed His love for His disciples by serving them and washing their feet.

The feet washing pointed to Jesus’ subsequent supreme display of love and act of service for His disciples: Dying on the cross for their sins. Real love needs to happen in the church the way Jesus demonstrated on the cross.

When Christians commit to humble, self-giving service to one another, unity becomes more and more a reality for God’s people. The apostle Paul exhorted Christians to walk in love by getting rid of the bitterness, anger and slander that created much division in the church, and by extending kindness and forgiveness to one another (Eph 4:31-32). That is how the world sees God and experiences His love through us (1 Jn 4:12). Not by us having a prideful, self-righteous attitude towards others, but by us loving people as Jesus loves. What a distinctive mark of God’s people the world ought to see!

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A P P L I CAT I O N How would I practically show unity with God’s people for the sake of our witness to the world?

P R AY E R Write a prayer to God as your

Prayer Pointers

response from your meditation on and application of

// Give thanks:

the Scriptures.

// Pray for lay leaders: To demonstrate Jesus’ love in ways that promote greater church unity

// Pray for significant people:

// Pray for those in need:

// Pray for self:

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SATURDAY // 26 JANUARY 2019

Walking Worthy S CRIPTURE

Colossians 1:9-14; Revelation 3:1-6

O B S E RVAT I O N What is required for us to “walk in a manner worthy of the Lord” (v.10)?

DEEPER REFLECTION

A

t the end of time when we come before God, what would God see in our lives as worthy of our calling as His own?

In Revelation 3:4, the Lord’s people are walking with Him, dressed in white. God deems them worthy. “Worthy” connotes having comparable value.19 These saints have chosen not to defile themselves in a world tainted everywhere by sin. Their holiness itself is worthy of God’s commendation. They have lived a life of comparable value to what Jesus gave His life for. But the Lord points His finger at something else: Their incomplete works (Rev 3:2). Apparently, they had done well serving God and staying true to Him in the past. But they have rested on their laurels and coasted along for the rest of their lives. Could it be that worthiness before God requires not just our holiness, but fruitfulness? Paul’s prayer for the Colossian church was that they would walk worthy of the Lord.

One aspect of that is “bearing fruit in every good work” (v.10). Paul rejoiced that the Gospel was bearing fruit in the world and increasing (Col 1:6). He then exhorted the Christians to bear fruit by their works and thus walk worthy of the Lord. This applies equally to Christians today. Don’t just coast along in life. Complete the works that God has entrusted to you. We were saved in Christ to do good works (Eph 2:10).

May God find us fruitful and our works worthy at the end of time, so that we will receive our reward after our works are put through the test of fire (1 Cor 3:12-15).

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A P P L I CAT I O N What are the works that God has entrusted to me that I must complete in order to walk worthy of God?

P R AY E R Write a prayer to God as your

Prayer Pointers

response from your meditation on and application of

// Give thanks:

the Scriptures.

// Pray for church board: To be faithful to fulfil the ministry entrusted to them

// Pray for significant people:

// Pray for those in need:

// Pray for self:

19

Louw, Nida and Smith. Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament. 2nd Edition. UBS NY. 1988, 89.

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SUNDAY // 27 JANUARY 2019

Sunday Journal

S CRIPTURE

O B S E RVAT I O N

A P P L I CAT I O N

P R AY E R

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THE PAST WEEK Review What was my high point and my low point for the week?

What gave me life and what drained me?

How was the Spirit of God at work?

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THE PAST WEEK Reflect What is one key thing that God said to me this week in light of what has happened?

Respond What is one thing I need to do in light of what God is saying? Commit in prayer.

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FAMILY DEVOTIONAL

JANUARY 2019 WEEK 4

HOW CAN I USE MY MONEY WISELY?* Let God do amazing things with your money.

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 9:6-7 ACTIVITY BITE Cut out 10 small rectangular pieces of paper and write some imaginary monetary value on them. Share with your family creative ways of spending the imaginary money in one week. Note down the amount you spend on yourself and on others.

CHAT TIME Q1: If you chose to spend all the imaginary money on yourself, share the reasons behind this.

Q2: If you chose to spend some of the money on others, share what motivated you to do this.

Q3: Why does God want us to give cheerfully?

LEARNING POINT We have opportunities to spend our money on all sorts of things, like buying the latest handphone model or going on an expensive tour. But what if we realise that our money doesn’t belong to us? We may then think about how we can use it wisely, lest the real “owner” finds us using it wastefully.

God is the real owner of our money. He gives it to us for our enjoyment and our needs. But He also expects us to use it wisely. If we don’t have much, it is wise to save. If we have more than enough, maybe it’s wise to spend on others who may not have much, as a blessing to them. Whichever option you choose, do it cheerfully as it pleases God. ACTION POINT In the upcoming Chinese New Year, consider how you can set aside some of your red packet money to bless the kids in the orphanage.

FAMILY PRAYER POINTS Thank God for the money He has given to us. Ask Him to help us learn to be cheerful givers in blessing others with the money that we have. *Adapted from 252Basics, Oct 2017. www.ThinkOrange.com

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MONDAY // 28 JANUARY 2019

A Command for Every Christian S CRIPTURE

Matthew 28:18-20

O B S E RVAT I O N What image immediately comes to mind when you read this phrase, “make disciples” (v.19)?

DEEPER REFLECTION

T

he phrase, “make disciples”, may conjure up an image of someone leading a Bible study discussion in a small group or mentoring a group of Christians. If that is our notion of making disciples, then when we get involved in teaching believers the Word of God, we will pull out our checklist and happily tick off “participating in the Great Commission”. However, it is important to understand that this command to “make disciples” is essentially about reaching people across all nations with the Gospel, so that they can accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour. The main verb, “make disciples”, is the central focus of the Great Commission, while the Greek participles — translated into English as “go”, “baptising” and “teaching” (vv.19-20) — simply describe some aspects of the process.20 The Great Commission is fundamentally about winning the lost, so that they turn from their sins to believe in and obey Jesus as their Lord and Saviour. Making disciples is not merely about growing the church within its four walls, but rather making it a priority to reach people outside those walls. It is of paramount importance to know that “making disciples” is a command for all Christians. It does not depend on how spiritually gifted we are. It also does not depend on how extroverted our personality is. It is a command for all believers to obey, so that the Church will faithfully carry out God’s mission until the Lord returns at the end of the age.

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A P P L I CAT I O N Am I intentionally making disciples by winning the lost? If not, why?

P R AY E R Lord Jesus, please fill me

Prayer Pointers

with Your Spirit so that I will grow a heart of compassion

// Give thanks:

and obedience. Open my eyes to see people as You see them. Renew my heart to beat according to Your heartbeat

// Pray for leaders:

for the lost and perishing.

Empower me to make disciples for Your glory. Amen.

// Pray for significant people:

// Pray for those in need:

// Pray for self:

20

ESV Bibles by Crossway, ESV: study Bible: English standard version., ESV ed. (Wheaton, Ill.: Crossway, 2008), 1888.

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TUESDAY // 29 JANUARY 2019

A Discipleship Mind-Shift S CRIPTURE Acts 1:6-8

O B S E RVAT I O N What misconception do you think the early disciples had?

DEEPER REFLECTION

T

he early disciples had a misconception in that they were focusing only on the political restoration of Israel and not the establishment of God’s Kingdom. Jesus changed their perspective from Israel’s political rule towards God’s global rule. The scope of the disciples’ witness was not to be merely Israel, but to the ends of the earth. Today’s disciples also have various misconceptions about our Christian journey. For example, often when we think about discipleship, what immediately comes to mind would be activities involving Christians within the church. We forget that God’s desire is not for us to just shepherd those found within the church, but also those who are outside the church. In a similar vein, often when we think about discipling “The Next Generation (TNG)”, what immediately comes to mind would be discipling the second generation Christians who are currently in the children and youth ministries in our church. We fail to disciple the young people outside our church who are not yet saved through faith in Christ. We do not regard them as part of TNG. Our discipleship (i.e. following of Jesus) must include the discipling of unbelievers by teaching them who Jesus is, what He has done and how they are to receive Him into their lives as their Lord and Saviour. To accomplish the “mission impossible” task of world evangelisation, we need to first have a change in perspective — a discipleship mind-shift! To see as God sees and do as He says. Let us ask God to empower us with His Holy Spirit to advance His Kingdom across all nations, all kinds of barriers and all generations!

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A P P L I CAT I O N What is one misconception I have about my journey of following Jesus?

P R AY E R Write a prayer to God as your

Prayer Pointers

response from your meditation on and application of

// Give thanks:

the Scriptures.

// Pray for pastors and staff: To faithfully shepherd the people within the church as well as those outside

// Pray for significant people:

// Pray for those in need:

// Pray for self:

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WEDNESDAY // 30 JANUARY 2019

Responsibility to Share S CRIPTURE

John 14:1-7; Luke 8:38-39

O B S E RVAT I O N What did Jesus mean when He said, “I am the way and the truth and the life” (v.6)?

DEEPER REFLECTION

J

esus did not claim that He knew the way, the truth and the life, but instead pointed to Himself: “I am the way and the truth and the life”; He Himself is the answer to all human problems in this world.21 Jesus is the only way of access to God the Father. Jesus is the truth that fulfils the Old Testament teachings (Jn 1:17). Jesus is the life who fulfils God’s promises of life to believers (Jn 11:25-26). Having life in Himself, Jesus is thus able to confer eternal life to all those who believe in Him.22 If we have experienced Jesus as the way, the truth and the life, we must point others to Him. If we know that someone is lost, then those of us who have a Global Positioning System (GPS) must not shirk from telling them the directions. In legal proceedings, the witnesses must testify to things that they have personally seen and heard insofar as these have relevance to the current proceedings. Likewise in Christian discipleship, every one of us has the responsibility to testify to others about what we have seen and heard concerning Jesus’ work in our lives. If you have experienced God’s goodness in your life, you have an obligation to proclaim this to others, so that they too might taste it (Lk 8:38-39). When we share the Gospel, we must not be discouraged when our unbelieving relatives and friends do not immediately believe in Christ. It is the role of the Holy Spirit to convict their hearts, our responsibility is to simply share the good news.

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A P P L I CAT I O N Which person(s) do I sense the Holy Spirit is leading me to share my personal testimony with in this coming week?

P R AY E R Heavenly Father, please help

Prayer Pointers

me to be thankful for all that You have done in my life and all that You are currently doing.

// Give thanks:

Help me to glorify You by sharing with others Your work of transformation in my life.

May I not shrink back in fear,

// Pray for leaders:

but praise You by proclaiming Your power and amazing love in Jesus’ name. Amen.

// Pray for significant people:

// Pray for those in need:

// Pray for self:

21

Kenneth L. Barker & John R. Kohlenberger III and consulting editors, Zondervan NIV Bible Commentary (Grand Rapids, Mich.: Zondervan, 1999), 345.

22 ESV Bibles by Crossway, ESV: study Bible: English standard version., ESV ed. (Wheaton, Ill.: Crossway, 2008), 2052.

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THURSDAY // 31 JANUARY 2019

Is Your Faith Dead?

S CRIPTURE James 2:14-17

O B S E RVAT I O N How does faith without works look like in contemporary Christianity?

DEEPER REFLECTION

J

ames was not contradicting the apostle Paul’s words in Ephesians 2:8-9, “by grace you have been saved through faith…not a result of works”. However, what James was saying was that faith that is not accompanied by action is useless and dead, unable to save. In other words, if someone claims to believe in Jesus but his life does not show any evidence of resulting works, one must doubt that he has been truly saved.23 On that note, James was urging the disciples in Antioch to live out a genuine faith, not merely looking good but also doing good. To make the Gospel relevant, Christ’s disciples must not neglect to meet the needs of poverty-stricken people for warm clothes and daily food (vv.15-16).24 Faith and works go hand in hand in loving service to people. Love cannot be a matter of lip service; it must be expressed in good deeds to people within the church, as well as those beyond the walls of the church. If we claim to be an authentic disciple of Christ, we must live out a genuine faith by being a blessing to our neighbouring communities through acts of loving service to meet the needs of the poor and disadvantaged. We cannot convince the world that God is love when we do not represent Him faithfully through acts of Christian love, to positively impact the communities in our neighbourhood and workplaces. As James wrote, “faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead” (v.17). May people around us not see in us dead religion, but rather a living faith!

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A P P L I CAT I O N In what way(s) is my faith in Christ accompanied by works for Christ?

P R AY E R Write a prayer to God as your

Prayer Pointers

response from your meditation on and application of

// Give thanks:

the Scriptures.

// Pray for outreach/missions/ New Life leaders: To evidence faith with works in their life and ministry

// Pray for significant people:

// Pray for those in need:

// Pray for self:

23 ESV 24

Bibles by Crossway, ESV: study Bible: English standard version., ESV ed. (Wheaton, Ill.: Crossway, 2008), 2394.

Simon Kistemaker, Exposition of the Epistle of James and the Epistles of John, New Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids, Mich.: Baker Book House, Š1986), 90.

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NOTES

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© 2019 COVENANT EVANGELICAL FREE CHURCH T (65) 6892 6811 • E mail@cefc.org.sg • W www.cefc.org.sg 96 // D E V O T I O N A L J O U R N A L 2 0 1 9

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