Joshua 9:1-16

Ezekiel 36:26-31

Heart of stone -> heart of flesh.

I want that.

Galatians 3:19-29

That's what I read today.

On a different note, I felt that all the messages I heard yesterday (youth/EM) both related to the idea of continuity and how we deprive ourselves of happiness through self-negativity...

We talked about how we have the tendency to remind ourselves that we can never stop watching pornography, and how we always fall back into the same pit even after making good progress. I think I've done that way too many times, and it's about time that I put on the optimistic helmet and get to work!

John 12:1-8

This is the passage with Mary washing Jesus' feet while Martha is serving, and the common message is that we shouldn't get caught up so much with the busy work, and take some time off to worship God.

But what if the interpretation should be about Martha? I wonder if we should focus on being the servants that we were called to be, especially for God. Yes, it is really important to not get caught up in life and worship, but Martha wasn't just busy with life stuff, she was busy serving for God...

Sometimes, I don't feel like I'm busy enough serving for God. I think the passage spoke to me in a completely different way.. I like it.

Hebrews 4:9-16

Notice verse 11, where it says "enter that rest"...

Often, I think of Sunday's rest as something that's thrown at me, and usually, I don't even get that much rest on Sundays.

God says I should "enter" the rest that is provided for me.. Looking forward to this week's privilege. :)

Proverbs 6:6-11

This passage is kinda weird... But then I realized one thing: laziness.

Starting from verse 9, it talks about a "sluggard" waiting around for something, and the proverbs warns that he will be hit by poverty as if he was being hit by a robber.

As I stated, I'm going to try to be active/work out/rehab for the 40 days of lent this year, and this passage has definitely confirmed my thoughts. Gotta start ASAP!

Psalm 34:1-10

Isaiah 55

I remember meditating only verses 8-9, but to read the whole passage, it's quite interesting to are what the rest of the passage has to say… I wonder why he talks about men with no money… Are we supposed to be spiritually broke, or is it implying that we should be spiritually hungry, since it talks about men come eat and drink…..

Psalm 116:1-6

"I love the LORD"

I love that statement.

Phillippians 4:10-20

For today! 11:59PM

Psalm 55:4-22

The last verse, Psalm 55:22, really struck me... "Cast your burden on the LORD, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved."

I guess it struck me pretty hard because I have a midterm in 1 hour, and although I've had this.. weird sense of peace in my heart since yesterday, there is a slight sense of panic and worry.

This verse tells me to cast my burdens to God, because he can sustain me. That's awesome.

Romans 11:26-36

One big thing that struck me from this passage: God's calling and gifts are "irrevocable". They will never be taken away from us. That.. was huge for me.

All I have to do now is ask God for my calling/reveal my gifts. Easier said than done right?

John 21:12-19

This passage talks about when Jesus comes back after his resurrection, and asks Peter 3 times "Do you love me?" And for me, I see myself asking God that question over and over. I think it's less out of doubt and more out of the desire to be loved, a confirmation that God really loves me. Although, by now, I think I should know better.. I have to know that God really loves me, and Jesus died for my sins, the ultimate sacrifice. What more could I ask for?

2 Corinthians 12:9

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

This verse really hit me hard today, from the fact that I try too hard to make myself really strong, whether it's intellectually, mentally, or even physically. But it clearly says that God's power is made perfect in my WEAKNESS. If I strive to become strong from my own power, where will God's power be? I'd much rather have God's power than my own.

And another thing: I guess it's not bad to boast, only if it's about declaring my weakness or proclaiming God's name. I should do that more often.

Psalm 100

1 Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth!
2 Serve the LORD with gladness!
Come into his presence with singing!

3 Know that the LORD, he is God!
It is he who made us, and we are his;[a]
we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving,
and his courts with praise!
Give thanks to him; bless his name!

5 For the LORD is good;
his steadfast love endures forever,
and his faithfulness to all generations.

Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18

I remember covering this passage at a friday night before.. Sometime during the Kingdom Living phase. And I also remember my group talked about how we should keep things on the down-low when we do things that glorify God, not because we're ashamed or anything, but because by proclaiming you are doing something for God, there's no real reward from heaven, because through a loud proclamation, we seek not only God's approval, but approval from men.

I think it's a good reminder for me, because when we serve, often times, we want to please the authoritative figures as well as God. But.. we shouldn't. God's reward should be enough to fill us completely.

James 1:12-18

I feel like these passages from the last couple days are all leading me to one thing: God is good always, and He is so much greater than us: so much that we shouldn't try so hard to grasp everything about Him.

Whenever I get tempted, I need to remember that it's not God, it's my own desires that lead me in that path.

Isaiah 55:8-11

This passage... Oh man. So spot on with what the message spoke in me today...

We have limitations, don't try to grasp every single thing about God, it's impossible for me.

This passage talks about how His ways are greater than my ways, and His thoughts are greater than my thoughts... I should have known better to question the whole predestination vs. free will thing... But I guess now, it's not just for the sake of asking it. I actually do want to know more about both, and how I can elaborate the subject matter to others who could potentially ask me.

So PB, could we talk about this a little bit on Tuesday? :D

1 Corinthians 3:1-17

This is the passage I read today... But what's on my heart is something greater than what this passage has for me today..

It came up yesterday during FNBS, Bebe asked a really deep question that I thought I had the answer to, but ended up asking more questions after...

She asked "What's the purpose of trying IF God predestined me to go to hell?" And my response was... well, nothing. I thought I had the concept of predestination vs. free will under my belt to a certain extent.. But it's hard to tell anymore. It's not that this question has me doubting whether I am saved or not; I'm confident that I am saved. I just want to know how I can go about understanding this concept in a deeper way..

So PB, any answers that you can share on Tuesday? :)

Philippians 1:12-18

This passage was really clear for me: Don't spread the gospel out of rivalry, or envy, or even pride. Do it out of love.

Imprisonment in Christ = being a slave to his commands = go and make disciples...

Am I doing that? Or am I even ready for that yet?

Day 2

1 Samuel 4:1-11

This passage was super weird to me - it shows a defeat of the promised people of God.

But looking at it with a deeper scope, it's like what we face everyday. Sure, we have our ups, with God-filled moments, but there are also tons of times where we feel defeated, probably more of these than the first. And to see God's chosen people defeated, even with the ark of the covenant, shows me that we can't expect our lives to be perfect. A lot of the times, although we say there's gonna be crap in our lives, we don't always feel ready for them. I think from this passage, I've been reminded that even though we lose the battle, the war isn't over just yet.

The Beginning

Today's verses: Luke 1:31-41

There were two places that really stuck out to me... The first was verse 33, where it says His kingdom will never end.
That is really simple in itself, because we know God's kingdom's never gonna stop growing. But what stuck out to me was the fact that although we know God's kingdom needs to grow, more often than not, we don't do enough to try and expand the kingdom of Christ.

Another thing is from verse 35, it says "And the angel answered her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God." The part about the holy spirit coming on me , and the fact that God overshadows me, was very enlightening, even though most of the time, we know it. I think I just need to remember more often that God is always watching over me, like a father would watch over his little child...

Overall, this is a great beginning for me I think, not only praying and conversing with God, but also a chance to listen to Him and dive in His word. Plus, it gives me something to do on the bus. :)
Hope to see what everyone else has to say today.

Chong