2011 Jan 27 - Psalms 110 - Andy

Dear all,

Have a quite nice and warm weather today. Wake up at about 9:00 (please don't envy about this haha, try find me to QT if you want me to wake up earlier if this stumble you ^^), and now at Poly Common Room to have a QT.

Reached another milestone of reading Psalms, only 40 are left ^^ (that is read >70%). I have tried to read through Psalms several times but it is always too long to be read, (my decision is not firm enough).

Psalms 110

A short Psalms, but don't overlook it, the verses are quoted several times in New Testament

v1 - Mt 22:41 -45   (Jesus ask Pharisees "Whose son is the Christ")

v3 -  Ephsians 4:21 - 4:24 (Quoted below)

v4 - Hebrews 5 & 7 (About Melchizedek)

The whole Psalms is refers to Jesus Christ.

When reading the Old Testiment and found that the New Testiment "fulfilled" what the OT said, it confirms that the 

bible is more trust-worthy. 

In addition, why Jesus and Paul can quote this scripture, is that they are always memorizing God's scriptures, this is another attitude we need to be learnt.

Since it would be 3 QTs if I try to focus the all 3 verses, I just share the verse I think most (v3), however, I found the NIV - english versions' meaning quite different thing... (so I quote the Chinese & NET here).

"Your people willingly follow you when you go into battle.

On the holy hills at sunrise the dew of your youth belongs to you"   (NET)

"當你掌權的日子，你的民要以聖潔的妝飾為衣，甘心犧牲自己；

你的民多如清晨的甘露。"

The verses describe what the followers of Jesus should be, God expects we should array ourselves with holy majesty, and to sacrifies ourself to Him. 

And the verses end with encouraging message that the numbers of followers of Jesus would be as much as the dew in the morning. 

"如果你們聽過他的道、領了他的教、學了他的真理、

就要脫去你們從前行為上的舊人．這舊人是因私慾的迷惑、漸漸變壞的．

又要將你們的心志改換一新．

並且穿上新人．這新人是照著　神的形像造的、有真理的仁義、和聖潔。"    Ephsians 4:21 - 4:24 

We need to change ourselves (clothes) into a new heart and with the God's image.

Let us continue to make our life holy (Kodash, 分別為聖) and to give our best to the Lord.

Love in Christ

Andy 

2011 Jan 27 - 2 Corinthians 12 & Philippians 4 - Shelley

Goodmorning everyone,

Andy I agree with your points on how to handle persecution and weaknesses. We all have our weaknesses and we have to face up to it and take the responsibility to pray more to God to help us deal with it. Sometimes we see a weakness in our character it can feel overwhelming. David is a good role model as sometimes we see having 'emotions' is something we must hide or be ashamed of. Particularly I have witnessed this in the Chinese society that is in Taiwan, China and Hong Kong. Reading David's character helps us to see that it's natural to have emotions but the point is how do we make them constructive and direct them towards something that is positive and that God can turn around for the good. As God promises us in Romans 8:28 that inall things He works everything out for our God. In all things we face in life and all things we face about our true selves that we can give it over to God to help us work through it.

Today's reading: 

2 Corinthians 12:9 'My Grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness, Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weakness, so that Christ's power may rest on me.'  

Philippians 4:13 'I can do everything through him who gives me strength.'

Through God's grace and mercy when we face our weaknesses His power can work in amazing ways. If things always go well in our life then how can we learn to rely on God's power?

I hope we can all face our weaknesses and be determined to spend more time with God to help us change and face situations that are not easy in our own strength.

Love in Christ,

Shelley-bean