Curiosity

"The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existing. One cannot help but be in awe when he contemplates the mysteries of eternity, of life, of the marvelous structure of reality. It is enough if one tries merely to comprehend a little of this mystery every day. Never lose a holy curiosity."

- Albert Einstein

Envy

"Envy is one of the great enemies of active spirituality. It keeps us from loving our neighbours, from functioning with others in community, and from affirming people's unique worth. It also steals contentment from the heart. Is there anything or anyone you are envious of?"
-Charles R. Swindoll

Waiting On The Lord

Isaiah 40:31 (NIV)

³¹ but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.  They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

Psalm 27:13-14 (NIV)

¹³ I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.
¹⁴ Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord

 

In order to grow as believers, you and I must learn to wait on the Lord. When we surrender to His timing, He does mighty things in and for us, according to His will and His timing. God acts on behalf of those who wait for Him

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Joy Of The Lord Is Your Strength

Nehemiah 8:10 (NIV)
¹⁰ Nehemiah said, “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”

Psalm 5:11New  (NIV)

¹¹ But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you.

 

Though weeping is necessary, it is not the final message God has for us. To show this, Nehemiah and Ezra speak up and correct the people. What a powerful statement of the effect of the Word of God! When people understand it, it brings joy. The joy of the LORD is your strength. What a great word for grieving people who see the evil in their lives and the lives of those around them and mourn over what it has produced! The word that brings joy is that of forgiveness. God can forgive! He does, and He will restore. That is what Jesus meant when He said, Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted (Matthew 5:4). I don't think you will ever be comforted until you learn to mourn. When you see the hurt, pain, and despair that sin can produce and you grieve over it, then you are ready for the comfort of forgiveness.
What does the joy of the LORD mean? It is the fact that God has found a solution to these problems of sin. He has provided a way back to sensible, sober, wise, helpful, wholesome living. How? By learning to think like He thinks. Begin to see the world from His point of view. Listen no longer to the clamoring voices of the media. Do not take your philosophy of life from what people are saying or the advice others are giving. Listen to the Word of God.
That is the answer. It will heal your life. He sent forth his word and healed them, writes the psalmist (Psalm 107:20). The ministry of the Word of God is to heal us and create in us a desire to share that healing with others. Nehemiah urges the people to send portions of food to those who had nothing prepared. This is invariably the result in those who find their lives beginning to be healed by the Word of God. They start thinking of others who are hurting and want to share with them what they have learned.

Renewed Mind Is Poweful

Matthew 12:34-36 (NIV)
³⁴ You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of. ³⁵ A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him. ³⁶ But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken.

2 Corinthians 10:3-5 (NIV)

³ For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. ⁴ The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. ⁵ We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.

After presenting our body, we have to have our mind renewed. The renewing of the mind, which results from setting the mind on the spirit is the base for the transformation of our soul. Our mind is the leading part of our soul, and as it is renewed, our will and emotion automatically follow to be renewed also. To be renewed means that a new element is wrought into our being

We take captive every thought to make it obedient”. In the Message this passage is explained as “tearing down barriers erected against the truth of God, fitting every loose thought and emotion and impulse into the structure of life shaped by Christ.” In order to identify the thoughts that need to be taken captive we have to identify which thoughts do not line up with God’s Truth. This is rather simple. When we identify unhealthy emotions like anger, judgment, jealously, inadequacy, and perfectionism etc. we can be sure there is a thought creating the emotion lurking.

Renewed Mind

Romans 12:2
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

1 Corinthians 2:6
For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.

Philippians 2:5
Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:

Ephesians 4:23-24
And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;
And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

The only way to replace the error of the world’s way of thinking is to replace it with God’s truth, and the only infallible source of God’s truth is found in his revealed word, the Bible. Transformation through renewed minds comes as believers expose themselves to God’s Word through the faithful exposition of it each week in church, personal Bible study and group Bible study. A solid church that believes in preaching the Word, reading the Word and singing the Word is invaluable in helping us renew our minds.

There are no shortcuts. There is no magical formula for renewing our minds. We must fill our minds with God’s word. As Jesus prayed to the Father, “Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth” (John 17:7)

Rev Dr Ronnie Ng

Walk In Love

1 Corinthians 14:1 (NIV)
Follow the way of love and eagerly desire gifts of the Spirit, especially prophecy.

1 Corinthians 12:31 (NIV)
³¹ Now eagerly desire the greater gifts.

 Corinthians 14:39 (NIV)
³⁹ Therefore, my brothers and sisters, be eager to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues.

Deliverance Through The Word

Psalm 107:20 (NIV)

²⁰ He sent out his word and healed them;  he rescued them from the grave.

 

John 8:31-32 (NIV)

³¹ To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. ³² Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.

 

John 15:7 (NIV)

⁷ If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.

Matthew 8:16 (NIV)
¹⁶ When evening came, many who were demon-possessed were brought to him, and he drove out the spirits with a word and healed all the sick.

God’s Word has provided deliverance in every area of life. God created man as a spirit-ruled being, but at the Fall he became sense-ruled—his knowledge became based on his physical senses: what he could feel, see, taste, smell or hear.

When Jesus came, He bought back man’s authority. The Bible tells us that we have been delivered from the power (authority) of darkness (Satan) and translated into the kingdom of God’s dear Son. We are not going to be someday, we are now. When the revelation of having been delivered becomes a reality in your life, the habits of the old man will disappear. Satan’s authority over your life has been destroyed!

It is not the things you do in the natural that will bring you deliverance. It is receiving what Jesus did for you that takes away Satan’s rights to keep you in bondage. Satan cannot pressure you with anything that you cannot overcome with God’s Word (I Corinthians 10:13). God’s Word has provided deliverance in every area of your life—spirit, soul and body. God has given Satan an ultimatum where you as a believer are concerned

 

Belief Bring Deliverance

Psalm 34:4 (NIV)

⁴ I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears.

 

Psalm 18:  (NIV)

² The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge,
my shield and the horn  of my salvation, my stronghold.

 

Psalm 20:7 (NIV)

⁷ Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.

 

1. I break and cancel every inherited curse, in the name of Jesus.

2. Lord, remove from me all the curses placed upon my ancestral families as a result of their evil associations involvement, in the name of Jesus.
3. I break and cancel every curse placed upon me by my parents, in the name of Jesus.
4. I break and cancel every curse, spell, hex, enchantment, bewitchment, incantation placed upon me by my involvement with evil association, in the name of Jesus.
5. I break and revoke every blood and soul-tie covenant and yokes attached to them, in the name of Jesus.
6. I purge myself of all the evil foods I have eaten in the evil world with the blood of Jesus and purify myself with the fire of the Holy Ghost, in the name of Jesus.
7. All demonic spirits attached to all these covenants and curses, be roasted with the fire of God, in the name of Jesus.
8. I declare my body, soul and spirit a-no-go-area for all evil spirits, in the name of Jesus.

God's Strength Will Deliver Us

Isaiah 50:2 (NIV)

² When I came, why was there no one? When I called, why was there no one to answer? Was my arm too short to deliver you? Do I lack the strength to rescue you? By a mere rebuke I dry up the sea, I turn rivers into a desert; their fish rot for lack of water and die of thirst.

 

Jeremiah 1:9 (NIV)

⁹ Then the Lord reached out his hand and touched my mouth and said to me, “I have put my words in your mouth.

Daniel 3:17 (NIV)
¹⁷ If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand.

Deliverance

Angels Will Deliver Us

Psalm 34:7 (NIV)

⁷ The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them.

 

Psalm 91:11(NIV)

 ¹¹ For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways

 

Daniel 6:22 (NIV)

²² My God sent his angel, and he shut the mouths of the lions. They have not hurt me, because I was found innocent in his sight. Nor have I ever done any wrong before you, Your Majesty.

 

 

 

Rev Dr Ronnie Ng

Perfect Love Destroys Fear

1 John 4:18

18 There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.  

Verse 18 gives proof of verse 17. We have boldness at the Judgment Seat of Christ because God completes His love in us. John now looks at love from the negative viewpoint.

There is no fear in love;

Love accomplishes something now. The Christian does not look to the Judgment Seat of Christ with trepidation because He understands God’s love. Not only does love look forward to meeting the Lord but it presently casts out fear; love gives freedom from fear.

Fear and love are as contrary to each other as oil and water. Fear and love can coexist but perfect love and fear cannot coexist. Fear in varying degrees exists in every believer’s life. This would not be the case if God’s perfect love gripped his soul.

There is no room for fear in God’s economy of love. We cannot approach God in love and hide from Him in fear simultaneously. We overcome cowering fear of God by an understanding of His perfect love for us.

PRINCIPLE: Love is the most important manifestation of fellowship with the Lord.

Faith Destroys Fear

Ephesians 6:10 (NIV)

The Armor of God

¹⁰ Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.

The Christian armour is made to be worn; and there is no putting off our armour till we have done our warfare, and finished our course. The combat is not against human enemies, nor against our own corrupt nature only; we have to do with an enemy who has a thousand ways of beguiling unstable souls. The devils assault us in the things that belong to our souls, and labour to deface the heavenly image in our hearts. We must resolve by God's grace, not to yield to Satan. Resist him, and he will flee. If we give way, he will get ground. If we distrust either our cause, or our Leader, or our armour, we give him advantage. The different parts of the armour of heavy-armed soldiers, who had to sustain the fiercest assaults of the enemy, are here described. There is none for the back; nothing to defend those who turn back in the Christian warfare.

The Belt (of Truth): "Stand firm in the belt of truth buckled around your waist" Ephesians 6:14. The belt of truth involves two places; our hearts and our minds. Truth keeps us secure in Christ and makes effective all the other pieces of armour. The belt of truth holds our amour in place. Commit yourself daily to walk in the light of God's truth. "Teach me your ways, O Lord, that I may live according to your truth!" Psalm 86:11

The Breastplate (of Righteousness): "with the breastplate of righteousness in place," Ephesians 6:14 - A soldier with a breastplate goes into battle boldly with confidence. The devil is constantly attacking with lies, accusations and reminders of past sin. Without the breastplate of righteousness, these will penetrate your heart. Become aware of who you are in Christ Jesus. Come boldly into His presence (Hebrews 4:16).

The Shoes (of Peace & Preparation): "For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared." Ephesians 6:15 - Shoes allow us to step freely and without fear while we turn our full attention to the battle at hand. They aid in our movement and defense. The shoes God gives propel us onward to proclaim the true peace, which is available in Christ. Prepare yourself to follow the Lord no matter what.

The Shield (of Faith): "Above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one." Ephesians 6:16 - The shield not only defends our whole body but also our armor. The shield of faith has a very specific function, which the Bible makes abundantly clear: quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. Not some but all of them. The shield moves with the attack no matter the direction.

The Helmet (of Salvation): "Take the helmet of salvation." Ephesians 6:17 - Satan's target: Your mind. Satan's weapon: Lies. The enemy wants to make us doubt God and our salvation. The helmet protects our minds from doubting the truth of God's saving work for us. "Since we belong to the day, we must be serious and put the armor of faith and love on our chests, and put on a Helmet of the Hope of Salvation" 1 Thessalonians 5:8

The Sword (of The Spirit): Put on "the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God." Ephesians 6:17 - The sword is the only weapon of offense in the armor, but it is also a tool for defense. Strongholds, arguments and thoughts are all weapons the enemy uses against us. With the Sword of the Spirit, God's word, the people are equipped to deal with them all. We need to trust in the truth of God's Word. Have confidence in the value of God's word. Get a hunger and desire for it.

Prayer. "Pray In the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere." Ephesians 6:18

Deliverance from fear

2 Timothy 1:7 (NIV)
⁷ For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline

Romans 8:15 (NIV)
¹⁵ The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship.^[a] And by him we cry, “Abba,^[b] Father.”

Joy Overcomes Fear

Ephesians 5:20 (NIV)

²⁰ always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

 

Philippians 4:4 (NIV)

 ⁴ Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!

1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NIV)
¹⁸ give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.



Rev Dr Ronnie Ng

Guidance

Holy Spirit is our Guide

John 16:13
¹³ But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.

Romans 8:14
¹⁴ For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God.

The Lord leads us

Isaiah 48:17

¹⁷ This is what the Lord says—
your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel:
“I am the Lord your God,
who teaches you what is best for you,
who directs you in the way you should go.

 

Isaiah 58:11

¹¹ The Lord will guide you always;
he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land
and will strengthen your frame.
You will be like a well-watered garden,
like a spring whose waters never fail.

 

Lord is watching

 

Psalm 34:15

¹⁵ The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous,
and his ears are attentive to their cry;

 

Psalm 32:8

⁸ I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;
I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.

 

Psalm 141:8

⁸ But my eyes are fixed on you, Sovereign Lord;
in you I take refuge—do not give me over to death.

 

2 Chronicles 16:9

⁹ For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him....

Rev Dr Ronnie Ng

The Righteous are bold

1.  The Righteous are bold

Proverbs 28:1
The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion.

1 John 2:28
And now, dear children, continue in him, so that when he appears we may be confident and unashamed before him at his coming.

2.  Praying for others brings boldness

Ephesians 6:19

Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel.

3.  Holiness Brings Boldness

Ecclesiastes 8:1
Who is like the wise?
Who knows the explanation of things?
A person’s wisdom brightens their face
and changes its hard appearance.

Acts 4:13

When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.

1 John 4:17
This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world we are like Jesus.

Rev Dr Ronnie Ng

Your Service

Mark 10:43-45

..Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, ⁴⁴ and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. ⁴⁵ For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”


Dietrich Bonhoeffer, the German theologian who was hanged by the Nazis during World War II, wrote this:

"Marriage is more than your love for each other.  It has a higher dignity and power, for it is God's holy ordinance...In your love you see only the heaven of your happiness, but in marriage you are placed at a post of responsibility toward the world and mankind.  Your love is your own private possession, but marriage is something more than personal - it is a status, an office....that joins you together in the sight of God."

Doing good for others as a couple brings a mystical quality into your marriage.  It helps to transcend yourselves and become part of something larger.

Living Happily

Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. 18Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. 19In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life. (1 Timothy 6:17-19)

Studies have shown that most couples believe they would be happier if their income were twenty percent higher.  Do you think they will be satisfied for long.  No ! no matter what the increase may be, it will be absorbed into the living standard and the cycle repeats itself.

Do not wear yourself out to get rich.  Riches may bring about comfort and higher standard of living, but surely the riches of a happy marriage will outlast all our worldy possessions.  It is more rewarding to work at becoming soul mates.

God is God

God is not man, that He should lie, or a son of man that He should change  His mind. Has he said, and will he not do it? Or has he spoken, and will he not fulfill it? Numbers 23:19