By this we know He abides in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us.

Find a friend, and pray for one another!

Read 1John 3:23 - 4:13 together.

There are many ‘spirits’ in this world which oppose the Spirit of truth: these are teachers and teachings which reject Jesus Christ as Lord. We encounter them frequently, not only in religions and cults which openly declare that Jesus Christ is not the Son of God, but also in worldviews and ideologies which subtly deny the need for us to believe on Jesus Christ

• What spirits of error have you encountered?
• In trying to follow the example of the prophets, we will encounter false prophets. Do you ‘test the spirits’ by the Word of God? Are you certain of the truth revealed in the Bible?

We are reminded of Jesus’ command for us to love one another, the reason being that love is from God, and because God is love. The hallmark of any Christian body should be love. If we abide in Christ’s love by loving one another, we can be sure that the Holy Spirit abides in us too.

• It is not good enough to know the truth, but we must let our light shine through ‘our acts of love and deeds of faith* ‘. Have we been doers of the Word?
• Do we abide in Christ, and He in us?

God’s love was manifested when Jesus Christ gave His life so that we might live. He said, ‘Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends’ and did it! No other religion or ideology has a founder who did such a thing.

God has given us the Spirit of truth – we do not have to fear other belief systems. Elisha only said, ‘those who are with us are more than those who are with them’. Since the Holy Spirit was given to the church at Pentecost, John could write, ‘He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.’

Note that only those who belong to God will hear the truth. So let us not be disappointed if our evangelism appears to be fruitless at times, as it is only natural for sinful man to reject the truth. Yet they still need to hear it, because they will not find the love of God anywhere else in the world.

1. Pray that God will send the Spirit of truth to convert hearts, and bring them to repentance and faith in Christ Jesus.
2. Pray that our faith may be strengthened.
3. Pray for one another.

* Phrase taken from the song ‘Speak O Lord’.

This is part of a series of prayer guides which was originally written by Timothy for a christian fellowship, to be used when groups of two or three would meet to share and pray. The idea is to hear God speak to us through His word first, and afterwards we speak to God in prayer. It is reposted here in case anybody would like to use it like a devotional, and to encourage us to pray together. Bear one another's burdens in love; cast all your care upon God, for he cares for you.

"Abide in My love"

Find a friend, and pray for one another!

Read John 15:1-17 together.

If we belong to Christ, then we must grow in Him. Just as how a branch of the vine depends on the root to supply water and nutrition, so we must depend on our Lord for grace. This dependence is total, for without Christ, we can do nothing.

• Do we realize that everything we have comes from God? Are we humbled by this?
• The result of abiding in Jesus Christ is that we will bear fruit in our lives, for the glory of God the Father. Do we share this purpose? Then God will answer our prayers.
• Here is a warning that we do not cease to be fruitful, lest God punish us in eternal fire. Since we were, undeservedly, ‘grafted’ into the church, we are to be useful servants of Jesus Christ. Are we ungrateful sometimes, when we forget to honour God? Ask for forgiveness.

For us to abide in the love of Christ, we must obey His commandments. What wonder it is, then, that He gives but one simple commandment: to love one another just as He has loved us! Jesus would go so far as to lay down His life for us, while we were enemies, to make us His friends.

• Likewise, our love should be unconditional – since love covers a multitude of sins. Do we freely forgive our brothers and sisters too? Do we love our neighbour as ourselves?

What privilege it is for us that the Son of God should call His servants friends! Yet even the apostles still called Him Lord, and we should too. For although we now we have peace with God, we recognise that we were chosen out of love. Yea, we had to be redeemed by Jesus’ blood before we could bear fruit; therefore we are forever indebted to our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

There is not another government or religious system which is so thoroughly grounded in love. Jesus would have His kingdom founded upon love. As we remember the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ this month, let love become the motivation of our evangelism.

In conclusion, Jesus commanded us to love so that our joy may be full. Rejoice, for we are saved! Rejoice, for if we abide in His love, God will give whatever we ask in Jesus’ name. Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart.

1. Pray in thankfulness to God: He loves us, and has given us everything we need, most of all salvation through Jesus Christ.
2. Pray that we might always speak the truth in love.
3. Pray for one another.

This is part of a series of prayer guides which was originally written by Timothy for a christian fellowship, to be used when groups of two or three would meet to share and pray. The idea is to hear God speak to us through His word first, and afterwards we speak to God in prayer. It is reposted here in case anybody would like to use it like a devotional, and to encourage us to pray together. Bear one another's burdens in love; cast all your care upon God, for he cares for you.

“LORD, open his eyes that he may see.”

Find a friend, and pray for one another!
  

Read 2 Kings 6:8-23 together.

God wrought many miracles through his prophet Elisha. In this particular account, we find a glimpse of the war between Israel and Syria, when events led to an army of Syrians becoming blinded upon a word spoken by Elisha.

• Notice first, how the life of the king of Israel was protected by the prophecy of God, as long as he obeyed it. When we feel anxious, do we also turn to God’s word?

Elisha’s servant was scared out of his wits when the Syrians surrounded the city. Yet Elisha prayed for his eyes to be opened, and the servant saw the awesome power of God’s angelic army.

• Sometimes we feel trapped by our struggles in life: although our lives are rarely at stake, do we entrust ourselves to God, believing that if God is for us, none can be against us?
• Elisha already had a calm confidence in God’s power to save, but he wanted his servant to have that comfort too, and so he prayed for his servant. Let us strive to follow Elisha’s example, and always be willing to pray for those who are in distress.

The second time Elisha prayed for eyes to be opened, it was for the Syrians. How we ourselves were like them, when our eyes of faith were first opened! We saw God’s almighty power to destroy us, and trembled at his righteous judgement. Yet, just as how the Syrians were shown mercy, God had mercy upon us, and forgave us by the blood of Jesus Christ. So we too are set free, howbeit not to return to our old master, but to serve our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
~

For it is written in Colossians 1 that the Father has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins … And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled in the body of his flesh through death … if indeed you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel.

1. Pray, giving thanks to God for salvation.
2. Pray for our friends (if not ourselves) who are struggling to believe or are still unbelievers, that their eyes might be opened so that they may see the light of the gospel.
3. Pray for one another.

This is part of a series of prayer guides which was originally written by Timothy for a christian fellowship, to be used when groups of two or three would meet to share and pray. The idea is to hear God speak to us through His word first, and afterwards we speak to God in prayer. It is reposted here in case anybody would like to use it like a devotional, and to encourage us to pray together. Bear one another's burdens in love; cast all your care upon God, for he cares for you.

Hey KSers!

To relieve memories of the past KS retreat 2011, I've added some songs from the camp booklet to the blog. Couldn't add all, cos some weren't very recognized songs, but hope they bring back the times of SYLO together in the evenings. As you hear 'Onward Christian Soldiers',  be reminded of the school anthem and the school pledge! Shine for Him as a student! :)

P.S. These songs will only be up for a month.

The 'issues' of life!

Hullo everyone! I hope you have been keeping your heart with all diligence..

Anyway, this is the announcement:

Dat KS MEGAzine 2011 Issue 2 is out!

Distribution has begun. This time, it's free, so you don't have to find $2 from somewhere. That also means that anyone else can take a copy, so grab yours while stocks last!

~Timothy