Recalling & Reflecting on God’s Word (shared by Andrew, 3 Sep 2014 BOL1)

A. Importance of the Word 

John 1:1  In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

John 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelled among us 

Psalm 119:105 Your word is a lamp for my feet,
a light on my path. 

Hebrews: 4:12 For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

 
After Jesus rose from the dead, one of His first recorded acts was to interpret Scripture: "And beginning with Moses and with all the prophets, He explained to them the things concerning Himself in all the Scriptures" (Luke 24:27). 

Ephesians 6: 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

 

 

B. How to treat the Word (checklist)

c Pray and Seek the Holy Spirit’s help – John 14:26  (Jesus said) the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.  AND  John 16:13a When the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth.  

c Check - Acts 17:11-12 Now these (Bereans) were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so. Therefore many of them believed.

c Read Daily - Luke 11:3 Give us each day our daily bread. 

c Study - Heb 5:12 - 13 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you have need again for someone to teach you the elementary principles of the oracles of God, and you have come to need milk and not solid food. For everyone who partakes only of milk is not accustomed to the word of righteousness, for he is an infant.…

 

c Apply - Matthew 13:22 – 23 The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful. But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.”

 

 

 

 

2 Timothy 3:16 (Three “versions”)

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, (New International Version). 

 

All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. (New Living Translation)

 

Verses 14-17 But don’t let it faze you. Stick with what you learned and believed, sure of the integrity of your teachers—why, you took in the sacred Scriptures with your mother’s milk! There’s nothing like the written Word of God for showing you the way to salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. Every part of Scripture is God-breathed and useful one way or another—showing us truth, exposing our rebellion, correcting our mistakes, training us to live God’s way. Through the Word we are put together and shaped up for the tasks God has for us. (The Message)

Favourite, Meaningful Verses & Bible Passages of BOL1er [3 Sep 2014]

"Reminds me not to worry so much but to trust God more." ---  Andrew

 

"I like this verse because it reminds me of God’s love for me and how I should try to love others." --- Cheryl 

 

Ultimately, Jesus is the Word. ---  Dennis 

 

 

"The passage is meaningful and  reassuring." ---  Eng Cheong 

 

 

 

"I like this verse because when I applied it in my life and actively seek to know God and put Him first on my priority list, He has shown me He is true to His word and is giving me everything and MORE than what I ever wanted." ---  Jennis 

 

 

 

    "It relates closely to my work and personal situations ...Of course I am also impatient and I fret often but I try to remind myself with also " good things come to all who wait” --- Kyra

 

" My favourite verse as it kind of sums up what I feel. This verse is very comforting to me to know that no matter how bad things can be, I can turn to God and everything will be ok." ---  Rebecca

"In times when we don't understand why certain things are happening, I fall back on this verse for encouragement. Also, on hindsight after certain unhappy events, I am heartened by how this verse makes so much sense." --- Ruqi

 

"This is JESUS speaking personally and powerfully to me of HIS beautiful presence each day n each moment of my life – blessings." ---  Su Li

 

 

"I was attracted to the decorative cross i saw in a christian book store and this verse is in it. I dun understand why I just want to buy this. In the coming weeks and months, as I hang it in my office，many a times, I needed this as a reminder to me of the renewed strength in Lord." --- Susan

 

 

 

 

 

Cheryl discovers a relationship with God @Alpha [Cheryl's Testimony, 16 May 2013]

 

My exposure to Christianity started when I attended a Methodist school for 10 years. Before the alpha course, I walked my Christian faith alone. I believed very much that this was my private relationship with God and I kept it to myself, mainly because I was worried of the commitment I needed to give like going to church every week, cell group, bible study and also the way I have to behave as a Christian. That to me seemed like a lot of commitment and I was unsure if I could do it so I just continued in this private relationship with God through my own faith and prayer. However, sometimes this faith were shaken, prayers forgotten and God neglected.

The alpha course is a very structured course which gave me a more rational and logical way to understand the Christian faith. I used to think that the Christian faith was not something you can question too much but something that you just believed in. During the alpha course, we were given a “free pass” where we could ask any question regardless how silly it may sound which was an awesome opportunity for me to ask questions and also learn from the questions of others. The facilitators were very patient and some shared interesting testimonies. Some of my questions were answered, and others I am either still trying to understand, to accept or continue searching for the answer. But I am satisfied enough that I want to begin this NEW journey with Jesus as my Lord and saviour. 

Let me now share with you about the meals at Alpha! Of course, no alpha course is complete without a feast! The food at our alpha group was super yummy and abundant but to match that, we also had bottomless pits! Now, all our lovely “chefs” have names such as Kong Ba Pao, Chicken Tikka and Curry Chicken! Through these, friendships were made and I pray to continue to grow together in the Christian faith through His words and fellowship with everyone. 

When I first attended Alpha, I experienced the goodness of people. And through their actions and testimony, I saw God working in each and every one of them. I knew I wanted God to do the same with me. As they said, “God’s plan for you is, good, perfect and pleasing” 
 

I am still in the process of learning more about Jesus and building our relationship. I’m still a “work in progress”. But I know that I can place all things in his hand, and because of this, I feel I can leave my life, my future in God’s hand and the burden has been lifted off my shoulder. I am grateful, joyful and ready for this wonderful journey ahead :) 

 

Meeting God: it all started with Alpha [Gabey's Testimony, 15 Aug 2014]

 

As I looked around at Alpha intro din 3014, I see familiar faces, not that I know them personally, but faces of curiosity and doubt. How I looked or felt last year.

 

If you ask me have I ever thought I will be standing here and speaking at Alpha Intro din, my answer would have been a flat NO last year; this is just not something I will do.  I will probably roll my eye ball at whoever asked me to do this (I am quite famous at rolling my eye ball haha). 


My journey started simple. 2 old friends told me about their journeys with Jesus over a casual dinner and I went like “Really, are you sure?? Don’t sales-talk me hor!”

Then one of them asked me to her place to understand Jesus better and I went “Hmm…and hmm” I was hesitant. 

But then I thought to myself, if I had a lot of question marks on what they told me and so why not go and get some answers? Anyway there is no obligation?

Then came the best part (at the time), there is free dinner every week!! So I thought, why not, just take it that they are catch up sessions with 2 of my friends. I will turn up whenever I can cos I do not usually finish work on time (I knocked off earliest like 8pm daily).

At that point, when I told my friends (non-Christians) that I am attending Alpha class by the church every Wednesdays and small group every alternate Fridays much later, all of them had the same reaction. First, jaw drop, then, after regaining their posture like 10 seconds later, they will be like “You, you, Gabey, attending Alpha class? Please, don’t waste time and just come to our usual activities of hanging out on Fridays night. You won’t complete it, you can’t even knock off on time!” They just laughed it off.

Surprisingly, every Wednesday, I knock off at 7pm sharp and I went. I had dinner, and watch a video clip EVERY week. I became a bit puzzled cos I almost never knock off on time at work! So I became curious and I question, I question a fair bit, some out loud. I am known to be a 101 questions girl, so my leaders patiently answered my questions. 

Then came Alpha weekend, I was very certain I could not make it cos there was a major launch that weekend and it was confirmed. Guess what! The launch got postponed by a week and I went for the Alpha weekend :O :O

The journey, by far is amazing. I met lots of great people, that, I never knew existed in life.

I got to know much later that my friend told the girl who invited me to Alpha “You want to ask Gabey uh, this girl is a tough nut to crack leh!” I thank her for her perseverance and here I am.

In my opinion, I think it is ok to doubt, search and question.  I doubted, I searched and I questioned (I still question today), but I found! 


The key is to have an open mind, in order to be able to receive the answer.  Do not over-think, keep it simple. You will never know what you will find, like me. I found the best part and it is not the dinner though it was delicious! It is KNOWING THE LORD JESUS CHRIST PERSONALLY!