Apostolic Faith established in who God is

Apostolic Faith
- grounded in who God is
- brings about breakthrough in your life
- goes beyond same old same old

How to acquire it
- the more we are acquainted with God
- the more we are willing and able to put our trust in God

Joshua 1
I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses. Your territory will extend from the desert to Lebanon, and from the great river, the Euphrates—all the Hittite country—to the Mediterranean Sea in the west. No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you. Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their ancestors to give them. (Joshua 1:3-6 NIV)

Who God is
(1) He is a generational God: He re-established the covenant with Joshua even after Moses has died. He does not stop after just 1 generation. Even today, he wishes to establish a covenant with us.

- there is no reason for us to walk in turmoil and concern but instead walk in full faith and confidence that God will aid us in our journey

(2) God is a promise keeper. He has given his promise to Moses and today he wishes to keep his promise with us too.

(3) God is able

- God has established a covenant of provision with us, blessing us with every place we set out foot upon. No one will be able to stand against us. He will never leave us nor forsake us. This is so that we can walk forth in strength and courage.

- God goes ahead of us to prepare the way. He makes the path straight, providing a leadership covering for us.

(4) God honors his leaders and his servants
- we are all his leaders and servants
- e.g. Joshua was the very representative of who God is as his spokesperson
- similarly we are the very representation of who God is to the people around us

- we are also the manifestation of Gods grace. Without grace there is no way people can see the miracle

- God will honor with us. He has plans to give us a hope and a future. Plans to prosper us and not to harm us

Humility

After David had finished talking with Saul, Jonathan became one in spirit with David, and he loved him as himself. From that day Saul kept David with him and did not let him return home to his family. And Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself. Jonathan took off the robe he was wearing and gave it to David, along with his tunic, and even his sword, his bow and his belt. (1 Samuel 18:1-4 NIV)

Jonathan is humble
- accepts that God is sovereign and wishes for David to be King
- he submits to God and to David
- gives up what he owns, and even his hereditary right to his future throne to David because this is Gods wishes

Humility is not passive, not just you simply standing by the side waiting for things to happen to you, for you to be abused – that is simply weakness

Humility is something active – its a choice you make on a daily basis

Humility

After David had finished talking with Saul, Jonathan became one in spirit with David, and he loved him as himself. From that day Saul kept David with him and did not let him return home to his family. And Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself. Jonathan took off the robe he was wearing and gave it to David, along with his tunic, and even his sword, his bow and his belt. (1 Samuel 18:1-4 NIV)

Jonathan is humble
- accepts that God is sovereign and wishes for David to be King
- he submits to God and to David
- gives up what he owns, and even his hereditary right to his future throne to David because this is Gods wishes

Humility is not passive, not just you simply standing by the side waiting for things to happen to you, for you to be abused – that is simply weakness

Humility is something active – its a choice you make on a daily basis

Power of fellowship

We are all children of God.. The moment we enter into a relationship with Him, we enter into a relationship with the other followers.

Acts 2:42 NIV

They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.

- there is a difference between teaching abduction fellowship
- fellowship is an exchange of lives

Matthew 18:20 NIV

For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.”
- gathering of fellowshippers draws the presence of God

Revelation

Revelation 21:10-15 NIV

And he carried me away in the Spirit to a mountain great and high, and showed me the Holy City, Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God. It shone with the glory of God, and its brilliance was like that of a very precious jewel, like a jasper, clear as crystal. It had a great, high wall with twelve gates, and with twelve angels at the gates. On the gates were written the names of the twelve tribes of Israel. There were three gates on the east, three on the north, three on the south and three on the west. The wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb. The angel who talked with me had a measuring rod of gold to measure the city, its gates and its walls.

Revelation 21:10-15, 22-27 NIV

And he carried me away in the Spirit to a mountain great and high, and showed me the Holy City, Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God. It shone with the glory of God, and its brilliance was like that of a very precious jewel, like a jasper, clear as crystal. It had a great, high wall with twelve gates, and with twelve angels at the gates. On the gates were written the names of the twelve tribes of Israel. There were three gates on the east, three on the north, three on the south and three on the west. The wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb. The angel who talked with me had a measuring rod of gold to measure the city, its gates and its walls. I did not see a temple in the city, because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp. The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their splendor into it. On no day will its gates ever be shut, for there will be no night there. The glory and honor of the nations will be brought into it. Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life.

Revelation 3:14-22 NIV

“To the angel of the church in Laodicea write:
These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God’s creation. I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see. Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent. Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me. To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat down with my Father on his throne. Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”

Spits out those whose deeds are Lukewarm
- quite scared whenever this term is used because i guess i agree to a certain extent that i am lukewarm Christian
- trying to mend my ways e.g. More tawg to deepen my relationship with him, speak more about him with friends family and colleagues,
- but Im personally not v sure why i don’t feel the passion and excitement that i feel i should have

Wealth on earth does not relate to anything that god considers richness in heaven
- reminder for me not to store up treasures on earth because my final judge does not care about it

Another way to look at is that
- it is not sufficient to just obtain salvation and be happy that i am a Christian (lukewarm)
- he wants us to read more on the word of god, to strengthen our spirit so we can answer others when challenged, to be rich, to cover ny shamefulness and so we can see!
- this knowledge to strengthen our spirit and deepen our relationship will in turn change us and cause us to do deeds that pleases him

Even though i don’t think I’ve been a v good devoted Christian ever since ive gotten saved, but god is still good – he does not give up on me. He is still rebuking and disciplining me e.g. Through the reading of this verse
- his offer for me to accept him totally still stands, we just have to be earnest and repent

And of course, the reward is the right to sit with Jesus on his throne

Covenant

Hebrews 8:5-10 NIV

They serve at a sanctuary that is a copy and shadow of what is in heaven. This is why Moses was warned when he was about to build the tabernacle: “See to it that you make everything according to the pattern shown you on the mountain.” But in fact the ministry Jesus has received is as superior to theirs as the covenant of which he is mediator is superior to the old one, since the new covenant is established on better promises. For if there had been nothing wrong with that first covenant, no place would have been sought for another. But God found fault with the people and said:
“The days are coming, declares the Lord,
when I will make a new covenant
with the people of Israel
and with the people of Judah. It will not be like the covenant
I made with their ancestors
when I took them by the hand
to lead them out of Egypt,
because they did not remain faithful to my covenant,
and I turned away from them,
declares the Lord. This is the covenant I will establish with the people of Israel
after that time, declares the Lord.
I will put my laws in their minds
and write them on their hearts.
I will be their God,
and they will be my people.

Don’t just settle for bread and water here on earth. When we are in covenant with Jesus, there is a banquet feast out there for us.

When we come into a covenant with someone else, we exchange coats and identities so we are tightly bonded like bosom buddies. Similarly, Jesus took our sins and bore it so we can come close to God who can bear no sins.

We will also exchange belts, which is an exchange of our strengths. God says ‘My grace is sufficient for all your needs’ this will be our strength which upholds me through touch times

The 3rd thing we will exchange is our weapons. And similarly are exposed to his enemies. Today we mo longer fight against the things of this world but against the spiritual forces of evil and temptation

We have GOD’S weapons so we shall not live in defeat.

The 4th thing we will do is find a sacrificial animal. God provided us with the perfect sacrifice, lamb of God, who took away our sins. We will sacrifice it, and walk the walk of death. And while walking the symbolism is that we are saying to yourself that if we break the covenant, may i suffer the same fate of this animal.

We need to walk the walk of death to self to live th will of God

And after this, we will share the meat and blood- similar to how Jesus shared his bread and blood, representing the new covenant.

Embrace the new Covenant, embrace the banquet feat and live in fulfilment.

Breakthrough into spiritual dynamism

we want to be passionate for God, to be of zeal and vigor. To not be sapped or jaded. Here are some principles on how we can do it..

1. Communion
- place where every part of your being is consumed by the presence of Almighty God
Philippians 3:10
-deep intimate relationship with God
- apostle Paul desired a greater relationship with God

2. Gratitude
Philippians 4.11

3 Serving
Romans 12:11 keep your spiritual fervor serving the lord

Healthier mind and body

Let this be a reminder and an affirmation of my desire to live right, not just for my own good but for God my creator as well. He who has given me this right to live in this world has the best intentions and expectations for me.. And just like a son should bot disobey his parents, I should live a life that is right by God. Live a godly life  that He will be proud of.

I have done many things that I am ashamed of, and which I know God will not approve of. And I need not put them down in this blog for both He and I know what I have done.

But I vow to live right from today onwards. I seek your forgiveness God for the sins and trespasses I have committed. For my  transgressions and disobedience. I sincerely ask that you look past these faults of mine, not accept them – for these are weaknesses that

I do not accept as well – but give me a chance to prove that I can be more than this.

My God is just and righteous and I know He does not condone such behaviors. And it is rightly so.

But my God is loving and gracious too. He sent his only Son to die for  my sins – my past sins and the sins that I will inevitably commit  tomorrow as well. We are a fallen race, one that is tainted by the wicked ways of the world. But this is not an excuse to continue living scandalously. Instead, let this me my lifelong challenge, a never-ending fight. To live right in a world that is not right.

I cant do it by my own strengths that I understand. For it is so easy for me to succumb – in times when I am alone my wicked mind overpowers me, in times when I am with friends and company, the ways of the world triumphs.

But I will not treat this as status quo any longer. I know what is right, and I know who can make it right.

So God, help me in this journey. Help me right my wrongs, to live a healthy Godly life in this short time I have here in this world. S that when I meet you once again in Heaven I can proudly proclaim that I have a lived a life that is pleasing to you. That there is nothing that I need to be ashamed of.

Towards this end, I ask for 3 practical means in which You can help me God

1) Mind: To make more productive and valuable use of my private, personal time.

- increase my knowledge through books, studying for CFA, scouring websites for useful information

- connect with family and friends on a more intimate and meaningful level: really understand them and be closer to them (not just superficially)
2) Body: Living right through daily exercise and a healthy diet

- Do a little exercise each day to make it a habit. Start a routine which will not be disrupted by work or any other excuses (to be discussed later)
- Don’t overeat during meals again. Have smaller meals and be more disciplined and conscientious about what I am having during meals. Eat more fruits and vegetables. Cut down on fried, salty, sweet and oily foods.

3) Spirit – To engage with God each day to develop a personal relationship with Him befitting that of a Father and his son

- To hear his voice and instructions in my life for I know he has the  best plans and intentions for me
- To give him praise, thanks and worship each day so that He knows I love him

So God, help me in this journey.

What does it mean to be blessed

Blessed – one who has a deep sense of inner contentment because of a
personal relationship with God

This is a relationship that will withstand the challenges of life
- does not mean that we will not have challenges but it means that God
can lead us through them

Being blessed is not measured by how we feel or experience

Jeremiah 17:7 , Matthew 5:3-10

1. Do not compare
2. Do not compete
3. Do not complain
4. Do not covet (envy)
5. Do not contain / hoard / simply be a consumer of God’s blessings

Fireplace cell

Kevin and Diana
Steph – gel
Alice – auditor
James – sales
Yu Bin and Janice
Jason – purple t-shirt

- Equipped to grow in Christ (e.g. Prayer)
- become sure and firm about what we believe
- fumction as the body of Christ
- help others grow