April Devotional Journal 2018 by Covenant EFC

APRIL DEVOTIONAL JOURNAL 2018

Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved. ACTS 4:12 (NIV)

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APRIL DEVOTIONAL JOURNAL 2018

Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved. ACTS 4:12 (NIV)

Also available at www.cefc.org.sg and “Covenant EFC” mobile app.

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MEMORY VERSES 2018 JANUARY But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. ACTS 1:8 (NIV)

FEBRUARY They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. ACTS 2:42 (NIV)

MARCH Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favour of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. ACTS 2:46-47 (NIV)

APRIL Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved. ACTS 4:12 (NIV)

M AY

So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, “It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables. Brothers and sisters, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them… ACTS 6:2-3 (NIV)

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JUNE While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off. ACTS 13:2-3 (NIV)

J U LY They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved — you and your household.” ACTS 16:31 (NIV)

AUGUST Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true. ACTS 17:11 (NIV)

SEPTEMBER One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision: “Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent. For I am with you, and no one is going to attack and harm you, because I have many people in this city.” ACTS 18:9-10 (NIV)

OCTOBER Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which He bought with His own blood. ACTS 20:28 (NIV)

NOVEMBER “Now I commit you to God and to the word of his grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified.” ACTS 20:32 (NIV)

DECEMBER He proclaimed the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ − with all boldness and without hindrance! ACTS 28:31 (NIV)

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FOREWORD BY S E N I O R PA S TO R S

As we lead Covenant EFC towards Vision 2028 and our 50th Jubilee Anniversary, God has given us Acts 20:28 as our spiritual anchor:

“PAY CAREFUL ATTENTION

to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood.” As church leaders and members, we are to pay careful attention to our hearts’ condition and to our triune God. At last year’s Listening Retreat, God impressed a spiritual burden upon us for 2018: WE ARE CHURCH: PRAY AND REPENT! We are CHURCH We believe God has called us to be One Church with Multiple Centres and pursue the A.D.I.D. of A Certain Kind within each local centre through small groups. We will enhance the small group strategy so that we can make disciples who make disciples. This year, we were led to preach on the book of Acts, as we rediscover what the Church is all about. We Are Church: PRAY! I (Rev Tan Kay Kiong) received a distinct picture of Moses praying in the mountain with his hands supported by Aaron and Hur. As I read the account in Exodus 17, the burden was clear:

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“Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which He obtained with His own blood.”

ACTS 20:28

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1. We Are Under Attack (Exo 17:8) Many of us are living defeated lives stained by sin and the affairs of this world. The devil has launched his arsenal of attacks against every possible area of our lives. 2. We Must Fight with the Weapons of God (Exo 17:9b) The staff in Moses’ hand was the staff of God. Formerly used to goad sheep, this once ordinary staff became God’s weapon to fight spiritual battles. We must put on God’s spiritual armour so that we can stand against the devil’s schemes. 3. We Must Fight with the Weapons of God and Hold Up Our Hands (Exo 17:11a) Joshua and his troops were fighting with all their might against the enemies, but the secret to their victory was Moses’ hands raised to God in desperate intercession. Aaron and Hur helped Moses keep his hands up. We must hold up our hands in intercession for spiritual victory in our lives. We Are Church: Pray and REPENT! There is no true prayer without REPENTANCE. “Bring forth fruits in keeping with repentance.” − Luke 3:8. God spoke to me (Rev Tony Yeo) through the book of Joel: 1. Repent humbly – put on sackcloth, wail before the altar, declare a holy fast and call a sacred assembly (Joel 1:13-14). 2. Repent wholeheartedly – rend your heart and not your garments (Joel 2:12-13). Return to God with all our hearts for He is gracious and compassionate! 3. Repent urgently – in the light of the day of the Lord and His coming judgement (Joel 3:3-14). We believe that God will speak to each of you personally as you spend daily devotional time with the Lord in His Word and in prayer. This Devotional Journal (DJ) has been designed to help you in this. We pray and trust that God will greatly bless you as you use this DJ daily, and His Spirit will guide and direct your prayers such that God will be pleased to answer them and display His glory in you and in our church for the advance of His Kingdom in Singapore and beyond. In Christ, Rev Tony Yeo and Rev Tan Kay Kiong

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GUIDE TO USING THIS

DEVOTIONAL JOURNAL

Prepare your heart in God’s presence

■ Select a fixed time (preferably in the morning before you begin your day) and a quiet place where you can be alone and undisturbed. ■ Observe a moment of silence as you acknowledge God’s presence. Centre down. ■ Begin with a song of worship. Meditate on the lyrics even if you are unfamiliar with the tune. (Refer to the list of worship songs provided.) ■ Ask God to open your heart to hear Him.

SOMETHING TO PONDER... Examining your life is essential in your faith journey. Your redeemed life as a disciple of Christ deserves careful examining. May you take root and bear fruit in Him!

The English Standard Version (ESV) is the default Bible version translation unless otherwise specified.

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Allow God to S.O.A.P. you

with His Word and Spirit

■ Scripture – Take your time to meditate on the Scripture passage for the day. Pause and mull over words and phrases that stand out to you. ■ Observation – Jot down significant insights and reflections from the passage you have read. You may use the guiding questions provided. The “Deeper Reflection” section is to aid your contemplation of the Scripture. It is not to replace your own observation, for the Holy Spirit illuminates the Scripture to you as you seek Him earnestly. ■ Application – Note down a specific and practical commitment to God’s Word for you. Is there a command to obey, a sin to avoid, an example to follow, or a principle to live out? Where appropriate, share your devotional entry with someone. ■ Prayer – Bring your heartfelt response to God in prayer.

P R AY E R P O I N T E R S F O R 2 0 1 8 Prayer pointers for Pastors and Staff are included every Tuesday. On each Friday, there is a prayer pointer for Lay Leaders (e.g. Zone Mentors, CG Leaders, Assistant CG Leaders and Ministry Leaders). A prayer pointer for Church Board Members is included every Saturday. Please pray for each group as well as any specific individuals whom God may bring to your mind.

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MARCH–APRIL

WORSHIP SONGS O PRAISE THE NAME (ANÁSTASIS) Verse 1 I cast my mind to Calvary Where Jesus bled and died for me I see His wounds, His hands, His feet My Saviour on that cursed tree Verse 2 His body bound and drenched in tears They laid Him down in Joseph’s tomb The entrance sealed by heavy stone Messiah still and all alone Chorus O praise the Name of the Lord our God O praise His Name forevermore For endless days we will sing Your praise Oh Lord, oh Lord our God Verse 3 Then on the third at break of dawn The Son of heaven rose again O trampled death, where is your sting? The angels roar for Christ the King Verse 4 He shall return in robes of white The blazing sun shall pierce the night And I will rise among the saints My gaze transfixed on Jesus’ face Benjamin Hastings | Dean Ussher | Marty Sampson © 2015 Hillsong Music Publishing For use solely with the SongSelect® Terms of Use. All rights reserved. www.ccli.com CCLI Song # 7037787 CCLI License # 324618

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ON BENDED KNEE Verse 1 On bended knee I come With a humble heart I come Bowing down before Your holy throne Lifting holy hands to You As I pledge my love anew I worship You in spirit I worship You in truth Make my life a holy praise unto You Verse 2 On bended knee we come With a humble heart we come Bowing down before Your holy throne Lifting holy hands to You As we pledge our love anew We worship You in spirit We worship You in truth Make our lives a holy praise unto You (2x) Robert Gay © 1988 Integrity’s Hosanna! Music (Admin. by CopyCare Asia Ltd (Singapore Branch)) For use solely with the SongSelect Terms of Use. All rights reserved. www.ccli.com CCLI Song # 95210 CCLI License # 324618

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I GIVE YOU MY HEART Verse This is my desire To honour You Lord, with all my heart I worship You All I have within me I give You praise All that I adore Is in You Chorus Lord, I give You my heart I give You my soul I live for you alone Every breath that I take Every moment I’m awake Lord, have Your way in me Reuben Morgan © 1995 Hillsong Music Publishing CCLI Song # 1866132 CCLI License # 324618

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WONDERFUL MERCIFUL SAVIOUR Verse 1 Wonderful merciful Saviour Precious Redeemer and Friend Who would have thought that a Lamb Could rescue the souls of men Oh, You rescue the souls of men Chorus You are the One that we praise You are the One we adore You give the healing and grace Our hearts always hunger for Oh our hearts always hunger for Verse 2 Counsellor, Comforter, Keeper Spirit we long to embrace You offer hope when our hearts Have hopelessly lost the way Oh, we’ve hopelessly lost the way Verse 3 Almighty, infinite Father Faithfully loving Your own Here in our weakness You find us Falling before Your throne Oh, we’re falling before Your throne Dawn Rodgers | Eric Wyse © 1989 Dayspring Music, LLC (a div. of Word Music Group, Inc.) Word Music, LLC (a div. of Word Music Group, Inc.) For use solely with the SongSelect Terms of Use. All rights reserved. www.ccli.com CCLI Song # 106879 CCLI License # 324618

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SOVEREIGN OVER US Verse 1 There is strength within the sorrow There is beauty in our tears And You meet us in our mourning With a love that casts out fear Verse 2 You are working in our waiting Sanctifying us When beyond our understanding You’re teaching us to trust Chorus Your plans are still to prosper You’ve not forgotten us You’re with us in the fire and the flood Faithful forever, perfect in love You are sovereign over us Verse 3 You are wisdom unimagined Who could understand Your ways Reigning high above the heavens Reaching down in endless grace Verse 4 You’re the lifter of the lowly Compassionate and kind You surround and You uphold me And Your promises are my delight

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Bridge Even what the enemy means for evil You turn it for our good You turn it for our good And for Your glory Even in the valley You are faithful You’re working for our good You’re working for our good And for Your glory (Repeat) Ending Faithful forever perfect in love You are sove’reign over us Aaron Keyes | Bryan Brown | Jack Mooring © 2011 Jack Mooring Music (Admin. by CopyCare Asia Ltd (Singapore Branch)) Meaux Jeaux Music (Admin. by CopyCare Asia Ltd (Singapore Branch)) Thankyou Music (Admin. by CopyCare Asia Ltd (Singapore Branch)) worshiptogether.com songs (Admin. by CopyCare Asia Ltd (Singapore Branch)) For use solely with the SongSelect Terms of Use. All rights reserved. www.ccli.com CCLI Song # 6011370 CCLI License # 324618

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SHOW US THE ANCIENT PATH Verse 1 Lord we confess that We have wandered Far from Your purpose and plan And willingly walked In the wrong direction Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve disobeyed Your commands Father forgive us Spirit come lead us Back to the way Back to the truth Back to the foot of the cross Chorus Show us the ancient paths Lead us along eternal highways We want to walk in the ways of Jesus We want to enter Your rest Show us the ancient paths Lead us along eternal highways We want to follow the footsteps of Jesus We want to enter Your rest Verse 2 Lord itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Your mercy and good intention That constantly calls us to You Your infinite patience And kind correction Your covenant love coming through You are our hope and our salvation You promise joy You give us grace And courage to carry the cross

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Verse 3 We want to leave A clear set of footprints For those who will follow behind Signposts in our lives That point to Jesus A pathway they’ll easily find We want to fill up The sufferings of Jesus As we obey Our lives display The glorious way of the cross We want to follow The footsteps of Jesus We want to enter Your rest Chris Christensen © 1993 Integrity’s Hosanna! Music; (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) CCLI Song # 1206668 CCLI License # 324618

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MAKE A CERTAIN BREAKTHROUGH Verse 1 In my life of searching For the plain and simple way Many paths were so winding The roads were never straight Then the Spirit of God broke through And healed my broken wings And showed me the way into His heart Chorus And I know that God is leading In a clear and certain way My one life for your purpose, Jesus I offer up this day To follow you completely To do all that you say Cleanse my life, fill me up And use me this day Make a certain breakthrough Make it today Verse 2 In these days of danger Lord, we rest upon Your grace With Your tender and skilful hands You shape this stubborn clay Yes, You calm my inmost being Giving courage to hope again And to build this one life In power and faith Ann Chan, Ruth Ling ÂŠ2006 Covenant Evangelical Free Church

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FIRES OF REVIVAL Verse 1 I came into the gathering Of the people of the Lord And found my way among them To His throne I needed to return Unto the altar of my God To renew again My covenant with Him Pre-Chorus And there I built An altar to His name And realised That my life would never be the same And then the fires of revival Came sweeping through my soul And I touched the Holy Presence of my God Chorus Come build an altar Unto the Lord Return to worship And hear His Word And then the fires of revival Will come sweeping through your soul And weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll touch the Holy Presence of our God Verse 2 I wanted to discover The first love We once had shared Rekindling the fire Deep within

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FIRES OF REVIVAL (CONT'D) I found the lamp still flickering In the temple of my Lord And pour a horn of oil Unto the flame Wendell Smith Â© 1984 BT Music (Admin. by CopyCare Asia Ltd (Singapore Branch)) For use solely with the SongSelect Terms of Use. All rights reserved. www.ccli.com CCLI Song # 15599 CCLI License # 324618

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JESUS CHRIST IS LORD Chorus Jesus Christ is Lord Jesus Christ is Lord Jesus Christ is Lord Jesus Christ is Lord Of the nations Verse He is enthroned on righteousness He is enthroned on justice His blood has overcome The enemy of our souls He is our mighty Deliverer Ramon Pink © 1987 Universal Music - Brentwood Benson Publishing (Admin. by CopyCare Asia Ltd (Singapore Branch)) For use solely with the SongSelect® Terms of Use. All rights reserved. www.ccli.com CCLI Song # 196487 CCLI License # 324618

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THE WALLS WILL COME DOWN Chorus The walls will come down With a shout of praise The walls will come down With a shout of joy The walls will come down With a shout of triumph To the Lord God Almighty (Repeat) Verse With the Sword of the Spirit in our hands The Word of God in our mouth With the blood of Jesus to set us free We have the victory Ending The walls will come down Reg Henare © 1997 Integrity’s Hosanna! Music (Admin. by CopyCare Asia Ltd (Singapore Branch)) For use solely with the SongSelect® Terms of Use. All rights reserved. www.ccli.com CCLI Song # 1866819 CCLI License # 324618

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Notes

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01 SUNDAY

Sunday Journal

APRIL

S CRIPTURE

O BSERVATION

A PPLICATION

P RAYER

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THE PAST WEEK

Review What was my high point and my low point for the week?

What gave me life and what drained me?

How was the Spirit of God at work?

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Reflect What is one key thing that God said to me this week in light of what has happened?

Respond What is one thing I need to do in light of what God is saying? COMMIT IN PRAYER.

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FAMILY DEVOTIONAL WEEK 1 APRIL 2018

WHY DO WE CELEBRATE EASTER? * Easter reminds us that Jesus died on the cross for us. Scripture: Luke 23-24 ACTIVITY BITE Read Luke 23 and 24 and try retelling the story by sketching simple cartoon pictures and scenes on a piece of paper using coloured markers. CHAT TIME Q1: What are some ways that people have changed the true meaning of Easter? Q2: Why must Jesus rise from the dead? Q3: If you had been the first one to see Jesus alive on Easter morning, how you would have reacted and what would you have done? LEARNING POINT In the beginning God created Adam and Eve to have a very close relationship with Him. But they disobeyed Him and thus sin came into the world. Sin breaks our relationship with God, who is perfect, and it separates us from Him. It’s been a big problem since the beginning. But God doesn’t want us to remain separated from Him. He wants us to be His close friends. He loves us so much that He came up with an amazing plan to rescue us and fix our sin problem once and for all. This plan saw Jesus coming into the world to die on the cross for us and rising from the dead on the third day. The day of His resurrection is called Easter. ACTION POINT Ask your family members to think of ways to complete this sentence: “Jesus, because you have risen from the dead, now I can…”. Say them out loud as personal prayers to Jesus. FAMILY PRAYER POINTS Pray that your friends will understand the true meaning of Easter so that they will believe in Jesus too. * Adapted from 252Basics, April 2018. www.ThinkOrange.com

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02 MONDAY

APRIL

New Covenant Passover and Pentecost

S CRIPTURE

Luke 22:7-20; Acts 2:1-4, 33

O BSERVATION What observations can you make about the phrase “poured out” in verse 20 and Acts 2:33?

Deeper Reflection PENTECOST (ACTS 2:1) was the middle of the three annual Jewish harvest festivals (Deut 16:16). It was called the Feast of Harvest (Exo 23:16) because it celebrated the completion of the grain harvest, and the Feast of Weeks or Pentecost because it took place seven weeks or 50 days after the Passover, when the grain harvesting began (Exo 34:22; Lev 23:15-16). This was the old covenant Passover and Pentecost. But in Luke-Acts, we see the new covenant Passover and Pentecost. The word “dei” (meaning “must be” or “necessary”) was used 40 times in Luke-Acts1, underscoring the theology of the “divine must”. Luke interpreted “the Passover lamb was being sacrificed” in Mark 14:12 as Jesus − “the Passover lamb” that “must be sacrificed” (Lk 22:7), whose blood “poured out” is “the new covenant in My blood” (v.20). On the day of Pentecost, 50 days after the Passover, following the crucifixion, resurrection, ascension and exaltation of Jesus, the Lord “poured out” the Holy Spirit on His new covenant people (Acts 2:1-4, 33). The Holy Spirit is the promise of the new covenant (Eze 36:26-27; Eph 1:13; 2 Cor 3:6). Ponder on what the Lord has “poured out” for us: His blood and His Spirit. What does that mean to you?

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A PPLICATION

What does it mean to you that the Lord “poured out” His blood and His Spirit to redeem you?

P RAYER

the Holy Spirit upon us, God’s redeemed people, that the holy and gracious glorious presence of the

vin

exalted in glory, You poured out

nee d

cleanse us of all our sins. Lord Jesus,

His blood to redeem, forgive and

Tho se in

Leaders

Beloved Son that He might pour out

Significant people

O God who is Love, You gave us Your

triune God may dwell in our hearts. I give You praise and thanks, O selfgiving triune God!

Mentioned 18 times in Luke, and 22 times in Acts

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03 TUESDAY

APRIL

The Manifestation of Divine Presence (1)

S CRIPTURE

Acts 2:1-3; Isaiah 4:4-5

O BSERVATION What observations can you make about the Spirit of God in verses 1 to 3 and Isaiah 4:4-5?

Deeper Reflection BIBLICALLY, THE HOLY SPIRIT IS THE PRESENCE OF GOD (Psa 51:11; 139:7). On Pentecost, the presence of God was manifested in four ways. The powerful presence of God: The Holy Spirit came with “a noise like the violent rushing wind” (v.2). There was no actual wind, but it sounded like wind. In Scripture, wind is an emblem for God’s Spirit or God’s creative breath. Both the Hebrew word “ruach” and the Greek word “pneuma” can mean wind, breath or spirit. The “breath” from God, the Spirit of God, breathed life into the “very many” and “very dry” bones – the spiritually dead Israel (Eze 37:1-3, 9-10, 13-14). The purifying presence of God: “what looked like flames or tongues of fire appeared” (v.3, NLT). Fire is another symbol of God’s presence – like “the pillar of fire” over Israel in their exodus from Egypt (Exo 13:21-22), “the fire [that] came from the Lord’s presence and consumed” the offerings on the altar (Lev 9:24). Fire is also associated with divine purification or judgement. God purges and purifies His people of their sins “by the Spirit of judgement and the Spirit of burning” (Isa 4:4) – after which, “a cloud by day…and the brightness of a flaming fire by night” will cover them with glory (Isa 4:5).

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A PPLICATION

In what ways do I know the Holy Spirit as God’s powerful and purifying presence?

P RAYER

Prayer Pointers

Write a prayer to God as your response from your meditation on and application

■ Give thanks:

of the Scriptures.

■ Pray for pastors and staff: To know God’s powerful and purifying presence

■ Pray for significant people:

■ Pray for those in need:

■ Pray for self:

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WEDNESDAY

APRIL

The Manifestation of Divine Presence (2)

S CRIPTURE

Acts 2:1-6, 11; Numbers 11:26-29

O BSERVATION What observations can you make about the Spirit of God in verses 4 to 6 and 11 and Numbers 11:29?

Deeper Reflection ON PENTECOST, the Holy Spirit came that God’s people may have the pervasive presence of God in them: “filled with the Holy Spirit” (v.4a). The 120 disciples were “baptised with” (Acts 1:4-5) and “filled with” the Holy Spirit at the same time. There is only “one baptism” (Eph 4:5) – “baptised with the Holy Spirit”, that results in being “baptised into Christ” (Gal 3:27) and “baptised into one body” – the church (1 Cor 12:13). To be baptised with the Spirit is to “be immersed with God’s own divine life”2. We were baptised with the Spirit only once, at our conversion, but we are to be filled with the Spirit again and again as we renew our walk with God daily (Eph 5:18; 2 Cor 4:16). The prophetic presence of God: The 120 disciples were enabled by the Spirit “to speak with other tongues” (v.4b) which were intelligible (v.6). In Old Testament times, the regular consequence of a person possessed by the Spirit of God was prophecy (Num 11:26-29; 2 Sam 23:2). Prophets, like Elijah, stood in God’s presence to prophesy (1 Kin 17:1). Prophecy is essentially proclaiming the word of God (Exo 7:1-2). The 120 disciples were given “the gift of proclamation”3 to speak “of the mighty deeds of God” (v.11).

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A PPLICATION

In what ways do I know the Holy Spirit as God’s pervasive and prophetic presence?

P RAYER

Prayer Pointers

Lord Jesus, I thank You for Your generous invitation to ask the Father for the

■ Give thanks:

Holy Spirit, with the great assurance of how much He wants to give Him to us.4 So, Father, I ask that according

■ Pray for leaders:

to the riches of Your glory, You will strengthen me with power through Your Spirit in my inner being so that

■ Pray for significant people:

Christ will dwell in my heart through faith as Lord and King.5 Amen.

■ Pray for those in need:

■ Pray for self:

William S. Kurz, SJ, Acts of the Apostles, Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture (Baker, 2013), 29 William H. Willimon, Acts, Interpretation: A Bible Commentary for Teaching and Preaching (John Knox, 1988), 30 Luke 11:13 5 Ephesians 3:16-17a 3 4

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05 THURSDAY

APRIL

Divine Movement: When God Moves (1)

S CRIPTURE

Acts 2:1-4

O BSERVATION What is the significance of the words “suddenly” and “sitting” (v.2) in the context of verses 1 to 4?

Deeper Reflection IN SCRIPTURE, every movement of God always began with what God says. Creation began with “And God said” (Gen 1:3). God’s redemptive purpose through Abraham began with “Now the Lord said to Abram” (Gen 12:1). God intends that we know His Word, but not the way He will fulfil His Word; just like Jesus’ disciples knew “what the Father had promised” (Acts 1:4). When God moves: The promised Holy Spirit came “suddenly” (v.2a). The Holy Spirit is sovereign: He “blows where it [He] wishes” (Jn 3:8a). Yet strangely, oftentimes, we think we can “with faith” predict or engineer the Spirit’s sovereign movement by certain “effective” formulas or methods, ignoring what God has already said: We “do not know” (Jn 3:8b). Were the disciples praying when the Spirit came upon them (cf. Acts 1:14)? Probably not. Luke described them as “sitting” (v.2b). They would be prostrating or standing if they were praying. The “sitting” posture perhaps underlines the Spirit coming suddenly”6. They were simply seated “perhaps at a meal table or in a moment of relative leisure”7. Abraham was “sitting at the entrance of his tent in the heat of the day” when “the Lord appeared to him” (Gen 18:1).

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A PPLICATION

What does it mean for me to know that the Spirit of God moves and works suddenly and in the ordinariness of life?

P RAYER

Prayer Pointers

Write a prayer to God as your response from your meditation on and application

■ Give thanks:

of the Scriptures.

■ Pray for leaders:

■ Pray for significant people:

■ Pray for those in need:

■ Pray for self:

6 7

Bruce Milne, Acts: Witnesses to Him, Focus on the Bible Commentaries (Christian Focus, 2010), 55 Bruce Milne, 55

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06 FRIDAY

APRIL

Divine Movement: When God Moves (2)

S CRIPTURE

Acts 2:1-11; 1:4-5, 8

O BSERVATION What is the significance of verse 5 in relation to verses 1 to 4 and Acts 1:4-5, 8?

Deeper Reflection PENTECOST SHOULD BE VIEWED against the Babylonian exile in the sixth century B.C. (Jer 29:4-7). When God scattered His people to the nations for breaking His covenant, He gave them the new covenant promise: “I will take you from the nations…and bring you into your own land…I will put My Spirit within you” (Eze 36:24-27). Having formed the nucleus of the faithful remnant of Israel − the 12 apostles representing the 12 tribes (Acts 1:15-26; Lk 22:28-30) − God sent the Holy Spirit at the precise moment when “there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven” (v.5). God moves suddenly (v.2), but in a timely manner. “Every nation” refers to “the Graeco-Roman world situated round the Mediterranean basin, indeed to every nation in which there were Jews”8. Among these Jews, 3,000 believed in Jesus as the Messiah and received “the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:36-41). God moves faithfully, fulfilling His new covenant promise. These new Jewish believers “would return to their own countries as witnesses to what was happening”9 and possibly, the “visitors from Rome” (v.10) founded the church in Rome.10 The fulfilment of Acts 1:8 had strategically begun. God moves wisely.

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A PPLICATION

What does it mean for me to know that the Spirit of God moves and works in a timely, faithful and wise manner?

P RAYER

Prayer Pointers

Write a prayer to God as your response from your meditation on and application

■ Give thanks:

of the Scriptures.

■ Pray for lay leaders: To know and trust in the only wise God

■ Pray for significant people:

■ Pray for those in need:

■ Pray for self:

8 9

John Stott, The Message of Acts, The Bible Speaks Today (IVP, 1990), 63 I. Howard Marshall, Acts, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries (IVP, 1980), 71 Leon Morris, The Epistle to the Romans (Eerdmans, IVP, 1988), 3

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07 SATURDAY

APRIL

Divine Movement: How God Works

S CRIPTURE

Acts 2:5-13

O BSERVATION How did the Jews in Jerusalem respond to the disciples speaking in their languages (vv.6-8, 13) and what does their response tell us about the way God works?

Deeper Reflection THE HOLY SPIRIT ENABLED the 120 Spirit-filled disciples to speak “with other tongues”, in the language of each of the God-fearing Jews gathered at Jerusalem on Pentecost (vv.4-6). These Jews were “bewildered” and “confused” (v.6), “not able to explain how or why this unusual circumstance” had “taken place”11 and were greatly “perplexed” (v.12). God often works in our lives, the church and the world in ways that are against earthly and human wisdom, presuppositions and conventions, causing us to ask, “What does this mean?” (v.12). God may mean “You don’t understand now what I am doing, but someday you will” (Jn 12:7). Or, God just wants us to trust that His ways are higher than our ways (Isa 55:8-9). “Are not these Galileans?” was the sceptical response to the divine working (vv.7-8), because these Galileans “could not by themselves have learned so many different languages”12. But God chose to use Galileans who “had a reputation of being uncultured (cf. Jn 7:52)”13 and “were looked down upon by the people of Jerusalem as being provincial (cf. Mark 14:70)”14. God chose the foolish, weak and despised things of the world to shame those who are wise and strong (1 Cor 1:26-29).

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A PPLICATION

What does it mean for me to know that the Spirit of God moves and works in ways against earthly and human wisdom, presuppositions and conventions?

P RAYER

Prayer Pointers

Write a prayer to God as your response from your meditation on and application

■ Give thanks:

of the Scriptures.

■ Pray for church board: To have the sensitivity to how God moves and works ■ Pray for significant people:

■ Pray for those in need:

■ Pray for self:

Darrell L. Bock, Acts, Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament (Baker, 2007), 101 Richard N. Longenecker, The Acts of the Apostles, The Expositor’s Bible Commentary, Vol. 9 (Zondervan, 1981), 272 John Stott, 65 14 Richard N. Longenecker, 272 12 13

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08 SUNDAY

Sunday Journal

APRIL

S CRIPTURE

O BSERVATION

A PPLICATION

P RAYER

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THE PAST WEEK

Review What was my high point and my low point for the week?

What gave me life and what drained me?

How was the Spirit of God at work?

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Reflect What is one key thing that God said to me this week in light of what has happened?

Respond What is one thing I need to do in light of what God is saying? COMMIT IN PRAYER.

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FAMILY DEVOTIONAL WEEK 2 APRIL 2018

WHO CAN YOU TALK TO WHEN YOU LOSE PATIENCE? * When you think you can’t wait, talk to God about it. Scripture: 1 Samuel 1:6-20; Psalm 27:14 ACTIVITY BITE Find out as many emergency numbers as you can for the different services in Singapore, such as the police and SCDF. Discuss with your family members about when and how these numbers are to be used. CHAT TIME Q1: What are the signs that you are about to lose your patience? Is it helpful to know these signals? Why or why not? Q2: What might be the benefits of prayer during times when you are about to lose your patience? Q3: Sometimes God answers our prayers with “no” or “wait”. How should our responses be in such situations? Why? LEARNING POINT In 1 Samuel 1:6-20, Hannah must have felt tired after all those difficult years waiting for God to bless her with a child. But she was honest with God, telling Him how she felt and what she hoped for. She knew that God would hear and understand. When the time was right, God finally gave her a baby boy. Patience is waiting until later for what you want now. That period of waiting can be very frustrating. You can have a choice of getting angry with people and throwing a tantrum, or you can talk to God about it. He understands fully how you feel, but He also knowswhat is best for you. So learn to trust Him for everything. ACTION POINT Practise praying to God together as a family. Think of a past incident when you were impatient. Tell God how you felt and how you would like Him to help you be more patient. FAMILY PRAYER POINTS Pray for everyone in the family to have more patience in all situations and to trust God more. * Adapted from 252Basics, April 2018. www.ThinkOrange.com

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09 MONDAY

APRIL

“I Will Pour Out My Spirit”

S CRIPTURE

Acts 2:14-18; Titus 3:5-6; Romans 5:3-8

O BSERVATION What observations can you make about the phrase “poured out” in verses 17 to 18, Titus 3:5-6 and Romans 5:3-5?

Deeper Reflection ON PENTECOST, God “poured out” His Spirit (vv.17-18). The phrase “poured out” probably portrays a picture “of a heavy tropical thunderstorm”15, conveying “a sense of almost uncontrolled abundance, or overwhelming fullness”16. Such is the measure of God’s Spirit and the enveloping and empowering presence (cf. Psa 51:11; 139:7; Eph 3:16-17) that He wants to give His children. How did God save us at our conversion? “By the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit” (Tit 3:5; cf. Jn 3:3, 5); that is, God “washed away our sins, giving us new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit” (Tit 3:5, NLT). This Holy Spirit God “poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Saviour” (Tit 3:6). Ponder these words: “poured out” and “richly”. When God abundantly “poured out” His Spirit upon us, “the love of God” was “poured out within us” (Rom 5:5), demonstrated in “while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Rom 5:8). What a glorious gracious Trinitarian pouring out! This Trinitarian pouring out guarantees that our “hope” in God – the climax of our growing in character through perseverance in suffering tribulations (Rom 5:3-4) – “does not disappoint” (Rom 5:5).

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A PPLICATION

What does it mean for me to know that when God poured out His Spirit upon us richly, it indicates that He has poured out His love within our hearts?

P RAYER

Prayer Pointers

O what glorious grace of the God who pours out! Who pours out His love upon us

■ Give thanks:

through His Son pouring out His blood for our salvation, and by pouring out His Spirit richly and abundantly to give

■ Pray for leaders:

us new life! O that in this new life in Christ I follow my Lord by pouring out my life as an offering to God, holy,

■ Pray for significant people:

acceptable and pleasing to Him.17 Amen.

■ Pray for those in need:

■ Pray for self:

15 16 17

John Stott, 73 Bruce Milne, 67 2 Timothy 4:6; Romans 12:1

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10 TUESDAY

APRIL

“And They Shall Prophesy”

S CRIPTURE

Acts 2:14-21; Numbers 11:29

O BSERVATION What is the meaning of the Holy Spirit being poured out on “all people” and “they shall prophesy” (vv.17-18)?

Deeper Reflection MOSES’ DESIRE, “Would that all the Lord’s people were prophets, that the Lord would put His Spirit upon them” (Num 11:29), was already God’s intention; it was fulfilled on Pentecost. God poured out His Spirit on “all people” – young and old, men and women − that “they shall prophesy” (vv.17-18). “Visions” and “dreams”, sandwiched between the word “prophesy” in verses 17 to 18, are “a subset of prophesying”18. Through visions and dreams, Old Testament prophets were given “insight into the heavenly world, so that God’s character and will could be proclaimed”19 (e.g. Isa 6:1-13). In other words, to prophesy is to make God known. But we can make God known, to believers and unbelievers, only when we know Him as He makes Himself known to us, as He has revealed Himself in Scripture. God’s promise in the new covenant is: “I will put My Spirit within you” (Eze 36:27a) and “I will put My law within them” (Jer 31:33), that His people may keep His Word (Eze 36:27b) and “know the Lord” (Jer 31:34). Knowing God and obeying God go together (1 Jn 2:3). And we are to ask God for “the Spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him” (Eph 1:17), so that we “may know Him better” (Eph 1:17, NIV).

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A PPLICATION

How do I view God pouring out His Spirit on all His people and enabling them to prophesy as a reality in my life?

P RAYER

Prayer Pointers

Write a prayer to God as your response from your meditation on and application

■ Give thanks:

of the Scriptures.

■ Pray for pastors and staff: To be filled daily with the Spirit of renewal

■ Pray for significant people:

■ Pray for those in need:

■ Pray for self:

18 19

David G. Peterson, The Acts of the Apostles, Pillar New Testament Commentaries (Apollos, 2009), 141 David G. Peterson, 141-42

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WEDNESDAY

APRIL

The Gospel of Jesus Christ

S CRIPTURE

Acts 2:22-36

O BSERVATION What are the salient points of the Gospel of Jesus Christ highlighted in Peter’s proclamation on Pentecost (vv.22-36)?

Deeper Reflection PETER’S PROCLAMATION ON PENTECOST highlighted four salient points of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. His incarnation (v.22): “Jesus the Nazarene, a man.” When Jewish historian Josephus (37-100 A.D.), a non-Christian, wrote about Jesus, he made this unusual remark: “If it be lawful to call him a man”20. Jesus is human and more than human. He is God-man, fully divine and fully human: “the Word was God…the Word became flesh” (Jn 1:1, 14). His crucifixion (v.23): “nailed to a cross… put to death.” His resurrection (vv.24-32): “God raised Him up again” (v.24a). As God-man, Jesus could die in the flesh, and at the same time “it was impossible for Him to be held by its [death’s] power” (v.24b). Christ “died for our sins…He was buried…He was raised on the third day” (1 Cor 15:3-4) is “of first importance” in the Gospel (1 Cor 15:3-4). Josephus also wrote: “He appeared to them alive again the third day.”21 His exaltation (vv.33-36): “having been exalted to the right hand of God” (v.33) as “Lord and Messiah” (v.36). “Teaching about the resurrection of Jesus is inadequate if it does not incorporate the notions of heavenly exaltation and eternal rule. In other words, resurrection and ascension belong together in Christian theology.”22

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A PPLICATION

What is the significance of the incarnation, crucifixion, resurrection and exaltation of Jesus in my Christian faith?

P RAYER

Prayer Pointers

Fill me with the Spirit of the Humble God, O Jesus of Nazareth. Grant me to know

■ Give thanks:

the power of the cross through the Holy Spirit, that I have been crucified with Christ, and it is no

■ Pray for leaders:

longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. Grant me the reality of knowing the fellowship of Your

■ Pray for significant people:

sufferings and the power of Your resurrection in my discipleship journey. Amen.

■ Pray for those in need:

■ Pray for self:

20 21 22

The New Complete Works of Josephus, Revised and Expanded Edition, translated by William Whiston, commentary by Paul L. Maier (Kregel, 1999), Jewish Antiquities, Book 18, 3:3 (63), 590 Jewish Antiquities, Book 18, 3:3 (64), 590 David G. Peterson, 152

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THURSDAY

APRIL

“Handed Over” and “You Crucified”

S CRIPTURE

Acts 2:22-23

O BSERVATION What is the theological relationship between the phrases “handed over” and “you crucified” in the death of Christ in verse 23?

Deeper Reflection IF GOD IS A GOOD GOD, why is evil so prevalent? God’s answer to the question is the cross. Evil is at its darkest and justice is most subverted on the cross. On the cross, the righteous died for the unrighteous at the hands of the unrighteous, so that the unrighteous can become righteous. Not only that, Christ was “handed over” to be crucified “by the predetermined plan and foreknowledge of God” (v.23a). God’s “foreknowledge” “means more than His ability to anticipate the future. It is another way of talking about His determination of events in advance according to His own plan”23. Thus, God’s “predetermined plan” and His “foreknowledge” go together. Yet there was the mysterious interplay between the divine “handed over” and the human “you crucified” (v.23). Here we see “the paradox of divine predestination and human freewill in its strongest form”24. But the divine “handed over” precedes the human “you crucified” and the former is in sovereign control over the latter. And Christ viewed His path to the cross as “the time when the power of darkness reigns” (Lk 22:53, NLT). Suffering evil as Jesus’ disciples is the communion of the cross under God’s supreme sovereignty.

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A PPLICATION

How does the paradoxical theological interplay between the divine “handed over” and the human “you crucified” shape my following of Jesus?

P RAYER

Prayer Pointers

Write a prayer to God as your response from your meditation on and application

■ Give thanks:

of the Scriptures.

■ Pray for leaders:

■ Pray for significant people:

■ Pray for those in need:

■ Pray for self:

23 24

David G. Peterson, 146 I. Howard Marshall, 75

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13 FRIDAY

APRIL

I Will Not Be Shaken

S CRIPTURE

Psalm 16:8-11; Acts 2:24-32

O BSERVATION How does David describe his confidence in life – “I will not be shaken” − in verses 8 to 11?

Deeper Reflection “I WILL NOT BE SHAKEN” (v.8b) expresses David’s confidence in life. A single-minded focus on God gives us this unshakable confidence: “I have set the LORD continually before me” (v.8a). It means to keep all our senses bound and captive to God that they may not run out and go astray after other objects.25 In this magnificent obsession with God, we are certain of a secure future in God: “my flesh will dwell securely” (v.9) both in life and death. David expressed hope in life after death:26 “You will not abandon my soul to Sheol” to “undergo decay” (v.10). But this hope comes to full blossom – in terms of bodily resurrection through the resurrection of Jesus (Phil 3:20-21). David foresaw in verse 10 the resurrection of Jesus, his ultimate seed to sit on his throne forever (Acts 2:27, 29-31; cf. 2 Sam 7:12-13; Lk 1:32-33). In this eschatological hope, we ask God to “make known” to us “the path of life” (v.11a), in which is the satisfying fullness of life “in Your presence” (v.11b). In New Testament language, it means: “rejoice in the Lord always” (Phil 4:4); “in everything give thanks” (1 Thess 5:18); “be content” in “both of having abundance and suffering need” (Phil 4:11-12). The key is: “in Your presence”.

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A PPLICATION

How can I also say like David “I will not be shaken” in my life?

P RAYER

Prayer Pointers

Write a prayer to God as your response from your meditation on and application

■ Give thanks:

of the Scriptures.

■ Pray for lay leaders: To be strong and steadfast in the Lord

■ Pray for significant people:

■ Pray for those in need:

■ Pray for self:

25 26

John Goldingay, Psalms Volume 1: Psalms 1-41, Baker Commentary on the Old Testament Wisdom and Psalms (Baker, 2006), 232 Tremper Longman III, Psalms, Tyndale Commentaries on the Old Testament (IVP Academic, 2014), 106

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SATURDAY

APRIL

The Divine and Human Cooperation

S CRIPTURE

Acts 2:1-16, 37-41

O BSERVATION What observations can you make about the divine and human cooperation in what happened on Pentecost (vv.1-16, 37-41)?

Deeper Reflection THE EVENT ON PENTECOST showed the divine and human cooperation in God fulfilling His plan of salvation through His church. Pentecost happened by divine initiation: “there came from heaven” (v.2), which determined the “when” – “suddenly”; and the “what” and “how” – the phenomenon of speaking in tongues (vv.3-11). Divine initiation was followed by human proclamation: Peter “declared to them” (v.14). He proclaimed the Word of God (Acts 2:16-36) with intensity and urgency: “with many other words he solemnly testified and kept on exhorting” his hearers to “repent” and “be saved” (vv.38-40). Divine conviction came through the human proclamation: “they were pierced to the heart” (v.37). It wasn’t “Peter’s homiletical ability to work the crowd up into an emotional frenzy” or “the crowd’s sincere inner determination to get themselves right with God”27, but the power of “the sword of the Spirit” (Eph 6:17) and the “living and active” Word of God (Heb 4:12). Divine conviction is according to divine election: implicit in “as many as the Lord our God will call to Himself ” (v.39; cf. Acts 13:48; 16:14; Rom 1:6), leading to divine salvation – “there were added about three thousand souls” (v.41). We may say here that in God’s work, the divine part is 80% and the human part is 20%.

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A PPLICATION

How does knowing that God’s part in His work is far greater than the human role shape my attitude and action in doing God’s work?

P RAYER

Prayer Pointers

Write a prayer to God as your response from your meditation on and application

■ Give thanks:

of the Scriptures.

■ Pray for church board: That God’s hand be constantly upon them in life and service ■ Pray for significant people:

■ Pray for those in need:

■ Pray for self:

William H. Willimon, 36

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15 SUNDAY

Sunday Journal

APRIL

S CRIPTURE

O BSERVATION

A PPLICATION

P RAYER

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THE PAST WEEK

Review What was my high point and my low point for the week?

What gave me life and what drained me?

How was the Spirit of God at work?

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Reflect What is one key thing that God said to me this week in light of what has happened?

Respond What is one thing I need to do in light of what God is saying? COMMIT IN PRAYER.

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FAMILY DEVOTIONAL WEEK 3 APRIL 2018

WHAT D O YOU D O W H E N IT’ S H A R D TO WAI T ? * When you think you can’t wait, keep your cool. Scripture: Proverbs 14:29 ACTIVITY BITE Put some of your family members’ favourite candies, raisins, cookies or chocolate in a bowl. Let one person eat one of the treats. Then wait until one minute has passed on the clock before letting a second person pick something. Let this continue until everyone has had a turn. Repeat this for a few rounds. CHAT TIME Q1: How do you feel about having to wait patiently for your turn to eat? Q2: What are some ways that impatience can hurt us? How does it hurt others? Q3: Have you ever met people who are very patient? How do you feel being around them? LEARNING POINT Patience is waiting until later for what you want now. You have to be patient when you’re waiting in line, waiting for a table at a restaurant or waiting for your mom to come pick you up from school. Proverbs 14:29 talks about two ways we can react in these stressful moments – either be patient or be quick to get angry. To get angry is foolishness because you can get into an argument or worse, a fight. Patient people have great understanding because they know the bad outcome of being quick-tempered due to impatience and the benefits of patience. Hence, keeping cool is cool. ACTION POINT Share with your family about a time when a friendship turned bad because someone got angry due to impatience. Think of ways you can prevent that from happening again. FAMILY PRAYER POINTS Pray that God’s people will learn to exercise more patience and say kind words to one another during stressful moments. * Adapted from 252Basics, April 2018. www.ThinkOrange.com

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16 MONDAY

APRIL

Devoted to the Word of God

S CRIPTURE

Acts 2:41-43

O BSERVATION What is the connection between verses 42 and 43?

Deeper Reflection THE 3,000 WHO WERE SAVED on Pentecost received “the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:38-39) and “were baptised” with water (v.41). Water baptism symbolises Spirit baptism, resulting in being “baptised into Christ” (Gal 3:27) and “baptised into” the church (1 Cor 12:13).28 Thus, “they were baptised” (v.41) necessarily led to them “continually devoting themselves” to Christian community life (Acts 2:42-47). The phrase “continually devoting” (v.42) means “to adhere to, persist in, hold fast to”29; “to continue to do something with intense effort, with the possible implication of despite difficulty”30. First and foremost, the Spiritfilled community was devoted “to the apostles’ teaching” for building a strong biblical foundation. A Spirit-filled disciple is a Scripture-filled disciple, because the Holy Spirit is the Spirit of truth (Jn 14:17). In Pauline discipleship theology, to “be filled with the Spirit” (Eph 5:18-20) is synonymous to letting “the word of Christ richly dwell in you” (Col 3:16-17). The two referents to “the apostles” in verses 42 and 43 showed that the authority of their “teaching” was authenticated by the “signs and wonders” through them.31 The authority of God’s Word necessitates and demands priority for God’s Word.

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A PPLICATION

How can I grow in continual devotion to the Word of God?

P RAYER

Prayer Pointers

How blessed are those whose ways are blameless, who live by the Word of

■ Give thanks:

God, who seek You with all their hearts, who do not compromise with evil, but walk only in Your ways. You

■ Pray for leaders:

have charged us to keep Your commandments carefully. O that my ways are steadfast in obeying Your Word!

■ Pray for significant people:

Then I shall not be ashamed when I look at all Your commands.32 Amen.

■ Pray for those in need:

■ Pray for self:

28 29 30 31 32

See 4 April DJ entry. Sakae Kubo, A Reader’s Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament (Zondervan, 1975), 100-101 Johannes P. Louw & Eugene A. Nida, Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament Based on Semantic Domains (United Bible Societies, 1988, 1989), Vol. 1, 68:68, 663 John Stott, 82 Adapted from Psalm 119:1-6

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TUESDAY

APRIL

Treasure the Word of God

S CRIPTURE

1 Chronicles 1-4

O BSERVATION Did you enjoy reading 1 Chronicles 1-4? Why or why not?

Deeper Reflection YEARS AGO, when I was teaching Bible study, I thought of an exercise for my class. Imagining the exercise here can help to bring across the intended lesson. The exercise is: Use a pen to copy the text of 1 Chronicles 1 to 9 on pieces of paper. These chapters, which are predominantly filled with genealogies, are among the “boring” parts of the Bible. Most of us don’t quite enjoy reading these nine chapters of Godbreathed words (2 Tim 3:16), let alone copying them. When I first read 1 Chronicles at age 17, I started with chapter 10! Before the invention of the printing press in 1440, the Scriptures were copied by hand for over almost 3,000 years. The first complete English Bible, the Wycliffite Bible, was produced – hand written – in 1382.33 The objective of the copying exercise is to give you a feel of the hard work of many anonymous people whom God called to just copy the Scriptures for transmission, so that we may have the Word of God today. The long history of the transmission and translation of the Scriptures shows how much God wants us to have His Word. In fact, many were martyred for translating, distributing and establishing the use of the English Bible, such as William Tyndale (1492-1536). How much do I treasure the Scriptures?

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A PPLICATION

How should I view the Bible in order to treasure it?

P RAYER

Prayer Pointers

Write a prayer to God as your response from your meditation on and application

■ Give thanks:

of the Scriptures.

■ Pray for pastors and staff: To be continually devoted to the Word

■ Pray for significant people:

■ Pray for those in need:

■ Pray for self:

Bruce M. Metzger, The Bible in Translation: Ancient and English Versions (Baker, 2001), 57

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WEDNESDAY

APRIL

Value the Word of God

S CRIPTURE

Psalm 19:10; 119:72, 127; Proverbs 8:10-11

O BSERVATION What does Scripture say about the Word of God, which is the wisdom of God, in verse 10; Psalm 119:72, 127; and Proverbs 8:10-11?

Deeper Reflection GOLD HAS THE GREATEST EARTHLY VALUE since time immemorial. But in Scripture, the Word of God is of greater worth than gold. Scripture shows this from three perspectives. At the objective level, the Word of God is “more desirable than gold, even the finest gold” (v.10, NLT), “than an abundance of pure gold” (v.10, HCSB34). This is what God’s Word inherently is. Can I say that this is how I desire God’s Word? At the subjective level: To the Psalmist, God’s Word “is better to me than thousands of gold and silver pieces” (Psa 119:72), and he loves God’s Word “above gold, yes, above fine gold” (Psa 119:127). Between the Word of God and thousands of gold and silver pieces, what will I choose? At the imperative level: Wisdom commands, “Take My instruction and not silver, and knowledge rather than choicest gold”, because “all desirable things cannot compare with” God’s Word of Wisdom (Prov 8:10-11). Africa has an estimated 2,110 languages, with Christians comprising half of its population. The Bible is translated into 173 languages, and the New Testament into 335. Translation work is underway for 693 languages. At least 225 languages (and possibly 925!) still need the Scriptures.35 But available to us today are English Bibles of various translations and versions.

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A PPLICATION

What does it mean for me to say that I love the Word of God above the finest gold?

P RAYER

Prayer Pointers

Lord, we are grateful to You that the Scriptures are abundantly available to us,

■ Give thanks:

and for the ability to read them. Your Word says that from everyone who has been given much, much will

■ Pray for leaders:

be required.36 Pardon us for taking such precious gifts for granted, and failing to devote ourselves to Your

■ Pray for significant people:

Word as we should. Grant us to hunger and thirst for Your Word. Amen.

■ Pray for those in need:

■ Pray for self:

34 35 36

Holman Christian Standard Bible Jason Mandryk, Pray for the World, Abridged from Operation World, 7th edition (IVP, WEC, 2015), 9 Luke 12:48

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THURSDAY

APRIL

Devoted to Community Sharing

S CRIPTURE

Acts 2:42-45

O BSERVATION How do verses 42 and 44 to 45 help us to understand the meaning of “fellowship”?

Deeper Reflection THE SPIRIT-FILLED COMMUNITY devoted itself to “fellowship” (v.42). The root meaning of “fellowship” in Greek is “belonging together in something”37 or a sense of “life together”38. What we share in together:39 Biblically, “our fellowship” with one another is “our fellowship” “with the Father and with His Son” (1 Jn 1:3). The vertical and horizontal fellowship are intrinsically and inseparably interlinked: We share in God Himself, in which and from which we share with one another. One affects the other and one cannot do without the other. What we share out together:40 “selling” of properties and possessions for “sharing” with “anyone might have need” (v.45). This is deep commitment marked by active contribution, with a “sense of responsibility to one another”41. Jesus said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35). The point is not to avoid receiving to avoid being less blessed. Rather, the giving is at the community level. When we come together expecting to just receive, we will end up receiving nothing; but when we come together intending to give, we will all receive from one another. However, we should still give when others do not, for this is the spirit of a servant, like the Servant Lord (Mk 10:45).

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A PPLICATION

How will I be a servant to others and be continually devoted to fellowship in Christ?

P RAYER

Prayer Pointers

Write a prayer to God as your response from your meditation on and application

■ Give thanks:

of the Scriptures.

■ Pray for leaders:

■ Pray for significant people:

■ Pray for those in need:

■ Pray for self:

37 38 39 40 41

Bruce Milne, 86 Bruce Milne, 86 John Stott, 82 John Stott, 83 David G. Peterson, 161

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20 FRIDAY

APRIL

Devoted to Community Praying

S CRIPTURE

Acts 2:42; 1:14; Romans 12:13; Colossians 4:2-3

O BSERVATION What is the common theme in verse 42, Acts 1:14, Romans 12:13 and Colossians 4:2-3?

Deeper Reflection DEVOTION TO PRAYER was seen in the early church’s experience (v.42, Acts 1:14) and Paul’s exhortation to the churches (Rom 12:13; Col 4:2-3), underscoring its vital importance. Regularity in prayer: “Prayers” (v.42) is in the plural form, implying “regular prayer practices”42 of Christian believers. The prayers were both private and communal, although Luke does not specify.43 Prayer was a significant factor in the life and ministry of the early church. They prayed while waiting for the fulfilment of Jesus’ promise of the Spirit (Acts 1:14), in the election of a 12th apostle (Acts 1:24-25), in response to external pressure and to God’s intervention (Acts 4:23-31), and for the Holy Spirit in the mission in Samaria (Acts 8:14-15). Prayer belonged to the fundamental priorities of the leadership of the church (Acts 6:4). Liturgy and spontaneity of prayer: “Prayers” in the plural form could refer “to an entire range of praying, both set and more spontaneous”44. It could be liturgical because set prayers existed in Judaism; the earliest Christians prayed in the temple following its set prayers and set times (Acts 2:46; 3:1); and the Lord’s Prayer is a formal prayer (Lk 11:2-4).45 Both set and spontaneous prayers are praying in the Spirit (cf. Eph 6:18).

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A PPLICATION

In what ways would I consider myself as being continually devoted to prayer?

P RAYER

Prayer Pointers

Write a prayer to God as your response from your meditation on and application

■ Give thanks:

of the Scriptures.

■ Pray for lay leaders: To be continually devoted to prayer

■ Pray for significant people:

■ Pray for those in need:

■ Pray for self:

42 43 44 45

Eckhard J. Schnabel, Acts, Zondervan Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament (Zondervan, 2012), 179 Eckhard J. Schnabel, 179 Darrell L. Bock, 151 Darrell L. Bock, 151

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SATURDAY

APRIL

Devoted to Community Witness

S CRIPTURE

Acts 2:42-47

O BSERVATION What does the phrase “day by day” in verses 46 and 47 indicate in context?

Deeper Reflection LUKE PUT GREAT EMPHASIS on community life in verses 42 to 47: “fellowship” and “breaking of bread” (v.42), selling and sharing (vv.44-45), “breaking bread…sharing of meals together” (v.46). “Breaking bread” refers to both the ordinary meals that the believers regularly shared and the celebration of the Lord’s Supper.46 In the church in Corinth, and probably in other churches as well,47 the Lord’s Supper was commemorated (1 Cor 11:23-32) with the ordinary, regular meals that the believers shared (1 Cor 11:17-22, 33-34). The earliest Christians were “praising God” (v.47a) in “taking their meals together” (v.46b), while recognising the sacredness of their ordinary community eating. This “day by day” community living with “one mind” (v.46) was linked to “the Lord was adding to their number day by day” (v.47). The God-centred and Spirit-filled community living (vv.46-47a) impacted unbelievers: “having favour with all the people” (v.47a) and resulting in the church growing in number (v.47b). While proclamation of the Gospel was not mentioned, it did not mean that it was absent. Luke’s emphasis was, in Jesus’ words, by “love for one another” “the world will know that you are My disciples” (Jn 13:34-35).

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A PPLICATION

What does it mean for me to be part of a community witness of the church to the world?

P RAYER

Prayer Pointers

Write a prayer to God as your response from your meditation on and application

■ Give thanks:

of the Scriptures.

■ Pray for church board: That their lives will shine as lights in the world ■ Pray for significant people:

■ Pray for those in need:

■ Pray for self:

46 47

Eckhard J. Schnabel, 179 Eckhard J. Schnabel, 179

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22 SUNDAY

Sunday Journal

APRIL

S CRIPTURE

O BSERVATION

A PPLICATION

P RAYER

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THE PAST WEEK

Review What was my high point and my low point for the week?

What gave me life and what drained me?

How was the Spirit of God at work?

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Reflect What is one key thing that God said to me this week in light of what has happened?

Respond What is one thing I need to do in light of what God is saying? COMMIT IN PRAYER.

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FAMILY DEVOTIONAL WEEK 4 APRIL 2018

WHAT CAN YOU THINK ABOUT WHEN YOU GET IMPATIENT? * When you think you are getting impatient, think about what’s true. Scripture: Exodus 32:1-35; Philippians 4:8 ACTIVITY BITE Consider this scenario: You are asked to stay back for a week in school for extra classes and given additional homework. I’m sure you would feel terrible. Now, think of the good things that will happen as a result of the extra classes and homework. CHAT TIME Q1: Why do you think your first reaction was to feel terrible? Q2: How did you feel when you realised that good things can come out of the seemingly bad situation? Q3: Why does God tell us to think of things that are true in Philippians 4:8? LEARNING POINT Moses was on the mountain for 40 days and 40 nights to meet God. The Israelites lost patience and started having bad thoughts. They thought that maybe Moses had abandoned them, or had gotten lost and died on the mountain. So, they did terrible things that made God angry. Things would have been different if they had considered what was true − for example, that God had not forgotten them or that Moses was learning lots of good things that would take 40 days or more. Thinking of things that are true when you get impatient will help you focus on God’s ways instead of ourselves. ACTION POINT Memorise Philippians 4:8 together as a family. Write it down in your diary or on cards and paste them around your house in different places such as the fridge door or study room to help you remember. Recite this verse whenever you feel like you are losing patience. FAMILY PRAYER POINTS Ask God to help everyone remember Philippians 4:8 and to think of things that are true whenever they are losing patience. * Adapted from 252Basics, April 2018. www.ThinkOrange.com

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23 MONDAY

APRIL

After More Than 40 Years

S CRIPTURE

Acts 3:1-12; 4:22

O BSERVATION What is the significance of the lame man who had been begging “at the gate of the temple” “every day”, probably for many years, being healed through Peter in the name of Jesus (vv.1-12; Acts 4:22)?

Deeper Reflection THERE WAS THIS MAN born “lame from his mother’s womb” (v.2) and he was in this condition for “more than 40 years” (Acts 4:22). He must have been “carried along” and “set down” “every day” “at the gate of the temple…to beg alms of those who were entering the temple” (v.2) for many years. Most likely, he was at the same location begging whenever Jesus went to the temple during the three years of His ministry not so long ago. We can be quite certain that Jesus saw him whenever He was there, and probably, he saw Jesus, too. But Jesus just walked past him and ignored him, deliberately. The lame man might have heard about Jesus healing many, including the lame. Perhaps, he wondered, “Why not me, too?” Or, he was so resigned to his condition that being healed never crossed his mind. But now, Jesus healed him, through Peter “in the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene” (vv.6-8). Divine timing. And it took the lame man by surprise. And there was a divine purpose. His healing opened a door for Peter to preach the Gospel (Acts 3:11-26). Perhaps, you have been waiting on God over certain things for “more than 40 years” and God is still silent.

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A PPLICATION

In what ways is the theological principle of divine timing and purpose relevant to my life now?

P RAYER

Prayer Pointers

Lord, I wait patiently for You. Turn to me and hear my cry. Lift me out of the pit of

■ Give thanks:

despair, out of the mud and the mire. Set my feet on solid ground and steady me as I continue to walk with You.48

■ Pray for leaders:

I trust in You, that in Your love and wisdom You will make all things beautiful to Your glory in Your time. Amen.

■ Pray for significant people:

■ Pray for those in need:

■ Pray for self:

Adapted from Psalm 40:1-2

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24 TUESDAY

APRIL

Healing in the Name of Jesus (1)

S CRIPTURE

Acts 3:1-12

O BSERVATION What observations can you make about healing in verses 6 to 12?

Deeper Reflection ACTS 3:1-4:31 is one story with a chain of events: restoration to “perfect health” (vv.1-10, Acts 3:16), proclamation of the Gospel (Acts 3:11-26), opposition from religious leaders (Acts 4:1-22) and petition for boldness to speak God’s Word (Acts 4:23-31). The emphasis is on “the name of Jesus Christ”; referred to nine times (Acts 3:6, 16; 4:7, 10, 12, 17, 18, 30). The lame man was healed through Peter “in the name of Jesus Christ” (vv.6-8), not “by our own power or piety” (v.12) nor by somehow manipulating God through the power of prayer or the magnitude of our piety.49 Nor is it the specific use of the “name” Jesus like a magical formula. The “name” of Jesus stands for Jesus Himself who is “Lord and Messiah” (Acts 2:36), and for His presence (Matt 18:20). The power of Jesus is a present reality in His name. “In the name of Jesus” means “by the authority of Jesus”. Peter commanded healing in Jesus’ name: “Walk!” (v.6), and “releases the very power of healing through utterance of the name of Jesus Christ”50. And the man was healed “immediately” in suddenness (v.7) and completely beyond a doubt; from “lame” to “stood upright” to “walking and leaping” (v.8) in “perfect health” (v.16).

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A PPLICATION

What changes do I need to make in my understanding and practise in serving in the name of Jesus Christ?

P RAYER

Prayer Pointers

Write a prayer to God as your response from your meditation on and application

■ Give thanks:

of the Scriptures.

■ Pray for pastors and staff: That Jesus’ name will be exalted high in their lives and service

■ Pray for significant people:

■ Pray for those in need:

■ Pray for self:

49 50

Eckhard J. Schnabel, 208 David G. Peterson, 169

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WEDNESDAY

APRIL

Healing in the Name of Jesus (2)

S CRIPTURE

Acts 3:1-12, 16

O BSERVATION What does Peter say about faith and healing in verse 16?

Deeper Reflection IT IS IMPORTANT TO NOTE that Peter did not pray to the Lord to heal the lame man, but he commanded healing in Jesus’ name: “Walk!” (v.6). Peter did the same in the healing of the bedridden paralysed Aeneas: “Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you! Get up and roll up your sleeping mat!” (Acts 9:33-34, NLT). In both cases, the cure was immediate and complete (vv.7-8, 16; Acts 9:34 – “Immediately he got up”). Peter commanded healing with absolute certainty that it would be immediate and complete. The authority of the apostles to perform such extraordinary miracles of restoration in Jesus’ name “was intimately connected with their role as the primary witnesses of the Messiah to Israel”51. Today, we may confidently point the needy to the Lord and pray confidently for them in His name, knowing that He remains gracious and powerful to heal, but may or may not have an absolute certainty of immediate and complete healing. There is also the faith element in healing from the Lord. It was the lame man’s “faith in His name” (v.16a), a human act, that healed him; and his faith was “the faith which comes through Him” (v.16b), a divine gift.52 In the end, all is from Jesus.

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A PPLICATION

What changes do I need to make in my understanding of and practice in praying for the sick?

P RAYER

Prayer Pointers

Lord Jesus, rest Your gentle hand of compassion on those who are sick. By the

■ Give thanks:

redemptive power of the cross, ease their pain, and heal the damage done to them in body, mind

■ Pray for leaders:

or spirit. Be present with them through the support of friends and in the care of doctors and nurses. Fill

■ Pray for significant people:

them with the warmth of Your love, Your grace and Your mercy. Amen.

■ Pray for those in need:

■ Pray for self:

51 52

David G. Peterson, 170 David G. Peterson, 170

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26 THURSDAY

APRIL

God’s Way of Glory in Jesus

S CRIPTURE

Acts 3:12-15

O BSERVATION What observations can you make about God’s way of glory in Jesus in verses 13 to 15?

Deeper Reflection GOD “HAS GLORIFIED HIS SERVANT JESUS” (v.13) was a key theme in Peter’s second sermon in Acts (2:12-26). What is God’s way of glory in Jesus like? Glory through Rejection: When Pilate “had decided to release Him”, the Jews “rejected” Him (v.13, NLT). If we were in Jesus’ shoes, we would see “when he had decided to release Him” as an opportunity for escape under Providence; and if it didn’t happen, we would probably feel disappointed. Glory through Injustice: When Pilate, as a yearly practice, released a prisoner at the Passover (Mk 15:6), the Jews “asked for a murderer” instead of “the Holy and Righteous One” (v.14). Suffering for righteousness is suffering injustice and unfairness, and it is an expected lot in following Jesus, who “kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously” (1 Pet 2:23). Glory by Reversal: When the Jews “put to death the Prince of life”, “God raised Him from the dead” (v.15). Death is a metaphor of the finality of everything. When we are “crushed and overwhelmed beyond our ability to endure” and think “we would never live through it”, it is “so that we would not trust in ourselves, but in God who raises the dead” (2 Cor 1:8-9).

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A PPLICATION

How is God’s way of glory in Jesus relevant to my discipleship journey?

P RAYER

Prayer Pointers

Write a prayer to God as your response from your meditation on and application

■ Give thanks:

of the Scriptures.

■ Pray for leaders:

■ Pray for significant people:

■ Pray for those in need:

■ Pray for self:

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27 FRIDAY

APRIL

A Synopsis of the Gospel

S CRIPTURE

Acts 3:12-21

O BSERVATION What do verses 19 to 21 say about the response to the Gospel and the results?

Deeper Reflection THE GOSPEL that the apostles preached in Acts was clearly centred on Christ: “His servant Jesus” (v.13), “the Holy and Righteous One” (v.14), “the Prince of life” (v.15), “the name of Jesus” (v.16) and Christ’s death, resurrection and exaltation (vv.13-15). It was anchored in Scripture: “God spoke by the mouth of all the prophets” (vv.18, 21, Acts 3:24). The response that the Gospel calls for is “repent and return” to God (v.19a) for the removal of sins (v.19b) made possible through the death and resurrection of Christ. The idea of “returning or turning to God” occurs 10 times in Luke-Acts.53 Genuine repentance “involves a radical reorientation of life, turning back to God to seek reconciliation and to express a new obedience”54. In our relationship with God, there will be “times of refreshing” (vv.19-20) or “spiritual refreshment”55. The plural form “times” implies certain special times. But we do not know how many “times”, as it is up to the sovereign God. The the “times of refreshing” comes “from the presence of the Lord”. However, we are to walk in God’s presence all the time, seeking Him daily for spiritual renewal (2 Cor 4:16; Rom 12:2), and waiting patiently and expectantly for the “restoration of all things” at Christ’s Second Coming (vv.20-21).

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A PPLICATION

Which aspect(s) of the synopsis of the Gospel presented in verses 12 to 19 do I need to pay attention to in my discipleship journey?

P RAYER

Prayer Pointers

Write a prayer to God as your response from your

■ Give thanks:

meditation on and application of the Scriptures.

■ Pray for lay leaders: To make time for spiritual refreshment and daily renewal

■ Pray for significant people:

■ Pray for those in need:

■ Pray for self:

53 54 55

Luke 1:16,17; Acts 3:19; 9:35; 11:21; 14:15; 15:19; 26:18, 20; 28:27 David G. Peterson, 179 Darrell L. Bock, 176

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28 SATURDAY

APRIL

The Cross Says It All

S CRIPTURE

Acts 3:12-26

O BSERVATION How did Peter’s message to the Jews show that God is sovereign (vv.17-18) and gracious (vv.22-26)? ?

Deeper Reflection PETER’S MESSAGE TO THE JEWS in verses 12 to 26 reveals the sovereign gracious God. God is Sovereign: In God’s eyes, it was the Jews who “handed over and disowned” Jesus before Pilate and “put” Him “to death” (v.14-15a). Yet, God recognised the human ignorance in the evil deed: “you acted in ignorance” (v.17), albeit inexcusable morally before God. Nonetheless, over and behind the human ignorance was the divine intention: “God announced beforehand by the mouth of all the prophets, that His Christ would suffer”, and God “fulfilled” His Word through the wicked act of the Jews (v.18). God is Gracious: God said in His Word that He would raise up for Israel a prophet like Moses, who is Jesus (v.22a; cf. Deut 18:15, 18). And that prophetic word through Moses came with a severe warning: Israel must “give heed to everything” that Jesus said, otherwise they “shall be utterly destroyed” (v.22b-23; cf. Deut 18:19). The severe warning was given so that Israel may receive God’s redemptive blessing: God sent Jesus to Israel “to bless you by turning every one of you from your wicked ways” (v.26). Indeed, how large is God’s redemptive heart and how great is our redemptive hope! And the Cross says it all.

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A PPLICATION

What does it mean for me to walk with the sovereign gracious God?

P RAYER

Prayer Pointers

Write a prayer to God as your response from your meditation on and application

■ Give thanks:

of the Scriptures.

■ Pray for church board: To walk humbly with the sovereign gracious God ■ Pray for significant people:

■ Pray for those in need:

■ Pray for self:

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29 SUNDAY

Sunday Journal

APRIL

S CRIPTURE

O BSERVATION

A PPLICATION

P RAYER

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THE PAST WEEK

Review What was my high point and my low point for the week?

What gave me life and what drained me?

How was the Spirit of God at work?

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Reflect What is one key thing that God said to me this week in light of what has happened?

Respond What is one thing I need to do in light of what God is saying? COMMIT IN PRAYER.

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FAMILY DEVOTIONAL WEEK 5 APRIL 2018

WHAT COULD YOU MISS OUT ON BY GETTING IMPATIENT? * When you are getting impatient, don’t act without thinking through the consequences. Scripture: Genesis 25:24-34 ACTIVITY BITE Think of one thing that you really want – it could be the latest toy, computer game, mobile phone or a place you would love to visit. Then discuss with your family members what you are willing to give up to get the thing you want. CHAT TIME Q1: Imagine that you are willing to give up sleep to spend time playing with your favourite toy. Do you think this will affect your health? Why or why not? Q2: Why do people often act without thinking through the consequences? Q3: When you are always impatient and seldom think before you act, do you think people would want to be around you? Why or why not? LEARNING POINT In Genesis 25:24-34, all Esau could think about was filling his stomach with a bowl of stew. He didn’t even care about the huge honour and responsibility he had as the oldest son, or the promises that God made to his family. Instead, he gave it all up without thinking about the consequences of his action. Because of that, he missed out on the blessings from God. It’s always wise to stop and think through the consequences instead of making rash decisions. God has good things planned for you. His plans are worth the wait. ACTION POINT Say to each other “TT!” which is short for “think twice”. This reminds us to think things through, instead of making a rash decision when we get impatient. Practise saying this acronym to yourself and people around you whenever you or someone else gets impatient. FAMILY PRAYER POINTS Pray that God will remind us to think twice when we get impatient so that we will not have to face unwanted consequences. * Adapted from 252Basics, April 2018. www.ThinkOrange.com

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30 MONDAY

APRIL

The Beginning of Persecution

S CRIPTURE

Acts 4:1-12

O BSERVATION What observations can you make about the Word of God and the name of Jesus in verses 1 to 12?

Deeper Reflection ACTS 4 marked the beginning of the long history of the persecution of the church (vv.1-3): The religious authority “laid hands” on the apostles and “put them in jail” (v.3). When the persecution began, “many believed”, and the church grew to 5,000 strong (v.4; cf. Acts 2:41). This is the power of the Word, for they “had heard the Word” (v.4). Preachers can be imprisoned, silenced or killed, but nothing can imprison, silence or slay the Word of God. The Reformer Martin Luther famously said: “I simply taught, preached and wrote God’s Word: otherwise I did nothing. And while I slept, or drank Wittenberg beer with my Philip or my Amsdorf, the Word so greatly weakened the papacy that never a Prince or Emperor inflicted such damage upon it. I did nothing. The Word did it all.”56 Preeminence of the Name: All humanity “must be saved” from sin and God’s judgement, but we can be saved only “by the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene” (vv.10, 12). Ironically, this name “the Nazarene” was the name of the most insignificant and despised (Jn 1:45-46; 7:41, 52); and the stone the builders “rejected” is the indispensable foundational “cornerstone” of the building (v.11). God is a God of reversal.

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A PPLICATION

What does it mean for me to live by the power of the Word of God and know God as the God of reversal?

P RAYER

Prayer Pointers

Lord Jesus, You experienced in person cruel torture and agonising death though You

■ Give thanks:

had done no wrong. Be close to those who are persecuted for Your name’s sake and be their strength. We pray

■ Pray for leaders:

that when they are falsely accused, keep them from speaking in hate; when they are imprisoned, save them

■ Pray for significant people:

from despair. Let the glory of Your face shine on them. Amen.

■ Pray for those in need:

■ Pray for self:

Cited by Henry H. Mitchell, The Recovery of Preaching (Hodder and Stoughton, 1979), 124

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Notes

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