WEEK 2 GOD'S PART

Lesson Notes

God determines how we live and is the foundation for contentment. God is the sole owner of everything - this is a fundmental principle for us to recognise God's part- ownership, control and provision.

All we have and owned comes from Him. Acknowledgement of God's part is the key to spiritual stewardship which governs all our decisions in spending, saving and giving or the reverse order... giving, saving then spending.

If we see God is in control -can we control every aspect of our life ? Life can be testing- and be full of blessings - everything happens for a reason- according to His intentions- whether to develop our character such that tribulations brings perserverance which develop our Godly character. So sometimes God brings us to the hard and deep places for us to reconnect to him once again. Hebrews 12:6, 10-11.

Our God is Jehovah Jireh - Gen 22:14 the Lord will provide. Suddenly with relative affluence, our wants become our basic needs- the latest iphone, that holidays, that car, that landed properties and the latest gadgetry. How far will God continue to provide when we will be truly be contented. God will provide just enough and just on time when we call out to Him. Phil 4;19 and 1 Timothy 6:8

Do a silent prayer to re-dedicate all your posssessions, your spouse , your children, your homes, your cars, your bank accounts and your investments to Him .

Do a quit claim deed as a spiritual act of transfer.

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Homework

Elements of faithfulness

~ with our resources

~ things entrusted to us Matthew 25 parable of the talents.

~in little things -- faithfulness with a small thing is a big thing - Hudson Taylor

-with another possessions - Luke 16:12

- builds character

-leads to contentment

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Your Money Counts

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Practical Applications

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Sharing

The Blessed Life

Rev Dr Kow Shih Ming

Scripture Passage: James 1:19-25

Summary: The blessed life comes from humbly accepting God’s Word planted in us to save us (Jas 1:21b). There are five steps to a blessed life:

Step 1: Dig into the Word of God

Use the acronym ROAD, when you do devotions.

· R-ead. A bible reading plan can help us to systematically read through the Bible. The “lucky dip” approach where random verses are picked means you won’t get the whole counsel of God. Read the assigned passages once through quickly and don’t try to decipher everything. Go back to read verse, section or chapter that resonates with your spirit, then read it again.

· O-bserve. While reading, observe things like who’s speaking, what’s amazing or incongruent, what does not make sense and note down observations.

· A-pplication. List all the possible applications of God’s Word to your life.

· D-o. Do one of the applications.

Step 2: Do the Word of God

James 1:22-24 is emphatic about doing God’s Word. We should bear in mind that not all who acknowledge God as Lord will enter the kingdom of Heaven (Matt 7:21). We should not deceive ourselves by confusing agreement with God’s Word with obedience to it. We should not be like the Pharisees who obeyed God’s Word partially, and missed the important parts about love and grace.

Step 3: Discover God’s Word with His people

Meet with a group of people to read the Bible and share with one another, like for the Devotions in Groups (DIG). Something powerful happens when we do devotions together.

We need to cultivate the habit of reading Scripture everyday, and to study the Bible not just to inform us, but also to allow the Bible to form us from inside out.

Step 4: Depend on the Spirit of God

When the Holy Spirit dwells in you, we will get help to understand the Word of God and to live it.

Step 5: Decide to have the blessed life

It is not whether you know what is needed, but whether you decide to have a blessed life. In John 10:10, Jesus promised that fullness of life when we surrender the control of our life to Jesus.

A Challenge

Will you commit to the following?

a) To read the Bible everyday.

b) Do what God says, trusting the Word despite how and what you may feel.

c) To do devotions with a group of people.

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Scriptures

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