100120: Faith Heals

1 Kings 17:7-22
The Widow at Zarephath

12“As surely as the LORD your God lives,” she replied, “I don’t have any bread—only a handful of flour in a jar and a little oil in a jug. I am gathering a few sticks to take home and make a meal for myself and my son, that we may eat it—and die.”

14For this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘The jar of flour will not be used up and the jug of oil will not run dry until the day the LORD gives rain on the land.’”

20Then he cried out to the LORD,“O LORD my God, have you brought tragedy also upon this widow I am staying with, by causing her son to die?” 21Then he stretched himself out on the boy three times and cried to the LORD, “O LORD my God, let this boy’s life return to him!”

22The LORD heard Elijah’s cry, and the boy’s life returned to him, and he lived.

- Why did the creek dry up? Elijah prayed to God to withhold rain, leading to the famine. Supporting scripture:

Luke 4:24

“I tell you the truth,” he continued, “no prophet is accepted in his hometown. 25I assure you that there were many widows in Israel in Elijah’s time, when the sky was shut for three and a half years and there was a severe famine throughout the land. 26Yet Elijah was not sent to any of them, but to a widow in Zarephath in the region of Sidon. 27And there were many in Israel with leprosy^f in the time of Elisha the prophet, yet not one of them was cleansed—only Naaman the Syrian.”

- Traveler’s Creed: to help travelers who are in need; hence, not out of the ordinary for the widow to take Elijah in when he asked

- Elijah alone prayed for the boy’s life to return to him, showing that it does not require more than one person to raise the dead. Also, this process perhaps may not meant to be a public spectacle.

James 5:16-18

The Prayer of Faith

15And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven. 16Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.

17Elijah was a man just like us. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. 18Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops.

Daniel 3:8-30
The Image of Gold and the Fiery Furnace

1King Nebuchadnezzar made an image of gold, ninety feet high and nine feet^a wide, and set it up on the plain of Dura in the province of Babylon. 2He then summoned the satraps, prefects, governors, advisers, treasurers, judges, magistrates and all the other provincial officials to come to the dedication of the image he had set up. 3So the satraps, prefects, governors, advisers, treasurers, judges, magistrates and all the other provincial officials assembled for the dedication of the image that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up, and they stood before it.

4Then the herald loudly proclaimed, “This is what you are commanded to do, O peoples, nations and men of every language: 5As soon as you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipes and all kinds of music, you must fall down and worship the image of gold that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up. 6Whoever does not fall down and worship will immediately be thrown into a blazing furnace.”

12But there are some Jews whom you have set over the affairs of the province of Babylon—Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego—who pay no attention to you, O king. They neither serve your gods nor worship the image of gold you have set up.”

15 “…But if you do not worship it, you will be thrown immediately into a blazing furnace. Then what god will be able to rescue you from my hand?”

16Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. 17If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king. 18But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.”

22The king’s command was so urgent and the furnace so hot that the flames of the fire killed the soldiers who took up Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, 23and these three men, firmly tied, fell into the blazing furnace.

24Then King Nebuchadnezzar leaped to his feet in amazement and asked his advisers, “Weren’t there three men that we tied up and threw into the fire?”

25He said, “Look! I see four men walking around in the fire, unbound and unharmed, and the fourth looks like a son of the gods.”

26Nebuchadnezzar then approached the opening of the blazing furnace and shouted, “Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, servants of the Most High God, come out! Come here!”

27 … They saw that the fire had not harmed their bodies, nor was a hair of their heads singed; their robes were not scorched, and there was no smell of fire on them.

28Then Nebuchadnezzar said, “Praise be to the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, who has sent his angel and rescued his servants! They trusted in him and defied the king’s command and were willing to give up their lives rather than serve or worship any god except their own God. 29Therefore I decree that the people of any nation or language who say anything against the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego be cut into pieces and their houses be turned into piles of rubble, for no other god can save in this way.”

- Nebuchadnezzar resembles the coming antichrist.

James 1:1-18

2Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. 5If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. 6But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. 6But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. 7That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; 8he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does.

- Prayer without trust, filled with uncertainty, would be hypocrisy.

- When facing trials, accept it with joy and humility.

12Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.

13When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; 14but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. 15Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.

- This reflects Jesus’s idea of the first will be last, the last will be first. The idea is humility and service are the key to salvation.

100114: Gifts of the Spirit

1 Corinthians 12:1-13
Spiritual Gifts

2You know that when you were pagans, somehow or other you were influenced and led astray to mute idols.3Therefore I tell you that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus be cursed,” and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit.

4There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. 6There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men.

7Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. 8To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, 9to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, 10to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues,^a and to still another the interpretation of tongues. 11All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines.

- “To speak in tongues” = to speak in the Heavenly language, or to speak in a foreign Earthly tongue (babble) (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Azusa_Street_Revival)

- “To distinguish between spirits”: the gift to naturally distinguish between the work of God vs. the work of evil spirits (notice here the word “spirits” was not capitalized in the text); however, those without this gift can try to make this distinction by 1) knowing that those who are with God will never curse God (1 Corinthians 12:2-3); 2) testing the spirits as instructed in the text

One Body, Many Parts

12The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ. 13For we were all baptized by^c one Spirit into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.

18But in fact God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. 19If they were all one part, where would the body be?20As it is, there are many parts, but one body.

God has combined the members of the body and has given greater honor to the parts that lacked it, 25so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. 26If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.

27Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.

29Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? 30Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues^d? Do all interpret? 31But eagerly desire^e the greater gifts.

Romans 12:3-7
Living Sacrifices

2Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

3For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you. 4Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6We have different gifts, according to the grace given us.

1 Corinthians 14:1-5 and 21-24

Gifts of Prophecy and Tongues

2For anyone who speaks in a tongue^a does not speak to men but to God. Indeed, no one understands him; he utters mysteries with his spirit.^b 3But everyone who prophesies speaks to men for their strengthening, encouragement and comfort. 4He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church. 5I would like every one of you to speak in tongues,^c but I would rather have you prophesy. He who prophesies is greater than one who speaks in tongues,^d unless he interprets, so that the church may be edified.

- Gift of Prophecy: for Christians; edifies the Church b/c the message is understood by all

- Gift of Tongues: for non-Christians (the unbelievers) and for exalting God; edifies the person who speaks it b/c it is not understood by all (including the speaker), yet the speaker is edified b/c the Spirit has worked through him/her

22Tongues, then, are a sign, not for believers but for unbelievers; prophecy, however, is for believers, not for unbelievers.

100107: Suffering

Lamentations 3

1^aI am the man who has seen affliction

by the rod of his wrath.

2He has driven me away and made me walk

in darkness rather than light;

1* He is frustrated/bitter/pained, saying “Woe is me. Look at all that I’m suffering.”

18So I say, “My splendor is gone

and all that I had hoped from the LORD.”

19I remember my affliction and my wandering,

the bitterness and the gall.

20I well remember them,

and my soul is downcast within me.

21Yet this I call to mind

and therefore I have hope:

2* He remembers God, his Lord, that he is not alone.

22Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed,

for his compassions never fail.

23They are new every morning;

great is your faithfulness.

24I say to myself, “The LORD is my portion;

therefore I will wait for him.”

3* He waits upon the Lord:

Isaiah 40:30

but those who hope in the LORD

will renew their strength.

They will soar on wings like eagles;

they will run and not grow weary,

they will walk and not be faint.

31For men are not cast off

by the Lord forever.

32Though he brings grief, he will show compassion,

so great is his unfailing love.

33For he does not willingly bring affliction

or grief to the children of men.

4* He remembers the Lord’s great love of him, even when he has sinned.

37Who can speak and have it happen

if the Lord has not decreed it?

38Is it not from the mouth of the Most High

that both calamities and good things come?

39Why should any living man complain

when punished for his sins?

5* He remembers the sovereignty of God.

40Let us examine our ways and test them,

and let us return to the LORD.

41Let us lift up our hearts and our hands

to God in heaven, and say:

42“We have sinned and rebelled

and you have not forgiven.

6* He repents.

43“You have covered yourself with anger and pursued us;

you have slain without pity.

44You have covered yourself with a cloud

so that no prayer can get through.

45You have made us scum and refuse

among the nations.

46“All our enemies have opened their mouths

wide against us.

47We have suffered terror and pitfalls,

ruin and destruction.”

48Streams of tears flow from my eyes

because my people are destroyed.

49My eyes will flow unceasingly,

without relief,

50until the LORD looks down

from heaven and sees.

7* He wonders when his punishment would be over after repentance.

61O LORD, you have heard their insults,

all their plots against me—

62what my enemies whisper and mutter

against me all day long.

63Look at them! Sitting or standing,

they mock me in their songs.

64Pay them back what they deserve, O LORD,

for what their hands have done.

8* He prays for God to punish the enemies.

Jonah 2

Jonah’s Prayer

1From inside the fish Jonah prayed to the LORD his God. 2He said:

“In my distress I called to the LORD,

and he answered me.

From the depths of the grave^a I called for help,

and you listened to my cry.

* He called for help while he was thrown overboard.

4I said, ‘I have been banished

from your sight;

* “Lord, why have you forsaken me?”

5The engulfing waters threatened me,^b

the deep surrounded me;

seaweed was wrapped around my head.

6To the roots of the mountains I sank down;

the earth beneath barred me in forever.

But you brought my life up from the pit,

O LORD my God.

7“When my life was ebbing away,

I remembered you, LORD,

and my prayer rose to you,

to your holy temple.

* This prayer is thus a reflection. He’s remembering his prayer when he was drowning. Interestingly, he is not saved at this time. He doesn’t get saved until after 3 days, 3 nights. Why?

8“Those who cling to worthless idols

forfeit the grace that could be theirs.

9But I, with a song of thanksgiving,

will sacrifice to you.

What I have vowed I will make good.

Salvation comes from the LORD.”

* This prayer finally saves him. The difference between the two prayers is the latter contains repentance, and the will that he will make right the wrong, which, most importantly, asks for God’s help, for God to deliver him.

* This is from the OT, i.e. before the arrival of Jesus Christ. Isn’t it interesting how God sent Jonah to a non-Israelite nation to prophesy and to tell them to change their ways? Salvation to the gentiles is shown in the OT, before Jesus’ time. (This was also shown in Soloman’s song, where he also prayed about foreigners.)

* There is a parallel between this story and the resurrection of Jesus. Jesus went down to Abraham’s bosom for 3 days, 3 night, preaching for repentance/salvation through Jesus Christ. (e.g. Belly of the Whale vs. Belly of the Earth; and 1 Peter 4:5-6)

* When Jesus died, he descended to Hell/Abraham’s Bosom first. This is where all God-fearing men went, and so it makes sense for Jesus to go there too. HOWEVER, instead of being stuck there like all other God-fearing men, Jesus was able to conquer death via preaching/praying, and he was able to be resurrected and allowed to set foot in Heaven, bringing all past and future God-fearing men to Heaven.

1Peter 4:1-19
Suffering for Being a Christian

13But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. 14If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. 15If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. 16However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name. 17For it is time for judgment to begin with the family of God; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God? 18And,

“If it is hard for the righteous to be saved,

what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?”^a

19So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.

* “Suffering” here is not the same as those of previous scriptures. In the previous scriptures, the sufferings were brought upon by themselves (i.e. they steered away from God and thus had to deal with the consequences); suffering here refers to the suffering of just being a Christian, of being an outcast (e.g. Acts 16:22-34). That is, Christians who suffer simply because we are hated for being Christians.

* Here, Peter is encouraging us all to focus on ourselves and be joyful that we are trusting Jesus. Furthermore, he quotes Proverbs, and suggests 1) if it’s hard for us to be saved, it will only be harder for non-believers; 2) cut these mockers some slack, for they know not any better.

* Lastly, Peter shows that by the time of NT, the mentality has changed. In the OT, righteous people immediately asked God to punish those who are wrong. Here in the NT, Peter shows how Christians have matured over time and know how to show compassion, to focus on oneself rather than focusing on the punishment of the wrong. Instead of punishing the wrong, invite them to the Kingdom of God (sheparding people to God).

091231: Armor of God

Ephesians 6:10-20

The Armor of God

10Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

- Not a physical armor but a spiritual armor—evidence for spiritual warfare between spirits of good vs. evil

- Physical attack à bruises; spiritual attack w/o the Armor of God à Christians won’t be able to stand strong and will fall under attack

- “heavenly realms”: there are 3 heavens—1) sky, 2) sun/moon/stars (celestial being), 3) place where God resides; Satan’s dominion is the sky (Prince of the Sky), and we thus believe here, it is referring to the 1^st heaven.

13Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.

- “day of evil”: end of days or day-in and day-out? End of days: the need to put on an armor suggests war, hence the end of days; day-in and day-out: suggested to have the armor on “in case”, hence able to use it whenever one is experiencing an external attacks of evil; also, there is no definite reference to the end of days, hence the context would suggest it is referring to day-in and day-out (these attacks are NOT temptations; temptations are internal, which is people are held responsible to keep these in check)

14Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.18And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.

- Armor of God: Truth (Proverbs 12); Righteousness; Peace (Philippians 4:4-7; the knowledge that we are saved and are under the protection of God—the relationship with God through Christ); Faith (Luke 17:1-10); Salvation; Spirit (Matthew 4:4—Jesus Christ was in the desert fighting the devil with the Word of God)

- Ideally, all Christians should already have the Armor of God; lacking any one of these things would lead to the fall of the Christian under the attack of the Satan—i.e., Christians must CHOOSE to PUT ON all these articles of the Armor of God to be protected from the evil attacks (e.g. every time we sin, we steer away from Righteousness and thus loose a bit of this article of the Armor; we must be vigilant and continuously check ourselves to ensure that we repair this loss of Armor via repent)

- What does it mean to “wear” these articles of the Armor? To always have it on our mind—as opposed to just knowing that we have it but not actually think about it or to use it

- Armor of God may thus be viewed as having 3 functions: 1) supportive structures (belt & shoes; Truth and Peace supports); 2) defensive (breastplate, shield, and helmet; Righteousness, faith, and salvation protects); 3) offensive (sword; the Word cuts)

- These articles of the Armor of God parallel the armor of Roman soldiers; just as these soldiers depended largely on their shields for protection, Christians depend greatly on their Faith for protection—the shield/Faith is the primary defense against the enemy/Satan. The Romans constructed their shoes with massive support (up to their knees), hence allowing them to walk longer (more support and more comfortable) and providing them with more mobility than their enemies; similarly, Peace provides comfort, mobility, and support. The belt supports the breastplate and the sword, as does Truth supports Righteousness and the Word. The helmet protects the head, just as Salvation protects the mind from the attacks of the devil. When a soldier loses an arm or a leg, he may still be able to survive; without his head, he is dead; without his heart, he is dead. Similarly, when we face the most desperate of times, we can still rely lastly on Salvation for the protection of our mind and Truth for the protection of our heart, protecting the precious body, mind, and soul—the essentials of a human being. The sword is the main attacking article of the armor, and the Roman sword is light and one-handed, which allows its soldier to hold a shield and the sword at the same time; i.e. a Christian fights with all of the Armor of God, able to shield himself from the devil’s attacks AND attack the devil at the same time. Prayer is integral to the sword (e.g. calling upon the Lord).