Scripture:
1 Thessalonians 4:9-12
Sat, 14 May 2022

Growing in Realistic Biblical Discipleship

Observation:

Why does Paul mention “so that you may walk properly before outsiders”
(v.12) in the context of the passage?

Deeper Reflection
WHILE THE THESSALONIAN CHURCH WAS PRACTISING LOVE intensively and extensively, there was deficiency in “brotherly love”, in that among them were those who were not working to support themselves, but leeching their brethren (vv.9-11). The Thessalonians were fervent in evangelism and missions, such that “not only has the word of the Lord sounded from you in Macedonia and Achaia, but your faith in God has gone forth everywhere” (1 Thess 1:8). Yet, ironically, this missionally impactful church was at the risk of being a bad testimony to their neighbours. Paul urged the Thessalonians who stopped working to “work with your hands” (vv.11-12), not just that they live their lives responsibly, but also “so that you may walk properly before outsiders” (v.12). Their improper conduct in the world would affect the witness of the church. To the world that tends to generalise things, Christians represent the Church and the Gospel.I have discovered from experience that no matter how we may have grown and matured in certain character in our lives, there can still be fault lines in that particular character. Just like the glowing, growing Thessalonian church. In this life we will never arrive, but only to “press on toward the goal” (Phil 3:13-14). The Psalmist says to God, “With my whole heart I seek You” and yet in the same breath he prays, “Let me not wander from Your commandments” (Psa 119:10). It sounds ironic, inconsistent and incongruent. But this is realistic biblical discipleship. We progress by God’s grace with three steps forward and two steps back in humble brokenness.
Application:

How will I guard myself from becoming a bad witness as a Christian in
the world?

Prayer:
Write a prayer to God as your response from your meditation on and application of the Scriptures.
Prayer Pointers:
  • Give thanks and praise
  • Pray for SGI leaders: To live eschatologically in everyday living
  • Pray for significant people
  • Pray for those in need
  • Pray for self

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Daily Devo
Daily Devotional Journal
Scripture:
Daniel 10: 4-19
Sat, 30 September 2023

Strengthened by the Divine Touch

Observation:

What is the significance of the repetition of the terms “strength” and
“strengthen” in Daniel’s encounter with God (vv.8, 16, 17, 18, 19)?

Deeper Reflection
When God sent His Word to Daniel in a vision, it was he “alone saw” the “great vision” (vv.7-8). It was a special privilege of divine sovereign grace. The vision was also a vision of God’s holiness and glory manifested in the awesome appearance of a heavenly being (vv.5-6). Daniel was so utterly overwhelmed by the divine vision, that “no strength was left in me” (v.8). The description, “no strength”, is emphatically repeated four times in Daniel’s encounter with God (vv.8, 16, 17). We may not experience such an utterly overwhelming encounter with God like Daniel’s, but we do experience “no strength was left in me” in utterly overwhelming adversities like being “afflicted in every way” (2 Cor 1:8; 4:8-9).When we have “no strength”, we need the divine touch. God responded to Daniel’s fourfold “no strength” with a threefold divine touch (vv.10, 16, 18): He “touched me again and strengthened me”. When we are so greatly afflicted, that we feel no strength is left in us, and yet we persevere in faithfulness, it is because we are being “strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of great endurance and patience” (Col 1:11). Note the intensity and immensity of this divine power at work in us! This is the divine touch of “the surpassing greatness of power” from God (2 Cor 4:7-9). But we feel the physical and emotional pains more than the Spiritual power. The greater is our suffering, the greater will be the strength from God in us, and the greater will be our steadfastness in God.
Application:

What is my experience of the Word of God and spiritual warfare like in my
discipleship journey?

Prayer:
Write a prayer to God as your response from your meditation on and application of the Scriptures.
Prayer Pointers:
  • Give thanks and praise
  • Pray for Church Board: To know God’s power that is perfected in weaknesses
  • Pray for significant people
  • Pray for those in need
  • Pray for self

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