April 6-10, 2012 Quiet Time Series

DAY 6

TRUE GREATNESS

Matthew 20:26

True greatness is shown by humility, not pride. This was powerfully demonstrated and taught by Jesus Christ, who told his disciples: “Not so with you, instead whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be the first must be your slave-just as the Son of man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many”. (Matt. 20:26-28)

When God himself walked on earth as a man, He washed feet, welcomed children, and willingly gave his life. We can do great things for the Lord if we are willing to do the little thing for others.

Betty Belmonte

DAY 7

SATAN DOESN’T MIND BIBLE STUDY NEVER APPLIED

Matthew 7:24 (NIV)

Receiving, reading, researching, remembering, and reflecting on the Word of God are all useless if we fail to put them into practice. We must become doers of the word (James 1:22 KJV).

I understand this is a hard step, because Satan fights it so intensely. He doesn’t mind you going to Church or Bible Studies or Bible Talks as long as you don’t do anything with what you learn. We fool ourselves when we assume that just because we have heard or read or studied the truth then we have internalized it.

Actually, you can be so busy going to the next bible talk, bible study or seminar or Bible conference that you have no time to implement what you’ve learned. You forget it on the way to your next study. Without implementation, all our Bible studies are worthless. There are even times when we deliberately decided to disobey after hearing a message from God because of our own personal reasons. I know because I can totally relate.

Jesus said, “Everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.” (Matthew 7:24 NIV)

Can you imagine a house built on hay or sticks? How much effort could be exerted to blow the house in? None at all, so why bother exerting an effort in blowing the house, right? It is so easy to destroy. The foundation is so weak. At anytime, Satan wins. There is no challenge at all. But who is at the losing end? Not Satan, but the one who builds the house with poor materials. It is us who does not like to obey because it discomforts us. It is us who does not put the word of God into practice.

Jesus also pointed out that God’s blessing comes from obeying the truth, not just knowing it. He said, “Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.” (John 13:17 (NIV)

I cannot overstate the value of being in the fellowship or constantly present in every Bible talk activities. We always learn from others’ truths which we may never learn on our own. Other people can help us see insights we would miss and help us apply God’s truth in a practical way. But the best way to become a doer of the Word is to always write out an action step as a result of your reading or studying or reflecting on God’s Word. Develop the habit of writing down exactly what you intend to do. This action step should be personal (involving you), practical (something you can do), and provable (with a deadline to do it). Every application will involve either your relationship to God, your relationship to others, or your personal character.

What has God already told you to do in his Word that you haven’t started doing yet? Start doing it before it’s too late.

Anecita Angel

DAY 8

LIVING SACRIFICE

Romans 12: 1-8

All I wanted is to belong to a great family, a family where love and care are shown in different ways. I am so grateful that I had the chance to be part of the great family, the family of God, the body of Christ.

To be a great family, we are to give ourselves first to God. We are to worship Him by repenting and by offering our strengths. We can offer or give to one another as members of the family to the best we can because we are glorifying our God.

We are all in this together, we belong to each other, we are all members of one another. Individualism is prohibited by God. The grace of God has been given to us through our different gifts and strengths. There are so many strengths that God has given to us. Let us all together share and develop these strengths in helping each other to grow in Christ. God, bless this family. Amen.

Alvin Comendador

DAY 9

PICK UP YOUR SWORD

Galatians 6:10-18

Sometimes or most often we rush ourselves in the battlefield without the sword. That is why we end up our day worn out or worst, defeated because we have forgotten or intentionally left the armor of God. (Gal. 6:10-18). It is a spiritual battle.

I couldn’t imagine without our sword. We let ourselves be beaten up and blown up by the breath of the fire of the dragon until our armor is worn out. We are just, as if, taking all the blows that the enemy is throwing on us. And sometimes we say to ourselves, it isn’t a fair fight. Whose fault could that be?

We do have the defensive armor but have forgotten the sword of the Spirit, our only offensive weapon, or fail to ask help from our allies which are our prayers and petitions.

Let us always equip ourselves with the Words of God and carry the sword of the Spirit as we fight against the ruler, against the authorities, against the power of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil. Do you see how many are our enemies? Isn’t that enough proof to prepare ourselves in the battlefield?

Pick up your sword. Always bring it along with you. Because if you don’t, it might be your last stand.

Raul Pabilando

DAY 10

”GOD ADDICTION”

Psalm 27:4

The heart of David is really amazing. He really has the heart addicted to God. For me, it is rare to know someone pleading not for self comfort, love, and blessings from God but pleading for God Himself to be with him inseparably. How I hope and wish I could have that heart everyday.

Have you ever been addicted to something? Like food, games, movies, actors/actress, clothes and others? Then imagine substituting God into it...What do you imagine and feel? Is it possible? Or does it need more effort? Are we excited to pray and to read our quiet times to God just like how excited are we when watching our favorite movies?

For me personally, maybe God addiction is the only addiction that takes time and effort to be really addicted. It may even take a lifetime. But are we going to give up? David is just human like us. We can be God addicted too if we desire to be.

Rowena Digal