Guided By The Glorious Presence Of God
Is God really with us? This is one question often on our minds, especially when things are not rosy or when we knew we are acting against God’s will. Can you confirm that God has been faithfully present with you? And if God is really with us, how are we to live in His presence? How can we boldly come into the presence of God?
A Command To Give Willingly
Does a command to give willingly sound strange to you? If it is an “order”, how can it be voluntary; if it is an obligation, how can it be cheerful? Yet, can we see that serving and giving to God is both an obligation as well as a privilege? God does not demand from us more than what is necessary, but how much we have been touched by God can be reflected by how much we are willing to offer Him.
“If the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable” <2 Co 8:12>.
The Compassionate, Just and Jealous God
We all love the idea that God is compassionate and gracious. However, this same merciful God would also not leave the guilty unpunished, because He is just. Despite His mercy, sin always has consequences, so that people would not take sin lightly. Yet because of His mercy, there is still hope for restoration when we repent after falling into sin. God says He is a jealous God, how can that be our warning and comfort?
God’s Presence, Mercy and Glory
How important is God’s presence to you? Would you settle for a life full of material blessings but without the presence of God? What if sin causes God to withdraw His presence from you? God has revealed time and again that even when He is angry with sin, He is still merciful, so those who seek Him will find Him. Have you ever sought to see the glory of God? In what ways does God reveal His glory?
Israel’s Deadly Sin and Moses’ Mediation
The Israelites had barely confirmed the covenant with God but in less than 40 days’ time, they broke the covenant. How quickly humans can fall into sin. But how can we repent and pray for reconciliation to God? What kind of prayer will be pleasing to God? Can our prayers change God’s mind?
God’s Equipping for Work and Call to Rest
God never demands people to do what is impossible for them. No matter how difficult a task He calls them to do, He will always gift them with the necessary abilities. But when God empowers, did we obey? Have we used His gifts faithfully to fulfil His purpose and to glorify Him? Besides faithfully doing His work, have we also faithfully rested as He commanded? How can the Sabbath as a sign of covenant loyalty to God apply to modern day Christians?
Be A Sweet Aroma To God
Having atoned for our sins, God invites us to come to Him in prayers, to remember His redemption and be close to Him. However, He also wants us to approach Him in the right way, and live a life in acknowledgement of His ownership. Are we living a God-pleasing life now? Are our lives a sweet aroma to God?
Consecrating Ourselves To God
As we step into a new year, it is important that we examine and consecrate our hearts and lives to God once again. So what does it mean by consecration? It is to be separated from what is unclean, impure and sinful, and be set apart for something or someone holy. How can we be cleansed such that we are fit to serve God? Are you willing to be consecrated to God and be sanctified by His truth?
Priestly Glory and Blessings
God cares about the finest details of worship and we cannot be cavalier when we approach our holy God. Are there iniquity even in our holy things, when we do and offer holy things? What do God’s instructions about priestly garments reveal about how much we need our Great High Priest Jesus Christ?
Entering Fellowship With A Just God
What can we learn from the Old Testament tabernacle, particularly its altar of burnt offering, its courtyard and ever burning lamps? What significance do they have to us even today? How do these reveal the righteousness and mercy of God? How can a sinner enter the presence of God and be accepted and forgiven of our sins such that we can restore reconciled fellowship with God?
