Hebrew 7:23-28

15 And what we have said is even more clear if another priest like Melchizedek
appears, 16 one who has become a priest not on the basis of a regulation as to
his ancestry but on the basis of the power of an indestructible life. 17 For it is
declared: “You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.” 18 The former
regulation is set aside because it was weak and useless 19 (for the law made
nothing perfect), and a better hope is introduced, by which we draw near to God.
22Because of this oath, Jesus has become the guarantee of a better covenant.
23Now there have been many of those priests, since death prevented them
from continuing in office; 24but because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent
priesthood. 25Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God
through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.  26Such a high
priest meets our need—one who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners,
exalted above the heavens. 27Unlike the other high priests, he does not need to
offer sacrifices day after day, first for his own sins, and then for the sins of the
people. He sacrificed for their sins once for all when he offered himself. 28For the
law appoints as high priests men who are weak; but the oath, which came after
the law, appointed the Son, who has been made perfect forever.

MEDITATION
1. The word “priest” in Latin is pontifex, which means “bridge builder”.  There
is an impassable gulf separating us from God.  Jesus Christ, being our High
Priest, is the bridge builder from humans to God.
2. What does this permanent priesthood mean to us?  It is God’s promise to us
that, through Jesus’ resurrection and His role as the High Priest, God’s plan
for our salvation is complete and “a better hope is introduced, by which we
are drawn near to God” (v19).  Note the phrase “save completely” (v25),
which means that we are not only saved by Jesus from punishment for our
sins, but also from sin’s insidious control of our thoughts and actions daily.
Jesus is the source of our forgiveness of sin and renewal of life.  All we need
is to come to this perfect High priest in faith, and be “convinced that he is
able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day”(2Tim 1:12).
3.  Visualize the image of Jesus as my “priest – the bridge builder”.  Where do
I see myself, God, and Jesus in that picture?  How does that make me feel?
Share this feeling and thought with Jesus.

Personal Note:
What makes me able to pray and come to God?  I find that people just think that we can approach God whenever and wherever we want.  On our own, we can do nothing to be connected to God.  God initiates the relationship with us through sacrificing His one and only son.  In order to cleanse from sin, sacrifice is required.

I feel that I am grateful for what God did in my life.  I desire to see people experiencing the freedom and peace from the forgiveness of sins.

Hebrew 6:13-20

13When God made his promise to Abraham, since there was no one greater
for him to swear by, he swore by himself, 14saying, “I will surely bless you and
give you many descendants.” 15And so after waiting patiently, Abraham received
what was promised.
 16Men swear by someone greater than themselves, and the oath confirms what
is said and puts an end to all argument. 17Because God wanted to make the
unchanging nature of his purpose very clear to the heirs of what was promised,
he confirmed it with an oath. 18God did this so that, by two unchangeable things
in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope
offered to us may be greatly encouraged. 19We have this hope as an anchor
for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain,
20where Jesus, who went before us, has entered on our behalf. He has become
a high priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.

MEDITATION
1. Slowly read the passage aloud twice, note the emphasis on “promises” and
“hope”.
2. Reflect on the role of hope in my life.  The opposites of hope are despair,
suspicion, doubt, and cynicism.  What does this passage tell me about hope?
3. Read the passage aloud one more time.  Among the phrases, such as “swear”,
“unchanging”, “take hold of the hope”, “firm” and “secure”, what words or
phrases stand out to me?  Why are they important for me today?
4. Walk through this day with an attitude of greater hope – expectancy,
anticipation and trust.  This is what everyday life in the kingdom of God looks
like.

Personal Note:
We need hope in everything.  Hope is defined as future certainty grounded in present reality.  Everything in this world is uncertain.  We may hope to enter into a good university.  We may hope to enter into a good career.  We may hope to find a soul mate.  We may hope to have good friends.  In reality, all those things are uncertain.

The only source of hope is from God.  Practically speaking, I am planning for the strategic direction of PGC English ministry.  At times, I fear and worry that I will fail as a leader.  My hope is in God's promise, God's character, God's power at work in the lives of the teenagers.  The culture and the circumstances are beyond what my human wisdom can handle, but I trust that through God's grace, I can love them and lead them.

Hebrews 5:11-14

 11We have much to say about this, but it is hard to explain because you are
slow to learn. 12In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need
someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word all over again. You
need milk, not solid food! 13Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is
not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. 14But solid food is for
the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good
from evil.

MEDITATION
1. We become mature in our faith by constantly using the truth God has
revealed to distinguish good from evil.  Don’t mistake possessing information
for maturity.  The ability to quote long passages of Scripture or to argue
theology is meaningless.  What brings believer to maturity is the conscious
effort of distinguishing between good and evil on criteria established by
God’s Word.  The difference between “milk” and “meat” is found in neither
the depth nor breadth of our knowledge in Christian doctrine, but in the way
we live out the Word of God.  For those who merely hear the Word but have
no action, the truths they know are milk; whereas for those who not only
hear but also act upon the Word of God, the same truths become solid and
sustaining meat.
2. What is the one thing that I learn from God’s Word today that I can apply
to my life?  How can I specifically apply it today or in this week?  Pray that
the Holy Spirit will empower and remind me to truly do this one thing I’ve
identified today.

Personal Note:
I learn that I am to be contend in all situations.  I am feeling the pressure of our society to perform and to possess lots of things.  In the ministry context, I sometimes feel that I would be happier if church goes bigger and more and more brothers and sisters are passionate for God.  I am reminded that I am called to be faithful and care for people I am leading regardless of the results at the end.  I am called to dream and plan what the future looks like, but it is the work of the Holy Spirit that brings transformation in people's lives.

Hebrews 4:10-13

10for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from his own work, just as God
did from his. 11Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no
one will fall by following their example of disobedience.  12For the word of God
is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to
dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes
of the heart. 13Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is
uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.

MEDITATION
1. Most of us believe that God’s word is important.  But if we are honest,
reading the Bible sometimes feels like a chore – less than enjoyable.  Now,
think about how important the Scripture is to me.  What if I were unable to
read or hear anything from the Bible for a year?  Would I miss it?  Why or
why not?  What does “Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight”
mean to me?  In what ways have I experienced God’s Word to be precise and
powerful, “sharper than any double-edged sword”?
2. Start praying by thanking God for the gift of His Word.  Ask Him to give me
more passion and desire for it.  Give God permission to let His Word to make
me “uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him” in the days and weeks
ahead.
3. Memorize vv12-13 and use them as my prayer regularly as a way of asking
God to make Scripture increasingly important in my life.

Personal Note:
God's Word judges and show me who I am.  There is nothing hidden before God.  He knows all my thoughts including my hidden thoughts.  God knows what I am going through and the Word has been timely.

Hebrews 3:7-19

 7So, as the Holy Spirit says:    “Today, if you hear his voice, 8do not harden your
hearts    as you did in the rebellion, during the time of testing in the desert,
9where your fathers tested and tried me  and for forty years saw what I did.
10That is why I was angry with that generation, and I said, ‘ Their hearts are
always going astray, and they have not known my ways. 11So I declared on oath
in my anger, ‘ They shall never enter my rest.’ “
 12See to it, brothers, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns
away from the living God. 13But encourage one another daily, as long as it is
called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness. 14We
have come to share in Christ if we hold firmly till the end the confidence we had
at first. 15As has just been said:    “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden
your hearts as you did in the rebellion.”
 16Who were they who heard and rebelled? Were they not all those Moses led
out of Egypt? 17And with whom was he angry for forty years? Was it not with
those who sinned, whose bodies fell in the desert? 18And to whom did God
swear that they would never enter his rest if not to those who disobeyed? 19So
we see that they were not able to enter, because of their unbelief.

MEDITATION
1. These verses warn against two enemies of the spiritual life: a hardened heart
(v8) and unbelief(v12).  The Exodus generation heard God’s word through
Moses.  However, they would not trust God and refused to obey Him.  As a
result, they found neither rest nor peace.  
2. This is the same with us today.  When we heard and responded to the
message of Jesus, we are invited to experience a rest and complete inner
peace.  However, if we are not willing to trust God completely and refuse
to respond his God’s voice, then we will not experience this peace of God.
3. Quiet before the Lord and reflect: Am I saved yet miserable?  Do I believe
God but still anxious?  Have I repented yet unresolved?  Could it be that I
have hardened my heart, and am unwilling to obey God?  Ask for guidance
and a willing spirit to trust and obey God.

Personal note:
As I am planning and working today, I feel discouraged at times of the unknown and my heart felt weak.  I pray and ask God for wisdom and strength, and I trust that God will make a way so brothers and sisters will experience his peace and presence.

Hebrew 2:6-10

Chapter 2

⁶But there is a place where someone has testified:
“What is man that you are mindful of him,
the son of man that you care for him?
⁷You made him a little lower than the angels;
you crowned him with glory and honor
⁸ and put everything under his feet.”

In putting everything under him, God left nothing that is not subject to him. Yet at present we do not see everything subject to him. ⁹But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, now crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.

¹⁰In bringing many sons to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the author of their salvation perfect through suffering.

Meditation

1. Read the passage aloud once.
2. Then read the passage again slowly.  What words or phrases capture my attention the most?  Pause for a moment and ask God to help me understand them and continue to meditate on them.  Why do I think those words or phrases fascinate me?  Are they related to what is going on in my life right now – feelings, circumstances, decisions, etc.?
3. Pray that I will be continually fascinated by God’s glory, honour and majesty.

Personal Note: Jesus Christ's death and suffering brings glory to God.  He overcame death and sin by his resurrection.  Am I living with the hope of God's power?  

Philemon 1:8-21

⁸Therefore, although in Christ I could be bold and order you to do what you ought to do, ⁹yet I appeal to you on the basis of love. I then, as Paul—an old man and now also a prisoner of Christ Jesus— ¹⁰I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, who became my son while I was in chains. ¹¹Formerly he was useless to you, but now he has become useful both to you and to me.  ¹²I am sending him—who is my very heart—back to you. ¹³I would have liked to keep him with me so that he could take your place in helping me while I am in chains for the gospel. ¹⁴But I did not want to do anything without your consent, so that any favor you do will be spontaneous and not forced. ¹⁵Perhaps the reason he was separated from you for a little while was that you might have him back for good— ¹⁶no longer as a slave, but better than a slave, as a dear brother. He is very dear to me but even dearer to you, both as a man and as a brother in the Lord.  ¹⁷So if you consider me a partner, welcome him as you would welcome me. ¹⁸If he has done you any wrong or owes you anything, charge it to me. ¹⁹I, Paul, am writing this with my own hand. I will pay it back—not to mention that you owe me your very self. ²⁰I do wish, brother, that I may have some benefit from you in the Lord; refresh my heart in Christ. ²¹Confident of your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I ask.

Meditation

1. Are there one or more Christians that I have a hard time accepting as brother or sister in Christ?  Why is it hard to think of this Christian this way?  Take time to explore my heart.  Is it the background, ethnicity, behavior, cultural or theological difference, or something else? What would need to change in me in order to accept this person as a Christian brother or sister?
2. Talk to God about this.  Tell Him about my struggle of accepting others.  Thank God that He accepts me and thank Him that He sees me and other believers as no less than His very own children.  Ask God to help me see others with the same eyes.
3. As I encounter people this week who are different from me, remind myself that God sees them with the label “my children” – and that means me too.

Titus 3:1-11

 1Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient,
to be ready to do whatever is good, 2to slander no one, to be peaceable and
considerate, and to show true humility toward all men. 3At one time we too
were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and
pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another.
4But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, 5he saved us, not
because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved
us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, 6whom he
poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7so that, having
been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal
life. 8This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that
those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing
what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone. 9But avoid
foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law,
because these are unprofitable and useless. 10Warn a divisive person once, and
then warn him a second time. After that, have nothing to do with him. 11You may
be sure that such a man is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned.

Meditation
1. The “before and after” snapshot is as applicable to Christian faith as to diet
clinics. In fact, the approach is much more reliable in faith than diet fads.
Christ in the life makes life different. And makes us different too. Salvation is
not merely a matter of eternity, of getting “saved” so we can get to heaven.
It’s a way of life for the community. It isn’t a private matter between the soul
and God but a very public matter between husbands and wives, parents and
children, friends and co-workers, pastors and parishioners.
2. Slowly read through this passage again. Take a moment to think of the
metaphor of the “before and after” snapshot. What is the “before and after”
snapshot of my faith journey? How obvious is the contrast shown?

Titus 2:11-14

 11For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. 12It
teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self controlled,
upright and godly lives in this present age, 13while we wait for the
blessed hope—the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ,
14who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for
himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.

Meditation
1. Paul has a rather long string of exhortations, judgments, and condemnations
for the flock under Titus’ leadership. But now he puts his rebuke in the
context of the gospel. The hard admonitions of the preceding verses ought
to be balanced with this affirmation of faith. Grace comes to all. Yet salvation
has an ethical component: renouncing and training, letting go of our old
selves in order to embrace our new selves in Christ.
2. Ask God to guide me in one or all of these growth:
 □ turning my back on “ungodliness and worldly passions”
 □ taking on a “self-controlled, upright and godly” life
 □ believing that this new life is starting right now “in this present age”
 □ being “eager to do what is good”
 □ other: __________________________________________

Personal Note:
The grace of God is the forgiveness of sins.  When I reflect, when was a time when worldly passion brings joy and peace?  When I live self controlled and upright lives, having hope in Christ, I have joy and peace myself and I naturally was eager to bring this joy and peace to others around me.

Titus 1:1-4

 1Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ for the faith of God’s elect
and the knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness— 2a faith and knowledge
resting on the hope of eternal life, which God, who does not lie, promised before
the beginning of time, 3and at his appointed season he brought his word to light
through the preaching entrusted to me by the command of God our Savior, 4To
Titus, my true son in our common faith:
 Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior.

Meditation:
1. Paul described his mission of proclaiming God’s promise of eternal life as
a high calling. Do I also share this understanding when I share the gospel?
2. Am I a servant of God? Am I engaged in this high calling? Why or why not?
How can my life be promoting the faith among others by word and action?
Take time to consider these questions, being specific.
3. Ask Christ to help me be His servant. Then, remember that I go into this day
as a servant of Christ.

Personal Note:
In whatever I do, I am a servant for God's glory.

Colossians 4:2-6

 2Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. 3And pray for us,
too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the
mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. 4Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as
I should. 5Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every
opportunity. 6Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt,
so that you may know how to answer everyone.

Meditation
1. Expressing Christ in my life is vital to an effective witness. But it is not enough.
The gospel is a message delivered in words, and authenticated by life. Both
word and life must be shared.
2. How well am I doing in sharing the gospel? Which do I need to improve
(word or life) to become more effective in advancing the gospel?
3. From vv5-6, what principles do I want to build into my life as I relate to nonbelievers?
4. Pray and ask the Spirit to give me one or two faces of people in your life
whom He wants me to pray for and share the gospel with.

Personal Note:
I need to improve in the area of sharing the Gospel, both in Word and life in order to become more effective in advancing the Gospel.  I need to have wisdom interacting with non-believers and have my conversations be seasoned with grace.  Right now, I would like to share the Gospel with two high school friends.

Colossians 3:1-5, 12-17

 1Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above,
where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. 2Set your minds on things above,
not on earthly things. 3For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in
God. 4When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with
him in glory. 5Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature:
sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. ......
 12Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves
with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13Bear with each
other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive
as the Lord forgave you. 14And over all these virtues put on love, which binds
them all together in perfect unity. 15Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts,
since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16Let
the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another
with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude
in your hearts to God. 17And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it
all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Meditation:
1. Read the passage and consider these segments included in the process of
putting on the new life.
- A new life is possible (vv3-4)
- Get rid of the old life (v5)
- Put on the new life (v12-14)
- Inner thoughts and behavior needed to put on new life (vv15-17)
2. Which segment of this process speaks to me most right now? Reread the
verses that correspond to that segment. What word or phrase in that segment
speaks to me? Why? How does that idea relate to the other segments? How
does it relate to love “which binds them all together in perfect unit”?
3. Pray back to God the segment that speaks to me, personalizing it. For
example, based on v13, Please help me to bear with XX(someone’s name)
and forgive XX for the grievances I have against XX. Help me to forgive as the
Lord forgave me.

Personal Note:
I have tasted what the new life is like, experienced the blessings of getting rid of the old life, and continue to wrestle with the inner thoughts and behavoirs needed to put on new life.  Everything here sums up in the deep desire to love God.

Colossians 2:16-23

8See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy,
which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather
than on Christ.
16Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard
to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. 17These are a
shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ.
18 Do not let anyone who delights in false humility and the worship of angels
disqualify you. Such a person also goes into great detail about what they have
seen; they are puffed up with idle notions by their unspiritual mind. 19 They have
lost connection with the head, from whom the whole body, supported and held
together by its ligaments and sinews, grows as God causes it to grow. 20 Since
you died with Christ to the elemental spiritual forces of this world, why, as though
you still belonged to the world, do you submit to its rules: 21 “Do not handle!
Do not taste! Do not touch!”? 22 These rules, which have to do with things that
are all destined to perish with use, are based on merely human commands and
teachings. 23 Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their
self-imposed worship, their false humility and their harsh treatment of the body,
but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence.

Meditation:
1. In v8, Paul criticized the Colossian false teaching that is not based on God’s
revelation in Christ but the “hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends
on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world”.
2. In this passage, it was clear that the “elemental spiritual forces of this world”
refer to the rituals and rules of the Old Testament (vv16-17,20). The legalistic
false teachers were probably advocating obedience to the Law of Moses for
justification and sanctification.
3. From these basic mistakes, many wrong manifestations developed:
self-imposed worship of angels, (vv18, 23); strict adhering to rules and self-
denial (vv20-23); indulging in mystic experience it (v18); not focusing on
Christ the head, but rule and rituals of the Old Testament (vv16,19)
4. Am I aware of any false teachings of Christ’s salvation in my own faith belief
or my church or other churches? List them down and bring for a discussion
at the cell. Bring it to the pastors if still not clear.

Personal Note:
People tend to impose legalistic rules and regulations for the sake of personal benefits and protection.  There is a place for policies and regulations out of love to protect people that God treasures (ie) policies in the children ministry to protect children from being led by child predators.  There are many false teachings that I believe is stumbling people everywhere.  Examples are the prosperity Gospel, faith healing ministries where the leader had no accountability and making lots and lots of worldly treasure, Doomsday prophecy (as the time the Jesus Christ comes, no one will know, and only the father will know), etc

How can we tell whether the teaching is true or false?  If the teaching glorifies God and serves the people and not the leader, the teaching is highly likely to be true.  If the teaching leads people to question God and serves the leader and not the people, the teaching is highly likely to be false.

Colossians 1:15-20

 15He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16For by
him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible,
whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him
and for him. 17He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18And
he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from
among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. 19For God
was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, 20and through him to reconcile
to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making
peace through his blood, shed on the cross.

Meditation
1. Stand up and read this passage aloud. Stand prayerfully in a posture that
communicates to God respect and receptivity to His word.
2. The Incarnation means that God expresses His supreme power in this world of space and time in the
person of Jesus. “Christ in you” means that God still expresses His supreme
power in this world – through us! Because this Christ is in us, we do have
hope for glorious things ahead. We will triumph today and tomorrow will
join Christ in glory!
3. Read this passage again. Immerse myself in the supremacy of Christ and
remember that I am in Him and He is in me! Read this verse as a humble
thanksgiving to the mighty God: “Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom
and knowledge of God!”(Rom 11:33)

Personal Note:
Christ is above everything in my life.  As a practical reflection, I was asked to list out three things that are most important to me.  I listed out marriage, ministry, and finance.  God called me to take care of those things by his grace and strength, but when I treat those things more superior than God, those things become an idol.  It is also encouraging to know that Christ is above all the rulers, institutions, and forces in the spiritual realms.

Philippians 4:10-14

 10I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed your concern for
me. Indeed, you have been concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it.
11I am not saying this because I am in need, for. I have learned to be content
whatever the circumstances. 12I know what it is to be in need, and I know what
it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every
situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13I can
do everything through him who gives me strength. 14Yet it was good of you to
share in my troubles.

Meditation:
1. One of the lessons of spiritual maturity is the secret of living well whatever
our financial means. Paul shares this lesson as he thanks the Philippians
for their financial support. Although he is grateful for their generosity, Paul
wants the church to know that in Christ he can be satisfied with any standard
of living, even in prison.
2. In defining simplicity, Richard Foster writes that it is “an inward reality that
results in an outward lifestyle” (Celebration of Discipline). According to Paul,
what is the inward reality? How close am I to experiencing this in my life?
What can I do to encourage it?

Personal Note:
It would be a great blessing when I can live contently in any circumstances, whether I am rich, in need, being in trouble.  This is the sign of true strength and security.  The inward reality is the peace and joy in Christ.  I am praying and asking God to help me experience His presence and His love.  I am to have courage and live with faith.  I can start by having a thankful attitude in what the LORD has blessed me.

Philippians 3:7-11

 7But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. 8What
is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of
knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them
rubbish, that I may gain Christ 9and be found in him, not having a righteousness
of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—
the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith. 10I want to know Christ
and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings,
becoming like him in his death, 11and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection
from the dead.

Meditation:
1. Paul had credentials. His family heritage, training, and zeal would have
secured him a prominent place in the society. But Paul’s encounter with Christ
radically changed his values. When Paul stood face to face with the risen
Christ, his resume did nothing for him. And all that Paul had once considered
assets he now counted as losses. What mattered now was relationship
with Christ. Spiritual formation is learning to recognize and abandon those
things that must be counted as losses in light of our encounter with Christ
(possessions, credentials, attitudes, etc.), so that we might focus on the
“gain” of relationship with Christ.
2. What are the things that I count “gain” but actually are “loss” and may
become “the weight and the sin that clings so closely” (Heb 12:1) for my
heavenward journey? How can I change my perspective and consider
everything as secondary to knowing Jesus as my Lord?

Personal Note:
The things that I counted as "gain" but actually are "loss" are my skills as a swift trader, my attitudes of self dependency, academic pride, lustful images, and empty intimacy.  I changed my perspective by receiving and loving Jesus Christ as my first priority.

Philippians 2:1-11

 1 Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if
any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness
and compassion, 2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having
the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. 3 Do nothing out of selfish
ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4
not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.
5 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:
6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something
to be used to his own advantage; 7 rather, he made himself nothing by taking
the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8 And being found
in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—
even death on a cross! 9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave
him the name that is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee
should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue
acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Meditation:
1. Here Paul encouraged Christians to look at the attitude of humility Jesus
displayed, and adopt it in our relationships with others. It’s no wonder that
Christians have been considered weak, dull, too scrupulous or too cowardly,
to make it big in the world. What the world doesn’t understand is that
Christians choose humility not out of weakness, but out of strength.
2. Whatever basis we might have for believing we are better than others,
all pale to utter insignificance when we see Jesus, willing to abandon His
rightful claim of full equality with God, to not only become a human being,
but even to die on a cross.
3. How would things change if I consistently applied v v3-8 in my family?
Church? Work? Which do I need to work on now?

Personal Note:
Why are family relatively weak today? Why are churches not being the glorious body of Christ today?  Why are we not being effective witness in work and in school today?  If we do nothing out of selfish ambition, but rather in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to our own interests, but to the interests of others.  Family are going to be stronger together, churches will be glorifying God by the growth of the body, and Christians will be effective witnesses at work.

Philippians 1:3-6

 3I thank my God every time I remember you. 4In all my prayers for all of you, I
always pray with joy 5because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day
until now, 6being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will
carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

Meditation
1. Sometimes Christians think of prayer as a last resort when we’re desperate, or
when we are fearful for others. But Paul prayed out of joy, and with supreme
confidence. The Philippian believers had worked in partnership with Paul in
spreading the gospel from the first. And Paul had total confidence that the
work God began in their lives would be carried on to completion, “until the
day of Christ Jesus.”
2. We can have the same confidence when we pray for one another. God won’t
abandon any of His own. We pray for other Christians with joy, and with total
confidence that God is at work in their lives. Why then do we pray? We pray
as an expression of love. And we pray because we believe that God in some
mysterious way uses our prayers to enrich that good work He is committed
to do in His children’s lives.
3. Take a few minutes to put Paul’s prayer into my own words, then apply the
prayer for my cell group and my church.

Personal Note:
I thank God for every person that comes into the community of Crossroad.  Every person is a source of joy and I appreciate that I have the honour to partner with young people in sharing the good news of Christ.  I am confident that by the grace of God, we can do the good work through the love of Christ into the community.

Ephesians 6:1-9

 1Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2”Honor your father
and mother”—which is the first commandment with a promise— 3”that it may
go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.” 4Fathers, do not
exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction
of the Lord. 5Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with
sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ. 6Obey them not only to win
their favor when their eye is on you, but like slaves of Christ, doing the will of
God from your heart. 7Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not
men, 8because you know that the Lord will reward everyone for whatever good
he does, whether he is slave or free. 9And masters, treat your slaves in the same
way. Do not threaten them, since you know that he who is both their Master and
yours is in heaven, and there is no favoritism with him.

Meditation
1. Read the passage; ask the Spirit to call to mind the face of someone that I
know. Take a few minutes to reflect on what kind of child, parent, employee,
or student I am. How do my actions in this relationship compare to the
standard Paul sets? Ponder the models in my life for that role. How were my
parents? How do my role models relate to their employers?
2. Talk to Jesus about this and share with Him any disappointment, gratitude,
or frustration I feel about my own role and my role models.
3. Listen to what Jesus’ telling me in this relationship, to continue growing in
this relationship? Or to change in some specific action? Write it down and
ask for God’s help and reminding.

Personal Note:
I have room to grow to live out the standard that Paul set.  As a servant for the church, I am called to obey them not only to win their favour when their eye is on you, but like slaves of Christ, doing the will of
God from your heart. Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not
men, 8because you know that the Lord will reward everyone for whatever good
he does, whether he is slave or free.  I see my role models living faithfully and wholeheartedly for God.

Let wholeheartedly pray and work for God's sake.

Ephesians 5:1-2

 1Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children 2and live a life of
love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and
sacrifice to God.

Meditation
1. No spiritual practice is as fundamental to our being formed into the Christ
life as imitation. The whole of Jesus’ ministry with His disciples turned on
this practice. When we pretend to be what we are not naturally, Jesus
mysteriously “injects” His kind of life into ours. And here is the most
unthinkable of all – we can imitate God!
2. Stay quietly for a few moments dwell on the words “imitator of God”. What
comes to mind, Excitement? Joy? Shame? Disappointment? Frustration?
Fear?
3. Talk to God about it. Any specific things brought to mind that I should pay
attention to? A change of attitude? Any action to take? Ask for God’s help
today for me to be an “imitator of God”.

Personal Note:
Everything I am to do, I am to do with love.  I need God's help to be an imitator of Him.