Oct 9 - Scrabble Syndrome

Today's ODB is taken from Nehemiah 8:5-11, a time when the chosen people of God lost their homes and went back to the Book of the Law of God.

http://www.rbc.org/odb/odb-10-09-06.shtml

The Author gave a very pointed reminder that : "All of us are susceptible to what might be called "The Scrabble Syndrome"—using words to win religious arguments without understanding and demonstrating their meaning. Bible verses can become weapons against those who disagree rather than life-altering truths to be lived."

This is indeed an inconspicuous danger where Christians who have been growing in the church for a long time (like me) are most susceptible to. Sometimes, we thought we knew the Bible well, we thought we have all the "model answers" to the questions others may posed because we've heard so many sermons/ bible studies' interpretations - but these could be just "head knowledge" and not true understanding with "personal experience" or living the Truth in obedience.

Further to a recent Sunday sermon by Rev. Ricky Yung, let's always remember Psalm 119:10 :
我把你的話藏在心裡，免得我得罪你。
I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. (NIV)
I've banked your promises in the vault of my heart, so I won't sin myself bankrupt. (The Message)

Oct 5 - Only God can make things grow

Today's ODB is from 1 Corin 3 : 5-15 :

http://www.rbc.org/odb/odb-10-05-06.shtml

Paul is such a humble character, while the church was growing and number of believers were increasing...he never take it as his own credit. Yes, it is indeed true that nothing is under our control, not even if we work hard on something, we "must" have 100% return in the way we expected or hoped. Only God can make things grow in the He intended for each of our lives. Everything is grace from God! However, we are to be diligent in whatever we do, as if we are doing it for the Lord because one day (i.e. the Day when Christ returns), everything will show.

7 所以，栽種的算不得甚麼，澆灌的也算不得甚麼，只在乎那使它生長的　神。 ... 13各人的工程將來必要顯露，因為那日子必把它顯明出來。有火要把它顯露出來，那火要考驗各人的工程是怎樣的。14 如果有人在這根基上建造的工程存得住，他就要得到賞賜；15 如果有人的工程被燒毀，他就要受虧損；自己卻要得救，只是要像從火裡經過一樣。