Hello friends, welcome back to the series. Before we continue our lesson today, let’s review three important factors in the fellowship with God: time, space and attitude. And definitely, the necessity of devotions to the life of a Christian. It is like breathing and eating. Our fellowship with God will make a difference in our lives.

Bible Reading

Although some people find it hard to understand Scripture and feel that the instructions are uninspiring, we need to recognize the historical background to the Son of God. And those who truly want to practise a devotional life should never give up because of that. You may start by reading some Scriptures such as Psalms and the Wisdom Books (including Proverbs, Ecclesiastes etc.) in the Old Testament. Or, you can begin reading the Gospel of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John – this is an easy way to understand the life of Jesus Christ. Bible study refreshes you spiritually.

1) The Rational Method of Bible Reading

When reading a passage of the Scripture, the emphasis is on the analysis of the Scripture and asking questions to seek God’s will. For instance, we may ask “What does this passage say?” to dig into the scope and content of the passage.

Let’s take Matthew 6:24-34 as an example. The author begins with a major premise. Verse 24 says, “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.” Then, he exhorts us not to worry about daily needs, using the illustrations of birds in the sky and lilies in the field. This is the theme of this passage. 

We then asked ourselves, “What is the purpose of this passage?” to investigate the main ideas or message within the passage. This specific passage in the Gospel of Matthew encourages readers not to worry about life, lest they become a slave to striving after gain. Contrary to this, we should seek first the kingdom and righteousness of God to allow God to be the Master of our lives and livelihood. When a person always worries about money, he becomes a slave to money and his soul will be mastered by money. But, if one seeks God’s kingdom and righteousness, and let God truly rule, and be the first in his life; then that person will live the life of God’s righteousness. Tranquillity will manifest in his life and provide the opportunity to experience life in a deeper way.

Now, “What this message within this passage mean to me?” This is what we ought to ask often because it involves the subject of application. Instead of focusing on knowledge, our devotion should let the Scriptures transform our lives: by humbly and obediently responding to God’s Word and applying and making it our lifestyle. Thus, one can experience the promise of God. God says, “That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither—whatever they do prospers.” (Psalm 1:3) When we hear God’s Word, meditate conscientiously and assimilate it into our lives; then we can encounter the reality of God. God does not stay as an abstract idea, but one whose promises are true. However, a rebellious person, who is unwilling to obey the Word of God, will be unable to come into contact with God’s wonders. Therefore, brothers and sisters, the focus of  Bible reading lies in analysis, thinking and transformation.

2) The Listening Method of Bible Reading

This method is to read the Bible with your ears engaged. What does this mean? It means you’re listening when reading the Bible – the Word of God is the primary focus. The Holy Spirit speaks to the person – the object – through the Scriptures. When He speaks to me, He is the subject.

The rational method of Bible reading often means that God’s Word becomes the object; and the reader, the subject. That is to say, I decide which passage to read - I determine.

However, this is not the case with the listening method. When you read your Bible, God could speak to you through any passage. He is active and the subject. Once He speaks to you, the Holy Spirit speaks to you through His Word, which moves your heart. You calm down and listen attentively. And after listening, you accept and obey. Hence, you encounter God. If a person is moved and does not act or obey accordingly, over time, he/she will no longer hear God speaking. And that will be extremely regrettable.

Friend, reading the Bible is not only to understand, but also to experience, “For the word of God is alive 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” (Hebrews 4:12 NIV). This is vital. Do read again Matthew 6:24-34 with the two different methods and you will have a different experience.

For devotions in the morning, Rev Caleb Su, the author of this series, prefers the listening method. He says, “As I get up in the morning, like Samuel did, I said to the Lord, “Speak Lord, for your servant is listening.” It is wonderful to read the Scriptures in this manner, to experience the Holy Spirit speaking to you through Bible passages. It is unnecessary when you are listening, to analyse God’s Word and ask, “Is this reasonable? Is this passage logical?”

Rev Su gave another example. He said, “My wife and I passed by a jewellery shop in a department store that sells gold items. As we passed by, she held my hand firmly and said, “I love you!” It was strange to me at the moment. Did she express it purposefully? While I was still pondering, we had already passed by the shop. In reality, she did not mean anything more, and she did not want me to buy her gold jewellery. If I was alert to the fact that she just wanted to express love, I would probably immediately say in return, “I love you too! ” and not suspect her intention. Similarly, reading the Bible is not to ask a lot of “whys” but to continually accept and respond instantly to God’s call and request. You will discover and feel how wonderful and beautiful such an experience is.

Why do we have to pray in the name of Jesus?

In 2 Corinthians 1:20, it says, “For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. And so through him the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God.” Further, Hebrews 7:25 says, “Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.”

Friends, prayer is not a form. It is a theological imploration, which the Lord personally instructs us to ask in His name when we pray, and then He will answer. You may refer to John 14:14. As 2 Corinthians 1:20 clearly stated that “For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ.” They are “Yes” in Christ, so “Yes”.

On the other hand, as sinners, we have been reconciled with God through Jesus Christ. Similarly, in prayer, Jesus Christ, the ever-living High Priest conveys our prayers to God and intercedes for us. That means, we could not approach God directly; instead, we must ask “in the name of Jesus Christ”. We, the sinners, can only come before God through Jesus Christ.

And what is the meaning of “Amen”?

Why do we end our prayers with “Amen”?

Deuteronomy 27:15 says, “Cursed is anyone who makes an idol—a thing detestable to the Lord, the work of skilled hands—and sets it up in secret.” Then all the people shall say, “Amen!” And in Jeremiah 28:5-6, it says, “Then the prophet Jeremiah replied to the prophet Hananiah before the priests and all the people who were standing in the house of the Lord. He said, “Amen! May the Lord do so! May the Lord fulfil the words you have prophesied by bringing the articles of the Lord’s house and all the exiles back to this place from Babylon.”

In these two passages, “Amen” clearly means “Yes” or “So be it”. “Amen” said at the end of prayer means, “I am willing to obey the above prayer.” They are words of integrity from within, and may God fulfil them. Brothers and sisters, this is the life of prayer.

Let us pray together.

Dear Heavenly Father, we truly thank You. We are thankful that we can draw close to You through the reading of Bible. Thank You for allowing us to understand Your will through the Bible and thank You for the original revelation of the Bible, which still speaks to us today. We’re willing to listen every day, so that we can continue to understand Your will and obey Your ways, and that our lives will be abundantly enriched. This is our prayer to You. May God initiate good works in our lives through Jesus Christ, and may God hear our prayers through Jesus Christ. Give us the best and that our lives will continue to praise and glorify You. In the Holy Name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.