Cell notes for 24 may 2009
Cell activity:
“Think about one thing for the past one week (or month) that you have made happy.”
- Mmm...interesting activity for us to do during QT? =)
Bible Verse: Psalm 1: 1 - 6
1 Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers.
2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night.
3 He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.
4 Not so the wicked! They are like chaff that the wind blows away.
5 Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous.
6 For the LORD watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.
Verse 1:
Progression: Walk, Stand, Sit.
Walking: Something like following. Counsel: Work of advice, a thought, not action yet.
Stand: You pause. Way: Following the way which is more behavioural and involving more action.
Sit: You join their cam and become more like them. Seat: Permanent already.
Verse 2:
Law: Knowing God and his ways and Knowing Jesus as Lord God;
- It takes time and patience to learn his commands.
Meditate:
- Being aware and having God in mind could be a way of meditating.
- Focusing on God himself.
- Think, understanding, Remember, Live and do it “day and night”.
What are some creative ways we can come up with to engage deeper with God’s word?
- Discovering delight in following his ways.
- Use different ways that appeals to different people to enjoy the presence of the Lord, like listening to music if you enjoy music, or if you want to memorise, write verses and paste everywhere as a constant reminder.
- Depend on the Holy Spirit. Let it help guide you and teach you. Hebrews 10: 15. Reading the bible to confirm what the Holy Spirit deposited in our minds. When we read the word, the Holy Spirit will open our hearts to the words of Jesus. One way to awaken the Holy Spirit is to pray in tongues.
- Start with psalm or paragraph of scripture.
- Read repeatedly until you can memorize
- Summarize the main point
- Summarize the principles
- Think through and ask god to apply truth of our life
- Apply the truth and watch the difference God can make
Verse 3:
Uses simile: “Like a tree...”
“A tree planted by streams of water...” will naturally grow and prosper, just like when a person follows the word of God, he will “naturally” and eventually prosper.
The tree is used to represent the “Cross”. The water is used to represent the “word of god”. When we are in Christ, we will prosper in his word and yield the fruit. “Planted” also refers to the roots or washing our feet regularly with the word of God.
Verse 4 - 5:
Reference to Malachi 3. Chaff: Like raw rice or wheat covering. It’s easy to be blown away without firm roots grown into the grown.
Wind: Holy Spirit? Acts 2:2-4: A strong wind came and they began to speak in tongues. Well, may or may not be in this context.
2Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled
the whole house where they were sitting. 3They saw what seemed to be tongues of
fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4All of them were filled
with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled
them.
Think of people you know who may be like the chaff. What do their lives seem to be rooted in? How contented are they? What about us?
Joy is without context, despite circumstances. Happiness is based on the circumstances. Happiness can be based on the things that they think they like to do. Usually, it is after that they achieved happiness that they aim for that they will find that it is so empty. The real challenge is realigning to what it the purpose of what you want to do.
Verse 6:
Matthew 5:13-16: Good summary of those who are blessed. Us being salt and light for the earth.
13"You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men.
14"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. 15Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.
16In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven. Are these verses are those that stand out to us, that at first appear opposite to happiness, but now have a deeper meaning?
Are we cheerful or weary that God is watching our ways? Mark 14:28. God goes before us.
More applicable is how others can see the delight and joy that we are based on.
We have to be real to share about our fears, but still also say our delight in the God. Even the bible says that we have to weep with the weep. We should not be hypocritical and we are not perfect.
Further reference: “The Blueprint for Happiness” by Greg Laurie.
"Hee, this time updated earlier! =) Enjoy!!"
Best regards,
Yi Xian
