1 Samuel 2:30

What is honour? It is a scout's honour to be commended "What you say is true."
Who is worthy of honor? "To the Lamb who is worthy of praise, glory, honor..." (Rev. 5:12-13). "They honor me with their lips but their hearts are far from me," says the Lord (Isaiah 29:13-15).
Examples of who honor who? Queen of Sheba honors King Solomon (1 Kings 10:10); Jacob honors the Egyptian ruler (Gen. 43:11); Abigail honors King David (1 Sam. 25:23-31); The Shunamite woman honors Elisha (2 Kings 4:9-10); Jesus is honored by the woman of Bethany with her oil (Mark 4:3-9). Psalm 91:14-16 gives us principles of loving and acknowledging God.

1) Treat those in authority with honor (Rom. 13:1-7); pray for them (1 Tim. 1:1-2); obey and submit to them (Heb. 13:17); respect everyone, honor the emperor (1 Pet. 2:17, 20-21).
2)  Treat one another with honor (Rom. 12:10; Matt. 25:40).
3)  Treat our spouses with honor (1 Pet. 3:1-7).
4)  Honor the Lord with our possessions (Prov. 3:9; Mal. 3:8).
5)  Honor the Lord with our bodies (1 Cor. 6:19-20).
6)  Honor our spiritual leaders (1 Tim. 5:17).
7)  Honor our parents (Eph. 6:1-2).

Honor vs. Dishonor within us: to be fit for the Master's use (2 Tim. 2:20-21).
Jesus is our role-model (Psalm 111:3).
We are called to live a life worthy of the gospel of Christ (Phil. 1:27).


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the series of “The Call to Undivided Intimacy”

the 9th Commandment
“The Power of Speaking the Truth”
(Exodus 20:16)
 
“You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.”
The primary purpose of this law is to protect you from false testimonies, and to prevent you from giving false testimonies.
We give a false testimony, when we gossip, slander, libel, exaggerate, give white lies, and half-truths.
When truth is replaced by a lie, deceit or dishonesty in any relationship, that relationship loses its value. This commandment is a great gift from God to protect our relationship.
The truth must be spoken in love (Eph 4:15). The matter is what you have in your heart (Matt 12:34). If we want to speak the truth in love, first we must remain in God’s love. And we ourselves must live in the truth, walk in the light of God, not in the darkness.
Read more... 
 
For LifeNet groups and Personal reflections:
1. What kind of power do our words have?
2. Have you ever experienced finding out that what someone told you about himself turned out to be a lie? How did it affect your relationship with the person?
3. Have you ever had someone come along side you, and tell you the truth in love, though it was something difficult for you to hear? Or have you ever had someone told you the truth to build you up?
4. Why is it difficult to be honest before God sometimes? What is our heart condition like when we can’t be honest before God? Read Psalm 32:3-5.
5. Tell your story about God’s truth, mercy, comfort and encouragement.

NLIF is an international church in Yangon. Come and join our English Sunday worship service! 

Romans 8:6b

"For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. (KJ)"
Here we see the mind contrast in one person depending on his/her own choice.
Being spiritually minded conveys an active response while depending on the Spirit's empowerment.

The Mind - refers to thoughts, will, volition, intentions, purpose, rather than just brain works.
In spiritual warfare we have to win the battle in mind that produces action (thus, "Sow a thought and reap an act").  What matters is which our mind feed on - carnal or spiritual.
In Romans 8:12-14, "To live after the flesh" is contrasted with "To be led by the Spirit of God".
The Spirit lives in us and enables us to live for God, to actively seek God's kingdom and righteousness and to be empowered by the Holy Spirit.

Join our English service of this international congregation in Yangon.

the series of “The Call to Undivided Intimacy”
the 8th Commandment
“A Steward of the Righteousness of God” (Exodus 20:15)
 
 “You shall not steal”. It tells us that we keep righteousness and justice in our dealings with our neighbor because we are created in the image of God. We respect our neighbor’s right of having ownership because they are created in the image of God. We must be a steward of the righteousness of God. 
Read more...

For Lifenet groups and personal reflection
1. People can steal material possessions, people, good name or reputation, and people’s hearts. Give an example for each case.
2. What kind of society would be built when people steal for whatever reason? What kind of culture or character would the relationships in that community have?
3. “There is really nothing wrong with greed since it turns the engines of the market.” What do you think about this comment?
4. What has God entrusted you? What is the challenge for you to be a good steward for what God entrusted to you?
 
NLIF is an international church in Yangon. Come and join our English Sunday worship service.

MP3
If God had a name card, what job title would He have on it?
Psalm 146:6-9 describes God as "the Maker of heaven and earth, the sea and everything in them" and....

• Defends the oppressed,
• Feeds the hungry,
• Sets prisoners free,
• Gives sight to the blind,
• Lifts up those who are bowed down,
• Watches over foreigners/migrants,
• Sustains widows and orphans.

This divine mission was reflected in the Law (Ex. 22:21-22) and in the Prophets (Zech. 7:8-10), and eventually in Jesus' description of His ministry (Luke 4:18-19).

Gospel vs. Good Works, really??
The two are rather complementary than contradictory, if we consider these verses in the New Testament: James 1:27; 1 John 3:17-18; Galatians 2:1-2; Acts 6:1-2; 10:38.

• Christian acts of mercy, compassion and justice have been the mark of the Church from its very beginning.
• The Lausanne Movement (1982) also strongly affirmed this importance: "Evangelism and social responsibility, while distinct from one another, are integrally related in our proclamation of and obedience to the gospel. The partnership is, in reality, a marriage."
• Isaiah 58:1-14 tells us about the right way of true Fasting/Worship acceptable to God:

1. An unpleasant surprise - God rejected his people's sincere acts of humility, sacrifice and worship. Why? Because God also calls them to acts of mercy, compassion and justice for "widows, orphans, migrants and the poor." We cannot do acts of mercy, compassion and justice just as a duty of obedience or obligation. For it leads to an attitude of entitlement (to be seen, noticed and heard as in verses 3-4).
2. From unpleasant surprises to delight and joy - How will you find joy in the Lord and call the Sabbath a delight? (v. 13) The Sabbath points to Jesus, the "Lord of the Sabbath." He is our delight and honor and joy. Deeds done for the least and the last are acts of worship (acts of delight and joy done for Jesus). See Jesus in the least and the last; He identifies with the poor, oppressed and vulnerable.

Come join our English service of the international congregation in Yangon!