Here are some tools to help you in your daily devotional life.
Email devotionals
• Our Daily Bread: http://odb.org/
• Purpose Drive Life by Riick Warren: http://profile.purposedriven.com/
• Upper Room: http://www.upperroom.org/devotional/email/
• Daily Growth by Ken Boa: http://www.kenboa.org/text_resources/daily_growth
• Everyday with Jesus by Selwyn Hughes: http://www.crosswalk.com/devotionals/everydaylight/
Bible Reading Plans
• http://www.desirespiritualgrowth.com/resources/bible-reading-plans/
Daily Audio Bible (both available as podcasts)
• Daily Audio Bible: http://www.dailyaudiobible.com/
• Faith comes by hearing: http://www.faithcomesbyhearing.com/
Tools for Bible Memorization
• http://www.desirespiritualgrowth.com/resources/bible-memory-plans/
Prayer
Meditative Prayer: http://sacredspace.ie/
Conflict Resolution Brochure
Download
Tips for New Christians
Download 1 Download 2
S.H.A.P.E.
Spiritual Gift Assessment
Heart
Abilities
Personalities
Experiences
Catechism:
http://www.newcitycatechism.com/intro.php
Fasting:
Friday Fasting at Community Church Hong Kong (Lent 2013)
Giving
“…see that you also excel in this grace of giving.” 2 Corinthians 8:7
Why does God want you to excel in the grace of giving? God gives to you so he can give through you. The Bible tells us that everything we have is a gift from God (1 Chronicles 29:14). As you give both faithfully, the world is changed for the glory of God. Giving is a grace – not something we work for, but give thanks for. We need to excel in it because the more we do, the more we become like the Father, who gave his Son, like the Son who gave his life, and like the Spirit who continually gives us spiritual gifts, teaching, comfort and encouragement. Read A Biblical Journey in Stewardship by Pastor Steve Gaultney.
What is a tithe?
A ‘tithe’ literally means ‘a tenth’, and can be interpreted different ways, e.g. on gross or on net income. Malachi 3:6-18 teaches about the tithe as something we owe to God, and Jesus confirms this in Matthew 23:23 while warning us not to let any legalism overshadow the love, worship and social justice intended in the tithe, i.e., the tithe was made for us, and not us for the tithe.
Today, some would say that we are no longer under ‘the law’, and therefore not required to tithe. Jesus seems, however, not to have lowered the standard, but praised those for giving their all (old woman and “the mite”, Mark 12:41-44). The tithe for many is where we start, but each needs to seek God on the question of amount. C.S. Lewis wisely said, “I do not believe we can settle how much we ought to give. I’m afraid the only safe rule is to give more than we can spare.”
Ways to give?
It is a good spiritual discipline to set aside a sum each month as a sacrificial offering. Maybe you don’t feel ready to commit 10% right away. Just start a bit at a time and challenge yourself to increase that percentage.
Can I just donate at the end of the year to make things simpler? Of course you can donate whenever you wish. However, the Bible does talk about giving to God the First Fruits of what you have. This means the first and the best goes to God to truly honour Him. If more people are willing to make regular financial commitments, perhaps on a monthly basis, as a church we can plan our resources better.