Sheep in the new world

When things go wrong, people always look for someone to blame. We just have this urge to blame. Blaming can pacify the weak, it somehow makes them feel in control. To blame is to exert superiority over an individual. To tell them them they are the one who is weak. So the strong takes the blame with silence. With silence because they can take it. What is some blame, what is this beating? Sometimes the strong loves the weak so much they are just trying to protect them. Not wanting to hurt them further, the strong let the weak appears strong, to calm them down, to give them some sort of assurance. But it is so hard to be the one who gets blame sometimes. It's challenging, especially when people are just so clueless on the real issue. All they want to do is to blame.
Oh God please give me the strength to be like you. To forgive even when hatred fills my heart for people who is so clueless. How did you love people like this when You were on earth? How could you even possibly forgave them for what they did to you? Teach me dear Lord!

Who To Blame?

It's quite depressing to read Ezekiel. He was asked by God to proclaim judgment to the Israelite. The people has been deeply engulf by idolatry, even the leaders themselves are guilty of this - 70 of them to be precise (Ezekiel 8) They were worshiping these idols in the temple. So God brought judgment to them using the Babylonians. It's just amazing how people can be so blinded and it will take more than the Babylonian's affliction to turn them to God. So who is to blame? The Babylonians? Of course not. They are just one of God's tools. We would blame the Israelite because they have turn away from their Maker, the only one and only God.

It is so easy for us to veer into the wrong direction when it comes to church. We are always in danger of not acknowledging Jesus' role as the Head of the Church. Jesus is always a sensitive issue and we are forever trying to stay true to the meaning of church without even talking about Jesus. A church has become a friendly neighborhood community service building filled with obliging people rather than the beacon that convicts people of the sins and the need of Jesus' saving grace. Church has assimilated into the surrounding culture rather than to oppose it. It has became a feel good center, a guilt curing place for lukewarm Christians. rather than a conviction and healing place.

When we turn away from the true purpose of serving in a church, God may choose to remove us all from it just like what happen to the Israelite. When people starts raiding the church, it is probably a good time for us to think and consider our ways. Are we being persecuted or is God sending us some warning?

HOPE in suffering

Hope is such a big word we use to show our likes and dislikes, it is like a small part of our gambling world where we would invest in something uncertain and hope things will work our way. Think about people who hope their favorite football team to win a glorious cup, or hope that their kids will become someone successful or hope that investment will make them debt free. Hope that someone we love would turn to God and give up their worldly bondage, hope this girl would be the right one for us to marry. and the list goes on and on. Hope is such a tricky word to use, because when there is hope there is always chances of failures, disappointment, and anguish. Yet everyday we wake up in the morning hoping for something new.
Let me share a different perspective when it comes to hope as defined in the bible.
Isaiah prophecy that Jesus would be the hope of all the world (Matt 12) yet people that time understood that this hope is someone who would deliver them from the rule of the Romans. Paul in 1 Corinthians 15 refuted this claim and said that if "our hope in Christ is only for this life, we are more to be pitied than anyone in the world". Paul concludes that our hope is actually in our resurrection.

51 But let me reveal to you a wonderful secret. We will not all die, but we will all be transformed! 52 It will happen in a moment, in the blink of an eye, when the last trumpet is blown. For when the trumpet sounds, those who have died will be raised to live forever. And we who are living will also be transformed. 53 For our dying bodies must be transformed into bodies that will never die; our mortal bodies must be transformed into immortal bodies.

This hope is also given to us when we confess Jesus Christ is our Lord and live according to His will (Rom 8:24), it is not something that we have to learn or practice, it is the eventual conclusion of our suffering here on earth as we continue to live under His sovereignty and will. Rom 5:3 says

3 We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. 4 And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. 5 And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.

As we can see, the hope offered by God is as solid rock. It is as good as a guarantee. We are not hoping to go to heaven, but we are sure to be there. All our suffering here on earth will only magnify our hope of ressurection. By accepting this hope, we will eventually accept this suffering because we know that this suffering will not last but the reward will be there when we get there.

Rom 8
18 Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will reveal to us later. 19 For all creation is waiting eagerly for that future day when God will reveal who his children really are. 20 Against its will, all creation was subjected to God’s curse. But with eager hope, 21 the creation looks forward to the day when it will join God’s children in glorious freedom from death and decay. 22 For we know that all creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. 23 And we believers also groan, even though we have the Holy Spirit within us as a foretaste of future glory, for we long for our bodies to be released from sin and suffering. We, too, wait with eager hope for the day when God will give us our full rights as his adopted children,[j] including the new bodies he has promised us. 24 We were given this hope when we were saved. (If we already have something, we don’t need to hope[k] for it. 25 But if we look forward to something we don’t yet have, we must wait patiently and confidently.)

Are you hoping for the right thing?

Feel good

Life is so comfortable and at the same time so troublesome. Oxymoron but it's true. On one side we are worry about the rise in petrol price and on the other side we are dreaming of a nice car. On one side we are worry about our health and on the other side we are thinking of what nice food to eat. We are looking forward to achieve our dreams and goals in life, either money wise or children wise but at the same time we are worry if these dreams will steer us away from God. Hard to balance. That is probably the reason why many people has resorted to prosperity gospel.
It's a gospel without any conflict, so they think. You can please God by making lots and lots of money. Great isn't it? Or you can finally use your many hours of prayer seminar to practice, ask for good pay rise and big bonuses. It's just so convenient. We might even be tempted to say " ‘What should I do? I don’t have room for all my crops.’, I know! I’ll tear down my barns and build bigger ones. Then I’ll have room enough to store all my wheat and other goods. ¹⁹ And I’ll sit back and say to myself, “My friend, you have enough stored away for years to come. Now take it easy! Eat, drink, and be merry!”’

I notice similarity on both the approach taken by Jesus and Paul in this regards. In Luke 12, Jesus was talking about people who would rather invest in personal richness rather than having a rich relationship with God. Jesus immediately follow up on verse 35 about His second coming. How if we would take things for granted, thinking we are Christian but not pursing our calling rightly, we might not be ready when He comes to bring us home .

Paul in 1 Thessalonians 5 too talks about people who are disillusion thinking there will not be a second coming or at least not in the life time, people who trust in peace and securities rather than God. They need to be careful because the day of the Lord's return will come like a thief. Thus we are asked to live in the light. We are called to practice our faith to the fullest potential. Live towards our calling.

I guess the lesson for me is not to set my eyes on things which cannot last but rather constantly looking for opportunity to glorify God in any way possible. We do not know how long we have left on earth, 20 more years? 10 more years? 1 more day? Who can say? When the final day arrives, would our hard earned currency buys an escape route? Will our new car drives us away? Can we hide in our newly renovated house? Would all our other investment makes any difference to us?

Matthew 6

¹⁹ “Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. ²⁰ Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. ²¹ Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.

Will you be ready to see God tomorrow?

Anger

How often do we get angry over any issue? I was reading Ephesians 4:26 and it seems to me that we are called to be angry but not for long, then in verse 31 we are called to get rid of anger. Seems contradictory isn't it?
We see in the bible that many godly character produces anger. In the case of Paul when he sees Peter not treating the Gentiles right or when Jesus turn on the market in the temple and how He condemn the Pharisees. We see so many occasion in the Old testament when God is angry especially when people took advantage of the widows and orphanages. Or when the Israelite complains about small matter. Also when God struck Uzzah dead just because he tried to stop the ark from falling. Or David in his Psalm when he expressed his anger towards those who mocked him over his righteousness. Thus after reading all these stories and when we stumble upon Ephesians 4:26 we conclude that it is okay to be angry. So we got angry and we tell ourselves that it is normal and okay to be angry. It is just part of our controlled emotion isn't it?

Before we jump into that tempting conclusion, let us consider a few characteristic of the godly anger from the text above.

1. They were angry because God's law were violated - it is legal anger.
2. The anger is consistent with the holy and righteous character of God.
3. The anger is always in control and slowly provoked.
4. The anger does not lead to sin but grief and prayer.

Thus if any of our anger that does not meet these characteristic, then we should quickly read Ephesians 4:31 - that would apply to self centered angers which we should get rid off. Problem with our self centered anger is it always produce gossips, hatred, bitterness, strive or sometimes physical violence.
Let us consider for a moment how anger has produces so many scars in our relationship with people.

“VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY,” says the Lord. “BUT IF YOUR ENEMY IS HUNGRY, FEED HIM, AND IF HE IS THIRSTY, GIVE HIM A DRINK; FOR IN SO DOING YOU WILL HEAP BURNING COALS UPON HIS HEAD.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good (Romans 12:17-21).

Time to stop the anger and scars. It is not our place to be angry if it is not a godly anger.

I want all things!

How often do we encounter people who just wants everything good in life and they say it can be given to you by prayer. So just claim upon the promise, or make sure your prayer is specific, or pray non stop and such. This reminded me of a movie I saw few weeks ago, a small girl was given some words of encouragement by her dad to do well in her exams, he dad said "If you do well, I will buy you something", the small girl was trilled and without thinking much she ran to her mum and said "Dad said will buy me something I want if I do well in my exams!". Little did she knows the dad did not promise to buy her want she wants, but instead has already decided what to buy for her if she did well in her exams.

Paul definitely wanted the thorns of flesh to be removed from him however by prayer he was reminded that “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness." Jesus on the other hand was praying so hard moments before he was taken to endure through the ultimate suffering, He had to still endure it but was strengthened “Father, if you are willing, please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.” 43 Then an angel from heaven appeared and strengthened him." On both these occasions we see that both Paul and Jesus had to endure what was given them but by prayer they obtain all the strength they need. Prayer is not getting what we want. Prayer to me seems like a process. A process of understanding what has to be given to you, how will you receive it that ultimately strengthen your bond with God.

So what do we ask for during prayer? World peace? Good wealth and health?

Let's take a look at Ephesians 6

10 A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. 12 For we[c] are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.
13 Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. 14 Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. 15 For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared.[d] 16 In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil.[e] 17 Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
18 Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.

Paul's advise was to put on God's armor as the first priority for all believers. That means pray for what God intends us to have. That is pray that we may understand His Word, pray that we want to be holy like Him, pray that we may tell of His great love to everyone and pray that the Holy Spirit may open up our hearts to understand His purpose in our lives.

Then Paul continued " 19 And pray for me, too. Ask God to give me the right words so I can boldly explain God’s mysterious plan that the Good News is for Jews and Gentiles alike" He was asking the Ephesians to pray for boldness. This is significant. Sometimes we think that boldness and the ability to pour out love comes automatically once we become Christian. That is wrong, we need to keep praying for it. Take a look at Philippians 1:9 "I pray that your love will overflow more and more, and that you will keep on growing in knowledge and understanding." Again Paul was emphasizing what they need to pray for - that love will over flow, knowledge and understanding in God's word.

When was the last time we pray for all these attributes? Let me conclude with another scripture (Philippians 4) that tells us to pray for our worries but notice verse 8 we are called to pray while fixing our thoughts on what is true, honorable, right , pure, lovely and admirable. To think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.

When was the last time you prayed?

Break Free At Last!

John 5
Jesus Heals a Lame Man
1 Afterward Jesus returned to Jerusalem for one of the Jewish holy days. 2 Inside the city, near the Sheep Gate, was the pool of Bethesda,[a] with five covered porches. 3 Crowds of sick people—blind, lame, or paralyzed—lay on the porches.[b] 5 One of the men lying there had been sick for thirty-eight years. 6 When Jesus saw him and knew he had been ill for a long time, he asked him, “Would you like to get well?”

7 “I can’t, sir,” the sick man said, “for I have no one to put me into the pool when the water bubbles up. Someone else always gets there ahead of me.”

8 Jesus told him, “Stand up, pick up your mat, and walk!”

9 Instantly, the man was healed! He rolled up his sleeping mat and began walking! But this miracle happened on the Sabbath, 10 so the Jewish leaders objected. They said to the man who was cured, “You can’t work on the Sabbath! The law doesn’t allow you to carry that sleeping mat!”

11 But he replied, “The man who healed me told me, ‘Pick up your mat and walk.’”

I was reading this and was impressed at the sick man response. "The man who healed me told me, "Pick up your mat and walk". Partially because there is the word "mat" (and I sell mat for a living) but mainly because of what he implied. To me he was saying, as long as that man healed me, then he has the authority to tell me break your Jewish rules! That mas was healed and set free from his sickness because he broke the rules that has bonded him for so long. Have you break free from your bondage to follow Christ? He is asking you today.

Only the B I B L E

Aren't we all crooks? All looking after our own interest. All of us are salesman by profession. We have something to sell and hope someone will buy what we are selling at the highest price. Whether you're selling insurance, floor mats (that's me), a teacher, babysitter, taxi driver or lawyer. We always have something to offer...we are also always looking to "upgrade" ourselves, either by getting an extra certificate, taking on a selling course or performing plastic surgery. All in the name of selling. Who says you need a physical material to sell? We are always learning how to sell our body for money. I recently graduated from a selling course and learned how to be assertive and aggressive. How to excecute some relentless selling method all in the name of being a better worker. Isn't this all we learn when attending a training course? Why isn't there any course that teaches on patience, gentleness or forbearance with one another out of love? Because these don't make you any money. Instead sometimes it will cost you money. I was reading Ephesians 4 and Paul was urging his readers to do these. I thought to myself this is most of what we learn about in the bible isn't it? Problem is, it's probably the only place on earth that teaches it. Parents are too busy teaching children how to beat their classmates in every subject, employer is looking forward to utilize the employee and churches are too busy building basement car parks, gym room and sauna room for their members. Where else if not the bible?

While We Were Still Sinners...

Christ died for us.... such great mystery that will take us our whole lifetime to understand His love for us.
Found this great clip online. Just to demonstrate even in the mist of dying, people failed to understand. Such loneliness Jesus must have felt that time....

Let us mourn.....

Good Friday painted a gather gruesome picture in my memory. Blood steam down from my friend's face as he finally understood why he was the only one who volunteered to play to role of Jesus. Wanna be soldiers waving nylon string on his already painted red backside, hand and feet. As he crawl towards the pulpit on all four carrying that heavy cross, I can hear a few woman weeping and crying. The mood was intensely down and low. At the end of the play, my college mate whom I had invited came and told me that will the last he ever step foot into a church. We said goodbye and I have never seen him since. My hope is that God will touch him in His own mysterious ways and lead him to salvation but to my limited understanding, that play was too intense for him. Can anyone blame him?

Only a person after receiving Christ and understanding about redemption of sins can actually see the full picture of Good Friday. Even Jesus' disciples did not understand why He had to die minutes before He was apprehended. One disciple took matters into his own hand and "defended" Jesus. They were lost and confused when Jesus died and one even doubted when Jesus Himself appears after He was raised from the dead. So how can I blame my college mate for hating this play and did not want to have anything to do with a religion that worship a person they call God, but had to suffer as such.

Perhaps sometimes we take the Holy Week celebration a bit too "seriously". Not that I am saying anything against any play or fasting or partaking Holy Communion or abstinence or even showcasing The Passion of Christ yet again. These are beneficial but question is what does it edify to do it only during the Holy Week (not that I am saying this week is any special than any other week)? Are we dependent on this week to make us closer to God? I am always being critical on rituals and practices people do during certain period to identify themselves as Christians.

Let me make my point a bit clear, I was reading Ephesians 3 and I notice Paul was reaffirming his commitment to minister to the Gentiles. Background story is a bit long but the summary is; the Jewish community thinks they are the chosen people, and if the Gentiles wants to be saved they need to conform to some Jewish traditions, like being circumcised (Acts 15:1). Salvation will be provided through the seed (not seeds) of a woman and that is Jesus Christ. Thus the reconciliation between the Jewish and Gentiles is imminent by the death and resurrection of Christ. Jewish people certainly don't like to hear it. All these while they thought they are the special one. Gentiles on the other hand are more than glad to hear this good news and because of Jewish rejection of Christ, many Gentiles have come to faith. These are good news, results from interpreting the gospel the right way.

I think by making the Holy Week about ourselves is pushing us to act like the Jews. Some of our Good Friday play or things we do segregate the non-believers from the supposedly family of God even more. How will doing the things we do during this week conveys the gospel to them? We need to ask if we are actively looking to seek the lost and not making it harder for them to come to Christ. Let us not use the Holy Week to edify ourselves only (assuming there are benefits from doing the things we do during the Holy Week). If not then how are we any different from the Jews? Isn't this week a point of rejoicing for all of mankind? Everyone has been given a second chance, everyone can be saved, this is just too big news to contain. So let us consider for a moment on what we are going to do and how it can be part of God's plan.

Searching now....

I officially ended my bible study teaching role last Saturday. My move will prevent me from being actively involved in the grooming and edification of God's word. I don't really know the impact of my involvement to others these few years but I do know a little of the impact on my personal life. God has taught me so many things throughout the process of preparation and studying His Word for the purpose of teaching. I thought I knew some when I was asked to lead, but realize I know nothing at all, hence the reason why He has asked me to take on that role. So now I have to ask Him, where do you want me to go next? What do you want me to learn next?

God would rather die?

Just couldn't help noticing a great surge of songs lately on how God would die for us, or we are so precious in His eyes or that He would give everything because of His love for us and some of the other emotional songs. Songs that will peel the outer layer of our emotional barriers and present our true emotion during worship. Songs that will lead us into submission and songs that somehow unite all worshiper. Isn't that wonderful? and isn't that very secular? Thinking about it, Christian songs has been guided by the lyrics of the secular love song. Sometimes we can even sing a secular love song in church, as long as the song leader has indicated that the person we are singing is to Jesus. Same secular songs can bring us into a strong state of emotional imbalance. Songs that comes "from the heart" and songs that synchronizes "headbangers" rhythm. Songs that want to make you jump and sing, lit a candle or just songs that make you want to desire more and more. Sometimes we sing God is waiting for us to take a step closer to Him, or He is waiting for us to make that step of faith or He would rather die than live without us....... these songs just put too much credit on ourselves and too little on God.
Well, perhaps let us consider these few points first.
1. God has predestined us from the beginning of time to be His child.
2. Man is born with sin and all are the same in His eyes, there is no Gentile nor Jews. Everyone is equally hopeless and sinful. Nothing they can do about it.
3. God extend forgiveness to all who accept His provisions of sins, that is Jesus Christ.
4. God gets all glory if a person accepts Jesus Christ or even reject Him.
5. God will fulfill everything that He has set out to do from the beginning of time.

So I guess the questions are, did those songs teach us about these great truths? About the fundamental of our faiths? Or just make it more accessible and acceptable by today's standard of songs?

Our God Is Great!!!

How great is our God? I know this can be a statement to tell the world the greatness of our God but really, how powerful is He? If He is so great or powerful, then why this happens or that happens or why this or why that. We sing God is powerful all the time in church but most people don't actually see it that way. They think we are just merely doing it to please our God, or we are delusional, blinded by the western way of worship, adopting their culture and ultimately their God. Derren Brown certainly tries to prove it is not by God's power that saves a person. Certain scientist even thinks the universe can and will create itself from nothing.
Regardless, here are some points to consider when we shout our God is a powerful God.

1. Power of God is related to His eternal purposes. He is able to accomplish and fulfill everything He has purposed and promised. Our hope is therefore certain and we can hold on to it in mist of suffering and tribulation.

Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, or of me His prisoner; but join with me in suffering for the gospel according to the power of God (2 Timothy 1:8).

2. As a Christian, the power of God is a comforting knowledge, however it is a warning to those who refuses to believe and obey Him.

17 For it is time for judgment to begin with the household of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? 18 And if it is with difficulty that the righteous is saved, what will become of the godless man and the sinner? (1 Peter 4:17-18).

3. Power is sometimes used by Christian to "exploit" it for their own selfish gains. Big bonus, bigger salary or good health. Knowing God's power should veer us into doing His will, instead of asking Him to accomplish our selfish desires. We can pray with confidence when we pray for what He has purposed or promised.

3 You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures (James 4:3).

39 And He went a little beyond them, and fell on His face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; yet not as I will, but as Thou wilt” (Matthew 26:39)


4. His power is clung by the weak, not by the already powerful people. A friend of mine has been called into a ministry recently and tells me she is incapable and inexperience to lead the team. She was discourages and on the verge of giving up. I reminded her that God only select the weak so that He can display His power and glory in them. All she is required to do, is to be a willing vessel and God will use it.

But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the surpassing greatness of the power may be of God and not from ourselves (2 Corinthians 4:7).

And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may dwell in me (2 Corinthians 12:9).

For indeed He was crucified because of weakness, yet He lives because of the power of God. For we also are weak in Him, yet we shall live with Him because of the power of God directed toward you (2 Corinthians 13:4).

Let us look to Him, who has all power, and who freely employs it to fulfill all His purposes, for His glory and for our good.

That I may know Him, and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death (Philippians 3:10).

Now to Him who is able to do exceeding abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen (Ephesians 3:20-21).

Hard Christianity

While Kevin is eager to reach his 50 mark, many people are trying to lose weight. Some are getting married so have to look good for the wedding, life after that? Sometimes I think Christianity is like that. It's so easy to take the short cut way to make it looks good. I have been thinking about it and instead of relying on the Holy Spirit to reveal things to us, we sort of take the easy way so in the end we may look good.
Not to say these method are not good but these are capable of diluting the actual meaning of the gospel. Being capable is always a potential danger and should be kept in check at all times. Point form sermon is easy, commentary is hard, singing hillsong is easy, hymn is hard, reading daily bread is easy, reading the bible is hard, dressing up nicely to church is easy, going with a sincere heart is hard, giving 10% is easy, give your all is hard, reading Psalm is easy, every other book is hard, memorizing only scriptures is easy, understanding the whole story is hard, loving a church member is easy, rebuking them out of love is hard and the list goes on and on....
We have to remember how to come to know Christ in the first place, it is by pure revelation from the Holy Spirit that made us understand His gift of redemption, thus being reveled the mystery that has alluded many man. So don't be scared tackling the hard part of being a Christian. The Holy Spirit given will reveal.

Ephesians 1

³ Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. ⁴ For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love ⁵ he^[b] predestined us for adoption to sonship^[c] through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— ⁶ to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. ⁷ In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace ⁸ that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding, ⁹ he^[d] made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, ¹⁰ to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ.

¹¹ In him we were also chosen,^[e] having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, ¹² in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. ¹³ And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, ¹⁴ who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.

And I'm leaving... on a jet plane, don't know when I'll be back again...

For the first time I will need to buy a one way ticket to a place. I thought the only time that would happen is when I die and hopefully won't be featured in Discovery Channel as one of those people who came back from the dead. But yeah, it's a new place and perhaps a new life. Sometimes it's hard to let go but life is full of parasite that tends to latch on to you unknowingly. Things just somehow have their own way to "get stuck" and almost always it gets stuck "on" you. So many things can get stuck and soon it built up into a nice comfortable comfort zone. So comforting that we will always spend all our time and resources feeding these "stucking" parasite. Leaving is always a challenge because you don't know for sure what will happen. Only 3 things in life you can be sure, death, tax and Jesus' gift of redemption... but moving to a new environment? Maybe Bear Grylls can do a show on "how to open up your eyes and start a new life in a new place", i think that would be useful especially in a place like Singapore. Or a "how to get to work on time without taking the mrt or bus during peak hour". Maybe he can share some insight how to make an instant flying fox trail and get me to my office from my condo. Or "how to stay in a nice place but not paying for it". Instead some of his recent shows were, how to survive in a freezer.... well, this is Malaysia, living in a freezer is a dream come through or the one of the show "how to save a person who catches on fire during bbq".... well, why bother? more food for everyone. Imagine BBQ roasted Sean's butt or Kevin's belly for dinner? Wouldn't that be nice?

Somehow God is asking me to put my trust in Him, probably something that I have slowly let go, it happens and I am glad to be called to trust in Him again. He loves me, so much, that He is asking me to put my job, family and life in His hands. This is what I am learning again from this "great migration". I don't know how long this lesson will last, but surely long enough to accomplish His will in my life.

Adios!

Leaving Malaysia

Today there is an interesting article on the newpaper on professionals that decided to leave MY to further develop their talent or earn more oversea. What they say is pretty true, like increasing corruption, racism and some I better not mention. Anyway, it makes you wonder and think, what am I going to do? Find better opportunity elsewhere? Strive to make the impossible change? Or pray and hope nothing bad will happen to you or your love ones?
Today, I came across this scripture Psalm 11:3 “If the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?” The question was being asked of David by his friends. The NIV translates this: “When the foundations are being destroyed, what can the righteous do?” Or “what is the righteous one doing?” David’s friends had become fainthearted and depressed over national conditions. They were suggesting that David should flee to the mountain where he fled from Saul. The question relates to a time when law and order were being destroyed. It may have been when Absolom, David’s own son, was seeking to usurp his throne. Or as some suggest, it may have been when Saul was seeking to kill David. Regardless, the foundations refer to the law and order of society based on the Lord’s protective rule through the absolutes of the Word

The sovereign Lord sits on His heavenly throne, not indifferently, but observantly. He is working out His purposes on earth. Though transcendent, God is also intimately and immanently involved with mankind, especially those who trust Him. David then reminds us that while the Lord tests the righteous and the wicked, He never forsakes the righteous who can, by faith, behold His face and thus experience His strength and courage. The righteous can experience His peace now in the midst of any situation and will one day experience His presence and blessings in God’s eternal kingdom.

What does this mean to us in our day? The righteous need to know what to do and then do it because they know and believe that God sits in the heavens observantly. Withdrawing, becoming bitter, angry, depressed, diseased in our attitudes, or seeking sinful ways of escape is not what the righteous should do.

I am reminded of what Daniel said about those who truly know God. Daniel 11:32 refers to the godless, humanistic mind-set and activity of the last days, especially in the days of the Tribulation. Satan will promote and use this humanistic and demonic mind-set to advance his end-time system and the Man of Lawlessness (the Antichrist). The objective will be to turn people away from God and His covenant promises in the Savior. But Daniel 11:32b tells us even then, as bad as that will be, God will have His remnant who know Him intimately. Regardless of the pressures, they will display strength and take action. We are getting a taste of this now, as Israel did in the time of Antiochus Epiphanies around 175-164 B.C.

By: J. Hampton Keathley, III

Social Concern or not?

I can't help it but think there is a lot of stuff going on nowadays on social concern. Giving to the needy and the poor. Helping those who are suffering. There has been countless sermon on it, especially last week and in the news and also in our blog. I believe this is our responsibility because Jesus cares for them more than anyone in those days. The feeding of thousands, the ministry to the Samaritan woman, the healing to the blind and deaf, the sermon on the mount and the emphasis to care for the orphan and the widow. Then we get to Matthew 25: 31-46. Is this verse is all about social concern? I don't know man, it's really hard to see why is that so. If we would take verse 34 and just preach just this verse, then probably but that is not a good way to understand the bible. Well I am no scholar and certainly don't have the paper to prove any knowledge but just some simple minded amateur.

1. Notice that Jesus is actually still answering / talking about the sign of the end of age from chapter 24? That is why in verse 31, He speaks of "When the Son of Man comes in glory, and all the angels with him....". This will only happens during the end of age right?

2. Verse 32 and verse 34 talks about sheep and goats. Like a separation thing going on here. Some preacher says that this is our choice, if we want to be sheep or goats. But notice in verse 34, He said "...take the inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world". This is inline with the theology of how we are all predestine to be here. None of our action should make us goat or sheep. No doubt it is our mouth that confess Jesus is our Lord, but that is because His spirit enables us to do so. This is also in line with the fact that salvation is by grace alone. Hence we don't choose to be a goat or sheep.

3. Verse 35 is probably the most used verse to promote social concern, but how does this fit in with the context of the scripture here? Jesus is speaking of the end of age, and how his sheep will be selected to inherit the kingdom. Why suddenly go to talk about helping the needy? One can say, it is probably because He was explaining the action of a typical sheep. To be a sheep we should do this and that. And if we failed to do those, we are actually goat. Well that is probably right, except a few fact about those people He was speaking to. He was speaking to a narrow minded Jews about selection. His disciple in a perfect world would imagine heaven filled with Jews and Jews only. These disciple was puzzled when Jesus minister to the Samaritan woman, because they still did not manage to overcome the culture barrier of speaking to a non Jews or to a woman or to a sinner of many husband. Remember also even when Jesus was lifted up to heaven, preaching the gospel by a disciple to a non Jew is still a struggle.

4. Perhaps Jesus was conveying the message that the gospel has to be preached to everyone when the end of age comes. By using the illustration of "helping the least brother of mine", He is actually asking the disciple to identify themselves with the non-Jews, something to the disciple is the "least". By identifying themselves with them, is the real purpose of the gospel. To preach the gospel to the "nation". In verse 32, Jesus uses the word "nation" as well indicating the selection of sheep and goat will not be Jews as sheep and non Jews as goat, but a selection of the whole nation. To identify yourself with other less fortunate people and spreading the news of Jesus saving grace beyond your church wall is the gospel itself. Helping the needy is one dimension to look at, but the whole point is to bring the gospel to unify people of all races, all background and all nations.

Just my 2 cents.

As we struggle through...

life, we often get bogged down with so many unnecessary distraction. So caught up with something so wasteful, promoting endlessly our own selfish agenda with no end in striving and struggle and dissension. Why can't we serve God excluding our own agenda? Why gossips and enviousness also plays a role in our serving? Can't we just serve God without thinking of our own comfort? Why does our personal ambition has to be part of our consideration to serve? It is difficult because I believe we carry too much in our race to the end. We are running this race, the race to reach our final goal.

Hebrews 12

1Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. 2Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Faces

It's been some time since I posted Sh's picture. So I thought it would be cool to post some up here. Couple of months ago, my hard disk crashes. It contains some of the most valuable videos and pictures of him screwing up.... But I guess those are images we have to remember in our head from now on.


Posing as a ________ (please fill up the blank, most creative answer by end of this week will be awarded)


Watching Green Zone for the second time so he can have an excuse to eat junk food


Giving his most handsome shot

Psalm 73

Partial article by: Bob Deffinbaugh

In one sense, verse 1 is the conclusion of the matter. Asaph believed that God existed, that He was good, and that He was sovereign. In another sense, however, this verse was the basis of the psalmist’s problem. If God exists, and He is good so as to reward the righteous, and He is all-powerful, totally in control of His creation, then why is it that in God’s world the wicked seem to be doing better than the righteous? Aren’t the facts inconsistent with Asaph’s faith? How can God be good to the pure in heart if observation convinces us that sinners succeed and saints suffer?

This is a serious spiritual issue and one that has precipitated widely diverging explanations.

1. The atheist answers by explaining that there is no God.
   
2. The cynic says that there is a God, but denies that He is good. Life is just one of God’s cruel jokes.
   
3. The liberal believes that there is a God who is loving, good, and kind. He explains suffering by denying the sovereignty of God. God is all-good, but not all-powerful. As a liberal preacher once said in the funeral message he delivered for a young wife and mother who died of cancer, “I am convinced that it was not the will of God for this woman to die.” He believed in God’s existence and His goodness, but not in His greatness. If it was not God’s will for that woman to die, and yet she did die, God must have been willing, but not able, to spare her from death.

So in light of all these, sometimes it is tempting to want things of the evil ones. To desire to be in the tent of the wicked one instead. To focus our attention to gain, since the evil ones are enjoying it and seem to be blessed, why couldn't I?

Have a read in Psalm 73 and ask God to open your heart to His message.

continue next week.....