No matter what we do, how busy we are in serving the church, we should always be reminded of Paul's words to Timothy that we should do in love, with a pure heart, a good conscience, a sincere faith.
No room for hypocrites. No room for self-gain, self-fame or selfish motives. No hidden agendas.
Just a pure heart, a good conscience, a sincere faith, to love God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength.
Saturday, October 22, 2011
Not Ashamed of God's Word - Psalms 119:41-48
In Psalm 119:41-48, the psalmist bold portrays absolute confidence in God's word, in his life, to people around and to God.
He has absolute confidence in God's loving kindness and salvation according to His word. v41
Through His word, he has answer for people who reproach him. v42.
He has complete trust in His word. v42,43
The word permeates to his life, to his actions. He keeps the law continually. v44
He is not ashamed of sharing his testimonies concerning God in his life before kings. v46.
He delights in his word. v47
He meditates on it. v48
Many things to learn from these verses. Especially not being ashamed of sharing God's testimonies before kings. How often we shy away from mentioning God before others. Especially so when we are before people who rank higher in us in society. We tend to discount God, be afraid of how people view us when we mention God, afraid that some disadvantage/inconvenience will come us.
May God forgive us, and help us to be strong and courageous, to share our testimonies of God's grace in our lives before anyone.
He has absolute confidence in God's loving kindness and salvation according to His word. v41
Through His word, he has answer for people who reproach him. v42.
He has complete trust in His word. v42,43
The word permeates to his life, to his actions. He keeps the law continually. v44
He is not ashamed of sharing his testimonies concerning God in his life before kings. v46.
He delights in his word. v47
He meditates on it. v48
Many things to learn from these verses. Especially not being ashamed of sharing God's testimonies before kings. How often we shy away from mentioning God before others. Especially so when we are before people who rank higher in us in society. We tend to discount God, be afraid of how people view us when we mention God, afraid that some disadvantage/inconvenience will come us.
May God forgive us, and help us to be strong and courageous, to share our testimonies of God's grace in our lives before anyone.
Friday, October 21, 2011
A Warning to Repent
Jeremiah 25:8-9 "Therefore, this is what the Lord of Hosts says, 'Because you have not obeyed My words, I am going to send My servant Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, and I will bring them against this land, against its residents, and against all these surrounding nations, and I will completely destroy them and make them a desolation, a derision and ruins forever.'"
Jeremiah 26:13 "So now, correct your ways and deeds and obey the voice of the Lord your God so that He might relent concerning the disaster that He warned about."
In this present age, when the sins of relativism, sexual immorality, the mocking of God, greed, deceit, oppression rule abound in the world, we need to be reminded of God's message through Jeremiah.
The same sins that Judah committed then which caused them to incur God's wrath are prevalent now, if not, even more so then before. We need to heed Jeremiah 26:13.
Jeremiah 26:13 "So now, correct your ways and deeds and obey the voice of the Lord your God so that He might relent concerning the disaster that He warned about."
In this present age, when the sins of relativism, sexual immorality, the mocking of God, greed, deceit, oppression rule abound in the world, we need to be reminded of God's message through Jeremiah.
The same sins that Judah committed then which caused them to incur God's wrath are prevalent now, if not, even more so then before. We need to heed Jeremiah 26:13.
A Christian should have Meaningful Relations
Proverbs 27:17 "Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another."
A Christian is not called to be alone, living for self, just worried about himself. He is to have concern others, considering their interest to be more important than his. He is to commit to a community of believers. He is to be salt and light amongst the unsaved.
He is to have meaningful relationships with people. In doing so, he not only gives and serves others, but also benefits from them. He is 'sharpened' by them. He learns from them, in humility, through others bearing a better imitation of Christ both in knowledge and life.
At the same time, he sharpens others also, in Christ, to sharpen them in the mould of Christ, that together, the community of believers is built up, and God's truth and love is proclaimed to the surroundings.
A Christian is not called to be alone, living for self, just worried about himself. He is to have concern others, considering their interest to be more important than his. He is to commit to a community of believers. He is to be salt and light amongst the unsaved.
He is to have meaningful relationships with people. In doing so, he not only gives and serves others, but also benefits from them. He is 'sharpened' by them. He learns from them, in humility, through others bearing a better imitation of Christ both in knowledge and life.
At the same time, he sharpens others also, in Christ, to sharpen them in the mould of Christ, that together, the community of believers is built up, and God's truth and love is proclaimed to the surroundings.
Being Strengthened Through God's Word
Psalm 119:28 "I am weary from grief; strengthen me through your word."
In our deepest sorrows, griefs, depressions, worries, anxieties, who can we turn to? Often, we sought after a listening ear, a psychologist, a counselor. But above all that, let us turn to the word of God who strengthens us who are weary from grief. He never fails. He doesn't just solve problems at the surface or behavioral level. He solves the root of the problem for us through His sanctifying word.
Let us believe in the sufficiency, in the sanctification, in the salvation, of His word by reading it through and through. Through it, we are strengthened, like eagles soaring with their wings.
In our deepest sorrows, griefs, depressions, worries, anxieties, who can we turn to? Often, we sought after a listening ear, a psychologist, a counselor. But above all that, let us turn to the word of God who strengthens us who are weary from grief. He never fails. He doesn't just solve problems at the surface or behavioral level. He solves the root of the problem for us through His sanctifying word.
Let us believe in the sufficiency, in the sanctification, in the salvation, of His word by reading it through and through. Through it, we are strengthened, like eagles soaring with their wings.
Thursday, October 20, 2011
The Mark of a True Believer
2 Thess 1:4 Therefore, we ourselves boast about you among God's churches about your endurance and faith in all the persecutions and afflictions you endure. It is a clear evidence of God's righteous judgement that you will be counted worthy of God's kingdom, for which you also are suffering,
The modern church movement is emphasizing and encouraging that people stay in their comfort zone of lusts and wants. They even command you that you are to demand from God, to seek material wealth from Him, to seek health from Him. Such are evident from books like "Undeserved/Unmerited Favor", "Victorious Living" by Joseph Prince who centrals his messages around the doctrine of grace. The grace Joseph Prince emphasizes on is health and wealth. He sometimes allows people a peephole view of the cross as a means to avoid hell and a ticket to heaven. And immediately, centrals back to the health and wealth messages
But the grace the bible says is not at all like that. The grace of the bible is CHRIST CRUCIFIED for us. Health and wealth are secondary. They are not a necessity, though God may bless people with it to build the church, not just indulge in themselves. In fact, Christ and the letters of Paul encourages Christians that we are to rejoice in suffering for the Lord. For it is a clear evidence that we will be counted worthy of God's Kingdom.
Flee from the deceptiveness of the health and wealth gospel. This is not the true gospel. This is not obeying the gospel of our Lord Jesus. This falsehood will cause you to pay the penalty of eternal destruction from the Lord's presence.
2 Thess 1:8-9 "taking vengeance with flaming fire on those who don't know God and on those who don't obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. Theses will pay the penalty of eternal destruction from the Lord's presence..."
On the other hand, this is not a doom and gloom gospel.
By delighting and pursuing the true gospel of Christ, by centering on Christ being crucified, by wiling to bear our own cross daily, we are not suffering in vain. We have joy through suffering, knowing that is for the sake of Christ. Through it, we are counted worthy of the Kingdom. Through it, though it seems we lose our lives, we actually gain it. Through it, we earn the crown of righteousness. Through it, we receive praise, as the good, faithful slave of Christ.
The modern church movement is emphasizing and encouraging that people stay in their comfort zone of lusts and wants. They even command you that you are to demand from God, to seek material wealth from Him, to seek health from Him. Such are evident from books like "Undeserved/Unmerited Favor", "Victorious Living" by Joseph Prince who centrals his messages around the doctrine of grace. The grace Joseph Prince emphasizes on is health and wealth. He sometimes allows people a peephole view of the cross as a means to avoid hell and a ticket to heaven. And immediately, centrals back to the health and wealth messages
But the grace the bible says is not at all like that. The grace of the bible is CHRIST CRUCIFIED for us. Health and wealth are secondary. They are not a necessity, though God may bless people with it to build the church, not just indulge in themselves. In fact, Christ and the letters of Paul encourages Christians that we are to rejoice in suffering for the Lord. For it is a clear evidence that we will be counted worthy of God's Kingdom.
Flee from the deceptiveness of the health and wealth gospel. This is not the true gospel. This is not obeying the gospel of our Lord Jesus. This falsehood will cause you to pay the penalty of eternal destruction from the Lord's presence.
2 Thess 1:8-9 "taking vengeance with flaming fire on those who don't know God and on those who don't obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. Theses will pay the penalty of eternal destruction from the Lord's presence..."
On the other hand, this is not a doom and gloom gospel.
By delighting and pursuing the true gospel of Christ, by centering on Christ being crucified, by wiling to bear our own cross daily, we are not suffering in vain. We have joy through suffering, knowing that is for the sake of Christ. Through it, we are counted worthy of the Kingdom. Through it, though it seems we lose our lives, we actually gain it. Through it, we earn the crown of righteousness. Through it, we receive praise, as the good, faithful slave of Christ.
God's Word - My Base, My Delight, My Counselor
Psalm 119:23-24 "Though princes sit together speaking against me, Your servant will think about Your statutes; Your decrees are my delight and my counselors."
The Psalm of 119 uplifts the Word of God to be our life's highest standard, the source of all joy, all truth, all knowledge of God, guiding our lives.
Today, the world might look down upon those who regard the bible as the highest authority. Though they accept the bible as just one of the many religious books that teach morality, but they do not the bible as the absolute, highest, divine authority and Word from God.
Because of this, people will frown upon those who hold the bible as the utmost standard in their lives. They think that such people are wasting their time, investing their resources in vanity, unloving because they are not willing to compromise to other religious standards.
Psa 119:23-24 encourages us that though people may speak against us because of this. Even princes, people of high worldly position, may speak against us. But what we hold on to and controls our thinking, is God's Word.
Yet, this is not just a passive holding on to His Word in spite of opposition, but His Word becomes the delight to our lives. True joy, not dependent on people, conditions and surroundings.
His Word also becomes a counselor to us. Perhaps we are troubled, depressed, God's Word can be a counselor for us.
The Psalm of 119 uplifts the Word of God to be our life's highest standard, the source of all joy, all truth, all knowledge of God, guiding our lives.
Today, the world might look down upon those who regard the bible as the highest authority. Though they accept the bible as just one of the many religious books that teach morality, but they do not the bible as the absolute, highest, divine authority and Word from God.
Because of this, people will frown upon those who hold the bible as the utmost standard in their lives. They think that such people are wasting their time, investing their resources in vanity, unloving because they are not willing to compromise to other religious standards.
Psa 119:23-24 encourages us that though people may speak against us because of this. Even princes, people of high worldly position, may speak against us. But what we hold on to and controls our thinking, is God's Word.
Yet, this is not just a passive holding on to His Word in spite of opposition, but His Word becomes the delight to our lives. True joy, not dependent on people, conditions and surroundings.
His Word also becomes a counselor to us. Perhaps we are troubled, depressed, God's Word can be a counselor for us.
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
The Courage of Wang Ming Dao
"Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus" Php 3:13
"Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it." Luke 9:23-24
On July 30, 1991, Shanghai, China, life was pretty normal. Ships, ferries moved along the Huang Pu river, streets were crowded and it was business as usual. On that morning, a group of men and women quietly slipped into a tiny, one-bedroom apartment in Shanghai to blend their voices and prayers in a memorial service for 91-year old Wang Ming Dao. The service was scheduled to be held the following day, but fearing that there will be too many people, family and friends decided to go ahead with a private memorial service on Tuesday instead of the scheduled Wednesday.
Wang Ming Dao was one of the most influential Chinese Christians to have lived in this century, and you might think it strange that the memorial service was held only in a small, one bedroom apartment where Wang and his saintly wife lived.
However, in China, there is a lot more to think about than flowers and special music. Wang Ming Dao was an ex-convict, having once been sentenced to death row under China'a penal code. When people visited Wang's little apartment, they would discreetly close the blinds to hide their presence from prying eyes.
What was the crime that sent Wang to prison for twenty two years and nine months? The Communist government charged and convicted him of being a "counter revolutionary" and sent him to forced labor in the northern part of China, where worked in a coal mine. His real crime was that Wang was committed to Jesus Christ. When the Communists closed the churches in early 1950s, Wang who was a leader, defiantly said, "They can close our churches but they cannot stop us from worshiping God in the confines of our homes!"
If anyone was a saint, Wang Ming Dao was one. Was he perfect? No. Committed? Yes. At eighty nine, he was hard of hearing and almost blind, yet he was alert, and in spite of everything he had been through, he had retained his sense of humour. In 1981, following his release from prison, Wang wrote of the events in his life in an autobiography called, A Stone Made Smooth. He would often say, he's a stone, but not yet smooth!
Today, the stone has turned into a crown. Wang Ming Dao is part of the reason that the church inside China is among the fastest growing in the world in spite of the repression of a government that is committed to Atheism.
One of the reasons people admire him is that he was so human. Convicted and thrown into prison, Wang began to question the mercy of a God who would allow such punishment on His children, and acknowledging his misgiving, he was released. Out of prison, he felt that he had betrayed Christ like Peter and again stood resolutely for Christ. This time, he was sent back to prison for the long haul.
Authentic saints are not made out of plaster of Paris or painted with gloss enamel. They are real men and women who have tasted the fire of bitter persecution but have found in the flame the presence of Jesus Christ to sustain and strengthen them.
Shortly before his death, when asked what lesson he could share with the church elsewhere, he firmly and resolutely replied, "Tell them to walk the hard road!" Wang Ming Dao was one of the greatest of all time. And at the end of the hard road, he met his Master, Jesus Christ.
“Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you." Matt 5:11-12
"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge will award to me on that day-and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing." 2 Tim 4:7-8
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Saturday, October 08, 2011
Learning from Abraham
Abraham's faith is manifested most at three points.
1. When he obeyed the command of God, not knowing where he would go next, but still departed from his home of Ur to the land God promised him.
Would we leave our comfort zone for more service to God, to obey Him? As we examine our lives, how can we stretch our boundaries, our time, our gifts, for better service to God?
2. When he continued to believe in God's promise that God would give them a son even though Abraham and Sarah were already in old age.
Are you praying for something, waiting for God to answer? As long as it's in God's will, persevere on. Don't lose faith.
3. When he obeyed God's command to sacrifice his son Issac whom he had awaited decades for. But Abraham was still willing to do so for he had faith that God would resurrect Issac.
Would we give up something we love and adore for God? What is the one thing we cherish most? Are we willing if asked to, to give it up for God?
Learning points:
1. True Faith is one of obedience to God
2. Don't solve problems with ways contrary to biblical principles. Ishmael whom Abraham bore with Hagar brought about many problems even till today.
3. That whatever it is we experience, be it good for bad, in Christ, God has planned it for our good.
1. When he obeyed the command of God, not knowing where he would go next, but still departed from his home of Ur to the land God promised him.
Would we leave our comfort zone for more service to God, to obey Him? As we examine our lives, how can we stretch our boundaries, our time, our gifts, for better service to God?
2. When he continued to believe in God's promise that God would give them a son even though Abraham and Sarah were already in old age.
Are you praying for something, waiting for God to answer? As long as it's in God's will, persevere on. Don't lose faith.
3. When he obeyed God's command to sacrifice his son Issac whom he had awaited decades for. But Abraham was still willing to do so for he had faith that God would resurrect Issac.
Would we give up something we love and adore for God? What is the one thing we cherish most? Are we willing if asked to, to give it up for God?
Learning points:
1. True Faith is one of obedience to God
2. Don't solve problems with ways contrary to biblical principles. Ishmael whom Abraham bore with Hagar brought about many problems even till today.
3. That whatever it is we experience, be it good for bad, in Christ, God has planned it for our good.
Friday, October 07, 2011
Steve Jobs
I am saddened by the death of Steve Jobs. Rarely am I saddened by a public figure, but this time round, there more's of a relationship to it. I think one of the factors that shocked the world was that it happened too suddenly. Too sudden. Just a month after handling over to Tim Cook, and we hear the worst of news.
It impacted quite a bit not only because i use the iPhone, the Macbook, the iPad, or aspire to get an iMac, but because i appreciated the eco-system, the technicals behind it all, kinda in fact, my hobbies/interest revolve around it. Objective C, whom Jobs had written while at NeXt, had been my programming language i most often dealt with in the recent years because of the popularity of apps. Developing, understanding, experiencing the App Store; it made me appreciate the genius of Jobs. Rarely can someone integrate design, technicals, and excellent user experience so well.
But perhaps what saddened me more, was that I do not know if he had embraced faith in the Lord. I hope he had. I know of his spiritual journey to India, his dependence upon himself, his desire and faith upon the abilities of man. But with such respect for a genius like him, we have to be reminded more, our respect for God, and the total inability of man. We are helpless, fragile, sinking. We are depraved, far immoral than we can ever think of.
We need to think. We really need to think. In the face of life's fragility, what can we stand on that will make us steadfast?
Solely by faith in Christ.
It impacted quite a bit not only because i use the iPhone, the Macbook, the iPad, or aspire to get an iMac, but because i appreciated the eco-system, the technicals behind it all, kinda in fact, my hobbies/interest revolve around it. Objective C, whom Jobs had written while at NeXt, had been my programming language i most often dealt with in the recent years because of the popularity of apps. Developing, understanding, experiencing the App Store; it made me appreciate the genius of Jobs. Rarely can someone integrate design, technicals, and excellent user experience so well.
But perhaps what saddened me more, was that I do not know if he had embraced faith in the Lord. I hope he had. I know of his spiritual journey to India, his dependence upon himself, his desire and faith upon the abilities of man. But with such respect for a genius like him, we have to be reminded more, our respect for God, and the total inability of man. We are helpless, fragile, sinking. We are depraved, far immoral than we can ever think of.
We need to think. We really need to think. In the face of life's fragility, what can we stand on that will make us steadfast?
Solely by faith in Christ.
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