I have an ex-credit suisse colleague who had this on his facebook profile.
Religious Views: I don't like to pick a god.
He met with an accident and passed away about two years ago.
Don't play a fool with the eternity of our lives.
Thursday, September 13, 2012
Sunday, September 09, 2012
The Mighty Acts of the LORD
"Who can utter the mighty acts of the LORD? Who can declare all His praise?" Ps. 106:2
What has the LORD done that constitute His mighty acts?
1. He created the world and all that is in it including us.
2. He sustains what He has created it. Does the earth stop rotating? Do plants stop growing?
3. He loves and saves us. Not willing that we might perish, He sent His son to die for us that we might live.
4. He has prepared a place for us for eternity.
5. He sanctifies us that we can live for Him.
What has the LORD done that constitute His mighty acts?
1. He created the world and all that is in it including us.
2. He sustains what He has created it. Does the earth stop rotating? Do plants stop growing?
3. He loves and saves us. Not willing that we might perish, He sent His son to die for us that we might live.
4. He has prepared a place for us for eternity.
5. He sanctifies us that we can live for Him.
Monday, September 03, 2012
The Nature of Religion
The Bible informs us that man was created in the image of God. Notice that only man is created in the image of God. Animals, fishes, plants and other living things aren't. Among all the nations and tribes of the earth, men have demonstrated a tendency to worship a higher being. You don't see monkeys gathering around a bonfire worshiping. This is the sense of religion that is within men, because he is made in the image of God. This sense of religion touches the deepest springs of man's life and also controls his thoughts, feelings and desires.
But just what is religion? Religion is the fear of God. This fear is not a feeling of dread, but of reverent regard for God, coupled with love, confidence, faith and godliness.
In reverent awe of God, man is conscious of the absolute majesty and infinite power of God and of his own utter insignificance and absolute helplessness.
In love of God, its a conscious and voluntary relationship to God, which expresses itself in grateful worship and loving service.
The manner of this religious worship and service is not left to the arbitrary will of man, but is determined by God.
Ask Ourselves
What is our attitude towards God? Is it one of disinterest or going through ritualistic motions? Are we regarding God as center in our lives? Do we treat Him with love, faith, confidence and godliness? Or are we just going to church on Sundays and live our sinful lives for the rest of the week?
May we resolve to love God, with all our hearts, minds, soul and strength by glorifying Him in our speech, our actions, our thoughts, our hopes and our decisions.
Is Each Breathe We Take the Grace of God?
Yes.
Ps. 104:29 "You take away their breadth, they die and return to their dust."
Ps. 104:29 "You take away their breadth, they die and return to their dust."
Sunday, September 02, 2012
Does God Leave the Earth to Run on Its Own After Creating It?
No. He continues to sustains it. Provides for it.
Ps 104:14 "He causes the grass to grow for the cattle and vegetation for the service of man that it may bring forth food,"
104:19 "He appointed the moon for seasons, the sun knows its going down,"
104:21 "The young lions roar after their prey, and seek their food from God."
Ps 104:14 "He causes the grass to grow for the cattle and vegetation for the service of man that it may bring forth food,"
104:19 "He appointed the moon for seasons, the sun knows its going down,"
104:21 "The young lions roar after their prey, and seek their food from God."
How Should We Respond When Our Enemy Falls?
Pr 24:17 "Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, and do not let your heart be glad when he stumbles."
We should not gloat the failure of an enemy for that displeases God. In fact, God will discipline us when we do so.
Pr. 24:18 "Lest the Lord see it and it displeases Him, and He turn away His wrath from Him."
We should not gloat the failure of an enemy for that displeases God. In fact, God will discipline us when we do so.
Pr. 24:18 "Lest the Lord see it and it displeases Him, and He turn away His wrath from Him."
Saturday, September 01, 2012
Is God Evil When He instructed the Israelites to Completely Destroy their Enemies when entering Canaan?
Actually, such a question is already disrespectful to God as we are not trusting in His sovereignty. But the bible also clearly tells us the reason why He does so.
Deut 7:4 "for they will turn your sons away from following me to serve other gods, and the Lord's anger will burn against you and will quickly destroy you."
If the Israelites did not destroy them completely, they would intermarry with the pagans and be influenced to idolatry and all other kinds of immorality associated with it.
One debatable point which others have also raised is that by killing those who have not reached the age of accountability, God is actually merciful to them by ending their lives prematurely before they are allowed to fall into sin.
Deut 7:4 "for they will turn your sons away from following me to serve other gods, and the Lord's anger will burn against you and will quickly destroy you."
If the Israelites did not destroy them completely, they would intermarry with the pagans and be influenced to idolatry and all other kinds of immorality associated with it.
One debatable point which others have also raised is that by killing those who have not reached the age of accountability, God is actually merciful to them by ending their lives prematurely before they are allowed to fall into sin.
What should we beware of when we seek to obey God's commands?
We should not fall into the trap where we outwardly obey the commands of God but yet in our hearts, its actually willful disobedience.
Deut 5:29 "Oh, that their hearts would be inclined to fear me and keep all my commands always, so that it might go well with them and their children forever."
With outward actions, we obey. More importantly, we obey in reverent fear to God in our hearts. We do this because He is God. And a added bonus is, He blesses us when we do so.
Deut 5:29 "Oh, that their hearts would be inclined to fear me and keep all my commands always, so that it might go well with them and their children forever."
With outward actions, we obey. More importantly, we obey in reverent fear to God in our hearts. We do this because He is God. And a added bonus is, He blesses us when we do so.
Are there other gods other than the one revealed in the bible?
No.
Deut 4:39 says "Acknowledge and take to heart this day that the Lord is God in Heaven above and on the earth below. THERE IS NO OTHER."
Deut 5:7, in the first of the ten commandments, "You shall have no other gods before me."
We don't have to waste time looking for false gods in our lives. The one true God, creator of the universe, of this world, of the lands, of the seas, and of you and me is revealed in the bible. Pick it up. Read it. Obey it. You will know this God. I can't describe the blessings that will be poured upon you if you do so.
Deut 4:39 says "Acknowledge and take to heart this day that the Lord is God in Heaven above and on the earth below. THERE IS NO OTHER."
Deut 5:7, in the first of the ten commandments, "You shall have no other gods before me."
We don't have to waste time looking for false gods in our lives. The one true God, creator of the universe, of this world, of the lands, of the seas, and of you and me is revealed in the bible. Pick it up. Read it. Obey it. You will know this God. I can't describe the blessings that will be poured upon you if you do so.
How do false teachers deceive people?
False teachers are not obvious. Hence, only then are they able to deceive people as they are mistaken as true teachers. So how do they do it? They do not go around saying that Jesus is false. Such are blatantly obvious. What they do are secretly, subtlety, they infuse twists and turns into the Word of God.
Deut 4:2 says, "Do not add to what I command you and do not subtract from it, but keep the commands of the Lord your God that I give you."
False teachers slowly but surely add extra man made stuff into the bible. They will say, you should pray in detail what you want for, only then will God know what you want and thus will provide. If you are not detailed enough, your prayers will not be answered. One proponent of this is Cho Yonggi, mentor of Kong Hee.
Another way that false teachers tweak the bible to fit the interests of man is to subtract from it. They preach that God will cause prosperity. But they do not preach that He casts down woes as well. They preach that God will give. But they do not preach that He takes as well (Job 1:21). They preach that God saves, but they do not preach that God judges as well. One such proponent is Joel Osteen.
We should take the whole counsel of God. Not add to it man centered ideas, nor take away the works of God which we do not like to hear.
Deut 4:2 says, "Do not add to what I command you and do not subtract from it, but keep the commands of the Lord your God that I give you."
False teachers slowly but surely add extra man made stuff into the bible. They will say, you should pray in detail what you want for, only then will God know what you want and thus will provide. If you are not detailed enough, your prayers will not be answered. One proponent of this is Cho Yonggi, mentor of Kong Hee.
Another way that false teachers tweak the bible to fit the interests of man is to subtract from it. They preach that God will cause prosperity. But they do not preach that He casts down woes as well. They preach that God will give. But they do not preach that He takes as well (Job 1:21). They preach that God saves, but they do not preach that God judges as well. One such proponent is Joel Osteen.
We should take the whole counsel of God. Not add to it man centered ideas, nor take away the works of God which we do not like to hear.
Saturday, August 25, 2012
Thursday, July 26, 2012
Workplace Witnessing (Part X)
The Effects of Daniel's Workplace Witnessing
Nebuchadnezzar praising God. Daniel 3:28-30, 4:34-37Darius praising God. Daniel 6:19-20, 26-27
Daniel's services were retained by the new Persian ruler, Cyrus the Great, and he probably played a part in persuading Cyrus to allow the Jews to return from exile to their native land of Judah.
Wednesday, July 25, 2012
The Pseudepigrapha
The Pseudepigrapha or False writings are writings whose authors fake other famous authors' names. e.g. include famous author names from the OT/NT. The aim is to let the work have more influence in the christianity circle.
Though like the Apocrypha, not in the canon yet has remained as the works of the early Christian church, but what's different with the Apocrypha is that its authority is below that of the Apocrypha. If we say that the Apocrypha is a reference to faith, devotion or doctrine related materials, then the Pseudepigrapha is just a religious literary work.
There are a huge quantity of such books. They were authored between 200 BC - 200 AD. What is worth mentioning is that the NT authors have used a portion of the Apocrypha. E.g., Jude 14 "It was also about these that Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied, saying,“Behold, the Lord comes with ten thousands of his holy ones, "
The Pseudepigrapha is not a devils' bible or heresy. They are literary works popular during the early christian church.
Though like the Apocrypha, not in the canon yet has remained as the works of the early Christian church, but what's different with the Apocrypha is that its authority is below that of the Apocrypha. If we say that the Apocrypha is a reference to faith, devotion or doctrine related materials, then the Pseudepigrapha is just a religious literary work.
There are a huge quantity of such books. They were authored between 200 BC - 200 AD. What is worth mentioning is that the NT authors have used a portion of the Apocrypha. E.g., Jude 14 "It was also about these that Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied, saying,“Behold, the Lord comes with ten thousands of his holy ones, "
The Pseudepigrapha is not a devils' bible or heresy. They are literary works popular during the early christian church.
Tuesday, July 24, 2012
What Are The Apocrypha?
The term apocrypha is used with various meanings, including "hidden", "esoteric", "spurious", "of questionable authenticity", ancient Chinese "revealed texts and objects" and "Christian texts that are not canonical".
The Hebrew bible does not include the apocrypha, but it was preserved in the Septuagint, which is the Greek O.T.
Though in the times of Jesus and the apostles, the most popular version of the OT is the Septuagint, however, authors of the NT did not refer to the apocrypha books in it.
However, in the 4-5th century, many church fathers like Gregory of Nazianzus started to suspect the canonizing of these books. Jerome, accepted only the Hebrew bible books to be the canon. He felt that it was necessary to distinguish the books of the Hebrew bible and the other books. Thus, he started using the term 'Apocrypha' to refer to the books not canonized into the Hebrew bible. The Latin bible which edited, Vulgate did not include the Apocrypha books in the bible. because of Jerome, the churches of the middle ages suspected the legality of the apocrypha.
In the 16th century, in the council of trent, 1546 by the RCs, they announced the apocrypha had authority and included them into the canon, thus which became the RC bible of the Deuterocanonical books. The Protestants however denied the canon of the Apocrypha. Thus, the Christian OT has 39 books (same as Judaism) and the RC, 46 books in the OT.
However, Martin Luther when he was translated the German bible, included the Apocrypha books and included in his preface, that reading the Apocrypha has its benefits. But he did not place them on the same level of authority. In England, later, initally the apocrypha was included but then, the Puritans after it gained strength, pointed out in the Westminster Confession that the Apocrypha is just the work of man, and it cannot be placed on the same authority as the bible. This was accepted widely by the Protestants.
The Hebrew bible does not include the apocrypha, but it was preserved in the Septuagint, which is the Greek O.T.
Though in the times of Jesus and the apostles, the most popular version of the OT is the Septuagint, however, authors of the NT did not refer to the apocrypha books in it.
However, in the 4-5th century, many church fathers like Gregory of Nazianzus started to suspect the canonizing of these books. Jerome, accepted only the Hebrew bible books to be the canon. He felt that it was necessary to distinguish the books of the Hebrew bible and the other books. Thus, he started using the term 'Apocrypha' to refer to the books not canonized into the Hebrew bible. The Latin bible which edited, Vulgate did not include the Apocrypha books in the bible. because of Jerome, the churches of the middle ages suspected the legality of the apocrypha.
In the 16th century, in the council of trent, 1546 by the RCs, they announced the apocrypha had authority and included them into the canon, thus which became the RC bible of the Deuterocanonical books. The Protestants however denied the canon of the Apocrypha. Thus, the Christian OT has 39 books (same as Judaism) and the RC, 46 books in the OT.
However, Martin Luther when he was translated the German bible, included the Apocrypha books and included in his preface, that reading the Apocrypha has its benefits. But he did not place them on the same level of authority. In England, later, initally the apocrypha was included but then, the Puritans after it gained strength, pointed out in the Westminster Confession that the Apocrypha is just the work of man, and it cannot be placed on the same authority as the bible. This was accepted widely by the Protestants.
How Did We Get The New Testament?
Formation of the New Testament
The formation of the N.T. went through a long period as well. The four gospels as well as the 13 epistles of Paul were affirmed in about 130 AD by the church as having sacred authority scriptures. About AD170-220, they had the same authority as the OT canon. The rest of the NT books were canonized later. Amongst them which stirred greatest controversy were Hebrews, Jude, 2 Peter, 2 John, 3 John and Revelation.On the other hand, there were other works which were earlier recognized as having authority but later not canonized. E.g. Epistle of Barnabas and Shepherd of Hermas.
The earliest church NT list of titles was written in AD367 by Athanasius titled, the 'Festal Epistle'. The order in which he wrote was, the Gospels, Acts, Major letters, Pauline letters, Revelation. In AD 397, north africa in a meeting, they decided that the 27 books listed by Athanasius to be the canon which we have today.
After the 16th century, the Protestant church (新教／更正教) had a meeting and affirmed the 66 books of the NT, OT canon. The Roman Catholics in 1546 in the council of trent added seven more books into the canon. Thus, the RC's canon became 73 books. The eastern orthodox church in 1672 added 14/15 books in their canon which made their canon 80/81 books.
We have to note that this does not mean that the books were decided to be in the canon by these meetings, e.g. Jewish meetings, the Synod of Jamnia, Catholic Church, Carthage Meeting, because man has no ability to decide or judge which books' content are God's Words. Rather, the Holy Spirit led the Jewish rabbis to understand which books ought to be in the OT canon. Similarly, the Holy Spirit led the early church to understand which books's content were the word of God. God revealed His word to some Christian authors, and through their writings, presented the Word of God in written form.
Thus, before the period of Athanasius, various churches already knew and recognized which books were deemed to have authority. This is because they were moved by the same Spirit. Only till the 4th century, when the church met with heresies that the church decided in AD 397 to be the canon. The rest of the meetings similarly were just to re-affirmed what was already recognized to be the canon in the believers circle.
How Did We Get The Old Testament Bible?
The formation of scriptures into the bible we have today is termed as the 'canon'. Its original meaning is the carpenter's ruler or measuring tool. Later, this term came to mean 'standard'. In Christianity, the term canon came to mean holy scriptures which have absolute authority and is the highest standard of the faith.
The formation of the bible did not happen in an instance nor was did it dropped from heaven. Its was formed through a period of time. It was formed by the Holy Spirit moving through the Christian church. This process is the known as the 'Formation of Canon' or 'Canonical Process'.
The confirmation of the OT canon began only after the second destruction of the holy temple in 70 AD. It was done by the rabbis who confirmed which books belonged to the canon. At the Synod of Jamnia in AD 70, it confirmed the 24 books in the Hebrew bible (??). We should take note, that though the OT was only confirmed then, in actual fact, many of the books were already affirmed by the Jewish community as part of the canon. For e.g., Jesus and the disciples used many O.T. verses and termed these as 'the Writings/Scriptures', Mt 22:29, Mk 12:24, Lk 24:32,45...
Thus, what we have discussed is the last confirmation（确立） of the canon (AD 70) and not to say that that is the date where it was accepted （接受）as the canon.
Essentially, the Rabbis used three principles to decide which book were to be in the canon.
First, it had to be authored before the time of Malachi. It had to be a work completed before 400 BC. This is because the Jewish rabbis felt that because of the disobedience of the Israelites, God's spirit left the Israelites, thus after Malachi, God did not reveal anymore.
Second, the books needed to be authored in Hebrew. A minor portion of text in the Hebrew bible was written in Arabic. The rest were written in Hebrew.
Thirdly, the books needed to be generally affirmed and accepted by the Jews and recognized it as having sacred authority. It also had to have general authority.
Thus, the rabbis chose form large amounts of books, and then affirmed it to be the OT we see today.
The formation of the bible did not happen in an instance nor was did it dropped from heaven. Its was formed through a period of time. It was formed by the Holy Spirit moving through the Christian church. This process is the known as the 'Formation of Canon' or 'Canonical Process'.
Formation of the Old Testament
The Old Testament bible is also known as the Hebrew bible. It is received from Judaism and therefore thought as revealed and completed（达成） through the Jews. "First of all, they have been entrusted with the very words of God." Romans 3:1-2. Judaism is though of as the medium through which the O.T. canon came.
The Hebrew bible includes three portions. The 'Pentateuch' or 'Torah/Law', 'the Prophets' and the 'Writings.'
The Hebrew bible was formed firstly through oral communication/tradition. Later, the contents of the oral message was written down. The records were consolidated between 8th BC - 3rd BC. The Torah was consolidated around 4th BC. The prophets and writings were consolidated around 5th-3rd BC - 1st AD.
The confirmation of the OT canon began only after the second destruction of the holy temple in 70 AD. It was done by the rabbis who confirmed which books belonged to the canon. At the Synod of Jamnia in AD 70, it confirmed the 24 books in the Hebrew bible (??). We should take note, that though the OT was only confirmed then, in actual fact, many of the books were already affirmed by the Jewish community as part of the canon. For e.g., Jesus and the disciples used many O.T. verses and termed these as 'the Writings/Scriptures', Mt 22:29, Mk 12:24, Lk 24:32,45...
Thus, what we have discussed is the last confirmation（确立） of the canon (AD 70) and not to say that that is the date where it was accepted （接受）as the canon.
Essentially, the Rabbis used three principles to decide which book were to be in the canon.
First, it had to be authored before the time of Malachi. It had to be a work completed before 400 BC. This is because the Jewish rabbis felt that because of the disobedience of the Israelites, God's spirit left the Israelites, thus after Malachi, God did not reveal anymore.
Second, the books needed to be authored in Hebrew. A minor portion of text in the Hebrew bible was written in Arabic. The rest were written in Hebrew.
Thirdly, the books needed to be generally affirmed and accepted by the Jews and recognized it as having sacred authority. It also had to have general authority.
Thus, the rabbis chose form large amounts of books, and then affirmed it to be the OT we see today.
Workplace Witnessing (Part IX)
Acknowledge the Source of Strength 宣告智慧的源头
"The king asked Daniel, “Are you able to tell me what I saw in my dream and interpret it?”Daniel replied, “No wise man, enchanter, magician or diviner can explain to the king the mystery he has asked about, but there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries. He has shown King Nebuchadnezzar what will happen in days to come.“
Daniel 2:26-30
Build Relationships and Conversations. Many people distance themselves from friendships at work. I think Christians should not do that. We should strive to do that. How can we lead someone to Christ when we are not even willing that we be friends with them?
Have conversations during breaks (morning coffee, colleagues, lunch). During such conversations, how do you start to witness? How do I start a discussion? e.g. someone asks you how is your weekend? Oh, i go to church. Have you ever been...In church we learn...
无私的关怀 Care beyond work. This is where sets us apart from non believing workers. Having built a relationship, we can get more in depth conversations and start to see the needs and problems of our colleagues which only God can resolve. We can pray for their need. We can tell them what the bible says of their problems.
Many in the workplace have never known the love of Christ. You might be the only one they ever meet who can introduce them to this love.
Jesus modeled love and service in the marketplace. His ministry was also in the workplace. Of 52 parables Jesus told, 45 had a workplace context. Of 40 divine interventions recorded in Acts, 39 were in the marketplace. He modeled servant leadership and taught his disciples that serving others was the central focus of his life and should be the central focus of their lives as well.
People do not care what you know; they want to know that you care. When you genuinely take an interest in another person in the workplace, you will become a credible person in their eyes. You will stand out among the crowd. Recently I took a phone call from a CEO of a company. The man shared how he was impacted by the TGIF devotionals a family member began sending him. I recognized the man was not a Christian. We began to talk, even though I was pressed for time as I was leaving town that afternoon. The man ultimately prayed to receive Christ over the phone. Later, the man commented on how impressed he was that I took time with him on the phone when I was pressed to get out of town. As a busy executive, this man equated time with love and service to him. That is what the world is looking for.
Workplace Witnessing (Part VIII)
Prayer for self and others
"He urged them to plead for mercy from the God of Heaven concerning this mystery... " Daniel 2:18在见证主当中，我们要指向人到这一位听祷告的主。他们带着人生的忧虑，重担，罪孽。我们需要进一步的和他们谈话，关怀他们。多了解他们，以致才可以介绍听祷告的主给他们。
我们也要记得我们有了尊君祭司的名份，需要在他们当中代表神，与他们分享主的身份，主的话，并且，为他们祷告。
所以，我们可以和我们的同事一起的祷告。让他们经理到他们可以向这一位神祷告。也鼓励他们给进一步的认识这位神。
分享带领学生与她母亲的见证。他们这么样认识主，就是从一起祷告开始。
Workplace Witnessing (Part VII)
Show Concern for Co-Workers
"The Daniel returned to his house and explained the matter to his friends ..." Daniel 2:17
Care beyond work. This is where sets us apart from non believing workers. Having built a relationship, we can get more in depth conversations and start to see the needs and problems of our colleagues which only God can resolve. We can pray for their need. We can tell them what the bible says of their problems.
Many in the workplace have never known the love of Christ. You might be the only one they ever meet who can introduce them to this love.
Jesus modeled love and service in the marketplace. His ministry was also in the workplace. Of 52 parables Jesus told, 45 had a workplace context. Of 40 divine interventions recorded in Acts, 39 were in the marketplace. He modeled servant leadership and taught his disciples that serving others was the central focus of his life and should be the central focus of their lives as well.
People do not care what you know; they want to know that you care. When you genuinely take an interest in another person in the workplace, you will become a credible person in their eyes. You will stand out among the crowd. Recently I took a phone call from a CEO of a company. The man shared how he was impacted by the TGIF devotionals a family member began sending him. I recognized the man was not a Christian. We began to talk, even though I was pressed for time as I was leaving town that afternoon. The man ultimately prayed to receive Christ over the phone. Later, the man commented on how impressed he was that I took time with him on the phone when I was pressed to get out of town. As a busy executive, this man equated time with love and service to him. That is what the world is looking for.
Workplace Witnessing (Part VI)
Work Excellence - Willingness to Face Problems
"When Arioch, the commander of the king's guard, had gone out to put to death the wise men of Babylon, Daniel spoke to him with wisdom and tact. He asked the king's office, 'Why did the king issue such a harsh decree?' Arioch then explained the matter to Daniel. At this Daniel went in to the king and asked for time, so that he might interpret the dream for him." Daniel 2:14-17
Workplace witnessing involves not running away but facing problems when they arise. When all the wise men were ordered to be executed what was the response for Daniel? He didn't avoid it, he didn't run away from it. He wanted to resolve the problem as long as it is in his means.
He enquired, identified about the problem first by asking Arioch, the commander of the King's guard. Note that he did it with wisdom and tact. He faced the problem head on. Once having identified the problem, he went in to the king!
Though he does not yet know how to resolve, he was willing to face it. To shoulder it. Do we do likewise? We often avoid it when we should face it. We often procrastinate and put it off till it hurts. May we learn from Daniel his willingness to face problems. And we can learn from his wisdom that often when we don't know how to resolve a problem, ASK FOR TIME!
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