February 6, 2011
People generally do not take well to changes.
We take to a place and settle into a routine and changes upset that tranquility. Yet change is part and parcel of being alive.
The church that is alive has to deal with change. Change is essential to divine transformation and renewal as well.
The Bible states that God will not and cannot begin a new thing in his church without first doing away with the old. Church renewal cannot happen until the old is dealt with.
“And no one pours new wine into old wineskins. Otherwise, the new wine will burst the skins; the wine will run out and the wineskins will be ruined. No, new wine must be poured into new wineskins.” (Luke 5:37-38)
The Holy Spirit cannot breathe freshness and life into the church without first tearing down the old.
Dealing with old habits and letting go of the comfortable familiar may be tough but it is essential if we seek the Spirit’s revival and renewal.
When God does away with the old, He gives wings to His new vision for the church.
Therefore, now is not the time to shrink back because of discomforting changes.
Now is not the time to talk about the good old days. The past is passed.
Now is the time to seize the present reality and march bravely into the glorious future of God’s plan.
Now is the time to take hold of God’s promise in Isaiah 42:9,
“See, the former things have taken place, and new things I declare; before they spring into being I announce them to you.”
Saturday, February 5, 2011
Friday, February 4, 2011
Supposing
February 4, 2011
Read Luke Chapter 15
Luke 15:4
“Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it?
Luke 15:8
“Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins and loses one. Doesn’t she light a lamp, sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it?
The lost sheep, the lost coin and the lost son are to be read as a three-in-one Parable. The Pharisees and the teachers of the law are offended by Jesus’ association with the ‘sinners’ and his celebration parties.
Suppose - Jesus invites us to see things from God’s perspective with this opening word, ‘suppose’.
Suppose - God loves those outside the church as much as those inside the church? These ‘sinners’ are the prostitutes, tax collectors and outcasts of society. They are the ‘open’ sinners – people who everyone knows live a sinful life. They are loathed and rejected by all cultures and not just the Jewish community. God loves them much, but it does not mean he loves others less.
Suppose – the church on earth is to play out the reality in heaven? If the heavenly beings are dancing and jumping over one person who is saved, then shouldn’t we Christians be partying, celebrating the return of one prodigal? This is then the ‘heavens meet earth’ reality.
Where then is the joy of Christians?
Suppose – this is the heartbeat of our God? Jesus tells these parables while on his journey toward Jerusalem. He knows that suffering and death awaits him there. Yet he flinches not and marches on. I suppose he is able to go toward Jerusalem because he is able to see what God sees and feels what God feels.
Am I supposed to take a harder look at my priority, my values and my direction then? Supposing that they do not reflect God’s message and heart desire, do I need to repent?
If so, I know there is a party waiting for me
Read Luke Chapter 15
Luke 15:4
“Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it?
Luke 15:8
“Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins and loses one. Doesn’t she light a lamp, sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it?
The lost sheep, the lost coin and the lost son are to be read as a three-in-one Parable. The Pharisees and the teachers of the law are offended by Jesus’ association with the ‘sinners’ and his celebration parties.
Suppose - Jesus invites us to see things from God’s perspective with this opening word, ‘suppose’.
Suppose - God loves those outside the church as much as those inside the church? These ‘sinners’ are the prostitutes, tax collectors and outcasts of society. They are the ‘open’ sinners – people who everyone knows live a sinful life. They are loathed and rejected by all cultures and not just the Jewish community. God loves them much, but it does not mean he loves others less.
Suppose – the church on earth is to play out the reality in heaven? If the heavenly beings are dancing and jumping over one person who is saved, then shouldn’t we Christians be partying, celebrating the return of one prodigal? This is then the ‘heavens meet earth’ reality.
Where then is the joy of Christians?
Suppose – this is the heartbeat of our God? Jesus tells these parables while on his journey toward Jerusalem. He knows that suffering and death awaits him there. Yet he flinches not and marches on. I suppose he is able to go toward Jerusalem because he is able to see what God sees and feels what God feels.
Am I supposed to take a harder look at my priority, my values and my direction then? Supposing that they do not reflect God’s message and heart desire, do I need to repent?
If so, I know there is a party waiting for me
Thursday, February 3, 2011
The Mustard seed and the yeast
February 3, 2011
Read Luke 13:10-21
Luke 13:18-21
Then Jesus asked, “What is the kingdom of God like? What shall I compare it to? It is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his garden. It grew and became a tree, and the birds perched in its branches.”
Again he asked, “What shall I compare the kingdom of God to? It is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into about sixty pounds of flour until it worked all through the dough.”
These kingdom sayings come after Jesus has healed the woman. The woman is said to have been crippled by Satan for 18 years; her body becomes bent over as a result. Jesus touches her and sets her free. This healing is a direct reference to Jesus’ breaking the power of Satan.
What then is the kingdom of God like? It is like a mustard seed and a little yeast – insignificant to the human eyes but reaping great effects. So this is just another healing on another Sabbath day but what is the result of this small incident? No one can tell. It is a small episode among many healings. What is this one display of Jesus’ victory over Satan? It is one of the many chapters.
Both the mustard seed and the yeast look insignificant. But in them lies great potential for growth. Added to soil, the mustard seed has the power to grow into a huge tree. Added to dough, the yeast has the potential to affect the whole dough. What they need to realize their potential is time.
You may think you are an insignificant voice for God in your workplace, school or family. That is what Satan wants you to think. Do not despise the days of small things nor underestimate the power of small things done in God’s name.
The kingdom of God advances in small steps and seemingly insignificant incidents that tear down Satan’s stronghold will eventually overcome the world. That is the Kingdom’s message.
Just be faithful and expect BIG things to grow out of small victories.
Read Luke 13:10-21
Luke 13:18-21
Then Jesus asked, “What is the kingdom of God like? What shall I compare it to? It is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his garden. It grew and became a tree, and the birds perched in its branches.”
Again he asked, “What shall I compare the kingdom of God to? It is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into about sixty pounds of flour until it worked all through the dough.”
These kingdom sayings come after Jesus has healed the woman. The woman is said to have been crippled by Satan for 18 years; her body becomes bent over as a result. Jesus touches her and sets her free. This healing is a direct reference to Jesus’ breaking the power of Satan.
What then is the kingdom of God like? It is like a mustard seed and a little yeast – insignificant to the human eyes but reaping great effects. So this is just another healing on another Sabbath day but what is the result of this small incident? No one can tell. It is a small episode among many healings. What is this one display of Jesus’ victory over Satan? It is one of the many chapters.
Both the mustard seed and the yeast look insignificant. But in them lies great potential for growth. Added to soil, the mustard seed has the power to grow into a huge tree. Added to dough, the yeast has the potential to affect the whole dough. What they need to realize their potential is time.
You may think you are an insignificant voice for God in your workplace, school or family. That is what Satan wants you to think. Do not despise the days of small things nor underestimate the power of small things done in God’s name.
The kingdom of God advances in small steps and seemingly insignificant incidents that tear down Satan’s stronghold will eventually overcome the world. That is the Kingdom’s message.
Just be faithful and expect BIG things to grow out of small victories.
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Bloodshed in the Temple
February 2, 2011
Read Luke 13:1-9
Luke 13:2-5
Jesus answered, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans because they suffered this way? I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish. Or those eighteen who died when the tower in Siloam fell on them—do you think they were more guilty than all the others living in Jerusalem? I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish.”
If it is difficult to imagine shootings in school, what more when it happens in a temple or a church? Where the sacred is, such things should not happen and be allowed to happen.
Yet such was the time of Jesus. Pilate had ordered the killings of the Galileans probably because he suspected there were rebels among them. These Galileans were slaughtered mercilessly in the most sacred place, the temple. This was a sacrilegious act that would cause more outrage and anger among the Jews. To a faith that stresses on purity (remember disputes over ceremony of washing of hands, etc), such a brutal act, and mixing their blood with the sacrifices would definitely fan more Jewish rebellions.
Siloam is a small area of Jerusalem, south of the temple. Jesus quoted the incident as a warning to those who refused to heed his kingdom call. If they followed the Galileans by taking up arms against the Romans, they would die by the sword. And if they escaped the sword, they would die by having the temple buildings fall on them.
To the Jews, the kingdom of the Messiah meant the definite overthrowing of the Romans and if it would be through violence, they would do it.
Why was Jesus notified of this event? I think it is first to dissuade him from
going to Jerusalem. The people wanted to remind Jesus of the dangerous route that he was taking; perhaps to tell him to turn back from Jerusalem. But Jesus ‘needed’ to head toward Jerusalem, into the eye of the storm in order to fulfil his destiny.
As Christians, we must not be disturbed and distracted from following the way of sacrifice. Distractions and fears are the strategies to make us bow to the pressure of the majority. Just as Jesus' disciples meant well, so do many of our friends who suggest 'easier' ways of serving God. But good suggestions seldom gets the approval seal of God. Good intentions may mean a detour of God's agenda. Stick to God's plan and stay focus.
Secondly, the disciples were all curious about the things to come. Jesus had been talking about the urgency of the kingdom of God. He had been telling them to be prepared to be dragged into courts and to suffer for their belief in him. Now that this had happened in the temple, is this the beginning of what Jesus had been telling them? Were the Galileans being punished for rejecting Jesus? They wanted to know.
Jesus warned them that they would suffer the same fate as the Galileans and the 18 if they do not repent. To believe in Him is to believe in His way as well.
Today, Jesus is still calling us to do the same – to have a radical change in our mindset, to abandon the route we are pursuing that contradicts His way and to put to death our old nature.
Jesus calls all to U-turn from any lifestyle that does not resemble the nature of Christ (sacrifice and service) and warns that the road of destruction is definite for all who does not heed his warning.
Read Luke 13:1-9
Luke 13:2-5
Jesus answered, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans because they suffered this way? I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish. Or those eighteen who died when the tower in Siloam fell on them—do you think they were more guilty than all the others living in Jerusalem? I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish.”
If it is difficult to imagine shootings in school, what more when it happens in a temple or a church? Where the sacred is, such things should not happen and be allowed to happen.
Yet such was the time of Jesus. Pilate had ordered the killings of the Galileans probably because he suspected there were rebels among them. These Galileans were slaughtered mercilessly in the most sacred place, the temple. This was a sacrilegious act that would cause more outrage and anger among the Jews. To a faith that stresses on purity (remember disputes over ceremony of washing of hands, etc), such a brutal act, and mixing their blood with the sacrifices would definitely fan more Jewish rebellions.
Siloam is a small area of Jerusalem, south of the temple. Jesus quoted the incident as a warning to those who refused to heed his kingdom call. If they followed the Galileans by taking up arms against the Romans, they would die by the sword. And if they escaped the sword, they would die by having the temple buildings fall on them.
To the Jews, the kingdom of the Messiah meant the definite overthrowing of the Romans and if it would be through violence, they would do it.
Why was Jesus notified of this event? I think it is first to dissuade him from
going to Jerusalem. The people wanted to remind Jesus of the dangerous route that he was taking; perhaps to tell him to turn back from Jerusalem. But Jesus ‘needed’ to head toward Jerusalem, into the eye of the storm in order to fulfil his destiny.
As Christians, we must not be disturbed and distracted from following the way of sacrifice. Distractions and fears are the strategies to make us bow to the pressure of the majority. Just as Jesus' disciples meant well, so do many of our friends who suggest 'easier' ways of serving God. But good suggestions seldom gets the approval seal of God. Good intentions may mean a detour of God's agenda. Stick to God's plan and stay focus.
Secondly, the disciples were all curious about the things to come. Jesus had been talking about the urgency of the kingdom of God. He had been telling them to be prepared to be dragged into courts and to suffer for their belief in him. Now that this had happened in the temple, is this the beginning of what Jesus had been telling them? Were the Galileans being punished for rejecting Jesus? They wanted to know.
Jesus warned them that they would suffer the same fate as the Galileans and the 18 if they do not repent. To believe in Him is to believe in His way as well.
Today, Jesus is still calling us to do the same – to have a radical change in our mindset, to abandon the route we are pursuing that contradicts His way and to put to death our old nature.
Jesus calls all to U-turn from any lifestyle that does not resemble the nature of Christ (sacrifice and service) and warns that the road of destruction is definite for all who does not heed his warning.
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Read the Times
February 1, 2011
Read 12:49-59
Luke 12:51
Do you think I came to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but division.
Following Jesus is not an easy task. Jesus warns his disciples and hearers that allegiance to Him may bring forth conflict and division rather than peace. Jesus’ disciples and hearers must put their faith and trust completely in Him because the time is coming when they will be persecuted and betrayed because of him.
So it is for us. Jesus’ message will bring us into situation where we may even have to be at odds with our family, loved ones and friends. The message of Christ forces us to take sides and at times upset the so-called harmony of the majority but total Lordship to Christ is necessary for us in following him.
Luke 12:56
Hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of the earth and the sky. How is it that you don’t know how to interpret this present time?
Jesus rebukes the people for not reading the signs of the time. The early church reads this passage as a warning to be alert, to read the signs of our own generation and interpret the national, social, political events with the lens of the gospel.
So the church, and every believer today, has a prophetic role in interpreting the events of our times. To see the world’s events in our generation and understand the issues through God’s lens is absolutely necessary for us who believe that God loves this world and is still working in our times. It is a call to diligently read our present challenges, decode the signs of our times, to decipher what God’s intention is for the world and then to bring about God’s ‘will on earth as it is in heaven’.
Clarifying God’s role and actions in today’s world may sometimes mean we speak up against those matters that break God’s heart. In doing so, we may indeed be bringing division and discord instead of peace.
But speaking up is a role that we must not cease to do. Being truthful in facing life’s questions and judging them through God’s word is something that we must not cease to do.
Read 12:49-59
Luke 12:51
Do you think I came to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but division.
Following Jesus is not an easy task. Jesus warns his disciples and hearers that allegiance to Him may bring forth conflict and division rather than peace. Jesus’ disciples and hearers must put their faith and trust completely in Him because the time is coming when they will be persecuted and betrayed because of him.
So it is for us. Jesus’ message will bring us into situation where we may even have to be at odds with our family, loved ones and friends. The message of Christ forces us to take sides and at times upset the so-called harmony of the majority but total Lordship to Christ is necessary for us in following him.
Luke 12:56
Hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of the earth and the sky. How is it that you don’t know how to interpret this present time?
Jesus rebukes the people for not reading the signs of the time. The early church reads this passage as a warning to be alert, to read the signs of our own generation and interpret the national, social, political events with the lens of the gospel.
So the church, and every believer today, has a prophetic role in interpreting the events of our times. To see the world’s events in our generation and understand the issues through God’s lens is absolutely necessary for us who believe that God loves this world and is still working in our times. It is a call to diligently read our present challenges, decode the signs of our times, to decipher what God’s intention is for the world and then to bring about God’s ‘will on earth as it is in heaven’.
Clarifying God’s role and actions in today’s world may sometimes mean we speak up against those matters that break God’s heart. In doing so, we may indeed be bringing division and discord instead of peace.
But speaking up is a role that we must not cease to do. Being truthful in facing life’s questions and judging them through God’s word is something that we must not cease to do.
Monday, January 31, 2011
Be Wise Managers
January 31, 2011
Read Luke 12:35-48
Luke 12:42-43
The Lord answered, “Who then is the faithful and wise manager, whom the master puts in charge of his servants to give them their food allowance at the proper time? It will be good for that servant whom the master finds doing so when he returns.
The manager in this passage of course refers to Israel. The manager is of course the church now. It is a question that those especially with influence and position in the church must answer.
Faithfulness is the main thrust of this story.
The Third watch refers to the last stretch before dawn – the time when most people find hardest to stay awake. The faithful servant is one who will keep himself awake and alert, anticipating the master’s footsteps anytime; ready to receive him.
What are the ways that will make us ‘sleep at our job’?
It is first the false belief that our master is not coming back. Faithful disciples are those who keep the Lord’s return always in mind. Living daily lives of eating, working and sleeping sometimes numb us to the reality of Jesus’ second coming. It causes us to forget that we might die anytime (reminder of the Parable of the Rich Fool) and will have to give an account of our lives.
The second temptation is the false belief that the Lord is slow in coming back. We still have time. Distractions and temptations lurk in every corner to stray our devotion. Relax! The world calls us. Party! Enjoy! Jesus warns us to beware for He will come back when least expected.
This passage is a warning to all of us to be alert, be faithful and do our very best – 100 percent to God’s work because it is with 100 percent certainty that the Lord will come back and He will not spare anyone who is negligent in attitude and ministry.
May we take Jesus’ warning seriously and live today like it is the last.
Read Luke 12:35-48
Luke 12:42-43
The Lord answered, “Who then is the faithful and wise manager, whom the master puts in charge of his servants to give them their food allowance at the proper time? It will be good for that servant whom the master finds doing so when he returns.
The manager in this passage of course refers to Israel. The manager is of course the church now. It is a question that those especially with influence and position in the church must answer.
Faithfulness is the main thrust of this story.
The Third watch refers to the last stretch before dawn – the time when most people find hardest to stay awake. The faithful servant is one who will keep himself awake and alert, anticipating the master’s footsteps anytime; ready to receive him.
What are the ways that will make us ‘sleep at our job’?
It is first the false belief that our master is not coming back. Faithful disciples are those who keep the Lord’s return always in mind. Living daily lives of eating, working and sleeping sometimes numb us to the reality of Jesus’ second coming. It causes us to forget that we might die anytime (reminder of the Parable of the Rich Fool) and will have to give an account of our lives.
The second temptation is the false belief that the Lord is slow in coming back. We still have time. Distractions and temptations lurk in every corner to stray our devotion. Relax! The world calls us. Party! Enjoy! Jesus warns us to beware for He will come back when least expected.
This passage is a warning to all of us to be alert, be faithful and do our very best – 100 percent to God’s work because it is with 100 percent certainty that the Lord will come back and He will not spare anyone who is negligent in attitude and ministry.
May we take Jesus’ warning seriously and live today like it is the last.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)