Read 2 Corinthians 4:7-18
2 Corinthians 4:16-17
Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.
In this world there will be troubles. If you care, you might be heartbroken. If you love, you might be hurt. If you hope, you might be disappointed. Not that everything is negative; but that you open yourself to the possibility of pain as well as love when you choose to live the way God asks you to – the way of love.
Paul was a super-apostle who chose God’s way. He chose obedience and sacrifice for God’s kingdom by serving God’s cause. However, his life was full of hardships and pains. But he said it was worth it. Through physically taxing, emotionally draining and mentally anguishing, it was spiritually rewarding. All the seen troubles served as ‘rumors’ of the world in which he was living and aiming for – eternal glory. Through all these heart-wrenching events, the longing in him for that ‘rumored’ eternal world where his Lord reigns supreme. It pulled him along and gave him hope.
The following song ‘Blessings’ by Laura Story expresses it nicely.
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Blessed to be a Blessing
It is a Christian tradition to always dismiss a gathering by pronouncing God’s blessing on the people. This act is called the Benediction.
There are many blessings in the Bible but one of my favourites happened to be the handed down from the Franciscan Order founded by Francis of Assisi. I have often reflected upon it and used it in private prayer.
May the benediction be the prayer and purpose in our lives.
Franciscan Benediction
May God bless you with discomfort
At easy answers, half-truths, and superficial relationships,
So that you may live deep within your heart.
May God bless you with anger
At injustice, oppression, and exploitation of people,
So that you may work for justice, freedom, and peace.
May God bless you with tears
To shed for those who suffer pain, rejection, hunger, and war,
So that you may reach out your hand to comfort them and to turn their pain to joy.
And may God bless you with enough foolishness
To believe that you can make a difference in the world,
So that you can do what others claim cannot be done,
To bring justice and kindness to all our children and the poor.
Amen.
There are many blessings in the Bible but one of my favourites happened to be the handed down from the Franciscan Order founded by Francis of Assisi. I have often reflected upon it and used it in private prayer.
May the benediction be the prayer and purpose in our lives.
Franciscan Benediction
May God bless you with discomfort
At easy answers, half-truths, and superficial relationships,
So that you may live deep within your heart.
May God bless you with anger
At injustice, oppression, and exploitation of people,
So that you may work for justice, freedom, and peace.
May God bless you with tears
To shed for those who suffer pain, rejection, hunger, and war,
So that you may reach out your hand to comfort them and to turn their pain to joy.
And may God bless you with enough foolishness
To believe that you can make a difference in the world,
So that you can do what others claim cannot be done,
To bring justice and kindness to all our children and the poor.
Amen.
Monday, August 22, 2011
Mosquitoes, God and Obedience
Read I Sam 15:1-26
I Sam 15:22
But Samuel replied: "Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the voice of the LORD? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of ram.
Obedience to God must be in everything. It will be hypocritical to say Jesus is Lord if we pick and choose what and when to obey Him. Obedience in convenience is not obedience all at.
That is what Saul found out.
Last week, I was tormented by the presence of a mosquito in my room. It drove me up the walls and kept me scratching and whining. In times like those, I had dialogues with God. Ranging from “God help me kill the stupid mosquito” to “why God did you make the mosquito at all and since we are on the topic, why the cockroach and those hideous wasps too?”
Then our conversation turned to Noah – “why didn’t Noah kill these damned mosquitoes on the ark?”
“Obedience” – came the answer. When it comes to obedience, it must be in BIG and small things, in ALL THINGs. I have been thinking about it since.
Having Jesus as Lord means obeying Him even when it is inconvenient and annoying. We do it because He is Lord and we are not. Good enough answer for me.
P/S: So Noah and his family in the ark – were they tormented by mosquitoes? I bet they must have temptations to kill them (I did some research on mosquitoes and found out that they live an average lifespan of 3 to 100 days... and that they sucked blood of animals and not just humans. Turns out I don’t know that much about mosquitoes at all…)
I Sam 15:22
But Samuel replied: "Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the voice of the LORD? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of ram.
Obedience to God must be in everything. It will be hypocritical to say Jesus is Lord if we pick and choose what and when to obey Him. Obedience in convenience is not obedience all at.
That is what Saul found out.
Last week, I was tormented by the presence of a mosquito in my room. It drove me up the walls and kept me scratching and whining. In times like those, I had dialogues with God. Ranging from “God help me kill the stupid mosquito” to “why God did you make the mosquito at all and since we are on the topic, why the cockroach and those hideous wasps too?”
Then our conversation turned to Noah – “why didn’t Noah kill these damned mosquitoes on the ark?”
“Obedience” – came the answer. When it comes to obedience, it must be in BIG and small things, in ALL THINGs. I have been thinking about it since.
Having Jesus as Lord means obeying Him even when it is inconvenient and annoying. We do it because He is Lord and we are not. Good enough answer for me.
P/S: So Noah and his family in the ark – were they tormented by mosquitoes? I bet they must have temptations to kill them (I did some research on mosquitoes and found out that they live an average lifespan of 3 to 100 days... and that they sucked blood of animals and not just humans. Turns out I don’t know that much about mosquitoes at all…)
Saturday, August 20, 2011
Human Rights, Dignity and Responsibility
Canadians have always pride ourselves on being a nation of tolerance. We believe that everyone has the right to live as he chooses.
As a church, we have committed to work towards “Empowering Mission to the Dalits and Beyond”.
This vision is birthed and rooted in our conviction that everyone is endowed with dignity with basic human rights. As the custodian of God’s truth, the church recognises her responsibility to tell all peoples that God loves them because they are made in the image of God and they have a right to choose Christ (John 3:16).
However, human rights do not mean unlimited rights.
Theologian John Stott offered his view on the relationship between human rights, equality and responsibility in his book, New Issues Facing Christian Today,
“Here then is a Christian perspective on human rights. First, we affirm human dignity. Because human beings are created in God’s image to know him, serve one another and be stewards of the earth, therefore they must be respected. Secondly, we affirm human equality. Because human beings have all been made in the same image by the same Creator, therefore we must not be obsequious to some and scornful to others, but behave without partiality to all. Thirdly, we affirm human responsibility. Because God has laid it upon us to love and serve our neighbours, therefore we must fight for their rights, while being ready to renounce our own in order to do so.”
When the church is able to exercise our freedom and responsibility in a way that is compatible to our calling, the world will see that Jesus is the Light of the world.
As a church, we have committed to work towards “Empowering Mission to the Dalits and Beyond”.
This vision is birthed and rooted in our conviction that everyone is endowed with dignity with basic human rights. As the custodian of God’s truth, the church recognises her responsibility to tell all peoples that God loves them because they are made in the image of God and they have a right to choose Christ (John 3:16).
However, human rights do not mean unlimited rights.
Theologian John Stott offered his view on the relationship between human rights, equality and responsibility in his book, New Issues Facing Christian Today,
“Here then is a Christian perspective on human rights. First, we affirm human dignity. Because human beings are created in God’s image to know him, serve one another and be stewards of the earth, therefore they must be respected. Secondly, we affirm human equality. Because human beings have all been made in the same image by the same Creator, therefore we must not be obsequious to some and scornful to others, but behave without partiality to all. Thirdly, we affirm human responsibility. Because God has laid it upon us to love and serve our neighbours, therefore we must fight for their rights, while being ready to renounce our own in order to do so.”
When the church is able to exercise our freedom and responsibility in a way that is compatible to our calling, the world will see that Jesus is the Light of the world.
Friday, August 12, 2011
God's Spirit Speaks
Read Job 1:1-5
Job 1:5
When a period of feasting had run its course, Job would make arrangements for them to be purified. Early in the morning he would sacrifice a burnt offering for each of them, thinking, “Perhaps my children have sinned and cursed God in their hearts.” This was Job’s regular custom.
This morning I woke up to this particular verse – even before I opened my Bible. The verse just came as I was washing my face. What was I thinking then? Actually I don’t think I was thinking at all – to be honest. (It usually takes me about a good half an hour after I wake up for my brain cells to start working).
So – what was happening here? I believe that this is God’s Spirit speaking to me – period. I have known this passage and verse before but today the Spirit is trying to tell me something. Of course I immediately prayed for my children (the plain text says so). Then during my devotion, weird (not really – God is just real – not weird), the devotional prayer book I have been using directed me to Job again!! It was Job again but Job 16:19-21 – talking about our intercessor in heaven – our Lord Jesus…
3 things hit me again today (well, Job 1:5 was more like a lightning bolt hit)…
1. God’s Spirit speaks to our spirit – question is “are we sensitive to His prompting and whisper?”
2. God’s Word is “alive and alive, sharper than any double-edged sword…” (Heb 4:12)
3. God’s fellowship is so very real – I won’t trade my relationship with Him for anything.
But this experience comes to nothing if I do not apply His word. So I
1. Pray for my children – biological and spiritual children
2. Pray that I will be like Job – to be consistent in my prayer-life and discipline and love for my children. To be like Job – that God may ‘boast’ of me to Satan
3. Praise God for the Spirit’s active intercession for me (Rom 8:26,27)
Job 1:5
When a period of feasting had run its course, Job would make arrangements for them to be purified. Early in the morning he would sacrifice a burnt offering for each of them, thinking, “Perhaps my children have sinned and cursed God in their hearts.” This was Job’s regular custom.
This morning I woke up to this particular verse – even before I opened my Bible. The verse just came as I was washing my face. What was I thinking then? Actually I don’t think I was thinking at all – to be honest. (It usually takes me about a good half an hour after I wake up for my brain cells to start working).
So – what was happening here? I believe that this is God’s Spirit speaking to me – period. I have known this passage and verse before but today the Spirit is trying to tell me something. Of course I immediately prayed for my children (the plain text says so). Then during my devotion, weird (not really – God is just real – not weird), the devotional prayer book I have been using directed me to Job again!! It was Job again but Job 16:19-21 – talking about our intercessor in heaven – our Lord Jesus…
3 things hit me again today (well, Job 1:5 was more like a lightning bolt hit)…
1. God’s Spirit speaks to our spirit – question is “are we sensitive to His prompting and whisper?”
2. God’s Word is “alive and alive, sharper than any double-edged sword…” (Heb 4:12)
3. God’s fellowship is so very real – I won’t trade my relationship with Him for anything.
But this experience comes to nothing if I do not apply His word. So I
1. Pray for my children – biological and spiritual children
2. Pray that I will be like Job – to be consistent in my prayer-life and discipline and love for my children. To be like Job – that God may ‘boast’ of me to Satan
3. Praise God for the Spirit’s active intercession for me (Rom 8:26,27)
Thursday, August 11, 2011
The untapped Resource
Prayer is the most powerful resource in the hands of the Church.
Prayer inspires – it fuels courage, instils faith and shatters lies. Prayer works – it moves mountains, tears down strongholds and accomplishes feats. Prayer moves the hands of God who holds the universe.
Prayer is also the least utilised tool among God’s people.
It is the last resort after we have tried everything. It is the passive act after all our activities. It is the negligible consultation session after men’s idea. YET the greatest exploits ever undertaken by men for God are achieved in, through and because of prayer.
In prayer, we think God’s thoughts, hear God’s voice and experience God’s Presence. In prayer, we acquire God’s wisdom, see God’s vision and taste God’s goodness. In prayer, we engage the Divine, overcome our flesh and make spiritual advances.
In prayer, the church comes together as a body, unites as a body and moves as a body. In prayer, the church acknowledges our connection to one Lord and depends on each other for sustenance. We laugh, cry and groan as a family.
Prayer works.
Prayer is the power-house of the church
Prayer inspires – it fuels courage, instils faith and shatters lies. Prayer works – it moves mountains, tears down strongholds and accomplishes feats. Prayer moves the hands of God who holds the universe.
Prayer is also the least utilised tool among God’s people.
It is the last resort after we have tried everything. It is the passive act after all our activities. It is the negligible consultation session after men’s idea. YET the greatest exploits ever undertaken by men for God are achieved in, through and because of prayer.
In prayer, we think God’s thoughts, hear God’s voice and experience God’s Presence. In prayer, we acquire God’s wisdom, see God’s vision and taste God’s goodness. In prayer, we engage the Divine, overcome our flesh and make spiritual advances.
In prayer, the church comes together as a body, unites as a body and moves as a body. In prayer, the church acknowledges our connection to one Lord and depends on each other for sustenance. We laugh, cry and groan as a family.
Prayer works.
Prayer is the power-house of the church
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
God Speaks - a sample
Read Mark 11:20-25
God speaks to me through His word this morning: How? Let me show you…
In Mark 11:22-24 (the words in bold font are the verses – the ones in italics are my interaction with God)
“Have faith in God,” (not the program, not in myself, or any system)
Jesus answered. 23 “Truly I tell you, (this phrase often means ‘pay attention, no kidding – take note. In King James version, ‘Verily, I say unto you”. Matter-of-fact, no speculation, no guessing work here, I am not lying – Okay Lord, I get it – YOU are serious here
if anyone (that means me- yes, Lord, ‘if I”) says (not do, not work harder, but just open my mouth – kind of like what you did at creation huh? “let there be light – and there was light”? COOL), >to this mountain, (big obstacle, the ‘Goliath’, ‘the impossible’ task to ignore or get around…)
‘Go, throw yourself (haha – speak to the obstacle, challenge – to remove itself – I don’t have to lift a finger. I don’t move, the problem is to move and not me!! what God says to ‘stand firm’ and ‘take my place’) into the sea,’
and does not doubt in their heart but believes (Lord, I believe, even then, help my unbelief – okay, I believe not in the mountain but in YOU Lord, take my eyes off the mountain but onto YOU alone) that what they say will happen, (wow! It is done!!) it will be done for them. (God, you are gonna do it, aren’t You? Yes! Yes! I didn’t do it – You did it for me! How much You must love me!! My self-worth just got a booster shot)
Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. (Lord, a promise!! I bank in this promise cheque today!!)
Of course, verse 25 talks about the requirement to get God’s promise – we must not harbour unforgiveness in our hearts – O Lord, thank you – so mountain, be moved in Jesus’ Name. AMEN!
God speaks to me through His word this morning: How? Let me show you…
In Mark 11:22-24 (the words in bold font are the verses – the ones in italics are my interaction with God)
“Have faith in God,” (not the program, not in myself, or any system)
Jesus answered. 23 “Truly I tell you, (this phrase often means ‘pay attention, no kidding – take note. In King James version, ‘Verily, I say unto you”. Matter-of-fact, no speculation, no guessing work here, I am not lying – Okay Lord, I get it – YOU are serious here
if anyone (that means me- yes, Lord, ‘if I”) says (not do, not work harder, but just open my mouth – kind of like what you did at creation huh? “let there be light – and there was light”? COOL), >to this mountain, (big obstacle, the ‘Goliath’, ‘the impossible’ task to ignore or get around…)
‘Go, throw yourself (haha – speak to the obstacle, challenge – to remove itself – I don’t have to lift a finger. I don’t move, the problem is to move and not me!! what God says to ‘stand firm’ and ‘take my place’) into the sea,’
and does not doubt in their heart but believes (Lord, I believe, even then, help my unbelief – okay, I believe not in the mountain but in YOU Lord, take my eyes off the mountain but onto YOU alone) that what they say will happen, (wow! It is done!!) it will be done for them. (God, you are gonna do it, aren’t You? Yes! Yes! I didn’t do it – You did it for me! How much You must love me!! My self-worth just got a booster shot)
Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. (Lord, a promise!! I bank in this promise cheque today!!)
Of course, verse 25 talks about the requirement to get God’s promise – we must not harbour unforgiveness in our hearts – O Lord, thank you – so mountain, be moved in Jesus’ Name. AMEN!
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