16 October 2011
In life, we expect fair play. That is the ideal.
“All’s fair in love and war” – so people who break all fairness rules say. We can cry foul and get all upset but life is not as fair as we think it should be. That is the reality.
Do we throw away our idealism in the face of realism? Must the ideals of perfection be abandoned? Should we settle for less?
“Life is not fair. Just grow up!” So the world tells us.
But if growing up means giving up on the ideal, let me stay with Peter Pan! If growing up means giving in to something that is not right – banish me to Neverland!
Grow up – we must, but not by the world’s definition.
As Christians, we are to “grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ.” (Eph 4:15)
If spiritual growth means becoming like Christ, then how Christ handled life’s disappointments ought to be ours as well. Christ accepted life’s mess but did not settle for it. He gave Himself to reconcile an imperfect world with a perfect God. He did so by enduring the cross, persevering through sufferings and staying on the course of truth and love.
Thus, one of the signs of spiritual maturity is the ability to accept things as it is without becoming cynical or discouraged. It is the persistency to not give up on our beliefs while seeing life played out on warped values.
So keep believing. Keep growing. Keep working. Life is not fair. But God is. People are flawed. So are we. What it is is not what it should be. We are not yet what we could be.
Friday, October 14, 2011
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Love and pain
Read Jeremiah 28
Jeremiah 8:21-22
Since my people are crushed, I am crushed;
I mourn, and horror grips me.
Is there no balm in Gilead?
Is there no physician there?
Why then is there no healing
for the wound of my people?
When was the last time you cried for someone? Was there a time when you pleaded to God for mercy for the sake of someone you love? Was there ever a time when you felt as if you were going to die because someone you treasured dearly was heading stubbornly in the wrong direction?
Jeremiah was dubbed the ‘weeping prophet’ for a reason. He was a man who saw everything crystal clear but remained helpless to help his people. Judah was heading towards disaster but they were blinded to it. Jeremiah preached, screamed, cried and like a mad man begging for his people to repent but they would not.
Repentance is a prerequisite for salvation. Salvation is free in that we cannot earn it. However, salvation is ours only when we recognise that we need it. We realize we need it only when we discover that we are wrong. Just like the sick who cannot acknowledge the need of doctor unless he realizes he is sick; so the sinner cannot fathom his need of a Savior until he admits that he is wrong in his sins. That is the sad plight of Judah – their blindness to their real situation and stubborn pride to go on with their godless lies and lifestyle despite of Jeremiah’s ardent pleas out of genuine love for them.
For all who seek to walk with God in integrity and mature in service, there will come a time when we know our loved ones are going down the paths of destruction in the light of God’s truth and we cannot do anything about it.
Part of spiritual maturity and real love is that of letting go. Just as the father releases his protective hands to let the prodigal son go, we have to open our hands to let our loved ones go. We let go because love must mean the respect of the other person’s choice – even if we can see the inevitable disaster of his choice.
Love means the risk of allowing your heart to be broken. But love anyway.
Jeremiah 8:21-22
Since my people are crushed, I am crushed;
I mourn, and horror grips me.
Is there no balm in Gilead?
Is there no physician there?
Why then is there no healing
for the wound of my people?
When was the last time you cried for someone? Was there a time when you pleaded to God for mercy for the sake of someone you love? Was there ever a time when you felt as if you were going to die because someone you treasured dearly was heading stubbornly in the wrong direction?
Jeremiah was dubbed the ‘weeping prophet’ for a reason. He was a man who saw everything crystal clear but remained helpless to help his people. Judah was heading towards disaster but they were blinded to it. Jeremiah preached, screamed, cried and like a mad man begging for his people to repent but they would not.
Repentance is a prerequisite for salvation. Salvation is free in that we cannot earn it. However, salvation is ours only when we recognise that we need it. We realize we need it only when we discover that we are wrong. Just like the sick who cannot acknowledge the need of doctor unless he realizes he is sick; so the sinner cannot fathom his need of a Savior until he admits that he is wrong in his sins. That is the sad plight of Judah – their blindness to their real situation and stubborn pride to go on with their godless lies and lifestyle despite of Jeremiah’s ardent pleas out of genuine love for them.
For all who seek to walk with God in integrity and mature in service, there will come a time when we know our loved ones are going down the paths of destruction in the light of God’s truth and we cannot do anything about it.
Part of spiritual maturity and real love is that of letting go. Just as the father releases his protective hands to let the prodigal son go, we have to open our hands to let our loved ones go. We let go because love must mean the respect of the other person’s choice – even if we can see the inevitable disaster of his choice.
Love means the risk of allowing your heart to be broken. But love anyway.
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
A Joyful Christian Life
I Thessalonians 5:16-18
“Be joyful always, pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
It is God’s desire that we be people of joy that connect with God in communion and prayer in gratitude. Joy, prayer and thanksgiving are a 3-in-1 combo meal for God’s people. The 3 elements are interconnected and interdependent on each other.
Without joy, it will be difficult to pray without ceasing. To pray continually we need the fuel of joy in our hearts. Giving thanks in all situations well up within us the joy of God’s presence and generate more prayers. It is all interlocked and co-dependent one on the other.
Do you struggle with prayer? The joy of the Lord is likely a missing element as well then. Together with the struggle, you would likely find yourself focusing on things that should have been and you do not have rather than giving thanks for all that you possess and is presently experiencing.
So prayer, joy and thanksgiving all start with an attitude, a mindset and a certain focus. It is a discipline of deciding and choosing a response that fits God’s agenda for your life. It is a mastery of our thoughts on counting all things that we have as gifts for God with His purpose. We may not yet understand why God allows and wants it that way but we decide to rejoice, trust and enter into a dialogue with Him anyway.
In doing so, we fulfil God’s plan for us in our lives and to be in the center of God’s will bring even more tremendous gratefulness which is an on-top-of-the-world feeling that truly shouts, ‘I am blessed’.
The youth groups in my church decided to take up a ’40 Days Thanksgiving Challenge’. In this challenge, we will list 5 items of thanksgiving per day over a 40-days period. It is an exercise that will surely change your outlook in life. Try it
“Be joyful always, pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
It is God’s desire that we be people of joy that connect with God in communion and prayer in gratitude. Joy, prayer and thanksgiving are a 3-in-1 combo meal for God’s people. The 3 elements are interconnected and interdependent on each other.
Without joy, it will be difficult to pray without ceasing. To pray continually we need the fuel of joy in our hearts. Giving thanks in all situations well up within us the joy of God’s presence and generate more prayers. It is all interlocked and co-dependent one on the other.
Do you struggle with prayer? The joy of the Lord is likely a missing element as well then. Together with the struggle, you would likely find yourself focusing on things that should have been and you do not have rather than giving thanks for all that you possess and is presently experiencing.
So prayer, joy and thanksgiving all start with an attitude, a mindset and a certain focus. It is a discipline of deciding and choosing a response that fits God’s agenda for your life. It is a mastery of our thoughts on counting all things that we have as gifts for God with His purpose. We may not yet understand why God allows and wants it that way but we decide to rejoice, trust and enter into a dialogue with Him anyway.
In doing so, we fulfil God’s plan for us in our lives and to be in the center of God’s will bring even more tremendous gratefulness which is an on-top-of-the-world feeling that truly shouts, ‘I am blessed’.
The youth groups in my church decided to take up a ’40 Days Thanksgiving Challenge’. In this challenge, we will list 5 items of thanksgiving per day over a 40-days period. It is an exercise that will surely change your outlook in life. Try it
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
We do not know what to do
Read 2 Chronicles 20:1-30
2 Chronicles 20:12
We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.
Judah faced a national crisis. They were surrounded by 3 kings who seek to annihilate them. King Jehoshaphat’s response was to turn to the Lord.
In his prayer, Jehoshaphat did 3 things
1. Recalled who God is (v 6) : “Are you not…?” to which God’s answer has to be, “Yes, I am”
2. Reminded God of His relationship with His people (v.7-9) : “Did you not…?” He reminded God of His mighty deeds and promises made to God’s people; asking God to keep His word.
3. Requested that God take charge of the situation now (v 10-12)
After the prayer, with the whole nation in unity and fasting, 3 things happened
1. God showed up in a prophesy (v 14-17)
2. God’s people responded in worship (v18-22a)
3. God’s enemies (v 22-29). Noticed that God was the One who ambushed the enemies (v22) and it was the Lord who fought Jerusalem’s enemies (v 29)
When faced with problems and our ‘enemies’ too big and formidable for us, God only asks that we fix our eyes on Him which will translate into praising Him and then faith will rise up within us and to see the Lord delivers us from our plight.
“I do not know what to do, but my eyes are on you.” (2 Chron 20:12)
Instead of asking what should you do, turn to the One who is with you. He knows what to do and His eyes are on you.
2 Chronicles 20:12
We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.
Judah faced a national crisis. They were surrounded by 3 kings who seek to annihilate them. King Jehoshaphat’s response was to turn to the Lord.
In his prayer, Jehoshaphat did 3 things
1. Recalled who God is (v 6) : “Are you not…?” to which God’s answer has to be, “Yes, I am”
2. Reminded God of His relationship with His people (v.7-9) : “Did you not…?” He reminded God of His mighty deeds and promises made to God’s people; asking God to keep His word.
3. Requested that God take charge of the situation now (v 10-12)
After the prayer, with the whole nation in unity and fasting, 3 things happened
1. God showed up in a prophesy (v 14-17)
2. God’s people responded in worship (v18-22a)
3. God’s enemies (v 22-29). Noticed that God was the One who ambushed the enemies (v22) and it was the Lord who fought Jerusalem’s enemies (v 29)
When faced with problems and our ‘enemies’ too big and formidable for us, God only asks that we fix our eyes on Him which will translate into praising Him and then faith will rise up within us and to see the Lord delivers us from our plight.
“I do not know what to do, but my eyes are on you.” (2 Chron 20:12)
Instead of asking what should you do, turn to the One who is with you. He knows what to do and His eyes are on you.
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Major on the majors and minor on the minors
2 October 2011
If only life is as simple as ABC but it is not.
Life is complex and our world is far from being simplistic.
For the disciple of Christ, life gets real frustrating when we try to live biblically. The Bible teaches absolutes, the clear line between right and wrong, but life issues are often blurred in a hue of grey.
The Bible is indeed full of absolutes – about God, sin, salvation and holiness, etc.
However, within the perimeter of absolutes, there is great freedom. The Bible contains many leeway and freedom of choice regarding many things considered non-essentials of faith. For matters such as these, we are free to choose according to our conscience.
Life gets frustrating when we fail to discern the non-essentials from the essentials of our faith. God’s church is often of not much help because she tends to bicker over trivial matters of conscience instead of building God’s people in the fundamental teachings of Christ. It is like nitpicking and overly focused on the deco of the house while oblivious to the shaky foundation of the house.
How do we major on the majors and minor on the minors?
It can be as easy as ABC but it is not. It is easy because the Word of God is all sufficient to provide us with God’s blueprint for our living. It is not because it requires discipline, commitment and hard work.
All of us desire to know God’s truth – it is getting there that poses a great challenge.
Did I say that that life is complex and far from being simplistic? I rest my case.
If only life is as simple as ABC but it is not.
Life is complex and our world is far from being simplistic.
For the disciple of Christ, life gets real frustrating when we try to live biblically. The Bible teaches absolutes, the clear line between right and wrong, but life issues are often blurred in a hue of grey.
The Bible is indeed full of absolutes – about God, sin, salvation and holiness, etc.
However, within the perimeter of absolutes, there is great freedom. The Bible contains many leeway and freedom of choice regarding many things considered non-essentials of faith. For matters such as these, we are free to choose according to our conscience.
Life gets frustrating when we fail to discern the non-essentials from the essentials of our faith. God’s church is often of not much help because she tends to bicker over trivial matters of conscience instead of building God’s people in the fundamental teachings of Christ. It is like nitpicking and overly focused on the deco of the house while oblivious to the shaky foundation of the house.
How do we major on the majors and minor on the minors?
It can be as easy as ABC but it is not. It is easy because the Word of God is all sufficient to provide us with God’s blueprint for our living. It is not because it requires discipline, commitment and hard work.
All of us desire to know God’s truth – it is getting there that poses a great challenge.
Did I say that that life is complex and far from being simplistic? I rest my case.
Thursday, September 15, 2011
The Promise Keeper
Read Numbers 23:1-26
Numbers 23:19
God is not human, that he should lie,
not a human being, that he should change his mind.
Does he speak and then not act?
Does he promise and not fulfill?
This is an interesting passage about Balaam who was hired by Balak, the Moabite king to curse Israel. However he ended up blessing Israel instead – all because God is a Promise-keeper.
People who keep promises are difficult to find these days. We are too quick to promise and too weak to deliver. A man’s word – how he keeps to his word – is a sign of his integrity. Being true to our word is a manifestation of our character; especially when the circumstances are dire.
God is a Promise-keeper. He will not let us down. He always acts upon what He says. Even when we forget His promises to us, He will not forget. His memory to all things good for us holds to eternity while He chooses to forget our sins in an instant. How much must He loves us!
The Bible is full of God’s promises toward us. One of the secrets of the great saints is to remind God of His promises to us and hold God at His word. To know and hold God at His promises fuels us in our prayers – we will not easily give up when things get tough because the God who promises will fulfil His word.
God’s integrity is at stake and He will do it.
Numbers 23:19
God is not human, that he should lie,
not a human being, that he should change his mind.
Does he speak and then not act?
Does he promise and not fulfill?
This is an interesting passage about Balaam who was hired by Balak, the Moabite king to curse Israel. However he ended up blessing Israel instead – all because God is a Promise-keeper.
People who keep promises are difficult to find these days. We are too quick to promise and too weak to deliver. A man’s word – how he keeps to his word – is a sign of his integrity. Being true to our word is a manifestation of our character; especially when the circumstances are dire.
God is a Promise-keeper. He will not let us down. He always acts upon what He says. Even when we forget His promises to us, He will not forget. His memory to all things good for us holds to eternity while He chooses to forget our sins in an instant. How much must He loves us!
The Bible is full of God’s promises toward us. One of the secrets of the great saints is to remind God of His promises to us and hold God at His word. To know and hold God at His promises fuels us in our prayers – we will not easily give up when things get tough because the God who promises will fulfil His word.
God’s integrity is at stake and He will do it.
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Going the Second-Mile
Read Matthew 5:38-42
Matthew 5:41
If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles.
I read a book called “Second-mile People” by Isobel Kuhn when I was a youth. I told God and promised myself that I would practice the second-mile principle as I journey in this life with Christ. It is one of the hard sayings of Jesus and it is tough (still is) putting the saying into practice.
The second-mile principle is that of a non-violence response to being taking advantage of. It is looking violence and injustice in its ugly face and then choosing to turn the other cheek. It is standing up to injustice by choosing to love the person instead of retaliating against the sinful act.
It is easy to forgive and love a non-Christian for sinful acts done against us. But what if the person violating us is a Christian? Worse still, what if he or she is a person whom we trust? It is as what Julius Caesar would say to Marcus Brutus’ betrayal, “Even you, Brutus” (Shakespeare’s play).
There may be many days when we hear God’s call to go the extra mile for someone who hates or does not appreciate us. It will be tiring, stressful and sad. The feeling of unfairness will play its course in our minds. The feeling that God is harsh on us and too lenient on the offender will scream at us. Sometimes the feeling overwhelms us to the point where we feel that we are abandoned by God. We may then protest that we have been played the fool – and all for nothing.
In times like these, we remember the Cross. We remember our Lord Jesus. We played Him. He was the fool to have gone the second mile for us. He was ripped off and abandoned, laughed at and suffered for us, the ingrates. But He chose to do it – He decided to go God’s way and He was strong because of that choice.
Choosing to not just forgive, but forget and choosing to love again the sinner is our choice. We may feel cornered by God without a choice but it is not true. We choose it and by our choice, we display God’s strength and it reveals our identity as followers of the Cross.
Matthew 5:41
If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles.
I read a book called “Second-mile People” by Isobel Kuhn when I was a youth. I told God and promised myself that I would practice the second-mile principle as I journey in this life with Christ. It is one of the hard sayings of Jesus and it is tough (still is) putting the saying into practice.
The second-mile principle is that of a non-violence response to being taking advantage of. It is looking violence and injustice in its ugly face and then choosing to turn the other cheek. It is standing up to injustice by choosing to love the person instead of retaliating against the sinful act.
It is easy to forgive and love a non-Christian for sinful acts done against us. But what if the person violating us is a Christian? Worse still, what if he or she is a person whom we trust? It is as what Julius Caesar would say to Marcus Brutus’ betrayal, “Even you, Brutus” (Shakespeare’s play).
There may be many days when we hear God’s call to go the extra mile for someone who hates or does not appreciate us. It will be tiring, stressful and sad. The feeling of unfairness will play its course in our minds. The feeling that God is harsh on us and too lenient on the offender will scream at us. Sometimes the feeling overwhelms us to the point where we feel that we are abandoned by God. We may then protest that we have been played the fool – and all for nothing.
In times like these, we remember the Cross. We remember our Lord Jesus. We played Him. He was the fool to have gone the second mile for us. He was ripped off and abandoned, laughed at and suffered for us, the ingrates. But He chose to do it – He decided to go God’s way and He was strong because of that choice.
Choosing to not just forgive, but forget and choosing to love again the sinner is our choice. We may feel cornered by God without a choice but it is not true. We choose it and by our choice, we display God’s strength and it reveals our identity as followers of the Cross.
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