Good Friday is coming soon. What does it mean for you? At G12 meeting last Wednesday, pastor let us watch a snippet from the Passion of Christ video. It is just a montage of scenes being played to the song, Jesus Died for Me. As I watched the scenes of Jesus being tortured by the Roman soldiers, I asked the Lord to search my heart. I realised that it is so easy to watch a scene like that, then feel sorry for what happened but point the finger to the Roman soldiers and blame them for such a sinful act. A sense of self-righteousness arose as I thought to myself, if I were alive at that time and knew Jesus, surely I would have fought to protect Him. Really?
Who was it who crucified Jesus to the cross? Was it just the Romans soldiers? If Jesus died and felt the pain of sin then, is it true then that He doesn't feel it anymore today? As we began to worship the Lord, I felt the Holy Spirit convicting me that each time we sin against the Lord, we crucify Him on the cross again. I am as guilty of putting the nails into His hands as any of the Roman soldiers. Yes, Jesus died and He rose again. He overcame death after paying the price for our sin. Sin that was not just the condition of man then. But also that of man today. How does our sin affect God? Does sin bring consequence only to our eternal being and have no consequence on anyone else? Surely not! Could it be that each time we sin, we continue to add to the pain and suffering that Jesus felt as He bore the weight of the world on His shoulders?
What then does Good Friday mean to you? What's so great about celebrating the death of Jesus? To me, it is about His deep love for me. A deep love that causes me to want to obey Him because I want to reciprocate as much of that love back to Him. It is also a time to remember that Jesus did not remain dead. He rose on the third day! It was as if Jesus was saying, "There is hope in me! Even to the point of death, I have overcome." No matter what situation I am going through, there is hope and victory in Jesus! He demonstrated it when He rose again! It is the reason why we can believe in Him, why we can trust in Him!
May this Good Friday not be just another ritual for you. May you truly know the depth of Jesus' love and His desire for you to have freedom and victory in Him as you remember His death on the cross and then His victory as He rose again to be with God.
Saturday, March 31, 2007
Thursday, March 29, 2007
Do not be anxious. Guard your heart and mind.
Recently, I have been under a lot of stress as I push myself to finish my Architecture Design Thesis project on time. It has not been an easy journey and I often ask the Lord why I find it so difficult to accomplish something that many of my other peers are able to do without much difficulty.
I felt the Lord leading me to Philippians 4:4-7.
4Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
One of the things that I realised about myself when I am under this kind of stress is that I tend to be very irritable. Call me on the phone and you will understand what I mean. I sound distant, I sound irritated, I sound like the whole world owes me peace and quiet. I bark at my mum when I need lunch and even try to make her feel guilty about my gastric when I feel she is taking too long. I flare up when she wants to use the computer to check her email cos I feel that each second and minute on the computer (where I do most of my work) is precious to me. Any disturbance whatsoever deserves to be given the harshest treatment and thrown out. Yup, that is mean under stress and pressure.
As I read Philippians, I am convicted of my most ungodly behaviour and attitude. Paul writes that we should rejoice in the Lord always! And particularly during times when we are anxious. He tells to let our gentleness be evident to all - meaning to show forth and demonstrate the character of God even in such challenging times. How can we do that? For some of us, and I am very much in this category of people, it is almost an impossible task! Why even bother you say? Here is the crucial part. Do not be anxious about anything. Do not be overwhelmed by the pressures that are surrounding you, Paul writes! Why? Because if we do, we are very close to backsliding! Paul says to depend on the Lord by praying and bringing your requests before the Lord in thanksgiving. Why? So that our minds and hearts will be guarded!
I learnt this personally recently. I did something I should not have. On hindsight, I felt it was something that I would not have done normally if I had been walking right with God. Having been corrected by my pastor, I realised that I had not guard my heart and mind during this period of stress. Instead of bringing my requests to God, I had decided to handle it my own way by worrying and allowing myself to give in and be overwhelmed by anxiousness and self pity.
Read the verses again. You will realise that the Lord understands our struggles. He has a way out for us. Peace which transcends all understanding. Isn't that beautiful? A peace that goes beyond human understanding. When all else seems to be going wrong, the Lord says, I offer you my peace. Let it guard your heart and your mind so that you will not sin in your anxiousness. Bring your issues to me. Come in thanksgiving because I am God who is still sovereign over all and I am using hardship to mould you to be more Chirst-like.
Are you in a similar situation? Hold on to God. Pray even more intensively. Let Him bring you peace. Learn to rejoice in Him. And be assured as written in vs 4. The Lord is near. Amen.
I felt the Lord leading me to Philippians 4:4-7.
4Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
One of the things that I realised about myself when I am under this kind of stress is that I tend to be very irritable. Call me on the phone and you will understand what I mean. I sound distant, I sound irritated, I sound like the whole world owes me peace and quiet. I bark at my mum when I need lunch and even try to make her feel guilty about my gastric when I feel she is taking too long. I flare up when she wants to use the computer to check her email cos I feel that each second and minute on the computer (where I do most of my work) is precious to me. Any disturbance whatsoever deserves to be given the harshest treatment and thrown out. Yup, that is mean under stress and pressure.
As I read Philippians, I am convicted of my most ungodly behaviour and attitude. Paul writes that we should rejoice in the Lord always! And particularly during times when we are anxious. He tells to let our gentleness be evident to all - meaning to show forth and demonstrate the character of God even in such challenging times. How can we do that? For some of us, and I am very much in this category of people, it is almost an impossible task! Why even bother you say? Here is the crucial part. Do not be anxious about anything. Do not be overwhelmed by the pressures that are surrounding you, Paul writes! Why? Because if we do, we are very close to backsliding! Paul says to depend on the Lord by praying and bringing your requests before the Lord in thanksgiving. Why? So that our minds and hearts will be guarded!
I learnt this personally recently. I did something I should not have. On hindsight, I felt it was something that I would not have done normally if I had been walking right with God. Having been corrected by my pastor, I realised that I had not guard my heart and mind during this period of stress. Instead of bringing my requests to God, I had decided to handle it my own way by worrying and allowing myself to give in and be overwhelmed by anxiousness and self pity.
Read the verses again. You will realise that the Lord understands our struggles. He has a way out for us. Peace which transcends all understanding. Isn't that beautiful? A peace that goes beyond human understanding. When all else seems to be going wrong, the Lord says, I offer you my peace. Let it guard your heart and your mind so that you will not sin in your anxiousness. Bring your issues to me. Come in thanksgiving because I am God who is still sovereign over all and I am using hardship to mould you to be more Chirst-like.
Are you in a similar situation? Hold on to God. Pray even more intensively. Let Him bring you peace. Learn to rejoice in Him. And be assured as written in vs 4. The Lord is near. Amen.
Friday, March 23, 2007
Have great urgency! We don't have all time!
What would you do if you realised you had just 3 months left to live? How would you live your life as a Christian? What would you do if someone you were close to had just 3 months left to live? How would you spend your time with that person? Does he know Christ yet? Does his family know Christ? Can God heal him? Will God heal him? Today, I had to ask myself these questions.
No, I am not dying. At least not until the Lord says so. I have a friend, a 15-year-old who has been diagnosed with some form of Neurofibromatosis which is causing tumours to spread within his body. The doctor did not have a very good prognosis. I found myself searching through the web, spending a large part of tonight trying to research on this illness. I have never felt so helpless before. Death can be quite the executioner. And when he strikes, who are we to say no, wait. Give me another 5 years. I am still young. I have the rest of my life ahead of me. Go find someone else who has been committing crimes and murdering people. Oh, but did I mention that Death has a good friend called Illness aka Disease? And Death is only too happy to meet up with him to have a party.
But you know what? There WAS someone who stared death in the face, allowed him to deal the fatal strike, then defeated him by rising again, now seated at the right hand of God. This person alone has the power and authority over death and illnesses. I mean, look at how many times he healed the sick? I don't have to say more for you to know I am talking about Jesus! The one in whom we can have hope and joy in. The one who did not remain in His grave but overcame the power of death by rising up from the dead to live again. Today, as I crossed the overhead bridge from the hospital to the MRT, I cried out to the Lord, "He is only 15! He deserves more than this!" And in the quietness of my heart, a steel but sure voice resonated with assurance, "I will save him. I WILL save him."
I learnt something about love today. I told God, perhaps I can exchange my life for his? I have had the opportunity to know and love God. That was all I ever needed. And then I realised, that was probably how God felt when He saw His people condemned to eternal separation from Him due to sin. He wanted to do something that would exchange His life for ours. What I felt for my young friend is but a fraction of what God feels for us. 1 John 3:16 - "This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers." Why would Christ die for us? His love for us compelled Him to do so.
So my answer to the above questions? If I had just 3 months to live, I would share with everyone my testimony in the hope that they would receive and come to know this saviour that I do. If I knew someone with just 3 months? I would do all in my means to pray, fast and seek God for Him so that he will come to know God and live the life that God wants him to.
But wait a minute. Why only if he has 3 months to live? Do we know what is going to happen tomorrow? Do you know that you will still be alive tomorrow? Why do we live our lives as if we have forever? WE DON'T! Why do we put off the important things until it is too late? When will we learn? Our time on earth is limited. Spend it wisely so that it matters for eternity!
And yes, God can heal. Yes, God will heal! He said it in His word! Do I have the faith? I pray so! Lord, I want to see a miracle. I know you can, and I am willing. I claim complete healing for my friend in Jesus' name! AMEN!
No, I am not dying. At least not until the Lord says so. I have a friend, a 15-year-old who has been diagnosed with some form of Neurofibromatosis which is causing tumours to spread within his body. The doctor did not have a very good prognosis. I found myself searching through the web, spending a large part of tonight trying to research on this illness. I have never felt so helpless before. Death can be quite the executioner. And when he strikes, who are we to say no, wait. Give me another 5 years. I am still young. I have the rest of my life ahead of me. Go find someone else who has been committing crimes and murdering people. Oh, but did I mention that Death has a good friend called Illness aka Disease? And Death is only too happy to meet up with him to have a party.
But you know what? There WAS someone who stared death in the face, allowed him to deal the fatal strike, then defeated him by rising again, now seated at the right hand of God. This person alone has the power and authority over death and illnesses. I mean, look at how many times he healed the sick? I don't have to say more for you to know I am talking about Jesus! The one in whom we can have hope and joy in. The one who did not remain in His grave but overcame the power of death by rising up from the dead to live again. Today, as I crossed the overhead bridge from the hospital to the MRT, I cried out to the Lord, "He is only 15! He deserves more than this!" And in the quietness of my heart, a steel but sure voice resonated with assurance, "I will save him. I WILL save him."
I learnt something about love today. I told God, perhaps I can exchange my life for his? I have had the opportunity to know and love God. That was all I ever needed. And then I realised, that was probably how God felt when He saw His people condemned to eternal separation from Him due to sin. He wanted to do something that would exchange His life for ours. What I felt for my young friend is but a fraction of what God feels for us. 1 John 3:16 - "This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers." Why would Christ die for us? His love for us compelled Him to do so.
So my answer to the above questions? If I had just 3 months to live, I would share with everyone my testimony in the hope that they would receive and come to know this saviour that I do. If I knew someone with just 3 months? I would do all in my means to pray, fast and seek God for Him so that he will come to know God and live the life that God wants him to.
But wait a minute. Why only if he has 3 months to live? Do we know what is going to happen tomorrow? Do you know that you will still be alive tomorrow? Why do we live our lives as if we have forever? WE DON'T! Why do we put off the important things until it is too late? When will we learn? Our time on earth is limited. Spend it wisely so that it matters for eternity!
And yes, God can heal. Yes, God will heal! He said it in His word! Do I have the faith? I pray so! Lord, I want to see a miracle. I know you can, and I am willing. I claim complete healing for my friend in Jesus' name! AMEN!
Monday, March 12, 2007
God is watching us!
As I read Proverbs 5, I was wondering whether Solomon wrote this as a metaphor, the adulteress referring to the things of the world that distract us from loving God. I was wondering because he repeats himself so many times on this issue, once more in chapter 6 and again in chapter 7. And I was thinking, wasn't Solomon the King with many wives? To me, it is strange for Solomon to write on an issue like this when he himself was a polygamous king! More interestingly, Solomon was the son of Kind David and Bathsheba - the very person whom King David committed adultery with and hence paid for his sin with his firstborn.
Well, to answer, the first question, the book of Proverbs should be taken as a teaching on the practical affairs of our lives. It is a book that teaches us how to live our lives in the right conduct, our prime motive being the holy fear of the Lord. So, in this context, Solomon WAS talking about avoiding seduction and temptation by the adulteress! It goes to show that things have not changed much since the time of King Solomon. The traps used by the Devil to tempt us into sin are still being repeated day after day in this age. No wonder Solomon felt it important enough to write so strongly to warn us against adultery!
A few things I was reminded of. Keep far away from temptation. Keep away from even the least bit of it. (vs 8, keep to a path far from her.) In other words, do whatever you can that is necessary to avoid it! If you are into pornography, then make sure your computer is in a public space. Make sure you have a filtering system installed on it, or a program that records the sites that you go to and sends them to your accountability partner! If you are smoking, then stay away from the friends who will influence you to smoke. Surround yourself with people who will encourage you to a healthy lifestyle. If you are married, don't ever allow yourself to be in a compromising position with someone of the opposite sex. Avoid at all costs social functions/ outings that will give rise to such opportunities.
God takes a very serious position against adultery. He values marriage very highly and rightly so. You know this in the way God often draws a parallel between the relationship of a bride and bridegroom and that between the church and Him. And in chapter 6 vs 33, it is emphasised that his shame (the adulterer's) will never be wiped away. vs 35, He (the husband) will not accept any compensation. Meaning, no form of restitution will be good enough to repay for what was done.
And God is not blind. vs 21, For a man's ways are in full view of the Lord, and he examines all his paths. God knows and he is watching. Sin will not go unpunished (vs 22 The evil deeds of a man ensnare him). Sin CANNOT go unpunished. Remember the times when nobody was looking? When you compromised by giving in to sin even though you could feel the conscience of the Holy Spirit pricking you? God saw it all. And it is NOT acceptable unto Him.
I sense the Lord making me check my value system once more. Have I been influenced by the standards of the world so that I have compromised on His standards? Do I think it is "not unusual for Christians to fall into adultery since we are all mere humans and imperfect" and therefore consider it an acceptable evil? Have I become comfortable with the fact that it is normal for pre-marital sex to take place among our young people? Have I even entertained that thought myself? Will I make it a point to stand up to all these SINFUL values when it matters or will I just quietly acknowledge that it is a lost cause anyway.
God detests sin. Sexual immorality is one of those that especially angers and hurts Him. May I grow to hate every shred of the presence of sin in my life so that I might know holiness in Him.
Resources:
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary, Proverbs - a good online commentary that I found on the book of Proverbs.
Covenant Eyes - A good and cheap internet accountability software.
A+ Premium Filtering - A comprehensive internet filtering program for Christians.
Well, to answer, the first question, the book of Proverbs should be taken as a teaching on the practical affairs of our lives. It is a book that teaches us how to live our lives in the right conduct, our prime motive being the holy fear of the Lord. So, in this context, Solomon WAS talking about avoiding seduction and temptation by the adulteress! It goes to show that things have not changed much since the time of King Solomon. The traps used by the Devil to tempt us into sin are still being repeated day after day in this age. No wonder Solomon felt it important enough to write so strongly to warn us against adultery!
A few things I was reminded of. Keep far away from temptation. Keep away from even the least bit of it. (vs 8, keep to a path far from her.) In other words, do whatever you can that is necessary to avoid it! If you are into pornography, then make sure your computer is in a public space. Make sure you have a filtering system installed on it, or a program that records the sites that you go to and sends them to your accountability partner! If you are smoking, then stay away from the friends who will influence you to smoke. Surround yourself with people who will encourage you to a healthy lifestyle. If you are married, don't ever allow yourself to be in a compromising position with someone of the opposite sex. Avoid at all costs social functions/ outings that will give rise to such opportunities.
God takes a very serious position against adultery. He values marriage very highly and rightly so. You know this in the way God often draws a parallel between the relationship of a bride and bridegroom and that between the church and Him. And in chapter 6 vs 33, it is emphasised that his shame (the adulterer's) will never be wiped away. vs 35, He (the husband) will not accept any compensation. Meaning, no form of restitution will be good enough to repay for what was done.
And God is not blind. vs 21, For a man's ways are in full view of the Lord, and he examines all his paths. God knows and he is watching. Sin will not go unpunished (vs 22 The evil deeds of a man ensnare him). Sin CANNOT go unpunished. Remember the times when nobody was looking? When you compromised by giving in to sin even though you could feel the conscience of the Holy Spirit pricking you? God saw it all. And it is NOT acceptable unto Him.
I sense the Lord making me check my value system once more. Have I been influenced by the standards of the world so that I have compromised on His standards? Do I think it is "not unusual for Christians to fall into adultery since we are all mere humans and imperfect" and therefore consider it an acceptable evil? Have I become comfortable with the fact that it is normal for pre-marital sex to take place among our young people? Have I even entertained that thought myself? Will I make it a point to stand up to all these SINFUL values when it matters or will I just quietly acknowledge that it is a lost cause anyway.
God detests sin. Sexual immorality is one of those that especially angers and hurts Him. May I grow to hate every shred of the presence of sin in my life so that I might know holiness in Him.
Resources:
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary, Proverbs - a good online commentary that I found on the book of Proverbs.
Covenant Eyes - A good and cheap internet accountability software.
A+ Premium Filtering - A comprehensive internet filtering program for Christians.
Friday, March 9, 2007
Wisdom is Supreme
Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom. This is a recurring theme that Solomon repeats again and again in the book of Proverbs. In fact, he writes many times for sons to listen to their father's instructions and not forsake his teachings. He emphasises it again and again, the words pay attention repeating themselves so many times. What is it about wisdom that is so important? Why didn't he say, Love is supreme, or brokenness is supreme? Why wisdom? Proverbs 4:7, "Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom. Though it cost all that you have, get understanding."
Those are some powerful words aren't they? I believe they hint at something though. If we study and take seriously all the promises that are given if you embrace wisdom and follow her, we begin to see a glimpse of the life that God meant for us to lead. For example,
1. When you walk, your steps will not be hampered. (vs12)
2. She... will present you with a crown of splendour. (vs 9)
3. She will protect you. (vs 6)
4. They are life to those who find them. (vs 22)
These are only from Chapter 4. If you were to make a list of all the blessings from Wisdom in the entire Proverbs, it will probably extend a few pages.
I can't help but ask myself what kind of life I am living now and comparing against that which the Lord has intended for me to. I fall very far behind! There is so much that the Lord has intended that I am missing out on! So, why wisdom??! I felt the Holy Spirit guiding me back to Proverbs 1:7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, but fools despise wisdom and discipline. Wisdom is not something that you fill yourself up with and sit on a mountain top and meditate like some guru or sage. It is about putting God's instructions and directions into action, even under many challenging situations we face on earth. Fear and reverence of God MUST propel us to do so! It is not fear in an intimidating sense, but a holy respect that compels and convicts us to live out obedience, not just understand it.
I have been trying to put into application what God is teaching me each day. Yet I find it really difficult to do so. It is a great challenge! There is a sense of lathargy and inertia to constantly apply the word of God in my life. Now, if I understood fully that my life depends on me doing that, would I still give in to all the excuses I make for myself? I doubt so! The truth is, that sense of urgency IS very real! Yet, it is so easy to turn a deaf ear!
I realise my life cannot stay the same. And I need God to change me. I will be spending time praying at least 15 min for myself every day. I want a breakthrough in my life. And I am doing something about it. What about you?!
Thursday, March 8, 2007
We give because God first gave.
When was the last time you felt the prompting of the Holy Spirit to go over and pray for someone or to bless a brother or sister-in-christ by helping him/her financially or through other means, but chose to ignore it?
Proverbs 3:27-28 struck me, "Do not withhold good from those who deserve it, when it is in your power to act. 28 Do not say to your neighbor, 'Come back later; I'll give it tomorrow'— when you now have it with you."
I remember a few instances where I did exactly that - ask the person to come back later, half hoping that he will forget, half thinking, perhaps I will have a need for this later, so better wait. However, vs 27 says very clearly to not withhold good from those who deserve it! And it says this in the same passage as things like, "Do not plot harm against your neighbour," or "Do not envy a violent man or choose any of his ways. " God considers all these of the same importance!
We have all heard this before, that sin is not only doing the wrong thing, but also NOT doing the right thing! The principle is not difficult to understand. God Himself is the giver of ALL good things! We are but stewards of all that He has blessed us with and we are to be GOOD STEWARDS. If all we have is His, then we need to be attentive and obedient how He wants us to use it. Do you feel proud of the fact that you collected much ang pow money during Chinese New Year or that your salary is of an above average amount? Remember that there is nothing there that we can boast of, only of His goodness in our lives. Ask the Lord today, how He wants you to invest the things He has blessed you with.
Proverbs 3:27-28 struck me, "Do not withhold good from those who deserve it, when it is in your power to act. 28 Do not say to your neighbor, 'Come back later; I'll give it tomorrow'— when you now have it with you."
I remember a few instances where I did exactly that - ask the person to come back later, half hoping that he will forget, half thinking, perhaps I will have a need for this later, so better wait. However, vs 27 says very clearly to not withhold good from those who deserve it! And it says this in the same passage as things like, "Do not plot harm against your neighbour," or "Do not envy a violent man or choose any of his ways. " God considers all these of the same importance!
We have all heard this before, that sin is not only doing the wrong thing, but also NOT doing the right thing! The principle is not difficult to understand. God Himself is the giver of ALL good things! We are but stewards of all that He has blessed us with and we are to be GOOD STEWARDS. If all we have is His, then we need to be attentive and obedient how He wants us to use it. Do you feel proud of the fact that you collected much ang pow money during Chinese New Year or that your salary is of an above average amount? Remember that there is nothing there that we can boast of, only of His goodness in our lives. Ask the Lord today, how He wants you to invest the things He has blessed you with.
Tuesday, March 6, 2007
The Lord wants ALL your heart
Having meditated on Proverbs 3:5-6 for the past 2 weeks, it was special to come back to it again in Chapter 3. Somehow, it has grown to become one of my favourite verses and one that never ceases to bring me back to the greatness of God and the smallness of my struggles. Each time I read it, I feel the Lord's mighty hands protecting me and His love assuring me that He will make my paths straight.
I was just observing how the verses were written. Often when verses are written in similar format as in these 2 verses, a comparison can be made between both of them. "In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight." There seems to be a causative effect here. Cause: Acknowledge him. Effect: He will make your paths straight. If I were to use the same structure to interpret vs 5, then it follows that Cause: Trust in the Lord with all your heart. Effect: Lean not on your own understanding.
Many times, we think of it the other way around, i.e. Stop understanding it yourself, and after you have done that, trust the Lord. What God seems to be saying to me is the opposite! Trust in me FIRST! And all the rest of the things shall become shadows in my light. The Lord really is saying this, "Make your focus ME and not your own understanding!" When we choose to focus on God, our paths will naturally become straightened before us, Hallelujah!
I was just observing how the verses were written. Often when verses are written in similar format as in these 2 verses, a comparison can be made between both of them. "In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight." There seems to be a causative effect here. Cause: Acknowledge him. Effect: He will make your paths straight. If I were to use the same structure to interpret vs 5, then it follows that Cause: Trust in the Lord with all your heart. Effect: Lean not on your own understanding.
Many times, we think of it the other way around, i.e. Stop understanding it yourself, and after you have done that, trust the Lord. What God seems to be saying to me is the opposite! Trust in me FIRST! And all the rest of the things shall become shadows in my light. The Lord really is saying this, "Make your focus ME and not your own understanding!" When we choose to focus on God, our paths will naturally become straightened before us, Hallelujah!
Monday, March 5, 2007
Wisdom is God's WILL for our lives
Let your life be led by the wisdom of God.Do not be like the weeds of the fields,
swayed and tossed around by the winds of change.
I am reminded once again , that when God says in verse 1, "My son, if you accept my words, and store up my commands within you" .... then verse 5, "then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God." , He wasn't using the word, "if" as conveying a meaning of uncertainty. For example, if there is a traffic jam, I will be late. Or if I the flight is delayed, you will be upgraded to business class.
No, the word 'if' is used to state certain obvious truth and to highlight the consequences of obeying/ disobeying. Take for example, if you are a mother, you will take care and want the best for your children. The fact that you are a mother is not an uncertainty. It is the truth. And it follows that you WILL want the best for your children.
Back to the verses, God WANTS us to accept his words and store up His commands within us. It is not a "if you feel like doing it" but a "DO IT!" Then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God (vs 5) . Then you will understand what is right and just and fair (vs 9). For the upright will live in the land, and the blameless will remain in it; but the wicked will be cut off from the land, and the unfaithful will be torn from it (vs 21, 22).
God has spoken very clearly how we must lead our lives as believers. If we choose not to, we choose a life of being cut off from Him. Yet, many times, we tend to be swayed by the values of the world and attempt to match God's standard to it by saying, why is God's standard like that? It seems so unfair. What is wrong with pre-marital sex? We are intending to get married anyway. What is wrong with homosexuality? The people truly love each other. What is wrong with backstabbing my boss? He deserves it. What is wrong with shouting at my mother? She shouted at me first. And the list can go on.
What is our response? The first 2 verses of Proverbs 2 seem to sum it up for us. Accept God's words. Believe them. Be zealous over them. Don't deny them because you cannot understand them. Don't doubt them because the world says otherwise. Embrace them.
Store up my commands within you. Be a person who enthusiastically obeys my commands. Keep them, meditate upon them. Value them.
Is there something in our life that you find difficulty obeying the Lord in? Or a principle that your cell/G12 leader is trying to teach you but you find difficulty obeying? Check your heart today, and obey. It is God's will for you.
Thursday, March 1, 2007
The wrath of a divine and perfect judge
I was reflecting on how we receive and exalt the attributes of God's character such as love, kindness, grace, forgiveness, etc. with much readiness but when it comes to things like God's judgement and His wrath, we get all tongue-tied and try to make up excuses for God by saying things like, "Oh, no lah, that was God in the old testament. Now, there is grace." or "Ermm... Yah, I also don't know why He has to destroy the whole of Sodom and Gomorrah. Sounds like tough love."
We skirt around the issue, wondering how a God who is kind and all-compassionate could also wipe out entire cities and send plagues that devastate and even take lives. And then we think, "Thank God he is not like that anymore." And we have this hazy impression that somehow God has mellowed over the years and become more tolerant of our wrong doing.
DO NOT BE DECEIVED ANY LONGER! Our God is the same yesterday, today and forever! If He detested sin in the old testament, He does not tolerate it any more in today's world! If He was a God who judged His people then, He will come to judge us also! Make no mistake, the God of love is also the God who will judge us according to how we have led our lives and give according to each person what he has done!
Matthew 16:27, "For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father's glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what he has done."
Romans 2:6-11. "6God "will give to each person according to what he has done." 7To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life. 8But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger. 9There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile; 10but glory, honor and peace for everyone who does good: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. 11For God does not show favoritism."
What is our response to this then? Does God judge so that He can frighten us into submission and obedience? Well, for those who refuse to believe in Him, there is certainly much to be afraid about! But the true purpose of God's judgement is really to reveal the morally perfect character of God. Would God be perfect if He treated ungodliness the same as godliness? Would He still be morally praiseworthy and perfect if He did not make a distinction between what was right and what was wrong? No! Moral indifference would be an imperfection of God, not a perfection!
We tend to understand God's wrath and His judgement in terms of our own human imperfection whereby when one gets angry, he loses control. He becomes irrational and impulsive. We forget that God is perfect. His wrath is judicial - meaning He gives to us only what we deserve! God is only angry where anger is called for. It is a necessary reaction to the sin and immorality in our lives.
I realise that our faulty understanding of God's wrath stem largely from the fact that we treat sin too lightly. We give excuses for sinning. "It's just a small thing, everyone is doing it. What's the big deal?"
Learn to see sin the way God sees it, as extremely detestable. Ask God to reveal to you the corruption of sin in your life, so that you can appreciate God's totally uncompromising stand towards it. Ask God to give you a holy fear for Him. It is only when we learn to worship Him in reverence and godly fear that we can serve Him acceptably. Decide today to live a life that will stand up to the judgement of Jesus when He comes again!
We skirt around the issue, wondering how a God who is kind and all-compassionate could also wipe out entire cities and send plagues that devastate and even take lives. And then we think, "Thank God he is not like that anymore." And we have this hazy impression that somehow God has mellowed over the years and become more tolerant of our wrong doing.
DO NOT BE DECEIVED ANY LONGER! Our God is the same yesterday, today and forever! If He detested sin in the old testament, He does not tolerate it any more in today's world! If He was a God who judged His people then, He will come to judge us also! Make no mistake, the God of love is also the God who will judge us according to how we have led our lives and give according to each person what he has done!
Matthew 16:27, "For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father's glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what he has done."
Romans 2:6-11. "6God "will give to each person according to what he has done." 7To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life. 8But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger. 9There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile; 10but glory, honor and peace for everyone who does good: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. 11For God does not show favoritism."
What is our response to this then? Does God judge so that He can frighten us into submission and obedience? Well, for those who refuse to believe in Him, there is certainly much to be afraid about! But the true purpose of God's judgement is really to reveal the morally perfect character of God. Would God be perfect if He treated ungodliness the same as godliness? Would He still be morally praiseworthy and perfect if He did not make a distinction between what was right and what was wrong? No! Moral indifference would be an imperfection of God, not a perfection!
We tend to understand God's wrath and His judgement in terms of our own human imperfection whereby when one gets angry, he loses control. He becomes irrational and impulsive. We forget that God is perfect. His wrath is judicial - meaning He gives to us only what we deserve! God is only angry where anger is called for. It is a necessary reaction to the sin and immorality in our lives.
I realise that our faulty understanding of God's wrath stem largely from the fact that we treat sin too lightly. We give excuses for sinning. "It's just a small thing, everyone is doing it. What's the big deal?"
Learn to see sin the way God sees it, as extremely detestable. Ask God to reveal to you the corruption of sin in your life, so that you can appreciate God's totally uncompromising stand towards it. Ask God to give you a holy fear for Him. It is only when we learn to worship Him in reverence and godly fear that we can serve Him acceptably. Decide today to live a life that will stand up to the judgement of Jesus when He comes again!
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