This christmas, I hope to set you free from this 'fear' of luck. It seems, to me anyway, that there's this unspoken rule to boycott the word luck. So 'potluck' becomes 'potbless', good-luck becomes blessed...etc (it seems happy and merry is also changed to blessed in many occasions, which baffles me really).
What's the fear of using luck? The general thought is that there's nothing random in life and luck has nothing to do with life as a christian. So we should avoid 'luck' altogether. The general scripture used here would be "...the race is not to the swift and the battle is not to the warriors, and neither is bread to the wise nor wealth to the discerning nor favor to men of ability; for time and chance overtake them all. "" (ecc 9.11)
But if you look at the hebrew - time and chance - is 'qarah'. Does that describe luck? Time and Chance.
And in gen 24.12 while Abraham's servant was looking for a wife for Issac he said, "O LORD, the God of my master Abraham, please grant me SUCCESS today, and show lovingkindness to my master Abraham. ""
Success is the same word - qarah.
Yeah, I know right? Go figure. And did the God of Abraham grant the servant the right TIME and CHANCE aka good luck? Of course! As LUCK would have it, he found Rebecca at the well and the rest, they say is history.
Merry Christmas friends and have a happy 2012. And if you need luck, know that Jesus has plenty of that to give. Seek Him out.
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Thursday, December 15, 2011
On faith....
A long time ago, I thought that faith was something I can produce. If I believed, if I have the confidence in the things I hope for and then feel that 'Presence', and have that warm fuzzy feeling, then I have faith. That usually happens after some good worship sessions, prayer sessions... etc. maybe because those activity really led me to focus on Jesus. Those were the good old times in church when I was a young christian, but I'm really not that old, really.
But the problem was that the warm fuzzy feeling was hard to come by during critical time - during car accidents, during crunch time in work, during gigs where I completely forgot what chord comes next...etc So how do I attain great faith then?
I suppose, there was a reason the bible was given to us. And I found it peculiar that Jesus need no long, hard, loud, strong prayer to produce faith. Neither did the disciples. They were walking power houses of faith. They just were. It was about that time I was introduced to the concept of 'being'. These people didn't do faith-activity, there were being faith-full. It was about who they are and not what they do.
That was a great lesson. It got me started on reading who they are and what they're about. What similarities did they share to become so full of faith? Which then got me even more curious because none of the disciples are really great people when I think about it - cowards(Peter), doubter(thomas)... show-offs(there was a passage where they all compete to become the greatest, in front of Jesus)... all of them have some serious issues. I asked myself what made all these men and women (don't forget there WAS something about Mary) so full of faith?
And I somehow concluded that it was because they saw what Jesus had done. They knew Jesus was not only CAPABLE of doing all, he was WILLING to do so. Seeing is believing after all, right? Wrong because I'm guessing Apostle Paul didn't see the miracles Jesus perform miracles? And on the other hand, the Pharisees saw the miracles and yet they don't believe. Yet Paul was full of faith, hello? healing with this handkerchief - that was some 'greater things' he did.
*** point to note: seeing really isn't believing. many saw the miracles and did not believe. ***
So here was my first 'real' discovery to faith - you have to believe. All of the people mentioned above who are full of faith believed in Jesus as the savior. That He represented man and cut a new covenant on our behalf with God so that through Him we become the righteousness of God. That through Him, ALL promises are Yes in Him. That through him, blessings and shalom are there for us.
No fuzzy feeling required.
But as I ponder about this (by the way, this process of me pondering or discovering usually describe a time duration of a few years. I know I'm just smart that way) how come I still can't walk on water? Don't laugh. I'm a bit scared of water and having the ability to walk on water, even for a few steps like Peter, you would have to say is simple awesome.
I think the key here lies in Mark 11. Jesus cursed the fig tree and the fig tree withered from the roots up. Jesus' explanations were simple. If you believe, do not doubt and say to it - it will be done. The meaning of doubt(diakrino) in greek was my second key. It meant, simplistically, to judge. You see, if you 'judge' that the thing that you're praying for is not going to be answered because it's too good to happen to me, it's cannot be so easy, it's not your time yet, whatever it is...etc then you have doubted.
Truly, He is able to do ALL things. To think otherwise simply is looking down on him. Your friends don't like to be pre-judge, so does Jesus.
And thirdly, you have to say it. Speak it out. There is power in the tongue. Your word, literrally, is power. So speak it.
Still no fuzzy feeling required nor long, 'strong' prayers. Believe, do not doubt and speak it.
The fourth one was a great lesson for me. One day pastor was preaching about the 2 person mentioned in the NT to have great faith. The centurion and the Syrophoenician Woman. Jesus called both of them people were GREAT faith. In fact, he said that no one in israel has such great faith as the centurion. Imagine that, not even John the Baptist! So what made these 2 so full of faith? They were both gentiles and they were completely UNAWARE of their own GREAT faith. Think about it, both of them didn't know they were full of faith when they came to Jesus. What did they know? That Jesus was a good God, and that Jesus was ABLE and WILLING to heal.
No one told them that they have to repent first either.
What they SEE in Jesus, made their faith STRONG. It completely ties in with the verse that says, Faith comes from hearing and hearing the (renma) word of Christ. These 2 person has probably heard a lot about the miracles Jesus did. They see in Jesus a savior, a provider, a healer.
That's why I believe you don't need to worry about whether you have faith at all. Look at Jesus and what He can do. When we see/hear more about Christ (His truth and grace), our faith increases. (If you don't know what is Christ about, read about the new covenant or just refer to john 3:16 in greek preferably)
This really strengthens me because now not only do I not have to 'produce' or 'attain' or 'kek' the faith (out) - all I have to do it to focus on Jesus. I find asking myself often - can He do it? Yes, Is He willing? Yes. Am I deserving? No but He is still willing. Case close.
The fifth key I got was from last week's sermon. And since I've been typing for a long while now I'll try to keep this short. It has to do with this verse (mark 9)
21Jesus asked the boy’s father, “How long has he been like this?”
“From childhood,” he answered. 22“It has often thrown him into fire or water to kill him. But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.”
23“‘If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for him who believes.”
24Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”
Basically, this man doubts if Jesus can heal his boy. So Jesus's reply: 'what do you mean if I can heal your boy? I'm Jesus aka God aka I-can-do-anything. Everything is possible for those who believes in me.' And the man cleverly said 'I believe in you (Jesus), help me overcome my unbelief (that you cannot).
So in this story, you can see that even while you cannot believe that it can be done, just believe in Jesus. Pastor call this putting your faith hook on Jesus. (Faith, is afterall from God but that's another story for another time). Our faith is afterall shaky at best, but even while we are faithless, He is faithful and faith-full.
If you do not have enough faith IN Jesus, use the faith OF Jesus. Say - I believe in you Jesus and Jesus, you can.
Isn't this last key great? I know sometimes finding faith is like trying to squeeze water out from a rock. And sometimes it's hard without 'feeling' it. But God don't work with feelings. Know that your God is able and willing. And if you ever find yourself in a difficult situation, He is your Help in every time of need. Just say to him- I believe you can and you are willing, help.
Merry Christmas. (because blessed is so main stream now)
But the problem was that the warm fuzzy feeling was hard to come by during critical time - during car accidents, during crunch time in work, during gigs where I completely forgot what chord comes next...etc So how do I attain great faith then?
I suppose, there was a reason the bible was given to us. And I found it peculiar that Jesus need no long, hard, loud, strong prayer to produce faith. Neither did the disciples. They were walking power houses of faith. They just were. It was about that time I was introduced to the concept of 'being'. These people didn't do faith-activity, there were being faith-full. It was about who they are and not what they do.
That was a great lesson. It got me started on reading who they are and what they're about. What similarities did they share to become so full of faith? Which then got me even more curious because none of the disciples are really great people when I think about it - cowards(Peter), doubter(thomas)... show-offs(there was a passage where they all compete to become the greatest, in front of Jesus)... all of them have some serious issues. I asked myself what made all these men and women (don't forget there WAS something about Mary) so full of faith?
And I somehow concluded that it was because they saw what Jesus had done. They knew Jesus was not only CAPABLE of doing all, he was WILLING to do so. Seeing is believing after all, right? Wrong because I'm guessing Apostle Paul didn't see the miracles Jesus perform miracles? And on the other hand, the Pharisees saw the miracles and yet they don't believe. Yet Paul was full of faith, hello? healing with this handkerchief - that was some 'greater things' he did.
*** point to note: seeing really isn't believing. many saw the miracles and did not believe. ***
So here was my first 'real' discovery to faith - you have to believe. All of the people mentioned above who are full of faith believed in Jesus as the savior. That He represented man and cut a new covenant on our behalf with God so that through Him we become the righteousness of God. That through Him, ALL promises are Yes in Him. That through him, blessings and shalom are there for us.
No fuzzy feeling required.
But as I ponder about this (by the way, this process of me pondering or discovering usually describe a time duration of a few years. I know I'm just smart that way) how come I still can't walk on water? Don't laugh. I'm a bit scared of water and having the ability to walk on water, even for a few steps like Peter, you would have to say is simple awesome.
I think the key here lies in Mark 11. Jesus cursed the fig tree and the fig tree withered from the roots up. Jesus' explanations were simple. If you believe, do not doubt and say to it - it will be done. The meaning of doubt(diakrino) in greek was my second key. It meant, simplistically, to judge. You see, if you 'judge' that the thing that you're praying for is not going to be answered because it's too good to happen to me, it's cannot be so easy, it's not your time yet, whatever it is...etc then you have doubted.
Truly, He is able to do ALL things. To think otherwise simply is looking down on him. Your friends don't like to be pre-judge, so does Jesus.
And thirdly, you have to say it. Speak it out. There is power in the tongue. Your word, literrally, is power. So speak it.
Still no fuzzy feeling required nor long, 'strong' prayers. Believe, do not doubt and speak it.
The fourth one was a great lesson for me. One day pastor was preaching about the 2 person mentioned in the NT to have great faith. The centurion and the Syrophoenician Woman. Jesus called both of them people were GREAT faith. In fact, he said that no one in israel has such great faith as the centurion. Imagine that, not even John the Baptist! So what made these 2 so full of faith? They were both gentiles and they were completely UNAWARE of their own GREAT faith. Think about it, both of them didn't know they were full of faith when they came to Jesus. What did they know? That Jesus was a good God, and that Jesus was ABLE and WILLING to heal.
No one told them that they have to repent first either.
What they SEE in Jesus, made their faith STRONG. It completely ties in with the verse that says, Faith comes from hearing and hearing the (renma) word of Christ. These 2 person has probably heard a lot about the miracles Jesus did. They see in Jesus a savior, a provider, a healer.
That's why I believe you don't need to worry about whether you have faith at all. Look at Jesus and what He can do. When we see/hear more about Christ (His truth and grace), our faith increases. (If you don't know what is Christ about, read about the new covenant or just refer to john 3:16 in greek preferably)
This really strengthens me because now not only do I not have to 'produce' or 'attain' or 'kek' the faith (out) - all I have to do it to focus on Jesus. I find asking myself often - can He do it? Yes, Is He willing? Yes. Am I deserving? No but He is still willing. Case close.
The fifth key I got was from last week's sermon. And since I've been typing for a long while now I'll try to keep this short. It has to do with this verse (mark 9)
21Jesus asked the boy’s father, “How long has he been like this?”
“From childhood,” he answered. 22“It has often thrown him into fire or water to kill him. But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.”
23“‘If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for him who believes.”
24Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”
Basically, this man doubts if Jesus can heal his boy. So Jesus's reply: 'what do you mean if I can heal your boy? I'm Jesus aka God aka I-can-do-anything. Everything is possible for those who believes in me.' And the man cleverly said 'I believe in you (Jesus), help me overcome my unbelief (that you cannot).
So in this story, you can see that even while you cannot believe that it can be done, just believe in Jesus. Pastor call this putting your faith hook on Jesus. (Faith, is afterall from God but that's another story for another time). Our faith is afterall shaky at best, but even while we are faithless, He is faithful and faith-full.
If you do not have enough faith IN Jesus, use the faith OF Jesus. Say - I believe in you Jesus and Jesus, you can.
Isn't this last key great? I know sometimes finding faith is like trying to squeeze water out from a rock. And sometimes it's hard without 'feeling' it. But God don't work with feelings. Know that your God is able and willing. And if you ever find yourself in a difficult situation, He is your Help in every time of need. Just say to him- I believe you can and you are willing, help.
Merry Christmas. (because blessed is so main stream now)
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