Luck - that four letter word.

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.

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)

Cain and Abel - a tale of 2 offerings

This year, I look forward to resurrection Sunday. I want to celebrate the grace that I'm given - that by His stripes, His blood, His death - I'm healed, forgiven and given a new life. What an ultimate sacrifice Jesus was. And as I ponder about Jesus as the lamb, as the perfect offering, I suppose it is time I go back to the story of the offering of Cain and Abel.

In chapter 3 of genesis, after the fall, God cursed the soil, so that man will only eat through his own toil. And then in early chapter 4, we read the Abel kept flocks but Cain worked the soil. And in the course of time, Cain brought some of the fruits of the SOIL as an offering to the Lord. We learn that God was not impressed at all by Cain's offering at this point.

Very likely, based on the context, the one of the reason why God was not happy with the fruits was because it was from the soil he just cursed a chapter ago. On a typology angle, God is also not happy with the TOIL of the soil. Toil (ie amalek), speaks of self-work and has been a constant no-no to God throughout the bible. (see the previous 2 entries).

We learn that because of the offering, God did not look at Cain's offering with favour and his Cain was downcast, sad and angry. There's an interesting point to note here. At this point, thre are no mention about the character of Cain. Was he a good guy? or a bad guy? We only know that because he gave the wrong offering, God did not look at him with favour - is that interesting or what?

So anyway, the story continues that God ask Cain, why are you angry? if you DO what is right, will you not be accepted.... SIN crouches at the door...

This verse seems straight forward except when we look at the word 'DO' here in hebrew, it can also mean offering. The word SIN can also mean sin-offerring.

So it can be read, if you OFFER what is right, will you not be accepted. if you OFFER what is not right, a SIN OFFERING crouches at your door. It desires to have you but you must rule over it.

(See YLT version)

I believe God was not angry with Cain. Rather, it was Cain who was angry with God. And God gave Cain a sin offering which was of the right kind. An offering who desires for Cain but Cain must take it. God was not rebuking Cain but rather trying to reconcile with Cain. He even provided the offering - at the door (ie a metaphor that means near you).

Today, God is still looking at our offering, and not the fruit of our toil. He has also provided a sin offering who is near us. He desires for us but we must take hold of him for He is the perfect lamb of God. His name is Jesus.

How is this story practical? This story is about daily favour from God. In my opinion, a bit of His favour on us is mighty practical in everything we do.

Perhaps you think that this favour is not for you because you have been a bad christian. Think on this - was Abel as good christian? We never know really because he died too quickly for us to find out. The only thing we know about him is his offering. And when you're down, and feeling the darkness closing around you, remember Jesus our perfect offering. Because His favour is our path back to the Father. And God will set our paths straight, once again. and again. and again.

Happy Easter everyone.

The first battle II

The first battle was fought at Rest, at Rephidim.

This may sound like an oxymoron, how can anyone be at rest and yet still be fighting? I used to think that being at rest means sleeping, watching tv, relaxing or more recently chillaxing (chillout + relax = chillax). But the truth of the matter is that being at rest has nothing to do with activity. Rest is a state of believe that He is in control.

Pastor JP has this to say about rest, "rest is not inactivity but God directed activity".

Sometimes, we can be working 26hrs day and still be at rest. Other times we can be physically having a holiday and yet in the inside, we're restless, anxious and troubled. Can you see what I mean? This also completely debunk the popular thought that rest is about not doing anything. This is far from the truth. As seen in the story, Israel was fighting a fierce battle at rest! Although Mary was seated at the foot of Jesus, she was LISTENING to Jesus.

How is this useful in our lives? Well, picture this, you just had the worst dayS of your life. The last few months has been horrible. Wave after waver of bad news. You worry and cannot sleep. And because you cannot sleep, you're tired to work the next day. Anxiety attacks happen more frequently. Trouble multiplies. You blame God, your luck and everything else. Where is the help in time of need?

Relax mate. Relax. God is helping you. Calm down. Be at Rephidim. Hear his voice. Feel where His wind is blowing. Raise up the staff of moses (ie. lift up Jesus, look at Him). Suddenly, the thigns of the world turns strangely dim. Your vision gets clearer. You know in your heart what you need to do. You take that first step, then your next and your next. And He will lead your path straight... straight out of that wilderness. Will there be battles? Sure. Big ones too. (and in all battles, there may be casualties but the Lord is victorious, so are you!)

I believe that's how Rephidim or Rest works - by leading us to quiet waters. And everytime we find ourselves in trouble, in a dark valley like the shadow of death, Rest in Him (but you can keep working) and He will lead you out.

I hope this helps guy.

One last thing before I sign out for tonight. While I was coming home just now in the bus I was praying for a brother who is facing some work challenges. And as I was praying for him, declaring on his behalf that he is above and not below his challenges.... I saw a vision of myself learning how to swim. You see, before I learn how to swim I could hardly float. I kicked as hard as I can but Im usually sinking. And those of you who knows how to swim would know that all I have to do is to relax and our body floats naturally.Now, that I've learn how to swim it's sinking that I find hard to do. I suppose that's why divers carry added weight.

I know what it meant for us immediately. As believers, we are all, always, by the Covenant that He has cut with us, above. The only thing we need to do is relax in water and then the laws of physics (the covenant) will take over - we will always float... and he is above and not below.

Have a blessed week people.

The first battle.

Today in church, a very special passage was read. It was exodus 17:8. It described the first battle that the Israelite fought after they escaped from Egypt. "Firsts" are usually very significant in the bible. The principle of first mentions, theologians call it, sets the tone God sees a certain principal throughout the entire bible.

In this battle "...While the people of Israel were still at Rephidim, the warriors of Amalek attacked them...."

Rephidim means rest, while Amalek (The term may be divided into amal - to toil, and the letter kuf, with the meaning 'ejection of the life-spirit' e.g. katal - to kill with removal of life-spirit.) means 'becoming dispirited through loss of spirit as a result of hard labour and continuous toil'. Such detachment is negative in nature.

In other words, this verse reads: ...while the people of Israel were still at rest, the warriors of toil attacked them.

Can you see it? Here the bible records for us, that the first battle of that the Israelite fought was against toil - works of flesh. When I saw that in church, my whole spiritual being was shaken - this is no coincidence indeed. The bible has hidden this wisdom for me - that today, my first spiritual battle is fought at rephidim - the battle is fought at REST against works.

And how did the people of Israelite win that battle? Apparently, they won the battle by holding up a staff on a hill.

"...on the top of a nearby hill. ¹¹ As long as Moses held up the staff in his hand, the Israelites had the advantage. But whenever he dropped his hand, the Amalekites gained the advantage...."

Now, staff's are made from trees. And on a hill, far away, hung a man on a tree (see hebrew) on top of a hill. This is a picture of Jesus' finish work. Lifting up the staff is synonymous with declaring His finished work. Just as Jesus has once spoken "... Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him. For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life...."

The picture is so consistent, my goodness. It is as if history repeats it self! No wonder God says, the OT is a foreshadow of things to come.

As Jesus was lifted up by Moses, His people had victory. It was a glorious battle. But the story did not end there. After the victory, the Lord instructed Moses, “Write this down on a scroll as a permanent reminder, and read it aloud to Joshua: I will erase the memory of Amalek from under heaven.” Moses built an altar there and named it Yahweh-nissi (which means “the Lord is my banner”). He said, “They have raised their fist against the Lord’s throne, so now the Lord will be at war with Amalek generation after generation.”

This point of view from God is very shocking to me indeed. Because it sounds as if God HATES toilsome labour and He has a personal vendetta against it. When God says WAR I He means WAR.

The truth in this story has been repeated several times since the days of moses. Perhaps the last time was the story of Mary and Martha. Mary has chosen that ONE thing which shall not be taken away from her - sitting at the foot of jesus & listening to him. (yes, it's seen as one thing). The WAR ended with Jesus when he finally SAT down on the right hand of the Father.

This sermon has deep impact for me. Because at this point of my life, I have been working really hard. I think sometime a few weeks ago, I transited from working-hard-from-rest to toilsome-striving. The former brings joy to me and the latter sucks life out of me. I think many of us can relate to that feeling at one time or another. And the fact that almost every christian can relate to 'loss of spirit due to toilsome work' - amalek - is a scary one. It is the very idea God hates. The thought of it sends me to prayers.

This story also opened up a question of how we disciple new believers. (what should we teach them to get them ready for the 'real christian life' ?) I think my direction is clear from now on - it is to tell about them about this rest. That their righteousness is founded on faith on Jesus. That after all, is that ONE thing that is needed - and it shall not be taken away from us.

What are some of the things that were taught to you as a new christian? Did you find it helpful or not helpful? Would love to hear them in the comment section below.

How to Hunger Pt 2

Nobody ever needs to learn that when you're hungry you need to eat. A 1 day old baby will know how to cry when s/he needs to eat.

But why do Christians need to be taught, encouraged to hunger for God?

In Pt 1, I talked about how our righteousness is as good as sanitary pads. If one fully understand that, one would be hungry for Him already. How else is anyone going to be right before Him?

Jesus said, unless we abide in Him, else we can do NOthing. No thing. Do we believe that? Do you believe that if you don't eat you'll die? Do you, then, believe that can do nothing without im? How is it then that we do not do ALL things with Him?

Remember, our actions mirrors our believe. I think, my opinion only ok?, that many do not hunger for Him because they have not got a full-er, more-complete revelation of who Christ is. One cannot be hungry without first knowing that he or she is actually hungry. We teach our people to hunger but if the people think that they're full, why eat? Could it be that many are not eating because they think that they're full?

Now, the funny thing about hunger is that sometimes you're 'overly' hungry... you pass the point where you are feeling 'hungry'... until you have the first bite of KFC or Nasi Lemak, or Chicken Rice. I don't know about you, but it does sometimes happen to me.

But it's interesting that somewhere in the bible it says -'taste and see that the Lord is Good'. TASTE! TASTE! TASTE! Jesus is the BREAD of life. EAT! The logic that the bible present here is extremely simple. Taste and see if you like it. If you like it because it's good you'll come back for more. If it's EXTREMELY good - you'll come back for more very frequently!

I really believe that that's the 'secret' to 'hunger' for God more --- to TASTE and see that the Lord is good.

But first you must EAT, so that you can TASTE. EAT what? The bread of life. Go out and live your life with Jesus. Explore the world with Him. Oh what joy it has been for me and my family. I can tell you that 1000 ckt and kfc and nasi-lemak cannot match the GOODNESS.

And when you have tasted His goodness, you will be full. When you're full, you'll know what hunger is. And when that hunger comes - you know where to go.

Hope this article has blessed you greatly!

How to hunger Pt 1

There are times in our christian walk we wonder how to 'love God more', how to be 'more obedient to God'. We wonder just what is these other christians are doing that they 'hunger more for Jesus'. Why are some christians just so on fire for Jesus all the time.

Take my cg for an example. It's been 1 year plus since I've joined. And in this 1 year the miracles/sharing/testimony keeps going - the leader always need to cut it short to keep time.

So what is it that keeps the fire burning? What is it that keeps a christian hungry? What is it keeps a christian growing? What keeps a christian wanting to be more obedient? What makes some crazy christians talking about Jesus day and night?

Some say pray more. Some say read the bible more. Some say serve more to grow more. Some say it's training and discipline...etc

The key as many of you have guess lies in our relationship with Jesus. This love relationship with our Lord and friend and servant and elder brother - Jesus - holds to key. The key verse lies in what Jesus said, Luke 7:47 "Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—for she loved much. But he who has been forgiven little loves little."

According to Jesus the way to love Him more is to know how much MORE you're forgiven!!!!

Accortding to Jesus if we know how much we are forgiven, we will love more of Him who is altogether lovely, altogether beautiful.

Instead most times we think we are altogether lovely! We think we are doing 'ok' as christians. We don't commit the 'big sins' of adultery, of murder, of having idols in our lives. But have you been worried today? Have you been angry today? Have you wished that you have more money? Have you taken care of your health today? Remember if you break one you break them ALL

It is the nature of the LAW.

We, of course, try to lead holy lives. We try to lead godly lives. But if we're honest to ourselves, the best of us - the church leaders, the prayer warriors, the worship leaders, the prophets, the pastors....etc - break the 10 Laws constantly (and I almost dare say frequent because we never know.... ). Our righteousness, the bible says, it's like used tampons (that's what filthy rags mean). Our best righteousness is that dirty.

That's the nature of the LAW - your righteousness, your efforts to live the godly life, is just that dirty.

My righteousness is just as dirty. The best of us - the apostle paul - says of himself is just that dirty. What he wants to do, he does not - sigh.. who can save a wretched man like him?

That is what He was trying to point us to in Romans. Because we cannot, He can. Through Him is preached the forgiveness of sins! All your sins are washed away. And if we think about it, it makes sense. What can morally bankrupt man offer the holy God? Our morally bankrupt righteousness?

Now, we go back to the prostitute. She has learnt that she has been forgiven much, hence she loves much. The same can be said of us. Do we love much? Do we know how much we have been forgiven?

I suspect, we do not hunger much because we do not know


to be continued in part 2....

Covenants are for our sakes

I've been getting this inkling to share this for some time: covenants. Truthfully, I do not know where to begin because words seem so insufficient. I will try my best. Hopefully, I'll be able to bless you with what I have learnt.

A covenant is like an agreement. An agreement sealed by blood. It is sealed by blood because if a party breaks it, that parties dies. In the bible, there are many covenants. Some between God and Man and some between man and man.

Examples of covenant today can be seen in many chinese gangster movie. The members each drip their blood into a bowl of water and drink it, symbolises shared blood. A blood covenant the chinese call it. That's why when a brother betrays another, blood is demanded as payment.

Now, when a covenant is made, an exchange took place. In a marriage covenant, the man & wife becomes a unit, becomes one, becomes unity. (One in the hebrew language means just that, unite) In the gang, what is yours is also mine and what is mine is also yours. ( chinese translates loosly to: got money together share joy, got trouble together share burden)

That is why when David and Jonathan cut a covenant, they exchanged robes (status), armor (protection?), sword (power). Jonathan gave all his treasures to David. In essence they took each other's place. David is now united with Jonathan. And Jonathan now is also part of David.

This is what it means to have a divine exchange. The exchange of positions, of power, of posessions, of everything.

Therefore when Jesus died for us, He was the mediator of a new covenant. He is our 'Jonathan'. We took his place as the prince. And He took our place as the sinner, as the man with curses, as the man with a broken body. He became all the BAD so that we can inherit all the GOOD. He DIED so we may LIVE. He (insert anything bad) so that we may get the (insert the opposite). It's a DIVINE exhnage.

In other words, how do we know today that our sickness will be healed be Jesus? Look at his broken body. (Isiah says by his stripes we are healed.... surely he carried all our infirmities) How do we know what we are forgiven, look at his ressurection.

But many a times, we are not convinced. We think that perhaps it's not God's soveriegn will to heal, or to bless... etc. I do not know many things but this I know, God has cut an covenant with Jesus. Jesus represent man, although he is the son of god. So that through him I may take his place. And whoever breaks the covenant dies. I'm not dead cause he died for me. He cannot die because He did that once already.

What about generation curse? He that was hung on a tree is cursed. Jesus was hung on a tree (the cross).

What about health? Look at His broken body. What about wealth? Look at his possesion at the cross. What about peace of mind? Look at His crowns of thorns on the cross. Whatever your needs are, look at Jesus.

It's a wonderful thing to have a blood covenant with Jesus whereby He has fufilled all. Now we can enter that rest.

Now what is more amazing than any of this is to me is what I discovered recently while I was trying to memorise this verse: 2 cor 9

⁹For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich he became poor, so that through his poverty you might become rich.

For the longest time, that was how I remember the verse. Yet the Holy Spirit prompted me that I missed out an important section. And guess what was it? Let me show the whole verse:

⁹For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.

Yes people, it was YET FOR OUR SAKES, that he became a man, a broken, beaten, sinful, ugly, beyond recognition, despise man. So that in exchange we may become like him. I'd imagine looking into his sad eyes at the cross. His lonely eyes- for no one was there with him. Even God forsake him. Every curse possible fell on him. He who has not fall sick for all his life is now tasting death..... yet for our sakes he says. "I'm going to purchase your every good"

It was this verse that touched me so much that night. Yet for OUR sakes, He became (insert your need), so that we may inherit the good.

It was for our sake that He cut the new covenant with us so that we through him may inherit the good.

time and chance OVERTOOK them all.....

Recently, I've put in a lot of effort into this business. I have become a certifed property agent.

Yes I have.

For the last few months, so much effort has been put into the business but sadly,it just isn't taking off. It seems like no matter how much effort I put in, the wheel is just not turning. I seem to have all the right ingredients (I formed a team with some really experienced ppl, I had great seaview looking private property to sell, I had nice landed property to rent....) to cook the soup but it just isn't happening.

People around me seems to say that you simply have to work harder. Put in more hours, more marketing dollars and more creativity. But to me, I believe something was amiss.

"...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)

I finally understood what Solomon, the wisest man, the richest man, was talking about (and for that matter, what Pastor was teaching about this passage). Being the fastest, being the smartest, being the best is no guarantee of your success. In fact success has nothing to do with you. I repeat, your success has nothing to do with you.

But time and chance OVERTAKE them all.

It's no wonder so many of the business people worry about fengshui (tian he, di li, ren he), worry about luck, worry about karma. Because they know that success or failure depends on that undefinable 'randomness'.

We can increase your chances of success for sure (maybe) by preparing, but we can't prepare for randomness.

So, lets do some exegersis. The word OVERTOOK there in hebrew is qarah. It means to encounter, to HAPPEN. Literally, time and chance will happen to them all.

The first time the word qarah is used is in gen 24.12....He said, "O LORD, the God of my master Abraham, please grant me SUCCESS today, and show lovingkindness to my master Abraham.

The word SUCCESS there is qarah!!!

Take some time to let this sink in to you. OVERTAKE-HAPPEN-SUCCESS.

It took me sometime to understand this. Unless 'qarah' is with me on a certain task, I will be forever striving, swimming-upstream, uphill fight. But when qarah is with me, things are 'in the flow', in the zone....etc

I believe many of us experienced this in our life. We tried so hard to gain so little. Or in my case, gained nothing. We cried over all our wasted effort, time and resources. And without prejudice, time and chance happen to us all.

But in all this randomness, there's hope for us. The pslamist says, the steps of the righteous are ordered by God. In Him we can do All things....etc While the world depends on 'risk management', we have a good shepard that leads us. He is the qarah. He can cause the time and chance to happen to us.

This was what I have experienced in the last week. After being despair that the real estate business isn't taking off, I prayed for new and fresh ideas. One of them is giving tuition. Qarah is with me. Within 1 week = 7 days, I'm now giving tuition everyday. And I have 2 more enquiries with 1 more student coming in 2 weeks time.

When I told a friend here about this, he had a faraway look - he went back to memory lane. Where at one point he was a failed business man deep in debt. It was then that he learnt about qarah. 5 years later, today, our friend now is doing very well. very very well.

Qarah - Your Qarah - is waiting for you to go to Him and ask so that He can lead you to life and life more abundantly. Go to him now. Rest in Him. And see His miracle working.

Will the REAL pruner please stand up?

A few weeks ago, a friend of mine felt God calling her to go to full time into church work. Instinctively, she felt that it'll be a time for 'hardship' or 'pain' because she said, "how can God use us if we're not broken?"

You know that teaching where unless you're broken, God cannot use you because you're still filled with self.

I got news for you. After you're broken, you're still filled with self. As long as you're alive, you're still filled with self. Unless you're a robot or cylon. (but in BSG, they are also filled with 'self').

This kinda of thinking is in fact quite popular. I know of a few friends who has said similiar words to me. "Oh, I'm so ready to move on but I'm just afraid of what God will tell me. What if he sends me to Africa to do some mission work". Or "I'm not sure, I think God wants me to suffer so that I learn something from my experience".

Look here people, Jesus said that He came to give you life and life more abundantly but the devil comes to kill, steal and destroy. Anything that kills, steal and destroy is not of God. Period. It's that simple. Who in their right mind would train their child by breaking an arm?

But what about that part that says about pruning? If you're not fruitful it'll prune. If you're fruitful, you'll be pruned too.. right? Wrong!

(amplified version) John 15:2 Any branch in Me that does not bear fruit [that stops bearing] He cuts away (trims off, takes away); and He cleanses and repeatedly prunes every branch that continues to bear fruit, to make it bear more and richer and more excellent fruit.

³You are cleansed and pruned already, because of the word which I have given you [the teachings I have discussed with you].

So clearly suffering is not because of pruning. This is talking about salvation (**I think I'm mistaken here not about salvation, about sanctification, see below).

What about wisdom? We know many ppl who asked for wisdom and the next thing you know... they go through a very difficult time. Perhaps God is teaching them wisdom? Experientially that may be true but that again is against the teaching of the bible. Did solomon suffer to gain wisdom? no. Is death (killing), is losing all money (stealing), is broken relationship (destroying) from god? no.

Jesus said, as you have believed.. So it shall be done to you. Do you believe that it's going to be hard or easy? As you have believe, so it shall be done to you.

We pray.. let your will be done in heaven as it is on earth. Is there suffering on heaven?

Then there comes a question of flesh vs spirit. When there's conflict there could be suffering. But this isn't to say that God wants us to suffer. In fact, this support the fact that God doesn't want you to suffer. Hence the Holy Spirit guides you to - green pastures, to quiet waters, to path of righteousness. It isn't difficult for sheeps to eat grass, to lie down, to drink water you know. Time is difficult when the sheep don't have food, water and rest. But "though I walk through the shadow of the valley of death.... I fear no evil....."

So please don't think or believe that God wants you to suffer. He doesn't. This is very important. because whatever you believe - your actions will follow.

So will the REAL pruner please stand up? - JESUS!

If you believe in Jesus you are already pruned.

*********************
in the bibly study yesterday, the word 'takes away'and 'prune' was further illuminated - in the context of

john 15:2 "Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it so that it may bear more fruit."

takes away is
- airō
-to raise up, elevate, lift up
1. to raise from the ground, take up: stones
2. to raise upwards, elevate, lift up: the hand

*and what they do in wineyards, when a vine don't bear fruit they elevated the branches with a support beam. *

prune is EVEN more interesting, because it's
-kathairō
- to cleanse, of filth impurity, etc
1. to prune trees and vines from useless shoots
2. metaph. from guilt, to expiate

Now... re-read john 15:2 and think about what Jesus is saying. It is talking about our santification
***********************

Holy = Grace?!!!!

holy = grace?!!!!!

holy, hosios (greek), as in
Heb 7:26 We need such a high priest-one who is HOLY, innocent, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens.

Hosios, is also found in
Act 13:34 And as for the fact that he raised him from the dead, no more to return to corruption, he has spoken in this way, "'I will give you the holy and sure blessings of David.'

Now this is a quote from the OT written in hebrew from:
Isa 55:3... and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David.
Isa 55:3 ...and I will make with you an everlasting covenant, my steadfast, sure love for David.

here, the hebrew word used is h2617 khehsed = G3741 hosios.

mercy, kindness, grace = holy

Dont take my word for it. Check the bible for yourself :) Happy good friday

He leads you to quiet waters...

When the psalmist - David aka Beloved - wrote that He leads you to quiet waters, it means the Lord leads you to life. It means that when He leads you to do something, it feels good to do it.

This was exactly what happened last night when wife and I discoverd that we've lost/misplaced some important documents. We couldn't remember when we last saw it or took it out from its rightful place. It was past midnight at that time. But for some reason, I had an urge to sweep the floor.

So after 30mins of frantic searching to no avail, I took out the broom and started sweeping the floor. Lo and behold, the documents were somehow found under the couch. I was shocked and thankful.

He works wonderfully.

... forgiveness of sins....

Writting out what I learn over the weekend. I'm still mulling over it. It seems unreal. How great is our God? How great is He, really? How wide, how deep is His love? It baffles my mind.

So here it is, a quick search (using www.searchgodsword.com) on "forgiveness of sins" in the NT yields the following results:

Ac 5:31

Him God has exalted to His right hand to be Prince and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins.

Ac 13:38

Therefore let it be known to you, brethren, that through this Man is preached to you the forgiveness of sins;

Ac 26:18

to open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me.'

Eph 1:7

In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace

Col 1:14

in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.

In greek, forgiveness is Aphesis (strong 859).

1. release from bondage or imprisonment
2. forgiveness or pardon, of sins (letting them go as if they had never been committed),
3. remission of the penalty

Yup, you read it right. Even the penalty is remitted. Even the penalty of sin is taken away.

I'm awed and baffled.

How to change your being. Pt 2

The sum of our beliefs makes very much who we are. So to change us we have to change our beliefs.

Doesn't this sounds like it's from some secular motivation course you've paid thousands of dollars for? (and now reading for free) hehehe :)

Indeed, to change our being, we have to change our believes but how do we do that?

Firstly, I belief, as a christian, that the best changer of believes is God. While I do feel that there are many examples in the bible depicting such processes... some that comes to mind immediately are convertions in acts, apostles paul...etc but I'm not sure how to teach that in a practical way. A powerful encounter with the love of God always change us.

I have seen radical transformation of behaviour in an instant done by God before. Even for myself, I have experienced many such transformation - which are permanent. Therefore I believe that God can change our beliefs in an instant. And if you want to change something about your beliefs, I ask you first and foremost to pray for that change. Sometimes those changes will come immediate to you by His grace.

However, what I learn in the past few months takes a bit more effort on our part.

You see, our beliefs are like our underlying programming. Unlike computers, we can't just hit the 'delete' button and have them erased. These believes have been reinforced again and again by our habits. As a famous philosopher once said, (i think it's plato), we are what we repeatedly do. That is why change is so hard. We can try and be patient for 1 week but when the 'will' wears thin, the pressures high we revert back to our old habits.

The most important thing to change is to question why the initial programming is there in the first place. Why are you afraid of dogs? Were you bitten by one when you were a kid? The FIRST encounter - where the basic programs are written - are crucial. It's no wonder psychologist always ask us to think back to our childhood.

If you know why you are programmed that way - why you belief what you belief - then the next question is to ask yourself what do you want to be? Where do you want to go?

A recent example for me was that I discovered that I tend to want be above average but when it comes to excellence, I self -sabotage myself. I cannot bring myself to aim for an 'A'. I feel bad about excelling. Everytime when I'm closed to be being 'good', I see myself going down in flames.... Actually this issue has been going for quite awhile and it's reflected when i'm playing on stage or playing game or even trading.

For the longest time, I just couldn't figure it out why this programming was there. I obviously love to be 'dominating' and yet everytime I rise to the top, I have many self-sabotaging habits that will ensure my own going down. Only last week, I remember 2 incidents that may started this belief in me.

The first was me getting scholded for my math score in primary school. I got 99 out of 100 but my best friend got 99.5 . My mom often compared me to him and she scolded me for not being as good. I felt terrible. I felt horrible. I remembered I cried and cried and cried. its 99!!!!!!

The second thing I remember was a child, whenever I was good at something, I would be put on the spot to 'prove it' - which I hated. And sometimes because I was good at something, I was made fun of. Oddly, I cannot remember any examples of this but just a flurry mix of emotions. I can remember once mom asking me play the organ for strangers in my play time and when I didn't do as good critise me. All I remember was, I was being made fun off, compared with and belittled.

There was just no incentive in being good - because it was never good enough. Besides, being good gives me added risk of being made fun off, poked at, laugh at... and a constant pressure to stay on top (so that mom won't scold me further for deproving).

I think it was then I decided early in my age that I shall become always above average. It was safe there. I'm better than most without the pain of being the best :) It was a humbling discovery. I was so afraid of rejection that I stopped myself from being the best that I can be! Imagine that.

So once I know about this, I took captive of all this and submit it to the Lord. I told Him that I want change, help me.

I also thought about what I want to be: a man that is confident in himself - at the best of himself. I shouldn't feel ridiculed if I'm doing the best I can. I shouldn't feel shy either because I am good. I shouldn't feel bad either by comparing. I am what I am - and I do the best that I can.

"I can do ALL things in Christ who strengthens me" "I am like a tree plated on rivers of water that shall bear fruit in its season, its leaves shall not wither and what I do shall prosper" "I am the beloved son of God, of whom He is well pleased with" " I'm the righteousness of the Most High God" I repeat, again and again and again the promises of God.

And each time, when I feel the old programming coming in. I stood firm in the promises of God. I remember his goodness to me - the things he has done and is doing and lastly, I THANK him for changing me.

I do it again and again and again. In other words, I am reprogramming my beliefs. The bible calls it 'transforming ourselves to the image of christ by beholding His image' (somewhere in 1cor) . I keep that new image of me, which is an image of Christ, in my head and I keep focus on it.

This is how I became a better trader as well. I looked into my own beliefs that was stopping me - the underlying programming of why I took my stops out early, why I took my profits out early, why I was chasing, why I hesistate...etc It was a very tough time dealing with myself. And when I found out my erroneous beliefs on the market and on my trading system, I took captive of that and designed a trading regime to help me reprogram that. I do that again and again and again

I wrote out what I feel were correct beliefs on stickies in front of my pc and read them everyday. Where I was- an ugly point A was a long walk to point B where I wanted to be. I beheld point B in my head - the way I would trade, the emotions and kept that image.

Lastly, I thank God for changing me because, in some ways, I knew He was helping me a lot. A little daily nudge goes a long way. And as I work towads point B, I repeated those verses as well - my favourite "whatever I do shall prosper".

Last 6 months has been a great journey and it is the FIRST time in my life Ive experience this change. This wonderful change in me. I AM indeed a new creation!

So in summary, to chnage your beliefs you:-

• find out your underlying beliefs
• find out why they are there
• find out where do you want to go from point A to B?
• Submit the situation to God
• Behold point B in your head
• Meditate on verses day and night to help you. (Meditate in hebrew means utter under your breath)
• Thank Him for changing us!
• Repeat and rejoice!!

Hallelujah. Thank you Lord!

How to change your being. Pt1

Recently, a few friends ask me how do I change my 'being'. I used to be impatient in waiting for my trades and now I seemed to be a lot more 'patient'. So how did I do it? Not easy I replied :)

I'll try to explain it here in the next few posts:

• In the 1st post I shall explain what 'being' is.
• In the 2nd post I shall explain how to change your 'being'.

What is being?

The key came to me while i was reading the book 'trading in the zone', later on everything 'clicked' when I thought about who Jesus was. You see, Jesus never had to try to have more patient, or have more faith, or have more wisdom, or have more discipline. He just was. When people ask him, who are you? His general answer was: "I am" Take this for an example:

John 8:58"I tell you the truth," Jesus answered, "before Abraham was born, I am!"

Did he do anything to be? No, He just is. He is wisdom, patient, love, faith... etc personified. He declares, ".. I am the bread of life", "I am the way the truth and the life". Truth is truth. You cannot be more truthful than the truth. Same with patient, you either are or you're not.

We either am, or am not.

My wife gave a good analogy the other day. Lets say you're the diplomat of a country, what do you have to do? Nothing! You're appointed as one, and then you represent your country.

The same question can be applied to our identity. What do you have to do to BE a man? Does peeing standing up makes you a man? Does shaving makes you a man? Does marrying a woman makes a man? Or does muscles and grease and dirt makes you more of a man?

Doing all the things above don't really make you a man. But being a man probably leads you to do all the above, easily, without much effort. (I'm not sure what being woman means, so most of the time my wife is a mystery to me, which is exciting, sometimes).

Similiarly, waiting for the right signals would not make you patient, but by being patient, you'll naturally wait for the right signals to come to you. The characteristic about "being" or "belief" is such that it underwrites all your actions.

Many people believe that exercise is very important to their life but not many actually exercise on a regular basis. Many people believe that the end of the recession is near but they will not buy citibank shares at $1. A guy says he love this girl but keeps on cheating on her. What does all this mean? They don't really belief what they say!

Our action ALWAYS speaks of our belief- it seldom contradicts, if at all. That's why the bible says where your heart is, there your treasure is also. See a man who spends money and time on spiritual things, you find a real spiritual man. See a man who eat solar, drink solar, sleep solar, you find a man who really believe in renewable energy. See Jesus, the man who heal the sick, teach the people, feed the hungry, die for us on the cross, you find that He is LOVE.

These people's action are driven by who they are. They simple ARE.

The problem comes when you are not sure of who you are. Your beliefs are in contradiction. What happens then? Answer: we hesistate, we feel loss, we don't know what to do. Many simply just 'go with the crowd'. They play 'follow the leader' in their life. Pastor says.... The great ang mo says... But because their beliefs are not aligned to their action, most of the them end up NATO members . No action. Talk only. And if they do take action, they usually end feeling messed up.

Let me explain. Say you're in a Long position of a stock. You feel that it's turning on you and based on your system you should quit. But deep inside, you believe that you are right on the Long. So you end up holding the Long. Worse, you move your Stop Loss to accomodate more downward movements. In the end, your Stop Loss is still hit and you tell yourself - I knew it! I should have followed the system!

Think about this: if I REALLY knew, wouldn't I closed it immediately to minimise my loss? The truth is, my contradicting belief messed up my brains! Liping concludes without reading the book 'trading it zone' - In the end, it just shows that we don't believe in our trading system!

That is why the bible also says in James 6 ".... but let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. ⁷ For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; ⁸ he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. "

Even in things of God, we are to be sure. And God wants you to know who you really are. Be brave for we are complete in him and know that whatever we ask of Him, will be given, so that our joy may be complete.

In summary, our being is the sum of our beliefs.

The Lord's prayer

A friend asked me awhile ago to explain the Lord's prayer. He asked that if Jesus has forgiven us all our sins, why did Jesus taught us the 'Lord's Prayer'?

I suppose the question points directly where Jesus ask to pray, "...And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us... "

I'll attempt to answer that question. To begin, I want to point you to a previous post I wrote on how to read the bible.

Now the Lord's Prayers are taught in these 2 occasions: Matt 6 and Luke 11. In both the context, Jesus taught the prayers as a way of praying rather than what we should pray specifically. The story of Matt 6 begain in Matt 5 where He was teaching his disciples. These disciples are most, if not all, jews.

Now, to the jews, everything that He taught in matt 5 is going to sound crazy. Jesus just 'shattered' all the core beliefs of a jew:

************
blessed are the poor in spirit, those who mourn...etc

For I tell you, unless your righteousness greatly exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven!"

So if your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one of your members than to have your whole body thrown into hell.

"You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.'
But I tell you not to resist an evildoer. On the contrary, whoever slaps you on the right cheek, turn the other to him as well.
**********

Basically Jesus was telling them to do the opposite of what they are used to. By now these guys are in shocked! "What is it? Unless we mourn (ie someone dies) then we're blessed? IF you slap me I have to let you slap more?... How can ?!!!"

Yup Jesus says, in fact if your righteousness don't exceed that of the pharises - the religious professionals - you're dead (ie you will not have eternal life). All these are pretty scary stuff for the listeners - it's meant to shock. Because Jesus was trying to bring an end to themselves. The LAW is all about that.

So when He goes to Matt 6, He says: Mat 6:5 "And whenever you pray, don't be like the hypocrites who love to stand in the synagogues and on the street corners so that they will be seen by people. Truly I tell you, they have their full reward! Mat 6:6 But whenever you pray, go into your room, close the door, and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. Mat 6:7 "When you are praying, don't say meaningless words like the gentiles do, for they think they will be heard because of their wordiness. Mat 6:8 Don't be like them, because your Father knows what you need before you ask him. Mat 6:9 "Therefore, this is how you should pray: 'Our Father in heaven..... "

So you see, the Lord's prayer is taught as a way of praying and it's the 'anti-culture' of that time, to pray in private, to pray with little words. (Intereting note here is that Jesus say to pray with little words, why is it that sometimes in church when we were asked to 'pray strong' we utter with long strings of vocab? )

Now, in a bigger context of things, Jesus taught that while he is still alive. Obviously. That means that the New Covenant is still not in play yet. At that time, you must ask for forgiveness, burn your offerings...etc before your sins are forgiven. And he taught to forgive others who sins against us, which I think it's another 'anti-culture' thingy because they believe, even up to today, an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth.

So you see how matt 5,6 and 7 all string together.

At the end:
Mat 7:28 And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine.

The effect on the teaching was astonishment. Are you astonished? You should be.

That's why the Lord's prayer is taught as it is. Later on when Jesus died, the New Covenant which rendered the old one obsolete. The New Covenant includes the forgiveness of sins with Jesus' blood. Luke offers a similiar scenario and I hope your exergesis will yield many happy hours on that one :)

Rest

When you rest, God will do the rest

The Law and Punishment

Recently I got a friend who is going to get married to a non-christian and apparently someone told her that God will punish her for that. Another friend failed a professional exam 3 times and was wondering if God is punishing her with that to teach her something. Many times when I am at a low I think about that too. I wonder if God was punishing me putting me in such dire situations to teach me something.

Let me tell you, God do not punish you in the New Covenant. Not at all. Even if you sleep around and waste your life away, you're blessed. He doesn't 'CAUSE ' you to be punished. He does however 'LET' things happen to you. For example I never really did study much from primary school to university. I did above average. I was never punished for being 'lazy'. However what DID happen was I wasted all those opportunity to learn how to develop my character, be more focus, be more determine..etc

Did God punish me? No. He let it happened.

It's like jumping out of the plane at 10,000ft. He didn't cause us to die as a result but He has to let gravity does its thing.

If punishment did work in making us righteous, believe you me, he'll just rain down sulphur and punish us and we'll all be righteous. In fact, the OLD covenant is based on punsihment and the bible calls the old regulation, weak, useless and faulty. Go figure!

But some people feel that it's unfair! Is it unfair really that one can go on sinning and sinning and sinning and yet get off scot free? Unfair maybe, truth absolutely. Because while we get off scot free, someone didn't. He paid a hefty price for it - with blood. He died for it. He paid the price of our sins.

Jesus paid for it so that everyone can get off scot free. No skin off their backs. Free. So while some people think grace like this is 'cheap' (I don't think so) but let me tell you, it sure ain't 'easy'.

If dead could be measure in level 1 to 10, Jesus died to level 100. He died so well that all our sins are paid for. And when all the sins are paid for, what's left? Righteousness. That's what you get when you see Him resurrected and alive again. It's the prove that our sins are done for.

So some people ask: if that is the case, we can keep go on sinning and sinning and sinning and still be 'enjoying the benefits'? What a good deal! But wait, that's not logical! How can u say such thing in church....

What's more illogical is why do you need a savior to keep sinning? If you want to sin why do you need a saviour? You can do so without one. Try it if you don't believe me. Why do people want to go to a savior to keep on sinning? So that they can sin more?

Perhaps we should ask: can we keep on sinning in the face of so much love? How difficult is it to fall in love with someone who took a bullet for you? And if you didn't know that there was a bullet for you, go and read the Law.

The problem with a Purpose Driven Life

First of all, I don't really have an issue with a purpose drivien life. I think everyone should have a purpose. A purpose liken to a conviction. And I once heard a very smart man say: a belief is something we cling on to but a convinction is something that clings on to us. I think having a purpose to live is very very important - it drives us forward and gives us fufilment.

That purpose or conviction could be as simple as making the best food in kitchen, be a business tycoon, be the best politician or be the best evangelist but it could also be as simple as wanting to be a taitai or to be a housewife.

Whatever that thing is, I believe that purpose would grab hold of you. You just can't force it to come or force yourself to go for it. It doesn't have to be 'spiritual' or 'secular'... all are spiritual.

The hallmark of Godly purpose I believe is that Peace and Joy and Sureness which follows. You can't explain it but you just know it. Like it's inside of you.

******
The problem I have with the purpose driven life is when 'purpose' takes centre stage of life. It's when our driving force is "purpose". It's when a life that's PURPOSE driven instead of God led that I think there may be a problem. I think. One is motivated by God, the other by sheer willpower from our own. I believe our value & identity in Christ is not judged by our 'Purpose'. It's not about what we do. We're human beings and not human doings.

However there's lot of things out there that incline on making us a 'do' christianity. We are told to 'do' holiness, to 'do' godly stuff, to 'do' ministries and to 'do' serving. Hey! Bible says 'be' holy for God is holy. It's like being a guy or a gal. You don't 'do' guys' stuff to be a man.. you just be, as simple as that. And as I read the bible more, most if not all the things starts from resting in Him, in Jesus' finished work.

Remember Jesus said that we can do nothing except through Him. Nothing.

*****
Lastly on the great commision.

It says to make disciples. Disciples are not converts. Disciples are just much more than that. Again, it's not about doing evangelism to 'convert' it's about becoming like christ to influence. The difference is subtle but the outcome huge.

Last last, on chapter 36 of the book, it quotes: The most important thing is that i complete my mission that the Lord Jesus gave me' -Acts 20:24 .

That's not accurate. "24However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace."

Hmm... testifying, gospel,God's grace.

In another passage Phil 3 "7But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. 8What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ 9and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith. 10I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead."

What is Paul's purpose? I thought he's suppose to preach the gospel and all that, wasn't he the guy tasked to preached the gospel to the gentiles? Letter after letter, he seems addicted to the "grace of god" -- how come he doesn't say 'go and make converts'?

Even to the mature christians in ephesians, he says:

16I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

So I think there you have it, Paul's own words. His purpose in life.

Christian Urban Legend 1: Anointing

The reason why I'm writing a series on Christian urban legend is because I feel that many of these issues mentioned are deemed as 'common knowledge'. While the issues are seemingly small, I feel that if one believes wrongly it causes a ripple effect that ultimately distort our view of who our God really is.

At the point of writing this, I have no clue what other christian urban legends they are, however I would love to hear from you what other urban legends you think are worth discussing.

The first that I'm writing about is this "anointing". Not just any anointing, it's the one you go to a concert/event/revival meeting and hope to 'bring some back' to your home church. Or it could be this anointed person you meet and hope to bring some of his anointing back with you.

I think many of us has heard that one before.

This wrong teaching - that you can get more anointed by means of being present in certain places or being prayed for by 'more anointed' person - leads one to think that there's different gradient or grades of anointing.

You begin as a padawan and become a jedi if you 'gather' enough.

So why is this an urban legend?

It is because you cannot 'get more anointed' or 'get someone's anointing' and you definitely cannot 'carry some anointing back'. The 'anointing' is not a transferable force or cumulative force. If so then the most anointed person would be the person that gather the most anointing? (We can then create a anointing server and let everyone download, how about that?!)

Firstly anointing as explain in hebrew strongs H4899 says:
ma^shi^yach
maw-shee'-akh
From H4886; anointed; usually a consecrated person (as a king, priest, or saint); specifically the Messiah: - anointed, Messiah.

and H4886 is:
ma^shach
maw-shakh'
A primitive root; to rub with oil, that is, to anoint; by implication to consecrate; also to paint: - anoint, paint.

Quite plainly when you're a priest or a saint and you're rub with oil or consecrated (for god) you're annointed.

Jesus was anointed. Heck, He is the messiah. Same word!

While I don't know the technicality of how you get anointed, or do you get anointed first before the Spirit of God comes onto you or after, there are some consistent theme throughout the bible about anointing.

We do know that when you're anointed the spirit of God comes on you and that you're only anointed once.

Think about it. This happened to David, Samuel, Elijah, Elisha...etc Who was anointed twice? There's Elisha who asked and was given a 'double portion'.. but how many times were Elisha anointed? Once.

Lets look at this:

Luk 4:18 "The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to tell the good news to the poor. He has sent me to announce release to the prisoners and recovery of sight to the blind, to set oppressed people free,
Luk 4:19 and to announce the year of the Lord's favor."

Check it out. It says, because he has anointed me to..... that's why the spirit of the Lord is on me.

That's interesting. The spirit and the anointing go hand in hand. Very consistent througout the bible. Also there was a reason for the anointing. It was for a purpose.

Now was Jesus ever anointed again after this? I don't recall so.

Did he ever need another anointing to fulfill all His purpose here on earth? No need.

The holy spirit on him was able to help him with ALL the tastk, from healing, walking on water, casting out demons, commanding weather...etc

Yeah, I hear some of you say:" but but but that's Jesus what!".

See what Jesus says here:

Act 1:4 While he was meeting with them, he ordered them, "Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the Father's promise, about which you heard me speak.
Act 1:5 For John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now."

Now after His ressurection, He says, we'll be baptized with the HOLY SPIRIT. The same one that He's got. Then

Act 1:8 .... you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."

See the word - POWER. What POWER?

MEGA HOLY SPIRIT KAWABUNGA power.

The same stuff that made Peter walk on water. Same stuff mate.

Well, the Holy Spirit on Him is the same one with you today. It is because of God's grace that we have this gift. Once you believe in Christ, the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of God comes on you as a guarantee. It never leaves you nor forsake you. The spirit of God enables you to do all things through Him. It has consecrated you - you are a 'priest' and therefore is anointed.

To bring the point back home, you as a child of God, is anointed. You do not need to go need to an event to get anointed or get more anointed.

You are already anointed maximus.

All you need is already dwelling in you: the Holy Spirit, through whom can help you do all things you need to do. He knows His purpose for your life and will help you through it.

I hope this explains why this is an 'urban legend'. Why I believe that this is so important is because if you believe wrongly, then you reap the fruit of your wrong beliefs and I truly want you to live the fullest anointed life ever posible, to the power of infinitiy plus one, now.

Why? Because God loves you so much. He wants you to know that He is not angry with your sins any longer. He wants you to draw near to Him without feeling fear. Because our dear Lord has paid a hefty price for our sins and these gifts are given to you. It is there to make your life abundant. It is there to make you live the best life you can in which He has called you to.

Make use of it, because I believe, it pleases Him that you do.