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.
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Monday, March 14, 2011
Carnal Christian
Last week I caught up with a friend whom I have not seen in a few months. When we meet each time, I usually ask him, " how's your spiritual walk? " His answer would be, " I have been praying and reading the bible. " Then I would reply that I was asking about his state of being, his relationship with Jesus and not what he does. Strangely enough, my friend will looks at me confused at this stage. We will then have to observe a minute of awkward silence before 'normal' conversation continues.
That is, until last week. When his reply was simply, 'I think Eric, I have not grown, at all."
The simple confession was powerful and I was almost at a lost for words. Almost. I said, in a most candid way, "I know. We all know. We could tell. " He replied, "You all did?" And then we all laughed. I know because I've fooled myself many times this way too. Many of us do. And if we're honest to ourselves, we all do.
You see, I think my friend was loving Jesus in an 'intellectual' way but he wasn't able to 'feel' him. What I told him next may make you fall down from a chair... I told him that he should be a carnal christian.
He was shocked beyond belief. Are you kidding? All these years we were taught that christians are meant to avoid lust, greed, sloth... etc and here I am saying that you should be carnal.
And by carnal, I don't mean lust, greed and sloth... but almost. You see, being a christian has a lot to do with EATING. Eat from the Tree of Life god says. Eat the bread of life and drink the forgiveness of sins. TASTE and SEE that the Lord is Good. It also has a lot to do with carnal feelings. More than once, God has told us to ask that our JOY be made complete. LOVE Him, Love people. Rejoice. Shalom peace. Feeling words. Carnal words.
No one can tell you how delicious a meal is until you have experienced it yourself. It's like a kiss, it's like a bite of cheese, or that first bite of steamy nasi lemak or ckt. I can show you pictures but it ain't the same if you haven't experienced it yourself.
I think the christian walk is like that too. Taste and see that the Lord is good. Taste Him. Experience him. Don't just 'think about it'. Live life. Live life. Experiment with Him. And when we have drunk the best wine - the son of God, Jesus - before we know it, we'll be drunk in the Spirit.
That is, until last week. When his reply was simply, 'I think Eric, I have not grown, at all."
The simple confession was powerful and I was almost at a lost for words. Almost. I said, in a most candid way, "I know. We all know. We could tell. " He replied, "You all did?" And then we all laughed. I know because I've fooled myself many times this way too. Many of us do. And if we're honest to ourselves, we all do.
You see, I think my friend was loving Jesus in an 'intellectual' way but he wasn't able to 'feel' him. What I told him next may make you fall down from a chair... I told him that he should be a carnal christian.
He was shocked beyond belief. Are you kidding? All these years we were taught that christians are meant to avoid lust, greed, sloth... etc and here I am saying that you should be carnal.
And by carnal, I don't mean lust, greed and sloth... but almost. You see, being a christian has a lot to do with EATING. Eat from the Tree of Life god says. Eat the bread of life and drink the forgiveness of sins. TASTE and SEE that the Lord is Good. It also has a lot to do with carnal feelings. More than once, God has told us to ask that our JOY be made complete. LOVE Him, Love people. Rejoice. Shalom peace. Feeling words. Carnal words.
No one can tell you how delicious a meal is until you have experienced it yourself. It's like a kiss, it's like a bite of cheese, or that first bite of steamy nasi lemak or ckt. I can show you pictures but it ain't the same if you haven't experienced it yourself.
I think the christian walk is like that too. Taste and see that the Lord is good. Taste Him. Experience him. Don't just 'think about it'. Live life. Live life. Experiment with Him. And when we have drunk the best wine - the son of God, Jesus - before we know it, we'll be drunk in the Spirit.
Monday, March 07, 2011
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.
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.
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
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!
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!
Friday, July 30, 2010
Testimony Time
This is testimony from a friend/reader of this blog. As she choose to remain anoynmous, we will call her Angelina. (Because Angelina Jolie is going to be SALT). I told her to share with us what God is doing in her life so that we can all be encouraged!
**************
Amen! I am going to add on to how great God’s love for us is!
I am currently 5 months pregnant. I have hypertension since young, but it has not affected my
health since and neither have I prayed for healing until now when I am pregnant. I feared for the
safety of my baby. The doctors I have consulted are worried as this is considered a high-risk
pregnancy, which added on to my worry and stress level as I couldn’t enjoy the pregnancy as
much as I want to.
It was then that I shared with Li Ping about my condition and requested for her to pray for me
and baby. Eric and Li Ping shared the promises of the Gospel to me as they felt prompted by
God to convey this message to me. It’s not that I am ignorant about the Gospel, but I guess I did
not know how to exercise my priviledge as God’s child.
Li Ping wrote an e-mail to me explaining how the Gospel worked. When Jesus died, there was
already healing! So then why is my blood pressure still not showing a normal reading? I realised
that I have been praying prayers of “Please heal my condition” rather than claiming the healing
that has already been granted and approved! Now my prayers are “I know and believe I have a
normal bp reading because Jesus has redeemed my heart and given his perfect one to me!”. It
is a step of confidence in the Lord’s promises.
The next time I went for a doctor’s checkup, I took Li Ping’s advice and told God a reading I
want to see. However, the first 2 readings were high, and my heart sank. The nurse took a 3rd
reading and it was the reading that I had asked for. Somehow that did not delight me. I felt that
if my bp reading is normal, it should not take 3 readings to show. In my next visit, I told God I am frustrated, that while it is tough to stand confident in His promises, I needed to see results that this is happening. I wanted Him to SHOW ME the actual reading that I had asked for in the first reading.
In one of the visits to the doctor again, the nurse took my reading and it was normal the first time, although my heart was racing with anxiety! God truly loves me and my baby and has healed me, I trust Him that He will continue to show me the “good” readings from now on. It took me a lot to battle against the negative thoughts of my mind to trust Him, but I know that His promises are real and are worth relying on!
***********
Angelina, sent me this a couple of weeks ago. Yesterday she told me that when she checked her BP yesterday morning it showed normal the first time. And it was one of the best reading she ever had.
Praise God!!!!
**************
Amen! I am going to add on to how great God’s love for us is!
I am currently 5 months pregnant. I have hypertension since young, but it has not affected my
health since and neither have I prayed for healing until now when I am pregnant. I feared for the
safety of my baby. The doctors I have consulted are worried as this is considered a high-risk
pregnancy, which added on to my worry and stress level as I couldn’t enjoy the pregnancy as
much as I want to.
It was then that I shared with Li Ping about my condition and requested for her to pray for me
and baby. Eric and Li Ping shared the promises of the Gospel to me as they felt prompted by
God to convey this message to me. It’s not that I am ignorant about the Gospel, but I guess I did
not know how to exercise my priviledge as God’s child.
Li Ping wrote an e-mail to me explaining how the Gospel worked. When Jesus died, there was
already healing! So then why is my blood pressure still not showing a normal reading? I realised
that I have been praying prayers of “Please heal my condition” rather than claiming the healing
that has already been granted and approved! Now my prayers are “I know and believe I have a
normal bp reading because Jesus has redeemed my heart and given his perfect one to me!”. It
is a step of confidence in the Lord’s promises.
The next time I went for a doctor’s checkup, I took Li Ping’s advice and told God a reading I
want to see. However, the first 2 readings were high, and my heart sank. The nurse took a 3rd
reading and it was the reading that I had asked for. Somehow that did not delight me. I felt that
if my bp reading is normal, it should not take 3 readings to show. In my next visit, I told God I am frustrated, that while it is tough to stand confident in His promises, I needed to see results that this is happening. I wanted Him to SHOW ME the actual reading that I had asked for in the first reading.
In one of the visits to the doctor again, the nurse took my reading and it was normal the first time, although my heart was racing with anxiety! God truly loves me and my baby and has healed me, I trust Him that He will continue to show me the “good” readings from now on. It took me a lot to battle against the negative thoughts of my mind to trust Him, but I know that His promises are real and are worth relying on!
***********
Angelina, sent me this a couple of weeks ago. Yesterday she told me that when she checked her BP yesterday morning it showed normal the first time. And it was one of the best reading she ever had.
Praise God!!!!
Saturday, July 17, 2010
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....
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....
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
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.
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.
Sunday, June 06, 2010
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.
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.
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
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.
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
***********************
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
***********************
Thursday, April 01, 2010
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
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
Friday, March 26, 2010
What's enjoyable...
Today, I was listening to the 4 worship songs I'm required to play for the incoming audition for church. I've played twice and I think this third one will be the last leg of the audition.
The criteria for playing for church is to play as close as the CD as possible. No adding 7th or 13th or anything else. One has to follow all the lines as close as possible. That is what it takes to play here in this church.
So while travelling on the bus/mrt for 1hr, I listened intensely to the 4 songs as closely as possible trying to discern the different harmonies the 3 guitars are playing, the keyboard, the bass...etc Some parts are indeed quite tricky!
On my second run though, I found myself having a headache because the guitars were too 'noisy'!
Me? Finding the guitar parts were too noisy? Yes! I think they're over the top! Waitaminute, is that me talking? Me who sleeps listening to death metal in my teens?
Wife says, it's me mellowing. Hahahah.... and you know what? I find that idea very likeable. And I admit, nowadays I find myself relaxing more to some jazz pieces than some of the rockish worship songs. I mean I still like Vai, Greg Howe...the but if I find myself playing for a worship jazz quartet, I'll be quite happy.
So to give myself a break in the bus, I turn on to Michael Battersby and Brad Mehldau. Youtube them, you may just like it too.
The criteria for playing for church is to play as close as the CD as possible. No adding 7th or 13th or anything else. One has to follow all the lines as close as possible. That is what it takes to play here in this church.
So while travelling on the bus/mrt for 1hr, I listened intensely to the 4 songs as closely as possible trying to discern the different harmonies the 3 guitars are playing, the keyboard, the bass...etc Some parts are indeed quite tricky!
On my second run though, I found myself having a headache because the guitars were too 'noisy'!
Me? Finding the guitar parts were too noisy? Yes! I think they're over the top! Waitaminute, is that me talking? Me who sleeps listening to death metal in my teens?
Wife says, it's me mellowing. Hahahah.... and you know what? I find that idea very likeable. And I admit, nowadays I find myself relaxing more to some jazz pieces than some of the rockish worship songs. I mean I still like Vai, Greg Howe...the but if I find myself playing for a worship jazz quartet, I'll be quite happy.
So to give myself a break in the bus, I turn on to Michael Battersby and Brad Mehldau. Youtube them, you may just like it too.
Monday, March 15, 2010
Precious to Him
I haven't blogged for ages. It's not because I have nothing to write about. Quite the contary. I can only blame Facebook's status bar for my not blogging :)
However, something happened just awhile ago which needed a little more description.
You see, we gave a precious gift away recently. And just now, I got it back. Someone gave me back the exact same gift! I know... so 'coincidental' right?
Except this person heard from the Lord to get this gift to us during nov/dec. She just didn't know when to give this present to us, until last week.
I feel so loved. Before I even knew, God got the gift ready for us 3 months ago!
However, something happened just awhile ago which needed a little more description.
You see, we gave a precious gift away recently. And just now, I got it back. Someone gave me back the exact same gift! I know... so 'coincidental' right?
Except this person heard from the Lord to get this gift to us during nov/dec. She just didn't know when to give this present to us, until last week.
I feel so loved. Before I even knew, God got the gift ready for us 3 months ago!
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
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.
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.
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
... 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:
Yup, you read it right. Even the penalty is remitted. Even the penalty of sin is taken away.
I'm awed and baffled.
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.
- release from bondage or imprisonment
- forgiveness or pardon, of sins (letting them go as if they had never been committed),
- 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.
Sunday, May 24, 2009
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:-
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!!
Monday, May 04, 2009
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:
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.
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.
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Dreaming big
We have a big God. Thats why it's okay to dream big, pray for big things.
I should start praying for:
I should start praying for:
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Seek ye first...
Matthew 6:31–33
31“Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.
As a child of God, know that it is your Father’s pleasure to meet all your needs. Jesus Himself tells us, “For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.” But God does not want you to seek after things. He wants you to seek first His kingdom. And when you do that, all the things that you need will be added to you!
So your first priority every day is to seek His kingdom. The word “first” in verse 33 is the Greek word proton, which means “first in order or importance, holding the highest place in all our affections”. My friend, God wants us to seek first His kingdom, and all things will fall gloriously in place.
We are not to seek after things the way Gentiles do. The word “seek” in “the Gentiles seek” (verse 32) is the Greek word epizeteo. It means “to seek with all their might with much sweat or with much stress”. However, the way God wants us to “seek” in “seek first the kingdom of God” is the Greek word zeteo, which means “to hunger, to desire to worship”. It is simply a hungering, a desiring for the kingdom of God, without any labor or toil.
But what is the kingdom of God? Romans 14:17 tells us that it is righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. And the kingdom of God dwells within you because the Holy Spirit indwells you. So the kingdom of God is His righteousness, peace and joy in you.
Beloved, if you want to have peace and joy in the Holy Spirit flowing inside you, then seek every day to be conscious of your righteousness in Christ, not your own righteousness, but His righteousness given to you as a gift. Pursue Jesus first. Spend time with Him and listen to His Word. And when you do these things, you are seeking His kingdom and His righteousness, and all the things that you need will be added to you!
- daily devotions from Pastor Joseph Prince
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Should I write a book?
There are many many nights that I've stayed wide awake on my bed thinking about writing a book. Should I take that as a sign that I should write one? hahaha
Anyway, I am thinking about writing a book about the 'myths of christianity'. I want to gather some commonly err view of christiand and put them into this book and explain them.
Like a long time ago, my mom thinks that jesus is from america, or christianity is from the west. Other 'myth' like you have to pray long, hard and strong for God to hear you. To myth like, you can't have tattoo as a christians.
So friends, what do you think? If I write such a book, would you buy it? Please vote on the right.
Anyway, I am thinking about writing a book about the 'myths of christianity'. I want to gather some commonly err view of christiand and put them into this book and explain them.
Like a long time ago, my mom thinks that jesus is from america, or christianity is from the west. Other 'myth' like you have to pray long, hard and strong for God to hear you. To myth like, you can't have tattoo as a christians.
So friends, what do you think? If I write such a book, would you buy it? Please vote on the right.
Thursday, April 09, 2009
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