The System Event Notification Service stopped working again late last night. K asked me to sleep and work on it today when I got back to the office.
I had a bad experience with this problem in the past. No network, no System Restore, no anything. I worked until I felt tired. This morning, I was awaken by the honking of dad'd Mercedes.
I saw people gathering outside the office and I decided to skip breakfast and open the door. I forgot the alarm code and the alarm sounded. Ms. Ng who just arrived entered the correct code to disable the alarm.
I bought some buns for breakfast. No the best choice for breakfast but the nasi lemak stall was not open (mental note: it is not open on Monday.)
Then I did some digging. I found this. I wonder how I missed this in the past?
So, no need to format. I am connected to the internet. I am back in business. As I told my KPY, Google and me make a powerful combination.
Praise God!
Monday, April 27, 2009
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Aim low, think smaller
After dim sum breakfast with dad, we arrived in church early.
Pastor Intern Melissa signaled me to approach the bench, err ... keyboard. She said she wanted to show a video clip but there was no sound. She wanted me to get another copy in the Touch Centre. I told her I didn't have the password to the PC. She wrote it down for me and told me she'd text me the location of the file.
I grabbed my i-Stick and went out. As I crossed the road, I realized I left my phone charging with my notebook. Hmm ... I thought if it's in the PC, I would find it.
It was not in the PC. I combed through the rather neat and clean haystack and could not find the needle. I went back to get my phone. Oh, I was to go to the internet. Hmm ... if I'd only read the message I could have borrowed K's modem and download it in the sanctuary itself. Of course, that may distract others.
I download the WMV and FLV. I didn't try the high definition because it was too big. Once finished, I tried to play. Hey, no sound. I have already turned on the speakers. I traced the cable and found out it was plugged to the wrong socket. I put it into the correct one, viola! Audio was working.
Ok, I plugged in my trusty i-Stick and it could not be detected. Hmm ... I restarted it and waited and waited (and prayed) and it was detected.
Ok. I copied both. Not enough place. I decided to just copy the WMV version.
Once the worship was finished, I copied the file to the PC in the Sanctuary and waited to ensure it worked. Visual ok. Audio was not. Hmm ... so sorry, Melissa had to switch to narrator mode (not frame narrator but narrator.)
I copied the file to my notebook and tried. Eh ... audio was ok.
I then talked to Jerry to find out if the channel was turned on. He said it was and suggested we check the socket. I went to the front and tried it with another socket and got some noise.
At the conclusion of the service, I went to the front and switch the audio jack from the green to the blue. I signaled Jerry to turn on the audio. Then Ivan pulled it out a bit telling us that if the jack was all the way in, there would be no sound.
So, that's how we got the audio working.
In case you want to see the video clip (actually a flash presentation), go to http://max7.org and look for Aim Low.
Pastor Intern Melissa signaled me to approach the bench, err ... keyboard. She said she wanted to show a video clip but there was no sound. She wanted me to get another copy in the Touch Centre. I told her I didn't have the password to the PC. She wrote it down for me and told me she'd text me the location of the file.
I grabbed my i-Stick and went out. As I crossed the road, I realized I left my phone charging with my notebook. Hmm ... I thought if it's in the PC, I would find it.
It was not in the PC. I combed through the rather neat and clean haystack and could not find the needle. I went back to get my phone. Oh, I was to go to the internet. Hmm ... if I'd only read the message I could have borrowed K's modem and download it in the sanctuary itself. Of course, that may distract others.
I download the WMV and FLV. I didn't try the high definition because it was too big. Once finished, I tried to play. Hey, no sound. I have already turned on the speakers. I traced the cable and found out it was plugged to the wrong socket. I put it into the correct one, viola! Audio was working.
Ok, I plugged in my trusty i-Stick and it could not be detected. Hmm ... I restarted it and waited and waited (and prayed) and it was detected.
Ok. I copied both. Not enough place. I decided to just copy the WMV version.
Once the worship was finished, I copied the file to the PC in the Sanctuary and waited to ensure it worked. Visual ok. Audio was not. Hmm ... so sorry, Melissa had to switch to narrator mode (not frame narrator but narrator.)
I copied the file to my notebook and tried. Eh ... audio was ok.
I then talked to Jerry to find out if the channel was turned on. He said it was and suggested we check the socket. I went to the front and tried it with another socket and got some noise.
At the conclusion of the service, I went to the front and switch the audio jack from the green to the blue. I signaled Jerry to turn on the audio. Then Ivan pulled it out a bit telling us that if the jack was all the way in, there would be no sound.
So, that's how we got the audio working.
In case you want to see the video clip (actually a flash presentation), go to http://max7.org and look for Aim Low.
20090426 The Lord is Compassionate
The LORD is Compassionate
Joshua Chan, 26/04/2009
Adoniram Judson and his wife, Ann served the Lord as a young couple in Massachusetts. They felt the challenged by the Lord to bring the gospel to India. They sold everything and boarded a ship to India on 19 Feb 1812. The journey from America to India took 4 months. So, going to India was like a journey with no return.
There was a tension between the British and Americans. When they reached the British colony, they saw a situation opposite to their expectation. War has broken between Britain and America. They were seen as the enemies. One week after they arrived, they were ordered to be deported immediately. They were so desperate because they have sold everything they had back home. But they were certain of their calling as missionaries. They could not stay so they decided they would go to anywhere the first ship would take them. They wanted to go to Penang but the first ship was headed to Burma. They were warned about the difficulties in Burma. They boarded the small vessel to go to Burma. The vessel had no canvas cover. It was the peak of monsoon season. Anne fell sick on the way.
When they arrived, they could not converse to the locals. Burma today celebrated almost 200 years of their first missionaries.
What makes this young couple so passionate and committed to do missions work?
Missionaries have great compassion for the lost souls. A life of a missionary is not fun. It is unlike a local church pastor who is well taken care of by the congregation. Today, with the advent of technology, missionaries keep in touch with others. In the past, they were lonely.
(One of my more favourite jokes – wife to husband, “You’re gonna die!”)
Structure of Isaiah
1. Isaiah 1 to 39 - Addressing Jerusalem
2. Isaiah 40 to 55 – Addressing the Exile
a. Addressing the Jews who were taken in captivity in Babylon
b. Is 43 God will be their Saviour
c. God told them Babylon would fall
d. Is 44:28 – God’s command to rebuild Jerusalem & restore the temple
3. Isaiah 56 – 66 – Addressing post-exile
God punished the Israelites via the exile. However, the write reminded the people that the Lord has not abandoned them. Isaiah was the minister of consolation (Is 40 to 55). He told Judah God would come back to them as their Saviour. God assured them the fall of their enemy, the Babylonians.
The Lord is Compassionate – a Calling to Respond
1 First Call - the Lord Provides a Future (vv1-3)
Isa 54:1-3 "Sing, O barren one, who did not bear; break forth into singing and cry aloud, you who have not been in labor! For the children of the desolate one will be more than the children of her who is married," says the LORD. (2) "Enlarge the place of your tent, and let the curtains of your habitations be stretched out; do not hold back; lengthen your cords and strengthen your stakes. (3) For you will spread abroad to the right and to the left, and your offspring will possess the nations and will people the desolate cities.
A barren woman then was seen as receiving punishment from God. She is the target of ridicule and despise. Hagar despised Sarai for not having a child. Rachel told Jacob to give her a child or she would die. Hannah prayed for a child.
Is Isaiah 54, Isaiah gave a total different picture. He asked the barren woman to sing. How can a barren woman sing unless she has hope for a child? When Jerusalem was destroyed and the people were taken captive, it was like a barren woman. In Is 50, we read that Jerusalem sinned against the Lord and she was sent to exile because of her rebellion. God has left her.
Jerusalem is told to sing because there is still a future. The Lord will provide a way for people to go back to Jerusalem and to get back to Him. The Bible tells us when we know the truth, it will set us free. Some of us know the truth but we refused to walk in the truth. We file our own divorce with God.
Many Christians today are living in exile and no longer enjoys the intimate relationship with God. We may go to church on Sunday or even serving but how often do we spend time with God and worship Him? When given a choice between prayer and our favourite show, what will we choose? This is the danger in the present day church – there are so many activities competing for our time.
If we have left God’s sight, if we are living in exile and living under the bondage of the chores in life, would God restore the relationship with us? Isaiah revealed a Father who is willing to mend our relationship with Him. Our God always response with grace when we come back to Him.
2 Second Call - the Lord forgives the past (vv4-5)
Is 54:4-5 (4) "Fear not, for you will not be ashamed; be not confounded, for you will not be disgraced; for you will forget the shame of your youth, and the reproach of your widowhood you will remember no more. (5) For your Maker is your husband, the LORD of hosts is his name; and the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer, the God of the whole earth he is called.
In Luke, we read that Elizabeth, the wife of Zachariah the priest was barren. God answered her prayer and gave her a child.
In this historical context, Israel was humiliated. The exile was a far cry from the heydays of David and Solomon. They could not even lift up their heads. During their peak, the enemies fear them because the Lord was with them. Here, God told them not to be afraid because God has forgiven their past. There is no condemnation from God. Condemnation is from the evil one. This is not to say we deserved His forgiveness. But His grace is sufficient for us. His mercy endures forever.
If we feel that God’s love has left us or that we are unworthy, know that God loves us. When we are adopted as God’s children, He forgives our wayward past.
3 The Lord Honours His Covenant and Loves Everlastingly (vv6-8)
Is 54:6-8 (6) For the LORD has called you like a wife deserted and grieved in spirit, like a wife of youth when she is cast off, says your God. (7) For a brief moment I deserted you, but with great compassion I will gather you. (8) In overflowing anger for a moment I hid my face from you, but with everlasting love I will have compassion on you," says the LORD, your Redeemer.
In Hebrew, “will” means perfect certainly. The writer gave a very emotional description of a young wife. A couple just married can hardly be separated from one another. God understood Israel’s pain.
Joshua Chan, 26/04/2009
Adoniram Judson and his wife, Ann served the Lord as a young couple in Massachusetts. They felt the challenged by the Lord to bring the gospel to India. They sold everything and boarded a ship to India on 19 Feb 1812. The journey from America to India took 4 months. So, going to India was like a journey with no return.
There was a tension between the British and Americans. When they reached the British colony, they saw a situation opposite to their expectation. War has broken between Britain and America. They were seen as the enemies. One week after they arrived, they were ordered to be deported immediately. They were so desperate because they have sold everything they had back home. But they were certain of their calling as missionaries. They could not stay so they decided they would go to anywhere the first ship would take them. They wanted to go to Penang but the first ship was headed to Burma. They were warned about the difficulties in Burma. They boarded the small vessel to go to Burma. The vessel had no canvas cover. It was the peak of monsoon season. Anne fell sick on the way.
When they arrived, they could not converse to the locals. Burma today celebrated almost 200 years of their first missionaries.
What makes this young couple so passionate and committed to do missions work?
Missionaries have great compassion for the lost souls. A life of a missionary is not fun. It is unlike a local church pastor who is well taken care of by the congregation. Today, with the advent of technology, missionaries keep in touch with others. In the past, they were lonely.
(One of my more favourite jokes – wife to husband, “You’re gonna die!”)
Structure of Isaiah
1. Isaiah 1 to 39 - Addressing Jerusalem
2. Isaiah 40 to 55 – Addressing the Exile
a. Addressing the Jews who were taken in captivity in Babylon
b. Is 43 God will be their Saviour
c. God told them Babylon would fall
d. Is 44:28 – God’s command to rebuild Jerusalem & restore the temple
3. Isaiah 56 – 66 – Addressing post-exile
God punished the Israelites via the exile. However, the write reminded the people that the Lord has not abandoned them. Isaiah was the minister of consolation (Is 40 to 55). He told Judah God would come back to them as their Saviour. God assured them the fall of their enemy, the Babylonians.
The Lord is Compassionate – a Calling to Respond
1 First Call - the Lord Provides a Future (vv1-3)
Isa 54:1-3 "Sing, O barren one, who did not bear; break forth into singing and cry aloud, you who have not been in labor! For the children of the desolate one will be more than the children of her who is married," says the LORD. (2) "Enlarge the place of your tent, and let the curtains of your habitations be stretched out; do not hold back; lengthen your cords and strengthen your stakes. (3) For you will spread abroad to the right and to the left, and your offspring will possess the nations and will people the desolate cities.
A barren woman then was seen as receiving punishment from God. She is the target of ridicule and despise. Hagar despised Sarai for not having a child. Rachel told Jacob to give her a child or she would die. Hannah prayed for a child.
Is Isaiah 54, Isaiah gave a total different picture. He asked the barren woman to sing. How can a barren woman sing unless she has hope for a child? When Jerusalem was destroyed and the people were taken captive, it was like a barren woman. In Is 50, we read that Jerusalem sinned against the Lord and she was sent to exile because of her rebellion. God has left her.
Jerusalem is told to sing because there is still a future. The Lord will provide a way for people to go back to Jerusalem and to get back to Him. The Bible tells us when we know the truth, it will set us free. Some of us know the truth but we refused to walk in the truth. We file our own divorce with God.
Many Christians today are living in exile and no longer enjoys the intimate relationship with God. We may go to church on Sunday or even serving but how often do we spend time with God and worship Him? When given a choice between prayer and our favourite show, what will we choose? This is the danger in the present day church – there are so many activities competing for our time.
If we have left God’s sight, if we are living in exile and living under the bondage of the chores in life, would God restore the relationship with us? Isaiah revealed a Father who is willing to mend our relationship with Him. Our God always response with grace when we come back to Him.
2 Second Call - the Lord forgives the past (vv4-5)
Is 54:4-5 (4) "Fear not, for you will not be ashamed; be not confounded, for you will not be disgraced; for you will forget the shame of your youth, and the reproach of your widowhood you will remember no more. (5) For your Maker is your husband, the LORD of hosts is his name; and the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer, the God of the whole earth he is called.
In Luke, we read that Elizabeth, the wife of Zachariah the priest was barren. God answered her prayer and gave her a child.
In this historical context, Israel was humiliated. The exile was a far cry from the heydays of David and Solomon. They could not even lift up their heads. During their peak, the enemies fear them because the Lord was with them. Here, God told them not to be afraid because God has forgiven their past. There is no condemnation from God. Condemnation is from the evil one. This is not to say we deserved His forgiveness. But His grace is sufficient for us. His mercy endures forever.
If we feel that God’s love has left us or that we are unworthy, know that God loves us. When we are adopted as God’s children, He forgives our wayward past.
3 The Lord Honours His Covenant and Loves Everlastingly (vv6-8)
Is 54:6-8 (6) For the LORD has called you like a wife deserted and grieved in spirit, like a wife of youth when she is cast off, says your God. (7) For a brief moment I deserted you, but with great compassion I will gather you. (8) In overflowing anger for a moment I hid my face from you, but with everlasting love I will have compassion on you," says the LORD, your Redeemer.
In Hebrew, “will” means perfect certainly. The writer gave a very emotional description of a young wife. A couple just married can hardly be separated from one another. God understood Israel’s pain.
Friday, April 24, 2009
Monday, April 20, 2009
God is at work. I am not.
The Lord is at Work
Elder Beng Teong, 19/04/2009
GOD's Message to his anointed, to Cyrus, whom he took by the hand To give the task of taming the nations, of terrifying their kings-- He gave him free rein, no restrictions: "I'll go ahead of you, clearing and paving the road. I'll break down bronze city gates, smash padlocks, kick down barred entrances. I'll lead you to buried treasures, secret caches of valuables-- Confirmations that it is, in fact, I, GOD, the God of Israel, who calls you by your name. It's because of my dear servant Jacob, Israel my chosen, That I've singled you out, called you by name, and given you this privileged work. And you don't even know me! I am GOD, the only God there is. Besides me there are no real gods. I'm the one who armed you for this work, though you don't even know me, So that everyone, from east to west, will know that I have no god-rivals. I am GOD, the only God there is. I form light and create darkness, I make harmonies and create discords. I, GOD, do all these things. "Open up, heavens, and rain. Clouds, pour out buckets of my goodness! Loosen up, earth, and bloom salvation; sprout right living. I, GOD, generate all this. But doom to you who fight your Maker-- you're a pot at odds with the potter! Does clay talk back to the potter: 'What are you doing? What clumsy fingers!' Would a sperm say to a father, 'Who gave you permission to use me to make a baby?' Or a fetus to a mother, 'Why have you cooped me up in this belly?'" Thus GOD, The Holy of Israel, Israel's Maker, says: "Do you question who or what I'm making? Are you telling me what I can or cannot do? I made earth, and I created man and woman to live on it. I handcrafted the skies and direct all the constellations in their turnings. And now I've got Cyrus on the move. I've rolled out the red carpet before him. He will build my city. He will bring home my exiles. I didn't hire him to do this. I told him. I, GOD-of-the-Angel-Armies." GOD says: "The workers of Egypt, the merchants of Ethiopia, and those statuesque Sabeans Will all come over to you--all yours. Docile in chains, they'll follow you, Hands folded in reverence, praying before you: 'Amazing! God is with you! There is no other God--none.'" Clearly, you are a God who works behind the scenes, God of Israel, Savior God.
(Isa 45:1-15)
God called Cyrus. The Lord is at work and He is always looking for someone to work alongside Him in His work. The Lord is at work in the church and the Lord is at work in your life. He is always at work to bring His purpose to His people. The question is when the Lord is at work, are we? Do we leave it all to Him? As long as we see the boss at work we will work. We will not leave until the boss leaves. If we are at work, what work are we doing?
1 Acknowledge the Lord’s Purpose
Do we know what God is doing in the church and in our lives? We cannot think that when we are ok God is working in our lives and when we are sick God is not working in our lives. The Bible is very clear that God is always at work. Do we know God’s purpose? Cyrus knew what God wanted him to do.
God said Cyrus did not know Him. God intervened history to accomplish His purposes. The Lord’s purpose given in v13 is to build His city and free His exiles. God will raise whoever He wants to fulfill His purposes. There was no exile yet.
The first deportation takes place some time in 606 BC. The last was probably 586 BC. Isaiah 45 probably took place before he died around 681 BC. Isaiah was alive when he gave this prophecy. Isaiah probably outlived Hezekiah.
Cyrus overthrew Babylon in 539 BC and issued his decree allowing the Jews to return in 538 BC. (Ezra 1:1-4)
In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia--this fulfilled the Message of GOD preached by Jeremiah--GOD prodded Cyrus king of Persia to make an official announcement throughout his kingdom. He wrote it out as follows: From Cyrus king of Persia, a Proclamation: GOD, the God of the heavens, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth. He has also assigned me to build him a Temple of worship in Jerusalem, Judah. Who among you belongs to his people? God be with you! Go to Jerusalem which is in Judah and build The Temple of GOD, the God of Israel, Jerusalem's God. Those who stay behind, wherever they happen to live, will support them with silver, gold, tools, and pack animals, along with Freewill-Offerings for The Temple of God in Jerusalem.
(Ezr 1:1-4)
Cyrus did not address God as his god. He knew God as a mighty God. He did not know God as Israel knew Him.
From the prophecy to the event is at least around 120 years. Cyrus was not even born when the prophecy was made! God intervene in His history to accomplish His purpose. History suggested Cyrus was supposed to be killed and he wasn’t meant to be king.
God will raise people up at the right time, e.g. Esther ‘for such a time like this.’ You are not here because during one night your father and mother had nothing better to do. This is awesome. The almighty God knows when we are going to be born. He knows we are going to be sitting in the church today.
The rebuilding of the temple began in 536 BC and was completed only in 515 BC, it took almost 20 years. The people lost the sense of purpose. Haggai admonished the people for building their own houses but not God’s temple. The people were chastised for forgetting God’s purpose.
Cyrus acknowledged God’s purpose for him even though he did now know God personally. It became his purpose. (Ezra 1:2) He made God’s purpose His purpose. He did it quickly. In his first year as the king, he made the proclamation.
How long have we known God? Did God ask us to do something? Are we waiting for the second year or the third year? Do we have to wait until we retire from work? God wanted us to obey in the ‘first year’, i.e. immediately. We need to take God seriously. God wanted us to teach us a lesson through Cyrus. Not only did Cyrus do it quickly, he also did it not for price or rewards. (Is 45:13 KJV) Instead he gave back all that Nebuchadnezzar has taken and gave back more. (Ezra 1:4, 7-11)
We live our lives in reversal of God’s intention. God wants us to seek first Him and His kingdom. But we tend to look for rewards first.
• God will intervene in our history to accomplish His purposes.
• His purpose is to be our purpose.
• We are to discover it; do it quickly; and without price or reward!
• Eph 2:10 “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. “
• God designed us from His heart. If we don’t discover our purpose we will abuse / misuse our lives.
What is a good Work? God’s work! Anything that is according to God’s design and purpose. Paul encouraged us to walk in the design of God’s purpose.
2 Awake to the Lord’s Presence
With God’s purpose will always comes God’s presence. Are we sensitive to His presence?
We have problems with God’s purpose because we are not awaken to God’s presence. (Is 45:3-5)
God calls us to His purpose by name and yet we do not know Him! The significance of calling somebody by name is that we are important to Him. When somebody calls us by name, he recognizes who we are and to him we are not a face in the crowd. We do not know Him because we are not alert to His presence. As far as we can tell, Cyrus is not a believer. We are. We ought to know our God.
We do know Him because we do not live according to His purpose. God became a distant god. We call each other by name only when it’s a personal friend. How do we be spiritually alert when we don’t hear? Jesus said there are those with ears who don’t hear. We sometimes pretend not to hear because we don’t want to do what we would be told. As a result, we lose out in life.
The best place in life is to live according to the purpose He set for us. We do not hear because we are not physically alert but not spiritually alert.
Hezekiah started very well but in the end he lost his spiritual alertness. Isaiah told him he was going to die. He was to put his house in order. But God extended his life 15 years. However, Hezekiah spent the 15 years to exalt himself. God defeated the Assyrians. Hezekiah was the only king who did this. Hezekiah did not repay the favour of God. God tested his heart and sent the Babylonians. Isaiah told him Babylonians would take away the kingdom of Judah but he would be spared. He selfishly rejoiced. We are created as spiritual being just happened to be housed in a physical body. We connect to God in a spirit level. We cannot be spiritual attentive if we are not spiritual alert to God’s presence. Jesus asked us to watch and pray. The Bible calls someone who does not guard his spirit as a city without walls. There is no protection.
Paul talked about the thorn in the flesh. He said to live is Christ and the die is gain. Many live the other way round.
The older we are the harder it is to stay physically alert. We need to work extra hard. This is the same with spiritual alertness. When we go to work, we enhance our physical self. How do we then enhance our spiritual self?
3 Applaud the Lord’s Power
With the Lord’s presence, comes the Lord’s power. (v6-7)
The power of the Creator will help you fulfill His purposes for you. He can open double doors; make crooked places straight; break in pieces the gates of bronze; cut the bars of iron; give you the treasures of darkness and the hidden riches of secret places.
The power of the Creator is not for our entertainment or self-fulfillment. Hezekiah is a good lesson.
The power of the Creator is not for price or reward. (Consider Simon the sorcerer.)
4 Accept the Lord’s Sovereignty
God is our friend but do not take him as a buddy. He is the King of kings. We need to treat him with a lot of respect. (v9-13)
Do not overplay grace and forget the sovereignty of God. Many of use treat grace like a trapeze’s safety net. Do not take it for granted. Do not be presumptuous with God’s grace. When God bless us, it doesn’t necessary mean we have the correct doctrine. If just means that God is sovereign.
We argue and strive because our purpose in life clashes with His purpose for us. We struggle with God. Many in Malaysia don’t respect the traffic lights because we can negotiate our ways out of trouble. We can get away with it. But this is not so in Singapore.
What are you making? He has no hands? What are you begetting? What have you brought forth? The clay cannot question the potter.
We then appeal to His grace!
The Bible warns us that woe to him who strives with his Maker.
God has made us and designed us with a purpose. When we live in the purpose, we have His presence and His power.
Conclusion
• Do you know God’s purpose for you?
• Do you know you were born for such a time as this? Do we have a clear sense of destiny? Do you know that there is purpose for you to be sitting in this chair?
• Are you living out God’s purpose or your purpose?
• The Lord is at work. Are you working for Him?
Elder Beng Teong, 19/04/2009
GOD's Message to his anointed, to Cyrus, whom he took by the hand To give the task of taming the nations, of terrifying their kings-- He gave him free rein, no restrictions: "I'll go ahead of you, clearing and paving the road. I'll break down bronze city gates, smash padlocks, kick down barred entrances. I'll lead you to buried treasures, secret caches of valuables-- Confirmations that it is, in fact, I, GOD, the God of Israel, who calls you by your name. It's because of my dear servant Jacob, Israel my chosen, That I've singled you out, called you by name, and given you this privileged work. And you don't even know me! I am GOD, the only God there is. Besides me there are no real gods. I'm the one who armed you for this work, though you don't even know me, So that everyone, from east to west, will know that I have no god-rivals. I am GOD, the only God there is. I form light and create darkness, I make harmonies and create discords. I, GOD, do all these things. "Open up, heavens, and rain. Clouds, pour out buckets of my goodness! Loosen up, earth, and bloom salvation; sprout right living. I, GOD, generate all this. But doom to you who fight your Maker-- you're a pot at odds with the potter! Does clay talk back to the potter: 'What are you doing? What clumsy fingers!' Would a sperm say to a father, 'Who gave you permission to use me to make a baby?' Or a fetus to a mother, 'Why have you cooped me up in this belly?'" Thus GOD, The Holy of Israel, Israel's Maker, says: "Do you question who or what I'm making? Are you telling me what I can or cannot do? I made earth, and I created man and woman to live on it. I handcrafted the skies and direct all the constellations in their turnings. And now I've got Cyrus on the move. I've rolled out the red carpet before him. He will build my city. He will bring home my exiles. I didn't hire him to do this. I told him. I, GOD-of-the-Angel-Armies." GOD says: "The workers of Egypt, the merchants of Ethiopia, and those statuesque Sabeans Will all come over to you--all yours. Docile in chains, they'll follow you, Hands folded in reverence, praying before you: 'Amazing! God is with you! There is no other God--none.'" Clearly, you are a God who works behind the scenes, God of Israel, Savior God.
(Isa 45:1-15)
God called Cyrus. The Lord is at work and He is always looking for someone to work alongside Him in His work. The Lord is at work in the church and the Lord is at work in your life. He is always at work to bring His purpose to His people. The question is when the Lord is at work, are we? Do we leave it all to Him? As long as we see the boss at work we will work. We will not leave until the boss leaves. If we are at work, what work are we doing?
1 Acknowledge the Lord’s Purpose
Do we know what God is doing in the church and in our lives? We cannot think that when we are ok God is working in our lives and when we are sick God is not working in our lives. The Bible is very clear that God is always at work. Do we know God’s purpose? Cyrus knew what God wanted him to do.
God said Cyrus did not know Him. God intervened history to accomplish His purposes. The Lord’s purpose given in v13 is to build His city and free His exiles. God will raise whoever He wants to fulfill His purposes. There was no exile yet.
The first deportation takes place some time in 606 BC. The last was probably 586 BC. Isaiah 45 probably took place before he died around 681 BC. Isaiah was alive when he gave this prophecy. Isaiah probably outlived Hezekiah.
Cyrus overthrew Babylon in 539 BC and issued his decree allowing the Jews to return in 538 BC. (Ezra 1:1-4)
In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia--this fulfilled the Message of GOD preached by Jeremiah--GOD prodded Cyrus king of Persia to make an official announcement throughout his kingdom. He wrote it out as follows: From Cyrus king of Persia, a Proclamation: GOD, the God of the heavens, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth. He has also assigned me to build him a Temple of worship in Jerusalem, Judah. Who among you belongs to his people? God be with you! Go to Jerusalem which is in Judah and build The Temple of GOD, the God of Israel, Jerusalem's God. Those who stay behind, wherever they happen to live, will support them with silver, gold, tools, and pack animals, along with Freewill-Offerings for The Temple of God in Jerusalem.
(Ezr 1:1-4)
Cyrus did not address God as his god. He knew God as a mighty God. He did not know God as Israel knew Him.
From the prophecy to the event is at least around 120 years. Cyrus was not even born when the prophecy was made! God intervene in His history to accomplish His purpose. History suggested Cyrus was supposed to be killed and he wasn’t meant to be king.
God will raise people up at the right time, e.g. Esther ‘for such a time like this.’ You are not here because during one night your father and mother had nothing better to do. This is awesome. The almighty God knows when we are going to be born. He knows we are going to be sitting in the church today.
The rebuilding of the temple began in 536 BC and was completed only in 515 BC, it took almost 20 years. The people lost the sense of purpose. Haggai admonished the people for building their own houses but not God’s temple. The people were chastised for forgetting God’s purpose.
Cyrus acknowledged God’s purpose for him even though he did now know God personally. It became his purpose. (Ezra 1:2) He made God’s purpose His purpose. He did it quickly. In his first year as the king, he made the proclamation.
How long have we known God? Did God ask us to do something? Are we waiting for the second year or the third year? Do we have to wait until we retire from work? God wanted us to obey in the ‘first year’, i.e. immediately. We need to take God seriously. God wanted us to teach us a lesson through Cyrus. Not only did Cyrus do it quickly, he also did it not for price or rewards. (Is 45:13 KJV) Instead he gave back all that Nebuchadnezzar has taken and gave back more. (Ezra 1:4, 7-11)
We live our lives in reversal of God’s intention. God wants us to seek first Him and His kingdom. But we tend to look for rewards first.
• God will intervene in our history to accomplish His purposes.
• His purpose is to be our purpose.
• We are to discover it; do it quickly; and without price or reward!
• Eph 2:10 “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. “
• God designed us from His heart. If we don’t discover our purpose we will abuse / misuse our lives.
What is a good Work? God’s work! Anything that is according to God’s design and purpose. Paul encouraged us to walk in the design of God’s purpose.
2 Awake to the Lord’s Presence
With God’s purpose will always comes God’s presence. Are we sensitive to His presence?
We have problems with God’s purpose because we are not awaken to God’s presence. (Is 45:3-5)
God calls us to His purpose by name and yet we do not know Him! The significance of calling somebody by name is that we are important to Him. When somebody calls us by name, he recognizes who we are and to him we are not a face in the crowd. We do not know Him because we are not alert to His presence. As far as we can tell, Cyrus is not a believer. We are. We ought to know our God.
We do know Him because we do not live according to His purpose. God became a distant god. We call each other by name only when it’s a personal friend. How do we be spiritually alert when we don’t hear? Jesus said there are those with ears who don’t hear. We sometimes pretend not to hear because we don’t want to do what we would be told. As a result, we lose out in life.
The best place in life is to live according to the purpose He set for us. We do not hear because we are not physically alert but not spiritually alert.
Hezekiah started very well but in the end he lost his spiritual alertness. Isaiah told him he was going to die. He was to put his house in order. But God extended his life 15 years. However, Hezekiah spent the 15 years to exalt himself. God defeated the Assyrians. Hezekiah was the only king who did this. Hezekiah did not repay the favour of God. God tested his heart and sent the Babylonians. Isaiah told him Babylonians would take away the kingdom of Judah but he would be spared. He selfishly rejoiced. We are created as spiritual being just happened to be housed in a physical body. We connect to God in a spirit level. We cannot be spiritual attentive if we are not spiritual alert to God’s presence. Jesus asked us to watch and pray. The Bible calls someone who does not guard his spirit as a city without walls. There is no protection.
Paul talked about the thorn in the flesh. He said to live is Christ and the die is gain. Many live the other way round.
The older we are the harder it is to stay physically alert. We need to work extra hard. This is the same with spiritual alertness. When we go to work, we enhance our physical self. How do we then enhance our spiritual self?
3 Applaud the Lord’s Power
With the Lord’s presence, comes the Lord’s power. (v6-7)
The power of the Creator will help you fulfill His purposes for you. He can open double doors; make crooked places straight; break in pieces the gates of bronze; cut the bars of iron; give you the treasures of darkness and the hidden riches of secret places.
The power of the Creator is not for our entertainment or self-fulfillment. Hezekiah is a good lesson.
The power of the Creator is not for price or reward. (Consider Simon the sorcerer.)
4 Accept the Lord’s Sovereignty
God is our friend but do not take him as a buddy. He is the King of kings. We need to treat him with a lot of respect. (v9-13)
Do not overplay grace and forget the sovereignty of God. Many of use treat grace like a trapeze’s safety net. Do not take it for granted. Do not be presumptuous with God’s grace. When God bless us, it doesn’t necessary mean we have the correct doctrine. If just means that God is sovereign.
We argue and strive because our purpose in life clashes with His purpose for us. We struggle with God. Many in Malaysia don’t respect the traffic lights because we can negotiate our ways out of trouble. We can get away with it. But this is not so in Singapore.
What are you making? He has no hands? What are you begetting? What have you brought forth? The clay cannot question the potter.
We then appeal to His grace!
The Bible warns us that woe to him who strives with his Maker.
God has made us and designed us with a purpose. When we live in the purpose, we have His presence and His power.
Conclusion
• Do you know God’s purpose for you?
• Do you know you were born for such a time as this? Do we have a clear sense of destiny? Do you know that there is purpose for you to be sitting in this chair?
• Are you living out God’s purpose or your purpose?
• The Lord is at work. Are you working for Him?
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Saturday, April 11, 2009
No friendship between a man and a woman?
Just friendship between man and women: myth or reality?
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I have friends and I have good friends. My two closest prayer partners are sisters in Christ.
I have no issues with office romance but I am not about to get involve in any because
1. I am married
2. Kathleen doesn't work in my office
Given an opportunity to befriend my KPY is a blessings. I learned that I still have the capacity to care and help. And I bring that home. I am changing slowly. I have finally stopped taking McDonald's for lunch. I used to take it two to three times a week. Today, I am 30 days 'sober.' Her encouragements help a lot.
I think both my KPY and I know what we are doing. I am a friend. She is a friend.
But we probably have to tone down. Rumours. That's the easiest way to destroy something beautiful. Truth? It won't even see its day in court.
I have been rumoured to have resigned twice. My boss knows me well. We have a very frank and honest relationship. She doesn't believe it.
This time, she gave me advice out of concern and to maintain a fair treatment of everyone in the office.
I think man is emotional as much as he is rational. I will always be partial to certain people. My boss, my KPY and a few others.
I will do my things without fear and favour, well, at least not with a lot of favour.
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I have friends and I have good friends. My two closest prayer partners are sisters in Christ.
I have no issues with office romance but I am not about to get involve in any because
1. I am married
2. Kathleen doesn't work in my office
Given an opportunity to befriend my KPY is a blessings. I learned that I still have the capacity to care and help. And I bring that home. I am changing slowly. I have finally stopped taking McDonald's for lunch. I used to take it two to three times a week. Today, I am 30 days 'sober.' Her encouragements help a lot.
I think both my KPY and I know what we are doing. I am a friend. She is a friend.
But we probably have to tone down. Rumours. That's the easiest way to destroy something beautiful. Truth? It won't even see its day in court.
I have been rumoured to have resigned twice. My boss knows me well. We have a very frank and honest relationship. She doesn't believe it.
This time, she gave me advice out of concern and to maintain a fair treatment of everyone in the office.
I think man is emotional as much as he is rational. I will always be partial to certain people. My boss, my KPY and a few others.
I will do my things without fear and favour, well, at least not with a lot of favour.
Thursday, April 09, 2009
Handheld devices in church? | Think Christian
Handheld devices in church? | Think Christian
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I am guilty as charged. But looking for Scripture using the Pocket e-Sword in my HP iPAQ is not as convenient as using it's bigger cousin, e-Sword in my notebook. A notebook is not exactly a "handheld device", is it?
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I am guilty as charged. But looking for Scripture using the Pocket e-Sword in my HP iPAQ is not as convenient as using it's bigger cousin, e-Sword in my notebook. A notebook is not exactly a "handheld device", is it?
Ping. Pong. - why can't missions work be two ways?
"On Friday, a young couple from the Bible college here in Mozambique stopped by our house for a chat. I was impressed by the simplicity and sincerity of their faith. My exegetical skills are better. I’ve got a better grasp on Biblical theology. But this young couple is closer to Jesus than I am."
Ping.
Pong.
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Ping.
Pong.
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Monday, April 06, 2009
Wednesday, April 01, 2009
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