SJG 8–The Master Raises the Dead #dumcMY #fb

Pastor Mike Ngui, 21/05/2011

The text is taken from John 11:1-48.

In 1983, a Jewish rabbi Harold Kushner wrote a book called When Bad Things Happened to Good People. We may find it easier to see bad things happen to bad people but to good people?

John 11 tells of such a story. Lazarus the brother of Mary and Martha died. Mary’s devotion and her act of worship must be so well known that John made a reference to it. This is a story that happened among people who loved Jesus and whom Jesus loved.

One of Satan’s most favourite putdown line is that when something is wrong, then we have not been waling with God.

We have a bird’s eyes view of the whole story. But let’s try to put our shoes into the people there and then – imagine the mind of Mary or Martha then. Bad things do happen to good people.
Lazarus was so sick that Martha sent a desperate message to Jesus. In fact, Jesus was a day’s walk away. When the messenger finally got to Jesus, He sent word that Lazarus won’t die. By the time the message got back to Bethany where Mary and Martha were (the round trip took 2 days.) We can deduced that Lazarus died soon after the messenger left for Jesus. Imagine, imagine the irony when Jesus’ message was passed on to Mary and Martha AFTER Lazarus was buried.

Abraham’s Faith (5)

Pastor Dr. Ling, 06/06/2010, 1040
The text is taken from Gen 15.
Gen 15:1-6  After these things the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision: "Fear not, Abram, I am your shield; your reward shall be very great."  (2)  But Abram said, "O Lord GOD, what will you give me, for I continue childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?"  (3)  And Abram said, "Behold, you have given me no offspring, and a member of my household will be my heir."  (4)  And behold, the word of the LORD came to him: "This man shall not be your heir; your very own son shall be your heir."  (5)  And he brought him outside and said, "Look toward heaven, and number the stars, if you are able to number them." Then he said to him, "So shall your offspring be."  (6)  And he believed the LORD, and he counted it to him as righteousness.

Abraham’s Faith (4)

Pastor Dr Ling, 23/05/2010
This is the 4th in the series.
Jas 2:17  So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.
Our faith cannot be disconnected from our life.

God gives us victory

God put the enemies in our hands. Abram recognized this. God helped him to win an amazing battle.
When Joshua led the Israelites into the promised land, they first arrived at the city of Jericho. They conquered this city by marching around it. However, when they came to Ai, they lost. This is because they did not have faith.
We pay the price with our efforts but the results are from God.
That we can serve and minister to others is due to God’s help. We should be humble.

Abraham’s Faith (3)

Pastor Dr. Ling, 16/05/2010 1050
The text is taken from Gen 14:13-24.
Gen 14:13-24  Then one who had escaped came and told Abram the Hebrew, who was living by the oaks of Mamre the Amorite, brother of Eshcol and of Aner. These were allies of Abram.  (14)  When Abram heard that his kinsman had been taken captive, he led forth his trained men, born in his house, 318 of them, and went in pursuit as far as Dan.  (15)  And he divided his forces against them by night, he and his servants, and defeated them and pursued them to Hobah, north of Damascus.  (16)  Then he brought back all the possessions, and also brought back his kinsman Lot with his possessions, and the women and the people.

The Disciples and the Storm

Transforming Encounters with Jesus in Mark’s Gospel
Pastor Chris Kam, 28/03/2010
Pastor Chris shared a hymn which he thought encompasses the Gospel very well.
Living he loved me, dying He saved me
Buried he carried my sins faraway
Rising he justified freely forever
One day he’s coming O glorious day
Full lyrics here.

Rely on God and be firm

Rely on God and be firm

Pastor Dr Ling,  20/12/2009

1Sa 30:1-10  Now when David and his men came to Ziklag on the third day, the Amalekites had made a raid against the Negeb and against Ziklag. They had overcome Ziklag and burned it with fire  (2)  and taken captive the women and all who were in it, both small and great. They killed no one, but carried them off and went their way.  (3)  And when David and his men came to the city, they found it burned with fire, and their wives and sons and daughters taken captive.  (4)  Then David and the people who were with him raised their voices and wept until they had no more strength to weep.  (5)  David's two wives also had been taken captive, Ahinoam of Jezreel and Abigail the widow of Nabal of Carmel.  (6)  And David was greatly distressed, for the people spoke of stoning him, because all the people were bitter in soul, each for his sons and daughters. But David strengthened himself in the LORD his God.  (7)  And David said to Abiathar the priest, the son of Ahimelech, "Bring me the ephod." So Abiathar brought the ephod to David.  (8)  And David inquired of the LORD, "Shall I pursue after this band? Shall I overtake them?" He answered him, "Pursue, for you shall surely overtake and shall surely rescue."  (9)  So David set out, and the six hundred men who were with him, and they came to the brook Besor, where those who were left behind stayed.  (10)  But David pursued, he and four hundred men. Two hundred stayed behind, who were too exhausted to cross the brook Besor.

1Sa 30:17-25  And David struck them down from twilight until the evening of the next day, and not a man of them escaped, except four hundred young men, who mounted camels and fled.  (18)  David recovered all that the Amalekites had taken, and David rescued his two wives.  (19)  Nothing was missing, whether small or great, sons or daughters, spoil or anything that had been taken. David brought back all.  (20)  David also captured all the flocks and herds, and the people drove the livestock before him, and said, "This is David's spoil."  (21)  Then David came to the two hundred men who had been too exhausted to follow David, and who had been left at the brook Besor. And they went out to meet David and to meet the people who were with him. And when David came near to the people he greeted them.  (22)  Then all the wicked and worthless fellows among the men who had gone with David said, "Because they did not go with us, we will not give them any of the spoil that we have recovered, except that each man may lead away his wife and children, and depart."  (23)  But David said, "You shall not do so, my brothers, with what the LORD has given us. He has preserved us and given into our hand the band that came against us.  (24)  Who would listen to you in this matter? For as his share is who goes down into the battle, so shall his share be who stays by the baggage. They shall share alike."  (25)  And he made it a statute and a rule for Israel from that day forward to this day.

Bad fortunes seemed to follow David. How did he face the  unfavourable situations?

Becoming a Spiritual Giant

Pastor Dr Ling

18/10/2009 1126

Kang Young Woo lost his sight in an accident while he was a teenager. He did not give up and became the first blind professor from Korea. He said he did not get good results when he could see. After losing his sight, his results were excellent. He needed to spend 3 time as much time to read Braille than a normal person with books.

Pro 4:23  Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.

We learn from David, the 2^nd king of the Israel kingdom. He was tending to his father’s sheep. His father didn’t ever remember him when Samuel came to look for a king to succeed Saul.

To move or to stay?

http://www.dailyjesus.info/i-am-the-god-who-is-more-than-enough/

Posted using ShareThis

Have you been inspired late?

... be inspired and encouraged by this crisp and clear message.

When You Started Out (1 Thess 1:1-10)

Elder Stephen Choi, 20081207

Good works for Christian

· Remember where we were? Someone comes into your life and God convicted you. Any changes?

· Started out as Christian – what happened? Did you share Jesus with others?

· Continue grow in the Lord. Enthusiasm/Excitement? Continue to show gratitude to God for His work in our life. Has your love grown or faded?

1. Be Grateful to God

1Th 1:1-10 Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace. (2) We give thanks to God always for all of you, constantly mentioning you in our prayers, (3) remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.

Three cardinals / virtues of a Christian are faith, hope and love. They are not an end in themselves.

What does faith produce? Paul said it produces work in the life of Christians. We are saved not by works but grace – by what Jesus did on the Cross. James said faith without work is dead. We can do work without faith perhaps due to humanitarian purposes. There are people who help others without knowing God. But faith cannot be without work. Work can be evangelistic, helping others or act of kindness.

Love if often linked with labour or the pain involved in the work. Love motivates Christians to work hard even when the work is difficult and tiring. The labour is prompted by love. This love itself is prompted by the love of God which is placed in our hearts (Rom 5:5). Because of the love of God in us, we are willing to walk the second mile. Love is long suffering and it involves a lot of self-sacrifices. If our labour in church is not prompted by love but by a desire to fulfill people’s expectations, one day we will burn out and wonder what we are doing. We need to check ourselves.

Endurance is inspired by hope which will see us through tough times. It is not the suffering or hardship that causes despair, it is when we lose hope that we fall into despair. When we study the book of Job, we find Job to be so enthusiastic in his worship of God and acknowledged that God gives and takes. In Job 30:10, we see Job in despair. When hope defers, the heart despairs. What is the basis of our hope? Is it our bank account? Our children who will take care of us? Our government? Our hope is based on Jesus Christ.

God deposited these three virtues in every Christian. Do we recognize them in our lives? Are they working in our lives? Recognize God’s work and value them. Paul wrote letters to express his appreciations to those who labour hard for God. Sometimes it can be discouraging. Shepherds and church workers should be thankful that God is working in our lives. People’s appreciation is a bonus.

2. Respond to the Spirit

1Th 1:4-6 For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you, (5) because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction. You know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake. (6) And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you received the word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit,

God was talking about how when he preached it was with the power of the Holy Spirit. It may sound like boasting but it changed the lives of the Thessalonians. The Word of God has power to change lives. The Holy Spirit is behind of this power and the changing of lives takes place because they were receptive to the message. Paul being convicted in his message also helped. He preached as though the audience believed in him

When Paul went to Thessalonica, he preached the Gospel and many were saved and great things happened. The church was established in a short time (Act 17). The accomplishments brought persecution by the Jewish leaders. They went to Jason’s house in hope to catch Paul. Paul wasn’t there and he was told to flee. Those who want to preach the Gospel must pay the price. There may not be immediate blessings (“in much affliction” in v6.) Despite the suffering and persecution, they were open to God. The Joy of the Lord flooded their souls.

Life is not always smooth sailing. When we face difficulties, we may be tempted to go into self-pity. If we allow the Holy Spirit to work in our lives, we will receive the joy of the Lord. The world says when we have wealth and health, we will have happiness. Happiness in the world is not formed in suffering. But to the Christians, it is through pain that we find joy. It’s a paradox that the world cannot understand. We don’t invite pain. The pain and suffering refers to persecution due to our belief.

It is uncertain times now. Are we going to despair and fall into self-pity? If we are receptive to the Holy Spirit, it will see us through. We have received the Holy Spirit when we received the Lord, let’s continue to be receptive.

We sing the song “you give and take away” and “blessed be the name of the Lord” so easily. It came from the book of Job. Let’s hope we can overcome difficult situations with the joy of the Lord. “Blessed is the road marked with suffering.”

3. Influencing Others

1Th 1:7-10 so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia. (8) For not only has the word of the Lord sounded forth from you in Macedonia and Achaia, but your faith in God has gone forth everywhere, so that we need not say anything. (9) For they themselves report concerning us the kind of reception we had among you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, (10) and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.

The lifestyle was already evangelistic. Their lifestyle shows their belief in God. We must believe in the Gospel ourselves. We must believe the Gospel can change our lives. The Gospel must be powerful enough in our lives to change us first. Our lifestyle must align with our word. Many don’t become Christians with the excuse of the bad testimonies they see in Christians.

People can see the process of changed lives and this itself is a powerful testimony.

1. We turn from something, e.g. idols.

2. We turn the true, living God. We turn to serve the true and living God.

3. We expect God to come again.

The way we show gratitude to God is to live the way God wants us to live and to influence others to do the same. The process of conversion must be evident in our lives. Are we still living with idols in our lives? Are we serving the living God? Do we live like people who have hope?

When we have hope that God will come again, we can endure difficulties in our lives.

Conclusion:

When we started out as Christians, God entered our lives. Let’s continue to be receptive of Him and respond to the Holy Spirit. Let’s be a good and positive influence to others.

Active Atheist!

No God on the bus

Posted using ShareThis

Should a Church Apologize?

Should a Church Apologize?

David Burchett

Author and Speaker

I was just about finished with my daily dose of depression from the morning newspaper when a full page ad stopped me cold. The headline in the Dallas Morning News screamed out the following message in big, bold letters.

We Were Wrong

"We followed trends when we should have followed Jesus. We told others how to live but did not listen ourselves. We live in the land of plenty, denying ourselves nothing, while ignoring our neighbors who actually have nothing. We sat on the sidelines doing nothing while AIDS ravaged Africa. We were wrong; we're sorry. Please forgive us."

That is a powerful and sobering admission. I was shocked. And I was greatly encouraged by the courage and the humility needed to admit such an embarrassing message to the public. Since I loved the ad I am sure Springcreek Church in Garland, Texas will get a lot of criticism. I don’t think like a lot of the herd.

I opened my first book When Bad Christians Happen To Good People with these words.

I must begin with some words of disclosure. I am a hypocrite. I can be arrogant and selfish. I have been known to stretch, conceal, or slightly massage the truth. I am sometimes inconsiderate and insecure. I struggle with lust and impure thoughts. My ego often rages out of control, and I battle foolish pride. I can be lazy and foolhardy with my time. I get angry, petty, and ill tempered. I am sarcastic and cynical.

I am a Christian.

Does that surprise you? It shouldn't. If there is one theme about our faith that should be communicated, it is that we all fall short of the goal spelled out in Christ's teachings. Author Max Lucado has a wonderful line. He says that God loves you just the way you are, but He refuses to leave you that way. So all of us believers are somewhere on that continuum of where we started and where God wants us to be. But that realization seems to penetrate our thinking only sporadically. In fact, there are those among us who will call me a counterfeit since I admit to such unflattering traits. They will write and tell me that if I had their brand of faith I would be above any of these sins all of the time. I believe they would be wrong.

Obviously a “bad Christian” like me was intrigued to hear how Springcreek Church explained their very public confession. Senior Pastor Keith Stewart wrote this in an open letter on the church website.

No one is perfect. No one lives sin-free. You blow it. I blow it. And the church does, too. I’m sure that you (like me) have, on more than one occasion, had to make something right by apologizing. So why is it so rare to hear a church apologize? The truth is, an apology from the church should not “stand out.” It should not make the community sit up and take notice. But it does, precisely because that the church rarely does what it tells others to do.

In all sincerity, we want to change that. The church in America has a serious credibility problem. Those outside the church look at us and often don’t see anything that even remotely resembles Jesus. Instead they see judgment, hypocrisy, and very little compassion. They hear our words, but don’t see a lifestyle that aligns with those words.

I know my tens of readers want to know how I feel about this apology. Is it Godly or is it a gimmick? Pastor Stewart began his open letter with this Scripture.

If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives. (1 John 1, NIV)

I would love to go to a church that can confess with humility and grace that they have erred. I trust that Pastor Stewart’s heart is sincere and his congregation shares his authenticity. I rarely write in absolutes but one thing I have found is that truly Godly people always demonstrate humility. From reading the comments at the church website I am struck by the humility of Pastor Keith Stewart.

If I may gracefully add one caution to my fellow sojourners here in scenic Garland, Texas it would this lesson I learned the hard way. I am responding to a couple of lines that appeared in the open letter. I hasten to add that the leadership may be well ahead of your humble correspondent on this point so forgive me if I am presuming anything in your letter. Here are the sentences that caused me to recall my long journey to practice grace.

The only way the community will ever believe our words is if our behavior backs it up. With the help of God, we want to become a community of believers that lives out its creed.

May I suggest with all the grace I can muster after watching political coverage this morning the following thoughts. The community will believe your words if you create an environment of grace. A place where people can walk in flawed and hurting and be accepted for who they are and where they are. A place where they don’t have to wear a mask to be accepted. That is when, in my humble opinion, the community will believe your words. I am praying for you daredevils at Springcreek Church. Don’t let the spiritual hall monitors get you down with the drive-by judgments that will surely happen. If you are following the leading of the Holy Spirit you had no choice but to apologize. I pray that many of us will follow your example both personally and corporately.

Dave Burchett is an Emmy Award winning television sports director, author, and Christian speaker. He is the author of When Bad Christians Happen to Good People and Bring'em Back Alive: A Healing Plan for those Wounded by the Church. You can reply by linking through daveburchett.com.

Find this article at: http://www.crosswalk.com/pastors/11583038/

What The Church Should Learn from Google

What The Church Should Learn from Google

Posted using ShareThis

Doubt?

If you would be a real seeker after truth, it is necessary that at least once in your life you doubt, as far as possible, all things.
- Rene Descartes

I doubt I want to doubt at that level.

24

It's 1600 on 03 Aug 2008. I am at home waiting for the taxi to pick me up to send me to LCCT. It's a friend of my sister. Mr. Goh is coming to my house at 1630.

I am recounting the events of the previous day.

02 Aug 2008 (Fri). The day started on a relaxed note. We arrived at Sunway Pyramid around 1030. We (I) queued for tickets for 3D Journey to the Centre of the Earth. We got the tickets at around 1050. The show was to start at 1100. Before the show started, my boss sent me a text message telling me to watch out in Thailand and not to go anywhere unless necessary. I told her I would cut down on the demonstration. I didn't get any reply from her. We thoroughly enjoyed the 3D viewing experience. I wondered if we could get this in DVD.

1430. I went to my parents'. Dad had been suffering from diarrhoea and fever. He was recovering. I spent time with my little niece, Jia Yee.

1745. I was half asleep at home and I called James. I wanted to get back my set of the church keys from Ben who borrowed it on Thu but forgot to bring to church on Fri. I didn't have Ben's number. I told him I'd be there to get the keys at 1815.

1820. Jesse went down to take the keys while I sent Kathleen to pay fees to the caterer. Jesse could not wait and ran to us. He was grinning happily and said he was fortunate the few dogs didn't decide to race him.

1835. We were late to the church by 5 minutes. I went down to open the church. Ps Reynold realized I didn't make arrangement to pick up Yek's family and went to fetch them.

1840. We started to go through the songs.

1900. Yek's family came. He rested at home. We had a few round of practice and touch up on the standing positions.

1925. Fatt (my youngest brother, no. 8) called and told me I better go home. He said dad was not feeling well, I told him I would come as soon as I finished practice .

1927. Peng (my younger sister, no. 7) called and told me to go home. She was on the brink of crying.

All kinds of fear tried to crept into my mind. I asked the BMCS members to pray for me. Ps Reynold said a prayer before we left.

1945. We reached my parents'. Dad was not responding to us verbally. He'd look at us. We had never seen him like this. No wonder my siblings panicked. We feared stroke. Fatt said he could control his fingers so it wasn't. I hugged my dad and said a prayer for him.

2000. Cheong (my sister, no. 5) brought the doctor. He checked my dad and suspected dehydration and low sugar level. My dad is a diabetic. Low sugar level could do that to him. I remembered Ps Michael shared about this. The doctor recommended we gave him glucose. We gave Ribena. After taking 1 cup and a half. He was better.

The doctor recommended my dad to get IV glocose drips to stablise his blood glucose level. Cheong took him back to get a letter.

2020. We went to UMMC. I expected a long wait. It was.

2045. My dad got a BP check.

2100+ (I forgot the time.) A female Malay patient's family member entered the consutlation hall and came back with a blanket for her. Dad was shivering even with a sports coat on. Cheong went. She came back empty handed. The nurse said they don't have 'tuala' (towel.) We told her to try 'selimut' (blanket.) She tried again. She came back emtpy handed again. The nurse said there were no more blanket. Are you kidding me? A big hospital like the UMMC was out of blanket? I told my family we might have better luck if we ask the Tok Haji sitting at the corner to get the blanket for us. Either way, we didn't try.

2100+ (I forgot the time) A doctor checked my dad. He tried to insert an IV needle and had to try a few times.

(It's now 1727. I have checked in. I am at the departure hall. There's more than an hour to go before I board the plane. I have Xpress Check In. Ha. And I don't check in any bags. Talk about fast exit!)

The doctor said dad's vein was hard to detect. He had to tried another time. I hugged dad so that he didn't have to see the needle entering his vein. He wanted to look. But I didn't think it made him happy. I think it made him feel the pain.

2200. Dad was in the observation ward. He was getting his IV drip. He could not really sleep. Cheong, Peng, Fatt took Jesse back to my parents' place. Kathlen and I stayed.

2300+ (I forgot the time.) Dad wanted to go to toilet. I help him get off the bed and move the pole for him. He was not steady. Kathleen and I went to the cafetaria for some food.

0000+ (I forgot the time. 03 Aug 2008). Kathleen and I walked out because we were cold. I bought a pack of black current juice with aloe vera bits. K didn't want any. I finished it myself (not at one go.)

0100+. Dad asked when he could go home. He was not shivering that bad already. I looked for the doctor. He was attending to a patient. I waited and check with him when he was free. He said the blood test result was not out yet.

0130. I went back to the observation ward and the nurse told me the doctor came and ordered another pack (500 ml) of glucose because dad's blood glucose lever was still low. The doctor also took another blood sample and that meant at least another 2 hours for the results.

0145. The nurse bid me to go to her. I went. Oh. It was a Chinese auntie who could not speak English nor Malay. The doctor and the nurse wanted me to translate. I did it. The doctor found out more about the patient and explained what was the next step. All three thanked me. The doctor said my translation was excellent. (How did he know?) I briefly thought about how I could help in this area (translating in the hospital) but then I thought, they would be able to find a nurse or a doctor who spoke Chinese. BTW, the doctor who attended to my dad was a Chinese.

0200. Cheong, Peng and Fatt were on the day. I told them the doctor wanted to see my dad's diabetic pills. They turned back to get it.

0230. The doctor came again and told us dad could go home after the 2nd bottle was done. Dad wanted the dripping speed to be higher so he could go home earlier. I told him to let it be. We agreed that Kathleen and I would go home.

0245. I parked at level 2A because the autopay stations were in level 2B abd I could not drive there without a paid ticket. I also realize I had dad's wallet with me. I passed the wallet to Fatt and paid the ticket and drove Cheong's car to my parent's. My Rusa was there. That was the first time in my life I drove a car with automatic transmission.

0305. I passed Cheong's keys to mom (thereby waking her up from her slumber.) We picked Jesse home.

0315. Kathleen and Jesse almost immediately went to sleep. I did my packing for the Bangkok trip. I took a shower and slept around 0400. I was a bit worried if I slept, I would be late for the anniversary celebration. I took DOM.

0530 I woke up at around and went back to sleep.

0730. I woked up again worrying we were late. I was glad to find that we were not. I washed up and waited for my queen and price to take their time doing the same.

0805. We started the journey. I somehow loss ALL the maps I had. I picked up one from KD. I just went ahead.

0825. I stopped at a BHP station to ask for direction to Chee Wen or Zhi Wen. The cashier were not sure. But she told me if I were to pass Summit and turn left and just went ahead, I'd get a school. She was so friendly she told me when I got into a housing area, I didn't have to panic. As I was making the left turn after Summit, I saw the sign that said Chee Wen 2 km. God was in charged all the time.

0830. We reached Chee Wen. I walked about talking to people.

0845. Ps Richard ordered the Korean King's Kids performances to be moved to the beginning because we were not sure of their time. I informed the BMCS group of the change.

0905. Ps Richard ordered the Myanmar performance to be moved together with the collection of offering and his presentation. The BMCS performace became the sole performance after Ps Malcolm's installation. I informed the BMCS group of the change.

0930. Things are falling into places.

1010. We started the service. And if you were there, you know what happened.

1230. Ministry time.

1245. Walked about. Talked with people including Joe and Carol and their daughter Alison. Joe and Carol were from Gereja Dunamis where we went before. They went to DUMC before going to CBC Puchong. They attend Chris' cell group. Jesse and I checked out the basketball court. Jesse could touch the net. I could touch the rim. The old man still got some jumping in him.

1300. We left Chee Web and move to Thong Kee in Paramount for lunch.

1320. Had sumptuos lunch. Can you say full? :)

1400+ (I forgot the time.) We reached home. I lied on the bed for awhile before Kathleen sounded the alarm. I told her the cab was coming at 1630, not 1600. Either way, I did not have time to sleep. Took a shower, washed away the gel (which I have not used for the longest time) and dressed up and started this blog post.

1615. Cab came early. The post was interrupted.

1715. Reached LCCT. Checked in. Resumed this post.

1756. Finished this post.

The intention of relaying the events is not to boast of my ability or performance despite lack of sleep. I just want to confirm that an encounter with the Holy Spirit enables us. You better believe it!

20 Jul 2008 - Galatia - Facing Troubles

I preached three times on Sunday, Mandarin in the morning, Cantonese in the afternoon (it's after 12) and then Malay in the evening.

After the sermon, we had good fellowship with Stan and Jen and their children over lunch before we work on the final artwork of the booklet to be printed and distributed during the church anniversary on 03/08/2008.

Stan has put in a lot of effort. Wow!

When Paul and Barnabas went to Galatia (specifically Iconium, Lystra, etc.) they faced troubles in the form of rejection, misunderstanding and persecution.

When their 'good news' rejected by the Jews (they are still awaiting their Messiah until today), Paul and Barnabas didn't give up. Instead they depended on God (Pro 3:5-6) to keep preaching the truth. Then only they left for Lystra.

Now, when a man born lame stood up and walked at Paul's command, Paul and Barnabas were seen as incarnation of gods from the Greek mythology. They proclaimed this in a language that Paul and Barnabas probably could not understand. It is interesting to note here that Barbanas was seen as Zeus (the king of Gods) while Paul Hermes (the messenger of gods.) Either way, Paul and Barnabas did not succumb to the temptation to take glory that belongs to God alone.

Perhaps many today would let it get into their heads. They will get bloated and take credit for God's doing and lost focus. Paul and Barnabas didn't. They explained the truth to the confused and deceived people.

Next stop - old friends (read 'enemies.') Their old acquantances from Antioch and Iconium missed them and pursued them all the way to Lystra. This time passion run high and they 'passioned' Paul. Some may find this funny that Paul is now at the receiving end of what he dished out earlier in his life. Either way, the believers displayed courage when they risked their lives to go see Paul outside the city. They possibly wanted to bury Paul if he was really dead and helped him if he was still alive. Paul sprang up and did the unimaginable. He returned to the city and left only on the following day. He remembered the tasks God gave him. He would finish his work before he moved on.

He then revisited all the previous places (including Antioch and Iconium). One would imagine he had a death wish. He and Barnabas revisited the believers to strenghten their faith. They wanted to encourage the bew believers. They helped to elect Elders. They fasted and prayed for them. They also gave them the truth - that being in the Kingdom of God, the believers would go through many tribulations. Wow! What kind of marketing strategy is this? This is God's way. What you see is what you get. There is no attempt to trick you into accepthing Christ. This should bring to shame those who rely on 'good stuff' to attract believers. God will heal you. God will bless you. God will bring you to heaven. God will give you a job. God will prosper you. Really? I'd take the God who gave His life for me anytime, despite all the tribulations and hardship I will endure.

This had been a cry of many churches. Heaven without hell is not balanced. 'Promoting' God's providence and blessings without mentioning presecution and rejection is a distorted truth, if it can be called the truth at all.

God's good news should be presented in its entirety. We cannot just pick the nice stuff and hide the more scary parts.

You can get a PowerPoint on this topic here.

Have a good week!

The Openness of Peter

Elder Stephen Choi, 06 Jul 2008

In Acts 2, we read about the power of the Holy Spirit came upon the people. Peter preached and 3,000 Jews accepted Jesus. In Acts 8, salvation also came upon the Samaritans.

Someone calculated and estimated the time of Pentecost to the time the Gospel reached the Gentile to be 10 years.

In Acts 11, Peter is back to Jerusalem. But news travelled fast that the Gospel was preached to the Gentiles even before he went back to Jerusalem. Prophet Joel prophesied that God would pour out His Spirit on His people. Young men would see visions while old men would dream dreams. We need to be close to God to see visions and have dreams. Otherwise, we would be having dreams about our finances, family, etc.

If you want to dream dreams, we cannot be sleeping all the time. We need to be active and alert to see what God wants to reveal to us.

1. Listen to God

Act 11:1-10 Now the apostles and the brothers who were throughout Judea heard that the Gentiles also had received the word of God. (2) So when Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcision party criticized him, saying, (3) "You went to uncircumcised men and ate with them." (4) But Peter began and explained it to them in order: (5) "I was in the city of Joppa praying, and in a trance I saw a vision, something like a great sheet descending, being let down from heaven by its four corners, and it came down to me. (6) Looking at it closely, I observed animals and beasts of prey and reptiles and birds of the air. (7) And I heard a voice saying to me, 'Rise, Peter; kill and eat.'(8) But I said, 'By no means, Lord; for nothing common or unclean has ever entered my mouth.' (9) But the voice answered a second time from heaven, 'What God has made clean, do not call common.' (10) This happened three times, and all was drawn up again into heaven.

The Jews still remembered the martyrdom of Stephen was seen as going against the Law of Moses. Apparently, if a Jew mixed with a Gentile, he is unclean / defiled for 7 days.

The leaders took Peter aside to criticize him. Peter, an orthodox Jew explained that it was God who initiated it. He had a vision of unclean food and a voice asking him to kill and eat. He refused three times.

Lev 11:45-47 For I am the LORD who brought you up out of the land of Egypt to be your God. You shall therefore be holy, for I am holy." (46) This is the law about beast and bird and every living creature that moves through the waters and every creature that swarms on the ground, (47) to make a distinction between the unclean and the clean and between the living creature that may be eaten and the living creature that may not be eaten.

The original law was given to distinguish the Jews from the gentiles.

Peter was brought up as a Jew and not to eat unclean animals. Now, God showed him the way and led him to Cornelius house to bless him. Peter's was reluctant initially. God wants to show us new things. Are we open to new things from God?

How is your prayer life? We bring our petitions to God which is all good. But prayer is not just looking at the hand of God who gives us. Prayer is ultimately an intimate relationship with God. Prayer is not just one way to God to ask God to bless us. It is also to hear what God want to tell us. When was the last time we hear something from God. When we have an intimate relationship with God, there is a two-way communication.

Act 13:2 While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them."

God spoke to them during worship. God used someone who was open to God to pass the message.

How's your Bible study? Are you studying the Word of God? However many of us feel sleepy when we read the Bible. The Word of God is active and alive. It must do something for us. Does the Word of God come alive to speak to us?

Are you willing to follow when God speaks to us? Are we willing to let go of our traditions and pre-conditioned concepts. 20 years ago, the church was at a cross road to move from traditional worship to a free flow worship to listen to God. While there is nothing wrong with hymns, God wanted us to move on. Discard our own thinking. Receive from the LORD what he intended for us.

2. Look for Confirmation

Act 11:11-14 And behold, at that very moment three men arrived at the house in which we were, sent to me from Caesarea. (12) And the Spirit told me to go with them, making no distinction. These six brothers also accompanied me, and we entered the man's house. (13) And he told us how he had seen the angel stand in his house and say, 'Send to Joppa and bring Simon who is called Peter; (14) he will declare to you a message by which you will be saved, you and all your household.'

God always give confirmation to what He is going to provide. Right after Peter finished praying, three men came. The Spirit told him to follow them. Jewish laws require 2 or 3 witnesses. He took another 3 to make 7 including him. 7 symbolizes completion / perfection.

As much as we want to be open to what God is doing, He always gives confirmation. Do not believe in our presumptions. Get someone to pray together to get confirmation. We must ALL be open to hear from God. If one is hearing and another is not, then the will be problems.

If we hear a word, speak it. If it is not correct, our brethren will correct in love. There are always three voices in play, God's voice, our own voice and Satan's voice. When we move in the area of hearing God's voice, we must learn to recognize the voice of God.

3. Live up the Vision of God

Act 11:15-18 As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell on them just as on us at the beginning. (16) And I remembered the word of the Lord, how he said, 'John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.' (17) If then God gave the same gift to them as he gave to us when we believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could stand in God's way?" (18) When they heard these things they fell silent. And they glorified God, saying, "Then to the Gentiles also God has granted repentance that leads to life."

Because Peter was willing to go, salvation came upon the Gentiles. Be obedient. God wants to use in special tasks. Why did God call Peter to go to Cornelius and not Philip who was nearby? Each one is given a special gift. We should seek the Lord and find out what gifts we have and how to use them.

A faithful man ...

1. can only be tested through time
2. has 'stickability'
3. is an overcomer of negative emotions
4. lives a life of integrity
5. keeps his word
6. is patient
7. is committed

These are the seven (7) attributes of a faithful man as shared by Pastor Reynold in CBC SEA Park yesterday (25/05/2008.)

Speaking on Remaining Faithful, he discussed three attitudes

1. Look Inward - Thanksgiving
2. Look Outward - Service
3. Look Upward - Stand Firm

Pastor and his team is on the way to India now. My wife and son are on the way to Johor Baru for the holidays. I will be alone at home. While I will miss them tremendously, I get more time to think. Perhaps I will finish my Q&A on Ruth this week.

Practicing Your Faith When You Face Temptations

(Sorry for posting it late. My modem is not working. I was rather busy in the office yesterday. It did cross my mind to post this but I didn't do it. Here's a shout out to all my readers out there. Be good! Keep the faith. Let nothing and no one diminish it.)

In the month of April 2008, the theme is the Practice of Faith as part of the main theme of Foundation of Faith. We will examine Joseph's life in Gen 37-41.

When Tempted to Sin (Gen 39)

What is Temptation?

Jas 1:13-17 Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am being tempted by God," for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. (14) But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. (15) Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death. (16) Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers. (17) Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.

God is the source of every good thing. We cannot say we are tempted by God. Temptation is an entry to sin in our life. We cannot blame others for our temptations. Adam cited the woman God gave him as the reason for his disobedience.

1Co 10:6 Now these things took place as examples for us, that we might not desire evil as they did.

Mat 5:28
But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

Eph 4:22 to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires,

Rom 13:14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.

Temptations begin in our heart. Temptation is not sin, it's an advertisement to entice us to purchase! Until we purchase we have not sin. The 3-step process of temptation: lust – sin – death. Temptation cannot be evil or wicked. It is part of living.

Conclusion: What lies before each type of sins? Temptations.

What is one of the most important lessons in your hiliness journey?

Immediately identify when … (we are tempted.)

Why?

Because it is at that very moment that you must turn away.

We need to look to God, upgrade our gear and flee rom temptation.

The Relationship – Foundation (Gen 39:1-6a)

Gen 39:3 His master saw that the LORD was with him and that the LORD caused all that he did to succeed in his hands.

1. Joseph's relationship with God was visible to others.
   
2. Joseph's sensitivity to the Lord's presence filled him with a sense of purpose.
   
3. Joseph found meaning in service, he left his past behind.
   

Gen 42:18-21 On the third day Joseph said to them, "Do this and you will live, for I fear God: (19) if you are honest men, let one of your brothers remain confined where you are in custody, and let the rest go and carry grain for the famine of your households, (20) and bring your youngest brother to me. So your words will be verified, and you shall not die." And they did so. (21) Then they said to one another, "In truth we are guilty concerning our brother, in that we saw the distress of his soul, when he begged us and we did not listen. That is why this distress has come upon us."

Joseph dealt with his hurt. Until and unless we dealt with our hurt and suffering, we cannot fulfill our purpose in life.

The temptation every believer face is complacency.

The Bottom Line – Character (Gen 39:6b-9)

Gen 39:8 But he refused and said to his master's wife, "Behold, because of me my master has no concern about anything in the house, and he has put everything that he has in my charge.

1. Temptation is persistent, see Potiphar's wife's emphatic command.
   
2. Joseph's utter or complete refusal.
   
3. Joseph's appeal to Potiphar's trust in him. He doesn't want to violate Potiphar's trust.
   

Gen 39:9a He is not greater in this house than I am, nor has he kept back anything from me except yourself, because you are his wife.

Joseph gave three reasons not to sleep with Potiphar's wife:

1. No one is greater in the house than him. He will not undermine / violate the trust given to him.
   
2. The couple's marriage vows. The wife made a vow with Potiphar.
   
3. Joseph's personal harm. He will be removed if he sins. (He was put in to prison later but that's another story.)
   

Gen 39:9b How then can I do this great wickedness and sin against God?"

Our ability to resist temptation depends on our spiritual orientation / principles of God, not based on what we think or what people say. Joseph doesn't want to miss the mark.

Character = all the qualities that make a person or thing what he, she or it is. Habit is actually character. Character is the sum of your habits. It is how you habitually acts.

Life is built on character and character is built on the decision we made daily. When we don't like to read the Bible but we still read, when we bless even when we are cursed, that it character.

CHARACTER =

Self-discipline

+ Core Values

+ Sense of Identity (what the Bible says we are, not self-perception)

+ Emotional Security

If we grow all of these together, we will build a strong character. Character is revealed through behavior.

Question to Ponder:

When we are tempted to sin, what commitments of your own could help you overcome that temptation? What core values / foundation can help us?

The Approach – Faithfulness (Gen 39: 10-15, 19-20)

Gen 39:11a But one day, when he went into the house to do his work …

1. Temptation is persistent (Gen 39:10)
   
2. Joseph's spiritual sensitivity (Gen 39:10)
   
3. Joseph was faithful.
   
4. Flee from temptation (Gen 39:12)
   
5. Perhaps part of the wantonness displayed by Potiphar's wife was due to her idleness.
   
6. Continual allurement to sin and disobedience has the capacity to diminish our resolve toward faithfulness.
   

Refuse = he did not listen or hearken unto her, i.e. fell on deaf ears.

An idle mind is the devil's battlefield.

Do not expose ourselves to a situation which invites suspicion / false accusations AND tempts us to sin.

What could it cost your long-term if you fail to resist the temptations you face? Perhaps we need more accountability? The moment we share the temptation we face, the power of temptation is broken.

What price would you be willing to pay to avoid giving in to temptation?

In what ways have you paid the price for resisting temptation (Gen 39:19-20)?

1Co 10:13 No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

1Co 10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God [is] faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear [it].

In our quest of personal holiness we need to understand temptation as mentioned in this verse. The greatest struggle in the church today is not that we don't have the Word or we don't read the Word.

Greater is He that is in us that he is in the world. But how great do we allow Jesus to be in our life?

Principles

1. Temptation is common to all.
   
2. God is faithful in His action on our behalf.
   
   1. God gauges the intensity of the temptation.
      
   2. God provides the provision of an escape. ("make" in 1 Cor 10:13 is the same as the one where God made man and women.)
      
3. We are to do the bearing
   
   1. "Bear" = "to bear up under"; the idea of endurance and fortitude under stress & distress
      
   2. We can always find strength to be able to endure it
      

It is useless to pray for victory over temptation if we do not hate the sin.

Who said one cannot be a politician and love God at the same time?

Nearly 3,000 Rally in Support of Oklahoma Legislator Threatened for Her Support of Traditional Marriage

by LifeSiteNews Staff : Apr 9, 2008 : LifeSiteNews.com
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2008/apr/08040204.html

"This is an awesome experience. We had a fantastic turnout and a fantastic message. Rep. Kern and her husband spoke a message of forgiveness, redemption and hope through Jesus Christ. This is an historic moment for Oklahoma...This is a great day for all who love righteousness."

(Oklahoma City)—Upwards of 3,000 people gathered on April 2 to rally at the Oklahoma State Capitol in support of Rep. Sally Kern, reportedly spilling over onto all levels of the Rotunda. Concerned Women for America (CWA) joined with over 50 pastors to sponsor the event in support of Rep. Kern's Biblical stand for traditional marriage in the face of great opposition from activists.

Matt Barber, CWA's Policy Director for Cultural Issues, said, "This astronomical show of support for Rep. Sally Kern today sends a strong message. People with traditional values who value God's design for human sexuality will not be intimidated and bullied into silence. Political correctness can never trump truth. Sally Kern stood for truth, and she was hated for it. She was persecuted for Christ, but the Body of Christ was there to lift her up. Sally was faithful to God, and He was faithful to her in return. This is a great day for all who love righteousness."

CWA of Oklahoma State Director Linda Caswell said, "This is an awesome experience. We had a fantastic turnout and a fantastic message. Rep. Kern and her husband spoke a message of forgiveness, redemption and hope through Jesus Christ. This is an historic moment for Oklahoma."

Snapshots

Chan Wen Jye shared his first message (I think) on Sunday.

I am particular interested in the part where he shared that we should not just look at a snapshot of our lives.

To give an illustration. Say we watch Cloverfield (I have not watch it, a friend told me he was disapponted.) And we expect to see the monster. We could hardly see it at all. So we say, the monster didn't appear at all. That will be wrong. We can catch glimpse of it at certain times.

God will fulfill his promises in his own way and his own time. Just like we cannot conclude there's no monster in Cloverfield based on certain point in the movie. We need to see the whole movie. God's way is higher than our way and his thoughts higher than ours.

David Chee pointed out that there were 13 to 14 years of uneventful / unrecorded period in Abram's life between chapter 16 and 17 of Genesis. Before this period, Abram listened to Sarai's suggestion and chose to try to help God.

God doesn't need our help. Man is mistaken if he thinks God needs any help. Abram being the spiritual head of the family should have relied on his faith and discern what should be done. When the advices or suggestions of ANYONE contradict God's instructions, we should not listen.

Either way, when we look past the 'photos' of Abram at 75, 85 and even 99 without a son, we can see the 'video' of his whole life where God fulfilled his promises to Abram / Abraham.

We should not look at a particular point in time. Our life is a long process (so to speak) of getting ready for heaven.

We will be worshipping God all days and all night. Why don't we start living that life now?