Sunday 30 January 2011
There is a Hope
"So I find this law at work: When I want to do good, evil is right there with me. For in my inner being I delight in God's law; but I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members. What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God - through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God's law, but in the sinful nature a slave to the law of sin." - Romans 7:21-25 (NIV)
"The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labour in the Lord is not in vain." - 1 Corinthians 15:56-58 (NIV)
"We always thank God for all of you, mentioning you in our prayers. We continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labour prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ." - 1 Thessalonians 1:2-3 (NIV)
Saturday 29 January 2011
Be Firm But Fair
"I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves." - Matthew 10:16 (NIV)
Friday 28 January 2011
True Patience
The word patience is derived from the Latin word for suffering. It suggests the thought of being under the constraint of some power from which we fain would be free. At first we submit against our will; experience teaches us that when it is vain to resist, patient endurance is our wisest course.
In waiting on God it is of infinite consequence that we not only submit because we are compelled to, but because we lovingly and joyfully consent to be in the hands of our blessed Father. Patience then becomes our highest blessedness and our highest grace.
It honours God and gives Him time to have His way with us. It is the highest expression of our faith in His goodness and faithfulness. It brings the soul perfect rest in the assurance that God is carrying on His work. It is the token of our full consent that God should deal with us in such a way and time as He thinks best.
True patience is the losing of our self-will in His perfect will.
- Andrew Murray, Waiting on God
"Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God - this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is - his good, pleasing and perfect will." - Romans 12:1-2 (NIV)
In waiting on God it is of infinite consequence that we not only submit because we are compelled to, but because we lovingly and joyfully consent to be in the hands of our blessed Father. Patience then becomes our highest blessedness and our highest grace.
It honours God and gives Him time to have His way with us. It is the highest expression of our faith in His goodness and faithfulness. It brings the soul perfect rest in the assurance that God is carrying on His work. It is the token of our full consent that God should deal with us in such a way and time as He thinks best.
True patience is the losing of our self-will in His perfect will.
- Andrew Murray, Waiting on God
"Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God - this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is - his good, pleasing and perfect will." - Romans 12:1-2 (NIV)
Thursday 27 January 2011
Two Ways to Give
After Abram returned from defeating Kedorlaomer and the kings allied with him, the king of Sodom came out to meet him in the Valley of Shaveh (that is, the King's Valley).
Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. He was priest of God Most High, and he blessed Abram, saying,
"Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth. And blessed be God Most High, who delivered your enemies into your hand."
Then Abram gave him a tenth of everything.
- Genesis 14:17-20 (NIV)
Abram was returning from a war with King Kedorlaomer. On the way back, he met two kings. The King of Sodom who was obviously not a good king because Sodom was a place of sin and the other was the King of Salem or Melchizedek who was also the Priest of God Most High - a picture of Jesus Christ. And when Abram met Melchizedek, Melchizedek gave Abram bread and wine. In return, Abram gave Melchizedek a tithe.
This is a beautiful Old Testament picture of Jesus, our Melchizedek, who gave us His body and blood. We in turn voluntarily give Him a tithe in recognition of His greatness - a voluntary act of worship...
In verse 21 of the same passage, the King of Sodom also offered to give Abram all the spoils: "The king of Sodom said to Abram, 'Give me the people and keep the goods for yourself.'" But Abram immediately told him: "No thanks. Because I don't want you to think that you made me rich."
What a beautiful picture of the two ways in which a man can become rich. One was through the King of Salem, Melchizedek - a picture of our Lord Jesus Christ. The other was through the King of Sodom - a picture of the world's system.
- Benny Ho, Managing Money God's Way
Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. He was priest of God Most High, and he blessed Abram, saying,
"Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth. And blessed be God Most High, who delivered your enemies into your hand."
Then Abram gave him a tenth of everything.
- Genesis 14:17-20 (NIV)
Abram was returning from a war with King Kedorlaomer. On the way back, he met two kings. The King of Sodom who was obviously not a good king because Sodom was a place of sin and the other was the King of Salem or Melchizedek who was also the Priest of God Most High - a picture of Jesus Christ. And when Abram met Melchizedek, Melchizedek gave Abram bread and wine. In return, Abram gave Melchizedek a tithe.
This is a beautiful Old Testament picture of Jesus, our Melchizedek, who gave us His body and blood. We in turn voluntarily give Him a tithe in recognition of His greatness - a voluntary act of worship...
In verse 21 of the same passage, the King of Sodom also offered to give Abram all the spoils: "The king of Sodom said to Abram, 'Give me the people and keep the goods for yourself.'" But Abram immediately told him: "No thanks. Because I don't want you to think that you made me rich."
What a beautiful picture of the two ways in which a man can become rich. One was through the King of Salem, Melchizedek - a picture of our Lord Jesus Christ. The other was through the King of Sodom - a picture of the world's system.
- Benny Ho, Managing Money God's Way
Wednesday 26 January 2011
Small World
Tonight was the first time I could attend my church's midweek prayer meeting since I started residential training at the Home Team Academy last Oct. It was a great encouragement to see so many people turn up to pray.
"If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others." - Philippians 2:1-4 (NIV)
God also reminded me (through a particular bit of sharing) that it's a small world after all. Not coincidence, but providence!
"From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live. God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us." - Acts 17:26-27 (NIV)
"If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others." - Philippians 2:1-4 (NIV)
God also reminded me (through a particular bit of sharing) that it's a small world after all. Not coincidence, but providence!
"From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live. God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us." - Acts 17:26-27 (NIV)
Saturday 22 January 2011
Life, Death and Destiny
There are two questions, in particular, to which even Christian tradition has repeatedly given answers totally inconsistent with the Bible, answers which rightly perplex or even scandalise many people today. First: What happens after death? The common traditional view is that at death the human soul or spirit, being immortal in nature, lives on, either in "heaven" or in "hell" or in some other "intermediate state", pending the final judgment of God. Second: What will happen to those excluded from God's final Kingdom? The standard Christian teaching has been that the "lost" are punished with everlasting suffering in "hell".
Obviously both of these questions are extremely important for every one of us. Unfortunately the answers traditionally given by the Church have sown confusion and served to turn a great many people away from faith in God altogether. These answers have been derived from non-biblical sources, not from the Bible, and it is surely significant that, in fact, neither of the great traditional Christian creeds, the "Apostles' Creed" and the "Nicene Creed", makes any reference, either to the immortality of the human soul, or to a hell of eternal torment.
Soul-immortalism entered Christianity, not from the Bible, but from ancient Greek philosophy, profoundly influenced by Plato. Alan Richardson, former Dean of York, acknowledges this:
...the ancient Church inherited from Greek thought the notion of a soul substance which was by nature immortal, and this conception was often entwined with biblical teaching about resurrection. In the biblical view, a man dies and literally ceases to exist: his resurrection... was the result of an act of new creation by God...
As far back as 1931, Archbishop William Temple... asserted, in his Drew Lecture on Immortality:
The core of the doctrine (of the future life) is this: Man is not immortal by nature or of right; but there is offered to him resurrection from the dead and life eternal, if he will receive it from God and on God's terms... It is a doctrine, not of Immortality, but of Resurrection... There is a very strong case for thinking out the whole subject again, in as complete independence as possible alike of medieval and of protestant traditions.
- Warren Prestidge, Life, Death and Destiny
Links: The Philosophy and Theology of Eternal Punishment (12 Mar 10), The Case for Annihilationism (31 Aug 10), Tetelestai (10 Sep 10)
Obviously both of these questions are extremely important for every one of us. Unfortunately the answers traditionally given by the Church have sown confusion and served to turn a great many people away from faith in God altogether. These answers have been derived from non-biblical sources, not from the Bible, and it is surely significant that, in fact, neither of the great traditional Christian creeds, the "Apostles' Creed" and the "Nicene Creed", makes any reference, either to the immortality of the human soul, or to a hell of eternal torment.
Soul-immortalism entered Christianity, not from the Bible, but from ancient Greek philosophy, profoundly influenced by Plato. Alan Richardson, former Dean of York, acknowledges this:
...the ancient Church inherited from Greek thought the notion of a soul substance which was by nature immortal, and this conception was often entwined with biblical teaching about resurrection. In the biblical view, a man dies and literally ceases to exist: his resurrection... was the result of an act of new creation by God...
As far back as 1931, Archbishop William Temple... asserted, in his Drew Lecture on Immortality:
The core of the doctrine (of the future life) is this: Man is not immortal by nature or of right; but there is offered to him resurrection from the dead and life eternal, if he will receive it from God and on God's terms... It is a doctrine, not of Immortality, but of Resurrection... There is a very strong case for thinking out the whole subject again, in as complete independence as possible alike of medieval and of protestant traditions.
- Warren Prestidge, Life, Death and Destiny
Links: The Philosophy and Theology of Eternal Punishment (12 Mar 10), The Case for Annihilationism (31 Aug 10), Tetelestai (10 Sep 10)
Saturday 15 January 2011
Scarcity, Choice and Opportunity Cost
Since the start of the year, I've had the joy of attending two weddings of childhood friends over the past two weekends. So this weekend feels slightly empty in comparison.
Speaking of weddings, one of the regrets I have about not being in the UK this year is that I won't be able to attend my ex-housemate's wedding in London at the end of Feb. But as I mentioned in an earlier post, God has shown me that Jul 10 was exactly the right time for me to return to Singapore. Even as I won't be able to attend my ex-housemate's wedding because I'm in Singapore, being in Singapore has given me many opportunities (including attending at least two weddings) which I wouldn't have had if I was still studying in the UK.
As we learn in Economics 101, we are limited beings with limited resources. Every choice we make involves an opportunity cost. For example, I cannot be in Singapore and the UK at the same time. If I'm in Singapore, I cannot be in the UK. If I'm in the UK, I cannot be in Singapore. And so on.
There is no end to asking "what if" questions. At the end of the day, the will of God is not about "what if" but "what is".
"He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God." - Micah 6:8 (NIV)
We cannot have the best of both (or more) worlds. But if we trust God, we can know that out of all the possible worlds which He could have created, this is the best possible world in which all things work for His glory and our good!
"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." - Romans 8:28 (NIV)
Speaking of weddings, one of the regrets I have about not being in the UK this year is that I won't be able to attend my ex-housemate's wedding in London at the end of Feb. But as I mentioned in an earlier post, God has shown me that Jul 10 was exactly the right time for me to return to Singapore. Even as I won't be able to attend my ex-housemate's wedding because I'm in Singapore, being in Singapore has given me many opportunities (including attending at least two weddings) which I wouldn't have had if I was still studying in the UK.
As we learn in Economics 101, we are limited beings with limited resources. Every choice we make involves an opportunity cost. For example, I cannot be in Singapore and the UK at the same time. If I'm in Singapore, I cannot be in the UK. If I'm in the UK, I cannot be in Singapore. And so on.
There is no end to asking "what if" questions. At the end of the day, the will of God is not about "what if" but "what is".
"He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God." - Micah 6:8 (NIV)
We cannot have the best of both (or more) worlds. But if we trust God, we can know that out of all the possible worlds which He could have created, this is the best possible world in which all things work for His glory and our good!
"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." - Romans 8:28 (NIV)
Friday 14 January 2011
Pray
"Is prayer your steering wheel or your spare tyre?" - Corrie ten Boom
"Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." - 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NIV)
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." - Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV)
"Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen." - Ephesians 3:20-21 (NIV)
Link: Verse(s) of the Year (2 Jan 11)
"Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." - 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NIV)
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." - Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV)
"Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen." - Ephesians 3:20-21 (NIV)
Link: Verse(s) of the Year (2 Jan 11)
Friday 7 January 2011
Bob Kauflin on Music
*From Toby's blog*
I have no doubt we love music. But do we love music for God's sake or for ours?
The Psalmist says in Psalm 73, "Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever."
Idolatry happens when there's anything else on earth that we desire more than God. When something besides God becomes the strength of my heart and my portion. When I think that something besides God can fully satisfy me, make me ultimately happy, or has the right to rule my life. When we look to music for the joy, comfort, power, and satisfaction only God can give.
Music is useful, but not necessary. Music is good. But Jesus is better. Music is a gift. But not a god.
Every gift of God is meant to deepen our relationship with God and create fresh affection for him. Not replace him.
Music isn't my life. Christ is.
- Bob Kauflin, Music - Gift or God?
I have no doubt we love music. But do we love music for God's sake or for ours?
The Psalmist says in Psalm 73, "Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever."
Idolatry happens when there's anything else on earth that we desire more than God. When something besides God becomes the strength of my heart and my portion. When I think that something besides God can fully satisfy me, make me ultimately happy, or has the right to rule my life. When we look to music for the joy, comfort, power, and satisfaction only God can give.
Music is useful, but not necessary. Music is good. But Jesus is better. Music is a gift. But not a god.
Every gift of God is meant to deepen our relationship with God and create fresh affection for him. Not replace him.
Music isn't my life. Christ is.
- Bob Kauflin, Music - Gift or God?
Sunday 2 January 2011
Verse(s) of the Year
My church is studying 1 and 2 Thessalonians in Sunday School this year and I hope to put the following verses (in particular) into practice.
"Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." - 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NIV)
What strikes me about these verses is that they focus on things within our control. Whatever else God's will for our lives is, at the very least it calls us to be joyful always, pray continually and give thanks in all circumstances.
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." - Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV)
In 2010, God brought an end to 3 amazing years in York and showed me that Jul 10 was exactly the right time for me to return to Singapore (in ways too many to mention). What will 2011 bring?
"Now listen, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money." Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, "If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that."" - James 4:13-15 (NIV)
Another year is dawning
Dear Father, let it be
In working or in waiting
Another year with Thee
Another year of progress
Another year of praise
Another year of proving
Thy presence all the days
Another year of mercies
Of faithfulness and grace
Another year of gladness
The glory of Thy face
Another year of leaning
Upon Thy loving breast
Another year of trusting
Of quiet, happy rest
Another year of service
Of witness for Thy love
Another year of training
For holier work above
Another year is dawning
Dear Father, let it be
On earth, or else in heaven
Another year for Thee
Link: Pray (14 Jan 11)
"Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." - 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NIV)
What strikes me about these verses is that they focus on things within our control. Whatever else God's will for our lives is, at the very least it calls us to be joyful always, pray continually and give thanks in all circumstances.
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." - Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV)
In 2010, God brought an end to 3 amazing years in York and showed me that Jul 10 was exactly the right time for me to return to Singapore (in ways too many to mention). What will 2011 bring?
"Now listen, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money." Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, "If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that."" - James 4:13-15 (NIV)
Another year is dawning
Dear Father, let it be
In working or in waiting
Another year with Thee
Another year of progress
Another year of praise
Another year of proving
Thy presence all the days
Another year of mercies
Of faithfulness and grace
Another year of gladness
The glory of Thy face
Another year of leaning
Upon Thy loving breast
Another year of trusting
Of quiet, happy rest
Another year of service
Of witness for Thy love
Another year of training
For holier work above
Another year is dawning
Dear Father, let it be
On earth, or else in heaven
Another year for Thee
Link: Pray (14 Jan 11)
Saturday 1 January 2011
Dec 22 to 31
Dec 22: "So we fasted and petitioned our God about this, and he answered our prayer." - Ezra 8:23 (NIV)
Dec 23: "Who will not fear you, O Lord, and bring glory to your name? For you alone are holy. All nations will come and worship before you, for your righteous acts have been revealed." - Revelation 15:4 (NIV)
Dec 24: "His pleasure is not in the strength of the horse, nor his delight in the legs of a man; the LORD delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love." - Psalm 147:10-11 (NIV)
Dec 25: "For God has put it into their hearts to accomplish his purpose by agreeing to give the beast their power to rule, until God's words are fulfilled." - Revelation 17:17 (NIV)
Dec 26: "A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies." - Proverbs 31:10 (NIV)
Dec 27: "Nehemiah said, "Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is sacred to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength."" - Nehemiah 8:10 (NIV)
Dec 28: "I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and makes war." - Revelation 19:11 (NIV)
Dec 29: "For the LORD takes delight in his people; he crowns the humble with salvation." - Psalm 149:4 (NIV)
Dec 30: "Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised." - Proverbs 31:30 (NIV)
Dec 31: "Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done." - Revelation 22:12 (NIV)
Dec 23: "Who will not fear you, O Lord, and bring glory to your name? For you alone are holy. All nations will come and worship before you, for your righteous acts have been revealed." - Revelation 15:4 (NIV)
Dec 24: "His pleasure is not in the strength of the horse, nor his delight in the legs of a man; the LORD delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love." - Psalm 147:10-11 (NIV)
Dec 25: "For God has put it into their hearts to accomplish his purpose by agreeing to give the beast their power to rule, until God's words are fulfilled." - Revelation 17:17 (NIV)
Dec 26: "A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies." - Proverbs 31:10 (NIV)
Dec 27: "Nehemiah said, "Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is sacred to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength."" - Nehemiah 8:10 (NIV)
Dec 28: "I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and makes war." - Revelation 19:11 (NIV)
Dec 29: "For the LORD takes delight in his people; he crowns the humble with salvation." - Psalm 149:4 (NIV)
Dec 30: "Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised." - Proverbs 31:30 (NIV)
Dec 31: "Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done." - Revelation 22:12 (NIV)
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