"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)
Friday, 8 October 2010
Offering
Doing and Not Doing
I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me.
I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good but I cannot carry it out. For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do - this I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.
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!
- Romans 7:15-25 (NIV)
Whenever I think about the things I have done which I should not have done, and the things I have not done which I should have done, I have to remind myself that God is in control, and He is both sovereign and good. Everything that Heallows ordains to happen (and not happen) is for His glory and our good, whether we realise it or not. One day I will understand.
"You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives." - Genesis 50:20 (NIV)
"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)
"In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will." - Ephesians 1:11 (NIV)
I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good but I cannot carry it out. For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do - this I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.
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!
- Romans 7:15-25 (NIV)
Whenever I think about the things I have done which I should not have done, and the things I have not done which I should have done, I have to remind myself that God is in control, and He is both sovereign and good. Everything that He
"You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives." - Genesis 50:20 (NIV)
"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)
"In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will." - Ephesians 1:11 (NIV)
Oct 1 to 7
Oct 1: "Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed - not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence - continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose." - Philippians 2:12-13 (NIV)
Oct 2: "I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead." - Philippians 3:10-11 (NIV)
Oct 3: "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things." - Philippians 4:8 (NIV)
Oct 4: "the faith and love that spring from the hope that is stored up for you in heaven and that you have already heard about in the word of truth, the gospel" - Colossians 1:6 (NIV)
Oct 5: "This is what the LORD says: "Let not the wise man boast of his wisdom or the strong man boast of his strength or the rich man boast of his riches, but let him who boasts boast about this: that he understands and knows me, that I am the LORD, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight," declares the LORD." - Jeremiah 9:23-24 (NIV)
Oct 6: "In my anguish I cried to the LORD, and he answered by setting me free." - Psalm 118:5 (NIV)
Oct 7: "Do any of the worthless idols of the nations bring rain? Do the skies themselves send down showers? No, it is you, O LORD our God. Therefore our hope is in you, for you are the one who does all this." - Jeremiah 14:22 (NIV)
Oct 2: "I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead." - Philippians 3:10-11 (NIV)
Oct 3: "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things." - Philippians 4:8 (NIV)
Oct 4: "the faith and love that spring from the hope that is stored up for you in heaven and that you have already heard about in the word of truth, the gospel" - Colossians 1:6 (NIV)
Oct 5: "This is what the LORD says: "Let not the wise man boast of his wisdom or the strong man boast of his strength or the rich man boast of his riches, but let him who boasts boast about this: that he understands and knows me, that I am the LORD, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight," declares the LORD." - Jeremiah 9:23-24 (NIV)
Oct 6: "In my anguish I cried to the LORD, and he answered by setting me free." - Psalm 118:5 (NIV)
Oct 7: "Do any of the worthless idols of the nations bring rain? Do the skies themselves send down showers? No, it is you, O LORD our God. Therefore our hope is in you, for you are the one who does all this." - Jeremiah 14:22 (NIV)
Thursday, 7 October 2010
Psalm 131
1. Humble yourself before the LORD.
"My heart is not proud, O LORD, my eyes are not haughty; I do not concern myself with great matters or things too wonderful for me." - Psalm 131:1 (NIV)
2. Be still before the LORD.
"But I have stilled and quieted my soul; like a weaned child with its mother, like a weaned child is my soul within me." - Psalm 131:2 (NIV)
3. Hope in the LORD.
"O Israel, put your hope in the LORD both now and forevermore." - Psalm 131:3 (NIV)
"My heart is not proud, O LORD, my eyes are not haughty; I do not concern myself with great matters or things too wonderful for me." - Psalm 131:1 (NIV)
2. Be still before the LORD.
"But I have stilled and quieted my soul; like a weaned child with its mother, like a weaned child is my soul within me." - Psalm 131:2 (NIV)
3. Hope in the LORD.
"O Israel, put your hope in the LORD both now and forevermore." - Psalm 131:3 (NIV)
Wednesday, 6 October 2010
Why Prisons?
Many people have asked me this question and I don't think I've thought about it enough. So why Prisons?
Mission
As a key partner in Criminal Justice, we protect society through the safe custody and rehabilitation of offenders, co-operating in prevention and aftercare.
Vision
We aspire to be captains in the lives of offenders committed to our custody. We will be instrumental in steering them towards being responsible citizens with the help of their families and the community. We will thus build a secure and exemplary prison system.
Yes, but why did I join Prisons?
1. To serve society.
The Singapore Prison Service is not an end unto itself. It is part of the Ministry of Home Affairs, which in turn is part of the Singapore Civil Service. Even before joining Prisons, I decided that I wanted to work in the public sector.
2. To protect society.
Having decided that I wanted to work in the public sector, Prisons gave me the opportunity to contribute to a safe, secure and stable society. And I personally believe that safety, security and stability comes before anything else.
"You will be secure, because there is hope; you will look about you and take your rest in safety." - Job 11:18 (NIV)
"My people will live in peaceful dwelling places, in secure homes, in undisturbed places of rest." - Isaiah 32:18 (NIV)
"We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, where Jesus, who went before us, has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek." - Hebrews 6:19-20 (NIV)
For Your covenant is sure
And on this I am secure
I can stand on every promise of Your Word
3. To change society.
With - and only with - safety, security and stability in place, inmates can (and should) change. Here is where I can make a difference to society, one inmate at a time.
With - and only with - the assurance of salvation, we can (and should) 'press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me' (Philippians 3:12, NIV).
Making One's Calling and Election Sure
His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.
For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love...
Therefore, my brothers, be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never fall, and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
- 2 Peter 1:3-7, 10-11 (NIV)
Links: 9 Months (9 Oct 10), Today (11 Oct 10)
Mission
As a key partner in Criminal Justice, we protect society through the safe custody and rehabilitation of offenders, co-operating in prevention and aftercare.
Vision
We aspire to be captains in the lives of offenders committed to our custody. We will be instrumental in steering them towards being responsible citizens with the help of their families and the community. We will thus build a secure and exemplary prison system.
Yes, but why did I join Prisons?
1. To serve society.
The Singapore Prison Service is not an end unto itself. It is part of the Ministry of Home Affairs, which in turn is part of the Singapore Civil Service. Even before joining Prisons, I decided that I wanted to work in the public sector.
2. To protect society.
Having decided that I wanted to work in the public sector, Prisons gave me the opportunity to contribute to a safe, secure and stable society. And I personally believe that safety, security and stability comes before anything else.
"You will be secure, because there is hope; you will look about you and take your rest in safety." - Job 11:18 (NIV)
"My people will live in peaceful dwelling places, in secure homes, in undisturbed places of rest." - Isaiah 32:18 (NIV)
"We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, where Jesus, who went before us, has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek." - Hebrews 6:19-20 (NIV)
For Your covenant is sure
And on this I am secure
I can stand on every promise of Your Word
3. To change society.
With - and only with - safety, security and stability in place, inmates can (and should) change. Here is where I can make a difference to society, one inmate at a time.
With - and only with - the assurance of salvation, we can (and should) 'press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me' (Philippians 3:12, NIV).
Making One's Calling and Election Sure
His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.
For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love...
Therefore, my brothers, be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never fall, and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
- 2 Peter 1:3-7, 10-11 (NIV)
Links: 9 Months (9 Oct 10), Today (11 Oct 10)
Tuesday, 5 October 2010
Still Believing God for His Best
It is not easy... it is very, very hard. God seems to ask the hardest things from us. He wants us to suspend our common sense, close our eyes to everything around us, put aside our knowledge of earthly reality and logic... and TRUST HIM. Yes, trust Him!
You may have heard the story of the mountain climber who tried to reach the peak even when it was dark at night. He slipped and fell into stark darkness and found himself hanging by the safety rope that mountain climbers use. As he hung in darkness and was not able to see anything, he reached for the rope and clung on to it. In desperation he cried out, "Help me God!"
The story goes that he heard a voice telling him "Cut the rope. Trust me," but he could not bring himself to cut the rope and trust God. Desperately, he clung on to it until rescuers found him the next day, frozen to death just a few feet above the ground. This may just be a story but just the same, we too may be hanging on to our rope or something or someone, some false security that may become our downfall.
The key is to listen to His voice saying "cut the rope, trust Me." Keep on trusting regardless of what is going on around you, even when things seem hopeless. We have learnt this valuable lesson through the years of serving Him.
When we truly trust the Lord with all our hearts, we are finally giving Him permission to minister to us without us getting in His way. He will not fail us. God will not force anything on us, but He does want us to let go completely and let Him do His work in our lives...
By NOT trusting Him... we are retaining our control over our situations. We get in His way and mess up the whole situation and then we blame Him. Being human, we really have no control anyway. Rather than telling God exactly what we think He should do for us, why not ask Him to do what He thinks is best for us?
In the years that I have served Him, I have learnt to believe that God wants to give me the best. He only asks me to believe in Him so that He can make me the person He wants me to be - a person of true faith. I am learning day by day, to trust God with everything and for everything!
"Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD, the LORD, is the Rock eternal." - Isaiah 26:4 (NIV)
- Neville Tan (former inmate turned pastor), The New Iron Man... not an easy road
Link: Believing God for His Best (14 Jun 10)
You may have heard the story of the mountain climber who tried to reach the peak even when it was dark at night. He slipped and fell into stark darkness and found himself hanging by the safety rope that mountain climbers use. As he hung in darkness and was not able to see anything, he reached for the rope and clung on to it. In desperation he cried out, "Help me God!"
The story goes that he heard a voice telling him "Cut the rope. Trust me," but he could not bring himself to cut the rope and trust God. Desperately, he clung on to it until rescuers found him the next day, frozen to death just a few feet above the ground. This may just be a story but just the same, we too may be hanging on to our rope or something or someone, some false security that may become our downfall.
The key is to listen to His voice saying "cut the rope, trust Me." Keep on trusting regardless of what is going on around you, even when things seem hopeless. We have learnt this valuable lesson through the years of serving Him.
When we truly trust the Lord with all our hearts, we are finally giving Him permission to minister to us without us getting in His way. He will not fail us. God will not force anything on us, but He does want us to let go completely and let Him do His work in our lives...
By NOT trusting Him... we are retaining our control over our situations. We get in His way and mess up the whole situation and then we blame Him. Being human, we really have no control anyway. Rather than telling God exactly what we think He should do for us, why not ask Him to do what He thinks is best for us?
In the years that I have served Him, I have learnt to believe that God wants to give me the best. He only asks me to believe in Him so that He can make me the person He wants me to be - a person of true faith. I am learning day by day, to trust God with everything and for everything!
"Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD, the LORD, is the Rock eternal." - Isaiah 26:4 (NIV)
- Neville Tan (former inmate turned pastor), The New Iron Man... not an easy road
Link: Believing God for His Best (14 Jun 10)
Monday, 4 October 2010
Work and Worship
So why do we work? There are many biblical reasons for working: economic - to create wealth; financial - to support oneself and a family; personal - to experience fulfillment and significance; social - to avoid being a burden on others; relational - to support other people through collaborative effort.
God is interested in the good of the whole of society. So when I am asked about worship I reply firmly, 'My work station is my worship station.' Worship is the total submission of our whole person to the glory of God as we recognise our dependence on Him. My desk should therefore be a place of worship. Indeed, the Hebrew word for work and worship is the same - avodah. God is our real employer.
In his letter to the Colossians, Paul urges us: 'Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters' (Colossians 3:23). I remember a personal assistant telling me that when she passed the reception desk on her way into work each morning, she reminded herself, 'It is the Lord Christ I serve.' This avoids the danger of settling for satisfactory underperformance. I try to pray every morning as I start work because I want to remind myself that I am not dependent on myself or on any economic system, but on God. Work is a ministry, empowered by God, for the benefit of ourselves and others, and ultimately for His glory.
- Ken Costa, God at Work
"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)
God is interested in the good of the whole of society. So when I am asked about worship I reply firmly, 'My work station is my worship station.' Worship is the total submission of our whole person to the glory of God as we recognise our dependence on Him. My desk should therefore be a place of worship. Indeed, the Hebrew word for work and worship is the same - avodah. God is our real employer.
In his letter to the Colossians, Paul urges us: 'Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters' (Colossians 3:23). I remember a personal assistant telling me that when she passed the reception desk on her way into work each morning, she reminded herself, 'It is the Lord Christ I serve.' This avoids the danger of settling for satisfactory underperformance. I try to pray every morning as I start work because I want to remind myself that I am not dependent on myself or on any economic system, but on God. Work is a ministry, empowered by God, for the benefit of ourselves and others, and ultimately for His glory.
- Ken Costa, God at Work
"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)
Sunday, 3 October 2010
More on Life as a Vapour
A Singaporean student in London was killed after being hit by a vehicle and dragged almost 2km in the early hours of Thursday morning.
I don't know the victim personally, but I have several friends studying in London and I was a student visiting London not too long ago myself. I can't imagine what it must be like for the victim and her family. I pray that the God of peace would be with them all.
"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)
Link: Life as a Vapour (31 May 10)
I don't know the victim personally, but I have several friends studying in London and I was a student visiting London not too long ago myself. I can't imagine what it must be like for the victim and her family. I pray that the God of peace would be with them all.
"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)
Link: Life as a Vapour (31 May 10)
Saturday, 2 October 2010
Sovereign Grace
I hear religious-minded people say all the time with good intentions, "God will never place a burden on you so heavy that you cannot carry it."
Really?
My experience is that God will place a burden on you so heavy that you cannot possibly carry it alone. He will break your back and your will. He will buckle your legs until you fall flat beneath the crushing weight of your load. All the while He will walk beside you waiting for you to come to the point where you must depend on Him.
"My power is made perfect in your weakness," He says, as we strain under our burden.
Whatever the burden, it might indeed get worse, but I know this - God is faithful. And while we change and get old, He does not. When we get weaker, He remains strong. And in our weakness and humility, He offers us true, lasting, transforming, and undeserved grace.
- Greg Lucas, Wrestling with an Angel
"To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong." - 2 Corinthians 12:7-10 (NIV)
Really?
My experience is that God will place a burden on you so heavy that you cannot possibly carry it alone. He will break your back and your will. He will buckle your legs until you fall flat beneath the crushing weight of your load. All the while He will walk beside you waiting for you to come to the point where you must depend on Him.
"My power is made perfect in your weakness," He says, as we strain under our burden.
Whatever the burden, it might indeed get worse, but I know this - God is faithful. And while we change and get old, He does not. When we get weaker, He remains strong. And in our weakness and humility, He offers us true, lasting, transforming, and undeserved grace.
- Greg Lucas, Wrestling with an Angel
"To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong." - 2 Corinthians 12:7-10 (NIV)
Friday, 1 October 2010
Sep 22 to 30
Sep 22: "I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better." - Ephesians 1:17 (NIV)
Sep 23: ""For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the LORD." - Isaiah 55:8 (NIV)
Sep 24: "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)
Sep 25: "Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ." - Ephesians 4:15 (NIV)
Sep 26: "He will have no fear of bad news; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the LORD." - Psalm 112:7 (NIV)
Sep 27: "Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is." - Ephesians 5:17 (NIV)
Sep 28: "And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints." - Ephesians 6:18 (NIV)
Sep 29: "The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing." - Zephaniah 3:17 (NIV)
Sep 30: "Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others." - Philippians 2:4 (NIV)
Sep 23: ""For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the LORD." - Isaiah 55:8 (NIV)
Sep 24: "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)
Sep 25: "Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ." - Ephesians 4:15 (NIV)
Sep 26: "He will have no fear of bad news; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the LORD." - Psalm 112:7 (NIV)
Sep 27: "Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is." - Ephesians 5:17 (NIV)
Sep 28: "And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints." - Ephesians 6:18 (NIV)
Sep 29: "The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing." - Zephaniah 3:17 (NIV)
Sep 30: "Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others." - Philippians 2:4 (NIV)
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