Philippians is a book about partnership in proclaming in the Gospel. It is also about rejoicing in the midst of troubles; focusing on the blessings rather than the problems at hand (4:4,10).
Paul said that our citizenship is in heaven not on earth; so we shouldn't be making permanent residence here. Ultimately, we will all die one day and see our Lord; not only that, our physical bodies would be transformed into a glorious one (v 20-21).
Because our citizenship is in heaven, he exhorted us to follow his pattern of living on earth (v 17). The pattern of the world is described in three ways (v18 - 19):
1. End is destruction - devil comes to steal, kill and destroy our souls (Jn 10:10)
2. God is their appetite - our living dictated by the lust of the flesh, the lusts of the eyes and the pride of life (1 Jn 2:16)
3. Glory is their shame - on the day of judgment, heads would be bowed in shame and disgrace.
Let's check ourselves in the above and see whether we're beginning to make permanent residence here.
On a different note, a stray cat came to our home outside and gave birth to three kittens yesterday. Unfortunately, one died. Our neighbour gave the mother something to eat. I'd blog about this interesting episode another time but you can see some lovely pictures in my facebook.
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Loved to Love project
As a church, we would be embarking on the above on Good Friday, 2 Apr 2010. Thus far based on yesterday's details at P & P, we've about 130 odd homes making requests for our services. Many oikos members, especially among the youths, have gone back to homes which did not respond last Friday. Praise God for their love and enthusiasm in reaching out!
I was sharing with the prayer warriors yesterday that as we participate in this community outreach, we would certainly be blessed and I quoted from Acts 20:35 which says, "In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'" Already we've been blessed by the Lord when we receive salvation and eternal life through Jesus Christ. The verse tells us that we shall be more blessed when we return the love of God to others in unselfish giving. No doubt it requires hard work (mopping, cleaning, washing, etc) on our part to help the weak (needy, poor, under-privileged), but the rewards are immense to those who help.
I am reminded of a quote (can't remember from who): "There is no exercise better for the heart than reaching down and lifting someone up." When we begin to do something good for others, a special refreshing comes to our soul to know that we have impacted the lives of others in a positive way. This can also take place in our office or home environment. Whether we're helping a customer, client, student or relative, when we give of our best to them, more often than not, they would show appreciation to us for the effort we've put in to help them. But regardless of whether they show appreciation or not, the Lord said that those who give shall be more blessed. So be a giver rather than a receiver!
As we pray, we can commit our members who would be involved in the following ways:
1) God's strength, wisdom and favour to rest on them.
2) No harm and danger would befall them.
3) Opportunities to relate and build bridges in our community.
4) Unity and love among the members; more will come onboard to participate.
Final quotation, "Service to others is the rent we pay for the room on earth."
I was sharing with the prayer warriors yesterday that as we participate in this community outreach, we would certainly be blessed and I quoted from Acts 20:35 which says, "In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'" Already we've been blessed by the Lord when we receive salvation and eternal life through Jesus Christ. The verse tells us that we shall be more blessed when we return the love of God to others in unselfish giving. No doubt it requires hard work (mopping, cleaning, washing, etc) on our part to help the weak (needy, poor, under-privileged), but the rewards are immense to those who help.
I am reminded of a quote (can't remember from who): "There is no exercise better for the heart than reaching down and lifting someone up." When we begin to do something good for others, a special refreshing comes to our soul to know that we have impacted the lives of others in a positive way. This can also take place in our office or home environment. Whether we're helping a customer, client, student or relative, when we give of our best to them, more often than not, they would show appreciation to us for the effort we've put in to help them. But regardless of whether they show appreciation or not, the Lord said that those who give shall be more blessed. So be a giver rather than a receiver!
As we pray, we can commit our members who would be involved in the following ways:
1) God's strength, wisdom and favour to rest on them.
2) No harm and danger would befall them.
3) Opportunities to relate and build bridges in our community.
4) Unity and love among the members; more will come onboard to participate.
Final quotation, "Service to others is the rent we pay for the room on earth."
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
God's dwelling place (John 14)
This chapter begins with the comforting words of our Lord, "Let not your heart be troubled.", which was again repeated in verse 27. Indeed, there are many things in life that can trouble us; giving us no peace of mind. That's why we need the peace of God, not the peace that the world offers, to assure us of His divine presence. The apostle Paul exhorted us, "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, shall guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." (Phil 4:6-7 NASB).
Many times we allow the devil to torment us with his spirit of fear over our hearts and minds. The antidote to this is to set our mind on God, directing our prayers to Him with an attitude of thanksgiving. When we do this, we turn our gaze away from the world and allow God to infuse us with His divine peace. God desires to inhabit us through His Holy Spirit (Jas 4:5); likewise the devil (Mt 12:43-45). If we entertain negative evil thoughts in our mind, it would give the devil an opportunity to oppress us. If we keep nursing those thoughts and acting them out, it may allow him to have a foothold over our lives (Eph 4:27).
In heaven, there are many dwelling places that God has prepared for His children (14:2-3). The wonderful assurance Jesus gave was that those who follow Him would go to where His Father is (14:6). On earth, God too has an abode! That abode is the heart of man and woman who loves God and keep His Word (14:23). Notice that it is an obedient heart that God desires; not simply one who reads His Word out of habit to no effect. And if we're sensitive to the Holy Spirit, He will bring to our remembrance the words of Jesus (14:26). Those who are obsessed with evil would neither love God nor keep His Word (14:24). And this is how we distinguish between the spirit of truth and the spirit of error (1 Jn 4:6).
Let's show our love for God by keeping His commandments.
Many times we allow the devil to torment us with his spirit of fear over our hearts and minds. The antidote to this is to set our mind on God, directing our prayers to Him with an attitude of thanksgiving. When we do this, we turn our gaze away from the world and allow God to infuse us with His divine peace. God desires to inhabit us through His Holy Spirit (Jas 4:5); likewise the devil (Mt 12:43-45). If we entertain negative evil thoughts in our mind, it would give the devil an opportunity to oppress us. If we keep nursing those thoughts and acting them out, it may allow him to have a foothold over our lives (Eph 4:27).
In heaven, there are many dwelling places that God has prepared for His children (14:2-3). The wonderful assurance Jesus gave was that those who follow Him would go to where His Father is (14:6). On earth, God too has an abode! That abode is the heart of man and woman who loves God and keep His Word (14:23). Notice that it is an obedient heart that God desires; not simply one who reads His Word out of habit to no effect. And if we're sensitive to the Holy Spirit, He will bring to our remembrance the words of Jesus (14:26). Those who are obsessed with evil would neither love God nor keep His Word (14:24). And this is how we distinguish between the spirit of truth and the spirit of error (1 Jn 4:6).
Let's show our love for God by keeping His commandments.
Thursday, March 11, 2010
JESUS: Light of the World
Jesus said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." (Jn 8:12) This is one of the seven "I am" statements made by Jesus in the Gospel of John.
Jesus' light shone into the darkness of the hearts of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law when He challenged them to hurl the first stone at the woman caught in adultery (Jn 8:7). As He spoke, Jesus testified of His Father but the religious leaders couldn't understand because their minds have been blinded (2 Cor 4:4). They couldn't see the light of glory shining through Him.
The healing of the man born blind is a manifestation of Jesus' power over human defects and deficiencies (Jn 9:1-12). More importantly, it serves to illustrate the fact that through the physical sign of opening blind eyes, Jesus is able to open the spiritual eyes of those who can't see Him as the Son of God. The spiritual healing of the soul is more important than the physical healing of the body. All physical healings that God does should point us to the deep spiritual work He desires to do within our spirit man.
Jesus said that it is not the healthy who requires a physician but the sick. And He has come to call the sinners and not the righteous to repentance (Mt 9:12-13). So the first step in recognising our need of a Savior is to acknowledge that we are sinners. Similarly, unless we recognise that we're blind to our ways, we would not need the Light of the World to show us the way.
"Lord, You're the light of the world
And we desire to follow Your leading
Your word is a lamp to our feet
And a light for our sojourning
Give us daily guidance
In all our decision making
To You all the glory shall redound
As we abound in praise & rejoicing"
Jesus' light shone into the darkness of the hearts of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law when He challenged them to hurl the first stone at the woman caught in adultery (Jn 8:7). As He spoke, Jesus testified of His Father but the religious leaders couldn't understand because their minds have been blinded (2 Cor 4:4). They couldn't see the light of glory shining through Him.
The healing of the man born blind is a manifestation of Jesus' power over human defects and deficiencies (Jn 9:1-12). More importantly, it serves to illustrate the fact that through the physical sign of opening blind eyes, Jesus is able to open the spiritual eyes of those who can't see Him as the Son of God. The spiritual healing of the soul is more important than the physical healing of the body. All physical healings that God does should point us to the deep spiritual work He desires to do within our spirit man.
Jesus said that it is not the healthy who requires a physician but the sick. And He has come to call the sinners and not the righteous to repentance (Mt 9:12-13). So the first step in recognising our need of a Savior is to acknowledge that we are sinners. Similarly, unless we recognise that we're blind to our ways, we would not need the Light of the World to show us the way.
"Lord, You're the light of the world
And we desire to follow Your leading
Your word is a lamp to our feet
And a light for our sojourning
Give us daily guidance
In all our decision making
To You all the glory shall redound
As we abound in praise & rejoicing"
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
