"But as for you, Daniel, conceal these words and seal up the book until the end of time; many will go back and forth, and knowledge will increase." Dan 12:4 (NASB)
The phrase "many will go back and forth" could mean people traveling from one place to another to proclaim the message of God's kingdom or receiving new information or knowledge from others. That is true in the days of old whereby new knowledge need to be searched out or proclaimed. With the advent of mechanized locomotion, this has certainly been expedited. Nowadays, with the internet, one does not even need to travel far to gain knowledge; it's just a click of the mouse or a tap on our mobile devices away. Others say that the phrase could mean perusing the word of God carefully; reading and re-reading it to gain special insight from God. Whatever it is, God wants us to gain His knowledge and wisdom.
Just the other day, I was traveling on the MRT en route to attend a course. The MRT was packed with people likes sardines during the time I boarded it. As I observed the people in the train, many were either reading the printed media or fiddling with their mobile phones, surfing the net, communicating with someone or having their ears tuned in to something. Here we have an image of people literally traveling to and fro, gaining knowledge at the same time. This is one profitable way to spend our traveling time, apart from catching up with our sleep.
With knowledge so readily available, we have to discern truths from falsehoods. For every issue, there are always two or possibly more sides to it, than meets the eye. Some views could be extreme while others moderate. Where public views are solicited for different issues raised, we can see that some would use their head (rational) while others would use their heart (emotions), or a mixture of both. What's important is that as we search for information, we do not feed our minds with trash. And as they say, "Garbage in, garbage out". Instead, we should meditate on God's word daily to allow Him to transform our thinking, speech and behaviour.
"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." Rom 12:2 (NIV)
Saturday, July 30, 2011
Saturday, July 23, 2011
The seven-fold anointing
"A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a Branch will bear fruit. The Spirit of the LORD will rest on him - the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of might, the Spirit of the knowledge and fear of the LORD .." Is 11:1-2 (NIV)
The passage talks about Jesus Christ coming from the David's line (Jesse is the father) and how he would be anointed with the seven-fold anointing:
1) Spirit of the Lord: Jesus was anointed to preach the good news, heal the sick and deliver people from demonic bondage (Lk 4:18)
2) Spirit of Wisdom: this has to do with the application of knowledge, just as how the Lord ministered to the Samaritan woman when He knew about her having 5 husbands (Jn 4:16-18)
3) Spirit of Understanding: ability to discern the hearts and true intentions of men (Jn 2:24-25)
4) Spirit of Counsel: guidance in life's journey (Is 30:21); Jesus probably waited for God's counsel before replying to the accusers of the woman caught in adultery (Jn 8:1-11)
5) Spirit of Might: divine enablement to heal the sick and alter the course of nature, like Jesus turning water into wine (Jn 2:1-11)
6) Spirit of Knowledge: this is a special revelation not previously known before, like what the Lord spoke concerning Nathanael (Jn 1:48)
7) Spirit of the Fear of the LORD: honors God by living righteously and reverencing Him; not led by human impulses (Is 11:3-5)
And how we need this anointing daily for our lives! Pray daily for the seven-fold anointing to rest on you and your loved ones.
Shalom
The passage talks about Jesus Christ coming from the David's line (Jesse is the father) and how he would be anointed with the seven-fold anointing:
1) Spirit of the Lord: Jesus was anointed to preach the good news, heal the sick and deliver people from demonic bondage (Lk 4:18)
2) Spirit of Wisdom: this has to do with the application of knowledge, just as how the Lord ministered to the Samaritan woman when He knew about her having 5 husbands (Jn 4:16-18)
3) Spirit of Understanding: ability to discern the hearts and true intentions of men (Jn 2:24-25)
4) Spirit of Counsel: guidance in life's journey (Is 30:21); Jesus probably waited for God's counsel before replying to the accusers of the woman caught in adultery (Jn 8:1-11)
5) Spirit of Might: divine enablement to heal the sick and alter the course of nature, like Jesus turning water into wine (Jn 2:1-11)
6) Spirit of Knowledge: this is a special revelation not previously known before, like what the Lord spoke concerning Nathanael (Jn 1:48)
7) Spirit of the Fear of the LORD: honors God by living righteously and reverencing Him; not led by human impulses (Is 11:3-5)
And how we need this anointing daily for our lives! Pray daily for the seven-fold anointing to rest on you and your loved ones.
Shalom
Friday, July 15, 2011
Learning Organisations
I was reading a chapter by Peter Senge recently on "Give me a lever long enough ... and single-handed I can move the world". Well, in physics we learn that this is possible if you place the fulcrum near the object that is to be moved. The title alludes to a learning organisation as a place where people are continually discovering that reality can be changed. We have to see ourselves as very much connected to this world and how we can be both the problem and solution of life.
There five components to a learning organisation. Each of them provides a vital dimension in building organisations that can truly "learn", that can continually enhance their capacity to realise their highest expectations.
1. Systems Thinking: a conceptual framework, body of knowledge and tools developed over the past 50 years. Many things that happen in life are to due to a series of inter-connected actions.
2. Personal Mastery: discipline of continually clarifying and deepening our personal vision.
3. Mental Models: deeply ingrained assumptions or generalizations that influence how we view the world.
4. Building Shared Vision: shared "pictures of the future" that foster genuine commitment.
5. Team Learning: to suspend assumptions and enter into a genuine "thinking together".
For any organisation, be it a business or educational one, its success depends on the interplay of the 5 components.Through collective effort and the willingness to learn from one another, we foster a culture of care and growth. Through learning we are enabled to do things which we were never able to do. Through learning, we extend our capacity to create, and move beyond mere existence. As we examine our own mental models, we must be willing to jettison those thought patterns that are detrimental to the growth of an organisation.
Applying the five components to our faith, systems thinking has to do with understanding the connectedness of our world with the supernatural realm. Personal mastery has to do with cultivating spiritual disciplines to sharpen our spiritual senses. Where kingdom realities are concerned, the opposites are often true such as "If you believe you shall see" or "The first shall be the last and the last, first". As such, we have to change our mental models, which can be subjected to a lot of different interpretations of Scriptures. . Kingdom vision must replace local ones that can be very myopic. And of course, learning from one another and the Holy Spirit must take place on a regular basis.
There five components to a learning organisation. Each of them provides a vital dimension in building organisations that can truly "learn", that can continually enhance their capacity to realise their highest expectations.
1. Systems Thinking: a conceptual framework, body of knowledge and tools developed over the past 50 years. Many things that happen in life are to due to a series of inter-connected actions.
2. Personal Mastery: discipline of continually clarifying and deepening our personal vision.
3. Mental Models: deeply ingrained assumptions or generalizations that influence how we view the world.
4. Building Shared Vision: shared "pictures of the future" that foster genuine commitment.
5. Team Learning: to suspend assumptions and enter into a genuine "thinking together".
For any organisation, be it a business or educational one, its success depends on the interplay of the 5 components.Through collective effort and the willingness to learn from one another, we foster a culture of care and growth. Through learning we are enabled to do things which we were never able to do. Through learning, we extend our capacity to create, and move beyond mere existence. As we examine our own mental models, we must be willing to jettison those thought patterns that are detrimental to the growth of an organisation.
Applying the five components to our faith, systems thinking has to do with understanding the connectedness of our world with the supernatural realm. Personal mastery has to do with cultivating spiritual disciplines to sharpen our spiritual senses. Where kingdom realities are concerned, the opposites are often true such as "If you believe you shall see" or "The first shall be the last and the last, first". As such, we have to change our mental models, which can be subjected to a lot of different interpretations of Scriptures. . Kingdom vision must replace local ones that can be very myopic. And of course, learning from one another and the Holy Spirit must take place on a regular basis.
Thursday, July 7, 2011
The story of Gideon (Judges 6-7)
God uses the weak things of the earth to confound the strong (1 Cor 27). Gideon is a case in point; his family was the least in Manasseh and he was the youngest (5:15). God did not look at his current situation, but the potential Gideon has to defeat the Midianites (6:14). Likewise in life, we shouldn't be looking at the failures of our kids in school but guide them along with proper instruction and values to help them realise their full potential.
God instructed Gideon to tear down his father's altar, as that was a stumbling block to the victory He was about to accomplish. Because of his fear of God, Gideon did what he was told. However, because of his fear of men, he did it at night (6:25-27). Often times the battle in the natural is predicated on the battle in the supernatural. Once the idolatrous spirit has been bound and the Lord enthroned in His rightful place, victory is easily secured.
Next came the anointing of God upon Gideon (6:34), empowering him to lead the Israelites into battle. We note that Gideon had his doubts and hence he tested God through the signs of the fleece (6:36-40). It can only be God's supernatural working when the fleece is wet for one and dry for the other occasion. In our desperation, we may 'test' God nowadays by promising to do certain things if He answers our prayer for certain needs. Jephthah learned a painful lesson when he made a tragic vow to the Lord (Jud 11:29-40).
God didn't want Gideon to rely on the arm of flesh lest the people become conceited (7:2). He whittled Gideon's army down from 32,000 to 300 men, which was less than 1% of his original force. With 300 men, God said that He would deliver Israel from the hands of the Midianites (7:7). But God also knew the fear in Gideon's heart and assured him with yet another sign to confirm that victory is theirs (7:10-15). Indeed, by the testimony of two or three witnesses, every word shall be established (Dt 19:15). In every major decision that we are making, we need to seek confirmation and not rely on just one word spoken.
When Gideon heard the word of confirmation that God would deliver Israel, he bowed down in worship (7:15). That's the kind of posture we should adopt in any venture we undertake. God must have given Gideon the battle strategies to defeat the enemy (7:16-20). As we acknowledge His lordship over our lives, He will do the battle on our behalf. We just need to stand and see the deliverance of the Lord taking place on our behalf (7:21-22).
In many ways, we can identify with Gideon - his fears and insecurities. We may also put God to the test. But more often than not, God is gracious towards us and would come to aid us in our hour of need. He is never too slow nor too early, but on time! So wait patiently for the Lord (Ps 40:1).
God instructed Gideon to tear down his father's altar, as that was a stumbling block to the victory He was about to accomplish. Because of his fear of God, Gideon did what he was told. However, because of his fear of men, he did it at night (6:25-27). Often times the battle in the natural is predicated on the battle in the supernatural. Once the idolatrous spirit has been bound and the Lord enthroned in His rightful place, victory is easily secured.
Next came the anointing of God upon Gideon (6:34), empowering him to lead the Israelites into battle. We note that Gideon had his doubts and hence he tested God through the signs of the fleece (6:36-40). It can only be God's supernatural working when the fleece is wet for one and dry for the other occasion. In our desperation, we may 'test' God nowadays by promising to do certain things if He answers our prayer for certain needs. Jephthah learned a painful lesson when he made a tragic vow to the Lord (Jud 11:29-40).
God didn't want Gideon to rely on the arm of flesh lest the people become conceited (7:2). He whittled Gideon's army down from 32,000 to 300 men, which was less than 1% of his original force. With 300 men, God said that He would deliver Israel from the hands of the Midianites (7:7). But God also knew the fear in Gideon's heart and assured him with yet another sign to confirm that victory is theirs (7:10-15). Indeed, by the testimony of two or three witnesses, every word shall be established (Dt 19:15). In every major decision that we are making, we need to seek confirmation and not rely on just one word spoken.
When Gideon heard the word of confirmation that God would deliver Israel, he bowed down in worship (7:15). That's the kind of posture we should adopt in any venture we undertake. God must have given Gideon the battle strategies to defeat the enemy (7:16-20). As we acknowledge His lordship over our lives, He will do the battle on our behalf. We just need to stand and see the deliverance of the Lord taking place on our behalf (7:21-22).
In many ways, we can identify with Gideon - his fears and insecurities. We may also put God to the test. But more often than not, God is gracious towards us and would come to aid us in our hour of need. He is never too slow nor too early, but on time! So wait patiently for the Lord (Ps 40:1).
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