As it is written: “What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived” - the things God has prepared for those who love him - these are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. 1 Cor 2:9-10 (NIV)
The apostle Paul quoted from Isaiah 64:4, "Since ancient times no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides you, who acts on behalf of those who wait for him." He applies it to the wonderful hidden plan of God for mankind's redemption (the crucifixion of His beloved Son on the cross of Calvary), which has been revealed to us by the Holy Spirit. Indeed, no human mind can possibly conceive crucifixion to be God's perfect plan for mankind's salvation. In fact, the rulers of this world were also caught by surprise when they thought they had the upper hand when Christ was killed on the cross. God was well-pleased through the foolishness of the message (of the cross) preached to save those who believe (1 Cor 1:21; 2 Cor 2:7-8).
I was flipping through the book Blue Ocean Strategy by W. Chan Kim and Renee Mauborgne recently. They argue that lasting success comes from creating 'blue oceans': untapped new market spaces ripe for growth as opposed to competing with those already in existence - red oceans. The examples quoted that spawned multibillion dollar industries were mutual funds, cell phones, biotechnology, discount retail, express package delivery, coffee bars, home videos etc. Just 30 years ago, none of the industries were in existence in a meaningful way. The reality is that industries never stand still but continue to evolve with the changing times. The strategy to create blue oceans is the key to unlocking the potential in the market places. It takes vision, courage and experimentation to see beyond the current reality. The story of two shoes salesmen on an island where nobody wears any footware illustrates this point well. One exclaimed that there's no market for shoes while another saw immense possibilities.
In the spiritual sense, the cross was God's blue ocean strategy to a (spiritually) dying world. Nobody except God knew what He was doing. The good news is that it is still applicable today. We don't have to bring our wealth, achievements, prestige or status with us; they don't earn salvation for us. We come to him just as we are - broken, contrite and repentant - believing and entrusting ourselves to a Saviour who is able to save us from our sins. In today's world, where the thief comes to steal (our faith in God), kill (snuff out the lives of people) and destroy (family relationships), God extends forgiveness of sins to those who would come to Him in repentance and faith.
Curiosity abounds regarding the future and especially in how our world would end as seen in the interest in the 21 Dec date of the Mayan calendar. However, as believers in Christ we know from the book of Revelation, Satan and his emissaries would be eventually cast into the lake of fire. Likewise those who follow him. Preceeding this would be catalysmic events that would foreshadow the second coming of Christ. The unfolding of these events is open to interpretation. One thing is certain is that God had already in mind what He would do to usher in the second coming of Christ just as He did for Christ's first coming. Certainly, we may not perceive with our physical eyes nor ears but we can through our spiritual eyes and ears like Simeon and the prophetess Anna, whom the Holy Spirit revealed to them concerning the baby Jesus, the redemption of Israel (Lk 2:25-38).
The only way the church is going to perceive the unfolding of end time events is through prayer and fasting, just like what Anna did. We thank God for the raising up of prayer warriors and intercessors all over the world coming together in prayer houses to intercede for God's will to be done on earth as it is in heaven. May you and I be part of this prayer movement to usher in the return of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Maranatha!
Wednesday, December 19, 2012
Monday, December 10, 2012
God of the Impossible
"Is anything too difficult (wonderful) for the Lord? At the appointed time I will return to you, at this time next year, and Sarah will have a son." Gen 18:14 (NASB)
Sarah was incredulous when this promise was given as she thought (rightly so) she was barren and way past child-bearing age (v 11); menopause having set in. Her laughter brought about the above retort from the Lord. God specialises in opening up barren wombs as in the case of Hannah and Elizabeth. He is the giver of physical life. The angel Gabriel told Mary, "For nothing will be impossible with God." (Lk 1:37).
This was in relation to Mary's immaculate conception and the conception of John by Elizabeth. As we approach Christmas, let's breathe a prayer of thanksgiving to God for sending Jesus into this world to become like us so that He can lead us back to God.
God also specialises in giving new birth - spiritual life. In responding to His disciples cry, "Then who can be saved?" Jesus said, "With people it is impossible, but not with God; for all things are possible with God." (Mk 10:26-27). The disciples despair was due to the fact that Jesus had said it was difficult for the rich to enter God's kingdom because wealth can enslave a person, becoming his/her god. This promise by Jesus should encourage our hearts as we reach out to some hard nuts who simply have no time for God or who do not acknowledge Him personally. We need to rely on God and not in our own wisdom to save them.
At the garden of Gethsemane, Jesus prayed, "Abba! Father! All things are possible for You; remove this cup from Me; yet not what I will, but what You will." (Mk 14:36). Even though God can do all things, yet there are things He would not do if it's not in accordance to His will. The confidence we have in approaching a prayer hearing and a prayer answering God is that we ask according to His will (1 Jn 5:14-15). God not only sees the desires of our hearts but the sincerity and earnestness of our hearts as well.
In response to the father's plea, "... if You can do anything, take pity on us and help us!" Jesus replied, "If You can?’ All things are possible to him who believes." (Mk 9:22-23). Jesus ties in our faith with God's ability to act on our behalf. Many times Jesus wasn't able to do much miracles because of unbelief in the peoples' hearts (Mk 6:5-6; Mt 13:58). Where things seem hopeless and impossible, these are the kinds of situations that we need to exercise our faith in the God of the impossible. Like the father of the child, we need to ask God to help our unbelief.
Jeremiah the prophet prayed by proclaiming, "Ah Lord God! Behold, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and by Your outstretched arm! Nothing is too difficult for You." (Jer 32:17). Jeremiah was incredulous that the Lord spoke to him to buy field to plant and build despite the Chaldean invasion of the land of Israel and the scattering of God's people beyond their homeland. The Lord replied, "Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh; is anything too difficult for Me?" (Jer 32:27). As you read on, you would find that the Lord promised to restore the fortunes of Israel by gathering His dispersed people back to the land of promise (Jer 32:37-44).
We have to stand in awe of Yahweh - the Creator of the heavens and the earth - from the tinest atoms to the huge universe. He knows how the earth and the universe function, and above all, He knows how mankind functions. When we begin to acknowledge God for who He is, He begins to work on our behalf (Heb 11:6). God is mindful of our frailty but condescends to shower His lovingkindness upon those who fear Him.
"For He Himself knows our frame; He is mindful that we are but dust. As for man, his days are like grass;
as a flower of the field, so he flourishes. When the wind has passed over it, it is no more, and its place acknowledges it no longer. But the lovingkindness of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear Him, and His righteousness to children’s children, to those who keep His covenant and remember His precepts to do them." Ps 103:14-18 (NASB)
Sarah was incredulous when this promise was given as she thought (rightly so) she was barren and way past child-bearing age (v 11); menopause having set in. Her laughter brought about the above retort from the Lord. God specialises in opening up barren wombs as in the case of Hannah and Elizabeth. He is the giver of physical life. The angel Gabriel told Mary, "For nothing will be impossible with God." (Lk 1:37).
This was in relation to Mary's immaculate conception and the conception of John by Elizabeth. As we approach Christmas, let's breathe a prayer of thanksgiving to God for sending Jesus into this world to become like us so that He can lead us back to God.
God also specialises in giving new birth - spiritual life. In responding to His disciples cry, "Then who can be saved?" Jesus said, "With people it is impossible, but not with God; for all things are possible with God." (Mk 10:26-27). The disciples despair was due to the fact that Jesus had said it was difficult for the rich to enter God's kingdom because wealth can enslave a person, becoming his/her god. This promise by Jesus should encourage our hearts as we reach out to some hard nuts who simply have no time for God or who do not acknowledge Him personally. We need to rely on God and not in our own wisdom to save them.
At the garden of Gethsemane, Jesus prayed, "Abba! Father! All things are possible for You; remove this cup from Me; yet not what I will, but what You will." (Mk 14:36). Even though God can do all things, yet there are things He would not do if it's not in accordance to His will. The confidence we have in approaching a prayer hearing and a prayer answering God is that we ask according to His will (1 Jn 5:14-15). God not only sees the desires of our hearts but the sincerity and earnestness of our hearts as well.
In response to the father's plea, "... if You can do anything, take pity on us and help us!" Jesus replied, "If You can?’ All things are possible to him who believes." (Mk 9:22-23). Jesus ties in our faith with God's ability to act on our behalf. Many times Jesus wasn't able to do much miracles because of unbelief in the peoples' hearts (Mk 6:5-6; Mt 13:58). Where things seem hopeless and impossible, these are the kinds of situations that we need to exercise our faith in the God of the impossible. Like the father of the child, we need to ask God to help our unbelief.
Jeremiah the prophet prayed by proclaiming, "Ah Lord God! Behold, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and by Your outstretched arm! Nothing is too difficult for You." (Jer 32:17). Jeremiah was incredulous that the Lord spoke to him to buy field to plant and build despite the Chaldean invasion of the land of Israel and the scattering of God's people beyond their homeland. The Lord replied, "Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh; is anything too difficult for Me?" (Jer 32:27). As you read on, you would find that the Lord promised to restore the fortunes of Israel by gathering His dispersed people back to the land of promise (Jer 32:37-44).
We have to stand in awe of Yahweh - the Creator of the heavens and the earth - from the tinest atoms to the huge universe. He knows how the earth and the universe function, and above all, He knows how mankind functions. When we begin to acknowledge God for who He is, He begins to work on our behalf (Heb 11:6). God is mindful of our frailty but condescends to shower His lovingkindness upon those who fear Him.
"For He Himself knows our frame; He is mindful that we are but dust. As for man, his days are like grass;
as a flower of the field, so he flourishes. When the wind has passed over it, it is no more, and its place acknowledges it no longer. But the lovingkindness of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear Him, and His righteousness to children’s children, to those who keep His covenant and remember His precepts to do them." Ps 103:14-18 (NASB)
Thursday, December 6, 2012
Desires of our heart
"3Trust in the Lord, and do good; dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness. 4Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He shall give you the desires of your heart. 5Commit your way to the Lord, trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass." Ps 37:3-5 (NKJV)
Don't we all have desires - some godly and some not so godly. The wonderful promise that God will give us the desires of our heart is conditioned on us delighting in Him. What does it mean then to delight ourselves in the Lord? The verse preceding and following the promise found in verse 4 will offer a clue. Both talk about trusting God; verse 3 adds that we need to feed on God's faithfulness, that is, we rely on God's character to fulfill what He has promised - He is a faithful God. Trusting also means committing our ways to the Lord (v 5); this we do so through prayer. When things don't turn out the way we envisage, we often give up praying and lose sight of His faithfulness. Delighting ourselves in the Lord would therefore mean a continual trust and communication with God despite the circumstances of life. God, who searches the hearts of all men, would grant us the desires of our hearts when He sees our total dependency on Him.
Three OT patriarchs exhibit this quality of establishing intimacy with God with the result that God heard and answered their prayers.
1. Abraham: he was called the friend of God because of his faith in Jehovah (Ja 2:23; Gen 15:6). He believed God's promise regarding his descendants being as many as the stars of heaven despite Sarah being barren. When God expressed His intention to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah due to the wickedness of the cities, Abraham interceded for Lot and his family. He was bold enough to 'bargain' with God 6 times not to destroy the cities if there were certain number of righteous people present (Gen 18:23-33). Unfortunately, there weren't 10 righteous people - Lot's family constituted only 4. But the Lord was mercy; He remembered Abraham's intercession and saved Lot's family (Gen 19:29). The desire of Abraham was granted.
2. Moses: he spoke to God like a man to a man (Dt 34:10). Of course, no one can see the face of God and live. He must have seen the representation of God in various forms eg. the burning bush or a thundering voice. He learnt humility through hardship and reliance on God. Moses spent an inordinate amount of time in God's presence cultivating intimacy with Him. He found favour in God's sight and as such when he requested God to show him His glory, God obliged by showing him His hind glory (Ex 33:12-23). When Moses came down from the mountain, he face reflected God's glory so much so that he had to put a veil over his face (2 Cor 3:13). Moses is another patriarch whom God delighted in, despite his sins. We are told that God buried him in a valley of Moab and no one could locate it (Dt 34:6).
3. Elijah: this prophet of God had developed such intimacy with God that by his word things are brought to pass. By his word, the armies of Israel were destroyed by fire (2 Kg 1:9-12). This was so because he had a direct line of communication with God (2 Kg 1:3,15). The many miracles that Elijah was able to perform attest to the great faith he had in God. We are told in the book of James that Elijah was a man like you and me; he prayed earnestly and God answered him (Jas 5:17-18). He prayed seven times before he saw a cloud the size of a hand in the horizon and knew that rain would follow. Elijah's intimacy with God saw him taken up in a whirlwind by God, translating him from this earthly life to a heavenly one (2 Kg 2:12). This is but a type of translation (rapture) that believers would experience when Christ returns.
Do you have godly desires? Then begin to delight yourself in the Lord, cultivating intimacy with Him.
Abraham's desire was for the salvation (deliverance) of Lot's family from destruction. We too can desire the salvation for our Friends, Relatives, Associates and Neighbour by interceding on their behalf.
Moses' desire was to see God's glory. We too can desire and impart God's glory to others if we spend time with God.
Elijah's desire was for God to send rain to a parched land. We too can desire and experience the rain of the Holy Spirit in our lives if we earnestly seek after Him.
May God grant you the desires of your heart as you delight in Him!
Don't we all have desires - some godly and some not so godly. The wonderful promise that God will give us the desires of our heart is conditioned on us delighting in Him. What does it mean then to delight ourselves in the Lord? The verse preceding and following the promise found in verse 4 will offer a clue. Both talk about trusting God; verse 3 adds that we need to feed on God's faithfulness, that is, we rely on God's character to fulfill what He has promised - He is a faithful God. Trusting also means committing our ways to the Lord (v 5); this we do so through prayer. When things don't turn out the way we envisage, we often give up praying and lose sight of His faithfulness. Delighting ourselves in the Lord would therefore mean a continual trust and communication with God despite the circumstances of life. God, who searches the hearts of all men, would grant us the desires of our hearts when He sees our total dependency on Him.
Three OT patriarchs exhibit this quality of establishing intimacy with God with the result that God heard and answered their prayers.
1. Abraham: he was called the friend of God because of his faith in Jehovah (Ja 2:23; Gen 15:6). He believed God's promise regarding his descendants being as many as the stars of heaven despite Sarah being barren. When God expressed His intention to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah due to the wickedness of the cities, Abraham interceded for Lot and his family. He was bold enough to 'bargain' with God 6 times not to destroy the cities if there were certain number of righteous people present (Gen 18:23-33). Unfortunately, there weren't 10 righteous people - Lot's family constituted only 4. But the Lord was mercy; He remembered Abraham's intercession and saved Lot's family (Gen 19:29). The desire of Abraham was granted.
2. Moses: he spoke to God like a man to a man (Dt 34:10). Of course, no one can see the face of God and live. He must have seen the representation of God in various forms eg. the burning bush or a thundering voice. He learnt humility through hardship and reliance on God. Moses spent an inordinate amount of time in God's presence cultivating intimacy with Him. He found favour in God's sight and as such when he requested God to show him His glory, God obliged by showing him His hind glory (Ex 33:12-23). When Moses came down from the mountain, he face reflected God's glory so much so that he had to put a veil over his face (2 Cor 3:13). Moses is another patriarch whom God delighted in, despite his sins. We are told that God buried him in a valley of Moab and no one could locate it (Dt 34:6).
3. Elijah: this prophet of God had developed such intimacy with God that by his word things are brought to pass. By his word, the armies of Israel were destroyed by fire (2 Kg 1:9-12). This was so because he had a direct line of communication with God (2 Kg 1:3,15). The many miracles that Elijah was able to perform attest to the great faith he had in God. We are told in the book of James that Elijah was a man like you and me; he prayed earnestly and God answered him (Jas 5:17-18). He prayed seven times before he saw a cloud the size of a hand in the horizon and knew that rain would follow. Elijah's intimacy with God saw him taken up in a whirlwind by God, translating him from this earthly life to a heavenly one (2 Kg 2:12). This is but a type of translation (rapture) that believers would experience when Christ returns.
Do you have godly desires? Then begin to delight yourself in the Lord, cultivating intimacy with Him.
Abraham's desire was for the salvation (deliverance) of Lot's family from destruction. We too can desire the salvation for our Friends, Relatives, Associates and Neighbour by interceding on their behalf.
Moses' desire was to see God's glory. We too can desire and impart God's glory to others if we spend time with God.
Elijah's desire was for God to send rain to a parched land. We too can desire and experience the rain of the Holy Spirit in our lives if we earnestly seek after Him.
May God grant you the desires of your heart as you delight in Him!
Tuesday, November 20, 2012
Promotion
I said to the boastful, ‘Do not deal boastfully,’ And to the wicked, ‘Do not lift up the horn. Do not lift up your horn on high; Do not speak with a stiff neck’ For exaltation comes neither from the east nor from the west nor from the south. But God is the Judge: He puts down one, and exalts another. Ps 75:4-6 (NKJV)
Many of us associate promotion with getting on ahead in life; moving on and up to a larger responsibility and presumably a bigger pay package. For the self-employed, promotion comes about by being successful in one's business and being able to extend or expand one's enterprise. Now the way we get 'promoted' in life is important. Some of us claw our way to the top by back-stabbing others and leaving a trail of unhappy people along the way. Such people are usually the self-conceited ones whom the psalmist described above. We need to be wary of people with such an arrogant attitude - they think too highly of themselves, bull-dozing their way in life. They may get their way for a season but eventually God will put them down.
In God's economy of things, He chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, the weak things of the world to shame the strong (1 Cor 1:27-28). God chose the way of the cross to display His beloved Son to the world, hung between heaven and earth. This is indeed foolish to the Gentiles - a dying God on the cross who is unable to save Himself - very weak indeed! But Paul proclaims that this is precisely the power and wisdom of God made manifest (1 Cor 1:22-24). If we ever want to be exalted in God's kingdom, we need to humble ourselves by accepting the free gift of grace offered at the cross of Calvary. We do this by inviting Christ to come into our hearts through prayer. Those who have done so and have passed on in this life has been said to be promoted to glory. I think that's the kind of promotion we should look forward to - one that would last for all eternity.
Many of us associate promotion with getting on ahead in life; moving on and up to a larger responsibility and presumably a bigger pay package. For the self-employed, promotion comes about by being successful in one's business and being able to extend or expand one's enterprise. Now the way we get 'promoted' in life is important. Some of us claw our way to the top by back-stabbing others and leaving a trail of unhappy people along the way. Such people are usually the self-conceited ones whom the psalmist described above. We need to be wary of people with such an arrogant attitude - they think too highly of themselves, bull-dozing their way in life. They may get their way for a season but eventually God will put them down.
In God's economy of things, He chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, the weak things of the world to shame the strong (1 Cor 1:27-28). God chose the way of the cross to display His beloved Son to the world, hung between heaven and earth. This is indeed foolish to the Gentiles - a dying God on the cross who is unable to save Himself - very weak indeed! But Paul proclaims that this is precisely the power and wisdom of God made manifest (1 Cor 1:22-24). If we ever want to be exalted in God's kingdom, we need to humble ourselves by accepting the free gift of grace offered at the cross of Calvary. We do this by inviting Christ to come into our hearts through prayer. Those who have done so and have passed on in this life has been said to be promoted to glory. I think that's the kind of promotion we should look forward to - one that would last for all eternity.
Tuesday, November 6, 2012
Parenting Styles
Tim Elmore, a parenting expert, mentioned four parenting styles:
1. Helicopter Parents: hover over kids to ensure they get every imaginable advantage. They can be too protective over their children that they don't allow them the privilege of learning to fail and persevere. Such parents would also likely create tensions in school where the education of their children are concerned; finding fault with everyone else except themselves. The issue with this parenting style is the controlling spirit. The anti-dote is to let go and learn to trust kids more with freedom and accountability.
2. Karaoke Parents: want to sound and look like thier kids to stay cool and hip. They perfer to be a buddy to their children rather than be an adult figure to them with the result that there are no clear boundaries that build security and esteem. Such parents would be too soft in handling kids' discipline. The issue with this parenting style is low emotional security, needing to be loved and liked. The anti-dote is to embrace one's own age and station in life; allow kids to relate with their peers and work to fulfill one's responsibility as a parent.
3. Dry Cleaner Parents: drop off for experts (school, church, sports coach) to make them right. They don't furnish children with the mentoring and authentic personal time required in raising them up. They are probably too busy with work or some other things. Such parents would usually leave school to handle their kids' problems, preferring a hands off approach. The issue with this parenting style is inadequacy; unable to handle them. The anti-dote is to build bridges with their children by making time to be with them.
4. Monster Parents: trying to fulfill unrealised dreams through their kids. They can transform into a rage when cornered due to an unhealthy past with unfulfilled dreams and aspirations. We sometimes read of parents turning into incredible Hulks and physically abusing their helpless children. Such parents can also put a lot of stress on their children. The issue with this parenting style is having a baggage in life. The anti-dote is to deal with it and don't pass it on.
We need to be engaged parents who spend time interacting with our children, setting appropriate boundaries for them and giving them the freedom to fail, and learn from it. Our emotions must also be managed and brought under the control of the Holy Spirit. The apostle Paul reminds us in Col 3:21
"Parents, don’t be hard on your children. If you are, they might give up." (CEV)
"Children have never been good at listening to their elders, but they have never failed to imitate them." James Baldwin
1. Helicopter Parents: hover over kids to ensure they get every imaginable advantage. They can be too protective over their children that they don't allow them the privilege of learning to fail and persevere. Such parents would also likely create tensions in school where the education of their children are concerned; finding fault with everyone else except themselves. The issue with this parenting style is the controlling spirit. The anti-dote is to let go and learn to trust kids more with freedom and accountability.
2. Karaoke Parents: want to sound and look like thier kids to stay cool and hip. They perfer to be a buddy to their children rather than be an adult figure to them with the result that there are no clear boundaries that build security and esteem. Such parents would be too soft in handling kids' discipline. The issue with this parenting style is low emotional security, needing to be loved and liked. The anti-dote is to embrace one's own age and station in life; allow kids to relate with their peers and work to fulfill one's responsibility as a parent.
3. Dry Cleaner Parents: drop off for experts (school, church, sports coach) to make them right. They don't furnish children with the mentoring and authentic personal time required in raising them up. They are probably too busy with work or some other things. Such parents would usually leave school to handle their kids' problems, preferring a hands off approach. The issue with this parenting style is inadequacy; unable to handle them. The anti-dote is to build bridges with their children by making time to be with them.
4. Monster Parents: trying to fulfill unrealised dreams through their kids. They can transform into a rage when cornered due to an unhealthy past with unfulfilled dreams and aspirations. We sometimes read of parents turning into incredible Hulks and physically abusing their helpless children. Such parents can also put a lot of stress on their children. The issue with this parenting style is having a baggage in life. The anti-dote is to deal with it and don't pass it on.
We need to be engaged parents who spend time interacting with our children, setting appropriate boundaries for them and giving them the freedom to fail, and learn from it. Our emotions must also be managed and brought under the control of the Holy Spirit. The apostle Paul reminds us in Col 3:21
"Parents, don’t be hard on your children. If you are, they might give up." (CEV)
"Children have never been good at listening to their elders, but they have never failed to imitate them." James Baldwin
Friday, October 26, 2012
Detoxification
“Therefore, since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.” 2 Cor 7:1 (NIV)
Recently my wife and I went for a full-body lymphatic drainage detox massage lasting an hour, which we signed up during an Expo sale promotion or similar to one that would be given to new credit card sign-ups. Prior to the massage by the therapists, our heights, weights and different girths of our body and limbs were taken. They used a machine, putting plates on our upper and lower limbs, to measure of our body fat, cellulite (for women) and the amount of calories burnt during resting phase (kind of like our metabolic rate). After the selection of relevant aroma oils to be used, the light touch massage commenced with our backs working from head to feet. The process is supposed to clear the body of toxins, reduce congestion and promote healing. Once the massage was over, they again measure girths of our body and limbs. The consultant will give us a summary of our results including BMI and the rest, and of course asked whether we would want to sign on a package with them, which we politely declined.
In the scripture verse quoted above, God has promised to be our Father if we separate ourselves from the evil influences of the world that contaminates our body and spirit. In the physical, God has created our bodies uniquely with a lymphatic system, which is our body’s first line of defense in fighting pain, inflammation and infection; detoxifying and moving metabolic waste and toxin out of the body. When the lymph nodes become blocked, fluids accumulate and cause the whole lymphatic system to become toxic, making us feel lethargic and more prone to illness. By stimulating this system through massage, the lymphatic system works more efficiently, which in turn boosts the immune system, clears blockages, eliminates toxins, transports nutrients to cells and increases the metabolism. Just as the gentle massage techniques adopted by the therapist with the aroma oils on our bodies stimulate the detoxification process, so likewise we need to allow God to work in our spirit man, saturating us with His Holy Spirit so that we may be quickened to respond to His Word. One of the ways to do this is to pray in tongues, allowing the Holy Spirit to pray through us because He intercedes on our behalf according to God’s will (Rom 8:26-27). Another way is to read God’s Word daily, allowing it to saturate our being in order that we may praise God aright and instruct one another appropriately (Col 3:16). The evil influences will come through our five senses and that is why it’s so important to guard our hearts and minds by keeping ourselves aglow in the Spirit in order that we may not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness but instead expose them (Eph 5:11).
When you read the mass media, invariably there would be news of people committing crimes against humanity. Among them, sexual sins are featured as well as people flaunting their bodies online without a care in the world, with a view to titillate and entice people into sin. It is as if the spirits of lust have been released en masse by the devil, knowing that his days are limited. The apostle Paul warns us in 2 Tim 3:1-5
“There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God — having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people.” (NIV)
Unless we know how to detox our minds against the onslaught of evil, it is wise not to indulge our senses in such filth that are being portrayed in the online and printed media. Otherwise, spiritual bondage to sexual sins can only be broken through deliverance and counseling.
Tuesday, October 9, 2012
What kind of people ought you to be?
"But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare. Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming." 2 Pet 3:10-12a (NIV)
In the One Singapore Conversation (OSC), one of the questions asked was: "What kind of society and what kind of people do we want to be? Living in a multi-racial society, we ought to be gracious and kind, according mutual respect and understanding to one another. And as citizens of heaven, we are exhorted to be kind, tender-hearted and forgiving towards each other, just as God in Christ also forgave us (Eph 4:32). It is not easy to be kind, tender-hearted and forgiving. Our natural tendency is to return evil for evil - an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth (Mt 8:38-41). In a society that is very much engaged in uploading information on the world wide web, an uncalled for remark or movie that denigrades others can certainly engender a lot of hatred, anger and violence. It takes great courage to temper our response with grace and mercy, recognising that we have our own imperfections. Neither do we want the perpetrators of uncalled for remarks or movies to get away scot free.
The reality, as found in the scripture quotation above, is that this earthly life of ours would not last forever. All of us would die physically one day whether we like it or not, unless the Lord returns to take us home. Our physical body will go back to the dust, most likely either through burial or cremation. Likewise, Peter prophesied that this earth will undergo cremation with intense heat when the day of the Lord arrives. That would be a terrible day when everything in sight would be completely destroyed as if like a nuclear holocaust. Fire, as symbolised in scriputre, is used to denote purging and refining (Mal 3:2-3). As believers, our motivation to live holy and godly lives should come from within as opposed to allowing it to come from without to chastise and refine us.
So what kind of people ought us to be? The apostle Paul gave us the answer:
"Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity." Col 3:12-14 (NIV)
We ought to love and forgive one another - demonstrating God's unconditional love towards one another. By this Jesus said will all men know that you are my disciples (Jn 13:34-35). That's what we have been called to be - holy - set apart for God's service.
In the One Singapore Conversation (OSC), one of the questions asked was: "What kind of society and what kind of people do we want to be? Living in a multi-racial society, we ought to be gracious and kind, according mutual respect and understanding to one another. And as citizens of heaven, we are exhorted to be kind, tender-hearted and forgiving towards each other, just as God in Christ also forgave us (Eph 4:32). It is not easy to be kind, tender-hearted and forgiving. Our natural tendency is to return evil for evil - an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth (Mt 8:38-41). In a society that is very much engaged in uploading information on the world wide web, an uncalled for remark or movie that denigrades others can certainly engender a lot of hatred, anger and violence. It takes great courage to temper our response with grace and mercy, recognising that we have our own imperfections. Neither do we want the perpetrators of uncalled for remarks or movies to get away scot free.
The reality, as found in the scripture quotation above, is that this earthly life of ours would not last forever. All of us would die physically one day whether we like it or not, unless the Lord returns to take us home. Our physical body will go back to the dust, most likely either through burial or cremation. Likewise, Peter prophesied that this earth will undergo cremation with intense heat when the day of the Lord arrives. That would be a terrible day when everything in sight would be completely destroyed as if like a nuclear holocaust. Fire, as symbolised in scriputre, is used to denote purging and refining (Mal 3:2-3). As believers, our motivation to live holy and godly lives should come from within as opposed to allowing it to come from without to chastise and refine us.
So what kind of people ought us to be? The apostle Paul gave us the answer:
"Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity." Col 3:12-14 (NIV)
We ought to love and forgive one another - demonstrating God's unconditional love towards one another. By this Jesus said will all men know that you are my disciples (Jn 13:34-35). That's what we have been called to be - holy - set apart for God's service.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
