He Is Still The Same!
(Entry Date : Dec 11th, 2011)
Scripture
Jonah 4:11 - And should I not have concern for the great city of Nineveh, in which there are more than a hundred and twenty thousand people who cannot tell their right hand from their left—and also many animals?”
Luke 15:32 - But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ “
Observation
4 Striking similarities :
* Just as there is an unanswered question at the end of the book of Jonah, so there is also an unanswered question in the parable of the prodigal son. Did the elder brother or Jonah join in the “celebration” over the salvation of both the wayward brother and the wicked nation of Nineveh?
* The meaning is not lost when we personalize Nineveh in Lk 15:32 and do the same for the prodigal son in Jonah 4:11.
* Jonah’s attitude toward Nineveh is similar to the attitude the elder brother in the parable had towards his wayward brother. Jesus told the parable because the
Pharisees were complaining that Jesus were spending time with the sinners.
Application
* The last similarity is also my application – ie. what I learned about God. He has not changed. He is not One who comes up with a list of dos and don’ts in the OT and decided to get rid of them because we failed to obey them and so in the NT, he changed His mind and devised another plan to reach out to us.
* He is still the God who loves and cares, who is compassionate and gracious. That is what we saw in the story of Jonah and in the parable of the Lost Son. He loves Jonah, the wicked nation of Nineveh, the Pharisees and the prodigal son so much to give them up.
Prayer
Father, thank you for helping me to see that not much I do will make you love me more. Nor will what I have done wrong makes you love me less. Help me to be more like you. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen!
The Holy Spirit In Me
(Entry Date : Aug 21st, 2011)
Scripture
John 14:12 Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.
Observation
What does Jesus meant when He said the disciples will do greater things than He did because He is going to the Father? Because Jesus was in human form, his power is limited to the “with” them but when He goes to the Father, the Comforter that Jesus spoke about in the same chapter, will come and be “in” the disciples. Another word, Jesus is “with” and” in” them through the Holy Spirit and when that happens, the disciples will do greater things than Him. Remember, 3,000 souls on the day of Pentecost were saved when Peter preached his first sermon.
Application
The 40 Days of Faith is all about Jesus, what He has done for us and finally going back to His Father. What Jesus did put us in a position where I can say “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me”. I can because Jesus did. I can overcome because Jesus overcame and now sitting at the right hand of the Father. I can be healed Jesus went around healing people. I can win and have success because Jesus came that I might have life and have it more abundantly. I can be special because if I am the only human in this world, Jesus will still die for me and finally I can dream because He said “For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
Prayer
Thank you Lord for all the things You have done for me. Change me, use me and make me a blessing to others through the power of the Holy Spirit, I pray, Amen!
Gaining Wisdom Through Discipline
(Entry Date : Aug 14th, 2011)
Scripture
Proverbs 3:11-12: My son, do not despise the LORD’s discipline, and do not resent his rebuke, because the LORD disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in.
Observation
The book of proverbs provided us with many practical principles on how to gain wisdom. A wise person is one who makes good decision which will, in the long run, makes him a better person. God wants us to be wise and He did so by disciplining us. The word 'discipline" never once meant "punishment", "revenge" or anything along that line in the Bible. It is always about "bringing pain for the sake of the person" not "for the sake of the person giving it." Unlike God, I am inclined to inflict pain on someone who has hurt me. God disciplined me because He loved me and He wants me to be the kind of person He can use. I believe that there are two situations God uses to discipline me. They are the good and the bad times, when I prosper and during times of adversity. Why, because they help me see who I am on the inside which, on normal circumstances would be left hidden. Through these times, I am allowed to see who I really am so I can deal with it, repent and be change by it. Will a million dollar in my bank account makes me a better person or will it reveal the worst in me. I realised that if I am a selfish person, the worst thing that can happen to me is to have me strike the lottery. A few years ago, a taxi driver shared to me about his friend, who for a good part of his life has never gamble until one of his friend persuaded him to try his luck with lottery and he won. From that day onwards, he is hooked on gambling. Adversity has a similar redemptive effect on us. Whether we grow better or bitter will depend on how we response to them. It dawn on me that if I tell God not to allow problems and adversities into my life, I am actually telling Him not to love me. Like a good father bringing pain to a son by refusing him computer times to make him a better person so is our God who disciplines us because He takes delights in us.
Application
Because I don’t have a full picture of what God is doing in my life whether it is prosperity or adversity, my appropriate response would be to honor God with what He has blessed me and trust Him when thing are not going well. The life of Joseph is a case in point. His faith in God has never waver though his life was plaque with one disaster after another and what a great blessing he brought to the world when he became prime minister of Egypt.
Prayer
Father, when I am tempted to ask why, help me to practice Proverbs 3:11-12, to trust you and to become wiser in making decisions. Use me for Your glory. In Jesus name I pray, Amen!
My VVIP
(Entry Date : Feb 18th, 2011)
Scripture
Exodus 6:7 - I will take you as my own people, and I will be your God. Then you will know that I am the Lord your God, who brought you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians.
Observation
In life, who you know really make all the difference in the world. This was brought home to me recently when I catch up with Lester recently. He has been suffering from a mysterious sickness for years and recently he shared this with one of his students. Having suffered from a health problem himself, he was able to relate to him and told his father to help find Lester a specialist. Now I have gone to see a specialist before so I know how long I have to wait to see one. It only took Lester just a few days to have a consultation with a specialist.. A nurse was curious and Lester was asked, "how are you related to the CEO?". When the specialist saw Lester's medical document he told him that he has been assigned to see a top specialist and not him. The CEO of the hospital has asked his key man to attend to Lester because someone has asked him for help. Who is this person? Lester was told later that he is the CEO of a government statutory board. And he was asked by one who happens to be his son and this son happens to be Lester’s student. I related this story not to inspire us to pursue some VIPs in society but to remind us that that there is a VVIP that you and I can know and He matters not just in this life but in the life to come. This person is God and He wants us to know Him. He wants to be our Father and whoever believes in Him He gave the right to become His children. How much we know Him will make a huge difference in our lives.
Application
God has taken the initiative to make himself known to Moses and through him, the king of Eqypt will also come to know Him and that the people of God will know that "I am the Lord your God, who brought you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians." Richard, do you know God or just knowing about Him? Will you make knowing God a priority and the main pursuit of your life? Just like Lester had enjoyed all the privileges accorded him because of someone he happens to know, how much more will you be blessed if you know God intimately. Seek God and know Him and out of that relationship, you will do great exploits, Amen!
Prayer
Father, I could not have known you if you have not taken the initiative to make yourself known to me. It is You who have chosen me, not I chose you. Not that I seek you but you have first sought me out. Thank you Lord for your grace and may I continually grow in the knowledge of you. I know it is not so much what I done for You but how much I abide in you that really matters. Help me know you more. In Jesus name, I pray, Amen!
The Power In His Presence
(Entry Date : Jan 28th, 2011)
Scripture
John 15: 5 - "I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.
Observation
Christianity is about a person, it is a relationship. It is not a list of dos and don'ts. That's religion, it is an attempt to get something from God by doing good works. It is an attitude that says I have done my part, now God please do yours. That is at the heart of every other religion but not for Christianity. John 15:5 is the very essence of what it means to be a Christian. The power and effectiveness of a Christian is when he is connected with God, like a branch to the vine, that he aligns his will, his thoughts and deeds to God. It's all about God manifesting His presence through the Christians. I realized that I have the tendency to get myself busy with many things for God but little time for Him. I am for God but not with God. At the end, nothing significant is achieved. No soul is saved, no transformation, everything back to where it started.
Application
Practicing John 15:5 is what makes the difference. It is either God working through me as I connect to Him regularly or I will become useless in His kingdom. When it comes to kingdom of God, he is the one who makes things happen, not me regardless of how eloquent, wise or talented I can be. With God, everything is possible. The question is, am I with God?
Prayer
Heavenly Father, a prayerless Christian is a powerless Christian, help me not to be like one but to be someone who seeks to know you and encounter you for it is written; he that know God, shall do great exploits. In Jesus name, I pray! Amen!
Taking Nothing For Granted
(Entry Date : Dec 24th, 2010)
Scripture
Job 1:21 - "Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked I will depart. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised."
Observation
It is hard to imagine what it would be like for everything to be taken away from you on a single day. Before Job could analyse what he has just heard, he received another bad new, one worse than the one before. Four bad news in quick succession. Popularity, respect, wealth, loved ones and all that are most precious to you, they are all gone. For being one of the richest man on earth to being reduced to poverty, from acceptance to rejection, one moment he was enjoying a great time with his children, the next moment those familiar voices will never be heard again. From rejoicing to mourning, from joy to agony, Job experienced them in full. How could he cope with such a drastic change of fortune overnight? How could anyone endure such a tremendous blow yet maintain his sanity but Job did? The answer is his faith in God. Because Job believe in God and knew who is in charge in the midst of life’s difficult trials. His response was inspiring and perceptive, "Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked I will depart. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised." How could a person be shakenwhen he thinks like that? Because he never thinks he owns anything in the first place. He was born naked and he is going to leave the earth that way. How liberating to think of all possessions as "passerby" instead of holding on to them and treating them like little gods.
Application
I don't want to assume that the things I now enjoy will be there forever. If my security is on them, I know I will be disappointed. There is only one thing that is my real security, my rock that will not be moved, my fortress that will not be conquered, my refuge that is permanently saved and forever trustworthy me and the Lord is His Name. When I have Him, i have everything, Amen!
Prayer
Lord, thank you for giving me so much. May I worship you even when you take them away. You give with good reasons and you also take away with a purpose. For you are a good God and you are perfect in all you do. In Jesus name, I pray, Amen!
Some Thoughts On Unity
(Entry Date : July 29th, 2010)
Scripture
Ephesians 4:13 : …until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge
of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the
fullness of Christ.
Observation
Unity involved everyone not just the leaders. A great leader does not necessary
bring about greater unity in the church. Ephesians 4:13 gave us a clue of how I can contribute to a united church. Paul listed 4 things in this verse and it dawns on me that they referred to 4 stages of a Christian life. It is really a reality check to see if I am a blessing or a liability to the church.
Application
I asked myself the following questions as I seek to put into practice Ephesians 4:13 in my life :
1. How is your faith in the Lord?
2. Are you growing in intimacy and in the knowledge of Him?
3. Are you maturing and bearing fruits in the good works you do?
4. Are you reflecting the glory of the Lord or satisfying the
human inclination of your heart?
Prayer
Lord, thank you for speaking to me through this verse. I knew for a fact that in order for me to continue to be a blessing to you and to the church, I need to take Ephesians 4:13 seriously and put into practice what You have revealed to me. It is either You reflecting your glory through me or I manifesting the evil desires of my heart. Out of the abundance of my heart I speak, I can’t change that but You can. Lord, make me the kind of person you want me to be. In Jesus name, I pray, Amen!
Practising Confession
(Entry Date : April 18th, 2010)
Scripture
James 5:16 - Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for
each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is
powerful and effective.
Observation
Confession calls for humility. The opposite of humility is pride. Many of our relationships are not resolved and healed because of this sin in each of us - pride. Years ago, I visited Ren Ci hospital and had a chance to speak to an elderly man. I asked him if any of his relatives has visited him. He replied no one has came and as we continue to chat he revealed that he has not spoken to his wife for 12 years. Oh, how desperately I need to put James 5:16 into practice, God is in the business of restoring relationships
Application
It is better to lose your pride because of your loved ones than lose your loved ones because of pride. That is a powerful reminder! Richard, put James 5:16 into practice and don't let pride ruin your life.
Prayer
Lord deal with my pride and help me to practice confession for it is your desire to see my relationship get healed, to grow and not strained. Thank you for teaching me this principle. In your Name, I pray, Amen!
The Spirit Of Revelation
(Entry Date : July 14th, 2009)
Scripture
Ephesians 1:17 - 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.
Observation
I think it is significant that Paul did not use the words like “information” or “knowledge” but “revelation”. It is not just merely a transmission of information or knowledge from the pages to the minds but an intimate connection between His Word and our hearts or spirits. This is where Bible reading becomes an exciting journey of discovery – the journey of knowing God better. Whilst knowledge leads to knowing God, revelation propels us to want to know God better. It is no longer a drudgery of merely turning the pages but having our heart engaged as we expect God to reveal Himself to us through His Word. It is likened to one reading a letter sent to him from a loved one. It is like a deer panting for stream of water.
Application
On several occasions, I have the joy of experiencing scriptures “jumping” at me when I pray them back to God. When that happens, I knew it wasn’t just information I have received but a certain text has taken a greater meaning because God has spoken to your spirit. You can imagine how exciting studying God's word can be for you and me if Ephesians 1:17 is a regular occurrence.
Richard, use Ephesians 1:17 to lead you as you read the Bible each day. Take the time to read, to reflect, and refresh yourself by committing them to memory and you will reap the reward of seeing Paul’s prayer coming to past in your life.
Prayer
Father, thank you that it is your will that we should know You better and it is your desire to reveal Yourself more to us. Give me a heart to know you. Help me to come to you regularly in prayer and reading of Your Word. I pray for a greater encounter with You and may Ephesians 1:17 be a constant reality for me. In Jesus Mighty Name, Amen!
A Good Conscience Is Not Enough
Scripture
1 Corinthians 4:4 - My conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent. It is the Lord who judges me.
Observation
A man came up to Jesus one day with a question about how he can have eternal life and he addresses him as “good teacher”. To which, Jesus replied, ”Why do you call me good, there is no one who is good, except God alone. “ Jesus knew very well that there is none righteous even though one may claim his conscience is clear. Our conscience is shaped by many imperfect experiences like relationships, books we read, the way we are brought up and the world we live in whose values are often oppose to what the Word of God teaches. The recent AWARE saga is a case in point. It is a debate about values. It is a debate about a conscience one that is shaped by God and the other by the world system. It is about Christianity versus the world religion, that is at the heart of the debate. Is my conscience subjected to the Lord’s illumination? If not my judgment of myself will be proven to be insufficient and lead us thinking that we are fine spiritually when we are not.
Application
Richard, coming to the Lord in worship, reading His Word and having a consistent time with Him in prayer will increase your sensitiveness to sin and sharpen your conscience. It is like the sun, you can’t see the sun but you know it is there because you can see everything else. On the contrary, living in sin is like walking in darkness, you can’t see where you are and you don’t know where you are heading. The more you are in it, the darker your heart will be. Paul is right, a clear conscience is not enough because it will never be good enough because only the Lord is good.
Prayer
Father, thank for your Word for it is the mirror of my soul, it always reveal clearly the condition of my heart. It needs to be subjected to your constant scrutiny so it can be renewed and transformed by the power of your Spirit. Give me the mind of Christ and a heart that mirror yours. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen!