IRON HOT

Supply And Demand

2010-05-05T18:02:00.005+08:00

Supply and demand is perhaps one of the most fundamental concepts of economics. It is the backbone of a market economy. The demand in the economics sense refers to how much (quantity) of a product or service is desired by buyers at a certain price. Supply represents how much the market can offer or simply the quantity of a product of services supplied in the market at a certain price.

The relationship between demand and supply underlies the forces behind the allocation of resources. In the open market economy, demand and supply theory will allocate resources in the most efficient way possible by which an equilibrium level is achieved.

The concept of demand and supply in God’s new testament economy is viewed quite differently. It is the fundamental concept of law and grace. For the law demands and grace supplies.

Law Demands
Due to disobedience, the Jews continued to uphold and kept the law of Moses, refusing to accept Christ as the Son of the living God. Since the law demands it is difficult to continue to keep the law of Moses.

In Matthew 11:28-30, Jesus said, “Come to Me, all you who labour and heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

Jesus was actually speaking to the Jews, who were labouring to keep the law of Moses. They were heavy laden by the heavy yoke of the law and wearied from trying to continue to keep all the commandments. No wonder Paul said the “letter kills, but the Spirit gives life” (2 Cor 6:3). The letter which kills is the letter of the law, which only requires of man but is unable to supply man with life.

Grace Supplies
Since the letter of the law was weak it was set aside and replaced by the grace of the rich supply of Chirst, which gives life and life more abundantly.

By the blood of our Saviour, Jesus has made us perfect in the presence of God. We can now come boldly to God for the rich supplies by the grace of righteousness. “Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ has made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.” (Gal 5:1). Also Heb 4:16.

The Grace supplies the enjoyment of our daily renewing of life supply and participation in Christ in the new covenant (See Nov 2008 article, “New Covenant”). “For His yoke is easy and His burden is light!”

Jonah & Whale

2010-04-09T14:06:00.011+08:00

It has been a while since my last article. I have been very busy. Sorry.

Anyway, sometime in November 2009 I led a group of tourists to South Africa. To my surprise South Africa is a very beautiful, developed and scenic country. It reminded me so much of the countries of New Zealand and Australia. There are places after visiting once is just enough; South Africa is not one of those.

During my tour from Cape Town to Johannesburg, we had an opportunity stop at a small town known as Hermanus. It is a major tourist destination in South Africa because it is simply the best place in the world to watch whales there. It was amazing watching the whales at such a close distance. I could not resist but thought of the story of Jonah in the Bible.

The story of Jonah and the whale is too important to be left as just a children’s story. There are lots of life lessons in the Book of Jonah for children and adults. Jonah’s story teaches us about obedience, willingness of spirit, gratitude, compassion and God’s patience and mercy.

God wanted him to preach to the Ninevites but he hopped on a boat headed for Tarshish instead, attempted to run away from God. During the night, a huge storm came and rocked the boat wildly. The crews were very afraid and beginning to pray to their gods. They started to draw lots to determine who was causing the uproar. The lot fell on Jonah and he requested to be thrown overboard.

As Jonah was sinking, a big fish (whale) swallowed him. Jonah sat in the whale’s belly for three days and nights. He spent that time in prayer, thanking God for saving him. He realized the miracle that God has effected to save him and he was truly grateful. Here we see God’s great mercy and compassion. He could have let Jonah suffer the consequences of his actions and drown. Yet, God intervened and spared Jonah’s life.

This same issue is with us today. We often complain to God about the consequences of our sins but do we ever wonder how often He has spared us from consequences? I rarely ever think about that. There are times where we even doubted God’s guidance in our daily living. We question God’s existence and power. We begin to lose the first love. How wretched we are!!!? “For the good that I would I do not; but the evil which I would not, that I do.” (Rom 7:19).

May God have mercy on us and may we be revived in Christ daily.

What is Church?

2009-06-11T10:06:00.017+08:00

Relevant Bible Verses:-

1) Rev 2 & 3

2) Matt 16:16 Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

I am not surprised many Christians, even those older ones have very limited understand of church. It is difficult to know the church because Satan, the subtle enemy, is working very hard to blur the eyes of many Christians to see what the real church is. In the concept of many Christians, the church is a physical building, or a bungalow, or a cathedral with a high tower and a cross on it, where they congregate every Sunday to worship and listen to sermons. Sadly, they hardly know anything of the church as revealed in the Bible.

The church is essentially the Body of Christ, the fullness of Christ. It is the expression of Christ and through the Body of Christ, we could then see how God is realized by us and how He is actually expressed and manifested, both locally as well as universally.

Jesus is the anointed One (Matt 16:16). The anointed One in today’s term simply means the appointed One. So, God has appointed or anointed Christ to carry out His eternal purpose and economy on earth. Jesus is not only our Savior to save us, but also Christ as the appointed One to carry out God’s eternal plan. In order for Christ to carry our God’s eternal plan, He needs the church. In order to produce the church, there are two very important aspects Christ needs – redemptive aspect and imparting of life aspect (Read Sept 08 "Blood Is Thicker Than Water"). What I am saying here is that after redeeming the fallen created man through the cleansing blood of Christ, He had to impart life through the life-giving Spirit into the redeemed and regenerated ones. These redeemed and regenerated people become the living members (Eph 4:16) of the Body of Christ – Church. As the church, the Body is the means by which Christ carries out God’s eternal purpose and plan. Therefore without church, Christ cannot accomplish God’s eternal plan and purpose.

We shall now focus in details the danger of some churches not aligning their plan with God’s eternal purpose. The Bible has warned us not to be drifted away. We have to continue to fall “under the shadow of the wing” (Psalm 17:8). When we are within the shadow of the wing, we must be close to God.

In Revelation 2 & 3, we are being warned of the danger some churches had fallen out of God’s plan. There are seven different churches with different set of characters, which we can learn from. The seven churches in the province of Asia:-

1. The church in Ephesus - Has forsaken the first love. (Rev 2:1-7)

2. The church in Symrna - Under persecution and being hypocrite. (Rev 2:8-11)

3. The church in Pergamum - Has resorting to eating food offered to idols and by committing to sexual immorality. (Rev 2:12-17)

4. The church in Thyatira - Has resorted to apostasy. (Rev 2:18-29)

5. The church in Sardis - In reformation but has gone to “sleep” or dead. (Rev 3:1-6)

6. The church in Philadelphia - The Holy One, the true One, the One who has the key of David.....the One who kept the Word and have not denied His name...” (Rev 3:7-13)

7. The church in Laodicea - Has degraded, being lukewarmed. (Rev3:14-22)

As living members of the Body of Christ - Church, we must protect and continuously aligning ourselves in God's eternal plan. Avoid being ensnared in any of the enemy's traps as illustrated in Revelation, except the church in Philadelphia, the One who kept the Word and have not denied His name. For those who may have been classified as the church in Philadelphia, we must not be too proud but instead humbling ourselves before God of His Grace and Mercy.

Peace of God and God of Peace

2009-05-12T17:09:00.004+08:00

Relevant Bible Verses

1) Phil 4:6 In nothing be anxious, but in everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.

2) Phil 4:7 And the peace of God, which surpasses every man’s understanding, will guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus.

3) Phil 4:8-9 Finally, brothers, what things are true, what things are dignified, what things are righteous, what things are pure, what things are lovely, what things are well spoken of, if there is any virtue and if any praise, take account of these things. The things which you have also learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things; and the God of peace will be with you.

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“Easier said than done”, is a statement made on something seems like a good idea but it would be difficult to do in practice.

In Phil 4:6, it mentions that we should not be worried and anxious about anything in our life but instead by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let our requests be made known to God. Then the Peace of God, which surpasses all our understanding, will guard our hearts and our thoughts in Christ Jesus.

But are we completely free from anxiety after surrendering our worries to God in prayer? I am sure many will still have anxiety and worries, albeit reduced, after letting our requests be made known to God. This is due to our half heartedness believing in God’s blessing and promises. There must be a genuine total surrender both in reality and practicality in trusting the Lord to completely free us from anxiety.

As believers, we should not only think on the things mentioned in verse 8; we should also practice the things which we have learned, received, heard, seen and read in the scriptures.

In verse 9, it closed with the word, “And the God of Peace shall be with you.” Actually, this is both the promise and blessing of God. The God of Peace is the source of all the good things mentioned in Phil 4:8-9.

Our Lord is both the Peace of God and God of Peace. Therefore, by trusting the Lord in all aspects of our life we shall gain to enjoy God and Peace at the same time.

Pressing Toward the Goal

2009-05-04T07:50:00.008+08:00

Relevant Bible Verses:-

1) Phil 3:12 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.

2) Phil 3:13 Brothers, I do not account of myself to have laid hold; but one thing I do: Forgetting the things which are behind and stretching forward to the things which are before,

3) Phil 3:14 I pursue toward the goal for the prize to which God in Christ Jesus has called upward. Let us therefore, as many as are full-grown, have this mind; and if in anything you are otherwise minded, this also God will reveal to you. Nevertheless whereunto we have attained, by the same rule let us walk.
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I have been pretty busy lately and was not able to up-date my blog. But I know I have a "race" to run for the ultimate goal. This article is probably issued at the most appropriate timing as I am also in the "race" along with many Christians around the world. Therefore, we must all "press on".

Even though Paul had experienced and gained Christ exceptionally, he was not afraid to admit he was still struggling to attain the full knowledge of Christ in perfection. However, despite of his imperfection, he continued to encourage the believers to focus on the race in Christ (Phil 3:12).

As Christians, pursuing after Christ should and must be our life primary goal. We cannot be otherwise minded. Walking closer with God will not only make us understand and discern what is right and what is wrong and what is imperative, but will also allow God to align our mind to His centre core economy plan, a mind focused on the pursuing of Christ.

This attractive and deceptive material world can easily distract many Christians from focusing on God’s goal. We need to pursue God’s unique goal and His plan for us so that we will not be distracted, holding on to the unshakable foundation of truth. In Phil 3:13, Paul warned us of the danger of holding on to the “things of the past”. Dwelling on our past experiences can frustrate us from moving forward to the things which are before us.

Lets us continue to pursue toward God’s unique goal and the prize – Christ for our ultimate enjoyment and full knowledge of Christ in maturity.

Moving Forward

2009-04-17T09:18:00.008+08:00

Relevant Bible Verses:-

1) Eph 4:13 till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ;

2) Phil 3:13-14 Brothers, I do not account of myself to have laid hold; but one thing I do: Forgetting the things which are behind and stretching forward to the things which are before, (14) I pursue toward the goal for the prize to which God in Christ Jesus has called me upward.

3) Eph 3:8 To me, less than the least of all saints, was this grace given to announce to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ as the gospel

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There are many born again Christians who have left the church and simply refused to continue to embrace the faith in Christ. Majority of these people would be too polite to express the real reason(s) for not returning to the flock. Some have gone to the extent to even condemn and discourage others from believing in the fellowship of Christ.

For centuries now, God has mentioned that the fundamental fault with man is his own very heart, there is something twisted, almost demonic within the very heart and soul of human being. Remember it was disobedience that caused man to fall. The insatiable human heart desires to have plenty of the world’s material things and quest for power continues to dominate mankind, blurring their vision to focus on God’s great economy and plan.

Therefore it is important to nurture and saturate the human heart with the Word of God building the unshakable foundation of truth. “Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming.” (Eph 4:14)

Satan’s cunning ways and persistency in instilling negative thoughts in our mind using religion, culture, philosophy and law that we are not worthy enough to serve the Holy and Gracious God. The unnecessary guilt conscience of not worthy stance and self condemnation naturally have caused people to adopt quickly the “law” to self correct in justification to make right with God.

In the above verses, Paul mentioned of forgetting the past. He encouraged the believers to stretch and move forward for the ultimate fullest enjoyment of Christ in the millennial kingdom as a reward to the victorious runners of the New Testament race. Dwelling on the old teachings can hinder and frustrate our further pursuing after Christ. It is sad we still see many modern day Christians, even the matured ones continue to adopt the old teachings and put upon themselves the burden of the law as bondage on their shoulders.

It is important that we do not fall back to the old teachings (Judaism). We need to keep moving forward with Christ in the new covenant. Christ has come to fulfill the law. The old law has been canceled on the cross (read Hebrews 8). We cannot be justified by observing the law, but by faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.

Not Good Enough

2009-04-08T09:43:00.004+08:00

Relevant Bible Verses:-

1) Rom 8:1-2 Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death.

2) 2 Cor 12:9 My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness

3) Phil 1:20 According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death.
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For centuries now, Satan has been using religion, philosophy, and culture to possess people and to keep them from experiencing Christ in fullness. Although the majority of the simple people (Christians included) are influenced strongly with material things, the more thoughtful ones are hooked by religion, philosophy, culture and self-righteousness.

Overcoming the influence of material things is easier. But overcoming religion, philosophy, culture and self-righteousness are more complicated as these are ingrained within our soul and inner being.

I am sure many Christians would have experienced Christ to a certain degree in their walk with God, but sadly our experience has been severely impeded and constantly blocked by our own philosophy and domestic logic. Satan’s cunning ways and persistency in instilling thoughts in our mind that we are not worthy enough to serve the Holy and Gracious God, thereby making us to think of the “not good enough” position or self-condemnation within our own very heart.

We should be reminded that there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death.

The next time you feel like God can't use you, just remember:-

Noah was drunk
Abraham was too old
Isaac was a daydreamer
Jacob was a liar
Leah was ugly
Joseph was abused
Moses had a stuttering problem
Gideon was afraid
Samson had long hair and was a womaniser
Jeremiah and Timothy were too young
David had an affair and was a murderer
Elijah was suicidal
Isaiah preached naked
Jonah ran from God
Naomi was a widow
Job went bankrupt
Peter denied Christ, 3 times
The disciples, fell asleep while praying
Martha worried about everything
The Samaritan woman was divorced, more than once
Zaccheus was too small
Paul was too religious
AND...Lazarus was dead!

We have no more excuses to blame on our inferiority complex and inability to be used by God.

Isn't doing nothing is another form of death?

He Made The Stars Also

2009-04-01T15:16:00.002+08:00

Relevant Bible Verses:-

1) Genesis 1:16 Then God made two great lights: the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night. He made the stars also.

2) Heb 11:3 By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God's command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.

3) Phil 2:15 so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe.
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I find it really interesting and facinating how the following pictures are presented:-

Picture 1

Pictures 2

Picture 3

Picture 4

Picture 5

Dr. John Polkinghorne is one of the greatest living writers, theoretical physicist and thinkers on science and religion. A truly renowned world-class scientist turned priest.

In one of his university lectures he presented a cosmic slide in a physics class. He mentioned that there are billion of stars in the sky and if you chose to count them at one per second, it will take you 2,500 years just to count those stars.

I couldn't help but think of a verse in the Bible that says, He made the stars also!

Dr. Polkinghorne mentioned further that when we look at the earlier days of the formation of the world and universe, the expansion and contraction rates had to be so precise and the margin of error so small that it would be like taking aim at a one square inch object at the other end of the universe twenty billion light years away and hitting it bulls-eye!

Simply by just looking at the pictures above and what were mentioned by Dr Polkinghorne, one cannot deny the great power behind the creator of the universe. These have reminded me of the greatness of God. And Bible says that by the mere utterance, God created the universe! How great and poweful God truly is! And we humans think we are all powerful by our little supremacy here on earth controlling a little tribe of nation given to us.

Remember, we don't have authority and power if we surrender all our principles, we merely have an office.

Beholding and Reflecting

2009-03-24T14:29:00.006+08:00

I am honored that Bro. David Chong from Kuching, East Malaysia, is able to contribute an article in my blog. I got to know him during my stay in Australia 10 years ago. A lawyer by training. He used to attend the weekly Friday cell meeting at my Melbourne city apartment. He is now a happily married and God fearing man with two lovely children. Thank you David.

by David Chong

2 Cor. 3:18 But we all with unveiled face, beholding and reflecting like a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, even as from the Lord Spirit.
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Have you ever wondered why teenage boys like to ride motorcycles or drive souped-up cars at breakneck speeds? Or why teenagers experiment with drugs, smoking and drinking copious amounts of alcohol?

Brother David Vinson from Texas, USA pondered these questions a lot. A medical doctor by profession, he spent countless hours in emergency rooms trying to save the lives of teenage American kids who had either overdosed on drugs like cocaine or were involved in accidents due to DUI or just plain reckless foolishness. He has concluded from his observations over the years that there are certain laws operating which explains these behaviours. He shared his observations with us during a conference in Kuching last year and it goes something like this:

1. You reflect what you behold.
When you behold something long enough, you will reflect it. Why do some people have weird hairstyles, ghastly tattoos or pierce their body parts with metal objects? That's because they hang around with people with similar hairstyles, tattoos or body-piercings. 1 Cor. 15:33 cautions us not to be deceived: Evil companionships corrupt good morals. You will reflect what you behold.

2. You behold what you love.
You will only behold something/someone that you love. Sadly, for most teenagers today, be it in the US or in Malaysia, what they love more than anything else are their friends or acceptance by their friends. They place this social acceptance above the teachings of the Bible or their parents. In the end, they only behold their friends or the opinions of their friends for that is what they love above all things.

3. You love what you set your heart upon.
Now we get to the crux of the matter, which is your heart. You will love what you set your heart upon. So crucial is this matter of the heart that Jesus even linked it to our seeing and hearing. In Matthew 13:14-15 we see Jesus quoting Isaiah which says, "In hearing you shall hear and by no means understand, and seeing you shall see and by no means perceive. For the heart of this people has become fat, and with their ears they have heard heavily, and their eyes they have closed, lest they perceive with their eyes and hear with their ears and understand with their heart, and they turn around, and I will heal them".

So we see that the key here is our heart. Whenever the heart turns to the Lord, the veil shall be taken away. This is what we should practice day by day, moment by moment. It all boils down to the little decisions we make daily. When we wake up, do we read our Bible or the newspaper? While driving to work, do we muse on God's word or do we think of other mundane things? Liverpool vs Man U match, do we stay at home to watch the match or attend the youth meeting held at the same time? Being an overcomer means making the right decisions day by day and making these decisions depend upon what you love and set your heart upon.

4. Ultimately, you become what you love.
The pinnacle of all this is as promised in 2 Cor. 3:18, whereby if we turn our hearts to the Lord, behold and reflect Him moment by moment throughout our lives, we shall be transformed into the same image as He is. What a glorious thought this is!

Full Grown Man

2009-03-17T16:14:00.013+08:00

Relevant Bible Verses:-

1) 1 Thes 5:23 God of peace Himself sanctify you wholly, and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

2) Heb 4: 12 For the word of God is living and operative and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing even to the dividing of soul and spirit and of joints and marrow, and able to discern the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

3) Eph 4:13 Until we all arrive at the oneness of the faith and of the full knowledge of the Son of God, at a full-grown man, at the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.
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The Bible says that “as many as received Christ, to them He gave the authority to become children of God, to those who believe into His name.” (John 1:12). Then the next logical step after becoming the chosen children of God is to grow up into a matured person.

Becoming the children of God can be very rich in its implications. It implies that we have received the divine nature of God and grace of Christ in our now regenerated life. In a proper sense we need to boast of our status being bestowed as children of God. Christians indeed are considered very privilege to have received the grace and mercy of God.

God works in a miraculous way. He deals in our spiritual grow gradually. Firstly God takes possession of our spirit through regeneration in the blood of Christ. Secondly by spreading and mingling Himself as the life-giving Spirit with our human spirit to saturate our soul. The full saturation of the soul with the Spirit of God will transform our soul and ultimately enliven our mortal body through our soul and transfiguring our body by His life power. It is mysterious to see God’s miraculous way working throughout our tripartite human being – spirit, soul and body.

I am going to bring you back to the exodus of the Israelites from Egypt. This event will illustrate God’s divine intervention and process in our spiritual growth and ultimately leading us into the promised land (Canaan).

God commanded Moses to lead the children of Israel out of Egypt, from which they were delivered. Secondly when the children of Israel were in the desert, from which they wandered. Finally, when they entered into Canaan, from which they experienced the full enjoyment of God and kingdom rest.

“Their history in these three places signifies the three stages of their participation in God’s full salvation. This is a type of us, the New Testament believers, in our participation in the full salvation of God. In the first stage, we receive Christ and are redeemed and delivered from the world. In the second we become wanderers in following the Lord; our wandering always takes place in our soul. In the final stage we partake and enjoy Christ in a full way; this is the experience in our spirit.” (Extracted from footnote Heb 4:12Recovery Version Bible)

Therefore until we take the word of God seriously, as it is living and operative and sharper than two-edged sword, we can still be wandering in the “wilderness”.

We must press on as Caleb and Joshua did with conviction believing in the word of God, obeyed the Lord and entered into the Canaan land with full enjoyment of Christ “at a full-grown man, at the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ."

Why Does God Allow Pain & Temptation?

2009-03-08T16:27:00.002+08:00

Relevant Bible Verses:-

1) 1 Cor 10:13 No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.

2) 1 John 4:4 You , dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.

3) Matt 6:13 And do not bring us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.

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I attended the weekly Friday evening cell group meeting in one of the brother’s new house. Currently we are pursuing a series of discipleship and last week’s subject was “Victory over Temptation”. Amongst the many issues that were raised, discussed and studied, one very good question (which was not answered with full satisfaction) that was asked particularly in reference to verse 1 Cor 10:13. In this verse, it says that God is faithful; He will not let us be tempted way beyond what we can bear and that God will provide a way for us so that we can stand up under it.

The question was, “Why do we still see devoted and committed Christians (even leaders and pastors) fall under the power of temptation, if God will not allow us to be tempted way beyond what we can bear? Why didn’t God provide a way for them when temptation was before them?

The same questions could be asked about Adam and Eve.

In the Christian world, we believe that God is the creator of the universe. When God created and fashioned human beings in His own image (Gen 1:27), the greatest gift that God gave to mankind was in the freedom for self-determination, i.e. the right to choose (Gen 2:16…"You are free to eat from any tree…") and the entrustment attached along with it.

Thus, we can either trust and obey God in the definition of right and wrong attained or to become our own definer of right and wrong. By the exercise of the will to reject (disobey) God’s claim on good and evil or right and wrong, man “sinned and fall short of the glory of God”.

Re-defining good and evil by man was the instrumental source of evil, temptation, pain and downfall.

In addition, for centuries God has mentioned that the fundamental problem with man is his own very heart that’s something twisted, almost demonic within the heart of man. The insatiable human heart desires to have plenty causing the misalignment of the heart with God’s great economy and plan. I have even heard from a finest evangelist confessing, “The worst thing I can say to you ladies and gentlemen is that sometimes minutes before delivering a sermon on the enormous theme of the holiness of God, some of the most unholy thoughts are still raging in my heart.” How deceitful and desperately wicked is the human heart? (Ps 36:3).

I have also a short story which, I hope to further answer the above questions.

A man went to a barbershop to have his hair cut and his beard trimmed
As the barber began to work, they began to have a good conversation.
They talked about so many things and various subjects.

When they eventually touched on the subject of God, the barber said:
"I don't believe that God exists!"

"Why do you say that?" asked the customer. "Well, you just have to go out in the street to realize that God doesn't exist. Tell me, if God exists, would there be so many sick people?
Would there be abandoned children? If God existed, there would be neither suffering nor pain. I can't imagine a loving God who would allow all of these things."

The customer thought for a moment, but didn't respond because he didn't want to start an argument. The barber finished his job and the customer left the shop.

Just after he left the barbershop, he saw a man in the street with long, stringy, dirty hair and an untrimmed beard. He looked dirty and unkempt.

The customer turned back and entered the barber shop again and he said to the barber:
"You know what? Barbers do not exist."

"How can you say that?" asked the surprised barber.
"I am here, and I am a barber. And I just worked on you!"

"No!" the customer exclaimed. "Barbers don't exist because if they did, there would be no people with dirty long hair and untrimmed beards, like that man outside."

"Ah, but barbers DO exist! That's what happens when people do not come to me."
"Exactly!" affirmed the customer.

"That's the point! God, too, DOES exist!

That's what happens when people do not go to Him and don't look to Him for help.
That's why there's so much pain, temptation and suffering in the world."

Have we trials and temptations? Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged; take it to the Lord in prayer.
O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry, everything to God in Prayer.

Be Watchful

2009-03-01T20:48:00.001+08:00

Relevant Bible Verses:-

1) Luke 12:35 Let your loins be girded and your lamps burning.

2) Rev 3:2 Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain,

3) Luke 12:37 Blessed are those slaves whom the master, when he comes, will find watching…
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Oblivious as we always are, we do not realise how people around us observe our every move, and mostly through their subtle glances. They may not seem to be very interested in what you do and/or possess but believe me, they do!. So, be watchful. They observe the way we live, the cars we drive, the shirts we wear, the house we own, the things we write in our blog and many other activities we do in our daily life. When we only take it for granted that they don't.

A good friend and ex-accountant of mine from Australia sent me an email which I find it very appropriate to forewarn us not to take people for granted and to be careful in our walk with the Lord. Although we have been redeemed by the blood of the Lamb and are freed from the bondage of sin and death, we should “be careful, however, that the exercise of your freedom does not become a stumbling block to the weak” (1Cor 8:9).

Read on….,

Several years ago, a preacher from out-of-state accepted a call to a Church in Houston , Texas .

Some weeks after he arrived, he had an occasion to ride the bus from his home to the downtown area.

When he sat down, he discovered that the driver had accidentally given him a quarter too much change.

As he considered what to do, he thought to himself, 'You'd better give the quarter back. It would be wrong to keep it.'

Then he thought, 'Oh, forget it, it's only a quarter. Who would worry about this little amount?

Anyway, the bus company gets too much fare; they will never miss it.

Accept it as a 'gift from God' and keep quiet.'

When his stop came, he paused momentarily at the door, and then he handed the quarter to the driver and said, 'Here, you gave me too much change.'

The driver, with a smile, replied, 'Aren't you the new preacher in town?'

'Yes' he replied.

'Well, I have been thinking a lot lately about going somewhere to worship.

I just wanted to see what you would do if I gave you too much change.

I'll see you at church on Sunday.'

When the preacher stepped off of the bus, he literally grabbed the nearest light pole, held on, and said,

'Oh God, I almost sold your Son for a quarter.'
This is a really scary example of how much people watch us as Christians, and will put us to the test! Always be on guard -- and remember -- You carry the name of Christ on your shoulders when you call yourself 'Christian.'

Our lives are the only Bible some people will ever read.

Watch your thoughts; they become words.
Watch your words; they become actions.
Watch your actions; they become habits.
Watch your habits; they become character.
Watch your character; it becomes your destiny.

I'm glad I received this reminder!

The Law of Garbage Truck

2009-02-21T14:16:00.001+08:00

Relevant Bible Verses:-

1) Matt 5:38-39 An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth. But I tell you not to resist him who is evil; rather whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn to him the other also.

2) Matt 5:45,48 So that you may become sons of your Father who is in the heavens, because He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good and sends rain on the just and the unjust. You therefore shall be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect.

3) James 4:6 God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.
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My wife and I were busy shopping for food and groceries on the Saturday just before Chinese New Year (CNY) at the wet market near our house in preparation for the coming auspicious day. It was quite normal that the market was much busier than usual during this period as more Chinese people were rushing to store up sufficient food for the coming CNY celebration.

After our rounds in the crowded wet market and our usual weekly wanton noodle breakfast, we quickly whipped our car out of the busy and congested market area only to realize we had forgotten to pack some noodle breakfast for our two kids who were waiting impatiently at home. I made a U-Turn into the busy market area heading towards the noodle stall and was caught in a massive jam.

Following behind another car turning into the back lane trying to avoid the jam, the car in front stopped suddenly and just parked his car right in the middle of the through road, blocking me. When I signaled him to move his car, he shouted at me asking me to reverse my car instead. Then he gently opened the door for his wife and kids, walked away from his car and into the restaurant for their breakfast, while my wife and I sat in our car shocked and speechless! How could a normal man, with children and wife next to him behave so rudely, ill-mannered, oblivious, insensitive and total disregard for others? I asked silently.

There were so many evil retaliation thoughts running wild in my mind at that moment in time. It was a perfect time to engage in an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth position! Anyway after about the longest 2 minutes seated in the car speechless thinking about all the “evil things” I could do to this person and his car, I reluctantly engaged the reverse gear and backed off our car, speechless and furiously mad, while the person and his family looked unperturbed, seated in the restaurant ordering their breakfast!

Since that unforgettable outraging incident, I have been waiting for the right moment to relate this experience in my blog until I read the following email sent to me:-

by David J. Pollay

How often do you let other people's nonsense change your mood? Do you let a bad driver, rude waiter, curt boss, or an insensitive employee ruin your day? Unless you're the Terminator, for an instant you're probably set back on your heels. However, the mark of a successful person is how quickly he/she can get back her focus on what's important.

Sixteen years ago I learned this lesson. I learned it in the back of a New York City taxi cab. Here's what happened.

I hopped in a taxi, and we took off for Grand Central Station. We were driving in the right lane when, all of a sudden, a black car jumped out of a parking space right in front of us. My taxi driver slammed on his breaks, skidded, and missed the other car's back end by just inches!

The driver of the other car, the guy who almost caused a big accident, whipped his head around and he started yelling bad words at us.

My taxi driver just smiled and waved at the guy. And I mean, he was friendly. So, I said, 'Why did you just do that? This guy almost ruined your car and sent us to the hospital!'

And this is when my taxi driver told me what I now call, 'The Law of the Garbage Truck.'

Many people are like garbage truck. They run around full of garbage, full of frustration, full of anger, and full of disappointment. As their garbage piles up, they need a place to dump it. And if you let them, they'll dump it on you. When someone wants to dump on you, don't take it personally.

You just smile, wave, wish them well, and move on. You'll be happy you did.

So this was it: The 'Law of the Garbage Truck.' I started thinking, how often do I let Garbage Trucks run right over me? And how often do I take their garbage and spread it to other people: at work, at home, on the streets?

It was that day I said, 'I'm not going to do it anymore.' I began to see garbage trucks.

I see the load they're carrying. I see them coming to drop it off. And like my Taxi Driver, I don't make it a personal thing; I just smile, wave, wish them well, and I move on.

One of my favorite football players of all time, Walter Payton, did this every day on the football field. He would jump up as quickly as he hit the ground after being tackled. He never dwelled on a hit. Payton was ready to make the next play his best.

Good leaders know they have to be ready for their next meeting. Good parents know that they have to welcome their children home from school with hugs and kisses. Teachers and parents know that they have to be fully present, and at their best for the people they care about.

The bottom line is that successful people do not let Garbage Trucks take over their day.

What about you?

What would happen in your life, starting today, if you let more garbage trucks pass you by?

Sometimes, it may seem unfair on ourselves that we have been taken advantage of the situation or perhaps being bullied. But in the above Bible verses, the Lord is asking us to resist whatever that is evil and be kind to those who offended us - go with him the second mile!

How difficult it is to be kind to people who offended us, but God gives grace to those who humble.

The Mask

2009-02-15T08:40:00.001+08:00

Relevant Bible Verses:-

1) Phil. 1:21 For to me, to live is Christ...

2) Gal 2:20 I am crucified with Christ, and it is no longer I who live, but it is Christ who lives in me…

3) Phil 3:9 And be found in Him, not having my own righteousness which is out of law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is out of God and based on faith

4) Eph. 4:15 But holding to truth in love, we may grow up into Him in all things, who is the Head, Christ.
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The Mask is a movie about an incredibly nice and shy bank clerk by the name, Stanley Ipkiss, who has just discovered a mysterious ancient green wooden mask by the sea that is inhabited by Loki, the Norse night god of mischief. When Stanley puts on the mask, he transforms into an uncontrolled reflection of himself in a wacky-suited green-skinned cartoony romantic maniac that does craziest things and amazes the people in search of justice and a good time too. The transformed new super-hero could perform acts beyond the wildest dream of any man on the street without actually exposing the real identity of Stanley.

Many a time we are like the transformed Stanley, hiding ourselves behind the mask and wearing not only one but variety of masks to suit different occasions or when dealing with different sets of people. We can become a better actor than those in the Hollywood with so many masks available for our selection. It is very natural for us to act differently in front of different sets of people. In the Christian life it is easy to agree and follow certain practices. For example, we may be told that we are not a good listener and later quickly adopt the practice of good listening skills. We may also join Lion Club or other charity organizations to embrace and harness generosity when we find lack of charitable heart. We may succeed to become a better listener and a very generous person and yet fail to live Christ.

It is one thing to follow a certain practice or custom; it is another thing to live Christ. I do not think God cares too much of how holy, spiritual, or victorious we are in ourselves. Actually, to live in this way by self-effort and pretense can be a struggle for many. In effect by doing so, we are striving to keep the law. What counts in the eyes of God is the righteousness of Christ living in us (See “New Covenant”). It is by faith in the righteousness of Christ which is of God and His grace that we have been saved.

“The problem in your life and mine is not the availability or the lack of availability of truth. It is the hypocrisy in our search….” (Dr Ravi Zacharias).

Let us not put on masks in our daily walk with Christ but instead live Christ and put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand (Eph 6:13). But holding to truth in love, we may grow up into Him in all things, who is the Head, Christ (Eph 4:15).

Sitting on a Gold Mine

2009-02-09T01:31:00.001+08:00

Relevant Bible Verses:-

1) Luke 10:39-41 Martha had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, "Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!". "Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her."

2) 1 John 2:16 The lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and vainglory of life, is not of the Father but is of the world.
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There is a particular firearm presently being exhibited in a Canadian provincial museum. The story behind the display is quite intriguing.

The firearm was used in a bank robbery in 1990 by a 24-year old man, named Curtis. It was the biggest mistakes of Curtis’ life that caused him eight years behind bars for his crime. On the night before the intended and well plan robbery, Curtis went to his father’s home for supper. While the parents were busy in the kitchen, he sneaked into his parents’ bedroom and stole his father’s gun.

The next day he used the gun to hold up a bank and managed to leave with two canvas bags filled with $6,000.00 of cash. The police was able to identify him after reviewing the recorded video camera tapes. He was eventually arrested in his apartment and the holdup weapon was seized as evidence.

You see, Curtis had no need to rob the bank. He stole $6,000, but paid a very high price for it. He had his dad's gun that he used to hold up the bank. That was no ordinary gun. It was a .45-caliber Colt semi-automatic made by the Ross Rifle Company back in 1918. This limited edition antique firearm was valued at $100,000, more than 16 times the value of the stolen money. He was sitting on a gold mine without even realizing it.

In the above passage, we can see two sisters with two different sets of character; Martha being busy and distracted by all the preparations that had to be made, while Mary did nothing but only sat at the feet of Jesus listening to what He has to say.

Many a time we are like Martha, always wanting to do things and ended up being distracted with the preparations that had to be made so much so we forgot to appreciate the real Christ within us. We worry and desire for the material things of the world, which do not belong to the Father.

Although we may have all the energy and capacity to be patient and hardworking, but soon our natural body shall eventually be exhausted. Our natural patience and strength are limited. When our patience and strength begin to deplete, we can easily be provoked and quick to anger as did Martha – blaming her sister Mary for not doing anything. As the result with the lack of wisdom, Martha had lost the opportunity to be with the Lord and thus impeded her growth in God.

Christ’s patience is inexhaustible and immeasurable. He is our refuse, ability, power, patience, love and wisdom, all with unlimited greatness and without measure. If only we are willing to humble ourselves sitting at the feet of Jesus listening to Him. It is so important to know what has been installed for our lives with the blood of Christ in eternity - our stance, position, vision, purpose and destiny in the divine God’s great plan and economy.

We do not want to be working so hard and fighting aimlessly, to the extent of robbing the banks yearning for the finer temporal things of this world where we already have in our possession the “crown jewel” or “pot of gold” right under our nose. Let us not failed to realize that we are in effect sitting on a gold mine in the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Christ provides the answer to the dying soul and He is the life beyond the grave.

Walking with the King

2009-02-03T11:27:00.000+08:00

Relevant Bible Verses:-

1) 1 John 2:16 The lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and vainglory of life, is not of the Father but is of the world.

2) 2 Cor 12:1 must go on boasting…, I will go on to visions and revelations from the Lord.

3) 2 Tim 4:7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith.

4) Rev 19:16 …KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.
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Chinese New Year is the most important of the traditional Chinese holidays celebrated by all the Chinese around the world. It is also known as the Lunar New Year especially by the people in the mainland China and Taiwan.

A reunion dinner is traditionally held at the home of the most senior member of the family on the eve of the New Year where members of the family, near and far away come together for this auspicious celebration. Red packets (“angpows”) are often distributed to the younger unmarried immediate family members during the reunion dinner. These packets contain money that reflects good fortune, prosperity and honorability.

It was indeed a very joyful and merry atmosphere when we had our reunion dinner in my house. I could observe non-stop dialogues, the “catching-up” conversations and exchanging of ideas between family members. It seemed like everybody was talking and no one was listening around the dining table. It was rowdy. Issues of life, children, schools, career path, holidays and other life in general were discussed. But there was one particular discussion or topic that really caught my attention. It has prompted me to think about our current position being a Christian.

The discussion was about a strong charismatic devoted pastor who divorced his wife, left his children and turned into a very successful businessman. Apparently the separation compensation for the wife ran into millions of dollars. In a friendly casual conversation with one of my family members, this ex-pastor was boasting about his boundless high profile networks and proudly mentioned that he walked along with the king of Malaysia in one of the official ceremonial events. One of the many comments out of the reunion dinner table that night that hit the nail on the head triggering me to write this article was, “he has forgotten once he was walking with the King of kings”! How timely and appropriate?

What could possibly go wrong? Is the situation that bad? Temptation must be strong? Life must be good and better in the circular world. I asked quietly.

1 John 2:16 mentioned that the lust of the eyes and vainglory of life, is not of the Father but is of the world. Materialism is the lust of the eyes. These are the “finer things” in life people of this world yearn for (see article “Humility”).

God has mentioned for centuries now, that the fundamental problem with man is his own very heart that’s twisted, almost demonic within the heart of man. The insatiable human heart desires to have plenty causing the misalignment of the heart with God’s great economy and plan. How deceitful and desperately wicked is the human heart? (Ps 36:3). Bible called this sin.

We need Christ for us to overcome the wickedness and craftiness of our human heart. We must, with persistency and single mindedness, focusing on the visions and revelations from the Lord. Praying faithfully and consistently that we would not be tempted (Matt 6:13). So that we can ultimately be proud to proclaim, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”

We do not want to wake up in the morning standing in front of the mirror and seeing nothing!

Unnecessary Preacher

2009-01-26T00:25:00.000+08:00

Relevant Bible Verses:-

1) Phil 1: 9-10 And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ,

2) Phil 1: 15-17 It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. The latter do so in love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains.

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I do not think it is an easy task to preach with full conviction week after week behind the pulpit if we do not recognize the authority of the Word of God. One has to humble himself or herself before God and rely on the Spirit of God to reveal the truth and the much intended meaning of the Word before he or she can even start writing about it. I have now discovered the hard work after started this blog 3 months ago. I can’t believe I am still writing. But His Grace is sufficient for me.

The convenience and the advancement in this fast changing modern world had affected all facets of life and church life is not spared either. We can see the pattern of how church services are conducted in this modern age so as to suit and be relevant to this fast changing world. We know and do understand that a church is not a social club, neither is it a place for the holy ones. In fact it is a body of Christ where we gather to have fellowship with one another in the Lord.

I am very concerned with the paradigm shift in some of the ways preaching are being conducted by some pastors these days. I am prepared to and interested to listen and discuss about theology, perhaps even spirituality and at least humanity in our lives. Maybe some current affairs and politics would be bearable. But when preaching are focused so much on physical church buildings, strategies, and formulas of success (prosperity gospel), something in me just shuts down. Worst if the preaching is not at all aligned with the Word of God. It is not enough to just preach the Word or content of it. We have to be gloriously reigned with conviction, humbling ourselves before God, taking up the responsibility to study and truly understand the authority of the Word of God, building the unshakable foundation of the truth. “Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming.” (Eph 4:14)

In Phil 1:9-10, Paul prayed that the Philippians would be fully reigned with conviction in the Word and be able to discern to distinguish between his preaching and that of the Judaistic believers (see articles “New Covenant” and “Judaism”). All believers today also need to discern between the many different kinds of preaching and not be distracted from the main stream of God’s Word. We have to ask whether or not such preaching is for God's economy and His move on the earth today.

Certain famous charismatic preachers may be very knowledgeable and eloquent in their words. But if we have discernment, we shall realize that the ulterior motive of their preaching is for the furtherance of their own work, not for the advancement of God's economy. In order to discern the preaching of others in this way, we need more experience of Christ. The closer we get to Christ, the more we begin to understand and discern what is right and what is wrong and what is imperative.

Only the experience of Christ can cause love to abound in us in full knowledge and all discernment. Let us encourage one another to love as Paul did to the Philippians, but to love in knowledge and discernment, not in foolishness and in blindness.

Humility

2009-01-20T00:06:00.000+08:00

Relevant Bible Verses:-

1) 1 Cor 8:1 We know that we all possess knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up.

2) Phil 2:3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.

3) Matt 5:3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
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I stumbled upon some very encouraging sermons of an apologist by the name of Dr Ravi Zacharias in my iPod. I did not know that this friend of mine who gave me the iPod had actually downloaded Dr Zacharias’ sermons on it. I truly enjoyed his words and I am thankful that God is using people of such great minds in our time to reach out to the lost as well as to the believers. One particular sermon that prompted me to write this article is entitled “Character Counts from the Leadership and the Political Arena”.

The higher we climb in the corporate world, the more resources we shall possess, the more power and authority we shall be given, the more liberty we shall become, the more respect we shall command and more pride shall emerge. These finer “things” in life are what most people yearn for in this world. Therefore it is really not surprising to me when I read about people who are prepared to cheat and even kill, stooping themselves down to the lowest self esteem point in their lives in order for them to have these finer “things” in life.

Where is God among all these so-called “finer things” in life? My understanding of the word “poor” in Matt 5:3 is simply being empty or nothingness. When our hearts are filled with all these finer things in life, there is simply no room for God. We need to empty ourselves so that God can come in and be blessed. Leaders of all spectrum of life are most vulnerable, no matter how immensely gifted they are. We must live up to the truth in God in the pursuit of life where we embrace humility and recognize His Grace is sufficient for us. Always consider others better than ourselves.

Therefore...

“The greatest mark of a great leader is humility, one who recognized his or her poverty of spirit. Not untamed passions or wanton power or unteachable temperament.
The greatest mark of a great leader is humility, willing to accept that he or she is a sinner saved by Grace standing before God.” (Dr. Zacharias)

Christ came and exhibited his humility by serving the people. Remember, in this world, we are judged by how many people serve us. But in that world, we will be judged by how many people we have served.

Temptation

2009-01-13T23:10:00.000+08:00

Relevant Bible Verses:-

1) Matt.6:13 And do not bring us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.

2) 1 Cor. 10:13 No temptation has taken you except that which is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow that you be tempted beyond what you are able, but will, with the temptation, also make the way out, that you may be able to endure it.

3) 1 Pet. 5:8 Be sober; watch. Your adversary, the devil, as a roaring lion , walks about, seeking someone to devour
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I was having a pleasant after dinner evening chat with the husband of a friend whom my family was staying with during our last holiday in Jakarta. He was a young chap who was nice to hold conversation with. One thing led to another, and we were on the subject of cars. A very knowledgeable person in automotive and he knows the technical aspects of cars in details. Without me realizing there was actually a brand new 911 Carrera S Porche parked in his closed up double-garage. He’s just spray-painted the car and has recently fitted it with a complete full body car kit set.

I was hoping that the invitation to test-drive the car to come. True enough the invitation came faster than I expected and it was going to be at midnight the same day where there would be much less traffic in the Jakarta highway. Well, well, well… Who in the right frame of mind who hasn’t driven a Porche before and with 28 years driving experience would reject such an invitation? Invitation accepted!

Temptation is very often difficult to avoid and resist. I am only talking about test driving a Porche. There are of course many other temptations in life, which can be way too powerful for humans to resist, than a mere invitation to test-drive a brand new Porche. Most of these temptations will often lead us into sin.

The first occurrence of temptation in the recorded history of mankind is found in Genesis 3:1-7, where serpent (Satan) successfully tempted Eve and Adam to sin. It may be succinctly said that temptations are a certainty of life that every person will experience it, be they Christian or non-Christian. In Matthew 6:13, the Lord taught us to pray that we would not be brought into temptation. We cannot predict when temptation will come before us. But we can still pray faithfully and consistently that God would not bring us into temptation. This prayer is for our protection.

As Christians we need to also recognize the power of the Scripture in overcoming temptation. "Thy Word have I hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against Thee" (Psalms 119:11). When God's Word becomes an integral part of our lives, it fortifies and protects us against the power of temptation.

How much more do we need Christ and His Word to redeem and protect us from temptations.

In the beginning was the Word…the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

Manna our Daily Bread (Part 2)

2009-01-07T15:25:00.000+08:00

Relevant Bible Verses:

1) Matt 6:11 Give us today our daily bread.

2) Matt 6:31-33 So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. (KJV)

3) Phil 4:6-7 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (NIV)
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To be fully constituted with God, we need to continue to partake Christ as our daily bread.

In God’s salvation, He desires to work Himself into us to be everything to us. God intends to be our everything so that we can be built up as His dwelling place on earth. God has a purpose in His salvation, there is no need for us to beg Him to have mercy upon us and to rescue us. All the hard works have already been completed by Christ on the cross of Calvary. In Exodus, we see that the children of Israel were not to be anything or to do anything. Whenever they did something, the Lord was offended, even when they did something good. The Lord simply wanted the people to be in His hand so He could work Himself into them.

Matthew 6:11 shows us that we have to look to God and pray to Him every day. The Lord teaches us to pray, "Give us today our daily bread". We do not pray weekly, but daily. Just as we cannot eat for the rest of the week or month, likewise we cannot pray for weekly bread or monthly bread; we have to pray for bread daily. How much trust in God is required here! The Lord is not ignorant of our daily needs; He does not tell us to forget about praying for these needs. Rather, He tells us to pray daily. It was the same reason why the manna was provided for the Israelites in the wilderness from the heavens on daily basis. Actually, the Father already knows the things that we need. The Lord wants us to ask God for our bread day by day because He wants us to learn to look to the Father day by day; He wants us to exercise our faith day by day. The Lord wants us to depend upon Him in all things.

God is working in us and for us, and He knows all our needs. If we know the Lord and His ways, we shall not complain or murmur whenever we have a need. Instead, we shall say, “Praise the Lord! He knows our every need. He knows our need, and He will send the supply at the right time. He knows what is best for us. Let us accept with a grateful heart whatever He gives us and not be anxious in anything.

We often extend our worries too much into the future, and we stretch our prayer too much into the future. Brothers and sisters do not worry about tomorrow; sufficient for the day is its own evil (Matt 6:34).

Praise the Lord! Christ is our Redeemer.

Manna our Daily Bread (Part 1)

2009-01-01T19:21:00.000+08:00

1) Exodus 12

2) John 6:27 Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed.

3) Matt 6:11 Give us today our daily bread.

4) Matt 6:31-33 So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. (KJV)
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Wishing you a Happy And Wonderful New Year! Bye Bye 2008, Hello 2009...

I took my family to Jakarta recently for a short holiday and stayed with a friend whom we have not seen for almost 8 years. She was a student at Monash University and attended the weekly Bible study meeting at my apartment in Melbourne.

We insisted for local Indonesian food as we wanted something than our usual diet. The local food was different and I enjoyed it - initially. But after a few days of those food, I begin to long for Malaysian food. This has prompted me to think about the Isaelites in the wilderness when they were led out of Egypt. There were murmurs and complaints that Moses and Aaron had to deal with the Israelites, particularly of their desire for Eqyptian food.

In the previous article, we have seen the importance of the Passover which implies redemption and regenerated life in Christ. In this posting, however, we are going to see God’s intention to change our constitution; that is, He intends to reconstitute us through change of diet.

Although the children of Israel had been redeemed and delivered, they were still Egyptian in their constitution. As far as constitution is concerned, there was no difference between them and the Egyptians. They were a composition of the Egyptian element, for they grew up in Egypt and were raised on the Egyptian diet of cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions, and garlic. Everything they ate was Egyptian. Like the children of Israel, we today have been delivered out of "Egypt", out of the world, but in our nature and constitution we are still worldly. Therefore, it is necessary for us to grasp the concept concerning the change of constitution.

Over a period of forty years in the desert, God gave the children of Israel nothing to eat except manna. No one knows the essence or element of manna. We only know that it daily came from the heavens. In John 6 we learn that this heavenly manna is a type of Christ. Christ came from God to be our diet, our daily bread. We need to eat Him, drink Him, and breathe Him. We need a change in our inward constitution, not merely a change in our outward behavior. If we would have such an inward change, we need to have a change of food supply, for the food we eat is the source of our constitution. The more we eat Christ, the more we are like Christ. As God’s people today, we need to be reconstituted with Christ as our very element. In this way, we shall become Christ as far as our constitution is concerned. Through the change of diet, we receive the heavenly essence that reconstitutes us with Christ.

Praise the Lord! Christ is our daily bread, similar to the manna in the wilderness which was provided by God to the Isrealites on a daily basis.

Unblemished Lamb

2008-12-22T18:36:00.000+08:00

Relevant Bible Verses:-

1) John 19:6 When the chief priests therefore and officers saw him, they cried out, saying, Crucify him, crucify him. Pilate saith unto them, Take ye him, and crucify him: for I find no fault in him.

2) Exodus 12:5-6 Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male of the first year:...and the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill it in the evening.

3) John 18:10-11 Then Simon Peter having a sword drew it, and smote the high priest's servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant's name was Malchus. Then said Jesus unto Peter, Put up thy sword into the sheath: the cup which my Father hath given me, shall I not drink it? (KJV)

We are indeed very privileged to be given the regenerated eternal life-giving Spirit through our Lord Jesus Christ. In order that we would have such surpassing redemptive life, Christ has to be processed and be crucified. That was the reason why Christ did not offer any resistance to His arrest (John 18:11).

In Exodus 12, the passover lamb was taken in on the tenth day of the month and was examined for four days to determine whether or not it had any blemish, before it was killed on the fourteenth day. In the same manner, the Lord Jesus as the real Passover Lamb was examined for four days and was found to be perfect, without fault before He was killed on the day of Passover.

The examination of Christ by mankind was the fulfillment of this prophesy. After Pilate examined Him, he declared, “I find no fault whatever in him”. There was no blemish in this Passover Lamb; He was fully qualified to be the lamb for God's people. After the Lord Jesus was examined, He, the perfect One, was sentenced in man's injustice. This necessary unjust sentence exposed the blindness of religion and the darkness of politics.

The Lord Jesus was crucified by God's people (Jews) on the Passover as the Passover Lamb. It was God's sovereignty that Lord Jesus would be lifted and be crucified. It was not an accidental death but the death was indeed predetermined by God that the prophesies regarding Christ's crucifixion might be fulfilled (Acts 2:23).

Praise the Lord! We have been covered by the blood of the Passover Lamb that was tested, examined and found to be perfectly unblemished!

Surpassing Redemption

2008-12-14T22:24:00.001+08:00

Relevant Bible Verses:-

1) John 12:24 Truly, truly, I say to you, Unless the grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it abides alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.

2) Romans 5:10 For if we, being enemies, were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more we will be saved in His life, having been reconciled,

3) John 19:34 But one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear; and immediately there came out blood and water.

The article entitled "Blood Is Thicker Than Water" posted in Sept 08 dealt with the two aspects of the blood and water that flowed out from our Lord's pierced side. Firstly, it takes away our sins (redemptive aspect) and secondly, it imparts life (life-imparting aspect) into us.

I am now incline to expound on the life imparting aspect of the Lord's death for human race, because I find that the life imparting aspect is even more breathtaking than the redemptive aspect.

On the surface, it seems that redemptive aspect of the new covenant (see "New Covenant" posted 13 Nov 08) is excellent, marvelous and perfect that nothing can surpass it. But when I examine closer, I notice that the life-imparting aspect has in fact exceeded beyond redemption. Having been washed in the blood of the Lamb is just not enough and incomplete. Read on...

The day we accepted Christ as our personal saviour, we asked the Lord for the forgiveness of our sins, recognizing the power of the cleansing blood of Christ. Should we stop there, although we are washed, we will still be "dead" in our spirit. We are just been deadly cleansed. It is pointless to remain washed, we must also be living. We must proceed to live with our regenerated life.

If we are been redeemed without being reborn, our condition is still poor. God's purpose is that redemption be followed by the imparting of life. That is the reason why blood flowed out first from the pierced side of Christ followed by water. Redemption is to prepare the way for us to receive the divine regenerated life. The water must follow the blood. The blood is for redemption, forming a foundation in which we may be cleansed, and the water is for regeneration, forming a fountain of living water springing up into everlasting life (John 4:14).

Praise the Lord! We are being regenerated with the life-imparting Spirit of God.

His Yoke Is Easy

2008-12-08T21:57:00.001+08:00

Relevant Bible Verses

1) Matt 11:28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

2) Matt 11:29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

3) Matt 11:30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

4) 1 Tim 2:1 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;

4) 1 Tim 2:8 I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.

The last posting we discussed about the higher standard of praying in an unselfish manner whereby God's will should be the ultimate of our prayer following our good practice to intercede with God in the personal as well as in the corporate way.

When we come to pray we should always feel very much burdened at the beginning and then at the end we should feel that our burden is lightened. If it seems to make no difference, especially after sharing and pouring all our burdens to the Lord, then we know that our prayer is not up to standard as well.

When we pray, we are humbling before God, our prayer has to match the standard in which we are first drawn near to God. While we draw nearer, our natural intention enters into which becomes our burden, making us feel the need to go before God to pour out our heart's desire and discharge our burden. We recognize God's authority, His sovereignty and that He is almighty where we humble ourselves interceding with God.

Then, after we have prayed adequately, we immediately feel light within; that our burden having been discharged. If this condition does not exist, then our prayer is not quite proper. Christ said, "Come to me all those who are heavy burden and I will give you rest". This is the promise that we should find peace and rest when we come before God if our prayer is without wrath and doubt (1 Tim 2:8).

Wonder why some believers are still having hearts with heavy burden? It is because we do not carry it to God in prayer with sincerity.

"His yoke is easy and His burden is light".

Prayer or Shopping List?

2008-12-01T12:24:00.000+08:00

Relevant Bible Verses:-

1) Matt 6:9-13 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil:

2) Matt 6:13 For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.

3) Daniel 9:19 O Lord, hear; O Lord, forgive; O Lord, hearken and do; defer not, for thine own sake, O my God: for thy city and thy people are called by thy name. (KJV)

The church I am attending scheduled the prayer meeting an hour before the main Sunday Morning Service. We would normally start off the prayer meeting with a simple song followed by a very short encouraging message.

Then the pastor will run down a list of prayer requests to be prayed for during this session before we break into smaller groups.

I noticed during this session, we would normally be praying and asking for God’s blessings, healing, personal needs, political situation, and lately we included the global financial crisis and Mumbai’s bombing on the list. The prayer requests are quite standard with a slight variation from week to week. It is like a shopping list – the list of items we currently need that we are bringing it up to God for answers or for God to provide. I am not against bringing our requests to God in prayer. In fact I believe it is a good practice to intercede with God in a personal way as well as in a corporate union, but I am sure there are more revelations and meanings than just praying in this manner.

After studying the above Bible verses, I am convinced that my prayer is not up to standard. It has always been praying for myself and/or for others. Contrary to this, the Lord has illustrated to me the unselfish way of praying. It has always been, “thine Kingdom”, “thine will”, “thine own sake”. It has always been for God!

Daniel prayed that God would hear and be gracious to him and the people, not for their sake, but for “thine own sake”!

The highest meaning of prayer is by which God may gain His authority and benefit. Apparently, we may be praying for many people, for many things, or for ourselves, but we must be able to go to the heart of the matter and say,

"O God, all these prayers are for Your sake. Whether or not our prayers are answered is of very little significance, but Your authority and benefit in these matters are of immense importance. Therefore, although we are praying for these people, events, and matters, actually our prayer is for Your sake, Lord."

I pray that the Lord will cover me with His blood and wisdom and allow me to start praying with the “thine Kingdom”, “thine will” and “thine own sake” attitude. Let us continue to trust God in an unselfish prayer manner that we would no longer be imploring God or beg for His pity, instead, we would be able to pray bravely, confidently and strongly, for we would not be praying for ourselves, but for God’s sake!

Have Thine Own Way Lord!

Judaism

2008-11-19T20:26:00.000+08:00

Relevant Bible Verses

1) Heb 10:19-22 Having therefore, brothers, boldness for entering the Holy of Holies in the blood of Jesus. Which entrance He initiated for us as a new and living way through the veil, that is, His flesh. And having a great Priest over the house of God. Let us come forward to the Holy of Holies.......

2) Heb 10:38 But My righteous one shall live by faith; and if he shrinks back, My soul does not delight in him.

3) Gal 5:4 You have been brought to nought, separated from Christ, you who are being justified by law; you have fallen from grace.

4) Gal 5:1 It is for freedom that Christ has set us free; stand fast therefore, and do not be entangled with a yoke of slavery again,

After understanding that Christ has come to fulfill the law, it is important that we do not fall back to the old teaching. We need to keep reminding ourselves that we are not justified by observing the law, but by faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.

We must leave the first covenant, and the first age, and go on to the Holy of Holies, enter into the new covenant, into the second age or dispensation, and live in the new age under grace. Christ has become our High Priest!

Bible has warned us (Heb 10:38) of the danger of shrinking back to Judaism and not coming forward to the new testament. As the Hebrew believers (river crossers), we are encouraged to come forward otherwise we will be in a very vulnerable position of shrinking back, falling back to the religious rituals of the law. The moment we shrink back into the old teaching (Judaism), it caused us to come under the curse of the law, thus depriving us from the enjoyment of Christ and causing us to fall from grace. In fact if we do not walk according to the principle of truth with grace in Christ under the new covenant, the Holy Spirit will be grieved.

Actually faith in Christ brings us into the blessing that God promised Abraham, which is promise of the Spirit (Gal 3:14).

It is for freedom that Christ has set us free from the bondage of sin and death. Do not fall back into the Judaism and be ensnared by the yoke of slavery.

Praise the Lord! For we are the new creation.

New Covenant

2008-11-13T22:53:00.000+08:00

Relevant Bible Verses

1) Gal 2:16 know that a man is not justified by observing the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by observing the law, because by observing the law no one will be justified.

2) Gal 3:25 Now that faith has come, we are no longer under the supervision of the law.

3) Rom 8:2 because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death.

4) Heb 8:5 Who serve the example and shadow of the heavenly things,

5) Heb 8:7 For if that first covenant had been faultless, no place would have been sought for a second.

Someone once asked me why I still quote Old Testament verses in my blog if I claimed that Christians today are no longer bound by the law (Mosaic Law).

Well, in order for us to fully understand the purpose and the complete vision of God’s eternal plan, we need to see the whole spectrum of the Kingdom of God. In other words, we need to know the past so that we can appreciate the presence and the eternity future. The Alpha (α) and Omega (Ω).

The question here is if believers of Christ are still under the law of the Old Testament, i.e. Mosaic Law.

In Galatians 2:16 and 3:25 the apostle Paul was very clear about this issue. He said that we are not justified by observing the law, but by faith in Christ. Christ through His coming, human living, dying on the cross and resurrection had been completely perfected, equipped, and qualified to be our divine High Priest (Heb 7:28). By our first step of faith in accepting Christ as our Lord and personal Savior, He has already set us free by the renewing in the Spirit of life, redeeeming us from the bondage of sin and death.

The writer of Hebrews has taken a great deal of time explaining in detail that the old system (law) is but only a “copy and shadow of the heavenly things,” (Heb 8:5). In this passage he further said it is not possible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away the sin forever.

Under the old covenant the people of God practiced sprinkling of the blood of bulls and goats in the Holy of Holies through the high priest to cover their sins. This they repeated endlessly year after year. It is known as the atonement of sin, i.e. covering but not the redemption of sin (see article Atonement vs Redemption). Christ came to replace the old covenant with the new covenant. In the new covenant, the Lord is our God not according to the law of letters whereby knowledge of the law was recognized. God through Christ has achieved the abundance of eternal life by inward ability of life and faith. If the first covenant (Mosaic Law) was perfect, there was no need for Christ to introduce the new covenant (Heb 8:7).

Many Christians today are still holding on to the law and thereby neglected to recognize the power of the blood of Christ. Christ came to complete the law and takes away the “first that He may establish the second. By which will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all”. (Heb 10:9-10). When the priesthood is transferred, there comes into being the transfer of law as well (Heb 7:12).

I wish many Christians could really understand what the writer of Hebrews was pointing to here and apply it to the whole Mosaic Law, they would be free indeed! No more under the bondage of the law which lead to death but faith which leads to eternal life. He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant—not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life (2 Cor 3:6)

We should simply take Christ and enjoy them. By taking in Christ, we allow God to impart life into us. Praise the Lord! Sin has been put away once for all, and we are regenerated with the divine life of Christ. It is a matter of inner life, not a matter of the outer knowledge. Under the new covenant, God does not deal with us according to the outward regulations but according to the inward laws of life – sense of life.

We must proclaim, “O Lord Jesus, You are my Savior. I believe in You. Thank You for Your blood and for Your washing.”

The law is only a copy and shadow, but Christ is REAL!

Incest

2008-11-11T16:56:00.000+08:00

Relevant Bible Verses

1) Genesis 19:30-38

2) 1 Cor 5:1 It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father's wife.

3) 1 Tim 1:9-10 And knows this, that the law is not enacted for a righteous man but for the lawless and unruly, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who strike their fathers and those who strike their mothers, for murderers, for fornicators, homosexuals, kidnappers, liars, perjurers, and whatever other thing that is opposed to the healthy teaching.

I was indeed very disturbed, in fact felt sick after reading the news that daughter and father were not embarrassed to appear on the Channel 9 South Australian News show to talk openly of their incestuous relationship and the baby they had together. They discussed about their relationship and are actually in the process of splitting up.

To make the situation worse and more sickening, the daughter has in fact found romance with another person who is bisexual, a father-of-three. The father, daughter and the daughter’s new found boyfriend, together with the children from their previous marriages are currently living under the same roof! Wow! Shark! What is wrong with the world today? What other sins can be more sinful than this? I am completely taken out and extremely disgusted. No sin is worse or more damaging to humanity than incest.

The first incestuous relationship was found in Genesis 19:30-38. After the Lord destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, Lot's whole family moved to another smaller city known as Zoar. Later they felt unsafe staying in Zoar and moved to live in a cave. The unmarried daughters of Lot were feeling unsecured and lonely in the cave and evil thought came into their minds. They encouraged Lot to drink wine until he was drunk so that they could sleep with Lot. It was a gross sin that comes from the lust of the flesh. The older and younger daughters both had a son each with Lot and they named them Moab and Ben-Ammi respectively.

In the New Testament, we find that Paul had to deal with a brother in the church at Corinth who had committed in the sin of incest with his stepmother (1Cor 5:1). We have a couple of lessons to learn from this portion of the scripture. Firstly, it shows that it is possible for a truly saved one, a genuine brother in Christ to commit a gross sin, such as incest. Secondly, it shows that once a church is divided (1Cor 1-4) and diverted from the central vision of God’s economy, the door of soulish life will be open for the lust of the flesh to come in. Therefore, it is extremely dangerous for us to remain in the soul.

But there is good news in the grace of God! Since incestuous relationship is a sin, it can be forgiven. In fact all types of sin can be forgiven. In 1Timothy 1:9-10 (above), we can read the full list of sinners including fornicators, perjurers, murderers, adulterers, and homosexuals. Just as unsaved murderers and unsaved adulterers can receive salvation, unsaved people who are in incestuous relationship can also receive salvation as well. The Samaritan woman (John 4:1-24) who had 5 husbands and living with another man who was not even her husband was able to be renewed unto repentance with Christ.

In fact the origin of Ruth was incest. She belonged to the tribe of Moab (Ruth 1:4), the fruit of Lot’s incestuous union with his older daughter. Ruth, however, not only was accepted by the Lord but also became one of the most important ancestors of Christ because she sought after God and God’s people (Ruth 1:15-17; 2:11-12).

Regardless of our background, if we turn to God in sincerity, we will bring forth proper fruit and participate in the enjoyment of the birthright of Christ.

God is so merciful and loving!

Wall of Jericho

2008-11-09T22:01:00.000+08:00

Relevant Bible Verses

1) Joshua 1:9 Be strong and take courage; do not be afraid or dismayed. For Jehovah your God is with you wherever you go.

2) Joshua 6

Have you ever heard of people winning a war without using any weapons and guns but by only shouting?

The first human warfare was found in Joshua chapter 6 and it happened to be won by shouting! Jericho was destructed by Israel in the land of Canaan.

After the death of Moses, Joshua was instructed by God Jehovah to lead the children of Israel. When they crossed the river Jordan, God was with them and God did everything for them. In order for the children of Israel to gain the good land, they had to defeat the enemy and drive out the evil forces of Jericho.

The children of Israel did not need to fight and actually they were not trained to fight in a war. They only needed to believe and trust in God, to listen to the instruction from the Captain of the army of Israel, and to exalt Christ by bearing the ark. As followers of Christ, we see that in the spiritual warfare the first step we should do is acknowledge Christ and wait upon His instruction.

Jericho was strongly fortified with thick walls wrapped around the city. The king of Jericho was not afraid of the Israelites, but their God Jehovah. When the king of Jericho heard what Jehovah had done for His people, his heart melted. He had lost his spirit, confidence and boldness. Recognizing the power of God and not knowing what to do, he ordered to have the gates of the city shut and used the walls to protect himself and his people from the Israelites. The city was totally isolated from the outside world. No body was allowed to enter and exit. The king trusted in the walls and he knew that the Israelites did not have any weapon powerful enough to break the wall. He did not have any idea what God Jehovah could do.

Then the LORD said to Joshua, "See, I have delivered Jericho into your hands, along with its king and its fighting men (Joshua 6:2). God later instructed Joshua to have the men of war with the priests bearing the ark circle the city, going around it one time. This they were to do for six days. Seven other priests were charged to carry seven trumpets of rams’ horns before the ark of Jehovah. The priests did not blow their trumpets according to their own will. Instead, they waited for the Captain to give the command. They needed instructions and leading, just as we today need the leading and guiding of the Spirit.

For the first six days, the army of Israel just walked around the city with the ark, which typified Christ as the embodiment of God. The people of Jericho most likely would be on the top of the walls looking down, wondering what these people of Israel were doing, carrying ark and rams' horns around the city of Jericho aimlessly. I believe they must be thinking that the wall would be too strong for the Israelites to breach and that the Israelites had no solution to take over the kingdom of Jericho.

On the seventh day, the instruction was slightly different. The Israelites actually did not have to fight but enjoyed the Sabbath, that is, enjoyed the rest. But they had to go around the city again and this time not once, but seven times. Then the visible Captain gave the command: “Shout!” The priests trumpeted, the people shouted, and the wall fell down. The city was completely destroyed, and a curse was placed on anyone who would rise up and build it. The way that Israel conquered Jericho was a strong testimony that Israel’s God, Jehovah, is a true and living God. God was with the children of Israel wherever they went (Joshua 1:9).

We may apply this account of the destruction of Jericho to the matter of preaching the gospel. As we take up the burden to share the good news to non believers, we need to realize that every sinner is a “fortified city”, with strong walls wrapped around them that has been cursed. In dealing with such a fortified city, we must exercise patience and trusting God all the way, considering when we should be silent and when we should speak. This means that we should follow the Lord’s leading and guidance. At the right time, the proper declaration will be very effective, and there will be a Sabbath day in which we can shout, “Praise the Lord! Jesus is Lord! Christ is Victor!” The “wall” will fall, and we will be able to defeat all the demons and possess that sinner for Christ.

Praise the Lord!!!

Eat, Drink & Be Merry

2008-11-08T23:50:00.000+08:00

Relevant Bible Verses

1) Psalm 37:3 Trust in the LORD and do good, dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.

2) John 6:35 I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me shall by no means hunger, and he who believes into Me shall no means ever thirst.

3) John 7:37-38 If any thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes into Me, . . . out of his innermost being shall flow rivers of living water.

4) Rev 2:7 To him who overcome, to him I will give to eat of the tree of life.

After blogging for a few months, I am beginning to relax with the frequency of my postings. I remembered a friend once asked me to write about enjoyment of life and this topic has always been at the back of my mind. Actually there are so many aspects one can write about enjoyment of life in this exciting world.

We enjoy owning exotic cars, living in luxurious homes, possessing sophisticated computer gadgets, traveling first class, staying in 6-star luxurious hotels and many more finer things in life that we truly enjoyed. However, I believe eating and drinking are the very basics of humans enjoyment in our day to day living.

I was once operated for some complications in my small intestine. I was not allowed to eat and drink for almost 3 weeks after the operation and I was put on drip. It was over the Chinese New Year festival period. Being in the hospital, waiting anxiously for the day to be discharged to be able to eat and drink again, I have no other things to do except to watch television. Can you imagine the programs that were televised during that period? Food, nothing but food. All kinds of food!! I did not object to the programs but I had one problem- the thought of those delicious food and not able to consume them was torturing! From that experience, I consider drinking and eating are the privilege and enjoyment most humans can indulge in, which is given by God.

The Bible talks about eating and drinking. Anything related to eating and drinking must be a matter of enjoyment as we have deduced. For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline (2 Tim 1:7). The Lord Himself said, “I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me shall by no means hunger, and he who believes into Me shall by no means ever thirst” (John 6:35). He also said, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes into Me,…out of his innermost being shall flow rivers of living water” (John 7:37-38). In addition, the apostle Paul said that the Israelites who followed Moses in the wilderness, “all ate the same spiritual food, and all drank the same spiritual drink” (1 Cor. 10:3-4). Then in the book of Revelation written by John, the Lord Jesus promised, “To him who overcomes, to him I will give to eat of the tree of life” (Rev 2:7). He also said, “To him who overcomes, to him I will give of the hidden manna” (Rev 2:17). These verses cover the matters of eating and drinking, which are certainly matters for enjoyment.

We should not take the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, BUT take the tree of life (Rev 22:14) - this is the promise by God concerning eating. There are christians, even those who have been christians for many years that could not understand the concept of "eating and drinking" Christ. If we continue to work out our salvation (having daily experience with Christ) with fear and trembling, we shall be drawn within and find refuse under the shadow of the wings (Psalm 36:7). From the beginning, God has always wanted us to consume and depend on Him.

Let's eat, drink and be merry with our Lord Jesus Christ!

And Peter

2008-11-03T20:50:00.000+08:00

While doing research for my next issue, I stumbled upon this article which is very encouraging. Although I find the title of this article is a little abstract, but the meaning behind this article is so rich. Read on...

AND PETER
Scripture Reading: Mark 16:7; Matt. 28:7

Can you find the difference between these two passages after reading them? The Gospel of Matthew says that after the Lord’s resurrection, an angel told the women to tell His disciples of His resurrection. The Gospel of Mark records that the angel asked the women to tell the Lord’s disciples and Peter. Oh, the words “and Peter” cause tears to fall. All of the four Gospels record the story of the Lord’s resurrection. But only the Gospel of Mark has the words “and Peter.” Since John was the one whom the Lord loved, why does the Bible not say “and John”? Since Thomas was doubtful about the Lord’s resurrection, why does it not say “and Thomas”? The angel did not mention the best disciples or the most needy disciples. He specifically mentioned Peter. Why? What made Peter different from the others?

What kind of person was Peter? Three days before the resurrection, Peter committed a great sin, a sin that would cause the Lord not to confess him before the Father’s angels. Peter not only denied the Lord before men, he even denied the Lord before a maid who was despised by others at that time. But the Lord wanted the women to tell the disciples and Peter about His resurrection. The words “and Peter” have a very deep meaning! If any brother or sister had Peter’s experience, they might think:

“Oh! I have fallen. The sin which I have committed is not a common sin. I am afraid that I cannot draw close to the Lord anymore. The Lord might have already forsaken me. I am afraid that from now on, whenever the Lord has any important thing to do, He will not take me along. I will not be able to have special experiences like I had when I was with Him on the mount of transfiguration. I will not be able to accompany Him like I did in the garden of Gethsemane. I told the Lord that I would die for Him, and the Lord said that before the cock crowed twice, I would deny Him three times. I thought that the Lord misunderstood me. When He was taken, I even cut off a man’s ear with a sword, thinking that I could love Him courageously. Yet I fell. I did not fall before the high priest or before the powerful Pilate, but before the questioning of a maid. I denied the Lord once, twice, and finally I even swore in my denial of the Lord. At one time I confessed that He was the Christ, the Son of the living God. At another time I said to Him, ‘Lord, to whom shall we go? You have words of eternal life’ But eventually, I fell just as the Lord was about to be crucified. I committed the great sin of denying Him. Although I cried with regret, I do not know how the Lord is going to treat me. It would have been better if He had not known that I denied Him. But when I denied Him, He turned His back and looked at me. He knew what I had done. What should I do? I dare not come close to Him anymore. Although He loves me, I dare not approach Him because there is a sin which separates me from Him. Perhaps from now on, I cannot be close to Him. Yet, after the Lord resurrected, several women brought back word that they were to specifically tell me about it. Oh, the Lord has not forsaken me, even though I denied Him three times. He does not hate me, nor is He angry with me. His heart was thinking of me. He did not mention anyone but me specifically. It is as though He was only thinking about me. ‘And Peter!’ ‘And Peter!’ These words are truly the most beautiful music in the world, the most wonderful tidings! If the Lord had only told the women to tell the disciples, I would have thought that I was no longer worthy of being His disciple and that I was no longer one of His disciples. I would not dare to go see Him. But since the Lord said, ‘and Peter,’ I know that He still wants me. Although I do not have the strength to go see Him, ‘and Peter’ encourages me to go. The message brought back by the women is true. The Lord told the angel to mention my name specifically. The Lord did not forsake me. I can still draw near to Him. Let me rise up and go see Him!”

Here was a fallen, sinful Peter, a Peter who had denied the Lord. Yet the Lord specifically mentioned him. This is the gospel! Brothers and sisters, do you know that once the Lord saves you, He saves you eternally? Although you may be discouraged, the Lord will never be discouraged. A sinful person like you may feel shame in turning back to Him, but the One you have sinned against considers that there is nothing wrong in returning to Him. Why should you keep thinking of your failure when He is not concerned with it? If the Lord can remove the veil from your face today, you will not fear Him or be afraid to come near to Him. Peter might have remembered that he said to the Lord, “If all will be stumbled because of You, I will never be stumbled” (Matt. 26:33). He might have also remembered what he said at the lake of Gennesaret, when he saw the glory of the Lord: “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, Lord” (Luke 5:8). After Peter realized his true condition, how could he dare see the Lord again? He might have remembered the Lord’s pleading: “So were you not able to watch with Me for one hour?” He might have heard the Lord’s command in his ear: “Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation” (Matt. 26:40-41). His condition was far below the Lord’s requirements. How could he dare to go see Him? But he went to meet the Lord anyway. He dared to go because of the words “and Peter.” Brothers and sisters, if you know the Lord’s intention behind the words “and Peter,” will you still turn away from Him, instead of turning toward Him? If you realize the profound significance of the words “and Peter,” you have to come near to the Lord.

Among the four Gospels, only the Gospel of Mark records this matter. Mark was a young man who followed and learned from Peter. The Gospel of Mark was dictated by Peter and written down by Mark. The words “tell His disciples and Peter” were specifically dictated by Peter. These words might not have been important to other people, but they were very important in Peter’s heart. When the Holy Spirit was writing the Bible, He specifically wanted to show us that, even though these few words were considered unimportant by Matthew, Luke, and John, they were very unforgettable and important to Peter who dictated the Gospel of Mark. “And Peter” had special meaning for him. Each remembrance of these words was sweet. Words of grace are especially memorable to the person who receives the grace.

Brothers and sisters, when you are at the Lord’s table meeting remembering the Lord, are you still afraid of God in your heart? Is there any sin separating you from God? You may have deeply wept, repented, and admitted that you disappointed the Lord. But do you dare say to the Lord, “Lord, I come to You”? Please consider this: If He was willing to go to the cross because He loved you, would He stop loving you just because you failed, fell, and backslid? Would the love He had on the cross decrease? It may be very easy for you not to love Him, draw near to Him, or return to Him; but it is impossible for Him to forget you, forsake you, or not love you. During the three days after the Lord was crucified, Peter was silent because he had fallen. But the Lord did not forget him. Therefore, if you do not have the strength to come to the Lord, as long as you are willing to believe in His words, He will give you the strength to draw near to Him. If you fall, He can make you rise up again. Although it seems that you will not be able to draw near to Him anymore, remember in faith the words “and Peter,” and you will be able to draw near to Him. When you want to come close to the Lord, but feel that you are very far from Him and have no strength to come near to Him, you need to remember the words “and Peter.” The more Peter fell, the more the Lord wanted to remember him. Although Peter dared not come too close to the Lord, the Lord’s heart attracted him and kept him from running away from Him. May you not misunderstand the Lord’s heart. If you ever hear the words “and Peter,” you should know that the Lord has not forsaken you. The Lord did not desert Peter, and neither has He forsaken you. “And Peter” means “and you”—“you” who have failed like Peter. May you see the Lord’s heart for you. If you see the Lord’s heart, you will run toward Him.

Bearing Fruits

2008-10-29T10:35:00.000+08:00

Relevant Bible Verses

1) John 15:8 In this is My Father glorified, that you bear much fruit and so you will become My disciples.

2) John 15:16 You did not choose Me, but I chose you, and I set you that you should go forth and bear fruit and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name, He may give you.

3) 1 Cor 3:6-7 I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow.

I was fortunate enough that my previous home in New Zealand there were many fruit trees at the backyard. Year by year I eagerly anticipated the trees would be laden with variety of fruits and year by year without fail the fruits kept coming. There were grapefruit, passion fruit, grapes, gala apple, red plum and fig fruit tree as well. These fruit trees required very little maintenance. Watering the trees was the only thing I did. Sometimes, I could even smell the sweet fragrance of these fruits from the kitchen, more so from the grapefruits. I greatly enjoyed going to see these fruit trees in their glorification and in addition the satisfaction of eating my own grown fruits without paying for it. However, at times there were so much fruits that I had to keep persuading friends to help take them away. The excess of the fruits were then collected in plastic bags and sent it out as rubbish!

The fruit Christ has borne is even more fragrant and beautiful than all the fruits mentioned. Actually, we are His fruit! If Christ had never produced a disciple after His resurrection, He would have remained alone. The word, christian, would not be in existence.

During His time on earth, He had set the example to disciple. He had never failed to pursuade and encourage His followers to continue to follow His foot steps. Simon son of John was asked to feed His "sheep" if he truly loved Jesus (John 21:17). Today, we have about 33% of the world population who are christians (http://www.adherents.com/Religions_By_Adherents.html).

So, what is really fruit-bearing in spiritual sense? I believe it is the overflow of the riches and love of the inner life. It is the natural overflowing of Christ within us. Do not try to bring people to Christ by your own effort. Remember, we did not choose Him, but He chose us. When we continue to trust God in our daily walk with Christ by exhibiting ("watering") His goodness and richness, God will "make it grow". Then we shall have an abundance of inner life. Out of this abundance of inner life there will be a flow that will reach others, penetrating into their lives. This flow will bear much fruit. It is not just preaching or soul-winning; it must be fruit-bearing by the overflow of the riches of the inner life of Christ from within.

Praise the Lord!

Saigon

2008-10-23T10:09:00.000+08:00

Relevant Bible Verses

1) Gen 26:24 That night the LORD appeared to him and said, "I am the God of your father Abraham. Do not be afraid, for I am with you; I will bless you and will increase the number of your descendants for the sake of my servant Abraham."

2) Gen 3:12 And God said, "I will be with you. And this will be the sign to you that it is I who have sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you will worship God on this mountain."

3) Matt 28:19-20 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

Like many cities in Vietnam, Saigon did not escape the wrath of war. Saigon has had quite a traumatic history. In the mid 19th century, the French with the aid of the Spanish invaded this port city and destroyed the fort. This event was the precursor to the long struggle between the people of Vietnam and France leading to the historical defeat of the French in 1954. Until today we can still see very strong French influence in this city.

After the fall of South Vietnam to communism in 1975, the city and many of its inhabitants were in a state of chaos and turmoil. In 1976, the new government, renamed the city Ho Chi Minh City and shut its door to the rest of the world. Although recognized worldwide as Ho Chi Minh City, to the people of Vietnam, the city is still lovingly referred as Saigon.

The Mission Team Minus Fong Ping

Last week, I was given the opportunity to be part of the mission team to Ho Chi Minh city. I have heard of christians being put into jail for unknown period and some were tortured till death. I was troubled with the whole exercise and most of all, I was very worried if I would ever see my family members again. I was assigned the tasks to assist in the medical team, share in a church and teach in two bible schools. I have not done any of these in my life before!

I have successfully avoided accepting mission trip twice over the last two years. The third was a little hard for me to avoid and I reluctantly accepted it. The main reason I accepted it was not because of my heart for mission but to "visit" Vietnam since I have not been there.

Dr Mak in Action

God works in a miraculous way. After the MIME (perfomance art without speech) by our team in a church there, it was my turn to preach (share). I started off with Genesis - the creation and the fall of man. Then I proceeded with the death of Jesus on the cross as redemption of our sins. I continued to trust God and ended the sharing with the challenge for the people to accept Christ. I was totally surprise people actually responded! The whole team joined me to help pray for these people. As a matter of fact, the leader of the local church approached me later and told me that she was very excited that her mother-in-law wanted to accept Christ and asked me to pray for her. I was excited too. She further said that her mother-in-law has been in the church for 25 years and refused to accept Jesus. God was working through us.

Gold fish for breakfast anyone?

The Fantastic Four

I also taught in two separate locations and those attended are leaders of church and pastors. I was given two topics to teach; Effective Leadership and Cell Church. The class started in the morning at 9am and ended at 3.30pm with 1 hour lunch break in between. I could not believe I could speak for 4 hours non stop in each class. It was a good trip and I enjoyed it. Possibly I have found my "calling".

Effective Leadership Class

Kipling Bag

When God commands us to go and reach out, there is always one promise that follow - "I will be with you". God was with us all the way. We even had time to do some shopping and site seeing.

Nicodemus - E=mc²

2008-10-16T13:06:00.000+08:00

Relevant Bible Verses

1) 1 Cor 3:19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God

2) John 3:1 But there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews.

3) John 3:4 Nicodemus said....."How can a man be born again when he is old"?

4) John 3:3 Jesus answered and said to him, "Truly, truly, I say to you. Unless one is born anew, he cannot see the kingdom of God".

E=mc², is an equation derived from the general theory of relativity discovered by the well known genius Jewish scientist of German descent, Albert Einstein. We can see that the equation is very simple and easy to solve. Basically, the theory of relativity equation says for even a very small amount of mass (m) a huge amount of energy (E) can be released if the mass is accelerated close to the speed of light (c).

There were many more genius scientists and mathematicians. Most of their inventions or discoveries have surely eased and up-lifted standard of living way beyond one can imagine. To name a few examples; Thomas Edison (light bulb), Wright Brothers (airplane), Alexander Graham Bell (telephone), Alexander Fleming (penicillin), and Isaac Newton (gravity). I would consider these are people with great wisdom.

However, the bible says that the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. It does not really mean God looks at the world's wisdom as being foolish. But it is saying that God's wisdom is so much greater that the world's wisdom becomes so insignificant. It is describing the enormous contrast between God's great wisdom and the world's wisdom.

Nicodemus was a ruler of the Jews. He was a well respected leader with vast knowledge and wisdom among the Jewish community. Unfortunately, he did not understand the concept of being born again. He considered Christ to be the teacher come from God and he needed some better teachings to further improve himself. Due to his position and pride, he was also afraid of the people to know that he seeked some understandings from Jesus. That was probably why he came to Jesus by night, so that no one would see him.

Nonetheless, Jesus answered him that he needed to be born again to enter into the kingdom of God. To be born again in this context is to be regenerated with the divine life, other than the human life one received from natural birth. Thus, Nicodemus' real need was not to seek some better understanding of teachings to improve himself, but the regenerated divine life. He was so consumed with the desire to seek for earthly knowledge (tree of the knowledge of good and evil) that he completely neglected to take on the divine life of the tree of life.

Let's embark on the divine tree of life, our Lord Jesus!

Amazing Guitarist

2008-10-16T10:12:00.000+08:00

Are we still complaining that playing guitar is too hard? Watch this video!!!

Redemption vs Atonement

2008-10-13T15:10:00.000+08:00

Relevant Bible Verses

1) Hebrews 9:11-14 But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building; Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us. For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh. How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?

2) Hebrews 10:4 For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.

3) Hebrews 9:15 And because of this He is the Mediator of a new covenant, so that, death having taken place for redemption of the trangressions under the first covenant, those who have been called might receive the promise of the eternal inheritance.

Being involved in the corporate finance, there are so many issues one has to scutinise and analyse before a paper is presented to the company board for decision. Leaving no stone unturned. Basically the main task of these corporate people is to identify the risks and address ways to mitigate them, to reduce the chances of a failed merger or acquistion.

However, despite the stringent rules and principles governing corporate finance, we still see failed mergers and acquisitions, and even the very big and reputable corporations collapsed. People who are very passionate of their jobs and their fervent burning desire to close a deal can choose to deliberately ignore unpleasant things (risks) and forget about them. It is like "sweeping them under the carpet". By doing so, you are just covering the risks temporary. You did not remove the risks totally.

In Leviticus 16:15-18, under the old covenant, the blood of goats and calves only made propitiation (atonement) or covering for people's sins. Thus, to make propitiation means to cover sins. It does not mean to take away sins. It never accomplished redemption for their sins, because it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins (Heb 10:4).

Christ as the Lamb of God, took away the sin of the world on the old rugged cross as the sacrifice for sins once and for all. His blood which was sprinkled is the blood of the eternal covenant, which is the new and better than the old covenant.

Christ has achieved the full redemption under the new covenant, even the redemption of the trangressions under the first (old) covenant, which trangressions that were only covered by animal blood.

Surely we have been redeemed by the blood of the Lamb!!

Pumping Iron

2008-10-11T14:58:00.001+08:00

Relevant Bible Verses

1) 1 Cor 14:26 What then, brothers? Whenever you come together, each one has a psalm, has a teaching, has a revelation, has a tongue, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for building up.

2) Eph 4:29 Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but only that which is good for building up......

3) Eph 4:12-13 To prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up. 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.

Pumping Iron is considered to be the all-time classic bodybuilding movie. The film focuses on Arnold Schwarzenegger and his competitors, Lou Ferrigno and Franco Columbu. I always thought that in bodybuilding, the ultimate motive for these people would be to build their body muscles to be as large as possible - the bigger, the better. On the contrary, this movie documented what is commonly referred to as "The Golden Age" of bodybuilding, a time when mass and size mattered less, but symmetry and definition of the body was preferred. I can imagine the extreme intensity of the training, passion, zealousness and the determination these body builders have to endure as part and parcel of bodybuilding discipline. At the end of all these "sufferings", they become the model for the young ones to emulate. As we all know, Arnold becomes the 38th elected Governor of California, Lou is the main actor in the popular "The Hulk" movie, while Franco holds doctorates in chiropractic and nutrition and currently sits on the California Board of Chiropractic Examiners.

Likewise, in the body of Christ, we are charged to build one another up. When we come together, let us bring a plate of "food" that will nourish - a psalm, a song, a teaching, a revelation, etc. We must consider others when we meet. Words that we say should be aimed to encourage. It is not how much we say, but whether or not what we say builds up others. If you think your silence will benefit others, then remain silent. "Let no corrupt word proceed out of our mouth, but only that which is good for building up...." (Eph 4:2)

It should be a spontaneous thing for us to function in mutuality as members of the body of Christ when we meet. Our goal as children of God is to strive to reach in faith and to attain the full knowledge and whole measure of Christ with full maturity!

Build up the Body of Christ!

Law of Sin

2008-10-09T23:45:00.001+08:00

Relevant Bible Verses

1) Romans 7:21-24 I find then the law with me who wills to do the good, that is, the evil is present with me. For I delight in the law of God according to the inner man, But I see a different law in my members, warring against the law of my mind and making me a captive to the law of sin which is in my members. Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from the body of this death?

2) Romans 8:1-2 There is now then no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has freed me in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and of death.

Sometimes we need a "kick in the butt" or a "knock on the head" to get us going again. Sir Isaac Newton experienced this "knock" or "kick" when an apple fell on his head which triggered the theory of the universal law of gravitation. Probably the more correct version of the story is that Newton, upon observing an apple fall from a tree, began to notice the acceleration of the fall was due to earth force (gravity).

Suppose we hold an apple up in the air with our hand. Based on the theory, you are actually holding the apple against the gravitational force. You may be able to withstand the gravitational pull for an hour. But after two hours you will feel tired, and after the third hour your hand will no longer obey you. Eventually, you will let go of it. Gravity never tires out, but your hand does. The unceasing operation of the natural law of gravity will eventually prevail.

In Romans 7:21-24, Paul's eyes were opened. He saw that the enemy he was dealing with within him, was the law of sin. He was very disappointed when he saw that sin was a law, and that was why he said "Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from the body of this death?" He realized that it was impossible for him to prevail over sin by his will.

The will is man's own choices. It is what man wants, determines, and decides to do. Once we have decided to do something, we begin to carry it out. We can create power if the task is carried out successfully. But we have a problem. When the will comes in conflict with the law of sin, which one prevails? The will usually prevails at the beginning, but ultimately sin prevails.

The same principle (apple vs gravity) applies when you try to overcome sin with your will. The will can stand against sin for a short while. But the power of sin far exceeds the power of the will. Sin is a law, it cannot be destroyed by the resistance of man's will. Our will cannot persist forever, but the law of sin is always active.

But Romans 8:1 shows us the more superior law. It is the law of the Spirit of life in Christ that can free us from the law of sin and of death.

God is great!

Profanity

2008-10-07T11:27:00.000+08:00

Relevant Bible Verses

1) 2 Timothy 2:16-17 But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness. And their word will eat as doth a canker. (KJV)

2) 2 Timothy 3:16-17 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness. That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

3) Psalm 119:105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

According to Collins dictionary, the word "profanity" means showing disrespect for religion or something sacred. Blasphemy is another word of the similar meaning commonly used in the Bible.

Religion can become so sacred in some countries, that they have strict laws specifically enacted to protect it from being profaned. An example whereby a person can be charged and even put behind bars is Malaysia Today editor Raja Petra Kamaruddin ("RPK"). RPK is accused of publishing articles in his blog which contained seditious words against the government and religion. Currently being detained under ISA (Internal Security Act).

In the body of Christ, profanity, vain babblings and opinions which encourage self vain glory (lovers of self) can cause the church to degrade, divide and corrupt. We saw that the root of New Testament church's decline was due to the loss of her first love toward the Lord (Rev 2:4). People become critical of little things. Position, power and self-image become more important and have lost track of the first love and the vision of God's economy.

The degradation of the modern churches if not stopped can spread like that of gangrene.

Paul warned us of the danger of these "diseases" in the churches and encouraged the people to instead spread "healthy words" and seek "healthy teaching". As all scripture is God breathed, it is also profitable, it is also for reproof, for correction, and training in righteousness. We need to strike the Spirit of the Scripture with our spirit to catch the divine fire. It is the antidote of the inoculation for the degradation in the modern churches.

His word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path (Psalm 119:105)

Drunken Master

2008-10-01T17:13:00.000+08:00

Relevant Bible Verses

1) Romans 13:13 Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy.

2) 1 Corinthians 5:11 But now I am writing you that you must not associate with anyone who calls himself a brother but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or a slanderer, a drunkard or a swindler. With such a man do not even eat.

3) 1 Corinthians 10:23 Everything is permissible" — but not everything is beneficial. "Everything is permissible" — but not everything is constructive.

Chinese martial art (kung fu) movies are very entertaining and relaxing to watch. You do not need a lot of thinking, analysis and guessing who the murderer is or what "she did last summer". In most of these kung fu movies, the lead actor will normally start off with either being poor or being ostracised by the society. He will eventually end up being the hero. I can understand, just like other self-defence martial arts (eg. Tae Kwon Do, Karate, Judo, etc.) that the trainings are strenuous and need ones tremendous discipline and determination.

However, one particular Chinese kung fu movie still marvels me till today is Drunken Master. Somehow when the martial artist fights with the methodological movements of "Zui Quan" (drunken fist), the fighting style emulates drunken behavior and he can actually fight better with power under the influence of alcohol. It does not make sense as research has found that the movements of a person are impaired under the influence of alcohol. In any case, it is still fun to watch the drunken master fights, swaying from left to right, trying to balance himself at the sametime.

If we extend this philosopy by imitating the drunken master's secret of success, then literally consuming alcohol may be the way to victory in spiritual warfare. Then, as children of God we should continue to consume alcohol and be drunk with alcohol. The end justifies the means. Let's see what the Bible has got to say about this.

When I studied the Bible about this, I was surprised to find that Jesus and the disciples may have consumed wine. I further noticed that no verse in the Bible that says drinking wine or alcohol is not lawful. But the above verses have very clear stance on drunkenness. So the question is whether or not it is acceptable for modern Christians to drink alcohol in moderation, as long as we don't get drunk.

When I was a younger Christian, alcohol was not really an issue because i did not like alcohol (be it liquor, wine or beer) at all. Over time, I have acquired the liking for wine. A cold beer can also be refreshing on a hot summer day. A few months later, I also acquired the liking for liqour as well. In fact the liquor had better kick than wine or beer due to the higher content of alcohol. It seemed like I was moving from the lower alcohol content drink to a higher alcohol content drink. Invariably, the next logical step after liquor would be the forbidden drunkenness (Eph 5:18). Once you are in the state of drunkenness, your judgement will be impaired and you are very likely to commit some acts of the sinful nature (Gal 5:19-21). You may even end up being a stumbling block to others.

I am not going to say that drinking alcohol is wrong. Although everything is permissible, but not everything is constructive (1 Cor 10:23). But if drinking causes us to be a stumbling block to others, then we better think again if we should continue to drink, even in moderation. "Be careful, however, that the exercise of your freedom does not become a stumbling block to the weak" (1 Cor 8:9). So, let us do whatever that are encouraging, "whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy" (Phil 4:8). As believers, all our actions ought to be done for the building up of the body of Christ (iron sharpens iron) and not tearing down.

"Pray for us. We are sure that we have a clear conscience and desire to live honorably in every way." (Hebrews 13:18)

Blood Is Thicker Than Water

2008-09-29T14:27:00.000+08:00

Relevant Bible Verses

1) John 19:34 But one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear; and immediately there came out blood and water.

2) 1 Peter 1:19 But with precious blood, as a Lamb without blemish and without spot, the blood of Christ

3) 1 Peter 1: 20 Who was foreknown before the foundation of the world but has been manifested in the last times for your sake

Is blood really thicker than water? Maybe. Maybe not.

A good friend in Australia invited me to stay with him when he heard that I was taking my family for a short holiday in Melbourne. He also knew that my brother-in-law resides in Australia. In any case, I do not really mind where we were going to stay as it was going to be a short trip. I had to politely reject his invitation because I knew my the other better half (wife) would prefer to stay with her brother during our visit to Melbourne. He was very understanding when I rejected the offer, but made a cheeky comment by saying, "I suppose blood is thicker than water".

If you were to physically examine, blood is definitely thicker than water. However, in this instant, it means that the bonds of family and common ancestry are stronger than those bonds between unrelated people (such as friendship).

Jesus was hung on the cross and died on the mount of Golgotha, a place of a skull. When the Romans soldiers came to Jesus, they noticed that Jesus was motionless hanging on the old rugged cross. But to ensure and to complete His death, one of the soldiers actually pierced Jesus with a spear. According to the Bible, blood and water flowed out from the pierced side of Jesus.

We read that Jesus' death was planned even before the foundation of the world (1 Pet 1:20). But the meaning behind the water and blood that flowed out from the Lord's pierced side is even more enlightening.

Blood is for redemption, to deal with sins of the world (Heb 9:22). The blood of Christ is also for redemption of the churches today (Act 20:28).

Water is for imparting life, to deal with death for the producing of the church. Thus, by drinking of the water of life, we shall be given "fountain of water gushing up into eternal life" (John 4:14).

The Lord's death did two things for the human race. Firstly, it takes away our sins. Secondly, it imparts life into us. Therefore, the blood and the water that flowed out from the Lord's pierced side provided two aspects, i.e the redemptive aspect and the life-imparting aspect.

Thus, the question if blood is thicker than water, in this article is not really the issue. But that the results of our Lord's blood and water on that old rugged cross have provided us with the full redemption of our sins and the imparting of eternal life!

Prodigal Son (Part 2) Typology

2008-09-26T11:59:00.000+08:00

Relevant Bible Verses

Luke 15:11-32

In the Prodigal Son Part 1 we discussed on the extent of God's love for the people of this world through our Savior and Lord Jesus Christ. We are going to expound on the typology and symbolism of events/things in this parable. Most of the notes below are extracted from the Recovery Version Bible.

1) Luke 15:15 -"....to feed hogs."
Hogs are considered unclean (Lev 11:7). So to feed hogs is a dirty job, it signifies the unclean business of this satanic world.

2) Luke 15:17 - "But when he came to himself...."
This was due to the enlighthening and works of the Holy Spirit in our hearts. The conviction within us that makes us realise we have to come back to God.

3) Luke 15:18 - "I will rise up and go to my father...."
The conviction, the works of the Holy Spirit within us causes us to turn to God.

4) Luke 15:19 - "I no longer worthy.... ran and fell on his neck and kissed him affectionately."
The son did not know the father's love for him and that was why he said, "I no longer worthy". Sometimes we feel the same and not knowing how great God's unconditional love is for us. In effect, the father did not even think of the son's unworthiness but instead was only longing to see the son's return.

5) Luke 15:22 - "...the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet."
The word "the" is to identify a specific item. Thus, by saying "the robe" in this verse, it indicates that a particular robe has already been prepared for this particular purpose at this particular time.
"robe" here signify Christ the Son of God being the satisfying righteousness to cover the penitent sinner.
Puting a "ring" on the hand in this instant signifies the sealing of the Holy Spirit promised by God upon the acceptance of Jesus as Lord and Savior. (Eph 1:13).
"sandals" signify the power of God's salvation to separate the believers from the dirty earth. Both the ring and the sandals were signs of a free man. The adornment, consisting of the robe on the body, the ring on the hand, and the sandals on the feet, allowed the poor prodigal to match his rich father and qualified him to enter the father's house and feast with the father. God's full salvation adorns us with Christ and the life giving Spirit that we may enjoy the riches in His house.

6) Luke 15:24 - "...was dead and lives again; he was lost and has been found..."
All lost sinners are dead in the eyes of God (Eph 2:1,5). When they are saved, they are made alive (John 2:24-25; Col 2:13)

7) Luke 15:23 - "...fattened calf; slaughter it, and let us eat and be merry."
"fattened" signifies the unsearchable riches (Eph 3:8) supply of God's grace (Christ), killing on the cross for the believer's enjoyment. God's salvation has two aspects: the outward, objective aspect, signified by the best robe, and the inward aspect, subjective aspect, signified by the fattened calf - needed to be killed and consumed. Christ as our righteousness is our salvation outwardly; Christ as our life for our enjoyment is our salvation inwardly. The best robe enabled the prodigal son to meet the father's requirements and satisfy this father, and the fattened calf satisfied the son's hunger. Hence, the father and the son could be merry together.

8) Luke 15:25 - "...his older son was in the field..."
The word "older" signifies the Pharisees and scibes representing the unbelieving Jews, who pursue the law of righteousness (Rom 9:31-32) by work, signified by in the field. We ought to instead be pursuing righteousness by faith.

God bless you.

Prodigal Son (Part 1)

2008-09-25T15:34:00.000+08:00

Relevant Bible Verses

1) Luke 15:11-32 Parable of the prodigal son.

A friend once asked me, "How do your children know that you truly love them?" I could not really answer him. But I know deep down inside me I truly love them and somehow they can feel my love for them. As a matter of fact, instinctively they also know I am supposed to take care of them, love them, support them (morally and financially) and to be hero over all aspects in their lives.

Do you still want to be parents and be put under such trememdous heavy responsibilities? Yes, of course! The joy you derive out of these little people is immensely satisfying that the heavy reponsibilities become so insignificant. As parents, we'll continue to shower our love upon our children as long as we can, without any slightest hesitation and expectations in return. This is parental love.

However, the parable of the prodigal son illustrates the higher God's unconditional love for the people of this world.

In this parable, there was a certain rich man who had two sons and how one of the sons (younger son) wanted to have his share of his father's wealth to be brought forward. To satisfy the son's wish, the father divided and distributed to him the portion of his share. Upon receiving the portion of his father's wealth this son immigrated to a distant country and there he squandered his money in living excessively.

When he has spent all, a femine came throughout the country and there was a very bad recession. People were suffering during that time and he was not excluded. In fact, he was so ruined and broke that he had to work in the field to feed hogs. The life in the field was depressing and it became so dire that from one point in time, he was satisfied eating the food meant for the hogs.

When he came to his senses, he told himself that many of his father's servants were having better and more delicious food than what he was eating. After much thoughts and reflections, although feeling shameful, he reluctantly decided to pack up and return home. He was even willing to be hired as one of the servants to his own father.

While he was still a long way off to the house, his father could see and recognised him immediately. The father was so moved with compassion, he ran to him and fell on his neck and kissed him affectionately.

At this moment, the son felt even more condemned and said, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you, I am no longer worthy to be called your son". The father probably did not even hear what the son was saying, due to his overwhelming joy in seeing his son again. But instead instructed the servants to quickly bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and sandals on his feet. He further instructed the servants to bring out the fattened calf, slaughter it, and let everyone eat and be merry. The father was so happy and he said, "Because this son of mine was dead and lives again, was lost and was found!"

The elder son was still working in the field. After a hard day work, he returned home. Just before reaching the house, he heard music and dancing coming from the house. Being curious, he asked one of the servants what was the occasion. The servant answered, "Your younger brother from overseas has come home, and your father has slaughtered the fattened calf, because he was so happy to have him back to the house, safe and sound". Upon hearing this, he was quite disturbed and refused to go into the house. The father then came out and persuaded him to join them in the celebrations. He felt that his father was being unfair as he had been so faithful working in the fields, following every instruction for years and that his father had not celebrated in the manner as he did for his younger brother.

The older brother even accused the father that despite the younger son receiving his portion of his share of the father's wealth earlier, living in excessiveness, living in sins, and indulged in all the bad things while he was overseas, was so willing to slaughter for him the fattened calf and had a big celebrations.

But the father explained to the older son that his younger brother was once "dead" and now has come to "life", and he was lost and has been found and has returned home.

This story illustrates to us the extent of a father's love for his children. The father was willing to distribute the portion of his wealth to the son even though the time is not up yet. Despite of the son spending all his share of the money, not only in excessiveness but indulging in all the immoral activities. The father was so willing, without a slightest hesitation to accept the son back to the home and was so overwhelmed with joy that he even celebrated his son's return.

God's love for us is like the story above. We were once dead and lost but because of God's unconditional love, we are alive and now found in the presence of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ..

Salvation Assured

2008-09-24T23:38:00.000+08:00

Relevant Bible Verses:

1) Romans 10:13 Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.

2) John 3:15 That everyone who believes into Him may have eternal life.

3) John 10:28 And I give to them eternal life, and they shall by no means perish forever, and no one shall snatch them out of My hand.

4) Hebrews 6:4-6 For it is impossible for those who have once been enlightened and have tasted of the heavenly gift and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit And have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, And yet have fallen away, to renew themselves again unto repentance, crucifying again for themselves the Son of God and puting Him to open shame.

How sure are we that we have the full salvation when we accepted Jesus to be our Lord and personal Savior? I am still hearing Christians (even older ones) engaging in discussions if they will ever lose their salvation.

Romans 10:13, John 3:15 and John 10:28 above are straight forward and clear. For those who call on the name of the Lord will be saved and the by no means we shall perish forever. So, you are saved for eternity.

Lets affirm our stance further with Hebrews 6:4-6. When I first read these verses, I was quite disappointed. In my early Christian life, I was quite active in God's work and faithful in attending church services. I must acknowledge it was by God's grace and the Holy Spirit that I could live a heavenly life on earth and partake of the divine holiness. As partaker of the Holy Spirit, I partake of God as my enjoyment. A few years after, I actually gone cold and backslided.

If you literally follow these verses, then it is impossible for me to come back to God again - because i have once fallen away. However, on my third reading, the Holy Spirit begun to reveal to me the actual meaning behind these verses.

What it really mean is that Christians who have fallen away (backslided) when they come back to God, there is no need to renew unto the repentance that has been made already. The day you accepted Christ as your Lord and Savior, is the day when the foundation is laid. The foundation of God's grace has already been laid - no need to build the foundation again. We just have to carry on building from where we stopped.

Therefore, since the foundation of salvation throught Christ has already been laid and it is the foundation of God's Grace (Christ's seed planted in our life), the foundation in us is eternal!

Iron Sharpens Iron

2008-09-22T10:06:00.000+08:00

Relevant Bible Verses

1) Proverbs 27:17 As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.

2) 1 Corinthians 14:26 What then shall we say, brothers? When you come together, everyone has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. All of these must be done for the strengthening of the church.

3) Ephesians 4:29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.

4) Romans 8:1 Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

The above verses emphasize the basic principle for Christians to build up one another, not only for ourselves. Hence we must consider others when we meet up, be it in cell meeting, church service, over a cup of tea, etc. It is not how much we say that matters, but whether or not what we say builds up others. Be sensitive to one another and your speaking must be for the benefit of the meeting.

Always seek the building up of others. Remember "Let all things be done for building up."

So, let everybody come to the meeting with a goal in mind,

I AM THERE FOR ONE ANOTHER, NOT ONLY FOR MYSELF.

Integrity & Credibility

2008-09-20T00:40:00.000+08:00

I remember a story entitled, Crying Wolf from a book I read to my son some months ago. It was about this boy who was trying to fool the farmers in the village.

The boy came up with this mischievious idea. He went up to the top of the hill and started to shout, "WOLF, WOLF, WOLF......". Upon hearing the loud pleading voice of the boy, all the farmers quickly ran up to the top of the hill with sticks, spades, forks, staff, rods, etc to extend help but only to find they were being fooled. There was no wolf and the sheep were happily grazing the grass. The farmers were very angry with the boy. He did the same trick on the second day and again the famers raced up to the top of the hill, but there was no wolf. The farmers were very up-set with this boy's irresponsible doing.

On the third day the farmers again heard the boy shouted, "WOLF, WOLF, WOLF, PLEASE HELP, PLEASE HELP, THIS IS FOR REAL!", but this time no body believed him. People ignored him and continued to work on the farm. However, in this particular instant the wolf was actually there and it ended up hurting the boy and killing all the sheep.

This is a lesson on the integrity and credibility.

The Seputeh MP Teresa Kok was arrested last Friday under ISA. She was released after being detained for 7 days under the ISA, despite the fact that the police had earlier issued a 28-day remand order. "The flip-flopping doesn't inspire confidence", according to former Health Minister and also former MCA vice-president Datuk Chua Soi Lek.

From the general public point of view, her arrest under the draconian ISA has already affected the government credibility. A country that uphold democracy cannot simply detain a civilian without first ascertaining the grounds of arrest and later release the person and pretend nothing has happened. This will leave a very bad taste in the mouth.

With the recent arrest under the ISA and the uncertainties created, the government continues to cast serious doubts and the lost of confidence into the minds of the people.

I believe the integrity and credibility of our government will continue to erode should this flip-floppings and injustice treatments not reversed.

Immigration

2008-09-18T23:14:00.001+08:00

Somehow the grass always look greener on the other side of the pastures. However on the contrary not all glitters are gold as well.

We humans are creatures of habits. We can be so comfortable with our life that we become so complacent holding on to our cozy lifestyle making us indifferent to any opportunity before us. We see no reason to change fearing the worst may happen should we decide to act. It is quite natural to feel nervous, anxious and uncomfortable when we are faced with a situation that demands decision to change the way we live. We fear of losing the things we possess and enjoy, we fear of the uncertainties in the future, we fear of losing someone we truly loved, fear of anything that may harm us and sometimes we even fear for no reason. Afterall, we are only human beings with feelings. However, because of the fear and thus the reluctance to take up any challenges in life and holding on to our possessions and cozy lifestyle, we loose golden opportunities for better things. It is like a statement I heard, "if you do not pull the trigger, you will miss the target totally". Take some risks!!!!

We are the creation of God and each one of us is created very specially with unique set of preferences and likings for things in this world. Therefore, each person's level of tolerance towards a decision process also vary from one to the other. To some, decisions making may be part of their working life, while some may take the decision process very differently. In the extreme case, some may even have sleepless nights when face with a tough decision. In scientific term we called it insomnia.

Making decisions in our routine daily living is easy. For example, the option to have sugar in my white coffee or the choice to opt for the white or blue blouse, etc. These are easy decisions to make. But when we are faced with the decision to purchase a house, then to many i believe is a big decision. A house to many may be the single largest investment made in our life time. So more time and thoughts are needed to make such decision. From my personal view, shifting/moving house can also be a very stressful exercise. That is why some people live and die in the only house they owned. Due to the high level of stress, people refuse to make a decision to move house. I've heard of comment such as, "moving house is the second most stressful thing in life, after divorce". I am only talking about moving within suburbs or maybe within states. Keeping this thought in mind and the already high level of stress one will face in moving house, I can confidently say that the level of stress to be many many more times higher when one is moving overseas for good.

Immigrating to other country can be a very very stressful event. The anxiety of migrants and uncertainties in the new country, the new environment, the languages, the people, their culture, the food, the way of life, etc are way beyond one can imagine. They are so many unanswered questions only time will help. These days, I must admit, due to the globalization and the ease in air transports, particularly the budget airlines have made the world smaller. The availability of internet access has unlocked wealth of information. As a result, people are more informed and educated. The stress in immigration is therefore reduced significantly.

Despite of these, migrants are still subjected to a tremendous high level of anxiety and stress in immigrating to other country. To some, immigrating to other country may be imminent for reasons only they can answer. So, please share your secrets in handling the stress level........

Fishing Chemistry

2008-09-18T23:14:00.000+08:00

I had the opportunity to be exposed to chemistry subject when I was in upper secondary school. Chemistry was one of the compulsory subjects i needed to study in the science stream of upper secondary school. As a matter of fact, to be selected to continue in science stream for the lower and upper six (pre-university) during my time, you needed to obtain an aggregate of 9 or less credits in any of the three science subjects, namely, Mathematics, Physics, Biology and Chemistry from your MCE examination (Malaysian Certificate of Education) result. MCE was an equivalent qualification to the British "O" (Ordinary) Level. If you scored a distinction in a subject, you will get a 1 grade/credit and the grade number will go up when you do not score too well. A fail will receive a 9 grade/credit. So, to be selected and qualified to pursue in the science stream, you need at least a 3 grade in each of three science subjects mentioned earlier.

To be frank, Chemistry was the subject I feared most particularly the organic chemistry topic. With the little knowledge I gathered in my two years of lower and upper six classes, and despite the struggle in the Chemistry subject and the difficulty in understanding it, I managed to at least experiment and learned how certain chemicals reacted when put together. Some chemicals simply do not mix very well, for example oil and water, while some mixed so well that they form into a new substance, for example zinc with copper into brass.

I believe God has created each one of us very specially and truly we are made to have our very own unique likings and preferences for things in life. So the saying that goes, "one man's food is another 's poison" becomes apparent.

The chemistry, the special preferences which God has given us and many other factors also contributed to the people we like to associate with in our daily life. Ever heard of someone's commented, "I hate this guy and just do not wish to see him again" or "I really like this Mr X. When I am with him I feel like I've known him for years". To the extreme, I have heard of comment such as, "When I look at him, I feel like SLAPPING him!"

When fishing is concerned, the "chemistry" amongst the regular clique is no different. As a matter of fact, due to the liking each angler has in sport fishing, the "chemistry" to be able to mix and mingle becomes even more important. I've heard many comments in the course of my fishing trips with some of my regular keen angler friends and started to analyze why some of them simply refuse to continue going out fishing with one particular person after a few fishing outings with him.

Time is scares these days, and time waits for no one. So time becomes so important that anglers do not want to waste their precious time with people they cannot really click. In addition, passion is built in anglers that most of the time, they can be so mesmerized and engrossed during fishing sessions. The presence of that particular person they do not like to go fishing with may disturb their concentration and enjoyment of their hobby. Thus, anglers are very selective of who become their fishing mates.

Since we are all born special, everyone has a set of characters which are difficult to change in a short period of time. So, naturally, we humans just do not like to hang around with people who do not have characters or habits which do not quite suit our taste. We enjoy being with people whom we are comfortable with and who have common interests. Once, I have heard comment from a fellow angler, "The haruan was really big and it was as big as your thigh!" The fact that haruan in excess of 1.5kg is hardly to come by these days and by passing such comment is just going to rub salt into the wound.

So, anglers are a bunch of people with a set of common peculiar characters. Sometimes words cannot express.......

Tommy Emmanuel - Angelina

2008-09-17T20:37:00.000+08:00

I love this video! Check it out!

Walk The Talk

2008-09-15T16:10:00.001+08:00

If someone has passed a comment on your particular behavior, the comment made may either be true or it may not be true or it may be the combination of both. The truthfulness of that particular comment depends very much on that person’s perception and opinion of you. There are of course many other factors, which contributed to the formation of that opinion and comment. In view of the factors and personal preferences, the comment made may have the tendency to be more skewed towards the combination of both, i.e. some true and some not so true elements associated with the statement.

Extending this further to include what has been written, be it a direct translation of what people said or what has been interpreted by some journalists. The same principle shall apply. However, in every situation there is always exception to the general rule. One of the exceptions to the general rule would be the credibility of the person making the statement. Credibility of a person, I believe is closely linked with his position, his background, his educational qualifications, his wealth, his past track records, his family history, and strings of other factors etc.

Zaid Ibrahim was made the Law Minister of Malaysia in March 2008 when Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, the Prime Minister of Malaysia reshuffled his cabinet after the just concluded 2008 General Election (GE). As the Law Minister, his main task is to oversee legal affairs and judicial reform. With the judicial system been riddled with scandals, especially following the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the Lingam Video Clip, which allegedly revealed fixing of judicial decisions and graft in the judiciary system of Malaysia.

Born in Kota Bharu, Kelantan, Zaid started his law studies in University Teknologi Mara (UiTM), Shah Alam by taking his LL.B (Hons.) External Programme which was conducted by the University of London. Upon graduating from UiTM, he went to London and was accepted as a Barrister-at-Law, Inner Temple. In 1987 he founded Zaid Ibrahim & Co., which as of 2008 is one of the largest law firm in Malaysia.

In 2000, he joined UMNO, becoming Kota Bharu, UMNO division chief a year later. He was later suspended but became Kelantan Umno deputy liaison chief two years later. Zaid contested and won the Parliamentary seat of Kota Bharu in the 2004 GE. However, UMNO dropped him as a candidate in the 2008 GE. It suffered heavy losses, including the 2/3 majority necessary in the Dewan Rakyat to pass amendments to the Constitution of Malaysia.

Zaid is well known for his criticism of the government's handling of legal issues such as the judiciary, human rights and Islamic Law. Within days of his appointment as Minister, Zaid stated that the government had to openly apologize for its handling of the 1988 Judicial Crisis, which saw the sacking of the then Lord President of the Supreme Court, Tun Salleh Abas, from his seat. Zaid called it one of his three main goals: "In the eyes of the world, the judicial crisis has weakened our judiciary system." However, he rejected the idea of reviewing the decision: "I am not suggesting that we re-open the case. I am saying that it’s clear to everyone, to the world, that serious transgressions had been committed by the previous administration. And I believe that the PM is big enough and man enough to say that we had done wrong to these people and we are sorry."

So, with the comments made thus far by this vocal and outspoken Law Minister, which saw a slide improvement in the judiciary system. Recently Zaid has again made a comment and has expressed his disagreement with last Friday's Internal Security Act (ISA) dragnet where DAP parliamentarian and Selangor senior exco Teresa Kok, controversial blogger king Raja Petra Kamaruddin and Sin Chew Daily reporter Ms Tan Hoon Cheng were held for allegedly being a threat to national security. Following his statement, he has even tendered his resignation over the government’s use of the ISA on civilians. Zaid further said, "We have a government that commits to laws and reforms, we can't be using old-style politics or resort to creating fear. We have laws and they (the detainees) should be charged in court."

Think About It!!!

If such a person who is so closely linked to the Prime Minister office and has been entrusted to the reform of judiciary system of Malaysia with such a fantastic background, experience, educational qualifications, good track records, etc has come out to criticize the inconsistency application of ISA, even to the extent of giving up this important Law Minister portfolio – This warrants some ATTENTION and CREDIBILITY on the comments of this person from the people.

You be the judge. And you should as it is your BASIC CITIZEN RIGHTS to demand JUSTICE and ACCOUNTABILITY!

Hold The Fort

2008-09-14T16:50:00.000+08:00

I set-up this blog mainly to express my personal view of any issues, particularly the current happenings in Asia. The topics discussed can be politics, hobby, life in general, food, travelling, fashion and more. Looking at the current events that are happening around Asia, one topic that is iron hot to talk about is the political situation in Malaysia. The ruling coalition party, namely Barisan Nasional (BN) looks like is going through some turmoils. With the last 2008 General Election and the Permatang Pauh (PP) by-election just concluded, we could see how the voters switched in favour for the opposition parties - PAS, PKR & DAP, denying BN 2/3 majority in the parliament.

The people have spoken against the long ruling BN which have been controlling the parliament for the past 51 years since independence. The gross disappointment of the continuous perceived eroding and accused corruption within the Malaysian Government from the Rakyat has created the deep desire amongst the people for change. The silent voice of the people is way far too loud, even the deaf can hear.

With the petrol price increased from RM1.97 to RM2.70 per litre recently was enough for people to assume the mis-management of funds, especially when Malaysia is the net exporter of petroleum. Logic will tell a simple layman that the increased petroleum price will bring in more profit for the country. So why should the people of Malaysia have to pay more for petrol? The worst part was when the increased in price happened only 5 months after the GE 2008. The results of this has caused inflation to crept into the systems causing further dissatisfaction amongst the people of Malaysia.

Dato' Anwar Ibrahim the former Deputy Prime Minister after 10 years of disappearance from politics scene, mainly spending time in jail after being sacked in September 1998 from the cabinet. Beaten up by the chief police almost to death, has now come back with even more determination to topple the Malaysian Government. He has targeted to take over the government on 16th Sept 2008 by way of persuading some Barisan Nasional MPs to defect to his side and enough to command at least a simple majority in the parliament. He was recently sworn in as member of Malaysian Parliament after winning a staggering majority margin from the PP by-election following his wife vacating the constituency position. So far Anwar has been riding on the waves which are in his favour. This is not helping the ruling party which is having internal power struggle among the few top leaders in UMNO. The charismatic politician, Anwar Ibrahim using his charm and dynamic vocal speeches has managed to form a coalition opposition party with DAP, a predominantly Chinese opposition party and PAS, a predominantly Muslim Malay opposition party. The art of putting these two parties together working under one roof is amazing and mind boggling, since the DAP has always viewed PAS as being a fanatic Muslim party planning to change the country into an Islamic state, which is most feared by most Chinese.

There have been many incidents boiling lately in the Malaysian Politics. With the previous long ruling Premier of Malaysia, Tun Dr Mahathir resigning as member of UMNO as a step in pressuring his hand picked successor, Dato’ Ahmad Badawi. Just within 5 months after resigning, Tun Mahathir has announced to rejoin UMNO. I am assuming he is switching to plan B to force Badawi to step down since his plan A did not work that well. The persistency and determination of this man to oust Badawi as UMNO President is beyond anyone's imagination - love UMNO more than Country or hate Badawi more than UMNO???? I'll leave this to your imagination and conclusion.

Other major and relevant exciting recent events need to be mentioned are the Penang UMNO chief, Ahmad Ismail's racist comments, the 2nd arrest of blogger king Raja Petra Kamarudin under ISA, the recent arrest of Seputeh MP Teresa Kok and Sin Chew's journalist Ms Tan Hoon Cheng under ISA, the surprise Muhyiddin's U-Turn remarks, the Mongolian beauty's murder saga, the Taiwan's "agriculture tour", the Pulau Batu Putih's ICJ case, and many others. These are events the people of Malaysia are questioning and has lately become a hot topic in all walks of Malaysian lives - from the "teh tarik" table to the boardroom table. People are watching like a hawk from all corners. It seems like every Malaysian has somehow turned politician lately. The lack of crystal clear explanation and the incomplete flow of proper and honest information have casted serious doubts in the minds of the people, which have caused the lost of confidence in the ruling coalition.

So, with these unfortunate events that are happening and the lost of faith in the ruling coalition government, can BN still continue to hold the fort?

You be the judge. And you should as it is your BASIC CITIZEN RIGHTS to demand JUSTICE and ACCOUNTABILITY!

Initialization

2008-09-14T16:47:00.000+08:00

Hello World,

This is my first time doing this and welcome to my blog.