Jonah & Whale

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?

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.

Pressing Toward the Goal

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.

Not Good Enough

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?

Beholding and Reflecting

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

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?

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.

The Law of Garbage Truck

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

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).

Walking with the King

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

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

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

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)

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)

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.

Eat, Drink & Be Merry

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!

Bearing Fruits

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!

Pumping Iron

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!