By His grace

I find the following story interesting....

A man dies and goes to heaven. St. Peter meets him at the Pearly Gates and says, "Here’s how it works. You need 1000 points to make it into heaven. You tell me all the good things you’ve done and I give you points for each item, depending on how good it was. When you reach 1000 points you get in."

"Okay," the man says, "I was married to the same wonderful woman for 50 years and never cheated on her, even in my heart." "That’s wonderful," says St. Peter, "That’s worth 3 points!" "Three Points, the man yells?" he says. "Well, I attended church all my life and supported it’s ministry with my tithe and service." "Terrific!" says Peter. "That’s certainly worth a point." "One point?" "I started a soup kitchen in my city and worked in a shelter for homeless veterans." "Fantastic, that’s good for 2 more points," he says. "Two points!" the man cries.

The man is highly frustrated by this time and yells out, "At this rate the only way I get into heaven is by the grace of God!



" Peter said, "You’ve got it." "1000 points! Come on in!"

Chasing after God

Sometimes I wonder why do some christians zealously chase after God even after many years being a christian while some fall into complacency after a short period of time. Below is a story I found in the website which I found amusing and quite clearly explained the reason why.

The story:
One day a young man stood in front of an old Christian who was sitting on the porch with his dog stretched out before him taking in a beautiful sunset.

The young man posed this question: "Why is it, brother, that most Christians zealously chase after God during the first year or two after their conversion, but then fall into a complacent ritual of church twice a week and end up not looking any different than their neighbors who aren’t even Christians?

I have heard you are not like that. I’ve been told that you have fervently sought after God throughout your years as a Christian. People see something in you that they don’t see in most people who became Christians. What makes you different?"

The old man smiled and replied, "Let me tell you a story: One day I was sitting here quietly in the sun with my dog. Suddenly a large white rabbit ran across in front of us. Well, my dog jumped up, and took off after that big rabbit. He chased the rabbit over the hills with a passion.



Soon, other dogs joined him, attracted by his barking. What a sight it was, as the pack of dogs ran barking across the creeks, up stony embankments and through thickets and thorns!

Gradually, however, one by one, the other dogs dropped out of the pursuit, discouraged by the course and frustrated by the chase. Only my dog continued to hotly pursue the white rabbit."

"In that story, young man, is the answer to your question."

The young man sat in confused silence. Finally, he said, "Brother, I don’t understand. What is the connection between the rabbit chase and the quest for God?"

"You fail to understand," answered the well-seasoned old man, "because you failed to ask the obvious question.



Why didn’t the other dogs continue on the chase?

And the answer to that question is that they had not Seen the rabbit.

Unless you see the prey, the chase is just too difficult. You will lack the passion and determination necessary to keep up the chase.

You got the answer?

Light vs darkness - A testimony

This brother shared a testimony on how he came to know Jesus. His testimony is divided into 3 parts: before and how he became a Christian and what happen to his life after he became a Christian.
Part 1 – Before He became a Christian
He shared a bible verse to describe his condition : Eph 5:8a For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Before he became a Christian, as what the Bible say, he was in darkness. What does Dark-ness mean? He used the word "D-A-R-K" to describe.

D stands for "darkness". Separation from God who is the true light. It is like a blind man groping in the dark, having no idea who God is and how He is like. When his mother asked him to go to a temple, he just went. He prayed to the statue but there is no personal relationship with him.

A stands for "Aimless". Life is without direction. He just followed the life cycle like everyone. He hoped after his study, to go to work, marry, have children and then one day he would die. But what happened after death really puzzled him.

R stands for "restless". Life is full of anxiety, always doing but never satisfied. When he felt empty within, he will go to watch movies or play football but the emptiness still remain.

K stands for "kiasu" a Hokkien word that literally means 'fear of losing' 怕输 & kiasi" a Hokkien phrase, literally means afraid of death 驚死. He would also try to grasp what they had and also make sure he didn't lag behind others. Eg in poly, he would photocopy a lot of notes but he ended up not reading them. Being kiasi, he would take extreme means to minimize risk.

Part 2-How he became a Christian
But thank God, he was exposed to Christianity in Poly. He decided to find out more about this God that they preached. Initially he made fun of it, a Chinese believing a foreign God – sound ridiculous! However, he soon realized he was wrong, a student shared with him John 3:16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. Then he took up his courage to accept Jesus and am now a child of God. So he accepted Jesus when he was 17 years of age.

Part 3 – Changes after he accepted Christ
After he accepted the Lord, there was a gradual change in his life. Jesus is the light that shine away the darkness in him. And to describe the change in his life, he used the word "L-I-G-H-T".
1)L- Love others. Life was no longer centred around or about him alone. He was brought into a big family to love others because Jesus is love.
2)I- Imitate. Jesus became his model and He is the only way to God and following Him he realised that he would never go wrong. In the past, he had many models, one of them was Bruce Lee. He learnt to imitate him and bought a sand bag to practise Kung Fu at home. However, Bruce Lee was not a perfect model because he was also a sinner and he was not eternal and he died at a young age
3)G- get to know others. This new life seeks to know others, a desire to meet up with Christians to know more about God.
4)H – hospitality. This new life also seeks to show kindness to others.
5)T-tell others about Jesus. Because Jesus is so real to him, he loved to tell others about Him. He remembered that when he was looking for a job after he finished his national service, he couldn’t get a job for a long time. He started to pray and sought God’s help. He managed to get a job within a short period. Praise God!

The way that leads to life...

Which way will you choose: the way that leads to life or the way that leads to death?

The Bible tells us that the way that leads to life is a narrow way, a way that very few people will choose, because it is not an easy way. It is the way of the cross. Few go there. Those who travel there are often seen in solitude and singularity.

Matthew 7:13 Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.

Matthew 7:14 But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.

We were entreated to make every effort to enter through the narrow door...

Luke 13:24 "Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to.

The way to death, on the other hand, is broad. Many people will choose to take this path. It is the great highway in which people go. They fall into it easily and without effort, and go without thought. Sometimes we may hear people say "life is just like that, just live it." or don't think so much "Eat and be merry, for tomorrow we will die". There is no difficulty in finding out, or entering in at, or walking in the way of sin, which leads to eternal ruin. The gate of carnal lusts, and worldly pleasures, stands wide open,

Pride

The Bible tells us that God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. James 4:6.
Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD.. Prov 16:5a

Initially, I didn't quite understand why pride is an abomination to God. God is extremely disgusted with a proud man. As a christian, sometimes we can become spiritually proud and self-satisfied. We pride ourselves on living a decent life, on being able to conduct ourselves honorably in life - never doing some of the seriously immoral things. In pride and boastfulness, we often feel that we are better than other church members, we serve faithfully and we are not so prone to sin against God. Pride is subtle and can invade our heart and life and once it is at work, we began to live a life independent from God. We no longer realize the need to depend on Him to live a victorious life. We become far from God and no longer living in His presence under His care and protection. Pride is the main cause of Satan's downfall. It also brought about the downfall of the King of Babylon, Nebuchadnezzar. The Bible recorded that because of his pride, God in His mercy took away his kingdom and finally the King knew that the God of Israel is the only true God and He is in control of all things.

Below is a verse from Daniel 4:30 The king spoke, saying, “Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for a royal dwelling by my mighty power and for the honor of my majesty?”There are also many verses from the Bible that mentioned about "Pride".

Psalms 138:6 Though the LORD is on high, he looks upon the lowly, but the proud he knows from afar.

Proverbs 3:34 He mocks proud mockers but gives grace to the humble.

Proverbs 8:13 To fear the LORD is to hate evil; I hate pride and arrogance, evil behavior and perverse speech.

Proverbs 11:2 When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.

Proverbs 16:18-19
Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall. Better to be lowly in spirit and among the oppressed than to share plunder with the proud.

Proverbs 26:12 Do you see a man wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him..

Isaiah 5:21 Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes and clever in their own sight.

Isaiah 66:2Has not my hand made all these things, and so they came into being?" declares the LORD. "This is the one I esteem: he who is humble and contrite in spirit, and trembles at my word."

Luke 16:15 He said to them, "You are the ones who justify yourselves in the eyes of men, but God knows your hearts. What is highly valued among men is detestable in God's sight."

Prov:29:23 A man's pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit.

You are precious!

Sometimes, we think we are worthless, how can such a great God love us? If this is what you are thinking, perhaps you have to change your thinking. What God thinks of you and me count and it is true and the truth will set us free!

We are more valuable than many sparrow.

Matthew 10:31 Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.



Matthew 6: 26 Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?

If God take notice of the meanest creatures, even of the sparrows, much more He will take notice of you. In God's eyes, we are more valuable than all the sparrows in the world.

The most reassuring part of God's love is the high price he paid for you and for me. This is the most expensive price tag God had paid to save us - the death of His beloved Son!



Romans 5:8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Claiming God's promises

The way George Muller prayed impressed me very much. He was a man of prayer. One of the way he prayed was by claiming God's promises. Whenever he had a prayer request, he would search for a promise in the Bible that fit that need. Next he would meditate on the scripture. According to Wilkipedia, Christian meditation is a form of prayer in which a structured attempt is made to get in touch with and deliberately reflect upon the revelations of God.



Then he will plead for that promise before God. He didn't stop praying for anyone or anything until he got his request. He was fully convinced that God would answer his prayers. In his life, there was no plan B.

2 Corinthians 1:20 For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us.

Psalm 81:10 open thy mouth wide, and I will fill it.

Evangelism

The apostle Paul himself set a very good example on "Evangelism" for us to follow. He was very passionate and he had lived his whole life dedicated to the gospel.

Below is an extraction from the Books of Acts:-

Acts 20:18-22, 24, 27

18 “You know, from the first day that I came to Asia, in what manner I always lived among you,
19 serving the Lord with all humility, with many tears and trials which happened to me by the plotting of the Jews;
20 how I kept back nothing that was helpful, but proclaimed it to you, and taught you publicly and from house to house,
21 testifying to Jews, and also to Greeks, repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.
22 And see, now I go bound in the spirit to Jerusalem, not knowing the things that will happen to me there,
24 But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.
27 For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God.

Remarks:
May we be like Paul who served our God with all humility and with many tears. We may not experience much trials like Paul, but may we learn to be faithful, to proclaim, to teach others whether publicly or from house to house. May God strengthen us to testify to those people He has placed in our path, a repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. God bless!

Good News is to be shared

The good news is too good to keep to yourself. (odb)

Last week, a few of us presented a skit about Paul witnessing to King Agrippa before the children. Though Paul was a prisoner, yet he did not allow his circumstances to drive him to despair. But instead, he took every opportunity to witness to King Agrippa and Governor Festus.



Paul has a burning passion, an emotional fire, a spiritual force that made him share the good news of Jesus and His death and resurrection.

Below is an extraction from the Bible:

Acts 26:1-23
1 Then Agrippa said to Paul, “You have permission to speak for yourself.” So Paul motioned with his hand and began his defense:
2 “King Agrippa, I consider myself fortunate to stand before you today as I make my defense against all the accusations of the Jews,
3 and especially so because you are well acquainted with all the Jewish customs and controversies. Therefore, I beg you to listen to me patiently.
4 “The Jewish people all know the way I have lived ever since I was a child, from the beginning of my life in my own country, and also in Jerusalem.
5 They have known me for a long time and can testify, if they are willing, that I conformed to the strictest sect of our religion, living as a Pharisee.
6 And now it is because of my hope in what God has promised our ancestors that I am on trial today.
7 This is the promise our twelve tribes are hoping to see fulfilled as they earnestly serve God day and night. King Agrippa, it is because of this hope that these Jews are accusing me.
8 Why should any of you consider it incredible that God raises the dead?
9 “I too was convinced that I ought to do all that was possible to oppose the name of Jesus of Nazareth.
10 And that is just what I did in Jerusalem. On the authority of the chief priests I put many of the Lord’s people in prison, and when they were put to death, I cast my vote against them.
11 Many a time I went from one synagogue to another to have them punished, and I tried to force them to blaspheme. I was so obsessed with persecuting them that I even hunted them down in foreign cities.
12 “On one of these journeys I was going to Damascus with the authority and commission of the chief priests.
13 About noon, King Agrippa, as I was on the road, I saw a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, blazing around me and my companions.
14 We all fell to the ground, and I heard a voice saying to me in Aramaic,[a] ‘Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’
15 “Then I asked, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ “ ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,’ the Lord replied.
16 ‘Now get up and stand on your feet. I have appeared to you to appoint you as a servant and as a witness of what you have seen and will see of me.
17 I will rescue you from your own people and from the Gentiles. I am sending you to them
18 to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’
19 “So then, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the vision from heaven.
20 First to those in Damascus, then to those in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and then to the Gentiles, I preached that they should repent and turn to God and demonstrate their repentance by their deeds.
21 That is why some Jews seized me in the temple courts and tried to kill me.
22 But God has helped me to this very day; so I stand here and testify to small and great alike. I am saying nothing beyond what the prophets and Moses said would happen—
23that the Messiah would suffer and, as the first to rise from the dead, would bring the message of light to his own people and to the Gentiles.”

At this point, Festus interrupted, “You are out of your mind, Paul!” he shouted. “Your great learning is driving you insane.”

25 “I am not insane, most excellent Festus,” Paul replied. “What I am saying is true and reasonable.
26 The king is familiar with these things, and I can speak freely to him. I am convinced that none of this has escaped his notice, because it was not done in a corner.
27 King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know you do.”
28 Then Agrippa said to Paul, “Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?”
29 Paul replied, “Short time or long—I pray to God that not only you but all who are listening to me today may become what I am, except for these chains.”

Remarks:
May we be like Paul, who is willing to share the good news with others. Let this be a burning passion in us as in 2 Cor 5:14, "the love of Christ compels us". May God bless the children to have this desire to witness for Him at a young tender age.

Obedience

This morning, I read about the Circle of Blessing from the Book "Shepherding a Child's Heart' and this statement caught my attention:-

"You must be obeyed for their (your children) sakes!"

In the past, I always think that a child's obedience is just simply an issue between the parent and the child. This thinking is very wrong because it can cause us to overlook an offense without making an effort to restore our child back to God. In fact, obedience is an issue between the child and God in which the parent is God’s agent in drawing the child back within the circle of blessing.

In Ephesians 6:1-3 God has drawn a circle of great blessing. Children are to live within the circle of submission to parental authority. Submission to parents means HONORING and OBEYING. Within that circle things will go well and they will enjoy long lives.

When our children disobey, they move outside the circle of blessing which is a place of danger, it will not go well with him and he will not enjoy a long life. The parent has to see this danger and make an effort to train them to obey. This will quickly restore the child to the proper relationship with God and the parent.

Thus children are the direct beneficiaries of honoring and obeying their parent.

Adapted from the book written by Tedd Tripp

Teaching valuable lessons to our children

Below is a touching story from the book "Shepherding a Child's Heart" by Tedd Tripps.

Howard's son suffered brain damage during infancy. Howard was unsure how much his son could understand. Despite his son's retarded brain development, he talked to him about the ways of God. At 3 1/2, the boy still could not speak. The parents continued to talk to him of God, pray with him, and sought to shepherd him bibically.

One day, the lad required correction and discipline. Howard was perplexed as he tried to explain, not knowing how much his son could grasp. As he grew more frustrated with the communication process, his son intervened. He spoke! His first words were, "Pray, Daddy!"

This young child, compromised by brain damage, had been understanding valuable lessons all along. He knew of his father's faith in God. He knew that one turns to God when troubled. He knew that God could help his daddy communicate.

--
I am very impressed by Howard's faith towards God. He also uses his heart to shepherd his son according to God's way. God also honours him and I believed he must be overwhelmed to hear her son's first words were "Pray, Daddy!". His son's faith was also strengthened daily though unknown to the father.

God is watching

I heard this true story during one of our home meeting. I find this story very touching and decided to put it in my blog as an encouragement to those who are faithfully taking care of their loved one. You are not alone, God is watching our every action.

A sister in china shared that while her husband was in coma,she read some scriptures from the new testament to him daily and after each reading, she will pat her husband on his shoulder and say "amen" on his behalf. She did this faithfully for ten years. One day, while doing the regular reading, she suddenly heard a loud "Amen" and it came from none other but her husband. God has honoured our sister by showing mercy to her husband and while he was still in coma, his spirit is still very much alive. It is a good reminder to me not to belittle what we are doing for others. When we have a heart, God will show mercy to those whom we are praying and taking care.

What is Alzheimer's disease

Have started reading on Alzheimer's disease. Mum-in-law seemed to be suffering from this disease.

Some facts I just learnt:-
1. It is a type of dementia. Brain cells start dying
2. Patient loses ability to solve problem and grasp concept
3. It is harder to form new memory
4. Patient loses control over mood - easily angered, sad and teary
5. Patient starts to lose precious memory
6. Affecting the bodily function
7. It is a slow fatal disease affecting the brain.


Now we try to help her establish some routines and take photos to help her recollect her memories.

Singing unto the Lord!

Above all sing spiritually. Have an eye to God in every word you sing. Aim at pleasing him more than yourself, or any other creature. In order to do this attend strictly to the sense of what you sing, and see that your heart is not carried away with the sound, but offered to God continually; so shall your singing be such as the Lord will approve here, and reward you when he cometh in the clouds of heaven. (John Wesley).

I realise how often times I have sung hymns in the meeting but there were many moments I could not remember what I have sung. We may get into the act of singing but our hearts may be afar off. The above quote from John Wesley reminds me that our focus must be God. There is a need to exercise our spirit even in our hymn singing. Singing is as much an act of worship as is prayer - honouring Him and proclaiming Him as the king in our lives. In other word, if I do not sing unto Him, I am really dishonouring Him, disrepecting Him. This is quite a reminder for me!

"Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise--the fruit of lips that confess his name" (Hebrews 13:15, NIV).

Life's conflicting moments

Christianity is not about the number of books you read, nor the variety of sermons you hear, nor the amount of religious conversation in which you mix, but it is the frequency and earnestness with which you meditate on these things till the truth in them becomes your own and part of your being, that ensures your growth. (Frederick W. Robertson).

I enjoy the above quotation very much. Christianity is not about head knowledge but rather the working of the truths in the Bible personally till they become internalize in us, a part of us and also bear fruits in us.

Lately I have a situation at home. Mother-in-law is getting old and she always forget that she has eaten. She can be eating within an hour interval. At time she became so angry thinking she has not eaten her food and turns violent and displays extreme behavior. During these moments, it is very easy to get angry and flare up but as I learn to turn to Him our Savior, I feel that all angers start to subside. Perhaps it is through life's conflicing moments that God use them to induce the believers to seek and to grasp the total triump in Christ (a saying by Watchman Nee). These situations help to show who we are (we are just frail, weak, impatient..) and who He is (the victor) and victory can only be found when we rest and hide ourselves in Him.

I realise that all these moments help me to meditate on the word of God - an opportunity to pray the truth of God deep into my soul. What men see as adversity, God see them as opportunities to grow His children.

During these moment, do I still believe His word - He is the treasure in me the earthern vessel? My life is hidden with Christ in God...no longer I who live but Christ lives in me...The just shall live by faith and not by sight...

Even when situations are bad or even become worse, do I live by sight, trusting the things that I see or do I exercise faith, believing in His word and trusting in all His promises...

A treasure in earthen vessel

Christian life is a life of constant dependence. (J N Darby). God has chosen to do things through us by the power of Christ in us. He chose us, the feeble, unlearned and weak ones to show forth this treasure, which is Christ in us, the hope of glory.

However, many times, instead of focusing on this treasure, I became very conscious of my own weakness and instead of turning to Him, I may choose to give way to it. "Christianity is not the removal of weakness, nor is it merely the manifestation of divine power, but it is the manifestation of divine power in human weakness. (W. Nee). This is quite contrary to my understanding.

No wonder Paul has exclaimed in 2 Cor 12:

8 Concerning this thing (the thorn in his flesh), I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me.
9 And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

God allows certain weaknesses in us, so that we can learn to be like Paul, taking pleasure even in our weaknesses for these help us to live a life of total dependance upon Him. He is going to show us that man's weakness does not limit God's power. When I am weak then am I strong.

I believe that the more we trust in Him and obey His word, the excellency of the power of God will be manifested greatly in our life, in this earthen vessel of ours.

Adapted from the book written by Watchman Nee (12 baskets full vol 2)

How to Pray Effectively by Ps Steve Cioccolanti

I enjoy the following passage written by Ps Steve Cioccolanti which is extracted from website of Discover Ministries.

When we pray, we are entering into a courtroom - the Heaven's throne!

ISAIAH 43:26 [AKJ] Put me in remembrance: let us plead together: declare you, that you may be justified.

God invites us to "plead" with Him. What does "plead" mean? To plead is to "state or set forth your case." The picture is one of a courtroom. In court, the best case wins. So build a case for yourself before you come to Heaven’s throne!

The more Scriptures and Scriptural reasons we have for what we want, the better the case we build or present before God. God is not only wanting you to agree with Him, but God also wants to agree with you! You've got to give Him something to agree with. Plead with Him, state your case, give Him your reasons, and present Him your Scriptures!

People intuitively know how to build a good case in life, but when it comes to talking with God, they seem to forget their skill and get awkward in prayer. For instance, lets say you wanted a new job, how are you going to get that job? You need to build a case! Why are you valuable? What can you do for the company? Generally, it's not enough to say, "I can study" or "I have a degree." The boss is interested to know: Can you fix problems? Can you work in teams? Are you accountable? Do you know how to train others? If you build a good case with good reasons and supporting evidence, you will get the job!

It's no different with effective prayer! Build a good case for what you want with good reasons and supporting evidence - that's the Scriptures. Don't just say, "I base all my prayers on one Scripture, Matthew 7:7, Ask and you shall receive." It is generally not a strong or sufficient case. The devil is also pleading against you. Remember the devil is the “false accuser of the brethren.” He’s trying to pile up evidence on his side. But God wants to agree with you, not the devil, so God invites you to "plead" your case with Him.

God said in Jeremiah 1:12 (ASV), “…I watch over my word to perform it.” Once you learn how to plead your case, you will be adept to highlight your own Scriptures, build your own case with God, and get your own answers for anything you need!

Pleading your case is part of the “prayer of faith” or the prayer to change things and circumstances in your life.

Be anxious for nothing

The above song is very inspiring and encouraging. God wants us to cast all our cares upon Him. 1 Peter 5:7 casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. There are times, we really do not know what to do, but the very encouraging thing is we can trust Him and cast all our cares upon Him - the reason is He cares for us!

Philippians 4:6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.

牽我的手

Discipleship

A very nice hokkien worship song - discipleship. It is a very encouraging song! step by step following our Lord.