GOOD NEWS & DAILY DEVOTIONS

Declare Your Independence From Sin!

2010-07-05T07:52:00.000+08:00

“Don't you know that when you offer yourselves to someone to obey him as slaves, you are slaves to the one whom you obey--whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness? But thanks be to God that, though you used to be slaves to sin, you wholeheartedly obeyed the form of teaching to which you were entrusted. You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness...Just as you used to offer the parts of your body in slavery to impurity and to ever-increasing wickedness, so now offer them in slavery to righteousness leading to holiness... But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves to God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life. For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our LORD.” Romans 6:15-23

Declare your independence from sin! Many countries in the world celebrate an independence day, when their country became independent from a country that used to rule over them.

As Christians, we can celebrate a different kind of independence — freedom from sin. Before we accepted Christ, we were ruled by our sins. The Bible says we were “dead in our sins” -- but now we are alive in Christ. “Just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

Sin is no longer master over you if you have accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. We have a new ruler who is Jesus Christ — the King of kings and the Lord of lords. Jesus Christ is greater than all the rulers of this earth, and He is greater than your sin and my sin. Sin is to choose to disobey the law of God and to do what is wrong. You no longer need to be the slave to sin; God give you victory in Jesus Christ.

So declare and proclaim that sin no longer is master over you. If you are tempted to sin, ask God to help you turn away from that temptation by the power of God’s Holy Spirit. Greater is Christ who is in you than all the powers of this world. You and I have victory in Jesus Christ.

So, this week, let us pray that God will

Help you resist temptation to sin
Protect and care for our staff and volunteers at Global Media Outreach
Cause people from every nation on earth to declare their independence from the reign of sin and to submit to the Lordship of Jesus Christ

THANK YOU so much for your prayers. God loves you so very, very much. He knows every hair on your head and He has loved you from the beginning of time.

May God bless you.

Am I So Important?

2010-07-02T07:50:00.000+08:00

Have you noticed lately how the word "I" is paramount in many people's conversation? The main focus is what I want, what I feel, what I need and so on.

In his inauguration speech, U.S. President John F. Kennedy said, "Ask not what your country can do for you, but ask, what can you do for your country..."

People seem to have forgotten how to put others before themselves. This happens at work, home, school and even church.

Could we learn to say, "I'll ask not what can you do for me, but will ask, What can I do for you?" Can we learn to put "I" second or third instead of first?

Jesus didnt focus on Himself. His concerns were for the people around Him and what He could do for them. Can we do the same?

Jesus is Lord

2010-06-28T08:56:00.000+08:00

“On His robe and on His thigh He (Jesus) has this name written, King of Kings and Lord of Lords.” Revelation 19:16

Jesus is Lord. The Bible says Jesus Christ is King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

What does this mean? To be the Lord is to be master; King; to be the one with ultimate authority; to be the one in charge. When Jesus Christ came to this earth 2,000 years ago, He came as a humble carpenter. He lived His life in Israel and for a brief time in Egypt. He was not rich in earthly goods. He was crucified on a cross along with common criminals.

But when Jesus Christ comes back to this earth in the future, He will come riding on a white horse from the clouds of heaven. He is the one and only Son of God who has been seated at the right hand of God His Father. Every knee will bow to Him, and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Everyone on earth will know that Jesus Christ is Lord. All glory and power and honor will be given to Him.

So the choice is ours today. Will we ask Jesus Christ to be our Savior today? Will we bow before Him as Lord? Will we ask Him to rule our lives? Will we submit our wills, our selfishness, our stubbornness to Him? Or will we, someday in the future, wish that we had asked Him to be our Savior and Lord when we still had time? So, this day, let us truly submit to Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord.

Let us pray to God that

Each of us will truly acknowledge Jesus Christ as Lord in our lives
The whole earth will come to know Christ as Savior and Lord
God will protect our staff at Global Media Outreach and provide for us and give us wisdom to reach even more people for Christ

THANK YOU so much for your prayers.

May God bless you.

The Same Kind of People Live Here!

2010-06-27T11:42:00.000+08:00

One day an old man was rocking on his porch when a moving van drove up. The driver asked, "What kind of people live in this town?"

"Well," the old man replied, "What kind of people live where you came from?" The driver responded, "They were the meanest, most unfriendly people you've ever heard of!" The old man sighed, "Drive on, because the same kind of people live here."

The next day another moving van drove by and the driver asked the same question, "What kind of people live in this town?" "Well," the old man asked, "What kind of people live where you came from?" The driver responded, "They were the kindest, friendliest people you've ever seen!" The old man smiled, "You'll love it here, because the same kind of people live here too!"

This old story illustrates that people tend to create their own environment. If they expect to be treated unkindly, they act unkind and bring it upon themselves. Philippians 2:3 counsels, "Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself." This isn't talking about going around with an inferiority complex. Verses 4-7 show that with Jesus Christ in us, we can look out for the interests of others and serve them with outgoing love. We'll be making our town a kinder, friendlier place!

Wait on the Lord

2010-06-23T11:11:00.000+08:00

We don’t have to face our difficulties alone.

It is inevitable that we will face difficulty and weariness in this life. Regardless of our circumstances, there is someone to call on who cares for us; someone more powerful than any difficulty before us. The Creator God encourages us by saying, “But those who wait on the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint” (Isaiah 40:31). There is nothing God cannot help us with.

God promises to help us work through our problems. That does not mean we won’t have challenges. We will. And God will be right there carefully leading, guiding and intervening in ways not always evident to us. But be assured He is there. He promises, “Wait on the LORD, and keep His way, and He shall exalt you” (Psalm 37:34).

Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation

2010-06-22T08:13:00.000+08:00

“Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. 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.’” Matthew 28:16 20

Jesus said, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.” Jesus said Go!

What does this mean? It means we are to move out of our comfort zone — we are to take action — we are to speak the truth in love. It means we are to tell other people about the wonderful news that Jesus Christ came to save them!

God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him would not perish, but would have everlasting life. The problem is that all of us have sinned; we need someone to tell us the good news that Christ died for our sins.

You and I have the awesome privilege of being God’s ambassadors to tell the world about Jesus Christ. You can start by praying for someone and you can ask God for His wisdom as to how to proceed. But when Jesus said “Go” He meant that we shouldn’t just wait for the world to come to us — we should go and tell people about Jesus Christ.

So, this week, let us pray that God will

Help us to be bold and tell at least one person about Jesus Christ
Help us at Global Media Outreach reach even more people for Jesus Christ by providing additional funding
Protect and watch over our volunteers and staff at Global Media Outreach

THANK YOU so much for your prayers.

May God bless you.

Is Marriage Good for Your Health?

2010-06-20T12:23:00.000+08:00

Marriage, scientific studies find, may in fact be good for your health.

That's right. The scientific community has, once again, succeeded in spending countless hours conducting detailed research only to discover truths that have been readily available for millennia in the Word of God.

A recent New York Times article, "Is Marriage Good for Your Health?" compiles the findings of several studies, old and new, concerning the effects that married couples have on each other. As far back as 1858, epidemiologist William Farr found evidence that caused him to remark, "Marriage is a healthy estate... The single individual is more likely to be wrecked on his voyage than the lives joined together in matrimony."

This sounds like what King Solomon wrote almost 3,000 years ago: "Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, for he has no one to help him up" (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10).

The New York Times article also refers to recent studies whose results will sound strikingly familiar to students of the Bible. One researcher notes, "If you learn how to manage disagreement early...then you can avoid the decline in marital happiness that follows from the drip, drip of negative interactions." Her advice evokes the biblical comparison of family contentions to "a continual dripping" (Proverbs 19:13).

Another study shows that "married people are less likely to get pneumonia, have surgery, develop cancer or have heart attacks," while yet another finds that "a stressful marriage can be as bad for the heart as a regular smoking habit." Shocking? Not to the writer of Proverbs 12:4, who said, "A wife of noble character is her husband's crown, but a disgraceful wife is like decay in his bones" (New International Version).

More interesting still are the studies that suggest that the health advantages afforded by marriage almost completely disappear with a divorce or remarriage. "In formerly married individuals, it was as if the marriage advantage had never existed," while "people in second marriages still had 12 percent more chronic health problems and 19 percent more mobility problems" than those still in their first marriage. Jesus Christ was serious when He gave the command, "Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate" (Mark 10:9). Such an action appears to incur natural penalties on those involved as well.

Even the findings about the effects of arguments on married couples mesh with Scripture. One study compared the heart-disease risk in couples to recordings of their arguments, only to find a curious correlation. The men and women with the highest risk of heart disease were not those who had the worst arguments, but those who failed to follow sound biblical commands.

Wives were most at risk if their husbands failed to show any signs of warmth in the midst of an argument, while husbands were most at risk if their wives gave even the appearance of trying to wrest control. In other words, the truly damaging arguments were the ones where the apostle Paul's commands—"husbands, love your wives" (Ephesians 5:25) and "wives, submit to your own husbands" (Ephesians 5:22)—were ignored. Apparently these verses are keys to having not only a successful marriage but also a healthy one.

The New York Times article observes, "With so much evidence establishing a link between marital stress and health, a new generation of research is set to explore the ways in which couples can mitigate the damaging effects of relationship stress."

And the researchers will take up that challenge. They'll spend hours and weeks and months quantifying, recording, observing. And some day they'll have all their results prepared in a nice little report detailing the best ways to avoid relationship stress.

You could wait, if you want, for that to happen. But you don't have to. The answers are already available in the same place they've been for thousands of years—the Bible. God's Word is filled with the practical wisdom we need to have fulfilling relationships with everyone from coworkers to our spouse.

Sure, humanity will eventually be able to figure a lot of things out by trial and error, but why go about things the hard way? If these studies have shown anything, it's that God knows what He's talking about. We can take advantage of the wisdom that leads to a successful marriage now and save ourselves a lot of heartache in the process. What are we waiting for?

O Be Careful Little Eyes

2010-06-18T07:15:00.002+08:00

The old children’s hymn, “O Be Careful Little Eyes,” admonishes children about what they look at. Are there things that we adults should be careful of seeing? The truth is, our daily lives expose us to many things we should avoid looking at. Perhaps one of the most obvious is the blight of pornography. But, when we carefully evaluate their content, there are a whole host of magazines, television programs and movies we should also avoid viewing.

What we view on a regular basis affects our thinking and our emotions. Unchecked it can lead to sin. We live in a world filled with spiritual darkness. Jesus Christ tells us, “The lamp of the body is the eye… Therefore take heed that the light which is in you is not darkness” (Luke 11:34-35). Keep light in your mind by viewing those things that are true, noble, just, pure and lovely and avoid the darkness.

What does the phrase "the testimony of Jesus" mean in Revelation?

2010-06-17T07:43:00.000+08:00

What do "the testimony of Jesus" and the "spirit of prophecy" refer to in Revelation 19:10?

The phrase "the testimony of Jesus" is mentioned four times in the book of Revelation; the context in which it is used makes the meaning plain. In Revelation 1:2, it refers back to the first verse, which says that God gave Jesus Christ this special message; and Christ in turn sent it to John by an angel. In other words, what we now have as the book of Revelation is "the testimony of Jesus." The ninth verse of the first chapter uses the phrase in the same way.

Revelation 12:17 says that the true Church has this testimony and keeps the commandments of God, meaning the same as Christ said in John 15:14, "You are My friends if you do whatever I command you." The Church of God lives by Christ's instructions. The commandments of God and Christ's instructions are one and the same.

The last reference is in Revelation 19:10, where the angel quickly restrains John from worshipping him. Instead, the angel said, "Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy."

Some attempt to draw a different doctrine from this one verse. But if we allow the Bible to interpret itself, we see that the testimony of Jesus is the words of Christ in general and the revelation of this book in particular. "Prophecy" can mean foretelling the future or it can mean inspired preaching. Both meanings fit here. In other words, the angel was saying: "Don't worship me! You should only worship God! And your focus should be on preaching the word Jesus told me to give to you."

Seeking Perfection

2010-06-16T12:49:00.003+08:00

Jesus Christ tells His followers to become perfect (Matthew 5:48). So how do we accomplish that seemingly impossible task? God does not expect us to figure out perfection on our own or to come to our own conclusions about it. God is very specific and has given us His perfect instructions.

Where do we find those perfect instructions? James tells us, “…he who looks into the perfect law of liberty…will be blessed in what he does” (James 1:25). God’s law is the perfect way for humans to live. We need to study the Bible to know exactly what His laws and instructions are. And why would we not want to follow those as carefully as we possibly could?

Spare Time

2010-06-15T08:24:00.000+08:00

You have the choice how you use your "spare time." Do you know what God wants you to do? Will you use it to grow in godliness?

A U.S. citizen born in the year 1900 could have expected to live to the ripe old age of 49. If you were born in 1930 you should have lived about 59 years. Those of you born in 1945 originally had the grim prospect of death at any moment this year! Yet life expectancy increased more and more so that babies born recently can look forward to living 80 years.

Not so for the average "world citizen". Believe it or not, in several countries, even today the average life expectancy is barely over 40 years! But most likely not for you—you can expect many, many more.

Now what have you done to earn these additional years? Most likely, nothing. You probably didn't invent any new technology for greater crop yields or discover new surgical techniques, or formulate life saving medicines, or design an accident free car.

This is what happened: God has given you "spare time." Compared to your ancestors you have been granted decades of bonus living.

What will you do with these extra years? What should you do? Be sure to give the added time back to God. Ephesians 5 reminds you to "be careful how you live. Don't live like [a fool], but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. Don't act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do" (Eph 5:15-17 NLT).

You have the choice how you use your "spare time." Do you know what God wants you to do? Will you use it to grow in godliness? "[You] should be rich in good works and generous to those in need, always being ready to share with others. By doing this [you] will be storing up [your] treasure as a good foundation for the future so that [you] may experience true (eternal) life" (1 Timothy 6:18-19 NLT).

God may be working with you. He has blessed you with the time so many others never had. Time to do great things—time to do godly things. So be sure you are putting it to good use. Honor God in all of your "spare time".

Jesus Christ is our Savior

2010-06-14T08:24:00.000+08:00

“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.” John 3:16

Jesus Christ is our Savior. What does this mean? All of us — you and me, everyone on earth — has done and thought things that are wrong. These are called sins, and you and I unfortunately have sinned many, many times in our lives.

The Bible says the wages of sin is death — eternal separation from God and all that is good. We deserve punishment because we have sinned against God; we deserve the punishment of hell. All our own best efforts to be perfect will not make us perfect. We need someone to save us from our sins — to free us from the penalty we deserve.

Just as if you owed someone a million dollars and could not pay it, and someone came along and paid your debt, so Jesus Christ came to earth to pay the debt for our sins. We deserved punishment; Jesus Christ, the unique Son of God, came and died on the cross in our place. He took the eternal punishment that you and I deserve.

Just like any gift, you and I must receive this gift for it to be ours. If someone gave you a present and you refused to take it, then it would not be yours. In the same way, we must receive the free gift of salvation that Jesus Christ has given to us. “The gift of God is eternal life.” If you have received Christ, then God’s gift of eternal life and freedom from sin is yours.

So, this week, let us pray and

Thank God for the free gift of salvation in Jesus Christ
Ask God to help Global Media Outreach reach even more people for Jesus Christ
Ask God to reach someone you love with the good news that Jesus Christ died for them

THANK YOU so much for your prayers. God has promised to hear and answer believing prayer from His children. You can help change the world for Jesus Christ — and touch those you love with the power of God — through prayer.

May God bless you.

Your friends at Global Media Outreach

Adjust Your Sails

2010-06-12T11:13:00.002+08:00

A friend has a beautiful refrigerator magnet that states: “I can’t change the direction of the wind, but I can adjust my sails.” This saying is an excellent reminder for her, and it can be for us too. Often we have no control over what comes our way in life, but we can adjust our choices, our attitudes and how we handle everything from gentle breezes to the gusts and storms of life.

We should daily adjust our sails in life toward God and living the principles in the Bible (Matthew 4:4). If we do that, we will arrive at the destination God wants for each of us. Happy sailing!

Who were the "sons of God" who married "the daughters of men" and had children who were giants in Genesis 6:2-4?

2010-06-11T11:17:00.000+08:00

Are these "sons of God" angels, as some have concluded? Can angels reproduce?

Scholars debate and disagree over the meaning of the obscure reference to "the sons of God" in Genesis 6:1-4. Some people read into these verses the idea that it refers to angelic beings marrying women and producing a race of giants. Christ explained that is impossible, teaching that angels are neither male nor female (Luke 20:34-36)—that is, they are incapable of reproduction.

Humans are clearly the subject in Genesis 6—not angels. God said, "My Spirit shall not strive with man forever, for he is indeed flesh" (verse 3, emphasis added throughout) and, "I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth" (verse 7). If angels were capable of reproducing as mankind does, their offspring would be spirit, according to the principle of "according to its kind" portrayed in Genesis 1.

The Bible labels the offspring of these marriages "giants" (Genesis 6:4), meaning simply people of giant stature. Similar people are spoken of in later times, most notably Goliath and his family.

How, then, can we understand Genesis 6:1-4? Human beings are also sons of God. We're not referring to becoming spiritual sons of God through conversion, but to the fact that all people are sons of God by creation (Luke 3:38). The attitudes and actions of these "sons of God" were so wrong that they provoked God to send the Flood.

Halley's Bible Handbook raises the possibility that these sons of God were the descendants of Seth. Seth, the Bible records, was made in the image of Adam, who was made in the image of God (Genesis 1:26; 5:1-3). Speaking of Seth's descendants, Genesis 4:26 adds, "Then men began to call on the name of the Lord," a phrase that could also be rendered, "called after the name of the Lord"—that is, the "sons of God." If so, the women, "the daughters of men" whom these "sons of God" married were the descendants of unrighteous Cain. By marrying these women, the sons of righteous Seth turned from God, leading Him to say that the entire world was then corrupt (Genesis 6:5-7, 12).

An alternative explanation is that "sons of God" in Genesis 6:2 refers to self-willed men who called themselves "sons of god," not in worship of the Creator, but of pagan deities. Their marriages were in defiance of the Creator God, as they lived contrary to His will. In light of God's characterization of society riddled with violence (verses 11 and 13), we surmise that the men forcibly took the women as wives.

Regardless of which explanation is accurate, the idea that a half-spirit, half-human race resulted from angels marrying women is impossible, according to the Bible.

A Hole in the Shape of a Father

2010-06-10T07:50:00.001+08:00

Research shows that children with good, loving fathers do better overall in academics and careers, are more socially and emotionally adjusted, and are less likely to be involved in criminal activities. One of the most important things fathers can provide their children is validation, a feeling of worth and of being cared about. The lack of that validation can bestow, as one man wrote, “a hole in my soul in the shape of my dad with unhealed wounds from years of feeling neglected and less than worthy.”

The good news is that all of us have a spiritual Father who loves us and wants the best for us (John 3:16). Make it a point to get to know your spiritual Father better.

Now's the Time

2010-06-09T08:42:00.000+08:00

You've heard the old saying that time flies. Ancient civilizations used incense, water, sand and even candles to measure the passage of time.

Before the clock had a face and hands, a bell would ring out important times. In fact, the word clock is based on the Celtic term for bell.

You may know that Big Ben in London is the world's largest four-faced chiming clock. What you may not have known is that the nickname refers to the bell and not the clock tower itself!

Times have changed and now few of us look to a watch for the time. Most of us now use our cell phone to keep time.

Did you know that God has much to say about time and how we use it?

In Matthew 16:3 Jesus said: "You know how to discern the face of the sky, but you cannot discern the signs of the times." It's a reminder to us to utilize the opportunities that we have and make the most spiritual use out of them.

There's a stark reminder in Romans 13:11 "And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed."

Time does seem to fly and it continues winding toward the ultimate conclusion of this evil world. Yet, God wants to spend an eternity of time with us so he reminds us of the kind of people He wants us to be: "Act like people with good sense and not like fools. These are evil times, so make every minute count. Don't be stupid. Instead, find out what the Lord wants you to do." (Ephesians 5:15-17 (CEV)

Take advantage of the time that God's given you. Get to know Him and His ways—because now's the time.

Why do some churches baptize for the dead?

2010-06-08T21:40:00.000+08:00

Does Paul's statement in 1 Corinthians 15:29 suggest people should be baptized for the dead? What does the rest of the Bible say about this belief?

First let's look at what 1 Corinthians 15:29 says: "Otherwise, what will they do who are baptized for the dead, if the dead do not rise at all? Why then are they baptized for the dead?"

The meaning is not clear from this verse itself, nor is there any similar reference in the rest of the New Testament. Some people interpret this to mean that members of the Corinthian church underwent baptism for dead people who were never converted. At least one large modern denomination follows this practice, believing that baptism on behalf of unconverted people somehow helps prepare them for a future resurrection. But the Bible says nothing about such "preparation" for resurrection. A dead person doesn't need baptism by proxy in order for God to resurrect him. That's not the purpose of baptism at all.

The context of Paul's words shows his purpose to be substantiating and verifying the doctrine of the resurrection. His meaning seems to be, "Why seek baptism (for yourself) if there is no hope of your resurrection to follow?" That is, one of the reasons Christians seek baptism is for the hope of the dead—which is the resurrection. Through baptism, they have the hope that God will one day bring them back to life—to eternal life in His Kingdom.

This explanation is consistent with the rest of the Scriptures. In Romans 6 the apostle Paul likened baptism to burial after death. Baptism is the symbolic burial of the old self, performed after a person becomes aware of and "dies" to his sin (Romans 6:1-6).

An additional truth that invalidates the idea of baptism for someone else is the fact that no one can repent for anyone else. Consequently, baptism on behalf of another person—whether the person is alive or dead—could have no bearing whatsoever on that other person's spiritual standing. Nowhere does the Bible suggest that the Church should or could baptize one person on behalf of anyone else, living or dead.

Does 1 Corinthians 11 require women to wear head coverings to church?

2010-06-07T10:47:00.002+08:00

What does the Bible teach about our personal appearance?

Some have wondered if the head covering the apostle Paul wrote about in 1 Corinthians 11:5-6 and 13 refers to women wearing hats to church. But the context clarifies that Paul was primarily referring to how women of the day wore their hair. In verse 6, shorn or shaved hair is contrasted with a woman being "covered." Verse 15 makes clear that the subject is hair: "But if a woman has long hair, it is a glory to her; for her hair is given to her for a covering."

In respect to the broader question of personal grooming, the United Church of God encourages its members to groom themselves in socially acceptable ways. The men should appear masculine, and women should appear feminine.

Perhaps the clearest statements in the Bible on a Christian woman's personal grooming are found in 1 Peter 3:3-4 and 1 Timothy 2:9-10. Both references counsel women to concentrate upon the "grooming" of their inner character in a way that is pleasing to God, as opposed to placing undue emphasis on their outward appearance.

Personal grooming can and often does reflect one's attitude. People, men and women alike, who want to "make a statement" of rebellion through their grooming or to call attention to themselves, stand out in a crowd.

Grooming that makes a woman stand out as odd or different from culturally accepted norms of good taste detracts from a godly emphasis on her inner character.

Did Jesus Christ have brothers or sisters?

2010-06-04T08:43:00.002+08:00

What does the Bible say about Mary being a perpetual virgin? How many siblings did Christ have?

Yes, the Bible says Jesus Christ had brothers and sisters. When the Jews of Jesus' hometown heard Him speak, they were indignant. Matthew records their contempt for Him, born of familiarity: "Is this not the carpenter's son? Is not His mother called Mary? And His brothers James, Joses, Simon, and Judas? And His sisters, are they not all with us? Where then did this Man get all these things?" (Matthew 13:55-56).

Jesus' neighbors knew His family intimately. From their comments, we know that Mary had four other sons and at least two daughters (because the Bible says "sisters" instead of "sister," we know there were at least two). This also shows that Mary was not a "perpetual virgin."

Does Isaiah 45:7 imply that God creates evil?

2010-06-03T10:32:00.000+08:00

Where does evil come from? Why does God allow evil and tragedy in the world?

Isaiah 45:7 in the King James Version says, "I make peace, and create evil." One of the fundamental rules about understanding the Bible accurately is to read a difficult-to-understand verse in its immediate context, as well as in the broader context of the rest of the Scripture. Another rule is to consider other possible translations of the verse.

Many Hebrew words have a broad range of meanings. While the Hebrew word translated "evil" in the King James Version usually refers to unethical or immoral activity, it can also mean times of distress (Amos 6:3) and is sometimes contrasted with shalom (peace). The New International Version renders the passage, "I form the light and create darkness, I bring prosperity and create disaster." Similarly, the New Living Translation offers, "I am the one who creates the light and makes the darkness. I am the one who sends good times and bad times." Tanakh, The Holy Scriptures: The New JPS Translation According to the Traditional Hebrew Text confirms this understanding with, "I form light and create darkness, I make weal and create woe—I the Lord do all these things."

Barnes' Notes, a Bible commentary, has this helpful additional comment: "The parallelism here shows that this is not to be understood in the sense of all evil, but of that which is the opposite of peace and prosperity. That is, God directs judgments, disappointments, trials, and calamities; he has power to suffer the mad passions of people to rage, and to afflict nations with war; he presides over adverse as well as prosperous events. The passage does not prove that God is the author of moral evil, or sin, and such a sentiment is abhorrent to the general strain of the Bible, and to all just views of the character of a holy God" (notes on Isaiah 45:7).

Although God allows moral evil and sin, He does not create this kind of evil. The rest of the Bible is replete with evidence of His goodness and His marvelous plans for mankind. James 1:17 assures us that "every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows" (NIV).

Satan is responsible for much of the evil of this present world. And unfortunately, people have brought many evil things on themselves by their own actions.

What did Jesus Christ mean, "Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul"?

2010-06-02T10:26:00.000+08:00

Who is able to destroy both soul and body? What does Matthew 10:28 teach about our soul?

Matthew 10:28 says, "And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell."

The word "soul" in this context implies "the capacity to live." That is, another human being may be able to take away our life, but we still have the capacity to live again. God can always bring us back to life in the resurrection. So, though we naturally fear people who can cause our physical death, Jesus was giving us the true, eternal perspective. We should not fear man, but God.

Why? God has the authority to deny bringing us back to life—destroying the capacity to live ever again. "Hell" in this verse refers to the gehenna garbage heap fire burning in the valley outside of Jerusalem. It's symbolic of what the Bible calls "the lake of fire." If we die "the second death" in the lake of fire, there remains no hope of a resurrection (Revelation 21:8).

If we fear—reverence and obey—God, we don't need to fear men.

Love your neighbor as yourself

2010-05-31T08:19:00.001+08:00

"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are My disciples, that you love one another." John 13:34, 35

"Love your neighbor as yourself." When Jesus Christ was asked what were the greatest commandments in the Law, He said to love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your strength and with all your mind and with all your soul, and love your neighbor as yourself. Last week we talked about the first of these, loving God.

To love your neighbor as yourself means to act and think toward your neighbor in such a way that brings about their highest good. The Bible says we are to "do unto others as you would have them do unto you." In other words, how would you like to be treated? Treat others that same way.

Would you like to be forgiven? Forgive others. Would you like to be treated with kindness and love? Treat others with kindness and love. Would you like to have others be patient with you? Be patient with them.

God's love is unconditional. He loves sinners (all of us have sinned) and He makes His sun to shine on the just and the unjust. So think of someone you can bless. Don't love only your family, or those who love you. Jesus taught us to love even our enemies, for then we would be children of our Father who is in heaven.

God loves us so much that He sent His one and only Son Jesus Christ to die on the cross for our sins. Let us ask God to give us His love for everyone around us.

So, this week, let us pray and ask God to

Help us love someone in our lives who has caused us difficulty
Give us a vision to reach the world for Jesus Christ
Protect the staff and volunteers of Global Media Outreach in His great love

THANK YOU so much for your prayers.

May God bless you.

This is the Way: Because I Said So!

2010-05-28T09:45:00.000+08:00

How many times as a child did we hear our mother say those dreaded words: "Because I said so"? Children are naturally curious, asking questions and expecting immediate answers. However, life does not always provide us with answers when we want them or the answers we may want to hear. We may not even have the level of understanding at that moment for an explanation.

3:5-6 says, "Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths."

God, as our Heavenly Father, will also supply us with answers, though not always at the moment we ask. Through challenges, He teaches us to trust in Him, and He may later supply us with the answers we are seeking. When faced with a challenge, learn to trust in God for the answers.

Man-Made Rules

2010-05-27T16:01:00.001+08:00

Therefore, if you died with Christ from the basic principles of the world, why, as though living in the world, do you subject yourselves to regulations—”Do not touch, do not taste, do not handle,” which all concern things which perish with the using—according to the commandments and doctrines of men? These things indeed have an appearance of wisdom in self-imposed religion, false humility, and neglect of the body, but are of no value against the indulgence of the flesh. Colossians 2:20-23

In the concluding section of Colossians 2, Paul addresses the ever common mistake of trying to perfect one’s self and attain holiness by rigid self-denials—”do not touch, do not taste, do not handle.” Holiness and perfection never come about by exterior or man-made rules. As a matter of fact, man-made rules reinforce and strengthen the fallen nature. Rules imposed upon us by the human mind never bring release, but only add to our heavy burden. One reason for this is that the Holy Spirit is not obligated to help us keep self-imposed or man-imposed concepts and rules. Therefore, when we attempt to carry out statutes created by the fl esh, it is done without the aid of the Holy Spirit and we will utterly fail. Therefore, it is imperative to understand just what God requires of us and what He does not. All the numerous rituals and ordinances of the Old Testament were described by Peter as a yoke “which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear” (Acts 15:10). Later, under the Holy Spirit’s direction, the apostles determined to lay upon the Gentiles no greater burden than these four necessary things:

(1) to abstain from things polluted by idols,

(2) from sexual immorality,

(3) from things strangled, and

(4) from drinking blood (Acts 15:20, 28-29).

Concerning added traditions, dos and don’ts, and austere self-denials, Paul continues to say that neglecting the body does not make a person more spiritual (Col. 2:23). Denials and abstinence can appear to be a display of humility and piety. They may even seem to promote holiness, but in actuality, they don’t. Holiness comes as we walk in the Spirit. Exterior regulations in themselves never change the heart. Avoiding certain kinds of food or wearing legislated lengths of dresses or skirts do not change our nature. Holiness comes by union and communion with a holy God. Holiness is the result of walking daily with Him, obeying Him, submitting to those He places over us and maintaining a personal anointing in our lives. “Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfi ll the lust of the flesh” (Gal. 5:16).

Therefore, we should ask ourselves, “Are there any traditions, dos and dont’s, or rigid self-denials in my life (imposed upon me by man or by myself) that are hindering me from becoming holy?”

This is the Way: Facing Our Challenges

2010-05-26T10:29:00.002+08:00

From time to time, do you find yourself overwhelmed, facing challenges in your life? Do you wake in the middle of the night, confused about the future and wishing that when you get out of bed in the morning, all your problems would be gone?

The apostle Paul encourages Christians in 2 Timothy 1:7: "For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind." In this verse, Paul shows us that we need not worry and fear because God has given those who have His Spirit the tools we need to face these moments. We can carry these words in our heart and our minds, knowing that God loves us and wants us to succeed.

Next time you find yourself overwhelmed, ponder on these comforting words, and know that through Gods guidance, you can face your most overwhelming challenges.

Superstition

2010-05-25T09:59:00.000+08:00

The Nina was floundering in a storm. The panicked sailors began to pray for deliverance. They bargained with God that if they were saved one of the crew would make a pilgrimage to a shrine. They drew lots and Christopher Columbus was chosen.

The storm raged on and the praying became frantic. In a last ditch effort the men decided that if they made it to land all of them would walk shirtless to the first shrine they found.

Have you ever tried to bargain with God? Most of us have at one time or another.

Herein is an important difference between faith and superstition. Superstition is when we believe that if we say the right words, do the proper ritual, make a big enough sacrifice then God is required to do as we ask. Faith is the assurance that God has your best interest in His heart. Faith leads you to obedience because you trust God.

Next time you find yourself trying to play poker with God, ask yourself, "Do I trust Him, or am I being superstitious?"

The Lord Speaks to Us

2010-05-24T07:33:00.000+08:00

1 Kings 19:11-13…….The LORD said, "Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the LORD, for the LORD is about to pass by."

Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave.

Then a voice said to him, "What are you doing here, Elijah?"

Make no mistake about it, the Lord speaks to us. He speaks to us all the time not only on rare occasions and He wants us to hear what He has to say. The problem is, we do not always know how to hear Him.

The Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth, is so creative that He is not limited in the methods He uses to communicate. As in the case of Elijah above, a prophet who regularly heard from God. The Lord could have easily spoken through the phenomenal display of dramatic events that preceded what He had to say but, instead, He chose to speak in a gentle whisper.

Often we have a mindset about how God will speak to us and because of that we limit God to our mindset and we miss what He has to say. It is, therefore, important that we remove our mindset and prepare ourselves to hear God by any means that He chooses to use.

If you are born again and baptised in the Holy Spirit you can hear the Lord speak (although He may have begun to speak to you even before that). As Christian believers how can we pray effectively, or minister in any way, if we do not hear from God?

God loves you and He wants you to know it. He will speak into your heart and into your spirit through the

Holy Spirit. It is not common to hear God speak in an audible voice.

Prayer is dialogue with God. The bible says that we should pray continually. This means that we should be in constant dialogue with God. In a dialogue one person speaks and the other listens, then the listener responds back to the speaker and so on. This is how the Lord wants us to live out our Christian lives; being led by the Holy Spirit in a continual dialogue with God.

If you just pause for a moment and listen; be still and listen. You will hear God speaking to you in the breath (Hebrew = ruach) of His Spirit. Can you hear that gentle whisper? What is He saying to you? Let the dialogue, a conversation between two lovers, begin…..

Lord Jesus, thank you for speaking to us, please help us to hear you. Amen

Why Did God Choose me?

2010-05-23T10:39:00.002+08:00

Just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love. Ephesians 1:4

God has chosen each one of us, knowing us and calling us by name, before the foundation of the world. When we consider this subject, we are bound to examine one of the most profound theological statements pertaining to life—that the Lord foreknew each of us.

Therefore, because He foreknew us before the foundation of the world, He planned the steps that He would take in His preparation for our life and eternity. This thought is developed by Paul in Romans 8:29-30: “For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.”

God’s predestination is based upon His foreknowledge. These two theological words are inseparable. Because He knows all things, He plans everyone’s life accordingly. However, He gives each person an opportunity to receive salvation and eternal life. God does not predestinate anyone to hell. He bled and died on the cross for every soul. However, He knows who will embrace Him and who will reject Him.

So why did God choose us and what is the purpose of life?

(1) “That we should be holy.” Holiness means “being separate from the world.” Holiness involves a separation from worldliness, the works of the flesh and the devil.

(2) “Without blame.” The phrase means “without blemish” in the Greek. To be totally clean—where our mind, our will, our affections, our walk, our service—are washed through obeying His Word (Eph. 5:26).

(3) “Before Him in love” means that we have a love relationship with Him. We must never forget that the relationship between God (who is love) and His children is rooted and grounded in love. Just think of yourself as a parent. Would you be happy if your child is clean, has good manners, and is obedient to you, but he doesn’t love you? How would you feel? There would be no satisfaction or joy in your heart unless your child loves you. The thing that a parent wants more than anything else from his child is love. So it is with our Heavenly Father. What Hewants more than anything else is for us to love Him with all of our hearts.

True Worshippers

2010-05-21T18:29:00.004+08:00

… the house of the LORD, was filled with a cloud, so that the priests could not continue ministering because of the cloud; for the glory of the LORD filled the house of God. 2 Chronicles 5:13-14

The temple was finished in the eleventh year of Solomon’s reign. It took seven years to build. “Seven” is the number of completion. Israel had by now reached a place of permanency and security in their secular and spiritual life, for they were dwelling in the inheritance that God had appointed. David fought all the wars. Solomon was the prince of peace. He entered into the inheritance that had been won through David’s victories.

At the consecration service of the temple, the ark of the covenant and all the holy vessels were brought into the house of God. The ark contained only the two tablets of stone, upon which were written the Ten Commandments. We have the same ark of the covenant and two tablets of stone, but they are placed in a different temple. In the new covenant, those laws are written upon the “fl eshly tablets” of our hearts (2 Cor. 3:3). And it is a work of the Holy Spirit as He raises up holy people who walk in the ways of God.

As Solomon consecrated the temple, the singers started to worship God. There are three interesting things to note: firstly, the singers were clothed in white linen (2 Chr. 5:12).

This is symbolic of the righteousness of God (Rev. 19:8). There are two types of righteousness:

(a) imputed righteousness—God declaring us as righteous; and

(b) actual righteousness—we actually become righteous in character and in heart. This is like a judge pardoning a criminal. He is counted innocent but inside his heart, he still needs to be changed. The true worshipers in the last days must be clothed thoroughly in righteousness.

Secondly, there were 120 singers (2 Chr. 5:12). This is symbolic of the “end of all flesh” (Gen. 6:3). Galatians 5:24 says, “And those who are Christ’s have crucified the fl esh with its passions and desires.” The fl esh is on the cross. God is looking for true worshipers who are crucified with Christ.

Thirdly, “the trumpeters and singers were as one, to make one sound to be heard in praising and thanking the LORD” (2 Chr. 5:13). They were not only united in heart, in spirit and in faith, they spoke and sang as one! The place of agreement is the place of power. Immediately the presence of God fi lled the whole house and all of them fell under the weight of that glory. Solomon’s temple is a picture of the type of church God wants to raise up in our time—one that is righteous, holy and walking in total unity.

Church Worship

2010-05-18T18:22:00.003+08:00

Then David said, “No one may carry the ark of God but the Levites, for the LORD has chosen them to carry the ark of God and to minister before Him forever.” 1 Chronicles 15:2

Let us look at the way David established the tabernacle-which is a picture of the church. This is the way God desires for us to come into His presence in a church gathering.

(1) David prepared a place for the ark (1 Chr. 15:1). We need to be people who will prepare our hearts to worship. Jesus, the ark of God, now dwells in the midst of us (Matt. 18:20).

(2) David pitched a tent. David built a tabernacle, the house of the Lord. God’s presence is indeed everywhere but He chooses to make His glory and power known in His house-the church.

(3) The Levites shouldered the ark (1 Chr. 15:2). The shoulder in Scripture is symbolic of responsibility. All of us need to learn to bear the responsibility of shouldering the presence of God in our lives. Too often, we leave that to the “professional” pastors and preachers to do it on our behalf. In the new covenant, we are all Levites for we are called into a “royal priesthood” (1 Pet. 2:9). We need to know God for ourselves, and be involved in a personal revival. We need to learn how to live in the Spirit and know the abiding presence of God at all times.

(4) The people gathered together (1 Chr. 15:3). The place of agreement is the place of power. When church members come together in true unity, God commands His blessing among them (Ps. 133).

(5) They sanctified themselves (1 Chr. 15:12). God will not trust His glory and presence to those who live in sin. We are told to sanctify ourselves and not to wait for an “easy” blessing or cleansing from God. Without holiness, no one can see God.

(6) They worshiped God in proper order (15:13). In worship, there is a need for order. We need to obey God in our preparation and approach to His presence. Out of our obedience comes security and confidence in His presence.

(7) Singers and musicians were appointed (15:16). Skillful Levites were placed in their positions. Worship leading is a serious ministry and it is not meant for anyone who just wants to “have a go” at the musical instruments.

(8) David the king was willing to be a priest (15:27). David was already the king of Judah, and he was soon going to be crowned the king over all Israel. But in the presence of the Lord, he humbled himself and operated as a priest. You may be a very successful person in society or in the corporate world. But when you come into God’s presence, you must be willing to humble yourself, put down all your titles and achievements, and like David, humbly minister to the Lord.

Jesus Christ The Rock

2010-05-17T12:12:00.002+08:00

Exodus 33:21-22……Then the LORD said, "There is a place near me where you may stand on a rock. When my glory passes by, I will put you in a cleft in the rock and cover you with my hand until I have passed by.

This amazing Old Testament scripture speaks so clearly of Jesus Christ. He is the Rock of our salvation. When we put our faith in Him, when we stand in His truth, His character and His lordship, we cannot be shaken.

This scripture, however, says a lot more than that. It was on the cross at Calvary that Jesus Christ was glorified….’wait a minute’ you may say, but it is true. In the midst of all the blood and anguish; in the drama of the fiercest spiritual battle ever, Jesus was glorified.

The cross was His place of coronation. Jesus was not only crowned King of the Jews, He was also crowned King of Kings. Some could only see what was happening in the natural realm but others, with the eyes of the Spirit, could perceive the revelation of what was happening in the spiritual realm and they beheld His glory (John 17:5…. And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began.)

Jesus was pierced for our transgressions; the Rock was cleft for us. Every Christian believer has their identity in Christ. We have been placed into Him, into His wounds that He bore on the cross for us. We have been sealed into Christ by God and our lives are now hidden with Christ.

Christ Jesus who has triumphed over sin and death is now seated at the right hand of God and we are with Him. We can stand firm in our position of freedom and victory. We can shine in and for His glory.

Thank you Jesus, we have been placed in the Rock of our salvation. Amen.

Abundance For Every Work

2010-05-16T10:21:00.002+08:00

And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work. 2 Corinthians 9:8

This wonderful promise is found in the middle of two chapters where Paul spoke about finances and giving. Paul encouraged the Corinthians to increase in their giving. He prayed that they would sow richly so that they might harvest richly. He encouraged them to be cheerful givers.

The principle of sowing and reaping is found throughout the Bible (Gen. 8:22). It applies not only to farming but to every aspect of life. Paul says, “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap” (Gal. 6:7). The Bible says when we give our finances, a seed is sown. Sometimes people argue that we should not give with the intent of receiving something in return; that we should not expect anything back. But Jesus said, “Give, it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you” (Luke 6:38).

We give out of love for God. We give in obedience to God. We never expect anything in return from people. But every farmer understands that when he sows into good soil, he will receive a harvest. Paul said that this applies to our giving as well. If we sow abundantly, we will reap abundantly. We can expect a harvest from God, and the Word of God challenges us to expect an abundant harvest because we have sown abundantly. “But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Cor. 9:6-7).

God’s purpose is that we, by being liberal givers, can enter into His abundant blessings and, in turn, can give generously to others. So with the sowing comes the reaping that enables us to be liberal, loving and committed givers for every good work. We are blessed to be a blessing to others!

Godly Sorrow

2010-05-15T15:06:00.002+08:00

For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death. 2 Corinthians 7:10

A graphic example of the contrast between worldly sorrow and godly sorrow is found in the lives of Judas Iscariot and Simon Peter. Somehow Judas allowed Satan to deceive him into betraying Jesus for 30 pieces of silver (Luke 22:3-5). When Judas realized what he had done, he was so remorseful that he hung himself. Was his suicide the result of Satan’s accusation or of God’s conviction? It had to be Satan’s accusation because it drove Judas to kill himself. Accusation leads to death; conviction leads to repentance and life.

When Peter denied Jesus, the remorse he felt was every bit as painful as that which Judas experienced. But Peter’s sorrow was from conviction which led to his eventual repentance and restoration to Christ (John 21:15-17).

“Worldly sorrow” is a feeling of remorse that you experience because you are caught doing something wrong. It does not produce the fruit of repentance. Instead it gives you the feeling of condemnation, fear and hopelessness. “Godly sorrow,” however, acknowledges that your relationship with God has been damaged by your actions. “Godly sorrow” says, “Against You, You only, have I sinned” (Ps. 51:4). “Godly sorrow” will move you to take positive actions to deal with the sin and evil.

When your feelings of remorse drive you away from God, you are being accused by Satan. Resist it. But when your sorrow draws you closer to God to confess your sins, you are being convicted by the Holy Spirit. Yield to God through repentance. Let’s also understand what true repentance is. Repentance is an inner change of mind resulting in an outward turning back, or turning around, to face and move in a completely new direction. There are several things that fl ow out of true repentance:

(1) Conviction. There are 3 things that lead to conviction: our conscience (Rom. 2:14-15), the Word of God (Titus 1:9) and the Holy Spirit (John 16:8).

(2) Contrition. This means there will be a deep godly sorrow and humiliation of heart because of sin. If there is no true contrition, a man will return to the old sin.

(3) Confession of sin. Someone once said, “Holding on to unconfessed sins in the soul is like keeping a bullet in the body.”

(4) Conversion. This results in a turning away from sin and a turning to God.

(5) Confession of Jesus Christ. Being bold to make a public confession of your faith in Jesus Christ.

The True Grace Of God

2010-05-14T06:31:00.000+08:00

We then, as workers together with Him also plead with you not to receive the grace of God in vain. 2 Corinthians 6:1

Apostle Paul encourages us as workers of God’s kingdom never to take the grace of God in vain. Why? Because there is often a tendency toward “grace abuse.” A third century bishop was shocked to see devout would-be martyrs of the Christian faith devote their last nights in prison to drunkenness, revelry and promiscuity. Since dying a martyr’s death would make them perfect, they reasoned, what would it matter if they spent their last hours sinning? Twentieth century theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer coined the term “cheap grace” as a way of summarizing grace abuse. Living in Nazi Germany, he was appalled by the cowardly way in which Christians were responding to Hitler’s threat. Lutheran pastors preached grace from the pulpit on Sundays, then kept quiet the rest of the week as the Nazis pursued their policies of racism, euthanasia and finally genocide. Bonhoeffer’s book, The Cost of Discipleship, highlights the many New Testament passages commanding Christians to attain holiness. Every call to conversion, he insists, includes a call to discipleship, to Christlikeness. God’s grace can be “abused” when we do not understand what it is and its purpose in our lives. So let’s understand what is true grace:

(1) Grace empowers you to live in God’s righteousness. It is God’s grace that enables us to live in His righteousness through faith in Jesus Christ. The Bible says we are saved by grace through faith (Eph. 2:8). Romans 5:17 adds, “For if by the one man’s offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.”

(2) Grace empowers you to work hard. Paul says, “But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me” (1 Cor. 15:10).

(3) Grace empowers you to serve God (1 Pet. 4:10). The grace of God doesn’t make you passive, complacent, lazy or apathetic. On the contrary, grace teaches you to do what is right and bear the fruit of it. True grace is the power of God that enables you to live a life that fulfi lls God’s purpose.

Spiritual Hunger

2010-05-13T17:29:00.002+08:00

And Jabez called on the God of Israel saying, “Oh, that You would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory, that Your hand would be with me, and that You would keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain!” So God granted him what he requested. 1 Chronicles 4:10

Today, I want to look with you at a man by the name of Jabez. The Bible never describes Jabez as a man with special abilities or talents. He was just an ordinary man with an extraordinary testimony! Like Jabez, we may be ordinary individuals, but we can achieve great things for the Lord!

Jabez was a man who stood out. He wasn’t sitting and waiting for some miracle to fall from the sky. There was something different about him, he pressed in to God and broke through! Interestingly, the first eight chapters of 1 Chronicles are all genealogies. There are over 600 names mentioned, but right in the middle of it, God singles out one man for special recognition-Jabez. “Jabez was more honorable than his brothers” (1 Chr. 4:9). Why was he more honorable? Because of his unusual spiritual hunger.

Spiritual hunger brings three things to a person’s life:

(1) Spiritual hunger births fresh vision. Jabez prayed to God to enlarge his territory! His hunger birth a great vision (4:10). He wasn’t going to live a mediocre life; he wanted to expand and grow! While Jabez’s friends and brothers were satisfied with being average, he wanted the Lord to do something significant in his life.

(2) Spiritual hunger produces faith in God. Evidently, Jabez had some kind of disability as his name in Hebrew means “painful.” He must have caused his mother so much pain when he was born that his mother labeled him as such. Jabez probably had to struggle with being unwanted and unloved. He must have suffered rejection as a child and that would probably have been a big handicap in his life. But Jabez’s faith was stronger than his handicap. So instead of being a cause of pain to others, he rose up and laid hold of God in faith to become a great man of God.

(3) Spiritual hunger brings God’s blessings. Jabez was honored by God because heprayed! He prayed for God’s presence in his life (4:10). He knew that apart from God, he could do nothing. Jabez also prayed for God’s protection in his life. Jabez knew that without God’s protection, he could lose everything overnight. But with God’s presence and protection, he didn’t need to fear anything.

What made Jabez stand out from the crowd? He had something that the rest did not have … spiritual hunger. He did not want to live an ordinary life like the rest of the people. He wanted more from God.

Eternal Life

2010-05-12T08:19:00.000+08:00

Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. 2 Corinthians 4:16

The total personality of man is made from two absolute distinct and separate sources (Gen. 2:7): the material and the immaterial part of man. The outward man is the physical body, and the inward man is the soul and spirit which includes the ability to think, to feel, to choose and to relate to God.

When God created Adam, he was totally alive-physically and spiritually. But because of Adam’s sin and subsequent spiritual death, every person who comes into the world is born physically alive but spiritually dead. Being separated from God, we lacked the presence and wisdom of God in our lives. We learned to live independently of God, centering our interests on ourselves. This lifestyle of living independently of God is the characteristic of the flesh or the old nature.

When we are born again, our inward man is made alive by the Holy Spirit. Jesus declares that whoever believes in Him has everlasting life (John 5:24-26). In the Bible, everlasting life does not mean just merely existing on and on. Everlasting or eternal life is zoe. It is a supernatural life-it is the quality of life that God has in Himself! We don’t have to wait until we die to get eternal life; we receive this zoe-life of God at the moment of conversion!

In the Old Testament, there are instances when certain individuals experience zoe. Moses was 120 years old and yet his eyesight was not weakened, and his strength was not reduced (Deut. 34:7). Caleb was 85 years old and yet he declared that he was as strong as when he was 40 (Josh. 14:10-11). Elijah was able to go without food for 40 days and nights (1 Kin. 19:8). Jesus was able to minister to the woman from Samaria despite not resting and eating after traveling a very long distance (John 4).

The people in the world try to fi nd extra boosts to cope with life’s pressure. They use drugs, cigarettes, coffee, vitamins, valium, etc. But when our inner man is born again, we can have the zoe-life of God! Though our outward man is perishing, if we are continually guided by the Lord, His zoe-life will overfl ow within us, renewing us day by day.

The Day Of The Lord

2010-05-11T09:17:00.000+08:00

“Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD.” Malachi 4:5

Today you will read the last of the 929 chapters, 23,214 verses in the Old Testament. Congratulations! You’ve reached a significant milestone in your Christian walk … you’ve read through the entire Bible!

Malachi the prophet and Nehemiah the builder were contemporaries, and the problems Nehemiah faced became the basis for the sermons Malachi preached. Years after the restoration from exile, the spiritual condition of God’s people had deteriorated. Again they lapsed into the same sins that brought about their captivity and exile to Babylon. They tithed sporadically, ignored the Sabbath, and intermarried with unbelievers. Their hearts had grown hard and their love for God had grown cold.

Malachi came to remind the people of God’s love for them. Using a question-andanswer approach, Malachi probed deeply into their problems of hypocrisy, infidelity, divorce, false worship and arrogance. For 400 years after Malachi’s ringing condemnations, God was silent. Malachi’s final warning was about the Day of the Lord (Mal. 4:5). The Day of the Lord is a common theme of the prophets. That day signifies the final judgment of God on the earth and the eventual time of blessing and peace. It’s not a literal 24-hour day, but a culmination of God’s plan—including the return of Christ, the final judgments, and the end of history as we know it.

Both aspects—judgment and salvation, punishment and peace—are contained in the Day of the Lord. The Bible says that those who desire the Lord’s coming must know that He requires clean hands and a pure heart (Ps. 24:3-4). The Day of the Lord may be frightening to some, but for the believer who loves God, it’s a day of great rejoicing.

In 2 Timothy 4:8, Paul says, “Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.” As Christians, we should be longing for the Day of the Lord to come. Jesus says, “And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work” (Rev. 22:12). Are you ready for the Day of the Lord? Jesus may not return tomorrow, but we should live our lives as if He is. We must seize every moment of our lives and make it count for the Lord.

As Malachi brings down the curtain on Old Testament prophecy, God’s silence is broken in the New Testament with John the Baptist declaring, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matt. 3:2)! On this last day of the year, search your heart before the Lord to see if there are any areas that you need to repent from. Rededicate your life to Jesus, so that He may continue to use you greatly in the days to come!

The Latest (Adventist News) 7.5.10

2010-05-10T09:12:00.000+08:00

Latest news stories about Adventists across the South Pacific and around the world. Download the clip and play it at church from infocus.org.au

Revival Carrier

2010-05-10T08:59:00.000+08:00

Now before him there was no king like him, who turned to the LORD with all his heart, with all his soul, and with all his might, according to all the Law of Moses; nor after him did any arise like him. 2 Kings 23:25

During Josiah’s reign, Judah experienced its greatest revival years since the days of David and Solomon. What precipitated the great move of God? First of all, when Josiah was only 16 years old, he was seeking the Lord with all his heart (2 Chr. 34:3). Every revival starts by hungry hearts seeking God with great fervency.

Secondly, a revival always involves repentance and cleansing. When Josiah was 20 years old, he began to clean up Judah and Jerusalem, destroying the heathen altars and the shameful idols on the hills.

Thirdly, when he was 26 years old, Josiah started repairing the house of the Lord (34:8). To seek God’s kingdom first means that His house must become the First House in your life. The house of God is the gate of heaven (Gen. 28:17). Everything you do should be arranged around His house.

Fourthly, there was a restoration of God’s Word. As the workers were cleaning the temple, they found an obscure book that no one had ever heard of-the Bible. As the king listened to his secretary read the Scriptures, he was moved by the fear of the Lord (2 Kin. 22:11). He then read out all the words of the Book of the Covenant in the hearing of the people (23:2).

Fifthly, every revival needs a good spiritual leader. Huldah the prophetess said of Josiah, “Because your heart was tender, and you humbled yourself before the LORD when you heard what I spoke against this place and against its inhabitants, that they would become a desolation and a curse, and you tore your clothes and wept before Me, I also have heard you” (22:19).

Sixthly, Josiah moved the whole nation toward God. He motivated all the people to follow the Lord and keep His commandments with all their heart and soul (23:3).

Seventhly, Josiah restored true worship among the people. He organized the most elaborate Passover celebration ever since the days of judges (23:22-23). Josiah was such an outstanding king that “before him there was no king like him, who turned to the LORD with all his heart, with all his soul, and with all his might, according to all the Law of Moses; nor after him did any arise like him” (23:25). Would you decide to rise up to be a “Josiah” of your generation?

Escapology verus Eschatology

2010-05-09T10:24:00.000+08:00

Romans 8:19……The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed.

Jesus is coming back soon. The bible has told us what to watch out for and the signs are clear for all to see. What is not so obvious is the answer to the question; at what point will Jesus take the church away from the earth?

The scriptures tell us that there is a time of terrible ordeal to come. It is called the time of tribulation or distress. Matthew 24:21 says…For then there will be great distress, unequalled from the beginning of the world until now—and never to be equalled again.

Christians and theologians have debated over this issue for a long time. The branch of theology that is concerned with the End Times and the Second Coming of Jesus Christ is called eschatology.

There are basically three points of view on the timing of the return of Jesus to take away every Christian believer (the church), they are; pre-tribulation, mid-tribulation or post-tribulation. I believe that God is a good and loving God who does not want His children to unnecessarily suffer; therefore, I side with the pre-tribulation camp.

I have used a play-on-words to help illustrate this….my eschatology is synonymous with escapology. I believe that the church will escape the coming wrath.

The earth will not be a place to be once the church has gone. The dispensation of grace will have come to an end and those left behind will come under the judgement of God. Do not wait until it is too late. Avoid the wrath of God. Make sure that you will be in that number when the saints go marching into the presence of God.

Jesus is coming back soon, do not delay. If He is not your Lord and Saviour, ask Him into your life today.

Lord Jesus, thank you that you are coming back to rescue those who know and love you. Amen

Don’t Waste Your Pain

2010-05-08T20:41:00.001+08:00

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

When Paul came to Asia, he was troubled and burdened beyond measure. He was so crushed and overwhelmed, he thought he was not going to make it (2 Cor. 1:8). To have gone through such suffering, was it a sign that Paul was not in the center of God’s will? Of course he was! Yet, God allowed Paul to come into such a season of trouble, a situation of pressure where it seemed as if his very life was pressed out of him. Have you ever felt like that before? “Oh God, I can’t take another step. I can’t possibly handle another ounce of pressure. God, why are you permitting this to happen to me?”Well, God had His reason. And Paul understood that reason. He said, “God brings us to a place where we would stop putting our confi dence in ourselves. Where we have reached the absolute limit of our own knowledge, experience, strength and ability. Our dreams, goals, desires, aspirations and visions all seem to have died. But out of that death, God supernaturally brings us into a resurrection”(1:9).

After death, there is always a resurrection! And God takes us into the next level-onward and upward-into a far higher level of living than ever before. Not only will you live on a higher plane, you will be a blessing to the world. Because having experienced the comfort of the Lord in the midst of severe trials, you can now comfort others with the comfort with which you yourself were comforted by God (1:4). You can now be an encouragement and example to others who are going through similar situations you have previously gone through. Hosea 2:14 says that God often draws His people in ways we don’t understand. He may lead us into the diffi cult situation of a wilderness to speak tenderly into our hearts. And once God has our attention, He will turn our Valley of Achor (Trouble) into a door of hope (2:15). The ultimate purpose of every trial is so that God can show us that: “I am not just your Master (Baali), I am your Husband (Ishi). I am the Husband of your soul”(2:16). Don’t waste your pain and troubles. Allow your pain :

(1) To make you a better person.

(2) To bring you closer to the Lord-knowing Him as your Ishi-Husband, not just your Baali- Master.

(3) To make you an encouragement and comfort to others.

Calling On The Lord

2010-05-07T08:19:00.000+08:00

“Remember now, O LORD, I pray, how I have walked before You in truth and with a loyal heart, and have done what was good in Your sight.” And Hezekiah wept bitterly. 2 Kings 20:3

King Hezekiah started well as a young king at 25 years old. He refused to get into an alliance with the idolatrous and mighty Assyrians. Hezekiah loved God and obeyed Him. He reopened the temple in Jerusalem. He destroyed the places of idolatry. Hezekiah even destroyed the bronze serpent Moses had erected in the wilderness (Num. 21:4-9), so that the people would not view the bronze serpent as an object of worship. He organized the priests and Levites for the conducting of worship services. The tithe was reinstated. In short, Hezekiah followed the Lord closely and loved His law. In return, God protected Hezekiah and the people of Judah from the Assyrians.

In 701 B.C., Hezekiah became seriously ill. Isaiah warned the king to prepare for his approaching death. But Hezekiah prayed that God would intervene. He reminded God how he had followed Him and obeyed Him. He poured out his heart in tears before the Lord (2 Kin. 20:2-3). As Isaiah began to walk out of the palace, God instructed him to go back to Hezekiah and tell him the good news-he will have 15 more years of life and the deliverance of Jerusalem from Assyria (20:4-6).

Hezekiah asked Isaiah for a special sign to know that God would really heal him and prolong his life. He requested that God moves the shadow of the sundial back by 10 degrees (20:9-11). God agreed. Jesus says, “If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you” (John 15:7). When you follow God with all your heart, there is practically nothing God wouldn’t do for you.

Unfortunately, the story had a sad ending. Hezekiah’s faith and healing brought him recognition from the surrounding nations. The Babylonian leader, Berodach-Baladan, even congratulated Hezekiah on his recovery. Hezekiah was so fl attered by Berodach-Baladan that he showed him all his secret treasures and armories. Isaiah was grieved when he saw Hezekiah being persuaded to enter into an alliance with Babylon. To be unequally yoked with an unbelieving partner would surely take Judah down the path to destruction. Having received such a great miracle, Hezekiah should have just trusted God for protection from the Assyrians. There was no need to enter into partnership with another idolatrous nation. Ironically, the descendants of Berodach-Baladan would one day deport the Jews to Babylon (2 Kin. 20:17-18). Many are called but few are chosen. Even fewer are found faithful. That was Hezekiah’s problem-he didn’t end well in his life. Let us stay faithful to Jesus all the way to the very end.

Glories In The Resurrection

2010-05-06T08:55:00.000+08:00

There is one glory of the sun, another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars; for one star

differs from another star in glory. So also is the resurrection of the dead … 1 Corinthians 15:41-42

At the second coming of Christ, there will be a rapture and a resurrection of the dead. “But I am telling you this strange and wonderful secret: we shall not all die, but we shall all be given new bodies! It will all happen in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, when the last trumpet is blown. For there will be a trumpet blast from the sky, and all the Christians who have died will suddenly become alive, with new bodies that will never, never die; and then we who are still alive shall suddenly have new bodies too” (1 Cor. 15:51-52, TLB). It will not be a time of condemnation for Christians, but a time for reward (2 Cor. 5:10).

We will be judged according to the following criteria:

(1) Character. To the seven churches of Revelation 2-3, Jesus dealt with the love believers have for Him. Those who are fully consecrated will be rewarded in glory.

(2) Motives. 1 Corinthians 3:13-15 says, “Each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is. If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.” Your motive in everything you do will be tested.

(3) Faithfulness to the call. In the parable of talents, the servants that receive five and two talents produced another extra five and two talents respectively (Matt. 25:20-23). They were both rewarded with greater ministry and responsibility in glory.

(4) Treatment of the Jews. When Jesus comes in His glory, He will separate the sheep from the goats. Who are the sheep? Jesus says, “Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me” (25:40). According to the measure we have blessed Jesus’ “brethren”—the Jews—that will be the measure we will be rewarded at the resurrection.

(5) Great Commission. “Those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the firmament, and those who turn many to righteousness like the stars forever and ever” (Dan. 12:3).

At the resurrection, we will be given different levels of bodies. Some will shine with blinding glory like the sun. Others like the moon. And yet others only like the stars. As such, let us never get complacent with our spiritual walk. Let us press on 100 percent “toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 3:14).

The Charismatic Gifts

2010-05-03T08:10:00.000+08:00

But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all. 1 Corinthians 12:7

There are nine different Greek words that are translated into the one English word “gift.” One of the nine is the word charisma. It is from this word that we have the English adjective “charismatic.” In the Church world today, Christians who flow in the gifts of the Holy Spirit are called “Charismatics.”

Charis means “grace” and charis-ma means “grace made specific” or the “manifestation of grace.” In 1 Corinthians, we have the largest occurrences of this word charisma. Although there were many serious problems in the Corinthian church, yet every charisma was manifested among the people. Did those Corinthians deserve such wonderful gifts from God? Of course not!

That is why they are called the gifts of grace-they are freely and sovereignly given, not based on the merits of the recipients. In 1 Corinthians 12:9-10, we have the nine charismata of the Holy Spirit. And Paul tells us to “earnestly desire the best gifts” (12:31). So the Bible takes it for granted that we are to be very familiar with all of them. The nine gifts of the Holy Spirit are:

(1) word of wisdom,

(2) word of knowledge,

(3) faith,

(4) gifts of healings,

(5) working of miracles,

(6) prophecy,

(7) discerning of spirits,

(8) different kinds of tongues, and

(9) interpretation of tongues.

The key word that distinguishes these nine from all other gifts is the word “manifestation.” This means they can be clearly perceived by the physical senses. You can see it and hear it. And the nine gifts of the Spirit are precisely that-the manifestation of the presence of the Holy Spirit within a believer. Through these gifts, the invisible Holy Spirit shows Himself out of the believer. When we see these gifts in operation, they are the evidences of the Holy Spirit dwelling inside a Christian.

Many Christians hold on to a wrong religious notion that emotional feelings are bad. But nothing can be further from the truth. God created us with feelings and emotions. And Christianity is an experience with a living God. While God doesn’t want us to be emotional freaks, He nonetheless wants us to perceive Him, to feel Him, and to experience His presence among us.

The nine spiritual gifts are given “for the profit of all” (12:7). They are tools and not toys. They are for the edification of the church. Start earnestly desiring them today!

InFocus Adventist News April 29 2010

2010-05-02T22:10:00.000+08:00

Latest news stories about Adventists across the South Pacific and around the world. Download the clip and play it at church from www.infocus.org.au

The Lord's Supper

2010-05-02T10:44:00.000+08:00

And when he had given thanks to God for it, he broke it and gave it to his disciples and said, “Take this and eat it. This is my body, which is given for you. Do this to remember me.” In the same way, he took the cup of wine after supper, saying, “This cup is the new agreement between God and you that has been established and set in motion by my blood. Do this in remembrance of me whenever you drink it.” 1 Corinthians 11:24-25 (TLB)

Many Christians don’t really understand what happens when the Lord’s Supper takes place. Possibly due to an overreaction against Roman Catholicism, many Protestants are keen to establish that “nothing happens” at Communion. Yet, for the Early Church, it was the third thing they did in Acts 2:42. And that was when the Church was at its “optimum power” just after the Day of Pentecost. Ultimately, it was Jesus Christ Himself who instituted the Lord’s Supper. As such, it must be very special to God.

There are four major views about Communion:

(1) The Roman Catholics believe in transubstantiation. That once a priest says, “Hocest corpus meum (This is my body),” the bread and the wine literally become the body and blood of Christ.

(2) Martin Luther objected to transubstantiation but came up with consubstantiation, which means that bread and the wine became the body and blood of Christ only when eaten.

(3) Ulrich Zwingli objected to both the Roman Catholic and Lutheran views. He taught that it is merely a “Memorial Supper” to honor Christ’s death.

(4) John Calvin felt that all have missed the point. He said Christ is spiritually present in the bread and wine, and grace is imparted to us in the Supper if we have faith.

What actually is the purpose of Holy Communion?

(1) To remind us regularly that the reason God sent His Son is to die on the cross for our sins (1 Cor. 11:26).

(2) To bring us into a deep intimacy with Christ. To eat someone’s flesh, or drink his blood, is to desire an intimacy that is ordinarily unthinkable. But we are to love Christ so much that, by partaking of the bread and wine, we affirm Him to the most extreme degree.

(3) To enjoy the Lord’s presence in a special manner. Whenever we meet around the Lord’s table, Jesus is there.

(4) To have more of Him in us (John 6:53-58).

(5) To affirm that Jesus literally has a body and to honor His blood.

(6) To affirm the Church-we are to be at peace and unity with one another.

(7) To regularly examine our own spiritual condition in the light of God’s Word (1 Cor. 11:28). All in all, through the Lord’s Supper, we are exalting Jesus and enjoying His presence in a very special way.

“Why Sit Here Until We Die?”

2010-05-01T12:33:00.000+08:00

Now there were four leprous men at the entrance of the gate; and they said to one another, “Why are we sitting here until we die?” 2 Kings 7:3

King Ben-Hadad of Syria besieged Samaria in the midst of a severe famine. So desperate was Samaria’s plight that people ate almost anything in order to survive. Donkey’s heads and dove’s dung were sold for exorbitant prices (2 Kin. 6:24-25). It was a dire time. But in 2 Kings 7:1, the word of the Lord came to Elisha saying, “By tomorrow, the famine will be over. Grain will be plentiful again!” Unfortunately, the officer of the king of Israel scoffed at that prophecy.

Meanwhile, there were four lepers sitting by the city gates. “Why sit here until we die?” They asked each other. “We will starve if we stay here and we will starve if we go back into the city; so we might as well go out and surrender to the Syrian army. If they let us live, so much the better; but if they kill us, we would have died anyway” (7:3-4).

God is never moved by needs. God moves when we turn our faith loose. Those four lepers decided not to be passive and started to do something about their living condition. They chose to take responsibility of their own lives and step out by faith. That evening, as they walked toward the camp of the Syrians, God amplified the sounds of their footsteps. Although there were only four weak, sickly leprous men, the whole Syrian army heard the clatter of speeding chariots and loud galloping of horses. It was as if a great army was approaching their garrison. “The king of Israel has hired the Hittites and Egyptians to attack us,” they cried out. So they panicked and fled into the night, abandoning their tents, horses, donkeys, and everything else (7:5-7). When the lepers arrived, to their amazement they found the camp totally abandoned. What was left for their taking was an abundance of food, drink, silver, gold and clothing!

The four lepers speak of sinners everywhere who are languishing in their soul without hope in life. The devil seems like a powerful, impenetrable enemy. But when we decide to step out in faith and trust the Lord for our salvation, Satan will flee and we will enter into God’s abundant life.

But as the lepers enjoyed the spoils of war, their conscience began to bother them. How could they gorge themselves with food while the residents of Samaria were starving to death (7:9)? They decided to share the good news of salvation to the Samaritans and bring them out of death into life. We too cannot “remain silent” when this “is a day of good news.” We must share the gospel to those spiritually starving, living without hope, and take them into the abundant life Christ has promised.

Don’t Go Back To Legalism

2010-04-30T06:39:00.000+08:00

My defense to those who examine me is this: Do we have no right to eat and drink? Do we have no right to take along a believing wife, as do also the other apostles, the brothers of the Lord, and Cephas? 1 Corinthians 9:3-5

We must never be a stumbling block to the weak in faith. But at the same time, you must not allow people to abuse this principle and lure you back into legalism. Usually, the line of reasoning goes like this: “If others don’t like whatever you do, then you shouldn’t do it.” So if people don’t like your speaking in tongues, eating out in a restaurant, or liking certain fashion wear, you should stop doing them.

Then even Jesus Himself couldn’t measure up to that standard! Jesus constantly offended people. He offended the Pharisees by healing on the Sabbath, by going to parties, and by mixing with the “sinners.” If Jesus always had to worry about not upsetting people, He would have been paralyzed by the fear of men. The truth is that you will always find someone who disagrees with your personal tastes and preferences.

Many people often use the phrase “stumbling block” as a coverup for two problems they have—jealousy and envy. While the Bible teaches us not to allow our freedom to become a stumbling block, it never says that if someone has a difference of opinion from you about something you like, you have to immediately stop liking it. That is surrendering your freedom in favor of legalism. You are letting other people control your life!

What really is a “stumbling block?” A stumbling block is any word or action that will cause another Christian to fall back into a former sinful lifestyle. It does not refer to words or actions that people disagree with or don’t approve of. A stumbling block causes a weaker Christian to sin against his own conscience.

Some legalistic people were trying to lay a guilt trip on Paul. From 1 Corinthians 9:1-13, they labeled Paul’s lifestyle as a preacher a “stumbling block.” Paul retorted that he had done nothing to be ashamed of. He said, “I have my rights but in certain situations, I limit them. But don’t expect me to limit them all the time. When I’m not with the weak, I don’t have to act like the weak. When I’m not with legalists, I don’t worry about my own freedom. But in every situation, I do show regard to the people around me.”

Is that being hypocritical? No, not at all. That is being loving and showing concern for other people’s feelings. That is saying: “I wouldn’t do anything that would cause you to stumble in your conscience.” But when it comes to amoral issues like my personal tastes and preferences, I am not going to stop liking whatever I like just to appease my critics.

The Journey To The Anointing

2010-04-28T08:09:00.000+08:00

And so it was, when they had crossed over, that Elijah said to Elisha, “Ask! What may I do for you,

before I am taken away from you?” Elisha said, “Please let a double portion of your spirit be upon me.” 2 Kings 2:9

Elisha, the faithful servant of Elijah, was hungry and thirsty for more of God. He had witnessed for himself the signs and wonders in the life of Elijah. And in his own service for the Lord, Elisha wanted so much to move in that realm of the supernatural-just like his master! But there is always a price for the anointing. Elijah and Elisha were both at Gilgal (2 Kin. 2:1). Gilgal was the first place where the Israelites were circumcised and celebrated their Passover.

As such, Gilgal speaks of the salvation experience. Sensing that God was about to take him up into heaven, Elijah tested Elisha: “Stay here, please, for the LORD has sent me on to Bethel” (2:2). It was a holy discouragement but Elisha was not to be deterred. He insisted on going to Bethel with his master. Bethel means the “house of God.” It speaks of the church. When a believer gets saved, the next step for him is to get planted in God’s house. Again Elijah tested his disciple: “Elisha, stay here, please, for the LORD has sent me on to Jericho” (2:4).

Jericho was the city where the Israelites fought, speaking to us of spiritual warfare. Many people get converted and join a local church. But they are unwilling to get involved in the frontline ministry of evangelism and intercession. Elisha was not just a “pew-warmer” in the house of God, he wanted to do mighty exploits for the kingdom. So he went to Jericho.

At Jericho, Elijah told Elisha he was going on to the Jordan (2:6). Jordan is the place of signs and wonders for the Israelites. It speaks of the anointing for healing, deliverance and the miraculous. Elisha wanted all that very much. So he tagged along with Elijah to the Jordan.

All this while at Bethel, Jericho and the Jordan, there were many “sons of the prophets” who knew that God was going to take Elijah away (2:3,5,7). But they were neither hungry nor urgent enough to get the transference of Elijah’s anointing. They were contented to be sidelined as spectators of the kingdom.

Finally, Elijah asked Elisha, “Ask! What may I do for you?” Elisha said, “Please let a double portion of your spirit be upon me.” That double portion on Elijah’s mantle gave both Elijah and Elisha the power to cross over the Jordan on dry ground (2:8-9,14). When you are willing to move from salvation to God’s house, to spiritual warfare, and to the miraculous, that double portion anointing will also come upon you. And it will help you “crossover” into the world as a powerful witness for Christ!

Remedy For Depression

2010-04-27T06:38:00.000+08:00

But he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a broom tree. And he prayed that he might die, and said, “It is enough! Now, LORD, take my life, for I am no better than my fathers!” 1 Kings 19:4

In 1 Kings 19, we see a downside in prophet Elijah’s personality-he was prone to depression. Some scholars have even gone so far as to say that Elijah probably struggled with bipolar disorder. His mood-swings could be so extreme that right after the euphoric victory over the false prophets of Baal at Mount Carmel, he plummeted down into having suicida tendencies. When he heard that Queen Jezebel wanted him dead, he became so depressed that he wanted to end his life (19:1-4). According to a recent American NIMH survey, up to 18 percent of the US population suffer from depression. More than 2 million, or one percent, struggle with bipolar disorder.

What was God’s remedy to Elijah? He got him to eat a cake baked by an angel. He then got him to drink, and then sleep (19:6-8). The cake speaks of the Word of God. In the treatment of depression, psychiatrists often talk about “reprogramming” or “re-framing” your thinking pattern. Really, there is no better tool for renewing one’s mind than God’s Word. As your thinking changes, your entire life will be turned around (Rom. 12:2).

The angel got Elijah to drink a jar of water. This speaks of the Holy Spirit. Jesus says, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink the Holy Spirit. Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water” (John 7:37-39). The Holy Spirit is always a tremendous lifter of a depressive mood.

The Lord then wanted Elijah to sleep. Proper management of your physical body is very important in dealing with depression. Elijah had worked very hard. He now needed some rest.

Next, Elijah met the Lord at Horeb, the mountain of God (1 Kin. 19:8). An encounter with God will heal any wounded, confused heart. God encouraged him, “Elijah, you are not alone, there are 7,000 good men like you in the land. And you are making a big difference” (19:18). In the presence of God, there is always love and encouragement to lift up a troubled soul.

Finally, God gave Elijah a new mission. God wanted Elijah to go and anoint a new king-Jehu the son of Nimshi. Also, God wanted Elijah to make a disciple out of Elisha (19:16-17). If you are feeling down, get a fresh vision from the Lord. Get up and do something productive. With God’s Word, the Holy Spirit, proper rest, a spiritual encounter with God, and a fresh vision for the kingdom, Elijah was lifted out of his depression. The same can happen to you.

The Dragon And The Woman

2010-04-26T08:22:00.000+08:00

Great Expectations

2010-04-26T08:18:00.000+08:00

Isaiah 41:9…… See, the former things have taken place, and new things I declare; before they spring into being I announce them to you.

I don’t think it’s something in the air and it’s definitely not something in the water…. it’s more likely to be something in the heavenlies because God is up to something. Can you sense it in your spirit? I am excited….

That ‘something’ that God is up to is something big…. huge. I have great expectations. Change is coming; it’s springtime. The trees are bursting with life. It is a time to blossom and grow.

In the UK, we are on the threshold of a general election. There is a promise of change from all political parties. People are restless, they are looking for change, they want change.

Ironically, we live in a world that changes constantly; nothing seems permanent. People nervously scurry from one inadequate ‘solution’ to another but in a topsy-turvy lifestyle of extreme changes we are caught-up in a world of lies, excuses, deception and cover-ups. If change is coming, how can we consolidate it? How can we know that, this time, it will be a change for good?

We cannot trust the politicians, or the bankers, or the media or even the weather. In this season of election it is time to vote for Jesus. He alone is the Unchanging One, the same yesterday, today and forever.

I believe we are about to see the biggest wave of global evangelism ever and it will be effortless.

I believe that the Holy Spirit is about to draw unprecedented multitudes into the kingdom of God. Like shockwaves from a nuclear explosion it will start in the epicentre of our own homes and families and continue out to the ends of the earth. Like a seismic aftershock, no-one will be left untouched.

Get ready for this harvest of souls, they will fill our homes and flood our hearts. It is our responsibility to show them Jesus.

Thank you Lord Jesus, we have voted for you to be our leader. Amen.

Envy, Strife and Division

2010-04-26T00:11:00.000+08:00

For you are still carnal. For where there are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal and behaving like mere men?1 Corinthians 3:3

The Corinthian church was a congregation very much open to the power of the Holy Spirit. Unfortunately, a partying spirit arose among the people and there was much compromise in their midst, especially in the realm of sexual morality. Instead of centering on Christ, the Corinthian believers were a very egocentric lot. Jesus was their Savior but not yet their Lord.

They were more interested to get rather than to give. The apostle Paul wrote to rebuke them for their spiritual immaturity. He highlighted in no uncertain terms: “You are still just babies in the Christian life. You are not following the Lord but your own selfish desires. I cannot talk to you as I would to healthy Christians who are filled with the Spirit” (1 Cor 3:1, TLB). The Corinthian believers had divided themselves into quarreling groups, jealous and suspicious of each other. Paul chided them for “acting like people who don’t belong to the Lord at all” (3:3, TLB).

Do we see that among the body of Christ today? Absolutely. “Church politics” and infighting are widespread in many quarters of the kingdom. Rival ministries are often comparing and competing with each other. The Corinthians were proof of that. Simmering below all the spiritual gifts and revelatory knowledge in the Corinthian church was a whole range of jealousy, friction, resentment, bitterness and hatred for one another.

In Genesis 26, Isaac went to the Valley of Gerar and started digging wells to get drinking water for his family. Contention arose when some Philistines claimed the right to the well. Isaac called that well Esek, which means in Hebrew, “quarrel” (26:20). Not wanting to create strife, Isaac dug another well. But again the Philistines fought him over the second one. He called the second well Sitnah, which means “hatred” (26:21). Why did the Philistines behave in such a bullying way? Because they had previously seen the prosperity of Isaac, and they “envied him” (26:14).

Envy makes you quarrel and fight. Envy fills you with hatred for others. Envy is a work of the carnal flesh (Gal. 5:21). Whenever we allow envy, strife and division in a fellowship, not only do we hurt ourselves, we bring tremendous disrepute to the gospel. Such “church politics” and fleshly maneuvering should never be present among Christians. Isaac refused to stoop down to the level of the envious Philistines. He dug another well.

This time, he called the well Rehoboth, which means “spaciousness.” God had made room for him to be fruitful in the land (Gen. 26:22). When you choose to be a genuine disciple of Jesus and refuse to embrace the envy and strife of the world, God will ensure that you will come to your own realm of fruitfulness.

The Mind of Christ

2010-04-23T22:58:00.000+08:00

For “who has known the mind of the LORD that he may instruct Him?” But we have the mind of Christ. 1 Corinthians 2:16

In several places in the Bible, the word “mind” is translated from the Greek word phronema. Phronema is not just what you think but how you think-how you construct your thoughts and make your conclusions. Therefore, phronema is a mind-set, a mental paradigm or inclination, a framing or structure of thoughts. It controls the way a person views people and things around him. There are a number of phronemas in the Bible:

(1) Adamic mind-set. This is a natural, humanistic reasoning instilled by the value systems of this fallen world. In Matthew 16:21-23, Jesus rebuked Peter for being “not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men.” The Adamic mind-set is so natural that it can’t receive any spiritual revelation.

(2) Carnal mind-set. This is a self-centered paradigm. Every thought is processed only for the pleasing of the self. Romans 8:7-8 says, “Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God.” The Christian with a carnal mind-set often redefi nes spiritual principles in order to give license for himself to sin.

(3) Proud mind-set. This often applies to arrogant people who are puffed up by certain knowledge, “revelation” or education they have received. It can also manifest itself through ethnic pride or nationalism.

(4) Base mind-set. Paul says, “For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame—who set their mind on earthly things” (Phil. 3:18-19). A base mind is set on earthly things. It has no reverence for God or spiritual matters. People with such a mentality usually end up becoming very anti-Christian, anti-Church and anti-Christ.

(5) Childish mind-set. A child is immature and can’t accept responsibility. A child blame-shifts and gets into a temper tantrum whenever he can’t get his way. The Bible says, “When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things” (1 Cor. 13:11).

(6) Mind of Christ. This is the mind-set that reads everything through the eyes of God. This is a paradigm that thinks everything through faith in the Word and the anointing of the Holy Spirit. Put on the mind of Christ today!

The Three 'G's

2010-04-23T04:04:00.000+08:00

For it was so, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned his heart after other gods; and his heart was not loyal to the LORD his God, as was the heart of his father David. 1 Kings 11:4

Solomon was lifted up by God to build Him a sanctuary. There was none as wise as Solomon in all the earth, yet this very wisdom became the basis of his corruption. What was the lifestyle that caused one so blessed to fall away from the plan and purpose of God for his life? Solomon fell prey to the three most basic temptations faced by all leaders: glory, girls and gold.

(1) Glory. Solomon’s will was in direct disobedience to the laws for kings. In Deuteronomy 17:16, God warns that a king “shall not multiply horses for himself.” Solomon went on a great military spending spree to gather chariots and horsemen (1 Kin. 10:26-28). They filled the whole kingdom of Israel. God was not against the formation of a necessary defense force but He was absolutely against a king putting his entire trust in them. Solomon presided over the greatest military buildup in Israel’s history only to satiate his own pride and vain glory.

(2) Girls. Deuteronomy 17:17 says that a king shall not “multiply wives for himself, lest his heart turn away.” While it is good for a man to have a wife, God says, “Don’t multiply wives!” “King Solomon loved many foreign women, as well as the daughter of Pharaoh: women of the Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Sidonians, and Hittites … he had seven hundred wives, princesses, and three hundred concubines; and his wives turned away his heart” (1 Kin. 11:1,3). These sins may seem very remote to us but Jesus says that you can commit adultery in your heart (Matt. 5:28). The Bible talks about fallen church leaders that have “eyes full of adultery and that cannot cease from sin” (2 Pet. 2:14). Those things can disqualify us from God’s anointing and blessings.

(3) Gold. Finally, Deuteronomy 17:17 warns that a king is not to “greatly multiply silver and gold for himself.” Solomon used his navy to bring into Jerusalem gold, silver, ivory, apes and peacocks (1 Kin. 10:22). He was using his God-given wisdom to enrich himself. There is nothing wrong with money. But the lust of money is the root of all evil. God did not forbid a king from gathering silver and gold. What He did forbid is the greedy multiplying and hoarding of them. It is the greed and adoration of possession that can ruin us as they did to King Solomon. If someone as great as Solomon could fall into temptation, then “let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall” (1 Cor. 10:12).

Faithful to God's Purpose

2010-04-22T09:24:00.000+08:00

Now three times a year Solomon offered burnt offerings and peace offerings on the altar which he had built for the LORD, and he burned incense with them on the altar that was before the LORD. So he finished the temple. 1 Kings 9:25

When the temple was completed, Solomon remembered the commandment of God in Deuteronomy 16:16, where God says, “Three times a year all your males shall appear before the LORD your God … and they shall not appear before the LORD empty-handed.” The people are to appear at:

(1) The Feast of Passover. This is symbolic of salvation. When we stand before God one day, we are to appear with souls we have turned to the Lord for salvation. We are not to come before Him empty-handed.

(2) The Feast of Pentecost. This is symbolic of the baptism in the Holy Spirit. We too have to appear before the Lord with souls we have led into the Spirit baptism. Again, we are not to come before His throne empty-handed.

(3) The Feast of Tabernacle. This is symbolic of Christian perfection. When we stand before the judgment seat of Christ, we are to present to Him the believers we have discipled and led into the pathway of spiritual maturity. May we not come before Him empty-handed in this area too.

See the beautiful spirit of Solomon? Unlike many ministers or denominations, Solomon was not transfixed by the splendor of the temple he had built; nor did he look upon it as an end in itself. He knew that the house of God was the place where the purpose of God would be accomplished. And for his faithful obedience to God’s Word and purpose, God blessed him greatly.

“King Solomon surpassed all the kings of the earth in riches and wisdom” (1 Kin. 10:23). God had promised him not only wisdom and understanding, but also riches and honor. Wisdom often precedes abundance. Solomon himself said that wisdom brings with it a long life, riches and honor (Prov. 3:16). No wonder he exhorts, “Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom” (4:7). Solomon lacked nothing. There was an abundant supply of wealth to accomplish all the dreams and visions God had given to him. In these exciting days, God is searching for people who would apply their hearts to divine wisdom. And into their hands will be given an abundance of wealth to perform all the will of God on the earth.

Temple of the Holy Spirit

2010-04-21T08:56:00.000+08:00

Then he set up the pillars by the vestibule of the temple; he set up the pillar on the right and called its name Jachin, and he set up the pillar on the left and called its name Boaz. 1 Kings 7:21

As believers, we are the temple of God and the Spirit of God dwells in us (1 Cor. 3:16). What kind of a temple does God want us to be in His kingdom? We can have a clue of that from the composition of Solomon’s temple.

First of all, Solomon’s temple speaks of purity. The whole building was characterized by its great length. The Holy Place alone was 40 cubits long (1 Kin. 6:17). The number “40″ in the Bible speaks of “purging by fiery trials.” Moses spent 40 years in the backside of the desert. The Israelites spent 40 years going round and round the wilderness. Jesus spent 40 days in the wilderness learning to overcome the temptations of the devil. Maybe as you read this devotion today, you are going through some challenging situations in your life. Be encouraged to know that the fiery trials are sent your way to purge and equip you so that you will be able to enter into your “new building” with God’s blessing.

Secondly, Solomon’s temple speaks of perfection. The Holy of Holies was 20 cubits in length, breadth and height (6:20). Twenty was the age when an Israelite was deemed mature or “perfect enough” to join the army. God wants you to grow up into the spiritual maturity of perfection. The Bible says that the purpose of the ministry gifts is “for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ” (Eph. 4:12-13).

Thirdly, Solomon’s temple had strong pillars. The pillars on the right and left had significant names (1 Kin. 7:21). “Jachin” means “God shall establish” and “Boaz” means “in God is strength.” The whole temple was supported not by brick and mortar but by the Lord Himself. Our lives should not be any different. Jesus Christ is our foundational pillar.

Finally, Solomon’s temple was made of pure gold. It cost billions of dollars to build because it was covered within and without with pure gold. God wants your inner life and outward ministry to be gloriously full of His presence and power.

The Double Portion

2010-04-20T08:25:00.000+08:00

Then the word of the LORD came to Solomon, saying: “Concerning this temple which you are building, if you walk in My statutes, execute My judgments, keep all My commandments, and walk in them, then I will perform My word with you, which I spoke to your father David.” 1 Kings 6:11-12

Solomon began building the temple exactly 480 years after the children of Israel had come out of Egypt (1 Kin. 6:1). Why was the year given so precisely in the Scripture? The number “48″ in the Bible is the number implying priestly worship. There were 48 cities given to the Levites for conducting their worship when the Israelites came into the Promised Land (Josh. 21:41). The number “10″ is the fulfillment of the law. So “480″ (or 48 x 10) means that the emphasis in Solomon’s temple would be on worship done by faithful priests in accordance to the law. The primary reason for building God a house is really for the offering of sacrificial worship (2 Chr. 2:5-6).

Similarly, in the end-times, Father God is looking for true worshipers. Jesus says, “But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth” (John 4:23-24). The first sanctuary God commanded man to build for Him was the tabernacle of Moses. It was 30 cubits by 10 cubits. But the measurement of the temple Solomon was building was 60 cubits by 20 cubits, which is exactly twice the dimensions of Moses’ tabernacle. Herein lies a beautiful truth. The fi rst tabernacle is a picture of the Early Church while Solomon’s temple is a picture of the End-time Church. The Church in the last days will receive a “double portion” of the Holy Spirit for a great global harvest (James 5:7). This will be the fulfillment of Jesus’ words when He said, “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father” (John 14:12). The prophet Haggai also prophesied, “The glory of this latter house shall be greater than of the former” (Hag. 2:9, KJV).

The building of the house of God in the latter days will be an urgent task. In 1 Kings 6:11-12, God came to Solomon in the middle of the construction process to spur him on, to encourage him to persevere to the end. God is doing the same to you as you read today’s devotion. “Don’t grow weary while doing good, for in due season you shall reap if you do not lose heart” (Gal. 6:9). Keep on keeping on!

God Wants To Trust You

2010-04-19T11:57:00.000+08:00

In the opening chapters of 1 Kings, we have the ascension of Solomon to the throne. There was a series of stages in this interesting episode of his life.

(1) Appointed: Solomon was publicly declared to be chosen by David, who was a type of our Lord Jesus Christ.

(2) Anointed: He had the true anointing when the oil out of the tabernacle was poured on him.

(3) Authority: Solomon rode the royal mule of David.

(4) Adherence: He walked in the instructions of David and clearly loved the Lord. He had gone through the discipline and chastening of both his parents David and Bathsheba.

(5) Abundance: At Gibeon, Solomon offered 1,000 burnt offerings on God’s altar. It was a reign of unlimited generosity and fruitfulness. In fact, Solomon had a vineyard called Baal Hamon, which literally means “the Lord of abundance.”

(6) Asking: In 1 Kings 3:5, God appeared to Solomon in a dream and said, “Ask! What shall I give you?” What kind of an answer would an untrained person have given? “Lord, give me gold, girls and glory!” Not Solomon. He asked the Lord for wisdom (3:9). What an invitation God had offered Solomon. But he didn’t waste that opportunity on glory or wealth. He went after the most important thing-wisdom! To whom would God appear to? Only to those who are trained and disciplined. To those who love His commandments and keep them (John 14:21). Jesus says, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God” (Matt. 5:8).

(7) An open heaven: When God finds a man who is disciplined and discipled so carefully that he could be brought face to face with Him, He will give this man an open heaven. Jesus had such a beautiful communion with the Father that on His way to Calvary, He said, “If I wanted to, I could ask and My Father would give Me 12 legions of angels right now” (Matt. 26:53). Whatever Jesus asked for, He would receive. Because God can trust Jesus to always ask according to His will. God can trust Jesus to always want to bring glory to Him. Similarly, God wants to bring us to that place where He can trust us with an open heaven. The heavens are open to any man or woman who will walk in the same spirit of Solomon. This is God wants you to be. Just like there was no limit to Solomon’s vision and dream during his reign, nothing then would be impossible to you.

To be Born Again

2010-04-18T10:58:00.000+08:00

John 3:7…… You should not be surprised at my saying, 'You must be born again.'

The phrase ‘born again’ has become so acceptable that it has made its way into the secular world. It is a phrase that is often used and frequently abused. It is maligned by non-Christians and not properly understood by far too many Christians.

Let’s settle the matter right now; what does it mean to born again?

To initiate the process, those who want to be born again must first want to die to their old way of life. Repenting of a sin-filled and self-centred lifestyle, we must ask for forgiveness and believe that we are cleansed by the blood of Jesus Christ, whom we believe is the Son of God, who died, was buried and rose again for anyone who chooses to follow Him as the Lord of their life.

This decision will activate our soul to interact with the Holy Spirit and we will be born again. We will be regenerated in our mind, will and emotions. We will be completely recreated anew and become born again Christians. We have taken a step into the kingdom of God; the first step on our journey of salvation.

To complete this initial process we must also be baptised in the Holy Spirit. If we ask, we will receive power from Jesus that will complete our conversion and enable us to follow Him all the days of our life.

The speed of this process and the power that is manifest in our life is determined by each individual. The Holy Spirit will not take over to control our lives but will operate in accordance to how much control we give Him. Even if we surrender completely to the lordship of Jesus, we still set the parameters. The Holy Spirit will not cause us to loose control. He will not override our decisions, our choices or our will. We have self-control. Therefore, we choose how we behave.

The ministry of the Holy Spirit is to reveal Jesus and to make Him known. As He works in us and through us it is to do just that. As He leads us on the path prepared for us to walk in and, if we choose to walk in that way, He will conform us into the likeness of Christ. In doing so, He will draw all men to Jesus and to the Cross-roads of their own destiny.

Lord Jesus, thank you for sending the Holy Spirit to help us to be born again and become more like you. Amen.

Living Sacrifices

2010-04-17T18:19:00.001+08:00

If his offering is a burnt sacrifice of the herd, let him offer a male without blemish; he shall offer it of his own free will at the door of the tabernacle of meeting before the LORD … And the priest shall burn all on the altar as a burnt sacrifice, an offering made by fire, a sweet aroma to the LORD. Leviticus 1:3, 9

There are five offerings in Leviticus that speak of the sacrifice Jesus made on the cross. With the exception of one, all the offerings mentioned are sacrifices that involve the shedding of blood. Each portrays a certain aspect of Christ and our spiritual walk with Him.

All aspects of those offerings are given in great detail. Nothing is left to the imagination and private interpretation of men. A wise man once said:

“The holiness of God demanded a sacrifice;
The majesty of God required certain regulations;
The honor of God necessitated a code of conduct;
The perfection of God expected the best of its kind;
The purity of God deserved freedom from blemish;
The sovereignty of God meant absolute obedience to details.”

The first of the five offerings in Leviticus is the burnt offering. It is a freewill offering in which one would offer his best possessions to the Lord. Four items of an animal must be placed on the altar, to be consumed by fi re:

(1) The head, which speaks of our thoughts and aspirations.

(2) The fat, which speaks of the extras that God has prospered us with.

(3) The internal entrails, which speak of our deepest feelings.

(4) The legs, which speak of our spiritual walk.

All these areas of our lives must be yielded, purified and empowered by the Holy Spirit. Christ is our burnt offering. He came into the world as a man, not to do His own will, but to fulfill the will of the Father who sent Him. He has “given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma” (Eph. 5:2). He has willingly surrendered His total self—body, soul and spirit—to do the will of His heavenly Father, and to complete it victoriously.

But the burnt offering is also about you. “How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?” (Heb. 9:14). While you are not saved by works, you are saved for good works.

The burnt offering speaks of your personal consecration as a vessel for God’s use. Paul beseeches you to “present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service” (Rom. 12:1). Like Jesus, when you willingly submit your life to do God’s will in your generation, you become a Holy Spirit fired-up offering. You are now a sweet-smelling aroma to the Lord.

The Rhema Word

2010-04-15T14:25:00.001+08:00

So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Romans 10:17

The source of faith is always God’s Word. But there is a supernatural “mountain-moving” gift of faith that comes through a Spirit-given revelation or rhema. Romans 10:17 says that faith comes by hearing the word (rhema) of God.

In the Greek text, the Word of God can be expressed both as the logos and the rhema. The logos means the sum total or whole counsel of God’s Word. The logos therefore is the entire Bible-the Holy Scriptures. Jesus is the Living Word (”Logos”) because He is the full, expressed image of who God is (Heb. 1:2-3). On the other hand, the rhema is a word spoken for a particular occasion for a specific person. It is a personal word from God to you-a word that you should take immediate action upon. Christianity is not a philosophical, moralistic religion. Your relationship with God is alive and very dynamic. God longs to speak to you on a daily basis (3:7-8). Jesus says, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word (rhema) that proceeds from the mouth of God” (Matt. 4:4). The written Scriptures give us the general principles of God to live by. But each day, we should be led dynamically by the Spirit of God and tune our spiritual ears to hear the words that flow from His mouth!

God’s rhema to you becomes the basis for your dreams and visions. You have a direct word from heaven for your life and destiny! The faith that comes from a rhema is very powerful. It becomes the sword of the Spirit (Eph. 6:17). You can use it as a weapon against the doubts and condemnatory accusations of Satan whenever he tries to hinder you from reaching your dream.

With the rhema, Peter was able to walk on water (Matt. 14:22-33). With the rhema, Jesus healed the paralytic who was infi rm for 38 years (John 5:1-8). With the rhema, Paul boldly became the apostle to the Gentile world (Acts 9:15-16). Start learning to hear the rhema from the Lord. Develop an active relationship with the Holy Spirit. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes as you learn to discern His leading and spiritual impressions. Without tuning to the rhema, there can be no strong, powerful faith. Christianity would become a dry and dull religion. But with the rhema, your Christian life will become a daily adventure with Jesus!

New Life In Jesus Christ

2010-04-14T07:55:00.000+08:00

"Be filled with the Spirit." Ephesians 5:18

You can have new life in Jesus Christ! Just as Jesus was raised from the dead, so God can give us new life through the power of the Holy Spirit. "If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!"

The Bible says to "put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness." God has given us power to live new lives.

When we truly accept Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord,

Our sins are forgiven
God gives us the power to be filled with His Holy Spirit
Our names are written down in heaven
We can overcome sin and death because of Christ's death for us
We can live in newness of life, no longer weighed down by our past

God loves you so much that He gave His Son Jesus Christ for you. You can live a victorious life in the wonderful life-changing power of God's Holy Spirit.

So, this week, let us pray that

God will help us make disciples of all nations
God will help you live above your circumstances in the power of His Holy Spirit
God will bring blessing and protection to our staff and volunteers

THANK YOU so much for your prayers. God can use your prayers greatly to bring change to people and to nations.

God loves you!!!

Give Me More Grace

2010-04-13T08:24:00.000+08:00

1 Thessalonians 5:28……The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

Let’s face it, no matter how gracious we are, we all have a long way to go before we will be like Jesus. No matter how hard we try, we all fall short of His mark. Therein lies the dichotomy; in our strength we will never do it but in our weakness we will succeed.

It is the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ that must flow through us, His grace, because only His grace is sufficient for us. When we recognise our inability to mimic His great grace and give up trying, through our surrender, He will release His grace to be poured into our challenging situations.

We all need more of His amazing grace to flow from us to others, but it does not fall upon us like ‘magic dust’ from heaven no matter how long we pray. No, to grow in grace the Lord allows us opportunities to exercise the grace we have and, since we never have enough, He stretches us to give us more.

How does He do this? Do you remember that really awkward person who started sitting in the seat next to you in church or that really difficult family that moved into the house next door? Those people were ‘grace-builders’ sent by the Lord in answer to your prayer for more grace.

Instead of complaining and getting annoyed, see the situation as a positive opportunity to grow in grace and start praising the Lord. You never know, you may be someone else’s grace-builder. Hallelujah!

Thank you lord Jesus for helping us to grow in grace. Amen

Victory Over The Flesh

2010-04-12T09:23:00.000+08:00

O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? I thank God—through Jesus Christ our Lord! … Romans 7:24-25

Paul didn’t want to leave us with the impression that God’s laws are bad (Rom. 7:13). God’s laws are meant to lead us into a meaningful life in close fellowship with Him. The real problem is our inability to live up to the standards God has set. By nature, we are flawed and inclined toward sin. We don’t set out to become enslaved to sin, but if we follow the dictates of our sinful nature, that is what would eventually happen. But we can be thankful that God has made a provision for our weaknesses, solving the sin problem through the finished work of Jesus Christ. Now, if we surrender our lives to God, we can experience His transforming power. He will provide us with the help we need to break free from slavery to our old nature and be ruled by the Holy Spirit.

Paul then described a struggle all of us can identify with. He was most revealing when he said, “I am carnal, sold under sin” (7:14). The great apostle still carnal? Yes, as long as he was alive, he had to contend with his fleshly nature. Paul said, “For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not fi nd. For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice. Now if I do what I will not to do, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me” (7:18-20). Again, Paul was using the present tense to describe his assessment of his own carnal self. He recognized the power of sin in his life and admitted how helpless he was against it.

We all long to do what is good, healthy and right, but we constantly end up committing the same old sins. As we honestly reflect on our lives, we admit our failures and seek to change, but we still may fall back into our old habits again. However, we must not allow this struggle to discourage us. We need to continue to confess our sins to God, even if we have confessed the same sins numerous times. God promises to forgive us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness

(1 John 1:9). We’ll never become so spiritual that we can stop confessing our sins. In fact, when we admit that we don’t have the power to overcome the sins that entangle us, only then will we be ready to accept the help that God offers. And only with God’s power will we be able to overcome the temptations we face.

Crucifying The Old Man

2010-04-11T13:52:00.000+08:00

Knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin. Romans 6:6

How can we ever come to a place where we seldom or hardly sin? The key is found in Romans 6:6 where it says that our old man needs to be crucified with Christ. What does that mean? Let me illustrate with this example:

Say there is this terrible man who drinks heavily and smokes a lot. He watches pornography on television all the time. He visits sleazy massage parlors and constantly cheats on his wife. Whenever he is in a bad mood or comes home drunk, he becomes violent and beats up his wife and kids. And whenever his wife and children come back from church, he would use the vilest profanities and start cursing God.

One Sunday morning, his wife and kids have gone to church and the man is watching pornography on television again. He has a glass of whiskey in his hand and a cigar in his mouth.

That Sunday, his family has a wonderful time in church. But as they approach home, they become very fearful. Would daddy be drunk when we enter the door? Would he beat us up again? But when they step into the house, they are shocked. The cigar and whiskey are by the table but the man is not smoking or drinking. The television is on but he is not watching it either. He didn’t shout, curse or swear at them. He didn’t get violent or beat them up. What happened?

The man had just died of a heart attack! And when he died, he also became dead to sin-to all his bad habits and vices!

The Bible says that at Calvary, Jesus took your old nature, the old man, the “old you”-who likes to sin, rebel, lie-and nailed it together with Him to the cross. In exchange, the new man, the nature of God in Christ, becomes alive in us. When we live out the life of the new man, the power of sin has no more hold on us.

A very important truth is that Romans 6:6 starts with the word “knowing.” That word means “knowledge by experience” or “knowledge by supernatural revelation.” That is why it is so crucial to have personal encounters with the presence and the power of God. Religious information to your head alone will not help you become victorious. You need daily encounters with God to live out the overcoming life in Christ.

Godly Discipline

2010-04-10T07:51:00.000+08:00

So David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the LORD.” And Nathan said to David, “The LORD also has put away your sin; you shall not die. However, because by this deed you have given great occasion to the enemies of the LORD to blaspheme, the child also who is born to you shall surely die.” 2 Samuel 12:13-14

In 2 Samuel 11-12, David fell from grace. The fact that a man as anointed as David could fall should alert all of us. Why did the “Sweet Psalmist of Israel” get into trouble? David committed three sins:

(1) The sin of irresponsibility (11:1). At a time when kings should lead their troops into battle, David was complacent. When you don’t flow with God and His presence, you will always get yourself into serious trouble.

(2) The sin of opulence (11:2). David started to love comfort a little too much. He was resting and pampering his body while his soldiers were dying out in the battlefield.

(3) The sin of not taming his eyes (11:2-3). The eye is the window of the soul. David started lusting for Bathsheba, the wife of one of his mighty men.

The sad drama that followed was one of deception, intrigue, adultery and murder. Thankfully, that was not the end of the story. When Nathan the prophet confronted David with his sins, the latter immediately repented before the Lord. And the beautiful thing is that God extended His grace to him and forgave him of his sins. However, David had to bear the consequences of his evil deeds. Eventually, three of his sons would face violent death. Killing and bloodshed would persist in his family all the days of his life. Many of his own wives would be taken away from him. David reaped whatever he had sown (Gal. 6:7-8).

Let us understand the difference between forgiveness and judgment. Very often, we think that when God forgives, we don’t have to bear the consequences of our actions any longer. That is wrong. Forgiveness has to do with the record. Judgment has to do with the character. God has to deal with your character defects so that you will not sin again in those same areas. And His tool to do that is discipline and judgment. David understood this principle of positive judgment. In Psalm 51:4, David says,”Against You, You only, have I sinned, and done this evil in Your sight—that You may be found just when You speak, and blameless when You judge.”

As a child of God, you must not become afraid of God’s discipline. Which good earthly father wouldn’t discipline his own children? “For they indeed for a few days chastened us as seemed best to them, but He for our profit, that we may be partakers of His holiness” (Heb. 12:10).

The Faith of Abraham

2010-04-09T06:22:00.000+08:00

He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform. Romans 4:20-21

Many people claim to have faith in Jesus and the Bible, but their faith is only in the realm of the mind. That is called head-faith. Having head-faith is like having “Thomas faith.” When Thomas heard that Jesus was resurrected from the dead, he found it very difficult to believe that his Master was really alive. All his physical senses and human reasoning told him that Jesus was already dead (John 20:24-29). He saw Him crucified on the cross. He saw His lifeless body buried in the tomb. His natural, human faith said, “It is impossible for a dead man to come back to life. I’m not going to believe it unless I can see and feel Jesus for myself.” Headfaith is just an intellectual acceptance, or mental assent, of certain facts and doctrines. This is not true Bible faith at all. And it will never produce results and changes in the lives of people.

What we all need is “Abraham faith” or heart-faith. Abraham did not consider mere physical knowledge or natural facts. He only valued the spiritual truth of God’s Word. While you should not deny the problems and pains you may be experiencing in life, you must look beyond them to God’s promises. Real faith says, “If God says it is so, it is so!” Although Abraham was already 100 years old and still childless, he stood on God’s promise to him. God had said, “For I have made you a father of many nations” (Rom. 4:16-17). That was more than enough for him. His faith perceived as reality what was not revealed to his physical senses.

To believe is a strong decision to trust God and His Word no matter what the circumstances may say. Abraham had already decided, “God is going to give me a son. Period!” He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief or second thoughts. He was fully convinced that God would perform as He had promised to him (4:20-21). And while waiting for his dream to come to pass, Abraham kept on praising God by giving Him glory all the time.

Eventually, the boy Isaac was born to his wife Sarah! Decide today not to be weak in faith. Don’t hold on to the attitude that “seeing is believing.” Be a person that believes in the promises of God first, having faith that you will see them come to pass later on.

The House Of God

2010-04-08T07:57:00.000+08:00

That the king said to Nathan the prophet, “See now, I dwell in a house of cedar, but the ark of God dwells inside tent curtains.” 2 Samuel 7:2

For most of his life, David had been a warrior fi ghting battle after battle. Eventually, he came into a season during which God gave him “rest from all his enemies all around” (7:1). One day, David stood at the balcony of his palace admiring its splendor when it suddenly dawned upon him the shabbiness of God’s tabernacle. Immediately, he was grieved in his heart because a makeshift tent was not an appropriate place for the King of kings. David complained to Nathan the prophet, “See now, I dwell in a house of cedar, but the ark of God dwells inside tent curtains” (7:2).

That night, the Lord responded by saying, “Would you build a house for Me to dwellin?” God does not need to stay in a house made by human hands. He is too big for that! The best supercomputers in the world estimate that there are 40 sextillion stars in the universe. That is 4 followed by 23 zeroes! Even if you travel at the speed of light, it would still take 50 quintillion years to reach the edge of the universe. That is 5 followed by 19 zeroes! Yet, even the heaven of heavens can’t hold our God. He is infinitely bigger than the universe He has created. How then could God be contained in a house of cedar? Nonetheless, God was very moved by the love David had for him. He was touched by the fact that when David had become famous, wealthy and powerful, he had not forgotten the Source of his success (7:6-9). The temple David planned to build was temporal at best. But turning His face to David, God now offered to build David a royal house that would last for all eternity. He promises, “Your house and your kingdom shall be established forever before you.

Your throne shall be established forever” (7:16). And 28 generations later, out of that royal house came forth Jesus Christ, the heir to David’s throne, whose kingdom will have no end. God has one building program on the earth today-His Church (Matt. 16:18). Have you come on board with that building program? When God gives you the power to get wealth, when He blesses your business, career and family, do you ever think of building Him a great house on the earth, like David did? The “church house” we can build for the Lord may last 30 years, 50 years, or at best several hundreds of years. But in exchange, God will build for you and your family a “royal house” that will be established forever. Isn’t that a wonderful exchange?

The Call Of God

2010-04-07T11:09:00.000+08:00

So David went to Baal Perazim, and David defeated them there; and he said, “The LORD has broken through my enemies before me, like a breakthrough of water.” Therefore he called the name of that place Baal Perazim. 2 Samuel 5:20

Every one of us has a call of God for our lives. You are called by God to do something specific for Him. There is no useless person in life and you should not be drifting through life without a sense of destiny or purpose. From David’s experience in 2 Samuel 5, you can learn five important lessons about discerning God’s calling for you:

(1) What word or rhema have you received from the Lord? That word will be a good indicator of your calling in life. David had a word from heaven that he shall be the shepherd and ruler of Israel (5:1-2). Faith comes by hearing that rhema. Without that rhema revelation, you won’t have the faith to obey.

(2) What are you gifted and anointed with? David was anointed three times in his life: by the prophet Samuel, by the men of Judah, and by the elders of Israel (5:3). An anointing is an impartation of ability by the Holy Spirit. God never wastes His anointing. What He has gifted and anointed you with is often indicative of your calling.

(3) What does other trusted leadership see in you? The reason elders chose him was because the gifting and ability of kingship in David were already clearly evident to all (5:3). God works through spiritual protocol. A calling upon your life should be evident to the mature, spiritual leadership God has surrounded you with. Let them confi rm your calling.

(4) How are your enemies opposing you? If you are not walking in your calling, you will never be a threat to Satan. But the moment you step into your destiny, you can be sure he is not going take things lying down. He will be very agitated and start hindering you (5:3). Sometimes, an unprovoked attack could be an indication that you are walking in your calling.

(5) What breakthrough has God provided you with? When David went to the Valley of Rephaim, God provided a way for him to attain resounding victory over his enemies. He renamed that valley Baal Perazim, which means “Master of Breakthroughs”(5:20). God often speaks to us through an open door. When you receive a breakthrough in an impossible situation, it is a good sign that God wants you to walk through it. That is your calling from the Lord.

Faith To Live By

2010-04-06T05:56:00.000+08:00

For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.” Romans 1:17

Four times the Scripture declares to us that the just or righteous shall live by his faith (Hab. 2:4; Rom. 1:17; Gal. 3:11; Heb. 10:38). For it to be repeated practically word for word that many times shows that the subject of faith must really be important. In fact, by the proclamation of this truth alone, a tiny minority managed to change the course of world history.

In 300 years, it brought the whole of the Roman Empire to its knees. Another 1,200 years later, this same revelation empowered Martin Luther to dislodge the power of Roman Catholicism and started the Protestant Reformation. Likewise, if we can comprehend and apply this simple truth by faith today, it can revolutionize our individual lives and our ministry in the kingdom. Let’s look at Romans 1:17 again. In the original text, the word “live” connotes the idea of a sustaining force. As such, faith is the sustaining force that keeps your entire life going in the Lord. Faith is what makes life a never-dull adventure. The word “live” covers all areas of the human experience-the spiritual, mental, physical and material. It even covers basic activities like breathing, thinking, speaking, working, sleeping, etc. For any person to be accepted as righteous by God, all these activities must be motivated and controlled by the one great principle of faith.

Consider the trivial matter of eating. “But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because he does not eat from faith; for whatever is not from faith is sin” (Rom. 14:23). God expects you to have faith to the extent that even your eating must proceed from faith. But what does it mean to eat from faith?

(1) You acknowledge that God is the one who provided you with the food that you eat.

(2) You thank God that your food is now blessed and sanctified.

(3) You acknowledge that the health and strength you receive through your food will be used for God’s service and glory.

Imagine that God expects faith in you even for such a trivial activity like eating! The converse of eating in faith is to “eat in darkness” which will result in sorrow, sickness and frustration (Eccl. 5:17).

Consider another trivial matter-sleeping. Many people struggle with sleep because of fear, worry and anxiety. David was a man who went through many troubles and dangers, but in the midst of them all, his faith in God sustained him: “I lay down and slept; I awoke, for the LORD sustained me . . . I will both lie down in peace, and sleep; for You alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety” (Ps. 3:5; 4:8). If God expects such trivial matters like eating and sleeping to be done in faith, what about the rest of life’s activities? Start living by faith in every area of your daily existence!

Personal Pentecost

2010-04-05T19:48:00.000+08:00

Acts 9:18….. Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul's eyes, and he could see again.

Saul of Tarsus hated Christians. He hunted them down and persecuted them, even to death. He was a self-righteous Pharisee who learned his theology at the feet of the famous Gamaliel.

On the road to Damascus he was struck blind. There followed a dramatic sequence of events that led to his sudden conversion, the cure of his blindness at the hands of a Christian disciple Ananias and his baptism. Saul became Paul and eagerly accepted his commission to preach the gospel of Christ first to the Jews but mainly to the Gentiles.

Paul was not among Jesus’ disciples when Jesus lived on the earth. After his spectacular conversion leading to personal insight and revelation of the Gospel, he became one of the most zealous early Christians. His missionary letters comprise almost one-third of the New Testament.

Paul had a personal pentecost experience that was every bit as powerful as the first outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost in the Upper Room in Jerusalem. As a result of which he was completely changed. Surely this is what conversion literally means.

Every Christian needs this experience. We all need our own personal pentecostal encounter with the Holy Spirit. It is only the beginning of our salvation journey to meet Jesus at Calvary, but after Easter comes Penetecost and with Pentecost comes the power to change.

Christians cannot fully function in a Christ-like lifestyle until we have been set on fire by the power of the Holy Spirit; this fire that ignites an unquenchable passion for Jesus.

Have you had your own personal penetcost? Why don’t you ask the Holy Spirit to change you today?

Lord Jesus, thank you for sending the Holy Spirit to baptise us with power from on high. Amen.

Hope And Restoration

2010-04-04T09:36:00.000+08:00

And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the LORD his God. 1 Samuel 30:6 (KJV)

The time in Ziklag was one of the darkest hours in David’s life. One day, when David was out of the city, the Amalekites invaded and burned it to the ground. David’s family and children were taken captive, and all his possessions were totally destroyed. By now, David had spent 10 years as a fugitive from Saul and he was already battle-weary. The anguish was so great that he and his men cried “until they [had] no more power to weep” (1 Sam. 30:4).

The men around him were so emotionally grieved that they turned against him and wanted to stone him to death. A Ziklag-type circumstance is where most Christians forsake their faith and give up on life. But God is the God of restoration. He can turn your setback into a comeback!

(1) Decide to regain what you have lost. Restoration happens only when you really, really want to regain what you have lost. David wept before the Lord. God always honors a broken spirit and a contrite heart.

(2) Seek after God. In the midst of all the confusion, “David encouraged himself in the LORD his God” (30:6). There will be moments when you have to go to God’s presence all by yourself to find strength in Him. David started seeking the face of God to know His mind in the midst of his difficult situation.

(3) Surround yourself with strong believers. David had 600 men. But at Brook Besor, only 400 were left as the rest were too weary to continue with him. Strength is absolutely vital in restoration work. Surround yourself with believers who have the spiritual stamina to last the

distance with you.

(4) Gain knowledge of the situation. David needed knowledge. An Egyptian provided him with valuable information concerning the secret hideouts of the enemies (30:11-16). Strength comes from a position of knowing.

(5) Persevere until total victory is achieved. Never become complacent. Although David and his men were exhausted, they fought the Amalekites until the latter was totally subdued (30:17).

(6) Be serious to take back all the spoil. David recovered all that the Amalekites had stolen away (30:18-20). You need to take stock of all the losses Satan has infl icted upon your life and have an unshakable desire to recover them. What do you want to see God restore to you? Ziklag is a powerful reminder of one truth: that in your darkest hour of loss, there is always hope and restoration in God.

Vision

2010-04-03T19:26:00.000+08:00

“Therefore, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision.” Acts 26:19

One of the main reasons God pours out His Spirit is so that we can all see visions and dream dreams (Acts 2:17). Visions and dreams are the substance for life’s great achievements. “Where there is no vision, the people perish” (Prov. 29:18). Martin Luther King was a black pastor growing up under severe racism in America. On August 28, 1963, he led a march in Washington, D.C. and gave one of the greatest speeches ever in human history. Reverend King said, “I have a dream that one day, my four little children will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character!” Racism policies in America started to change. King’s vision became a reality.

William Carey was the first missionary in modern history. He wanted to go to Burma to preach the gospel at a time when church leaders were saying, “If God wants to save the Asians, He can do it all by Himself-without us!” But Carey had a vision for mission outreaches. His motto in life was “attempt great things for God, and expect great things from God.” His vision eventually came to pass.

There is no such thing as a great person. We are all ordinary people committed to great dreams. And when what we dream happens, that dream makes us great. You may think that you are developing a dream. The contrary is true: your dream is really developing you. Dr. Yonggi Cho, the pastor of the world’s largest church, once said: “You don’t make a vision, your vision will make you!”

There are five types of people in the world:

(1) Those with no vision. You will live out your life in boredom, frustration and regrets. One day, you will look back and wonder about the what-if’s of your life.

(2) Those with low vision. You are afraid to step out in faith and believe God for a great dream. You want to play everything safe. But without faith, it is impossible to please God.

(3) Those with wrong vision. Make sure you know where you are heading. Make sure that you don’t climb up the ladder of life, only to realize at the end of your life that your ladder is leaning against the wrong wall. Don’t pledge first class allegiance to second class causes.

(4) Those with vague vision. You want to do something great with your life but you don’t know what you really want.

(5) Those with God’s vision. Paul had a heavenly vision from God and he was absolutely obedient to fulfill it. When you are living out God’s vision, you will experience the most exciting and meaningful life possible!

The Fool

2010-04-02T08:07:00.003+08:00

“Please, let not my lord regard this scoundrel Nabal. For as his name is, so is he: Nabal is his name, and folly is with him! But I, your maidservant, did not see the young men of my lord whom you sent.” 1 Samuel 25:25

Nabal was an arrogant landowner and successful shepherd in Carmel (1 Sam. 25:2-3). He held a feast for his sheep shearers while David was hiding from Saul in the wilderness of Paran. David and his 600 men were camping near the town of Maon and, during his time there, he protected the livestock and property of Nabal. When David heard about Nabal’s feast, he requested some food for his hungry men. In his drunken state, Nabal refused the request of David and insulted his 10 messengers.

The name “Nabal” literally means “fool” and by dishonoring David, he was, in every sense, a fool. In Luke 12:16-21, Jesus talks about a similar rich “fool” who lived to amass and enjoy riches. He put his trust in his riches and gave his entire soul totally to them. But in his complacency, he forgot that he owed all his blessings to God-even his very breath!

Eventually, his life was cut short by the Lord and he slipped into eternity unable to take any of his possessions with him. To Jesus, a fool “is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God” (12:21).

The spirit of Nabal was also evident in the days of Malachi when Israel dishonored God by robbing Him of their tithes and offerings. The little they gave to the Lord were offerings they themselves had despised-the blind, the lame and the sick. For their lack of honor toward Him, God allowed the devourer to destroy the fruit of their ground (Mal. 3:8-11). The result of foolishness, ungratefulness and dishonor is always loss and a destiny cut short.

In anger, David determined to kill all of Nabal’s household. After Nabal became sober and heard about David’s plans to kill him, he had a heart attack and died about 10 days later (1 Sam. 25:37-38).

Nabal had a wonderful wife, Abigail. She anticipated David’s reaction and immediately loaded a convoy of donkeys with food to feed all of David’s men. As soon as she met David, she impressed him with her beauty, humility, praise, and advice (25:32-33). Abigail is a beautiful picture of the Church. Nabal is a picture of the nonbeliever or backslider. David is the picture of the soon-coming King. When you minister to Jesus, you are being wise like Abigail. You will be accepted and loved by Him. When you reject and dishonor Jesus, you are being foolish like Nabal. Jesus is coming back for His Abigails. Be one today!

Touching God’s Anointed

2010-04-01T11:47:00.001+08:00

And he said to his men, “The LORD forbid that I should do this thing to my master, the LORD’S anointed, to stretch out my hand against him, seeing he is the anointed of the LORD.” 1 Samuel 24:6

In 1 Samuel 24, something very interesting happened. Saul had gone into a cave to ease himself. Sensing a great opportunity, David’s men “prophesied” to him, saying, “This is the day of which the LORD said to you, ‘Behold, I will deliver your enemy into your hand, that you may do to him as it seems good to you’” (24:4a). Every prophecy needs to be judged, and in this case, David’s men-with all their good intentions-were way off the mark.

In the natural, David was given a golden opportunity to ambush Saul. After all, God had promised him the necks of his enemies and Saul was right there, ripe for the picking. Every natural indicator pointed toward the killing of Saul. But God didn’t instruct David to do that. We must always walk by the leading of the Holy Spirit and not by our own clever human reasoning. Unfortunately, there is always the temptation to “help God out” when our vision is not forthcoming.

Although Saul was a terrible man, he was nonetheless David’s anointed king, father-inlaw, and mentor-albeit a bad one! The Bible says, “Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves” (Rom. 13:1-2). We must not come against those God has ordained.

David had the good sense not to listen to his men. But in his heart, he wanted to teach Saul a lesson. He wanted to shame Saul openly. So, “David arose and secretly cut off a corner of Saul’s robe” (1 Sam. 24:4b). That was an arrogant act designed to let Saul know that he could have killed him if he wanted to. In the natural, to David’s own men, his cutting off a corner of Saul’s robe was an act of mercy. But to God, it was an attitude of gross dishonor. God was so upset that He smote David’s heart (24:5). David had touched His anointed.

Our attitude determines our altitude. Very often, it is not just what we do or don’t do, it is the attitude we project; the signals we give. And to God, those signals are more important than our words and deeds. If David could not honor the authority God had ordained in the nation, he had no right to exercise authority over others. Therefore, David said to his men, “The LORD forbid that I should do this thing to my master, the LORD’s anointed, to stretch out my hand against him, seeing he is the anointed of the LORD” (24:6). May we never touch the anointed servants of God in His kingdom.

The Wandering Years

2010-03-31T08:17:00.001+08:00

So David fled and escaped, and went to Samuel at Ramah, and told him all that Saul had done to him. And he and Samuel went and stayed in Naioth. 1 Samuel 19:18

David suffered great injustice under Saul. Saul became so jealous of David that he tried to kill him five times while David was serving in the palace. Eventually, David had to flee for his life. 1 Samuel 19-27 records the wandering years of David. David first fled from Gibeah to Ramah, looking for Samuel the prophet (19:18-19).

At that time, Samuel was still very much alive. He understood the situation between Saul and David very well. To the rest of Israel, Saul was the man appointed by God to be the king. In his own right, Saul was a warrior worthy of respect. The people had no idea just how treacherous a king he could be. Who else could David have turned to except Samuel? The aging prophet was the only one who understood. When we experience trials in our lives, we need someone who can see beyond the veil and comfort us. Every Christian should have a spiritual leader-a discipler or mentor-whom we can run to in our moments of crisis.

After Ramah, David fled to the Philistine city of Gath (21:10-12). Having no other place to run to and ending up in the territory of Israel’s harshest enemy was the worst nightmare possible. And it was during this harrowing time that David composed two beautiful songs, Psalms 34 and 56. When we read these psalms, we often assume that David was writing them in the comfort of his home or temple. Quite on the contrary, they were written when he was fi ghting for his very survival!

The worst part of going through a trial is not understanding why the trial is occurring, or what the purpose of the trial is. You can’t see the light at the end of the tunnel. You don’t even know where you are going. There will always be periods when you feel like you are wandering through life aimlessly. You are unable to grasp any sense of the direction you are heading. In those moments when you can’t fully comprehend everything that is going on in your life, just cling tightly to Jesus.

He is working out something wonderful for you. Matthew 3:11-12 says, “He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. Hiswinnowing fan is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clean out His threshing floor, and gather His wheat into the barn; but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fi re.” The process of winnowing takes place when the wheat is tossed up and down to separate the chaff from the wheat. God uses times of shaking to separate the bad from the good in you. Although it may be a heartbreaking time of weeping, God will use those seasons ultimately for your good.

Final Events of Bible Prophecy

2010-03-30T23:38:00.001+08:00

Exciting multimedia documentary that reveals the amazing Bible truth behind earth's last day events!

The Power Of Your Testimony

2010-03-30T08:46:00.001+08:00

“Brethren and fathers, hear my defense before you now.” Acts 22:1

The word of our testimony is a very powerful spiritual weapon when we engage in soul-winning (Rev. 12:10-11). A faith-filled, positive, well-organized testimony is a very effective destroyer of fear, doubt and apathy. A testimony is especially powerful when it is inspired by the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8). Jesus encourages us that the most dire situation may “turn out for you as an occasion for testimony. Therefore settle it in your hearts not to meditate beforehand on what you will answer; for I will give you a mouth and wisdom which all your adversaries will not be able to contradict or resist” (Luke 21:13-15).

Principle #1 in sharing your testimony: Identify and endear yourself to your listener. In Acts 21-22, Paul was brought before a hostile crowd. He didn’t try to act religious or be superspiritual. He simply used wisdom to gain a chance to witness for the Lord. He appealed to the fact that he was a citizen of the Roman Empire and as such, he had a constitutional right to speak freely as a citizen (21:37-39). To win their attention, Paul spoke to the predominantly Jewish crowd in the Hebrew language instead of Greek. By doing that, he identifi ed himself as a fellow Jew and endeared himself to the people (21:40-22:2).

Principle #2: Don’t preach down at others; be persuasive by talking politely to them. Paul didn’t preach hard at the people in a condescending tone. Instead, he chose to simply share his personal life testimony (22:3).

Principle #3: Briefly tell how you were like before you accepted Christ. Paul shared about his past as an ultra-zealous Pharisee, preoccupied with jailing Christians and persecuting many believers to death (22:4-5).

Principle #4: Briefly tell how you received Christ. Paul then shared how he met Jesus on the way to Damascus (22:6-16). All throughout his testimony, he didn’t use highsounding theological jargons. He spoke so simply that even the most hardened sinner could understand him.

Principle #5: Briefly tell how you are like after you accepted Christ (22:17-21). Notice that all throughout the sharing, Paul kept his testimony very short and brief. A good testimony should not last more than fi ve minutes. Paul used this simple testimony format very effectively to reach out to many sinners-to government offi cials and even King Agrippa. Agrippa was so moved by his sharing that he told Paul: “You almost persuade me to become a Christian” (26:28). Learn to be a good witness for Christ by always being ready to share your testimony.

No More Death

2010-03-29T08:47:00.000+08:00

Romans 8:19-23……The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed. For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God. We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.

Man’s sin in the Garden of Eden not only meant expulsion from the presence of God and no more relationship with Him but it also dealt a death-blow to the whole of creation.

Man, who was intended to live forever in sublime harmony with God and all of His perfect creation, was now doomed to die outside of intimacy with God on a tainted and decaying planet.

God, in His limitless mercy sent Jesus Christ, His sinless Son, to make a way for mankind to be reconciled to God, to conquer death, to live with Him in a heavenly paradise and, ultimately, as sons of God, to reign with Him in a new heaven and a new earth forever.

All of creation groans in anticipation of paradise regained as does our spirit-man in the knowledge that not only are we redeemed back into a pre-fall closeness with God but our spirit and soul will occupy a new resurrected body that will never decay.

Heaven is an awesome place. None of earth’s flaws are there and none of our flaws will be there either. It is a magnificent place where everything is perfect.

Are you eagerly looking forward to going there?

There is, of course, only one way to get to heaven and that one way is through Jesus Christ. We must believe that He is the first-born Son of God who made the way open for us, as sons of God, to get there.

As believers in Him; as Christians, we must choose to live our lives in obedience to Him. In doing so, others will come to know Him and they too will be with Him in paradise forever.

Much as we look forward to going to heaven, it is our purpose on earth to share the good news of its accessibility with as many people as possible before we go there.

Thank you, Lord Jesus, for opening-up heaven to all who become Christians. Amen

The Gift Of Encouragement

2010-03-28T11:24:00.000+08:00

And when they had come to him, he said to them: “You know, from the first day that I came to Asia, in what manner I always lived among you, serving the Lord with all humility, with many tears and trials which happened to me by the plotting of the Jews; how I kept back nothing that was helpful, but proclaimed it to you, and taught you publicly and from house to house, testifying to Jews, and also to Greeks, repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.” Acts 20:18-21

Paul was a great encourager. Why? Because he worked at it. After he planted a church, he was conscientious about visiting whenever possible, writing letters and sending others to minister in his absence. He always assured people of his accessibility, even though he may physically be many miles away or even locked up in a prison cell. Paul’s meeting with the Ephesian elders in Acts 20:13-38 includes some guidance for the godly Christian who wants to uplift others.

Firstly, Paul was able to lend support because his listeners respected his example. If he had been unable to speak the words in verses 18-21 with a clear conscience, the meeting would have been over. He had made an investment over time and had demonstrated by his example that he was a man of integrity.

Secondly, Paul didn’t gloss over or distort the reality of the dangers that may arise upon his departure to Rome. He didn’t soft-pedal the bad news that may come the elders’ way. What’s more, no matter what reality looks like, the leader who trusts God must blend God’s presence and power with the discipline of honest work (20:32-35). Paul lived an exemplary life of a faithful, hardworking minister of the gospel. There is no shortcut to success in life, career or ministry.

Thirdly, Paul prayed with the elders before his departure (20:36). He demonstrated genuine love and care for them (20:37). Because he showed such strength of character, his friends wept when he left them. Effective leaders not only make good decisions; they also make good friends.

Paul’s story in this passage demonstrates that providing encouragement doesn’t always accompany auspicious circumstances. Paul was facing hardship and separation from his friends, and their parting was diffi cult. But his uplifting words despite the coming trials show us that the gift of encouragement must always be related both to God’s sovereign power and to the leader’s genuine concern.

Wanting Something Out Of God’s Will

2010-03-27T12:12:00.000+08:00

And the LORD said to Samuel, “Heed the voice of the people in all that they say to you; for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me, that I should not reign over them.“ 1 Samuel 8:7

Although Samuel was the undisputed spiritual leader of Israel, the people rejected his leadership. One reason was because Samuel committed the same mistake as Eli, the former high priest. Just like the latter, Samuel appointed his sons to top leadership although they were ungodly and dishonest. And he failed to discipline and remove them from office when they took bribes and perverted justice in the temple.

If change doesn’t come top down by revelation, it will eventually come bottom up by revolution. In the end, the people of Israel used the failure of Samuel’s two sons as an excuse to force him out of leadership. They could have gone the spiritual way and prayed for a God-given solution for their nation. Instead, they wanted a charismatic king just like the heathens around them. But God wanted Israel to be led by spiritual leaders-His prophets and priests-not by a king mandated by popular demand. So when the people rejected Samuel, they were in effect rejecting God Himself!

You must be very careful when you want something very badly from the Lord. Because when you want it badly enough, God may give it to you. However, you must be ready to face the consequences of your request. That is why prayer requests must always be according to the will of the Lord. And sometimes when your prayers don’t come to pass immediately, it may be because it is not God’s best for your life. But if you stubbornly insist on it, God may grant you your wish, even when He knows it is bad for you. Psalm 106:15 says, “And He gave them their request, but sent leanness into their soul.”

You must make sure that the desires of your heart are in alignment with the will of God, that your heart is in tune with God. And what you are seeking is also what He desires for your life. Otherwise, you may live with regrets later on. Despite the repeated warnings Samuel gave about the danger of having a king, Israel refused to listen. Eventually, God granted them their wish. Saul became their king … and what a terrible leader he was for the nation.

The scariest thing that can happen to a believer is for him to have an external form of religiosity, but no presence and power of God in his daily walk. Or for that Christian to invoke the name of Jesus in His prayer, and find no power in his invocation. May the glory of God never depart from your life!

A Form Of Godliness

2010-03-26T08:36:00.000+08:00

Then she named the child Ichabod, saying, “The glory has departed from Israel!” because the ark of God had been captured and because of her father-in-law and her husband. 1 Samuel 4:21

In 1 Samuel 4, Israel needed the power to fight against the Philistines, but she was found wanting. She lost. The Philistines won. The Philistines represent a type of the lawless self or the fleshly nature in man. The first time the Philistines are mentioned in the Bible, they were a people without the fear of God (Gen. 20:11). The second time the Philistines are mentioned, they were a people filled with jealousy and envy (Gen. 26:14).

They pleased themselves with immorality (Is. 2:6). God ultimately judgedthem for their pride (Zech. 9:6). Therefore, the Philistines speak of the self-life, self-love, selfpleasure and self-exaltation in the soulish man. God never lets His people face a battle unprepared. Yet, when the Israelites fought against the Philistines, they were resoundingly defeated. You can never defeat an enemy you have embraced as a friend. Israel was behaving exactly like the Philistines themselves. The leaders were self-centered, and indulging themselves with the food and offerings that were given to the temple. They were perverting the house of God into a prostitution den with their gross immorality. Israel may have had the priesthood and the temple, but she had become undisciplined, lawless and carnal.

The worst thing that can happen to a church is to have a form of godliness but not the power thereof (2 Tim. 3:1-5). Having the outward religious motions but not the inward spiritual reality. Maintaining the external form of ecclesiastical structure but devoid of the Holy Spirit’s fire and power.

Israel went into battle against the Philistines with a very impressive number of troops. They were very loud and excited because the ark of covenant was with them. Unfortunately, God was not. Israel had the form but no longer the power. Eventually, the two sons of Eli the high priest died and the ark was captured (1 Sam. 4:11). The glory of the Lord had departed from the people.

Shadows

2010-03-24T15:11:00.000+08:00

Helen Keller was a remarkable person. She fought blindness and deafness from a young age. Her courage is a powerful example for us all. Helen wrote, "Keep your face to the sunshine and you cannot see the shadow." The observations of this wise blind woman have deep meaning. If we concentrate on the positives of life (count your blessings, as some would say), then we will not slip into the feelings of discontent that "shadows" can bring.

There are shadows in life just as the sun causes each object to have a shadow. The shadow is not the real thing; it is only a dark reflection of the real object. It is interesting that a shadow is dark—showing a loss or blockage of light. The sunlight warms us and provides clarity of vision.

Focus on the things that are cheerful and bright, and the problems we all face will be easier to handle. It is not wise to ignore problems—they do not go away. But when we realize how fortunate we are, we enter a position where we can make decisions with the frame of mind that includes hope, faith and all things that are positive (Philippians 4:8).

The Sacrifice Of Praise

2010-03-24T08:42:00.000+08:00

But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. Acts 16:25

Paul had just cast out a spirit of divination from a slave girl in the city of Philippi. When her masters saw that their hope of profit was gone, they had Paul and Silas arrested, severely beaten and imprisoned. There in the Philippian jail, instead of despairing for their lives, Paul and Silas started praying and praising God by singing hymns at the midnight hour. There are five facts about praise:

(1) Praise is always vocal. Since it is an expression of your faith-which itself is not silent-praise is never silent too. Two Hebrew words for “praise” are shabach and halal, both implying to shout aloud noisily until it seems like you are clamorously foolish! Paul and Silas were singing hymns so loudly in the Philippian jail that all the prisoners could hear them clearly.

(2) Praise is a sacrifice. Hebrews 13:15 says, “Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name.” It is easy to praise God when life is going well. But for praise to be meaningful, it must cost you something. The most important time to praise the Lord is when everything seems to be going wrong, and you least feel like praising Him. Those are the moments when your praise is most precious to the Lord. Even though they were unfairly tormented, Paul and Silas decided to praise God by their sheer willpower and faith in Him.

(3) Praise is the cure for depression. It is the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness (Is. 61:3). Praise will lift up your spirit every time you feel down.

(4) Praise is a powerful spiritual weapon against Satan. Psalm 8:2 says that praise is the means by which we can silence Satan, the accuser of the brethren. Literally, that means that each time you praise the Lord, God will tell the devil to “shut up” on your behalf.

(5) Praise prepares the way for divine supernatural intervention. The literal Hebrew text of Psalm 50:23 says, “To him who offers praise, he prepares a way for God to show His salvation.” In the Bible, we read that both Jehoshaphat and Jonah had found this to be true. They had their deliverances when they started praising God. Deep in the dungeon of Philippi, the praise Paul and Silas offered to the Lord brought about a great earthquake that shook open the prison doors. The next time you are serving God and things don’t quite go the way you planned, remember to offer God your sacrifice of praise. Praise always triumphs gloriously!

Get Planted In God's House

2010-03-23T10:58:00.000+08:00

But Ruth said: “Entreat me not to leave you, or to turn back from following after you; for wherever you go, I will go; and wherever you lodge, I will lodge; your people shall be my people, and your God, my God. Where you die, I will die, and there will I be buried. The LORD do so to me, and more also, if anything but death parts you and me.” Ruth 1:16-17

The book of Ruth introduces Elimelech, a man who lived in Bethlehem-Judah. The name of that town literally means “the house of bread and praise,” an unmistakable picture of the church. Then a famine hit the land and Elimelech uprooted his family, left the house of God, and emigrated to Moab (1:1) The Moabites were the descendants of Lot’s incestuous relationship with his eldest daughter. In that sense, Moab was spiritually a cursed land.

Actually, the name “Elimelech” means “my God is King.” But his lifestyle didn’t quite measure up to his name. That is really a lack of integrity-he stood for one thing and yet practiced another. Elimelech is like many Christians today who readily claim that God is number one in their lives. But the moment they see a better opportunity somewhere else, they would leave their house of bread and praise. God, in reality, is not really their King. When you say, “Jesus is Lord of my life,” you are saying that He rules over you 100 percent in everything. In good times, in bad times, you will always place Him first. His house automatically becomes the first order of consideration in the way you arrange your life.

Elimelech had a wife by the name of Naomi (1:2). In the passage of time, Elimelech and his two sons, Mahlon (”sick”) and Chilion (”wasting away”) all died (1:4-5). Finally, Naomi came to her senses. She told her two daughters-in-law, Orpah and Ruth: “Girls, I want to go back home to the house of the Lord. I know there is a famine there but I want to start putting God first again. If you girls want to stay behind, that’s fine with me. But I am going back to the house of bread and praise.”

Orpah said, “Err, thanks but no thanks. I think I’ll stick around in Moab for a while.” But Ruth said to Naomi, “I will never forsake you” (1:16-17). Naomi’s newfound passion for God’s house so inspired Ruth that the latter now wanted to go back with her. When they got back, Ruth found her kinsman-redeemer in a man by the name of Boaz. They fell in love and got married. Out of their lineage came forth Jesus Christ. By being planted in the house of the Lord, Ruth found her destiny. When you are planted in God’s house, you too become part of an amazing process that will manifest Jesus Christ to the whole world.

Armageddon Countdown

2010-03-22T19:04:00.000+08:00

Tribulation

2010-03-22T09:29:00.000+08:00

Strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and saying, “We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God.” Acts 14:22

We are a generation of Christians who are so fearful of the word “tribulation.” But trials and tribulations are part and parcel of the Christian life. In fact, Jesus promises: “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).

Tribulation is a promise from God. And when we are spiritually and psychologically prepared to tackle them, we won’t be shocked or caught unawares when they do show up. Why does God allow trials and tribulations? Because as terrible as they may be, they are good for our spiritual development. Romans 5:3-4 says, “And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope.” Basically, Paul is saying that you should rejoice in tribulation because it builds a backbone of steel and character in you. And you need those two things if you want to see your visions and dreams coming to pass.

Today, there are many Christians who believe that God will never allow His children to suffer. Unfortunately, the escaping of tribulation is never supported in the Scriptures. God is more interested in your character than in your comfort. Just look at the disciple whom Jesus loved the most—John. He was imprisoned on the island of Patmos for his faith in Christ. How did John address himself? He said, “I am your brother and companion in tribulation” (Rev. 1:9).

Tradition has it that John was eventually killed by being boiled in a pot of oil. But wait a minute! Wasn’t he the favorite disciple of Jesus? Then shouldn’t Jesus have done something for His most beloved follower? If Jesus didn’t exempt John from tribulation, what makes you think you are

any more special?

In these end-times, God is not raising up a congregation of softies. He is raising up an army that can endure hardship for Him. Don’t be afraid of the many tribulations you may have to go through. Paul says, “We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God” (Acts 14:22). When you face sufferings (or persecution!) for your faith in Jesus, you will receive special grace to go through them in that hour. Remember: “If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you … If you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name” (1 Pet. 4:14,16 NIV).

Fasting

2010-03-21T00:32:00.000+08:00

As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, “Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” Then, having fasted and prayed, and laid hands on them, they sent them away. Acts 13:2-3

The leaders in the Antioch church were ministering to the Lord with prayer and fasting. Fasting is often a neglected spiritual activity among believers. Yet it is referred to all throughout the pages of the Bible. Fasting is defined as the voluntary abstaining from food for spiritual purposes. It is often done with prayer because fasting intensifies your praying.

The most natural thing for us to do every day is to eat. When we give up eating, we deliberately turn away from the natural by turning to God and to the supernatural. By fasting, we are really renouncing the natural to invoke the spiritual. All throughout the Scriptures, we see how God attached tremendous importance to fasting as the appointed way for His people to humble themselves before Him.

When Ezra and Israel fasted and humbled their souls before God, the Lord protected them from their enemies (Ezra 8:21-23). When Jehoshaphat humbled himself before the Lord by fasting, God delivered the kingdom of Judah from destruction (2 Chr. 20:2-4). Before Jesus entered His public ministry, He had to pass through two critical experiences:

(1) He had to be filled with the supernatural power of the Holy Spirit, and

(2) He had to fast for 40 days in the desert (Luke 4:1-2). Even Jesus had to humble Himself and focus on the spiritual! The result of His fasting was the great personal victory He had over Satan’s temptations. Besidesthat, His fasting released the power of the Spirit to fl ow without any hindrances through His life and ministry. If we want to follow in the other great works that Jesus did, then it seems logical that we must also begin where He began-by fasting!

In the Early Church, prayer and fasting were the standard ways by which the New Testament leadership operated. In the Antioch church, the sending of Barnabas and Saul for missions was entirely a miraculous work of the Holy Spirit (Acts 13:4). But it was only through fasting that the leaders were able to move from the realm of the natural into the supernatural.

Finally, fasting is God’s appointed way to bring your carnal nature into subjection.Your body makes a wonderful servant but a terrible master. If you really want to succeed in the Christian life, you must ensure that your body does not dictate you or control you (1 Cor. 9:27).

Rather, you are controlled by God’s destiny and purpose for your life. By regular fasting, you serve notice to your body and your carnal nature: “Body, you don’t control me. I’m not subject to you. You’re my servant. You’ll obey what the Holy Spirit in me declares I have to do!”

The Antioch Church

2010-03-19T09:05:00.000+08:00

And when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. So it was that for a whole year they assembled with the church and taught a great many people. And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch. Acts 11:26

The city of Antioch is 480 km north of Jerusalem. In the days of the Roman Empire, it was the third largest and third most important city after Rome and Alexandria. It had one of the most important ports in the world, and it was the communication center for the entire empire. As a very modern city during its time, Antioch had magnificent buildings, theaters and forums. The people were highly educated and spoke Greek fluently. However, the Antioch church was a relatively young congregation. The concept of missions was a very new and novel idea. Yet, in one generation, the Antioch church practically changed the entire Gentile world. How could one church do so much for world missions?

There are five reasons:

(1) The Antioch church had a deep spiritual hunger for God. They were strong in prayer and the Holy Spirit (Acts 13:1-4). There was a strong passion for spiritual revival.

(2) The Antioch church excelled in discipleship. A disciple is a thoroughly trained worker with a great attitude. Discipleship takes time. It took Paul and Barnabas one whole year of teaching and imparting to train the believers in the church. The result of all that discipleship is that the members of the church started talking like Jesus, thinking like Jesus, acting like Jesus, working like Jesus, and living like Jesus. They were so identified with Christ that, for the first time in history, the public started calling them “Christians” (11:26).

(3) The Antioch church was a very giving church. They were generous with both their financial and human resources. They gave sacrificially for the relief work in Judea (11:29) They were quick to send out workers into the mission field whenever the Holy Spirit directed them (13:2-3).

(4) The Antioch church worked as a team. They sent out missionaries in teams that often comprised of both church workers and volunteers.

(5) The Antioch church really supported and cared for their missionaries. Whenever Paul and his team returned from a missionary journey, the entire congregation would shower love and care upon them (cf. 14:27-28). Those five ingredients will turn any local congregation into a strong missions church.

Memorial Prayer

2010-03-18T14:03:00.005+08:00

And said, ‘Cornelius, your prayer has been heard, and your alms are remembered in the sight of God.’ Acts 10:31

Acts 10 is a very significant chapter because it is in this chapter that the Gentile Church was born. With the preaching of the gospel to Cornelius’ household, world evangelism and world missions were launched. While there had been many Gentiles who were kind to the gospel, Cornelius did something that drew God’s attention directly to him. There is no doubt he was a man who loved God. And in his love for God, he caught hold of the principle that Jehovah is a giver, not a taker.

As he prayed and prayed, and gave more and more, all of a sudden the Lord gathered up all his prayers and giving, blended them together, and turned them into a powerful memorial prayer that activated His hand into quick action. A memorial is a reminder-a tool to preserve remembrance. While God never forgets, He asks to be reminded. Isaiah 43:26 says, "Put Me in remembrance; let us contend together; state your case, that you may be acquitted." When you mix your prayer with giving, you "promote" that prayer into a special memorial that will move God to act on your behalf.

When barren Hannah mixed her intercession with a vow to give, the Lord immediately remembered her and she conceived that same night (1 Sam. 1:19). When Jephthah mixed his prayer with a vow to give, immediately God moved mightily and delivered Israel from the Ammonites (Judg. 11:32). When the widow of Zarephath decided to mix her prayer with giving, she "promoted" her prayer into a special memorial before God. Almost instantly, God took her out of abject poverty into His financial abundance (1 Kin. 17:9-16). What kind of giving memorializes a prayer? In Mark 14:8, a woman "did what she could" in her sacrifi cial giving to Jesus. She offered her best and most precious to the Lord. Jesus took notice of her and her deeds were memorialized for all time (14:9). What was the key? She gave her best to God!

Be a prayer warrior. But know that it is the prayer of faith that moves mountains. So start mixing your intercession with your faithful tithing and generous giving. Your giving will turn your faith loose and intensify the supplications you are bringing before the Lord.

The Mission Mandate

2010-03-17T07:05:00.000+08:00

But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel. For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name’s sake.” Acts 9:15-16

Paul constantly exhorts us to pattern our lives after his (Phil. 3:17). His is the life of a missionary. So must ours be. Missions can be defined as God sending the whole church with the whole gospel to the whole world to meet the spiritual and social needs of humanity.

Why is missions so important?

(1) The purpose of Jesus dying on the cross is for world missions. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life”(John 3:16). God sent His Son as a Missionary to our fallen world. His heart is in missions. Jesus died so that every nation, tribe, people and tongue could enter the kingdom of God (Rev. 7:9-10).

(2) The purpose of being a child of God is for world missions. God charged man to subdue and have dominion over the earth (Gen. 1:28). That means to change the spiritual environment by saving the lost in every town, city and country.

(3) The purpose of your calling is for world missions. “I, the LORD, have called You in righteousness, and will hold Your hand; I will keep You and give You as a covenant to the people, as a light to the Gentiles”(Is. 42:6). God didn’t call you just to be an entrepreneur or a marketplace professional, or even a fivefold minister per se. His primary calling for you is to be a light to the unreached in the mission field.

(4) The purpose of Pentecost is for world missions. The anointing of the Holy Spirit was given so that you can do missions (Acts 1:8). Only when the 11 disciples obeyed the Great Commission and went out into the mission fi eld did the Holy Spirit confi rm their preaching through signs and wonders following (Mark 16:15-20).

(5) The purpose of prosperity is for world missions. The reason why God pours out His abundant blessings to you is so that “in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed”(Gen. 12:3). God gives you the power to get wealth so that the Abrahamic mission covenant can be established (Deut. 8:18). How many mission trips are you planning to go on this year? Don’t procrastinate anymore. Prayerfully sign up for one as soon as you can!

Gideon's 300 Men

2010-03-16T07:51:00.000+08:00

Then the LORD said to Gideon, “By the three hundred men who lapped I will save you, and deliver the Midianites into your hand. Let all the other people go, every man to his place.” Judges 7:7

Gideon was given the task of delivering the Israelites from the Midianites, desert nomads who repeatedly raided Israel. Gideon the judge portrayed our Lord Jesus Christ in two interesting ways. First of all, when Gideon was choosing men to fight against the enemies, he had 32,000 volunteers who joined his army. God instructed him to reduce the number of men lest Israel should claim glory for herself when He grants them victory. The fearful and afraid were sent home and Gideon was left with 10,000 men (Judg. 7:2-3). However, God was still not satisfied with the number of people and He put them through another test. This time, He tested their alertness and readiness. Those who knelt down to drink with their mouths in the stream were sent home. Only 300 passed (7:6-7)! In a similar way, Jesus chooses only those worthy to be in His army. He never appealed to the crowd, He went after serious disciples. The Bible says many are called but few are chosen (Matt. 22:14). Among the called and chosen, you find another category of people: those that are found faithful (Rev. 17:14).

Secondly, both Gideon and Jesus shared the same strategy in their missions. Gideon and his men all had pitchers in their left hand and trumpets in their right. When they launched their attack, they blew the trumpet, broke the pitchers, each concealing a torch within, to allow the light of the torches to shine forth as they charged forward (Judg. 7:19-21). On the cross of Calvary, Jesus died in His mortal human body-an earthen vessel of clay. His body was broken so that the light of God can shine forth and dispel the darkness of sin in our lives.

Your trumpet is the gospel you need to proclaim to the whole world. As you crucify your old man with Christ, you are breaking your pitcher. And the glory of the new man, which bears the life of Christ, can then shine forth. Jesus says, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matt. 5:16).

Nursing The Wounded

2010-03-15T08:34:00.000+08:00

Village life ceased, it ceased in Israel, until I, Deborah, arose, arose a mother in Israel. Judges 5:7

In the book of Judges, the wife of Lapidoth was special because she was the only female judge of the Bible. She was the first female head of state in the history of Israel. “Deborah” was not her original name. She received her name from another Hebrew girl who lived generations before-Deborah, the nurse of Rebekah (Gen. 35:8). As such, when God raised up the wife of Lapidoth to be the judge of Israel, she borrowed the name of Rebekah’s aide since she herself functioned very much as a “nurse” to the entire nation.

A nurse is someone who takes care of another person who is sick or wounded. As a nurse, Deborah was a spiritual mother to Israel. The name “Deborah” literally means a “bee.” In entomology, there is a very special bee that is called a “nurse bee.” Its function in the bee colony is to care for the young. The ministry of Deborah was just like that. God used her to nurse a spiritually sick and backslidden nation back to a healthy relationship with Him.

As a deliverer, Deborah delivered the children of Israel from the oppression of the Canaanites. As an encourager, she inspired the demoralized Barak and gave him the confidence to lead the army of Israel against the enemy (Judg. 4:8-9). As a restorer, Deborah restored the faith of the people back to the living God. As a woman, she allowed herself to be physically and emotionally vulnerable in the face of great adversity.

With so many who are bruised and wounded today, God needs spiritual mothers and shepherds in His Church. He needs leaders who will bind the wounds of those who are hurt and strengthen those who are weak. God is looking for leaders who can be vulnerable and meek before the people they serve. A good leader would be like Jesus, who would “feed His flock like a shepherd; He will gather the lambs with His arm, and carry them in His bosom, and gently lead those who are with young” (Is. 40:11).

The Canaanites speak of the curse of sin (Gen. 9:24-27). Every soul is precious. We must not lose them to the Canaanites. May you rise up as a Deborah-a spiritual nurse-to the spiritually wounded and discouraged people God brings across your path.

Dealing With Your Past

2010-03-14T12:10:00.000+08:00

When the children of Israel cried out to the LORD, the LORD raised up a deliverer for the children of Israel, who delivered them: Othniel the son of Kenaz, Caleb’s younger brother. Judges 3:9

After coming into the Promised Land, the children of Israel backslided spiritually. In Judges 3, God allowed Cushan-Rishathaim, the king of Mesopotamia, to oppress the people for eight years (Judg. 3:8). Mesopotamia symbolizes the land of our past. It was the world of sin and idolatry that Abraham forsook for Canaan (Acts 7:2-3).

King Cushan-Rishathaim is a type of Satan, the devil, the power who once ruled your life (Eph. 2:1-3). And this wicked king, from the land of the past, came with his forces to oppress God’s people once again. Satan knows that you are now born again. But like Cushan-Rishathaim, he doesn’t want you to enjoy the new life in God. He wants to make a comeback into your life. Are you oppressed with an old habit or a former lust? Or could it be a past hurt, guilt or failure? You need to have the victory over your personal Cushan-Rishathaim who has returned to haunt you.

When God’s people cried out to Him, He sent Othniel to save them (Judg. 3:9). Othniel is a type of Jesus Christ. His name means the “lion of God.” He was from the tribe of Judah. Like Jesus, the Lion of Judah, Othniel was anointed by the Spirit to set the people free from their oppression (3:10).

Deliverance must begin with a cry. God will only respond when there is a genuine desire within us to see our past dealt with by Him. Many Christians today are aware that they are oppressed by their old hurts, old lusts and old habits. But they don’t really have a desire to rid themselves of them. God will only deliver you when you really want Him and allow Him to. The Bible declares, “Whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved” (Joel 2:32). Whatever your Cushan-Rishathaim may be, Jesus is your present-day Othniel. As you cry out to Him for deliverance, you will find Him to be a very present help in your time of need.

The Place Of Agreement

2010-03-12T10:12:00.000+08:00

Now the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and one soul; neither did anyone say that any of the things he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common. Acts 4:32

The Jerusalem church in Acts was very powerful because those in the church were of one heart and one soul in their vision for the kingdom. Jesus says, “Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven” (Matt. 18:19). The place of agreement is the place of power. Conversely, the place of disagreement is the place of powerlessness.

Every principle in the Word flows out of the character and nature of God. Although God is a triune God-Father, Son and Holy Spirit-He is always in total agreement with Himself. All three members of the Godhead are forever in unity. God wants the same in His relationship with you. If you delight yourself in Him, which means to be in agreement with His will for your life, He will give you the desires of your heart (Ps. 37:4).

In a church, God wants unity in your relationships with others. When there is one vision, there will never be division. There will be no confusion or weakness in the camp. Psalm 133:1-2 says, “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! It is like the precious oil upon the head, running down on the beard, the beard of Aaron, running down on the edge of his garments.” The anointing of God can flow mightily in a church where members dwell in unity. So great was the unity in the Jerusalem church that awesome power for miracles and financial provision was released (Acts 4:33-34).

In the days of Babel, “the whole earth had one language and one speech” (Gen. 11:1). Even God marvelled at the effort of the people in wanting to build a tower that reaches to the heavens. God says, “Indeed the people are one and they all have one language, and this is what they begin to do; now nothing that they propose to do will be withheld from them” (11:6). As incredulous as the building of that tower may sound, God was fully convinced that the people would succeed. Make certain that you eliminate those things in your life that cause disunity-unforgiveness, anger, gossip, a critical spirit, being easily offended, unrealistic expectations, and hidden agendas. Remember that when there is unity, nothing is impossible!

Solving The Messiah Mystery

2010-03-11T08:15:00.000+08:00

You Are A Conversionist

2010-03-11T08:05:00.000+08:00

“Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that He may send Jesus Christ, who was preached to you before, whom heaven must receive until the times of restoration of all things, which God has spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began.” Acts 3:19-21

In the Scriptures, God reveals Himself by His name. More than just revealing His ability, the names of God reveal His character. God introduces Himself for the first time in Genesis 1:1 as Elohim, the Creator. As the Creator, He is full of creativity, ability and productivity.

When God created man, He put that same nature into man. Adam was created with God’s creativity, ability and productivity inside of him. When Adam sinned against God, his fall didn’t nullify those gifts. He still had them except that they were now corrupted. For example, consider his son, Cain. In Genesis 4, Cain was able to build a whole city (4:16-17), provide employment (4:20), music and entertainment (4:21), manufacturing, and the building of weapons (4:22). He was able to singlehandedly accomplish great feats out of the same creative potential God had deposited into the entire human race, albeit that they were now perverted and self-serving.

Herein lies a very important concept: When man fell, God didn’t plan for the elimination of men, society, culture, or the whole world. Instead, God sought to bring about the restoration of fallen humanity. Elohim God started to reveal Himself by another name-Yahweh, or God the Redeemer (Ex. 3:13-14). The essence of redemption is taking that which is broken, fixing it, and restoring it back to its original purpose and intention.

Jesus came to be our Redeemer-to bring about the conversion of fallen man from darkness to light, and from death to life. But He also seeks to convert the creativity, ability and productivity that God has put inside man back to its original purpose. Acts 3:19-21 says that this conversion is not just the restoration of man from the sin problem, it is the restoration of all things in life. People, families, marriages, businesses, education systems, culture and arts must all be born again.

You are not called to hide from the world. As a follower of Christ the Redeemer, you are now a conversionist. You are to use your creativity, ability and productivity to redeem everything you see in your world back to God’s original purpose and intention. So that they could be used for the cause and glory of His kingdom. Start being a conversionist in your world today!

Unusual Miracles

2010-03-10T08:27:00.000+08:00

“Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a Man attested by God to you by miracles, wonders, and signs which God did through Him in your midst, as you yourselves also know.” Acts 2:22

How do we know that Jesus was approved of God? Not by His philosophical prowess or oral eloquence, but by three things: miracles, signs and wonders. Jesus healed the sick, cast out demons, cleansed the lepers, raised the dead, fed great multitudes, turned water into wine, etc. How do you know if someone is a real servant of God? We measure his ministry according to the same standard outlined here in Acts 2:22.

Take for example, Paul’s apostleship. “Truly the signs of an apostle were accomplished among you with all perseverance, in signs and wonders and mighty deeds” (2 Cor. 12:12). The workings of miracles are the signs of true apostleship, not just the presiding over of a huge megachurch or a denomination. If a preacher claims to be an apostle, miracles must be constant occurrences in his ministry. They must be there in “all perseverance”-in other words, happening in great consistency.

Hebrews 2:4 says: “God also bearing witness both with signs and wonders, with various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to His own will?” Again the testimony of God was proven by miracles, signs and wonders. Miracles were so normal in the Ephesian church that God started working unusual ones among them (Acts 19:12). All throughout the New Testament, we see that the reality of God was proven time and again by supernatural miracles. To say that we have passed the days of signs and wonders is effectively denying the Holy Scriptures!

The word “miracle” in Greek is dunamis, which means “power.” As a Spirit-filled believer, you have received the dunamis of the Holy Spirit to work miracles in Jesus’ name (Acts 1:8). But why is it that we don’t see miracles or healings take place regularly in our churches today? The overwhelming reason is the presence of doubt and unbelief for them to happen in our midst (Mark 6:5-6). Remember, without faith, it is impossible to please God . . . or see the miraculous.

True Hope Can Only Be Found In God

2010-03-09T08:27:00.000+08:00

“Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him.” Psalm 62:5

We are to hope in God. What is hope? It is confident expectation that good will happen. How can we have hope? True hope can only be found in God.

Why is that? It is because without God there is no true foundation for our hope. Without God, maybe something good will happen; maybe it will not.

But when we commit our lives to Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord, we now become children of the most high God Who created the heaven and the earth. God has all power and authority. He has promised to love you and to care for you and God wants only our best. "If God is for us, who can be against us?" So you can have true hope for the future -- even if you don't know exactly what will happen, you can know God cares for you and will work out what is best in your life. He will protect you and will cause all things to work together good for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose.

So, this week, let us pray that God will

Bring hope to those who are discouraged and weak and sad
Help Global Media Outreach reach millions of more people with the gospel
Protect our volunteers and staff from all harm

THANK YOU so much for your prayers. God loves you and He knows what is best for you!

May God bless you,