Tuesday, February 27, 2007
No Brain, No Heaven???
I was just wondering whether our heavenly Father is concerned about our intelligence? I am curious about it's significance to the Father regarding whether we are wise, knowledgeable or intelligent.
Will the Almighty I AM be impressed with our wisdom, knowledge and intelligence?
I remembered reading in the Bible teaching us to trust in Jesus Christ, our Saviour. That's about all we were required to do.
I am concerned and worried about those who are mentally challenged, and those who suffered other disabilities. Will these people ever get to share fellowship with the heavenly Father someday? Perhaps they needed knowledge too?
Just to refresh your so called Bible knowledgeable mind about knowledge, that it was because of man's desire for wisdom to be equal to God that causes our downfall. The serpent told Eve in Genesis 3:5 that our eyes will be opened and we will be like God knowing both good and evil. And again in Genesis 11 when God scattered man because man wanted to be famous (verse 4) for building the tower of Babel. In both scenario, God displayed His detest for man's wisdom.
In truth the Father is after the guileless personality that's in a child in each of us. The Father wanted us to trust Him alone, in Christ our Saviour.
Because of this, I will do wonders among these hypocrites. I will show that human wisdom is foolish and even the most brilliant people lack understanding." Isaiah 29:14
1 Corinthians 2:5, I did this so that you might trust the power of God rather than human wisdom.
Are we supposed to despise knowledge?
Fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge. Only fools despise wisdom and discipline. Proverbs 1:7 explained that when we honor God, the Almighty I AM, knowledge and wisdom will develop in us. God shall then provided Himself as our understanding to His wisdom. His understanding to His wisdom will guide us to live our earthly lives for His honor and glory.
Besides godly wisdom, human wisdom engendered our spiritual development.
The greater my wisdom, the greater my grief. To increase knowledge only increases sorrow. And that's how Solomon expresses his frustration acquiring wisdom and knowledge in Ecclesiastes 1:18
There has to be a reason why Jesus remarked that those who are child like will live with the Father forever. If our Father is in control, do we need more knowledge which is redundant.
So what does it take to remain with our Saviour?
Know and acknowledge that He is God, the Father and Saviour!
Wednesday, February 21, 2007
Oops! Sorry! Forgive Me, I Wasn't Aware Of Your Warnings!
Where do you think is the most appropriate place for Satan to work his lies and deception on Christians?
Sorry! But I am not going to answer the above question. How about asking the Holy Spirit, gifted you by our heavenly Father in Jesus Christ.
Perhaps the following Holy Scriptures may edify you.
Now the Holy Spirit tells us clearly that in the last times some will turn away from what we believe; they will follow lying spirits and teachings that come from demons. 1 Timothy 4:1
He will brag and oppose everything that is holy or sacred. He will even sit in God's temple and claim to be God. 2 Thessalonians 2:4
And please do read up the entire chapter 2 of 2 Thessalonians and 1 John 4:1-6.
But you have received the Holy Spirit, and he lives within you, so you don't need anyone to teach you what is true. For the Spirit teaches you all things, and what he teaches is true – it is not a lie. So continue in what he has taught you, and continue to live in Christ. 1 John 2:27
Be circumspect over your pastors, teachers, your church and those who are accountable to our heavenly Father for your spiritual well being. Remember that every worker who have committed their lives to serve our Lord Saviour possess abilities equipped by the Holy Spirit. It is the Holy Spirit who filled us to do every good work for the Father's honor and glory. We are asked to recognize and identify the presence of our Saviour in these workers. John 10:4, My sheep knows and recognized my voice.
When the Holy Spirit lives in us, the Light and Truth will expose the charms, seduction, and bewitching lies and deceptions of the evil one, including the works of his servants.
Without the presence of Christ's Spirit in us, we are ineffective and insufficient. The Holy Spirit was gifted to guard and protect us, the sons of the Living I AM, made worthy by the blood of His Son, our Saviour Jesus at the cross. By His grace and mercy in His unfailing love, we were redeemed, priceless to our Loving Father!
Ever stopped, paused and wondered what Jesus meant in his teachings to us, as he constantly endure worries and distress, guarding over our salvation, our spiritual birthright through Him.
Jesus Christ, our Saviour unceasingly cautioned us about false prophets, false teachings, and false doctrines level at us by the evil one as we approached the last days. Evil, lies, deceptions and darkness will continue to breed in the midst of Christ's church, his family.
Allow me to conclude by mentioning the following verses from Matthew 24:23-25, Mark 13:21-23 and John 16:1-4, "Then if anyone tells you, 'Look, here is the Messiah,' or 'There he is,' don't pay any attention. For false messiahs and false prophets will rise up and perform great miraculous signs and wonders so as to deceive, if possible, even God's chosen ones. Watch out, I have warned you about this ahead of time!"
Indeed, we have been warned!
Sorry! But I am not going to answer the above question. How about asking the Holy Spirit, gifted you by our heavenly Father in Jesus Christ.
Perhaps the following Holy Scriptures may edify you.
Now the Holy Spirit tells us clearly that in the last times some will turn away from what we believe; they will follow lying spirits and teachings that come from demons. 1 Timothy 4:1
He will brag and oppose everything that is holy or sacred. He will even sit in God's temple and claim to be God. 2 Thessalonians 2:4
And please do read up the entire chapter 2 of 2 Thessalonians and 1 John 4:1-6.
But you have received the Holy Spirit, and he lives within you, so you don't need anyone to teach you what is true. For the Spirit teaches you all things, and what he teaches is true – it is not a lie. So continue in what he has taught you, and continue to live in Christ. 1 John 2:27
Be circumspect over your pastors, teachers, your church and those who are accountable to our heavenly Father for your spiritual well being. Remember that every worker who have committed their lives to serve our Lord Saviour possess abilities equipped by the Holy Spirit. It is the Holy Spirit who filled us to do every good work for the Father's honor and glory. We are asked to recognize and identify the presence of our Saviour in these workers. John 10:4, My sheep knows and recognized my voice.
When the Holy Spirit lives in us, the Light and Truth will expose the charms, seduction, and bewitching lies and deceptions of the evil one, including the works of his servants.
Without the presence of Christ's Spirit in us, we are ineffective and insufficient. The Holy Spirit was gifted to guard and protect us, the sons of the Living I AM, made worthy by the blood of His Son, our Saviour Jesus at the cross. By His grace and mercy in His unfailing love, we were redeemed, priceless to our Loving Father!
Ever stopped, paused and wondered what Jesus meant in his teachings to us, as he constantly endure worries and distress, guarding over our salvation, our spiritual birthright through Him.
Jesus Christ, our Saviour unceasingly cautioned us about false prophets, false teachings, and false doctrines level at us by the evil one as we approached the last days. Evil, lies, deceptions and darkness will continue to breed in the midst of Christ's church, his family.
Allow me to conclude by mentioning the following verses from Matthew 24:23-25, Mark 13:21-23 and John 16:1-4, "Then if anyone tells you, 'Look, here is the Messiah,' or 'There he is,' don't pay any attention. For false messiahs and false prophets will rise up and perform great miraculous signs and wonders so as to deceive, if possible, even God's chosen ones. Watch out, I have warned you about this ahead of time!"
Indeed, we have been warned!
Tuesday, February 13, 2007
An Everlasting Love: Nothing Can Separate His Love For Us
To a dear brother in Christ Jesus who is undergoing predicament.
May this short message brings you hope and encouragement to pursue our Saviour Jesus without end to answer your prayers to restore His wholesome goodness in your life.
God promised that He will take care of you because His promise in Hebrews 13:5 confirmed it, For He has said, "I will never leave you or forsake you."
May your troubled heart find peace and comfort in the knowledge that you are never alone. May our Saviour's presence ease your trembling spirit and give you rest. Our Lord knows how you feel and He is aware of your circumstances. Our Saviour Jesus, is ready to provide Himself to be your strength, your grace and your peace. He is there to cast sunlight into all your dark shadows, to send encouragement through the love of friends and family, and to replace your weariness with new hope.
Remember that our heavenly Father in Christ Jesus our Saviour, is your refuge, your hiding place and He is your guide, your hope and you need not be afraid.
No circumstances can block His love. No grief is too hard for Him to bear. No task is too difficult for Him to complete. When what you are feeling is simply too deep for words and nothing anyone does or says can provide you with the relief you need, our Saviour Jesus understands.
Our Saviour Jesus is your provider- today, tomorrow, and forever. And He loves you. Cast all your cares on Him....and believe.
And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God's love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow- not even the powers of hell can separate us from His love. No power in the sky above in the earth below- indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of our heavenly Father in Christ Jesus our Saviour. Romans 8:38-39
May this short message brings you hope and encouragement to pursue our Saviour Jesus without end to answer your prayers to restore His wholesome goodness in your life.
God promised that He will take care of you because His promise in Hebrews 13:5 confirmed it, For He has said, "I will never leave you or forsake you."
May your troubled heart find peace and comfort in the knowledge that you are never alone. May our Saviour's presence ease your trembling spirit and give you rest. Our Lord knows how you feel and He is aware of your circumstances. Our Saviour Jesus, is ready to provide Himself to be your strength, your grace and your peace. He is there to cast sunlight into all your dark shadows, to send encouragement through the love of friends and family, and to replace your weariness with new hope.
Remember that our heavenly Father in Christ Jesus our Saviour, is your refuge, your hiding place and He is your guide, your hope and you need not be afraid.
No circumstances can block His love. No grief is too hard for Him to bear. No task is too difficult for Him to complete. When what you are feeling is simply too deep for words and nothing anyone does or says can provide you with the relief you need, our Saviour Jesus understands.
Our Saviour Jesus is your provider- today, tomorrow, and forever. And He loves you. Cast all your cares on Him....and believe.
And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God's love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow- not even the powers of hell can separate us from His love. No power in the sky above in the earth below- indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of our heavenly Father in Christ Jesus our Saviour. Romans 8:38-39
Sunday, February 11, 2007
The Angel In You And The Devil In Me!
Over lunch, a close friend, Ann Gee boasted that she never misses attendance on Sunday church!
Thanks to her statement, allowing me the opportunity to rant about church attendance, something I wanted to do for a long time. I am brassed off by the constant harassing practiced by many inconsiderate, desperate Christians who are trying too hard to please their church leaders, simultaneously boasting to their church mates how fruitful they are by luring people to attend their various church services.
I could literally hear 2.5 billion "Christians" screaming I am guilty of blasphemy and should be nailed to the cross!. As a Christian myself, how could I betray my own belief and faith? In opening, I already exclaimed that I have wanted to rant about this for a long time.
Most Christians view church attendance with critical importance but failed terribly when it concerns attending to people especially those who are with financial needs. I am bored with the rationale that the church is imperfect! So, when does it start working towards perfection?
Owing to her near perfect attendance on Sundays, Ann believed that her heaven bound destination is undeniably secured. People like me, she is worried, might not even get the opportunity to just stand outside the gates of heaven and peek inside.
"So you are the angel and I am the devil?", I quipped.
On a more serious note, I want to share that Christian living is not about going to Church on Sundays. And this statement is going to raise unnecessary controversial ~frown~
Throughout the Bible, we were asked to be obedient to Christ's teachings and lived a life to honor and glorify our heavenly Father in Christ Jesus.
I broach this to her, asking whether she is also mindful when attending to pleas for various support by her brothers/sisters in Christ and non believers? Do you bolt without a doubt and hesitation to a brother/sister or a non believer's adversity?
Our Lord Saviour, Jesus reminded us about being merciful in our way of life. Then there is also a reminder to apply His love, even in foolish situations, as evidence that His love for us on the cross was not in vain. What I meant is, when our Saviour obediently went to the cross, he did not question the Father whether he is dying for friends or enemies? If we hear clearly from the Holy Spirit gifted to us and live in our hearts to guide, teach, counsel, protect and comfort us, we should obey without any doubts.
What is important is whether we obey the teachings of Jesus. As Christians, I believed the most important rule is to do what Jesus has taught us. Our Saviour expect our lifestyle to bring honor and glory to our heavenly Father. Our Christian lifestyle should be above the benchmark of ordinary people.
I told Ann that she may be going to Church everyday for the rest of her life, but if she do not show mercy in situations demanded of it, then she is still nothing. In fact I quoted 1 Corinthians 13:1-3 only in my last post. It's all about ministering to people with love and humility that will please God, our Father and Father of our Saviour Jesus.
The Devil is not intimidated by what we know and how much we know about the Bible, how regular we attend Church, but I am confident we will rocked the Devil by how we obey and apply the teachings of Jesus in our daily earthly lives. It's our lifestyle ministering in His love and humility towards others that will cause the Devil to tremble.
Ann Gee wasn't happy when I mentioned this: How can Christians shake and rock the Devil when most of our Christian lifestyle strayed from what our Lord has taught us? I questioned further about whether as a Church we ministered to each other with the true love and humility of Christ that is alive in our hearts?
While attending church is of extreme importance; The biggie question is do we congregate as a church in His love and humility where Christ is the Head or do we just congregate to worship and failed in every other departments of His teachings.
As a Church, do we care for each other because each of us belongs to the bigger body or are most of us fakes where we live selfishly apart from each other? Do we boast about our perfect attendance in our church services but failed miserably when the demand to minister with love and humility to our brothers/sisters and pagans?
Those who are knitted into the body of Christ care for each other with the love and humility of our Saviour Jesus Christ because we know we are One in Him!
Allow me to add another question: Are we living in His truth? How much do we understand about Church which is the body of Christ, our Saviour?
Thanks to her statement, allowing me the opportunity to rant about church attendance, something I wanted to do for a long time. I am brassed off by the constant harassing practiced by many inconsiderate, desperate Christians who are trying too hard to please their church leaders, simultaneously boasting to their church mates how fruitful they are by luring people to attend their various church services.
I could literally hear 2.5 billion "Christians" screaming I am guilty of blasphemy and should be nailed to the cross!. As a Christian myself, how could I betray my own belief and faith? In opening, I already exclaimed that I have wanted to rant about this for a long time.
Most Christians view church attendance with critical importance but failed terribly when it concerns attending to people especially those who are with financial needs. I am bored with the rationale that the church is imperfect! So, when does it start working towards perfection?
Owing to her near perfect attendance on Sundays, Ann believed that her heaven bound destination is undeniably secured. People like me, she is worried, might not even get the opportunity to just stand outside the gates of heaven and peek inside.
"So you are the angel and I am the devil?", I quipped.
On a more serious note, I want to share that Christian living is not about going to Church on Sundays. And this statement is going to raise unnecessary controversial ~frown~
Throughout the Bible, we were asked to be obedient to Christ's teachings and lived a life to honor and glorify our heavenly Father in Christ Jesus.
I broach this to her, asking whether she is also mindful when attending to pleas for various support by her brothers/sisters in Christ and non believers? Do you bolt without a doubt and hesitation to a brother/sister or a non believer's adversity?
Our Lord Saviour, Jesus reminded us about being merciful in our way of life. Then there is also a reminder to apply His love, even in foolish situations, as evidence that His love for us on the cross was not in vain. What I meant is, when our Saviour obediently went to the cross, he did not question the Father whether he is dying for friends or enemies? If we hear clearly from the Holy Spirit gifted to us and live in our hearts to guide, teach, counsel, protect and comfort us, we should obey without any doubts.
What is important is whether we obey the teachings of Jesus. As Christians, I believed the most important rule is to do what Jesus has taught us. Our Saviour expect our lifestyle to bring honor and glory to our heavenly Father. Our Christian lifestyle should be above the benchmark of ordinary people.
I told Ann that she may be going to Church everyday for the rest of her life, but if she do not show mercy in situations demanded of it, then she is still nothing. In fact I quoted 1 Corinthians 13:1-3 only in my last post. It's all about ministering to people with love and humility that will please God, our Father and Father of our Saviour Jesus.
The Devil is not intimidated by what we know and how much we know about the Bible, how regular we attend Church, but I am confident we will rocked the Devil by how we obey and apply the teachings of Jesus in our daily earthly lives. It's our lifestyle ministering in His love and humility towards others that will cause the Devil to tremble.
Ann Gee wasn't happy when I mentioned this: How can Christians shake and rock the Devil when most of our Christian lifestyle strayed from what our Lord has taught us? I questioned further about whether as a Church we ministered to each other with the true love and humility of Christ that is alive in our hearts?
While attending church is of extreme importance; The biggie question is do we congregate as a church in His love and humility where Christ is the Head or do we just congregate to worship and failed in every other departments of His teachings.
As a Church, do we care for each other because each of us belongs to the bigger body or are most of us fakes where we live selfishly apart from each other? Do we boast about our perfect attendance in our church services but failed miserably when the demand to minister with love and humility to our brothers/sisters and pagans?
Those who are knitted into the body of Christ care for each other with the love and humility of our Saviour Jesus Christ because we know we are One in Him!
Allow me to add another question: Are we living in His truth? How much do we understand about Church which is the body of Christ, our Saviour?
Friday, February 09, 2007
Love Reigns!
Daily, I encounter people from every walk disputing about what they know, people remonstrating about issues, bickering over what's right and wrong, boasting over what they know because of who they thought they are, and the record goes on.
People dispute over everything, and taking center stage could most probably be religion. Even among its own group of believers, people bickered over how well they could interpret the text of each religion's teachings.
As a Christian who sits at the feet of my Saviour Jesus who teaches me everyday, I've learned that the most important role of a true Christian is to live our earthly life, touching other lives filled with Christ love in our hearts. Without love, we cannot please God, our heavenly Father and Father of our Saviour Jesus because our Father is love.
I wrote a fortnight ago that a true Christian is someone who not only carry his own cross but also the cross of others. Repeatedly throughout Scripture, we were reminded of love, and to love, and the highest priority, is to love our enemies like ourselves. Without love as the pre-eminent fruit of our accomplishment, we are nothing.
1 Corinthians 13:1-3 expounded our Saviour's stipulation with clarity to those who wished to be His followers. If I could speak all the languages of earth and of angels, but didn't love others, I would only be a noisy gong or cymbal. If I had the gift of prophecy, and if I understood all of God's secret plans and possessed all knowledge, and if I had such faith that I could move mountains but didn't love others, I would be nothing. If I gave everything I have to the poor and even sacrificed my body, I could boast about it, but if I didn't love others, I would have gained nothing.
We can talk and talk and do and do until eternity, but if Christ's love is not in our accomplishment, everything is futile. In truth, as Christians, all we needed is to equip ourselves with Christ's love in the gifting of the Holy Spirit to live our earthly lives. We may spend a lot of time accumulating knowledge, but if our lives are not lived by the fillings of Christ love, we lived in vain for Him.
For when we were still sinners, our heavenly Father overwhelmed with love for us, His children created out of His own hands, came as a man in Jesus to die for us so that we can be sons of the Living God.
Dear friends, let us continue to love one another, for love comes from God. Anyone who loves is a child of God and knows God. But anyone who does not love does not know God, for God is love. God showed how much he loved us by sending his only begotten son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him. This is real love- not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his son as a sacrifice to take away our sins. Dear friends since God loved us so much, we surely ought to love each other. No one has ever seen God. But if we love each other, God lives in us, and His love is brought to full expression in us. And God has given us his Spirit as proof that we live in him and he in us.
1 John 4:7-13
Thank you Lord Saviour and Redeemer, Jesus Christ aka Greatest Valentine of mankind whose love for us is eternal.
Happy Valentines Day!
People dispute over everything, and taking center stage could most probably be religion. Even among its own group of believers, people bickered over how well they could interpret the text of each religion's teachings.
As a Christian who sits at the feet of my Saviour Jesus who teaches me everyday, I've learned that the most important role of a true Christian is to live our earthly life, touching other lives filled with Christ love in our hearts. Without love, we cannot please God, our heavenly Father and Father of our Saviour Jesus because our Father is love.
I wrote a fortnight ago that a true Christian is someone who not only carry his own cross but also the cross of others. Repeatedly throughout Scripture, we were reminded of love, and to love, and the highest priority, is to love our enemies like ourselves. Without love as the pre-eminent fruit of our accomplishment, we are nothing.
1 Corinthians 13:1-3 expounded our Saviour's stipulation with clarity to those who wished to be His followers. If I could speak all the languages of earth and of angels, but didn't love others, I would only be a noisy gong or cymbal. If I had the gift of prophecy, and if I understood all of God's secret plans and possessed all knowledge, and if I had such faith that I could move mountains but didn't love others, I would be nothing. If I gave everything I have to the poor and even sacrificed my body, I could boast about it, but if I didn't love others, I would have gained nothing.
We can talk and talk and do and do until eternity, but if Christ's love is not in our accomplishment, everything is futile. In truth, as Christians, all we needed is to equip ourselves with Christ's love in the gifting of the Holy Spirit to live our earthly lives. We may spend a lot of time accumulating knowledge, but if our lives are not lived by the fillings of Christ love, we lived in vain for Him.
For when we were still sinners, our heavenly Father overwhelmed with love for us, His children created out of His own hands, came as a man in Jesus to die for us so that we can be sons of the Living God.
Dear friends, let us continue to love one another, for love comes from God. Anyone who loves is a child of God and knows God. But anyone who does not love does not know God, for God is love. God showed how much he loved us by sending his only begotten son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him. This is real love- not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his son as a sacrifice to take away our sins. Dear friends since God loved us so much, we surely ought to love each other. No one has ever seen God. But if we love each other, God lives in us, and His love is brought to full expression in us. And God has given us his Spirit as proof that we live in him and he in us.
1 John 4:7-13
Thank you Lord Saviour and Redeemer, Jesus Christ aka Greatest Valentine of mankind whose love for us is eternal.
Happy Valentines Day!
Friday, February 02, 2007
Shhhh! Don't Tell The Pastor!
Wandering among the maze of various games tables inside the casino looking for my parent's friend, I glimpsed a familiar face. It was a Church elder I knew personally. I approached his game table, totally ignorant that he is gambling, to greet him. He was horrified to see me, never expecting my presence there.
Beckoning me to edge closer to him, he wanted to whisper into my ears, feeling uneasy and suspicious of the surrounding people eavesdropping.
Shhhh! Please remember don't exposed me in Church, especially the Pastor!
"Huh! I thought you are aware that God is staring down on you from His throne up in heaven?", I replied nonchalantly!
"You don't fear God who can destroy your soul but man who can do nothing to you", I apprise him with a slightly raised voice. I proceeded to remind him of a familiar verse in Hebrew 4:13.
Nothing in all creation can hide from him. Everything is naked and exposed before his eyes. This is the God to whom we must explain all that we have done. Hebrew 4:13
I wanted to mention another incident which happened some years ago when I was still a rebellious Christian. I was visiting a Christian brother to pick up a novel he borrowed. He stayed with his parents in an apartment. When I arrived at his residence, I knocked and pushed the door bell, but failed to receive any response.
After a couple more knocks and attempts at the door bell and still unsuccessful with any answers, I started to walk away, exasperated! I was about five steps away from the door when I heard a soft click. I turned around and spotted my friend peeping out from the side of the door. I was about to raise my voice and asked him what took him so long to answer when my friend shoo me and beckoned me to him.
Almost whispering, he told me that he was watching pornography in his room, thus missed hearing my knocks and the door chime. He articulated to me that he make sure his room door was tightly secured and the volume from the television was lowered.
I smiled and look upward towards the ceiling, followed with this question to him, " Hey! Do you think God can hear and see what you were doing from up there, through the ceiling?"
It's funny how we try hiding our wrong doings from man but forgotten that God is always keeping watch over us.
The next time if you are planning to do something bad, remember to look up instead of looking around you! Make sure you are safe from God's watchful eyes!
I guessed you must be wondering what was I doing in the casino? I brought my parents and their friends to watch an opera performance, staged at one of the casino theater, by a renown opera troupe from Hong Kong. I went into the casino to look for my mum's friends who had slipped away from us to try their luck at some of the games tables.
Beckoning me to edge closer to him, he wanted to whisper into my ears, feeling uneasy and suspicious of the surrounding people eavesdropping.
Shhhh! Please remember don't exposed me in Church, especially the Pastor!
"Huh! I thought you are aware that God is staring down on you from His throne up in heaven?", I replied nonchalantly!
"You don't fear God who can destroy your soul but man who can do nothing to you", I apprise him with a slightly raised voice. I proceeded to remind him of a familiar verse in Hebrew 4:13.
Nothing in all creation can hide from him. Everything is naked and exposed before his eyes. This is the God to whom we must explain all that we have done. Hebrew 4:13
I wanted to mention another incident which happened some years ago when I was still a rebellious Christian. I was visiting a Christian brother to pick up a novel he borrowed. He stayed with his parents in an apartment. When I arrived at his residence, I knocked and pushed the door bell, but failed to receive any response.
After a couple more knocks and attempts at the door bell and still unsuccessful with any answers, I started to walk away, exasperated! I was about five steps away from the door when I heard a soft click. I turned around and spotted my friend peeping out from the side of the door. I was about to raise my voice and asked him what took him so long to answer when my friend shoo me and beckoned me to him.
Almost whispering, he told me that he was watching pornography in his room, thus missed hearing my knocks and the door chime. He articulated to me that he make sure his room door was tightly secured and the volume from the television was lowered.
I smiled and look upward towards the ceiling, followed with this question to him, " Hey! Do you think God can hear and see what you were doing from up there, through the ceiling?"
It's funny how we try hiding our wrong doings from man but forgotten that God is always keeping watch over us.
The next time if you are planning to do something bad, remember to look up instead of looking around you! Make sure you are safe from God's watchful eyes!
I guessed you must be wondering what was I doing in the casino? I brought my parents and their friends to watch an opera performance, staged at one of the casino theater, by a renown opera troupe from Hong Kong. I went into the casino to look for my mum's friends who had slipped away from us to try their luck at some of the games tables.
Thursday, February 01, 2007
Understanding Fellowship
What is fellowship? Define fellowship!
What's the difference between fellowship and socializing?
Are we confusing the connotation of fellowships and socializing?
Fellowship without the Holy Trinity is worldly; fellowship with the presence of the Holy Trinity is godly! Fellowship without the Holy Trinity is called PARTY; fellowship with the presence of Father, Son and Holy Spirit is FAMILY REUNION!
When we fellowship, do we fellowship in Christ's presence or without? According to Christ's stipulation on fellowship, two person satisfy the conditions. And our Saviour Jesus promised His involvement in this simple fellowship. I believed our Saviour Jesus intentionally designed our fellowship in the simplest format. Two is more than enough. I believed our Saviour's intention is to produce effectively for two people to care, and love each other.
I used to explain to my children that if we, consisting only four people, cannot fellowship with love within the house, then how are we going to fellowship with love with others outside the house? There are only four in the house; there are 6.5 billion people out there! Similarly, if people don't love each other in their own house or within the body of Christ, how are we to love God's lost children outside the body? Or to put it plainly, if people don't love each other in the Church, how do you expect people to love others outside the Church? Take note that love is not just an expression by mouth, it must be accompanied by deeds!
And to put it bluntly, if outsiders view the Church with a lot of hypocrisy lifestyle how do they have the confident in you, and Jesus Christ to join the family?
The purpose of fellowship is to encourage and support each other usually in times of trouble, sorrow, distress, moments of unhappiness. Of course, fellowship also involves a celebration of sorts at times and not only in tragic moments. Fellowship must relate to forging closer ties with each other.
What is truthfully fellowship? Let's examine true fellowship in the story of Job.
When three of Job's friends heard of the tragedy he had suffered, they got together and traveled from their homes to comfort and console him. Their names were Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite. When they saw Job from a distance, they scarcely recognized him. Wailing loudly, they tore their robes and threw dust into the air over their heads to show their grief. Then they sat on the ground with him for seven days and nights. No one said a word to Job, for they saw that his suffering was too great for words. Job 2:11-13
Now what can we learned from the above fellowship? True fellowship is about esprit de corps that allow the overwhelming love of Christ to rule over us. Fellowship is about being there together to share the emotional status of a brother/sister in Christ or just an ordinary friend, or better, an enemy!
Fellowship is about allowing Jesus Christ, our Saviour to manifest His presence in an assembly. Fellowship is about allowing the love of Christ to fill a congregation and experience Him in us. Fellowship is when we gathered together and the ability to see our Saviour Jesus in everyone around us. Fellowship is when people experiencing the joy of the Saviour's love touching them.
Hebrews 10:25, And let's not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of our Saviour Jesus' return is drawing near. How do you want to interpret this verse? Yes, we must not neglect meeting together and more importantly we must stay put when confronted with problems. We must not turn deserters in times of troubles! Because when trouble or persecution arises and everyone disappears, then the true meaning of fellowship becomes a mockery.
We are One in the body of our Saviour Jesus! We are members of His body, the Church! While we should not neglect meeting together, our fellowship must not be intimidated by the presence of trouble, and persecutions that exist in us because we belong to Christ. We fellowship by His strength and His wisdom. We fellowship in Him.
Fellowship is not about a social function where we congregate, eat, talk and maybe pray. While it is important to remind ourselves to be in contact with our friends, we must not be forgetful about omitting our Saviour's presence in our fellowship. Encouragement is not through words alone but must be accompanied by deeds. It's not about expressing I Love You without responsibilities. It's not about some hugging and maybe some smooching! It's about Christ's love filling us to reach out and touch lives.
(Reprise) While it is important to fellowship, more important its not about just being together for meals but sticking together encouraging and supporting in times of persecutions.
True fellowship is a relationship bonded by Christ love that fills it.
When our heavenly Father who is filled with an overwhelming love for us, says I Love You, He did not just say it with words but He came and suffered on the cross punishing Himself by bearing all our wrongdoing.
So what is fellowship? And how do you define fellowship?
I define it as such: Fellowship is drawing strength from our Saviour Jesus in the power of the Holy Spirit to aid us to carry the cross of Christ worst enemies. It's not only about our own cross. It's about our cross!
Christ has shown us that while we were still sinners, He came to carry our cross!
What's the difference between fellowship and socializing?
Are we confusing the connotation of fellowships and socializing?
Fellowship without the Holy Trinity is worldly; fellowship with the presence of the Holy Trinity is godly! Fellowship without the Holy Trinity is called PARTY; fellowship with the presence of Father, Son and Holy Spirit is FAMILY REUNION!
When we fellowship, do we fellowship in Christ's presence or without? According to Christ's stipulation on fellowship, two person satisfy the conditions. And our Saviour Jesus promised His involvement in this simple fellowship. I believed our Saviour Jesus intentionally designed our fellowship in the simplest format. Two is more than enough. I believed our Saviour's intention is to produce effectively for two people to care, and love each other.
I used to explain to my children that if we, consisting only four people, cannot fellowship with love within the house, then how are we going to fellowship with love with others outside the house? There are only four in the house; there are 6.5 billion people out there! Similarly, if people don't love each other in their own house or within the body of Christ, how are we to love God's lost children outside the body? Or to put it plainly, if people don't love each other in the Church, how do you expect people to love others outside the Church? Take note that love is not just an expression by mouth, it must be accompanied by deeds!
And to put it bluntly, if outsiders view the Church with a lot of hypocrisy lifestyle how do they have the confident in you, and Jesus Christ to join the family?
The purpose of fellowship is to encourage and support each other usually in times of trouble, sorrow, distress, moments of unhappiness. Of course, fellowship also involves a celebration of sorts at times and not only in tragic moments. Fellowship must relate to forging closer ties with each other.
What is truthfully fellowship? Let's examine true fellowship in the story of Job.
When three of Job's friends heard of the tragedy he had suffered, they got together and traveled from their homes to comfort and console him. Their names were Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite. When they saw Job from a distance, they scarcely recognized him. Wailing loudly, they tore their robes and threw dust into the air over their heads to show their grief. Then they sat on the ground with him for seven days and nights. No one said a word to Job, for they saw that his suffering was too great for words. Job 2:11-13
Now what can we learned from the above fellowship? True fellowship is about esprit de corps that allow the overwhelming love of Christ to rule over us. Fellowship is about being there together to share the emotional status of a brother/sister in Christ or just an ordinary friend, or better, an enemy!
Fellowship is about allowing Jesus Christ, our Saviour to manifest His presence in an assembly. Fellowship is about allowing the love of Christ to fill a congregation and experience Him in us. Fellowship is when we gathered together and the ability to see our Saviour Jesus in everyone around us. Fellowship is when people experiencing the joy of the Saviour's love touching them.
Hebrews 10:25, And let's not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of our Saviour Jesus' return is drawing near. How do you want to interpret this verse? Yes, we must not neglect meeting together and more importantly we must stay put when confronted with problems. We must not turn deserters in times of troubles! Because when trouble or persecution arises and everyone disappears, then the true meaning of fellowship becomes a mockery.
We are One in the body of our Saviour Jesus! We are members of His body, the Church! While we should not neglect meeting together, our fellowship must not be intimidated by the presence of trouble, and persecutions that exist in us because we belong to Christ. We fellowship by His strength and His wisdom. We fellowship in Him.
Fellowship is not about a social function where we congregate, eat, talk and maybe pray. While it is important to remind ourselves to be in contact with our friends, we must not be forgetful about omitting our Saviour's presence in our fellowship. Encouragement is not through words alone but must be accompanied by deeds. It's not about expressing I Love You without responsibilities. It's not about some hugging and maybe some smooching! It's about Christ's love filling us to reach out and touch lives.
(Reprise) While it is important to fellowship, more important its not about just being together for meals but sticking together encouraging and supporting in times of persecutions.
True fellowship is a relationship bonded by Christ love that fills it.
When our heavenly Father who is filled with an overwhelming love for us, says I Love You, He did not just say it with words but He came and suffered on the cross punishing Himself by bearing all our wrongdoing.
So what is fellowship? And how do you define fellowship?
I define it as such: Fellowship is drawing strength from our Saviour Jesus in the power of the Holy Spirit to aid us to carry the cross of Christ worst enemies. It's not only about our own cross. It's about our cross!
Christ has shown us that while we were still sinners, He came to carry our cross!
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