Author Archives: Ronnie Lim

https://odb.org/2023/08/20/finding-open-spaces We hear this expression, “give him some space,” which literally can be translated to, “cut him some slack.” Work-wise, we say give him some breathing space, meaning, don’t keep on loading him, he needs time to recover, to catch his breadth. In our spiritual life, we also need to have some space, some openContinue reading “Open spaces”

https://odb.org/2023/08/18/festivals-of-worship Our Jewish brothers back in the day would travel three times a year to Jerusalem to attend 3 festivals, namely, the Festival of the Unleavened Bread (the Passover), the Festival of Weeks and the Festival of Tabernacles. It’s a treacherous journey filled with danger and harm from bandits. Thus, the Jewish pilgrims will singContinue reading “The congregation of believers”

https://odb.org/2023/08/16/the-power-of-persistence In our faith, the qualities that are expounded are often contrary to that of the world. In terms of Christian living, it is “right side up living,” an expression that is inverse to upside down. So, selflessness is valued as opposed to selfishness. Humility is admired compared to pride. Servant leadership is emphasised. ItContinue reading “Persistence and perseverance”

https://odb.org/2023/08/15/jesus-our-brother Theologically, we know that we are children of the most high God, the Great I Am, the LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Paul used the term “co-heirs” with Christ in Romans 8:17, and thus Jesus is our elder brother. While all that is true, Christ is also our Master and Saviour. HeContinue reading “Jesus as our brother”

https://odb.org/2023/08/14/forgotten Joseph in the Bible is the epitome of faithfulness. He is someone betrayed by his brothers and sold into slavery and, as a slave was wrongly accused by his master’s wife of trying to take advantage of her. He ended up in jail for that and stayed there for quite a number of yearsContinue reading “Forgotten”

https://odb.org/2023/08/13/a-different-approach In 1 Corinthians 9:22, Paul speaks of becoming all things to all people so that by all possible means he might save some. So, to the Jew under the law, he became like a Jew under the law, although he was no longer under the law. To the Gentiles, he became like one notContinue reading “All things to all people”

https://odb.org/2023/08/11/who-am-i-5 Honestly, I don’t understand the fuss about having a famous father or mother. If your dad or mum is well-known, surely that will open doors and you get instant recognition as so and so’s son or daughter. How can that be a bad thing? Sure, you live in the shadow of your famous parent,Continue reading “Living in the shadow”

https://odb.org/MY/2023/08/10/the-god-of-all-our-days I think when we are young and all on fire for God, we feel we can conquer the world. We are at the top of our game. God is with us all the way, whether we lead in worship, preach, or minister or pray for the sick or just witnessing. We are at theContinue reading “Growing old with Jesus”

https://odb.org/MY/2023/08/09/good-trouble-2 Today’s ODB life story is an interesting one. A girl saw her classmate cutting his arm with a razor. She took it from him and threw it away. But as she had the razor with her for a moment, which was not allowed in that school, she was given a 10-day suspension. Although theContinue reading “Doing good but with risk?”

https://odb.org/MY/2023/08/08/different-together I think it is good that our Christian faith does not distinguish between Jew or Greek or free or slave or male or female as enumerated by Paul in the first century (see Galatians 3: 23-29 despite some initial disagreements between the Apostles). Paul, as the ambassador appointed by Christ to the Gentiles, stoodContinue reading “Strength in diversity”