https://odb.org/MY/2022/06/10/time-enough

If you read Ecclesiastes 3, you will see that there is a time for everything – whether it is to be born or die, to uproot or plant, to kill or heal, to teardown or build, to weep or laugh, to mourn or dance, to search or give up, to scatter or gather and many more. There is a time for everything and a season for every activity under the sun. But the clincher is that God will make everything beautiful in His time. As Paul declared in Romans 8:28, we know that God will work all things good for those who love Him and who are called according to His purpose and I have shared before from the pulpit that “good” there is that despite all that had happened, we will be able to remain true and faithful to Him and His plans and purposes for our lives. We can be like Job or Joseph or Paul or even Christ – we will remain true right to the very end!

God has set eternity in our hearts and thus besides focusing on the things that count for eternity, we should know that for God to make everything beautiful in His time could mean, for some of us, that we will only see the beauty for everything when eternity sets in. Like the parable of the beggar in Luke 16:19-31 who longed to eat off the crumbs that fell off the rich man’s table and who was at Abraham’s side after he died compared to the rich man who was at Hades who just wanted a drop of water to quench his thirst.

I think the message this morning is that although some things may only be beautiful to us when eternity sets in (God promised to make all things beautiful in His time), we must fiercely and fearfully guard our path to eternal life to make sure that we will be on Abraham’s side and not end up on the wrong side of eternity. God has set eternity in the hearts of man, so let’s set our eyes on the things that matter for eternity!

https://odb.org/MY/2022/06/09/driving-through-loopholes

I think there is a fine line between human traditions and divine instructions as a lot of our practices do end up as human traditions. For example, while praise and worship, and preaching from the pulpit are means for us believers to celebrate God’s goodness as a congregation – the sequence of the service and all the items in it like testimony time, announcements, time for tithes and offerings are all human traditions. Even the act of holy communion is a man-made ritual as Jesus broke bread as part of a proper passover meal and we have reduced it to only a piece of corn flake and a little sip of Ribena! That is why I personally think that churches that have a meal together after a Sunday service is closer to the breaking of bread that Christ instituted as that was also practiced during the days of the Acts of the Apostles. Even meeting on a Sunday is very much a human tradition that has pagan origins as the Sabbath or Shabbat is observed from Friday evening to Saturday evening.

Are human traditions wrong? Are church practices ungodly? Are we breaking God’s laws in the process. I think the moral of the story is that in whatever we do whether as a church or as individuals, our hearts must be right before God and we must have God’s heart as our true motivation. So if a shabbily dressed unkempt homeless man from the street wearing worn out slippers enters our church during Sunday worship, do we deny him entry on the basis that he is disrespecting God’s presence? Let’s take it further – what do we do if a gay couple or a gangster or a prostitute comes to church?

The message today is that we cannot avoid human traditions as we are humans and some practices are passed down for generations. The deeper message is that we must not rationalise away what God is speaking to us by hiding behind human traditions. So religious leaders of past devoted their money to God while neglecting their parents. Or we could be faithfully giving our tithes and offerings to our local church while neglecting to help those around us who are in need. My view is that we are not absolved from our responsibility to help others just because we have already given our portion to God via our tithes and offerings to our local church. I think similarly if a person is gay, a druggie, a gangster or a prostitute, we cannot exclude them from the people we are reaching out to just because they don’t fit into our usual profile of a churchgoer. We must always remember that God’s heart is always for those marginalised by society. In fact Jesus came and died for everyone, including and especially those who are weak and downtrodden. I thus think that while we cannot avoid human traditions, we must not allow such traditions to hinder or prevent us from fulfilling God’s desire and intent to reach out to everyone around us.

https://odb.org/MY/2022/06/08/generosity-and-joy

I think as researchers have pointed out, there are people who give because it gives them joy. It makes them happy to give and I think it is true because we are happy knowing that we have done something meaningful. We have helped someone in need. But at the end of the day, I think most Christians still give to meet a need and usually as prompted by the Holy Spirit, rather than using giving as a source of joy. We see a need, God speaks to our heart and we give on the basis that what we have is from God anyway. So we are just a vessel for the Lord to meet the needs of others and if we follow this principle, there is a good chance that the Lord will likewise bless us in order that we may continue to be His vessel to reach out to those in need.

However there is another subtle point we should note when it comes to giving and that is to give with joy. Not so much to get joy in return but to give willingly with gladness in our heart. We must not give grudgingly as though we are forced to. If we ourselves have more pressing needs, then we should not give until those needs are met properly. Like if we need the money to buy medication, we should buy medication first before giving away the money. If we are not healthy, we will not be able to work and earn and thus we will not be able to give anymore in the future. So we need to make sure that the goose that lay the eggs, that is us, is well and alive! A dead goose lays no eggs.

Learn to give with joy to meet the needs of others. In the process, we may derive joy just from the act of giving as we see how our giving may help transform lives. As believers we should give more for Kingdom purposes, to help missionaries, to help God’s work in our local church and elsewhere. Yet we should not limit our giving only to Christian work as the world at large also needs help. Christ came so that the sick, the fatherless, the poor may enter the Kingdom of Heaven. We should likewise help the poor, the needy and the underprivileged.

We need to save and provision for our old age and yet we must give as vessels of God to meet the needs of others. If we are instruments of God, will He not preserve and protect us and care for us in our old age? Trust in the Lord and lean not on our own understanding. God will find a way for us as He uses us as a way for others in need!

https://odb.org/MY/2022/06/07/jesus-is-here

Matthew 28:20 contains a significant promise from Jesus that He will be with us till the end of age. He will actually be with us for all eternity but when He said until the end of age, He meant being with us here on earth. This promise is significant because if the end of age ushers in and the great tribulation as revealed in Revelation occurs during our life time, we have the assurance and promise that Jesus will nevertheless be with us during those 7 years before He returns. Of course this presupposes that we will not be raptured first and will face the great tribulation as believers prior to the 2nd coming of Christ. In Christian eschatology (end times teaching) speak, this is called the post tribulation end times theory. In other words, it is believed that as believers we will only be raptured to be with Christ after going through the great tribulation of presumably 7 years where we will only be able to buy and sell with the mark of the beast and if we bow down to the anti-Christ. Our faith will really be tested and Christians preparing for this occurrence in this lifetime are looking at various means to Iive “off the grid” so that we could carry on living without compromising our faith and identity as a child of God.

The great tribulation is indeed a scary thought and it is scary as we are afraid that after coming so far in the faith, we may be tempted to compromise in order to live a “normal life”. It is not a question of taking a vaccine or using e-payment platforms but taking the mark of the beast is a wilful act of worshipping the anti-Christ. It is wilful and not accidental. If we were to comply, we will do it in defiance to Christ and would have clearly abandoned our faith. So will we risk losing our eternal inheritance in God so we could live like we used to for those expected 7 years of tribulation?

Matthew 28:20 however gives us the assurance that Christ will be with us till the very end, until the end of age. If we stand with Him and refuse to bow down to the anti-Christ, He will be with us, to support and help us through it all. Not a question of putting us to the test and seeing whether we are genuinely for Him or not. Not to see whether we deserve a place in eternity as our salvation is a gift from God, by grace through the blood of Christ and not by our works. That is why proponents who believe in the post tribulation rapture theory also believe that believers when facing the great tribulation will be blessed and empowered by a greater outpouring of the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives that we will see miracles and signs and wonders. In other words, as much as we need to learn and prepare to cope with living without the mark of the beast, we will have Jesus by our side fighting the battle with us. We will somehow be able to live even without the means to buy and sell as the miraculous power of God will be with us and we will live here on earth in His presence while waiting for Christ to return. Jesus promised that He will be with us till the end of age and that may ultimately be what matters most for us to be able to live through the great tribulation if it occurs in our lifetime!

https://odb.org/MY/2022/06/06/the-kindness-of-candor

I guess all of us would have faced this situation before. You know of someone who is a nice person, easy to hang out with and has pleasant personality, but he has a weakness. A very apparent one, in fact. Like he sometimes like to boast and exaggerate or he just speaks too much and dominates the conversation or he likes to put people down with a condescending tone and with a “I’m much better than you” attitude. Or he is someone that can’t keep any secret. What do we do?

I think most of us will just ignore the flaw and put up with him as he is. Or in product talk, we accept him on “as is where is” basis. In other words, we take him as he is. But some of us out of love for him will tell him his flaw. So maybe we drop hints that he needs to change his ways. Because it’s such a waste – he is near perfect except for this weakness.

Will we do it? Proverbs 27:6 says that wounds from a friend can never trusted but an enemy multiplies kisses, while Proverbs 27:9 teaches that the pleasantness from a friend springs from their heartfelt advice.

Most will not do it to avoid the unpleasantness and the awkwardness if the friend responds negatively. He or she may get offended and we may no more be friends. But as believers redeemed by the blood of Christ, I think we should and must. This is because our responsibility is to edify and encourage and to build up. We have an obligation to assist a friend to become a better person especially if he or she is also a believer. We must never allow a friend to continue in his flaw if that will not ensure the best outcome for him for his life. Our role as leaders and believers is always to guide those around us to become the best they can in the Lord if they are in the faith or even if they are not. Everyone should be encouraged to realise their fullest potential.

So the next time we face such a situation, be bold and speak out to correct and amend with love for the best interests and future of that person.

https://odb.org/MY/2022/06/05/confident-in-god

One of the direct benefits of our relationship with God after accepting Jesus is the restoration of the direct line of communication with Him. Adam and Eve had that close contact with God in Eden but sin scuppered it when Satan deceived Adam and Eve to eat the fruit, the only thing they were forbidden to do. Only one single thing they couldn’t do and they made a mess of it!

Now witg Christ in our life, we may reach out to God in prayer or just plainly by calling Him in the name of Jesus. Just say, Father and we will have His ears. He is God, He can communicate and hear millions all at once, simultaneously. That is why nothing man-made can ever come close to God. In fact nothing man-made can even come close to reproduce the intricacies and complexity of a human body, or for that matter, any living mammal or animal. That is why God is God and we are only His creation! We are nothing compared to Him.

But as humans redeemed by the blood of Jesus, we may go one step further. We have the confidence that when we pray God listens. Not just have the means and privilege to pray but to pray and communicate with God knowing He hears and will speak to us too. If we were to ask anything in accordance with His will, He will grant us our request. So if we were to tell Him that we want to serve Him more, He will open the doors for us to do so. Or if we ask to be given a greater sensitivity to the move of the Holy Spirit, God will hear and grant us as all those are examples of things that are in accordance with His will. Or if we were to ask Him to mould and shape us to be more and more conformed to the image of Christ that we can fulfil our potential in God and fulfil His plans and purposes He has for us, surely He will not deny us? How soon will He answer will depend on our response and His timing. He does everything in His wisdom and time.

Let’s all approach the throne of God in confidence and boldness today as there is no more condemnation in Christ. Reach out to Him in confidence, He hears and listens and will act in accordance with His will even as we pray – Father, may Your will be done here on earth as it is done is heaven. Thus, may Your will for our lives be done here on earth as it is in heaven. Amen!

https://odb.org/MY/2022/06/03/spotting-rainbows

I just attended a retreat last weekend where the very gifted and articulate speaker and facilitator used the song Walking With Jesus to teach and carry his teaching across. In essence, we may sometimes go through our life journeys without seeing Jesus as though He is in the shadows – to us He may be “No Where”. But ultimately we want to be able to see Jesus in all that we do and wherever we are – He is “Now Here”. From no where to now here. The Bible text is taken from Luke 24 where Jesus post resurrection walked alongside two followers for nearly an entire afternoon expounding the Scriptures to them but they were oblivious to who Jesus was. It was only later at dinner that Jesus revealed Himself to them. The point is as believers our eyes are already opened as the Spirit has revealed Jesus and the truth to us and thus we should not have issues seeing Jesus working and walking alongside us in the things we do at the places we live and work. However, the reality is that we do go through our life journeys with Jesus “no where to be seen” in our eyes.

That is why I think it’s good to find and see the rainbow in all situations that we face in life as expounded in today’s ODB. No matter how bad a situation may look in the natural and in the present, there must be a silver lining somewhere – if not immediatel then later. There ought to be a rainbow in the mix. God loves us. At the most basic level, it is for Him to achieve His plans and purposes for our lives as He is moulds us to be like Christ. Even then I believe as we search harder we will eventually find the rainbow, that wonder of nature that personifies the marvel and beauty of Jesus walking alongside us.

I think the reality is that Jesus is always there with us. Whether we see Him or not, whether we recognise His face or not, He is there. If we could see Him, then our faith and confidence is boosted but even if we can’t see Him, we should not lose heart as He is nevertheless still there, walking alongside us. He doesn’t and will never leave our side as we are His, the sheep of His pasture.

Find the rainbow, it is there. See Jesus as He is there walking alongside us. He is always by our side and there will also be times when He will lift and carry us through life like the only 2 and not 4 footsteps on the beach as He walks through life with us. Jesus is now and here, He is not nowhere!

https://odb.org/MY/2022/06/02/set-apart

Be kind and compassionate with one another, forgiving each other just as in Christ, God forgave you (Ephesians 4:32).

As much as we want to be like others, to burst into anger and rage when we are wronged and to seek justice (sometimes that’s just an euphemism for revenge or getting even), we are actually quite constrained as a child of God. The rule for us is that first and foremost we must be kind and compassionate – meaning to say, we take things calmly even if we are wronged. It also means that like what John Wesley did in defence of his brother Charles Wesley, we meet anger and rage courageously with calmness and serenity. In fact, we can be like Jesus of yesterday’s commentary, and calm and quiet down a raging storm by being soft and serene. I recall seeing a video of a vet patting down an angry and aggresive dog to serenity. Thus even a potentially dangerous situation can be contained and controlled if we are calm and composed.

That’s why some people have used this phrase, right side up, to describe our Christian life. We are different from the world because we are now born again. It’s an upside down world or right side up as far as we are concerned. We are still in the world but we are no longer of the world. We live by a different standard as we are now a child of God. Salvation is not only about our eternal life but also eternity living in the present. We live now like we would in eternity. We bring Kingdom living down to earth as the Kingdom of God is where we are, where we work, live and interact. We are to be compassionate and kind and forgiving. It may be unfair but we must still be kind and compassionate and forgiving. That’s the standard we live by nowadays as a child of God.

Do not conform to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of our minds – Romans 12:2.

https://odb.org/MY/2022/06/01/coffee-and-a-muffin

What is the basis of Christian giving? I guess at the foundation of it all is the principle that our money, possessions and assets are not fully ours in the first place. Legally ours yes but not fully ours in the sense that we recognise the provision and grace of God in us acquiring our money, assets and possessions. We earn an honest living and few are very rich although some may be blessed with an earthly inheritance. But nevertheless we are able to give willingly for worthy causes because we ourselves experience the goodness of God in our own lives. We see how God preserved and protected us despite the clinical and often unsympathetic ways the world works. For example, I’m starting a new job today after so many years with my previous organisation and experienced first hand how God moved in special and I would say miraculous ways for me to experience what the Israelites experienced when they were leaving Egypt for the Promised Land. It is true that Christisn life is not a bed of roses but it is really a life living in the goodness of God working in us and among us.

I was on garden leave for a short while and at the tail end of it, had the privilege to join in the 15th anniversary celebrations of an organisation that is committed to providing accommodation for church and Christian retreats and camps at operating cost prices (zero amortisation of capital costs) so that the poorest of churches are able to afford the place, with full board and meals. I saw with my own eyes how many of those who attended have been wholeheartedly supporting this organisation for years as they grew old together with the founder. They soldier on serving God faithfully despite being in the 60s to 70s and even 80s.

Give whenever is necessary and as required. We save for our old age and yet when God prompts us, just give. We can give anonymously or give knowingly but we should not publicise our giving as Jesus taught don’t let your left hand know what your right hand is doing. We give out of the thankfulness and gratefulness of our hearts. We give because God first loved us and we are now His children and servants in His kingdom of grace. We give our money, time and talents for God and for the furtherance of His kingdom and I believe in the process we are storing up riches or treasures in heaven where the thief may not steal and where neither moth nor rust may destroy (Matthew 6:19-21). The wisest thing we can do on earth, in my humble opinion, besides our decision to accept Jesus in our lives, is to use whatever influence and wealth we have here on earth to store up riches or treasures in heaven as the latter are things we can and will enjoy for all eternity! See the parable of the shrewd manager as taught by our Lord Himself in Luke 16:1-8.

https://odb.org/MY/2022/05/31/hope-cuts-through-storms

As seen in Psalm 107, the tempest lifted high the waves which mounted up to the heavens and went down to the depths. Thus in their peril their courage melted away, they reeled and staggered like drunkards and were at their wits’ end. They then cried out to the LORD in their trouble and He brought them out of their distress. He stilled the storm to a whisper and the waves of the sea were hushed. I don’t think it’s an allegory but a real life experience repeated and publicised for the glory of God, to give thanks to God for His mighty hands for rescuing the merchants who were at sea.

Many years later, when God appeared on the scene as Jesus the Son, the disciples actually experienced Jesus calming the storm and this was recorded in the Gospels of Mark, Luke and Matthew. Jesus spoke and the storm just subsided. Kristene DiMarco of Bethel Music uses this refrain in the bridge of her song It Is Well – “the waves and wind still know His name”. You can catch the song here – https://youtu.be/YNqo4Un2uZI.

Calming the storm physically demonstrates that God is God and Jesus is God. If we were to face a physical storm, we know that the Lord can calm the storm if we were to call out to Him. But I guess the more practical application of Psalm 107 is in the realm of the storms of life that we face as believers living out our faith. Are we able to call upon the Lord like the merchants at sea when our life situation threatens to overwhelm us? Do we trust God that He will calm our storms of life as we cry out to him at out wits end, in our despair and desperation? Whatever turmoil we are going through right now, lift it up to the Lord and commit it to Him. Pray that the Lord our God will find a way for us when there appears to be no way. Humanly, we are at the edge of the cliff but in the Lord, Jesus can and will be the bridge for us to cross over to safety for He is our refuge, our rock and our salvation! Give thanks to God for His unfailing love and praise Him for His wonderful deeds in our lives! Amen!