https://odb.org/MY/2022/01/04/resilient-faith

If we watch documentaries on TV or YouTube on deserts, we will see that the desert sand will shift by day or even by the hour. As the wind blows, the sands shift and the whole landscape may even change if there is a sand storm, sometimes burying things under the sand or revealing and uncovering things previously hidden under the sand.

It is thus impossible to build any permanent structure in a sandy desert environment as Jesus rightly pointed out, a house built on sand will not stand. When the rain comes down, streams rise and the winds blow and beat against it, it will come crashing down. We saw this during the recent floods in the Klang Valley and surrounding areas. As much as the furniture, electrical equipment and other belongings were destroyed and made unusable, the brick houses stood their ground amidst the flood waters. But we can’t say the same thing of the wooden holiday chalets at the edges of the hills around Bentong. Some were literally swept away when the water from the hills came down and overflowed rivers and swept everything in its path. In fact, we saw how the waters brought down thousands of cut timber from the hills to the valleys in Pahang.

The spiritual application of this analogy as explained by Jesus is simple. If we just hear His words and don’t put them into practice, we will be like houses built on sand. Our faith will come crashing down when tested. But if we hear His words and put them into practice, then we will be like a house built on rock. The rain came, streams rise and winds blew and beat against it, it will not fall as its foundation is built upon rock.

There is thus a need not to just read the Word but to apply it. When we apply the Word, we will experience God in our lives. God becomes real to us and His glory is manifested. The Word itself is God and thus applying it will both encourage and strengthen our faith. We will know for sure God is with us and we know and recognise God in the process. So when a crisis comes, we go to God instead of relying on others or ourselves. We pray and seek God’s guidance before we act. Our faith is unchanging as it is built on solid foundation, on the rock that is Christ. We will still be strong and unwavering. We will be focused and will still trust God despite the crisis we are going through. If we had not applied the Word and had not experienced God, we will not dare to trust God. We will then rely on others or ourselves. We will act without praying. Our faith will thus be like shifting sands and if we are not careful may come crashing down.

A strong foundation in Christ is necessary and essential to stand the test of time and crisis, especially during these end times when we can expect to go through trials and tribulations. The best way to avoid shifting sands is to hear the words of Jesus and apply them. I think we should take this literally by reading through the Gospels and hearing and applying the words of Jesus as He had said them before. Our faith will then be on a strong and solid foundation.

https://odb.org/MY/2022/01/03/when-love-never-ends

I think the act of a grandfather taking off his watch to spend time with his grandson at the beach was touching as he just let time go by. Didnt keep tabs on time, something some of us may unfortunately find impossible to do, even for a few hours. In the current context, that would also more likely to mean just spending time with someone without checking our handphones. Just put our phones away during those 8-12 hours, and just chill and hangout.

When my boys were younger, I used to take leave and spend the day with them on their birthdays. I think I started this when Ivan was around 2 or 3 years old. We will just go somewhere and chill like hanging out at a park. When they were older, I brought them to eat, then we will go to catch a movie and then go to play games like at a mini amusement park at the Aeon Mall, S2. Basically, just hang out together the whole day just Ivan and I or Daniel and I and some years with Huey Mian too – a day for them to fully enjoy themselves whether at a park or a mall. Have their favourite ice cream like Baskin Robbin or Haagen Dazs. It is a time when time didn’t matter or time just stood at a standstill as far as other matters are concerned. I don’t know whether my boys still remembered those days but I do.

We should perhaps dedicate a day to do that with God, just take leave and chill. To worship and study His Word. Spend the whole day just praying and reading His Word, fellowshipping with the Holy Spirit and just dwell in His presence. Don’t look at our watches or phones or tablets or computers or watch TV. Give the whole day to Christ. Let Jesus come and engulf us in His presence. I’m sure we will be refreshed snd strengthened and maybe become a different person in Christ!

I think the lesson today is that the Lord is compassionate and slow to anger. He sometimes just let time goes by when dealing with us as we can just be so slow in responding to Him or His call. We take our time but the Lord just chills. It is like God just takes off his watch or just put aside His mobile phone and let us do what we are doing. We should cherish those pause moments from the Lord but know that such moments cannot go on forever. There is much work to be done in the Kingdom and our time on earth is limited. As much as God lets us chill, we must not take too long to respond to Him, to His calling. The grandfather took off his watch but it was only for that time at the beach with his grandson. I gave my sons a day out with them but it’s only on their birthdays. It is never and can never be like that day in and day out. We need to look at our watches and mobile phones again the next day. God may let us chill. But we need to get serious with Him very soon.

https://odb.org/MY/2022/01/02/fresh-start-effect

In Colossians 3:1-10, Paul speaks about the need to discard our old self and set our hearts on things above since we have been raised with Christ. For we have died and when Christ appears, we will also appear with Him in glory. Our old self has died and must remain dead, crucified, banished.

Yet we know that we are living with our old self. As much as it is dead, it is not really dead. There is a constant need to keep it crucified as we battle with sin and our own impurities and weaknesses, our anger issues, our pride, selfishness, desires etc.

As a New Year starts, we have a clean sheet of paper, a new journal with 365 days of blank pages. We write our own journal, our journey in life, our journey in the faith. We make New Year resolutions, a fresh start to things. What do we want to do this year, 2022? What’s God’s Word for us for 2022? Is God’s Word for us that we lose more weight and focus on our health issues? Eat less and exercise more? Reduce our calories intake and burn more at the same time? Eat two meals a day only and no more snacks? Fast 16 hours and only eat normally for 8? Exercise more – cardio vascular and weights? The physics of it, once we get it right, will ensure that we lose weight. Or perhaps God’s Word for us is to read His Word more, to finish the Bible this year? Instead of starting at Genesis and getting stuck at Leviticus, why don’t we start at Joshua and come back to Genesis later?

New Year’s resolution almost never succeed for a variety of reasons. But mainly because we depend on our own will power or we had set unrealistic goals like wanting to lose 20 kgs! It is always a fresh start but ending it well is what matters! Often we give up after just a few steps. But if it’s a fresh start from God, we know we have a better chance to cover more ground, to achieve more, to succeed or at least achieve much more. Why? Because with Christ on our side, we have the power of the Holy Spirit.

In Christ, we can always make a fresh start because of His abundant love and compassion that is renewed every morning. There is no condemnation in Christ. If we fail, we pick ourselves up and start again. Perhaps that will be the way we could achieve what God has spoken to us? This year, we will not give up. We will persevere on, we will push on. If we fall, we rise up again and we go on. If the cross is too heavy to bear, we let it go but pick it up again and walk on. Don’t retreat and run the other way. Pray for strength and endurance each day. If we fail, have a fresh start again but keep on moving. Let’s see at the end of 2022 where we are! Have we not progressed? Have we not fulfilled God’s Word for us for 2022? Spend some time this week seeking God for His Word for us for 2022 and stick to the programme!

https://odb.org/MY/2022/01/01/saved-by-the-word

Blessed New Year, everyone! 2021 was challenging, we pray that 2022 will be better for all.

As we reflect upon 2021, let’s thank God for His protection and grace upon our lives, that despite the difficulty and challenging times, we managed to pull through and we are now in 2022! Thank you, Lord for your grace, love and compassion!

Today’s Word is about the Word. In addition to the Holy Trinity and the Virgin Birth and God coming to live among us (Immanuel) and dying for our sins and that the various books in the Bible are written by ordinary people upon the inspiration of the Holy Spirit the same way as we preach messages, lead bible studies or write articles today, the Word of God is actually Jesus and was with God at the beginning before anything else even existed. In fact, Jesus is God and He was present when everything that was made were made and that’s the beauty of the Holy Trinity who is the same yesterday, today and the days to come. The fact that the Word is Jesus and God Himself, as well as a host of other things about our faith, is something so special and unique that it can only be the genuine truth since it is not something that a human can think of and thus postulate. Our faith is real because just too many aspects of it could not have been humanly created.

Since the Word is God Himself, every single word in the Bible can only be true and there is a reason why certain events are remembered and why certain aspects of certain events are recorded. Many things will happen in a person’s life as there are thousands and thousands of seconds in one life and there are many lives in the bible! So why some events are recorded and some not and why only certain perspectives are recorded and preserved for eternity? It must have been that God Himself decided which is which and He crafted it in such a way through the many writers of Scriptures to make sure what He wants recorded is recorded. So when we read the Bible, we should always bear in mind that God had willed that this aspect of a narrative is to be written down. Of course some happenings and some people are more notable than others and that is probably why some people are mentioned by name and many remain anonymous but regardless, every person in the Bible is a real person who had lived and died (besides Enoch and Elijah), whether named or not.

As we go into 2022 and as we get ourselves into gear again for our work and ministry, at our personal interaction with God, let’s spend more time reading the Word and praying. The more we read and pray, the more will Christ be revealed to us through His Word as Christ is the Word and He is God. Remember, there must be a reason why a piece of Scripture is written in a certain way and why certain aspects or perspective is highlighted. Ask the Holy Spirit to enlighten us and we will find that reading the Word will be such an adventure in opening us up to the mysteries of God! Blessed 2022!

https://odb.org/MY/2021/12/31/one-day-closer-to-christmas

We had looked forward towards Christmas and now Christmas is over. We looked forward to the year-end holidays and today is the last day of the year. Of course for us who are Chinese Christians, Chinese New Year or CNY is exactly a month away this time on 1st February 2022. So at least for us Chinese believers we have another festival to look forward to although it’s back to the grind for most of us come Monday. I for one have circa 12 contracts to negotiate and close this coming January 2022 and I say wow to myself!

So one way to comfort ourselves after Christmas is over is to say that we are one day closer to Christmas, the next one! It’s the same with our birthday. After it is over, we are one day closer to our next birthday.

The only problem with that is that we are sounding a little bit presumptuous. It’s as though we think we will live forever when we know that life and death is in the hands of God. Will we live till the next Christmas, our next birthday? Will we? We will never know for sure what our next moment is, what more months ahead! Life is vanity indeed! We are but a fleeting moment in time.

I think as humans we need to plan ahead, prepare in advance in terms of work, ministry, calling, savings, retirement and if we are younger in terms of education, experience, exposure, career progression, ministry, family, children, children’s education etc. However, I think we must always also remember at the back of our heads that anytime the Lord may call us back or He may return. Like our marriage vows for those of us who have married – “till death do us part or till our Lord returns”. Even if the world as we know it doesn’t come to an end just yet, our time here on earth may come to an end.

So I do agree with the ODB writer today – another day is indeed another day closer to our Lord’s return. Every day forward, any new day is a day closer. A day closer to us meeting Jesus, whether we go or whether He comes. Are we ready? Have we fulfilled His calling for us? In our planning for our next birthday, our next Christmas – have we charted what we will do for our calling in Christ? Are we on the way or out of the way? Are we even on the chosen path, the narrow road? Let’s take some time to think and reflect and pray as 2021 comes to an end and 2022 begins.

Blessed 2022 and may 2022 be a better year for all of us in all that we do; our work, ministry, family and our faith and walk with God! Happy New Year, everyone! Take care and stay safe!

https://odb.org/MY/2021/12/30/better-than-gold-2

I had shared before in a previous post (https://ronnielim.com/2021/09/11/choosing-god-is-choosing-wisdom/) that if given a choice like Solomon, we would probably all choose wisdom over wealth as with the former we may acquire the latter. But if we examine the issue more deeply, we will realise that actually choosing wisdom means choosing God and with that all the blessings of heaven will flow our way. The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom.

In real life, we are not directly asked by God to choose between wisdom and wealth. It was a question posed to Solomon, as a lesson to all, to ask whatever he wanted and God would give to him (1 Kings 3) and Solomon asked for a discerning heart to govern the people and to distinguish between right and wrong. God was pleased that Solomon asked for a discerning heart to dispense justice and not wealth or a long life or death for his enemies and because of that, God told Solomon that He will grant him a wise and discerning heart, and also what he did not ask for – wealth and honour so that there will not be an equal among kings in his lifetime.

Although God may not have asked us the question like He asked Solomon, we could apply this to our lives perhaps in this manner; the key to Solomon’s answer was that he was young and thus did not know how to carry out his duties as King. Solomon was more concerned on how best to fulfil His calling before God. He was not focused on enjoying the perks or power that his station in life brought, which is what most young kings would have done as can be seen in the bible and in human history. Solomon had a heart to do God’s will in his life and that to me was the key as to why he chose wisdom over wealth or health or the downfall of his enemies. He wanted to be able to fulfil his calling as King to the best of his ability and thus asked for a discerning heart to know right and wrong to govern his people.

I think we can all be like Solomon although God may not have spoken to us in a dream like He did with Solomon. The prayer we should all pray is for us to be given all that may be required, based on His abundant grace and mercy, so that we may be able, like Solomon, to fulfil God’s calling for our lives. Whatever is required whether it is opportunities, finance, a seminary education, a promotion, open doors – may God grant us that so we may do our part for His Kingdom. Wealth or health – all are good and well but most importantly will we ask the LORD to give us all that we need to fulfil His calling for us? We start by responding to His call and we work towards fulfilling His call and as we respond and work, may God facilitate all that we need to carry out our role and responsibilities in His Kingdom. Read 1 Kings 3:1-15 and see the heart of Solomon. May we be like Solomon that God may grant us our prayer and request like He granted Solomon. Amen

https://odb.org/MY/2021/12/29/lion-lamb-savior

It is a unique and special quality of Jesus Christ that He is both Lion of Judah from the lineage of David and Lamb of God that was slain on the cross for the sins of mankind. He is also the Lion of Judah because the Lamb that was slain rose victorious and is alive! Jesus is both mighty, strong and fierce as well as humble and meek. In Revelation 5:5-7, we see that when no one in heaven, on earth or under the earth could open the scroll and look inside; Christ, the Lion of Judah and the Lamb could open the scroll, break its seven seals and look inside it! Praise the Lord! Glory be unto Jesus! As much as Jesus was meek as a lamb when He first came, He will be as fierce as a lion when He comes again the second time!

There is a sense that as believers we must both be a lion and a lamb. Strong and powerful and yet meek and humble. Be assertive as we stand firm in our faith and yet teachable and humble before man and God. When we are strong, we tend to be proud. When we are confident, we tend to look down on others as though we are better than others, above others. Why is that so? There is no need to step on others to project ourselves above others. I think the right way is always to do our best, but never at the expense of others. Even in our self talk, if we are righteous before God, then that’s good. There is no need to compare against or be condescending to others lest we are labelled by Christ like the Pharisees and Scribes, who became haughty as they become righteous. Others need our help and encouragement, not our judgment and contempt.

The other paradox that we face as a Christian is to be as innocent as a dove and yet as sly as a serpent. It is paradoxical because it is seemingly contradictory and yet in real life, practicable because we have Christ in us. I think it just simply means we should naturally be good to others but not to be simply taken advantage of. Sometimes the latter may be intentional on our part and if so, then it’s all good. Even when we exercise our role to be as sly as a serpent, we do not take the character of the serpent to steal, kill and destroy. Our intention is always for the better of the Kingdom of God, community, church or family – never to take advantage of the other or to harm or cause distress. Win-win is thus the best outcome always with win-lose to be avoided if possible.

As Jesus is both Lion and Lamb, we could likewise be both lion and lamb, and dove and serpent. Strong and yet meek. Fierce and yet humble. Assertive yet teachable. Innocent and yet cunning. Pure and yet sly.

https://odb.org/MY/2021/12/28/great-wisdom-and-a-thousand-eyes

I think one of the challenges as shepherds and fellow believers is to deal with brethren holding a different point of view. It could be something radical or just a simple matter. It could be something as serious as being against the current Covid-19 vaccinations or just a matter of not wanting the mRNA vaccine or not wanting the booster shots. Some could be led by strange teachings or false teachers as enumerated by Jude, the half brother of Jesus. Or it could just be holding on to solid teachings but with a radical slant or taking a more extreme approach. There are diverse viewpoints and the challenge as leaders and fellow believers is how to navigate through all that while maintaining peace and harmony and discipline, not stifling growth but encouraging revival of the spirit.

So I agree that the shepherd needs great wisdom and a thousand eyes to examine the soul’s condition from every angle. How do we care well for people spiritually? We need to maintain discipline and standards but at the same time allow fresh ideas and approaches to germinate to revive the church.

I think the best way to have that wisdom is to pray more for our sheep and fellow brethren, something I’m guilty of not doing enough myself. Prayer brings us to the throne of God, to hear His heartbeat, to know His will, to listen to what He is doing in our midst. And that may not be the same as in other churches and communities as every church and community is unique and God could be working in different ways in different contexts. Whatever we do must be done within the context of the dynamics in play at the local church. With prayer, the Holy Spirit can work in our lives amd ultimately all these work have to be birthed and ignited by the Holy Spirit. May the Holy Spirit give everyone, leaders and followers alike, the wisdom to deal with diversity of views and bring a revival of our souls in our midst so that we may all actively participate in what God is doing among us!

https://odb.org/MY/2021/12/27/gods-right-hand

There are times in our lives when we are in such a fix, usually stemming from our own incompetence or carelessness, that we can only call upon God for help. No one except God can turn the tide against us. Judah faced a similar situation with their disobedience and insolence, with God promising them the Assyrians and the Babylonians to overrun and conquer them and drive them into exile in a foreign land, becoming slaves as a result of their own folly despite God forewarning them countless times before.

We knew it was coming. God already told us and yet we were stubborn like a bull. We were like Judah. We rebelled against God. We refused to bow down and obey. Instead we went our separate ways. We wanted our own way. Now we are in a fix. Will we continue on this road or will we repent and return to the righteous path?

From the ancient experiences of Judah when it came to the Assyrians and Babylonians, as much as the LORD wanted to teach Judah a lesson, it was not out of revenge or intention to destroy. The lesson was not meant to kill Judah but to bring her to repentance, to reconciliation with God, to come home rather than continue to drift away. If Judah had heeded God’s call, she could have averted the disaster and yet even after the punishment was afflicted, God remains ready to accept her back if she repented.

I believe what we can learn from these episodes of Judah’s encounters with the LORD is that ultimately God loves Judah and His people, the children of Israel. He will not see her destroyed. Judah will not be wiped out from the face of the earth as history will testify, Israel as a nation was created in 1948 thereby reuniting all the Jews from around the world back to Canaan, the Promised Land.

There is a sense that if we are children of God, the LORD will protect and keep us safe. If we had sinned and strayed, there are consequences and implications but God will not see us destroyed. Repent and come back to Him, He will restore us and nuture us back to strength. The LORD our God will lift us up again as He did with the Israelites over the years. Be humble, admit our mistakes, return to God. He will give us rest, the peace that surpasses all understanding. Don’t continue to run away and be rebellious anymore, He only has love amd compassion for us. His steadfast love never ceases. Repent and return to Him, Christ has paid the price for our sins and iniquities. There is no condemnation in Christ if we repent and return to God. God will indeed be our God, our help.

https://odb.org/MY/2021/12/25/christmas-child

Blessed and Merry Christmas, everyone! It is my prayer that you are having an enjoyable and uplifting time with friends and family, attending church whether on site or online this morning, worshipping God and having fellowship with other brethren. Christmas is a time of celebration, a time of rejoicing of the goodness of God despite the challenging year before and the expected challenging year ahead! It’s about the Christmas tree, the presents, the nice food and drink but ultimately Christmas is about Jesus Christ, the Immanuel. That God made Himself man and became a tiny speck in Mary’s womb to enter this world He created as a created being, a baby born in manger all forlorn, among the animals but witnessed by the angelic beings in heaven, proclaiming the Good News of the Messiah, the saviour of the world with the government upon His shoulders. He is the First Noel.

Let’s all just enjoy this day, the day the Lord has given to praise and worship God, to honour and give glory to Christ for dying on the cross for our sins and for the eternal ife we are enjoying here in earth and will be enjoying later in heaven for all eternity as we await the day when our Lord comes again triumphantly as King and Lord over the whole earth that indeed every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that He is the King of Kings nd Lord of Lords!

Have a Blessed and Merry Christmas! May all of us be filled with love, peace and joy wherever we are and may our praise and worship today be a sweet incense unto Him in the heavens that He may dwell in the praises of His people! Amen!