Despite persecution

https://odb.org/2024/11/20/speak-to-the-people

When we read the book of the Acts of the Apostles, it is quite commonplace to see the Apostles being persecuted for their faith, particularly Paul. One example is in today’s ODB article on Acts 21:17 to 22:1. Paul was falsely accused of bringing Gentiles into the inner courts of the Temple where only Jewish men were allowed in. After being beaten, bruised, and bloodied when the crowd turned against him due to the agitators, he requested from the commander of the Roman soldiers (who intervened and bound and took him away and thus saved his life), the opportunity to speak to the people. When Paul spoke, he shared Christ.

There would have been many contemporary situations during those times of the Apostles sharing Christ despite facing persecution. There are many similar happenings in modern times, too, especially those in prisons or growing up in rough neighbourhoods. The point is that our faith must remain intact notwithstanding persecution or hard times as the world will get increasingly hostile towards believers. Conformity to the prevailing standards of the world is expected, and we may be singled out if we do not conform.

However, Paul has already exhorted us in Romans 12:2 that we are not to conform to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of our minds so that we may be able to test and approve what God’s will is – His good, pleasing and perfect. For example, if we watch Netflix, we will see more and more same-sex characters or couple scenes introduced, not so much in the main storyline, but subtly in the background. In some societies now, stating the biblical position on homosexuality is considered insensitive and politically incorrect, although that’s God’s word.

There will come a time when our faith may be tested and our stand elicited. Is Jesus Christ the Son of God? Or is He a mere human being? Do we believe in the resurrection of Christ? In some circles, our core beliefs in the deity and in the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ are regarded as heresy. Or we may be asked to denounce our faith to continue to enjoy the prosperity and comforts life brings? It may be blatant or subtle, we do not know. But will we dare suffer the consequences, or will we compromise and comform in order to live? Will we keep our faith in our hearts instead?

Romans 10: 9-10 NIV – 9 If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.

As much as there is the heart, there is also the public declaration with our lips and mouth. Don’t ever forget this principle of our faith.

Two are better than one

https://odb.org/2024/11/19/strong-support

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 NIV: 9 Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labour: 10 If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.

We recently encountered arguments for and against post and pre tribulation rapture as part of our research into the upcoming second coming of Christ. There is even a third view, which is mid tribulation rapture. However, an important aspect of the arguments is that it is not what we believe that would determine the reality, unlike our faith in our Lord Jesus Christ determining our salvation. In terms of when rapture will occur, our belief will not change what will eventually occur. The timing is up to our Heavenly Father. Thus, advocates of the post tribulation rapture assert that it’s better to be safe than sorry. Be prepared for the eventual occurrence. If rapture happens before the great tribulation, then well and good. We are no longer on earth. But if it is otherwise, don’t be disillusioned. The important thing is that we need to hold on to our faith come what way.

Which brings us to the topic of the day. In times of the great tribulation, when the anti-Christ has surfaced and people need the mark of the beast to buy and sell, it is essential that the community of believers stand together. Two are better than one, and three is even better. A community that stands together will have a better chance of surviving off-grid, experiencing the supernatural grace and power of God, knowing very well that martyrdom is a gift.

In our walk of faith, it is always better to have someone like our spouse or a sibling or mentor support us along the way. Basically, we have someone who corrects us when we go wrong and nudges us back into the narrow path as we stray. That is why some churches have a shepherd system, like the buddy system of a senior mentoring a junior, that I had in our law faculty when I was in university years back.

The message this morning is that two are better than one, and three is even better. Don’t isolate ourselves and remain at home attending services online. Come back into the community of believers in the church. Attend worship services physically on site and serve God in the church. For example, nowadays, in my company, board and important meetings are all held physically onsite, with online meetings now an exception rather than the rule. It is best for everyone to put the Covid experience into the past and move on. Don’t live in the past but in the present while looking forward to the future in the fulfilment of our destiny in Christ as God works out His will, plans, and purposes for our lives! Be a contributing and significant peg in the community of His church!

Obedience

https://odb.org/2024/11/18/obedience-is-a-choice

We know from the narrative on Saul with Samuel on the offering of the sacrifice to the LORD that obedience takes precedence over sacrifice. In that incident, Saul’s men were pestering him to go out for battle, but Saul wanted to offer a sacrifice unto God first. It was perhaps as a means of seeking God’s protection. However, Samuel, the prophet who was also a priest and a judge, was late, and Saul couldn’t wait. So he took matters into his own hands and offered the sacrifice himself. This was prohibited as only a priest could do so. As a result, God was furious and replaced him as king of Israel. It was not this single incident that led to Saul’s downfall but a series of character flaws. But that’s a story for another day.

In the New Testament, Jesus taught obedience in another way. He said, “If you love Me, obey Me.” Basically, to love Christ is to obey Christ and His Word. But we will have the Holy Spirit to help us along.

John 14 NIV: 15 “If you love me, keep my commands. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever—17 the Spirit of truth. The world can not accept him because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.

Thus, do we obey out of fear of repercussions or due to a sense of duty? Or do we make the choice to obey out of love? Actually, the former motivations are OK because the end result is still obedience. But the latter, as taught by our Lord, is the best. If we obey out of love, we will likely be able to obey much more. It is also part of putting the Kingdom of God first as our obedience stems from our motivation to put God first in all that we do.

Obedience is not natural, though. Our flesh will rebel. But as we start on obedience, we will find that we can obey more and more and, in the process, become more and more Christ-like.

Have a good week ahead, everyone! I pray that the wisdom and the knowledge of God will be upon each and every one of us as we deal with the issues at work and in life! May the LORD our God grant us completion and finality in the things we do for Him and at work!

Persistence in prayer

https://odb.org/2024/11/14/persist-in-praying

Some may feel that when it comes to prayer, we just need to voice out our petitions and supplication. It’s more like a form of communication with God, although perhaps not so required as God knows all things, especially our heart. On the other hand, we have teachings from Christ on persistence in prayer like the parable of the widow and a judge who is neither God-fearing nor cared for what people think. Yet because the widow continually pleaded with him for justice, he responded to her cries. See Luke 18:1-8.

We could also approach prayer using the “seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you.” Meaning we do not need to pray for our wants and needs, God will grant us eventually. Focus just on praying for His Kingdom matters.

Of course, it is true that God knows and may grant our needs. But I am sure there is a place for the Luke 18 principle of the persistent widow. Simply because Jesus taught it, and Luke wrote it down. In my view, Luke 18 is about persistence and not any sort of entitlement as though we are demanding of God to do as we wished. The widow persistently went to the judge with her plea. It is pleading and not demanding. Similarly, when we pray, we appeal to the Lord’s grace and mercy. We are not entitled, but we nevertheless seek His intervention.

Persistence also shows God the intensity of our desire for justice. God may know our deepest desires, but He doesn’t know the extent of our desire. How much are we willing to do or sacrifice for our supplication and request? We often hear the phrase, prayer moves the hand of God. It means God can be moved by our persistent prayer. We persist, and we appeal, but in the end, God still answers based on His will and timing. It doesn’t mean that persistence will surely yield the desired response because it still must be within God’s will. He knows what’s best for us in accordance with His will and perfect timing. But if we are alligned with God’s will and are on the right track in our spiritual walk, our persistence will surely move God.

Don’t give up. Pray persistently. God will eventually answer. Amen!

Kindness

https://odb.org/2024/11/13/unmeasured-kindness

Proverbs 11 NIV: 17 Those who are kind benefit themselves, but the cruel bring ruin on themselves. 24 One person gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty. 25 A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.

It is somewhat counter-intuitive that if we are kind, we will benefit ourselves. Similar to the concept that giving freely gains even more and brings prosperity.

I feel it is disappointing that if we are in the faith and we don’t believe this important principle in the Bible. It sort of reflects that we do not trust God or believe His Word. Solomon wrote Proverbs, but Jesus also expounded the same principle when He taught the Parable of the Talents. The servant who used his given talent well was rewarded with more while the servant who did nothing, his talent was taken away.

How could being kind benefit us? In the natural, like we don’t owe anyone a living, it is our right to be kind only to whoever we want or choose. It is our perogative or, like legalese will say, it is at our sole discretion. That’s correct. That also means we can choose otherwise. The LORD is not forcing us to be kind as though our salvation depends on it. He is just saying that if we are kind, it will benefit us. This means that in the natural, others will also be kind to us and we will gain other people’s favour. In the world, although people are not obliged to be kind to us, they will invariably gravitate towards kindness if we are kind and pleasant.

But more importantly, there is a spiritual principle at work as proclaimed by Solomon in Proverbs. In other words, if we are kind and generous, God will open up the heavens and pour His blessings and provision upon us. We will definitely live a better life. God declared so in Proverbs. Will He lie? Does He ever lie?

Going back to having a Kingdom-mentality or being Kingdom-minded, being kind and generous is putting God’s Kingdom first and the pursuit of His righteousness! It is for the long term and the eternal, except that if we are kind and generous, it is certain that God will bless us in this world itself. We need not wait for our reward at the end of age, but we will be blessed this side of eternity!

As part of us having a good week, let us put this Word into practice and be kind and generous over the remaining of this week and for the rest of our days here on earth! Let’s determine in our hearts today that as long as the good Lord gives us breath, we will be kind and generous. It can only benefit us!

Grace of giving

https://odb.org/2024/11/12/a-handful-of-rice

It is amazing how a church in poverty could still give and share with others. The churches in Mizoram, India, despite being poor, have given millions to missions and sent out missionaries to all over the world. Surely, it is the grace of God that sustains them. The church in Macedonia is the biblical example of a church that gives out of lack as Paul commended in 2 Corinthians 8.

It puts us to shame if we are a wealthy church and hold on tightly to our monies. The parable of the talents teaches us to use whatever we have to the fullest or else what little we have will be taken away. Don’t hoard our resources, especially money. Put them to good use by blessing others or investing in missions or church planting. We really shouldn’t be burying our talents in the ground. Yes, save for the future and for the rainy day, but we still need to trust God and live out our faith.

At the personal level, there are some who won’t spare even RM50 for a good cause. Yet, there are others who are willing to part with thousands. Perhaps we are not like the latter. Surely we are not like the former! But the amazing ones are the ones who are willing to share despite having little. If we do not have much and still give, it just means that we are forgoing something to bless others. Maybe we go hungry for one meal, to put RM20 into the pocket of one who only gets to eat once every few days. At least we help that downtrodden person have a decent meal. A personal sacrifice like this is akin to the poor woman who put two dimes into the offering box at the temple of God. It was her everything, and yet she gave it all to God.

Most of us are not called to sell our possessions and give them to the poor and needy. But we should at least hold on less tightly to our money. Have the grace of giving. Be genuine and willing to part with our money for worthy causes. Both God and man will be pleased. Even if no one sees, God sees our hearts. So, do you think the Lord will keep us topped up, or will He let us go dry?

Forgive your enemies

https://odb.org/2024/11/11/loving-the-enemy

My local church just had a family retreat, and the teaching was on the Kingdom of God and what it means and how we can have a Kingdom mindset in all that we do. We act and think Kingdom. It’s an attitude that puts God first in our daily lives and spiritual walk. We don’t commit sin and then use grace to get forgiveness. When no one sees, we still honour God because He sees. Our spiritual life is genuine and sincere. It’s not a performance for people to see. Our death is not the finish line as we have a legacy and a testimony to safeguard that will extend into future generations. In everything that we do, we think Kingdom and that is long term. If we put the Kingdom of God and His righteousness first, all the other things will be added unto us. We don’t need to incur unnecessary stress to “succeed” in life. Just obey and follow Jesus and focus on the Kingdom, God will take care of the rest.

This brings us to the topic for this morning. Are we able to forgive and love those who mock, insult, and bully us? Jesus did so on the way to the Cross. The guards and those around them mocked and insulted Him, yet He asked the Father to forgive them for they knew not what they were doing. They humiliated Jesus when they crucified Him among hardened criminals and drew lots for His clothes. Yet Jesus forgave them. He was not distracted from His mission to save mankind. You may read this in Luke 22 and 23. At the start of His ministry, Jesus was also not distracted by the temptations of the devil despite being extremely hungry after fasting for 40 days. He stayed focused on his ministry and calling. Jesus was Kingdom minded. If we are like Jesus, if we are Kingdom-minded, forgiving those who insult, mock, or bully us is actually quite trivial. We have more important things in life to think and care about.

In life, we can not avoid skirmishes with others. There will be those who insult us, who ignore or who are rude to us. There will be others who are prejudiced towards us, who are racially biased, or brand us a failure in life compared to them. We may not be the top guy in our organisation’s hierarchy or earn RM100,000 a month or have millions to our name. Our self-worth and self-esteem come from God’s love and grace towards us. God provides for us, and Jesus has prepared us a place in His Father’s heavenly mansion of many rooms. Most importantly, our names are written in the Book of Life, and we will have our reward and our place at the new heaven and new earth at the end of age. Never lose sight of our eternal destiny, always have a Kingdom mindset.

Have a great week ahead, everyone! Be Kingdom-minded all the time, in all that we do. Think, act, and live a life of Kingdom. Always ask ourselves, will God be pleased? Will our actions and reactions advance the Kingdom of God? Will we always do the right thing when no one sees but only God? Will we be like Abraham, who obeyed despite not knowing where God was actually leading? Or Moses, who went up to Mount Nebo to die, where he could see the Promised Land but was not permitted to enter despite having spent 40 years leading the Israelites to enter the land? Or could we be like Joseph, who fled temptation, although he could have rationalised his sin?

Our service to God

https://odb.org/2024/11/09/serving-with-love

1 Peter 4: 7-10 NIV – 7 The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mindf so that you may pray. 8 Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. 9 Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10 Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithfull stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.

One of the fundamental aspects of our faith besides faith itself (pardon the pun) is service. As believers, our mission in life once we come to faith is to serve God in whatever capacity we can, whether in church, at work, or wherever we are. Our lives are an extension of the Kingdom. We must be Kingdom-minded and all that we do, we do it for, and so that it advances the Kingdom. We are a reflection of Christ, the glory of God. We must be at our best behaviour all the time. Even if no one sees, God sees. Wherever we are, in our small corner of the world, we are the Kingdom of God.

When it comes to Kingdom service, there are a variety of ways we can help out. Coming to church itself (as opposed to tuning in from home and watching the service like a spectator sport) is a form of service as by turning up, we encourage others to also do so. There is strength in numbers, and there is also community in congregating. In church, if we are cheerful and pleasant, we encourage others to come to church, not only for the service but also for the fellowship. We can and should be a source of encouragement and even inspiration for others to turn up on Sunday morning.

Going deeper, we may serve in specific ministries. In hospitality, in music, in ushering, in missions, etc. We could also support the church or missions or even specific individuals with our finances. We earn in the world and use our earnings for Kingdom purposes for the expansion of the Kingdom. We sow into the Kingdom with our money, little it may be.

A key point in service is our own God-given talents and gifts, spiritual or natural. We can make an effort to develop and hone our skills, especially if we are musicians. But it’s best to start from wherever we are with what we already have and grow along as we serve God. Whatever talents we have, use them first. It is not the talents that matter but our service. Use whatever God-given talents for the Kingdom of God!

Have a good weekend! Prepare ourselves today for tomorrow’s service. Start by coming to church in person, physically, and move away from the virtual. Go out and meet air-breathing flesh and blood and serve God by just interacting and encouraging others!

Timing of God

https://odb.org/2024/11/08/gods-timing-2

Do we need to pray and seek God in all that we do, including going on a vacation? No, not really. But it is prudent to do so. It could be a part of our daily communication with Him where if we could, we would like to share as much as possible with Him. Yes, God is omniscient, all- knowing. But praying and talking to Him enhances our interactions with Him, drawing us closer to Him. So if there is impending danger, He could forewarn us like He did with Noah or like He sent the two angels to rescue Lot and his family from the then coming destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah.

The other thing about God’s timing is that He makes all things beautiful in His time (Ecclesiastes 3:11). We may be struggling in life right now, but in time to come, we will be comfortable. We may be going through much persecution now, but the day will come when we experience true liberation from the oppression. Or we may be suffering from an illness and have been praying for healing. Or we may be stagnant in our faith and have been asking God for a breakthrough. Or we may have been praying for the finances to travel for missions or just to go for a mission trip to preach the Gospel or to strengthen the body of Christ elsewhere. Or we may have been praying for the opportunity to start or plant a new church or work. Or we have been seeking God for a life partner to settle down and start a family or just have some progression in our career.

God will come through in His time as He will work all things for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28).

Trust in the Lord. Commit our ways to Him, and He will make our paths straight. In all that we do, acknowledge Him. See Proverbs 3:6.

He knows what is best for us, for He loves and careth for us. Jesus is our Lord and Saviour and Father God is our Heavenly Father, and He has sent us the Holy Spirit to live in our hearts and to guide and strengthen our faith.

Have a good weekend ahead, everyone!

Other people’s business

https://odb.org/2024/11/07/other-peoples-business

Philippians 4:2-3 NIV I plead with Euodia, and I plead with Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. 3 Yes, and I ask you, my true companion, help these women since they have contended at my side in the cause of the gospel, along with Clement and the rest of my co-workers, whose names are in the book of life.

I was away for the past weekend attending a conference on the Second Coming of Christ in Ipoh during the Diwali break. Although I live in Seremban and Petaling Jaya now, I was born in Ipoh. I never did live long in Ipoh as I grew up elsewhere, but I carry 05 as my birthplace in my NRIC. Ipoh is the city of my parents and forefathers, so it holds a special place in my heart. When I was growing up, we used to go back once a year during the year-end holidays or for Chinese New Year.

On the Second Coming, there are pre, mid, and post tribulation assertions. But the key takeaway from the conference is to be prepared in our hearts and faith as many will be led astray and many will fall away. Persecution is very much in church history, right from its inception as seen in the Acts of the Apostles. Yet the church never fell away! There was always a remnant who prevailed throughout the ages. So it shall be if we have to go through the great tribulation if, for example, the rapture of the church actually occurs post tribulation! God will protect His people and keep us safe, but if martyrdom is our calling, it is a gift of God.

Matthew 24 ESV 5 For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will lead many astray. 6 And you will hear of wars and rumours of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet. 7 For nation will rise against nation  and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places. 8 All these are but the beginning of the birth pains.

9 “Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations for my name’s sake. 10 And then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another

Coming back to the topic at hand, the usual stance of Christians in Malaysia, especially those of Malaysian Chinese, is to mind our own business. We seldom interfere or intervene in other people’s quarrels. However, if it is within the body of Christ and it has an impact on the faith of the body, we will have no choice as responsible leaders and elders to help resolve the issue. In the case of Paul, he intervened in the dispute between Euodia and Syntyche despite his incarceration. He pleaded with the two women to have the same mind in the Lord as their names are written in the Book of Life.

The message this morning is that if our ancestors were originally migrants in a foreign land, we may have been brought up to avoid trouble by minding our own business. There may, however, be times when we may be compelled to intervene in other people’s disputes for the sake of the Lord. Act as we may be prompted by the Holy Spirit. In all situations, by prayer and supplication, so that the peace that transcends all understanding will be upon us! Amen!