Flashbulb memories

https://odb.org/2025/11/11/flashbulb-memories

John 20:18–20 (NIV): 18 Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news: “I have seen the Lord!” And she told them that he had said these things to her.
19 On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” 20 After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord.

John 20:30–31 (NIV): 30 Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. 31 But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

Early winter 1941. The Sunday service had just concluded. As their father lingered at the little north-country church, my dad and his siblings walked the short distance home. When their father came up the snowy hill to the farmhouse, he was crying. He’d just learned Pearl Harbor had been bombed. His sons—my dad included—would be going to war. Dad always recalled the moment in vivid detail.

Researchers call such events “flashbulb memories”—moments seared into our minds. Think of 9/11, or the day you lost someone close. Think too of your most joyous experience.

John recorded some of those moments, saying, “These are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name” (v. 31). “Flashbulb memories” with eternal significance.

(Tim Gustafson, ODB, 11th November 2025)

I believe everyone has flashbulb memories, events that are etched so deep in our memories that we remember them as though they just happened yesterday. Some may be vague in terms of the clarity of details but we nevertheless remember them. For example, my early years in ACS Primary in Sitiawan. Going to class with spelling of words to be learned on the blackboard as there is a spelling test each week for Malay and English words. I recall struggling to reconcile the word “air” having two distinct meanings in English and Malay! Or eating a bowl of plain curry mee for 20 sen at the school canteen. Those were the days when I didn’t quite like learning as a student. But after entering the working world post graduation, I realise that life as a student is blissful without needing to carry the family burden to put food on the table. I only needed 30 sen to go through my day but if I missed my bus home, I needed to walk home for about 5km as I will have no money to take the public bus. A different life it was then.

I also recall my secondary school days in Pasir Puteh, Kelantan, particularly, the 10-12 weeks of bible study to learn how to become a Christian. I thank the Lord that it all culminated in my accepting Christ and entering the Kingdom of God for life eternal. As per John in chapter 20 verse 31: “These are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name”.

There are of course traumatic moments, also etched in our memories. Flashbulb memories we rather forget and yet may serve as a lesson for us and our children. Heartbreaks, disappointments, passing of our loved ones like my parents in my case.

I think the message the Lord has for us this morning is that as we recall our own flashbulb memories, may we be encouraged and grateful for where and who we are today. If we are going through a bad day, may our recollection of our past experiences with God give us the assurance that He will be by our side come what may! I thank the Lord for the wonderful blessings He has bestowed upon me and my family all these years! Praise the Lord for He is good and His faithfulness endures forever!

A God fearing woman

https://odb.org/2025/11/10/a-god-fearing-woman

Proverbs 31:24–31 (NIV): 24 She makes linen garments and sells them,
and supplies the merchants with sashes.
25 She is clothed with strength and dignity;
she can laugh at the days to come.
26 She speaks with wisdom,
and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
27 She watches over the affairs of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.
28 Her children arise and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:
29 “Many women do noble things,
but you surpass them all.”
30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
31 Honor her for all that her hands have done,
and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

The book of Proverbs introduces us to two central figures—Woman Wisdom and Woman Folly. Woman Wisdom is the embodiment of God’s wisdom. She entreats the public to follow her way, which is also the path of flourishing (1:20-33). Woman Folly, on the other hand, seduces those who hear her voice, causing them to choose the path of foolish disregard of divine wisdom (9:13-18). At the close of Proverbs, we’re also introduced to the “wife of noble character” (31:10; see also 12:4), whom we can understand as a person whose life genuinely reflects the wisdom of Woman Wisdom. (Monica La Rose, ODB Insight, 10th November 2025)

When it comes to choosing a spouse, Proverbs gives good advice, that is, choose a woman (and likewise a man) who fears the LORD. Beauty is of course a characteristic that men look for (I believe women too). But if we are able to look beyond the surface and look at the beauty within (hence the phrase beauty is skin deep), it will stand us in good stead in the long run. A beautiful woman and a handsome man is good to have but it should not be the main criteria. In these contemporary times, educated women with jobs are common. But less common are those who cook and do housework (and vice versa for men). This is because in modern households even her mother may not cook when she was growing up. Either they ate out or they ate at the granny’s.

But for believers, it is better to choose another believer because as Proverbs teaches, a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised. Looks, education, cooking skills are important but, in my view, are not as crucial as a heart that is for God. If both are upright in God, it is more likely that we will live and raise our children with upright lives. Perhaps some compromises may need to be made to adjust to the demands of the world, but it is unlikely that we’ll be living ungodly lives if we are both in the faith, especially when we are both serving God. As a man, it is always better to choose a woman who puts God first as usually the spouse is the one with the final say on most things and thus if she fears the Lord, it can only be good for the family!

Have a good week ahead, everyone! Life is not without its twists and turns. Commit our week and our ways unto the Lord, He will make our paths straight and smooth! Oh Lord, give us the wisdom to resolve the issues we face at work and at home so that your Name may be glorified at all times! Amen!

Daughters of Zelophehad

https://odb.org/2025/11/07/working-together-in-christ

Numbers 27:1–7 (NIV): 27 The daughters of Zelophehad son of Hepher, the son of Gilead, the son of Makir, the son of Manasseh, belonged to the clans of Manasseh son of Joseph. The names of the daughters were Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milkah and Tirzah. They came forward 2 and stood before Moses, Eleazar the priest, the leaders and the whole assembly at the entrance to the tent of meeting and said, 3 “Our father died in the wilderness. He was not among Korah’s followers, who banded together against the LORD, but he died for his own sin and left no sons. 4 Why should our father’s name disappear from his clan because he had no son? Give us property among our father’s relatives.”
5 So Moses brought their case before the LORD, 6 and the LORD said to him, 7 “What Zelophehad’s daughters are saying is right. You must certainly give them property as an inheritance among their father’s relatives and give their father’s inheritance to them.

In Numbers 27:1-7, Zelophehad’s five daughters act as one in their request to receive their father’s inheritance in the promised land. Their boldness in making the request (they followed proper protocol in approaching the leaders at the tent of meeting) is an example of both faith and humility. There was no provision in Israel at that time for women to receive an inheritance; it was only passed through the men.

Moses models the character of a good spiritual leader in responding to their request. Since there was no precedent for women to receive an inheritance, he inquired of God, who said, “You must certainly give them property” (v. 7). The courage of the women and the character of Moses led to a positive solution where the good of the people was served. As we face challenges today, we can seek God’s wisdom for ways to serve together well in Christ. (J.R. Hudberg, ODB Insight, 7 November 2025)

In my view, the story of Zelophehad illustrates excellently God’s wisdom in dealing with a difficult situation. A situation where there was no precedent. It speaks of unity and humility having achieved something out of the ordinary. It brought about a situation where justice and fair play prevailed. Zelophehad were not among the Korah followers who rebelled against Moses. He died without any sons. Nevertheless he was amongst those who were delivered out of Egypt and his family should be entitled to their portion in the Promised Land. His daughters made the plea – why should his name disappear from his clan just because he had no sons?

Jewish inheritance laws are still patrilineal in that property passes only to sons unless the family has no daughters although in modern times they could circumvent the law by bestowing gifts prior to their demise. Jewish identity however is still passed on through the mothers (matrilineal). But at least the daughters of Zelophehad had created that exception in the law. That exception could not be denied as God Himself spoke in their favour. Pretty amazing when we comsider that modern laws are man-made.

What can we learn from this? I believe that when there are situations of injustice affecting us or matters within our control, we should seek the LORD for a solution. Not all situations have precedents. Pray and seek God, He will give us a fair and just solution.

Have a good weekend, everyone! May we bask in the glory of His presence this Sunday as we worship Him in spirit and in truth! For those of us involved in ministry this Sunday, may His anointing be upon us and may He use our fingers, voices and ears to lead the congregation into a wonderful and meaningful time of personal and corporate worship!

The church and the Gospel of Jesus Christ

https://odb.org/2025/11/06/of-first-importance

1 Corinthians 15:3–8 (NIV): 3 For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, 5 and that he appeared to Cephas, and then to the Twelve. 6 After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers and sisters at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. 7 Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, 8 and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born.

Today we’re in danger of unintentionally missing a crucial point, one that concerns the body of Christ (the church). There are those who would distort its purpose. Maybe we see the church as a political action committee or as a place to be served. Perhaps we see it as a mere religious institution. The church’s priority, however, has always been the good news of Jesus.

Paul told the believers at Corinth, “What I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures” (1 Corinthians 15:3-4). While other things may have an appropriate time and place, the gospel is of first importance. (Bill Crowder, ODB 6th November 2025)

I look at the church as a place of fellowship. To congregate amongst believers to worship God but also to support one another’s faith with encouragement and spiritual knowledge so that we may all grow in our faith and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. The church is a place for service, a place where we may serve God in ministry whether in hospitality, worship, ushering, follow up or evangelism. Perhaps the church runs free tuition classes as an outreach to non-believers as a service to the community.

In all the things that the church does however, the first and most important must be the good news, the gospel of Jesus Christ. The message of the cross, His death and resurrection must be preached and told to the world. It was crucial during the birth of the church 2,000 years ago and it is still as crucial today. This is because without the death and resurrection of Christ, the world is doomed. It will be a world with its own morality and because of the original sin, mankind will perish along with the ruler of the world at the end of time. Without Christ, humans will be sent to a place of gnashing of teeth for all eternity. But with Christ, we have the opportunity to live in Eden Recreated, in the new heaven and new earth, the new Jerusalem where God dwells amongst His people, for all eternity while clothe in our glorified bodies like Christ was when He was resurrected. That is why in essence Paul’s message was simple – it is Christ death and resurrection.

As believers, our response is equally simple. Attend church, be an encouragement to our fellow believers. Serve God in a ministry God has called us to based on our God-given talents. Support the church in its efforts on evangelism, in preaching Christ’s death and resurrection. We ourselves preach the same, presenting our bodies as a living sacrifice and living a life that brings glory to Christ. He is worthy and worthy to be praised because He died for our sins.

The Good News

https://odb.org/2025/11/05/the-victorious-jesus

Matthew 4:23–25 (NIV): 23 Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people. 24 News about him spread all over Syria, and people brought to him all who were ill with various diseases, those suffering severe pain, the demon-possessed, those having seizures, and the paralyzed; and he healed them. 25 Large crowds from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea and the region across the Jordan followed him.

In Matthew 4:23, we’re told that Jesus’ ministry in Galilee consisted of “teaching,” “proclaiming the good news,” and “healing every disease and sickness.” The term translated “good news” (Greek, euangelion) points to the way Matthew’s gospel subverted the idea that the Roman Empire had ultimate authority. “Good news” was commonly used by the empire as part of its propaganda to celebrate events like a Roman military victory or the birth of an emperor. Matthew’s description of Christ’s widespread healing ministry would’ve also challenged Rome’s claim to have brought health and prosperity. By describing Jesus proclaiming good news while healing diseases and casting out demons, Matthew’s gospel undermined Roman propaganda by insisting that real hope was to be found in Christ, who was victorious over death. Let’s respond in worship to Jesus who defeated death, the ultimate enemy (ODB Insight, 5th November 2025).

I’ve always associated the Good News as the proclamation of the message of Jesus Christ as set out in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. Or we could equate the Good News as also the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It essentially means that God is with us in the flesh (Immanuel), that the Kingdom of God is at hand and that in His teachings, Jesus proclaims the Good News and heals every disease and sickness among the people. But most significantly is the message that He died for our sins so that we may be reconciled to God and have everlasting life for all eternity.

Yet the Good News or euangelion in Greek was also the phrase used by the Roman Empire to proclaim its military victories or the birth of an emperor and the decrees of the Emperor. Thus the early Christians and the writers of the Gospels subverted the Roman message by using the same phrase for the message of Jesus Christ and thus implied that there is a more powerful kingdom at work (albeit in the spiritual realm). Early Jewish hope of the Messiah faded as they were thinking in secular terms of a Saviour to free them from the shackles of the Roman Empire but Jesus was the Messiah in the spiritual sense. The Kingdom of God proclaimed by Christ was a battle not against flesh and blood but principalities and powers of darkness and dark forces of the air. Basically, its fight is with the ruler of this world in the shadows.

The message this morning is that even the world as we see it exists in the natural and physical realm is as real as the pain we feel when we pinch our skin, there’s still another unseen world existing in parallel in another realm. That world can determine happenings in the natural world but its goal is not our successes or wealth or survival in the world, but our souls. The dark world’s only concern is where are we headed as spiritual beings. We may die and our bodies perish when we no longer have breath, but our soul and spirit remain intact. Are we on the narrow road that leads to eternal life or the broad road that leads to destruction? In the end, life is really just that. Will our faith be still alive when we breathe our last? Will we still be running the race then?

As much as challenges in life or at work may be overwhelming, don’t neglect our faith. Keep it burning for God. Make sure we are always on the right path. Always check whether our ticket to salvation, given to us by the grace of God, is still in our pocket. Lose it and we will be thrown out when the conductor checks.

Prayer moves mountains

https://odb.org/2025/11/04/anything-to-say

Isaiah 38:1–6 (NIV): 38 In those days Hezekiah became ill and was at the point of death. The prophet Isaiah son of Amoz went to him and said, “This is what the LORD says: Put your house in order, because you are going to die; you will not recover.”
2 Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to the LORD, 3 “Remember, LORD, how I have walked before you faithfully and with wholehearted devotion and have done what is good in your eyes.” And Hezekiah wept bitterly.
4 Then the word of the LORD came to Isaiah: 5 “Go and tell Hezekiah, ‘This is what the LORD, the God of your father David, says: I have heard your prayer and seen your tears; I will add fifteen years to your life. 6 And I will deliver you and this city from the hand of the king of Assyria. I will defend this city.

King Hezekiah became ill and had something on his heart to say to God after the prophet Isaiah told him he was going to die (Isaiah 38:1). He “wept bitterly” and pleaded, “Remember, Lord, how I have walked before you faithfully and with wholehearted devotion” (v. 3). His was an honest, desperate appeal for deliverance. Even though healing isn’t dependent on our “goodness,” and God doesn’t always heal, He chose to extend the king’s life by fifteen years (v. 5). After his recovery, Hezekiah thanked and praised Him (v. 16).(Anne Cetas, ODB, 4th November 2025)

One of the more well-known Kings in the Old Testament besides the trio of Saul, David and Solomon is King Hezekiah. Hezekiah is famous for having pleaded with God to extend his life when he fell gravely ill. Because of his prayer, the LORD extended his life by another fifteen years! Truly life and death is in the hand of God but most importantly as believers the point is God hears our prayers.

Certain things may look impossible like asking God to heal us from aggressive and terminal cancer. But we know that even stage 4 cancer patients have miraculously been healed through prayers of the saints. Even as we have been given authority by Jesus Christ to pray for the sick, the healer is still God and it is by His grace and mercy. Not everyone we pray for will be healed but there will be those who will be. All we need to do is to move out in faith and pray, believing in the grace and mercy of God.

But prayer extends beyond just physical well being and health. There are even impossible situations in the family or at work that prayer can change. As the saying goes, prayer moves mountains. Or prayer moves the hands of God. Prayer changes situations because it penetrates into the spiritual realm and calls for the will of God be done here on earth as it is in heaven. Pray for ideas and solutions if, for example, our business is threatened by changing consumer habits or economic tides. Maybe if our “brick and mortar” retail store has not been doing well for a number of years now, pray that the Lord will help us start another business? Or perhaps it’s time for us to retire and serve God more with our time?

The message this morning is to spend more time praying, for things which bother us and for our loved ones. That God will protect them from harm and give them the strength and ingenuity to deal with issues of life. That the spirit of salvation will sweep their hearts and the Holy Spirit will touch them. Once we start praying, we will realise that there are many things we may pray for. Let us become a vessel to bring change and transformation to our own lives and for the lives of those we are praying for. Amen!

P/S

We left Seremban at 5.30 am for PJ yesterday and so didn’t have enough of a window to prepare and do a writeup.

What Jesus did for us

https://odb.org/2025/10/31/what-jesus-did-for-us

Ephesians 1:5–7 (NIV): 5 he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will—6 to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. 7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace

Jimmy didn’t have to work to earn his inclusion on the trip because his dad was paying his way. As believers in Jesus, we also don’t rely on our good works as the basis of our inclusion in heaven. We’re granted access because of Jesus’ death and resurrection on our behalf. “The wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23), and Jesus’ own blood was the “payment,” releasing us from our debt to Him. “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins” (Ephesians 1:7). He opened the way for whoever believes in Him to “not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16). Christ’s work and our trust in that work allows us to be with Him for eternity. (Karen Huang, ODB 31 Oct 2025)

I am sure by now everyone knows this basic doctrine of our faith that we are saved by God’s grace for us through the work of Jesus on the cross. That is why He is worthy of our praise and worship. His name is worthy. He is the Lamb of God sacrificed by God to redeem us from our sins, which started from the original sin of Adam in Eden and He paved the way for us to one day enter Eden Recreated as revealed in Revelation 22. That’s the essence of John 3:16 that for God so loved the world that He sent His only begotten son that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have life everlasting.

The notable difference between our lives and that of Jimmy in today’s ODB life story is that while his dad paid his way like Jesus did for our spiritual lives, we can’t just sit on the bus and do nothing. We are created for good works (Ephesians 2:10). Thus once we have been saved, there is an expectation from Jesus that we present our bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God (Romans 12:1), which is our spiritual act of worship. For as James wrote, faith without works is dead (James 2:17). Once saved and put on the bus or boat to eternal life, we need to both become morally upright (per Romans 12:1) and do good works (per James 2:17).

If we sit tight and do nothing, don’t attend church or serve God, will our salvation be forfeited? No, the doctrine doesn’t say so and it is not for me or you to judge. Just that it certainly looks like we are taking God’s grace for granted. We are not giving Jesus the respect and worthiness He deserves. Or worse it may look like we are just putting down or making insignificant His death on the cross for our sins. A whole lot of negative implications or perceptions towards us if we were to do nothing.

As we end this week, I pray for a good Sunday worship service this weekend for everyone. Great if you’re serving, persevere on for His name’s sake. If you’re just a part of the congregation this Sunday, make sure we make the effort to attend. Just attending is a strong encouragement for others. At least we are not sitting tight and doing nothing! Praise the Lord!

Joseph – his life repurposed by Yahweh

https://odb.org/2025/10/30/repurposed

Genesis 45:12–15, 21-27 (NIV):

12 “You can see for yourselves, and so can my brother Benjamin, that it is really I who am speaking to you. 13 Tell my father about all the honor accorded me in Egypt and about everything you have seen. And bring my father down here quickly.”
14 Then he threw his arms around his brother Benjamin and wept, and Benjamin embraced him, weeping. 15 And he kissed all his brothers and wept over them. Afterward his brothers talked with him.

21 So the sons of Israel did this. Joseph gave them carts, as Pharaoh had commanded, and he also gave them provisions for their journey. 22 To each of them he gave new clothing, but to Benjamin he gave three hundred shekels of silver and five sets of clothes. 23 And this is what he sent to his father: ten donkeys loaded with the best things of Egypt, and ten female donkeys loaded with grain and bread and other provisions for his journey. 24 Then he sent his brothers away, and as they were leaving he said to them, “Don’t quarrel on the way!”
25 So they went up out of Egypt and came to their father Jacob in the land of Canaan. 26 They told him, “Joseph is still alive! In fact, he is ruler of all Egypt.” Jacob was stunned; he did not believe them. 27 But when they told him everything Joseph had said to them, and when he saw the carts Joseph had sent to carry him back, the spirit of their father Jacob revived.

On a far greater scale, God has a way of repurposing people. We remember the biblical story of Joseph and his “coat of many colors.” As a young man, he was a lowly shepherd and was sold into slavery by his brothers. But God led Joseph through great difficulties and into the top ranks of government. Eventually Joseph became “repurposed” as “the ruler of all Egypt” (Genesis 45:26). Yet Joseph’s calling was not about power but about grace—something he extended to his brothers as he forgave them (v. 15). (Kenneth Petersen, ODB 30th October 2025)

I believe that even if we had responded positively to our calling in God that God may, in His wisdom and grace, repurpose our lives from time to time, season to season. That is why when I say calling, I usually qualify it by saying our calling for the season. The Lord may call us to do different things at different times of our lives. In Joseph’s case, after he was sold into slavery, he was the manager or caretaker at Potiphar’s house albeit still a slave. When he was a prisoner, he gained the favour of the warden and was put in charge of all the prisoners. Later because of his God-given ability to interpret dreams while he was in prison, he was called to interpret a dream of the Pharoah.

As Joseph successfully predicted the coming famine and suggested to the Pharoah to store up food reserves in the first season of seven years of prosperity to prepare for the next seven years of great famine, he saved Egypt from destruction and death. As a result, Joseph was made ruler in Egypt, second only to the Pharoah himself. At the spiritual level, God saved the then nascent tribe of Israel (in essence, the family of Jacob) and safeguarded a family lineage to Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour.

The ultimate calling of Joseph was to preserve and protect the covenant of Abraham, his great grandfather, with Yahweh (the Abrahamic Covenant) but his life was repurposed from glory to glory. His life also personified a fundamental spiritual principle that suffering produces perseverance and perseverance, character and character, hope that doesn’t disappoint (Romans 5:35).

The message this morning is to remind ourselves that God may have a different calling for us at different stages of our lives. Be prepared to be repurposed for greater exploits for the Lord. Our past callings and experiences will stand us in good stead for our calling for this season of our lives. We could have been a student, a teacher and now a retired advisor with wisdom built on years of life experiences with God and in dealing with the world and issues of life. I think one explicit and prevalent motto in Christian service is we serve our God until our dying breath!

A tribute and a reminder

https://odb.org/2025/10/29/a-tribute-and-reminder

Joshua 4:1–7 (NIV): When the whole nation had finished crossing the Jordan, the LORD said to Joshua, 2 “Choose twelve men from among the people, one from each tribe, 3 and tell them to take up twelve stones from the middle of the Jordan, from right where the priests are standing, and carry them over with you and put them down at the place where you stay tonight.”
4 So Joshua called together the twelve men he had appointed from the Israelites, one from each tribe, 5 and said to them, “Go over before the ark of the LORD your God into the middle of the Jordan. Each of you is to take up a stone on his shoulder, according to the number of the tribes of the Israelites, 6 to serve as a sign among you. In the future, when your children ask you, ‘What do these stones mean?’ 7 tell them that the flow of the Jordan was cut off before the ark of the covenant of the LORD. When it crossed the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off. These stones are to be a memorial to the people of Israel forever.”

In the Bible, tributes or memorials—like the stone memorial in Joshua 4—aren’t expressions of wistful longing for the past. Rather, they’re reminders of God’s previous faithfulness to help us trust Him in the present. The Torah—the “law of Moses” itself (8:32)—was rewritten on stones as a memorial (vv. 30-35). God’s rescue of the previous generation from Egypt was remembered at the annual Passover feast (Exodus 13). Similarly, Communion (the Lord’s Supper) is a reminder of the broken body and shed blood of Christ on our behalf (1 Corinthians 11:24-25). Today, as we remember God’s faithfulness in our lives, may we leave behind a lasting tribute. (ODB Insight, 29th Oct 2025)

We should all have tributes or memorials to remember the past, to remind us of God’s faithfulness so we may trust Him more for the future. Not wistful longing for the past as the events of the past will never appear again. While the occurrences will not reoccur, God’s compassion and love will. His goodness and faithfulness endures forever. His steadfast love is renewed every morning like the dew. For example, the times I had with my late parents while they were alive are etched as memories. I can never relive them. Time has moved on. But God’s faithfulness will enable me and my wife to have our own cherished moments with our children and our children’s children. If the LORD grants us long lives, there will be perhaps another 30 years of time spent together as a family despite my elder son currently living and working in a distant part of the world.

At the spiritual level, God’s faithfulness in keeping us running the race will ensure we will experience His grace and mercy again and again even as we had experienced it time and time again in the past. There may be trouble, problems, trials and tribulations that the world brings, but our faith will remain intact because of His faithfulness and steadfastness that endureth forever. Our past experiences with Him will give us the impetus and confidence to trust Him for our future. He is our deliverer and our salvation.

Look at our tributes and memorials of His past goodness and faithfulness in our lives. Jesus was there during our times of need. He will be there again in our future times of need. If we put our trust in Him, He will make our paths straight and smooth. We do not know what the future entails but we know He will be there right by our side. All glory and honour be unto Him, Jesus the perfector of our faith! Amen!

Christ, our sure foundation

https://odb.org/2025/10/28/a-sure-foundation

Matthew 7:24–27 (NIV): 24 “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. 26 But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. 27 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”

Yes, storms happen in this life. Sickness and countless other dilemmas can leave us spinning. Life isn’t “stormproof,” but building our lives on Jesus and His teaching—our sure “foundation” (see 1 Corinthians 3:11)—makes the difference. Those who refuse to embrace Christ are more vulnerable when life’s storms come. But those who listen to His words will find stability: “The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock” (Matthew 7:25). Indeed, it’s all about our foundation. (Arthur Johnson, ODB 27th Oct 2025)

The analogy of building our house on the rock compared to sand is something we learned since our Sunday school days. When the rain and floods come up, the wise man’s house built on the rock stood firm while the foolish man’s house built on sand came tumbling down. Those in essence are the lyrics of a famous Sunday school song. The lesson being that our life will be in good hands if we had built it on the foundation of Christ as a wise man would. A house built on shifting sands will not stand inclement weather or the test of time.

But in these last days, it is more pertinent that our faith is properly built on Christ, more so than our life. If we put first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, all these things shall be added unto you. More so since only those whose names are written in the Book of Life will gain the inheritance to live in the new heaven and new earth where God dwells amongst His people at the end of time for all eternity.

In these last days, the devil and his minions or even minnows will do all they can to distract, undermine and deceive us. If our foundation in Christ is not strong, we will be swept away by new doctrines, fancy experiences and even a way of life that doesn’t glorify God. We will be swayed by teachings of prosperity and the good life that we forget suffering brings forth perseverance and perseverance the hope that will not disappoint. We must not be conformed to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of our minds to discover and prove the good, pleasing and perfect will of God.

We cannot avoid but need to equip ourselves with the knowledge of our faith and strengthen our spirit man that we are sensitive to the Holy Spirit and the happenings in the spiritual realm. Break free from the chains of our past that shackle our faith to move forward for God, to fulfil His plans and purposes for our lives. Both our mind and our spirit need to be trained to see and understand the mysteries of the Kingdom and the moves of God in our midst. Make sure that we are the wise man who built his house on the rock, that troubles, trials and tribulations will not shake us or strange doctrines and fancy experiences will not sway our genuine faith in Christ. As many are called but few are chosen, let’s always and consciously fight to remain among the chosen!