Meeting together in Christ Jesus

https://odb.org/2024/04/01/meeting-together

Yes, it’s a mistake to avoid meeting together when we are going through something. Perhaps it is OK to miss a meeting or two, but we should never do this on a prolonged basis. This is because congregational meetings allow for corporate worship and fellowship among the brethren. That’s why churches whose congregations share a meal together after service experience a closeness that is very different from those who leave for home or elsewhere almost immediately after the service ends. I recall nearly 15 years back when we used to travel 70km to attend church and were very close to that congregation because we share a meal together nearly every week either potluck, catered or at the restaurant downstairs.

The other thing about meeting together is that our very presence encourages others as people are generally happy to see so many people coming together to worship God. The crowd itself is an encouragement. All we needed to do was to be a part of the crowd. Further, when we lend our voices to the worship, we add on to the atmosphere and make the worship blending harmoniously with the musicians and worship leaders to create a sweet incense of worship unto the LORD. Scripture teaches that the LORD dwells in the praises of His people (Psalm 22:3).

Sometimes, in the ensuing fellowship, we could offer a word of encouragement or edification even though we ourselves may be going through a crisis situation of our own. The blessing we may receive from blessing others may cheer us up or give us renewed hope for the future or help us see and imagine the light at the end of the tunnel.

Do not neglect meeting one another. Blessings from heaven will flow even as we encourage and cheer each other in this race to the finish line, as we edify and exalt one another to keep on the track of righteousness on the narrow path that leads to eternal life.

I took a break last week to take advantage of a bank holiday to do a bit of local travelling during the Muslim fasting month. There were indeed fewer cars on the road, and we enjoyed driving on the new West Coast Expressway. It is not fully completed but smooth drives wherever it was already done up. https://wce.com.my/wce-highway-map/

Have a good week ahead, and may our Lord Jesus Christ be with us, and may we all be guided by the wisdom and discernment of the Holy Spirit as we face the challenges of life and the spiritual realm at work, in college and at home! Do our best for our God wherever we are not because we have to, but because we want to!

Sheep and goats

https://odb.org/2024/03/25/love-god-by-loving-others

Matthew 25:31-40 is in a way scary as there will come a time when our Lord Jesus Christ will separate us into sheep and goats. Below is a deeper analysis of this topic, which may be contentious to some.

https://www.workingpreacher.org/commentaries/revised-common-lectionary/christ-the-king/commentary-on-matthew-2531-46-7

I tend to agree that as Jesus spoke about having helped or being kind “to the least of my brethren”, this discourse on goats and sheep is about those in the church and not about those within versus those outside. The doctrine of salvation through justification by faith (as opposed to by works) may not be so clear in the Gospels as it was something better articulated by Paul in his letters. But Scripture does not contradict. Thus, even in the post Gospels books, we have the concept of “faith without works is dead” in James 2.

The point is that as much as salvation is a free gift to us by the grace of God in the sense that we can not work for it, there is much work to be done once we are inside. Jesus Christ opens the door for us to enter into the Kingdom of God, but when we are in, it is not for us to just cruise along until our last dying breadth. We have to pull our weight the same way we need to do so at work. We were bought with a high price. We are now servants serving the LORD our God most high, the Great I Am.

One of the things we must do is to love one another as in John 13:34. Jesus says this in another way in Matthew 25 – to be sheep like those who fed, gave drink, and clothe the least of the brethren. It is inconsistent and inconceivable if we know Jesus and yet do not treat our fellow believers kindly, with love and compassion, grace, and mercy.

As scary as Mathew 25 may seem, and as surprised as some being categorised as sheep or goat, we need not worry if we have always been close to Christ, walking in His ways and hearing His voice as prompted by the Holy Spirit. As Jesus has said before, His sheep hears His voice, and He knows them – John 10:27-28. If we have always been hearing His voice and following His ways all these many years, how can we then turn out to be goats? Being kind to others is now second nature to us anyway. Have a good week ahead, everyone!

Renaissance

https://odb.org/2024/03/24/renaissance

The period of Renaissance is that period of time in history between the 14th to the 17th centuries when the Europeans transitioned from the Middle Ages to modern times. It was probably best known as the time of Leonardo da Vinci, the brilliance of his art coupled with his scientific prowess and foresight, the marvel of his engineering insights. It was also the advent of Western imperialism with the use of bullets and guns and, thus, their superiority over the rest of the world still using swords and bows and arrows.

But today, we are actually talking about the renaissance of us as human beings as we transitioned to become children of God through Christ Jesus. He became the sole and only worthy seed who died to give birth to millions of us who bear His name and carry His witness. He is in us, and His presence is with us wherever we go. His Kingdom of Heaven is here on earth through us as where we stand is where His Kingdom is. We are the physical extension in the natural of His spiritual Kingdom of God.

But to truly experience that renaissance that Christ brings, we like Christ, need to die to ourselves for our born-again spirit man to take full control of our body, soul, and mind. That we may live by the Spirit instead of by our flesh and our carnal desires. A life led by the Spirit leads to eternal life, while the latter leads to destruction.

Blessed Palm Sunday, everyone! As we remember the triumphant entry of Jesus into Jerusalem in fulfilment of ancient prophesy, let’s prepare ourselves for the coming Good Friday and Easter celebrations to commemorate the death and resurrection of Christ. The Apostles dedicated and gave their lives to preach Christ crucified and resurrected, which forms the basis of our faith. We are who we are today in Christ, and we will be with God one day in the new heaven and the new earth because of Christ crucified and resurrected! Make that Renaissance a reality in our lives today, and male sure we are on the narrow path of righteousness that leads to glory in Christ!

Love in action

https://odb.org/2024/03/22/next-step-of-love

I think one of the few things we can not avoid as a Christian is love since God is love. Thus, Jesus loved us. That’s why He died for our sins to reconcile us back to God the Father. There is no greater love than a man who lays down his life for another (John 15:3).

But in 1 John 3, John emphasised love in action – what is the next step in love? He wrote about the need to help those in need in love, and that requires generosity in heart and deed. It is easier to do and manage if we have the attitude that all that we have is ultimately because of God, and it is His blessings. Thus, God will use what He blesses us with to bless others. We become His instruments of blessings. As I postulated yesterday, the LORD will help those who help others: https://ronnielim.com/2024/03/21/god-helps-those-who-help-others/.

As we grow in faith and in maturity in Christ, more will be demanded from our lives. We can not live out faith in isolation or be a Christian only in church. Our faith is part and parcel of who we are in the family, at work, in church, and everywhere. That’s why God exhorted Joshua to be strong and of good courage as He will be with Joshua wherever he goes (see Joshua 1:9). God is everywhere, and He is in us. Wherever we are, He is there with us, inside us and with us. In His presence and His power and glory.

Do good and help others. That’s the commandment and instruction. An extrapolation of to love your neighbour as yourself. That’s not only a characteristic of a believer but the goal and mission of a Christian as we pass through this earth as a sojourner, a pilgrim on our way to eternity. Never leave a trail of destruction, misery, and sadness. But always leave behind a heritage of good deeds and love in action, of the everlasting grace and mercy of God and His abundant love. Amen!

God helps those who help others

https://odb.org/2024/03/21/simply-helping

There is some truth that God helps those who help themselves in the sense that faith and action go hand in hand, or rather faith requires action in order for us to experience the grace and goodness of God. Thus, if we pray for patience, the LORD will likely bring us to situations where we will learn and experience patience. So, if we pray for strength to go through a difficult situation, He will bring us through that situation for us to experience His strength and perhaps His wisdom. Rarely will He miraculously make that situation go away.

But what is perhaps better is that God helps those who help others, especially the weak and oppressed. Why wouldn’t He, when helping the weak and oppressed, has always been His heart’s desire. This is evident from the ancient Isaiah 56:6-7. The LORD questioned the fasting of the Israelites when His desire is to lose the chains of injustice, to untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free, and break every yoke. Is it not to share your food with the hungry, to provide the poor wanderer with shelter, and to clothe the naked? Jesus taught the same thing in Matthew 25:35-40.

By now, as a believer of Jesus, it should be second nature for us to help others who are weak, in need, and oppressed. It should be part of our personality and character. We have a very good reason to be like this. This is very close to the heart of God, particularly when the LORD helps those help others. We will never lose out. If we give to help, God will ensure that our lives will always have more than enough. Remember Elijah and the widow at Zarephath with the little flour and olive oil in 1 Kings 17 where she had just enough to prepare the last meal for her and her son? The flour and oil never ran out as she could prepare meals after meals for all 3 of them for a very long time. We may not experience something as dramatic, but the point is that if we were to help others, we would have more than enough to keep on helping.

Remember, God always helps those who help others!

Slaves and servants

https://odb.org/2024/03/19/who-is-your-master

In the Bible, whether in the Old or New Testament but perhaps more so in the latter, when some versions use the expression ‘servant’, the meaning is usually slaves. In those times, slavery was still common. During ancient times, people ended up as slaves as victorious armies take war captives as their bounty. Rather than a massacre, they have cheap labour, and this bounty could also serve as a strong motivation for a soldier to fight for an army. Thus, a soldier will be willing to put his life on the line to gain a helper for their homes plus other bounty. The Israelites ended up as slaves in Egypt because they were foreigners living in a land their forefathers settled in to escape famine in Canaan.

While slavery in the original sense as chattels (can be bought and sold) no longer exists in the modern world, sometimes we are somewhat like slaves in the workforce. For various reasons, we may not have the ability not to work as and when we like. Our modern-day commitments are long-term, while most of us have savings that will not last more than a couple of months. In a declining economy, when everyone is struggling, jobs are hard to come by.

Thus, Paul’s teaching in Colossians 3:22 and 4:1 are significant. Although he could not change the social phenomenon of slavery, he asked that both slaves and masters treat each other well and with respect and fairness. A worker is always worthy of his wages, and we should reward hard work, faithfulness, and dedication appropriately.

As workers, we must give our best to our employers, and as bosses, we must not abuse or take advantage of our subordinates’ life situations. We reward as much as we could within the means of our respective organisations and always remember that everyone has extra mouths to feed at home, whether it is the wife and kids or ageing parents. As believers, this is the least we can do to honour God as Jesus Christ is our Master and Lord, and we always want to do His will in all situations and circumstances. It would be tragically wrong if we are abusive, exploitative, and manipulative bosses who profess the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. That will bring shame and dishonour to Christ!

I Am Who I Am

https://odb.org/2024/03/18/i-am-2

I just shared a message yesterday in my local church from Joshua 1:1-9 on God’s encouragement to Joshua and, by extension to the Israelites and by adoption, us believers of Jesus Christ as the spiritual Israelites. God commanded Joshua to be bold and courageous (NIV) or be strong and of good courage (KJV) for He will be with Joshua wherever he goes. It was a promise founded upon God’s promises to Moses, and His promises lives on despite Moses having died. The promise of the promised land “from the river to the sea” girdled by Joshua and the Israelites boldy and courageously, and carefully, keeping and obeying the law (His Word), meditating upon it day and night, for them to be successful and prosperous in God. When we reach Joshua 24, we will see that the LORD did all as He had promised in Joshua 1 and Joshua promising that he and his household will serve the LORD.

The Great I Am, the Almighty God, made the same pronise to Moses in Exodus 3:12 that He will be with Moses when he goes up to the Pharoah to demand that he releases the 600,000 adult Jews from slavery together with their wives and children. It later led to the exodus of the children of Israel out of Egypt, across the Red Sea, into the wilderness where they spent 40 years living in the presence of God where one whole generation died including Moses and Aaron before they reached the stage in Joshua 1 preparing to cross the Jordan River into Canaan.

The LORD God will be with us because of the blood of Christ shed for our sins, but consequently, as we obey and follow His Word. He is the Great I Am, the one and only living God, the creator of heaven and earth, the creator of the universe and everything in it. He is also our Heavenly Father and our Good Shepherd. As we commit our ways unto Him, He will make our paths smooth. He is the one who will make all things work together for good for those who love Him and are called according to His purposes.

Have a great week ahead, everyone! Be grateful and thankful that the Great I Am is our God and LORD. Let’s commit the week ahead to the LORD and pray that His Holy Spirit grants us wisdom and discernment as we look towards Christ and navigate through the week with its various obtacles and challenges!

Kingdom minded

https://odb.org/2024/03/17/kingdom-minded-leadership

I guess when we were younger Christians, when we brought people to Christ, we wanted to bring them to our own church. This is practical in the sense that we could then shepherd them ourselves, and at the same time, we contribute towards the growth of our local church. Of course, when it comes to languages, we may end up sending them to the Chinese-speaking congregation if they are more comfortable relating to Mandarin or Cantonese speakers and in some churches like my local church, that’s a separate congregation by itself. This gets tricky when we work in another city while our home church is in another. Thus, we will have little choice but to direct them to a local church as it is not reasonable to expect new believers to travel 70km to 100km one way to attend church.

However, as we gain maturity in Christ, we will come to a realisation that we are all in this together. Ministry work is Kingdom work. Thus, we will suggest the church that will bring the best out of them in Christ. The particular church that will best nurture them and a place where they can fit into the congregation as a church is essentially a community of believers. A place where they will find their home is more important than being in our own church. A place to serve and raise their family and grow in the Lord.

Have a good and personal time today worshipping God today, everyone! Please pray for me as I will be sharing the Word at my local church today. Pray that the Word will be articulated in a way that will touch and move the hearts of the congregation, and the Word will achieve the purpose it is intended for. May the Holy Spirit move powefully in the congregation today! God bless your day and the week ahead!

Wealth

https://odb.org/2024/03/15/hated-in-kansas

For most of us who started with humble beginnings, life would have been a struggle in the sense that we ate what was on the table at home. As I was watching a program on top food places in Teluk Intan yesterday, I realized that we rarely ate out when we were growing up. Only once a month, perhaps we ate at a restaurant and called dishes. I have very little recollection of hawker food in Sitiawan and none at all in Pasir Puteh when growing up, although I do remember the RM1 char kuey teow that we sometimes buy at the roadside stall in Simpang Empat. We also seldom buy new clothes, and as I grew older, we did get some hand me downs from friends. I remember working for 3 months in Johor Bahru to buy a nice pair of Adidas shoes in Singapore at circa RM100+. At that time, it was RM1.10 to the Singapore Dollar!

Some of us might be better off now, having accumulated some wealth over the years. The question is, what do we do with our little wealth? We have to prepare for our old age as we still need a roof over our heads and food on the table as we enter our senior years. We may also want to travel more without needing to do too much leave planning (probably none at all!). For travel, it’s best to start when younger as our weaker knees and failing eyesight may deprive us of the full experience when we travel in our golden ages.

I think Ecclesiastes 5:12 is very telling. It says – the sleep of the labourer is sweet, whether they eat little or much, but as for the rich, their abundance permits them no sleep. I hope that we will all not have so much wealth that we can not sleep at night worrying about the ROI of our investments or how the value of our money is decreasing annually because of inflation. Solomon then continues in verse 13 – I see a grevious evil under the sun, wealth hoarded to the harm of its owners.

It is indeed tragic if our wealth brings harm to us in the way that too much rich food poisons the body. Instead, why don’t we follow Jesus’s advice not to store riches on earth? Instead, let’s store up riches in heaven where the thief will not steal or the moth and rust will not destroy? Thus, if we have wealth, why don’t we use it to bless others who are in need? We give in accordance with our ability and in response to the prompting of the Holy Spirit. But I guess we shouldn’t give until we need charity from others. Keep a reasonable amount for our old age and for our children to inherit, but don’t bring too much to the grave!

Offer bargains to God

https://odb.org/2024/03/13/cries-of-distress

Have we ever offered bargains to God when faced with desperate and distressing situations like a depressing medical diagnosis, a financial quagmire, a bleak or uncertain future, or the loss of someone close? We may want to say if you heal me, O Lord, I will do this and do that for you. Jesus, if you get me out of this situation, I will forever be your servant.

I think there is nothing wrong in offering bargains to God because that’s something deeply personal between you and God. But if we look at the Covenant of God with Abraham, God’s promise to be the God of the Israelites is conditional upon them obeying His law and percepts. It’s a given that we worship no other gods for God the Father to be our God and Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour. The LORD will be our shepherd if we are His sheep.

Thus, I think the only real bargain we need to offer is the reciprocal promise to be faithful to the LORD and to follow and obey His Word. If we live our lives in accordance with His Word, He will surely bless and protect us since we are, after all, His children and are co-heirs with Christ to His abundant inheritance in the saints.

As we give our lives to Him and serve Him, He will lead us to fulfil His plans and purposes for our lives. He may or may not heal us of our medical condition. He may or may get us out of our financial challenges. But He will certainly be with us in all that we are going through, and our future will not be bleak. He will surely fulfil His promises for our lives. He will help us through our grief for the loss of someone close to us or our past dreams that have died and show us a future that will be filled with His love, joy, and peace. We will have a new start in Him and a breakthrough in our personal challenges. We will soar again like an eagle in His loving arms!