Meeting the needs of others

https://odb.org/2023/12/28/phillips-wish

When we look around us, we will always find people who dedicate their lives to helping others, whether formally via an NGO or as a volunteer somewhere. They are not the norm. An exception to the general populace, but nevertheless, they are sincere and genuine. Many are non-Christians. What drives them? Probably their compassion and love for those in need. I have a colleague whose father had set up a tuition centre for poor kids, and he had spent a considerable part of his adult life doing this work. Because of his dedication, she has invariably been drawn into the work herself.

As believers in Christ, our Heavenly Father also has the same heart as these people. He has a special place in His heart for the widows, orphans and foreigners, the poorest of the poor, the ones in ancient Jewish society without land, and thus would need to work for their living. In fact, God enacted laws to ensure that the marginalised have food on their table. By law, landowners are not to harvest all of their crops but must leave behind some leftovers for the poor to glean.

If we could, as believers, actively participate in these social endeavours, that would be the best. Or we could contribute finance to these efforts. In other words, helping out such non-mission efforts with our money is good stewardship since this is where the heart of the Father is. There are welfare organisations, orphanages, and social oriented work we could contribute our money and efforts.

Ultimately, if we were to just help a friend in need, that would also be good. The important thing is to have a heart of compassion that our lives are not centred just on our own needs and interests. After believing in Jesus, we must become someone kinder, more compassionate, and in tune with the move of the Holy Spirit. In general, be kind, helpful, and generous, but specifically, respond to God as the Holy Spirit prompts our hearts. We are on our way to spiritual maturity if we develop these traits in our character.

Godly wisdom

https://odb.org/2023/12/27/wisdom-saves-lives

If we live our lives in accordance with God’s Word and always do what is right, we will be blessed with Godly wisdom, simply because God is with us. This is similar to how God was with Joseph and Joshua. This Godly wisdom can come in the form of discernment or just plain word of knowledge, the latter being the Holy Spirit telling us things to prepare us or to help us help others. The writer of Proverbs, King Solomon, was asked which would he choose – riches or wisdom? He chose wisdom, and it was a wise choice as he was a wise man! But if you read his other book Ecclesiastes, his conclusion is that the wisest decision any person can ever make is to choose God or else life is just pure vanity. In other words, life is meaningless without God. In the New Testament, we know that because Jesus gave us eternal life by His death on the cross. In Christ, we have the hope of the new heaven and new earth, where God will dwell among mankind again.

Proverbs 11:24 teaches that if we give freely, we gain more, but if we withhold unduly, we will become poor. Generosity breeds blessings, but stinginess or miserly leads to poverty. That is Godly wisdom and is one example of us living our lives in accordance with His Word. Thus, His Word is not just a moral code but really gems on how to unravel the mysteries of the Kingdom of God. Logically, how can giving away our wealth make us having more? The spiritual principle is that if we give generously, perhaps God will open up the heavens to bless us so that we will have more to give. Or by giving freely, our hearts are set free and liberated to be more contented with the less that we have (after giving) or at least we find some extra meaning to our life. We don’t just work to earn a living but also to help others. We have an altruistic role in life.

Conversely, if we hold on to what we have so tightly and strongly, God may withhold His heavenly blessings, and thus, we may not find contentment or peace or joy in the millions we have. Or we are just caught up in the downward spiral of acquiring the next million, every day worrying whether we are getting a lesser return for our cash or someone will cheat us. Wealthy but miserable, always worried.

Follow His Word, live according to His Word, and we will be blessed with Godly wisdom. One such wisdom is to give generously. Of course, the ultimate Godly wisdom is to choose God over everything else. Follow Jesus Christ as He is the way, the truth, and the life. No one goes to the Father except through Him.

Magi and the Star of Bethlehem

https://odb.org/2023/12/24/finding-home

As we read the account of the Magi from the East following the Star of Bethlehem and finding Jesus and giving Him the gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh (see Matthew 2) – the thing which speaks to me is not just the Magi but also the Star of Bethlehem. To me, it was spectacular and incredible, even magical that a star suddenly appeared to guide the Magi from the East all the way to Bethlehem. It would have taken them quite some time to reach Bethlehem if the tradition that they came from Persia, Arabia, and India is true. That is why we can never downplay the birth of Jesus – He was indeed the King of Jews, the King of kings and the Lord of lords. God even made cosmic changes to proclaim the human birth of His son, whom He had sent to save mankind for eternal life.

Even as the LORD God created the Star of Bethlehem for the Magi from the East, each of us will have our own Star of Bethlehem that will lead us to Jesus Christ. God speaks to our hearts and leads us to Jesus. The Holy Spirit brings us conviction and opens up our spiritual eyes by removing the scales that blinded our human understanding of who Jesus is. I had my own personal experience finding Christ, and I’m sure every believer likewise has a similar personal encounter. We all have our own Star of Bethlehem, which led us to discover and know Christ for who He is.

My prayer for us as we attend church today for the Christmas Eve Sunday service is that we will find Christ in the midst of all the festivities, presentations, and performances. Christmas is the peak of all the activities in church. It is evangelistic but also very hectic and busy. I pray that amidst all the hustle and bustle of Christmas, the razzle dazzle of them all, that we will all be able to hear the still small voice of God calling us to Himself, to be a part of His family. Jesus came to the earth two thousand years ago as Immanuel – God with us, God living among men. Will we accept His gift of salvation?

The time for His return is fast approaching. The window for us to accept Him in faith is also fast closing. After that, we will still be given the chance, but it will be much harder and more difficult, and provided that we still have breadth. Find Him while He is still there to be found (Isaiah 55:6), while it is still daytime as night is coming when no one can work (John 9:4).

Have a great Christmas Eve celebration today, every one!

The Berlin Wall

https://odb.org/2023/12/22/a-wall-torn-down

The Berlin Wall fell on 9 November 1989 and was a historical event unimaginable then. I remember thinking how impossible it was, and yet it happened. Two years later, in 1991, the Soviet Union collapsed. The difference was that with the fall of the Berlin Wall, East and West Germany were genuinely reunited. But with the Soviet Union collapse, Russia remained the lynchpin, with most of the ex Soviet countries still aligned to her. Ukraine, being the second largest country, became alligned to the West, and her stated intention to join the EU led to the present Russian-Ukraine war.

In the history of our faith, the wall in the form of the veil in the temple was broken with the death of Jesus Christ on the cross. Man was thus reconciled to God. The wall separating Jews and Gentiles was also broken, enabling Gentiles to be grafted into the family of God. In the past, Gentiles were not allowed beyond the outer courts of the Temple.

The verse that comes to mind is Matthew 19:26 – “With men, this is impossible, but with God, all things are possible.” Sometimes, when we look at our family and friends, we dismiss them as impossible to accept Christ. Yet, God is able to turn them around, no matter how hostile or indifferent they were before. They could face a personal tragedy, and suddenly, they needed an anchor in their lives. I think it’s best we realise that we need God early in life so that He need not allow certain things to happen to us to draw near to Him. Our role is to reflect Christ in our lives, share with them our testimony and our experiences in God, and pray that their spiritual eyes may be opened one day. Jesus has already opened the way. We just need to guide and show them the right path.

Don’t lose hope when it comes to our friends and family. Jesus will open their eyes and remove the scales. God will soften their hearts. They will turn to Him one day. Believe it, don’t lose faith, and continue to pray for them! Don’t give up. Keep on believing and praying.

Christmas memories

https://odb.org/2023/12/21/the-light-of-hope

I recall that as a family, we used to celebrate Christmas even when we were yet true believers. We had always identified ourselves as Christians even though we knew very little of the faith then. So we will set up the Christmas tree, my father will buy and wrap up presents and my mum will cook us a few nice dishes. Since it was the year-end school holidays and my dad was a teacher, it was a time to chill and relax before the new school year began a week later. We spend the Christmas season listening to Christmas songs on the home stereo set and catching a few Christmas programs on TV. I think we celebrated Christmas with more intensity than Chinese New Year, although for the latter, we were usually at my parents’ hometown amongst my grandparents, uncles, aunties, and cousins and thus there was an air of festivities with firecrackers, ang pows, some siew yoke and other delicacies, and mahjong among the adults.

Time has moved on, and some experiences of the past remained just as memories, distant ones. These memories could not be recreated anymore in the present as my parents are no longer here with us.

In our life journey, my parents later discovered Christ by the grace of God and became Christians, born-again believers, having accepted Christ as their Lord and Saviour. Christmas then became more centred around the church and its Christmas programmes.

But with Christ in our lives, it also means that as a family, we have the hope that one day we will all be reunited in heaven, with my parents and my own children one day. We have that hope that we will live in the new heaven and earth where there will no longer be tears, disease, suffering, or evil. Every living thing, whether man, beast, or even the environment, will live in perfect harmony with one another.

Cling on to the hope Christ has given us. Past Christmas memories may remain as distant memories, but they will be recreated one day. In the meantime, let’s create new and fresh Christmas memories in Christ Jesus as we journey with Him and dwell in the House of the Lord in the days to come!

Have a very blessed and Merry Christmas, everyone!

Forgetting what’s behind

https://odb.org/2023/12/20/forgettable

Isaiah 43:25 speaks of God forgetting the sins of Israel and Judah. He remembers them no more. In verses 18 and 19, He urges them to forget the former things, not to dwell in the past. Instead, see that the LORD is doing a new thing amongst them.

As humans and even believers, we have an unhealthy tendency to dwell in the past. Our past sins and indiscretions. Our former failures, disappointments, or even failed relationships. Our failed attempts at our perception of what success looked like. But time and tide wait for no man. The world has moved on. We are no longer twenty-one or even 30 anymore. Even our past glories and success stories are in the past.

It’s really time we leave the past where it belongs – in the past. Put it behind us, learn our life lessons, and move on in life. As the LORD had advised Israel and Judah in Isaiah 43:18-19, forget the former things and don’t dwell in the past. What could have been, could have been. It can not be anymore. God is doing a new thing among us. What lies ahead is what matters. Jesus is doing new things in our midst. Do not relive our past glory but bask in the glory of His presence. In the now, the contemporary and the future. Our remaining days here on earth. Limited as it is. Nevertheless, we can make something meaningful out of it if we were to put our hearts into it.

In a more contemporary setting in contrast to Isaiah, Paul taught the same thing in Philippians 3:13-14, forgetting what is behind but straining toward what is ahead. I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. Our past glory, disappointments, our former what was, and what could have been – leave them behind in the past. Strive instead for what is ahead as the Holy Spirit leads and empowers us! Amen!

Wrestling with God

https://odb.org/2023/12/19/the-meaning-of-a-scar

The story of Jacob wrestling with God in Genesis 32:22-32 was a breakthrough that changed Jacob from a cunning and conniving man (who tricked his father Isaac to give to him the blessings of his brother Esau) to one who prevailed in persistence. Jacob named the place he wrestled with God as Peniel because he saw God face to face, and his life was spared. God also renamed him Israel. It is from Jacob that the Israelites derived their name as a nation, that is, a person who struggled or wrestled with God and prevailed. In Genesis 32, Jacob refused to let the man go unless He blessed him, and that man (who was God in human form) blessed Jacob and changed his name to Israel.

I guess in the spiritual realm, there may be a need to wrestle or struggle with God before we get a breakthrough or a new name. The context, of course, is not to resist God or His calling until we get our way. The LORD doesn’t work like that because we always have a choice. In any situation with God, we could always walk away. It is also not our place to ask the Almighty “Great I Am” to follow us.

To me, to wrestle with God is to cling on and not let go of Him until He grants us His blessing, His grace, and anointing that we will indeed have a breakthrough. In response to His calling, we hold on to it until it is fulfilled. We have to be as persistent as Jacob and like Jacob, we may end up with a wound and a scar, but that’s a small sacrifice for the transformation we will experience in our spiritual life.

Be like Jacob. Be persistent with God. Follow Him and fulfil His plans and purposes for our lives. Do not wrestle with the LORD so that He follows our way. That is NOT the spiritual principle from Jacob’s encounter with the LORD!

Our God is near

https://odb.org/2023/12/18/my-god-is-near

I think if we are facing some major crisis or an important exam or presentation like a board meeting or a performance like singing in an event or preaching in church, it is difficult not to be anxious. We are anxious because we are worried that things will not be smooth or will not work out or we may not do as well as we could. Or if a loved one is hospitalised, we are worried that the end result is bad.

But Paul teaches in Philippians 4:6 not to be anxious about anything but in every situation, by prayer and petition (supplication), with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. In verse 5, Paul reiterates that God is near. In essence, God hears our prayers and knows what we are going through. Thus, being anxious or worried will not change the situation or make the outcome better.

I guess if the outcome is somewhat within our control like an exam, presentation, or sermon, we could prepare better. In a lot of situations, it is 90% preparation and 10% delivery. In situations beyond our control, our anxiety adds nothing but may even be harmful to our own well-being.

In any case, prepare as much as we can if the situation allows and then leave everything to God. He knows best. But note one important point, present our requests in prayer and petition, with thanksgiving. Always be thankful and grateful for His abundant grace and mercy in our lives, especially His gift of salvation. Because of that, we are assured of our destiny. In the end, what matters is that we have God with us, and we will be with Him in eternity. Therefore, put our trust and hope in God. Don’t be anxious about anything. In all situations, commit them to God. He knows best.

Christmas gathering

https://odb.org/2023/12/17/christmas-dilemma

Most of us would usually be busy in church when the Christmas season comes. There will be lots of activities and lots to do as most churches gear up for their main evangelistic event of the year, for some the finale to cap the year. This year, my family and I are not involved in the activities and thus have more time to chill and enjoy the year-end festivities. We are having a New Year’s Eve gathering with our cell group at our place, so there will be some work there, but that’s the week after Christmas.

Besides being a time to remember and celebrate the birth of Christ, Christmas is a great time to gather with family and friends to catch up and celebrate the goodness of God. For some families, it is a tradition to enjoy a great time together. But for those who are active in church, church usually takes precedence, with less time for family and other gatherings.

I think a balance needs to be made that we remain active and yet take time off to meet as a family and with friends. Perhaps the food may not be that elaborate, and everyone could chip in as a potluck to lessen the burden on the host since most are busy in church. While many are not able to avoid their ministry responsibilities, let’s still make it a point to meet up to just enjoy the time together, putting aside work and ministry. All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy!

Merry and blessed Christmas, everyone! It is a week away, but let the festivities begin as we celebrate the goodness of God in our lives through Christ Jesus! Have a great time worshipping God today, and may the Holy Spirit move powerfully in our midst today and touch all of our hearts!

Equal before God

https://odb.org/2023/12/15/equal-before-god

Life is never equal for everyone. I used to wonder and even lament why I was born in Malaysia to ethnic Chinese parents (with Baba Nyonya blood in my mum’s side) where we faced institutional discrimination from when we were young. They say the Chinese are rich, but we were certainly not. Until the day my dad, our sole breadwinner, retired as a primary school teacher, we were still making ends meet month to month. The retirement brought him a gratuity after 35 years of government service. That was his life savings, and there was finally a significant surplus in the family balance sheet. I used to wonder why I was not born into the majority race in Malaysia? But after knowing Jesus, I count it a blessing I was not. As migrants and a minority, we had to be resilient to face the world and still come up tops. With God on our side, we have fared better as a family without the benefit of inherited wealth and despite facing obstacles unique to our situation in life.

But God is fair in the sense that when it comes to our faith and who we are in Him, all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. Not only in terms of humanity but also the inequality of our birth is irrelevant and inconsequential to Jesus. He came and died for our sins regardless of who we are in the world, whether Jew or Gentile, whether a beggar or a billionaire, an infantry or a general, a Chinese, Malay or Indian or Kadazan or Iban, Persian or Arab? So long as we are humans, our blood is red, and we will be susceptible to disease and old age, and one day, all of us will die and meet Jesus. Will it be at the Great White Throne Judgment or the Judgment Seat of Christ (bema, in Greek)? Do we believe by faith that Christ died for our sins and was resurrected on the 3rd day, and do we accept Him as our Lord and Saviour? Are our names written in the Book of Life?

On reflection, after working for more than 30 years now and having lived for more than 50 years, my conclusion is that it doesn’t really matter who we were born as. It is for us to make something out of our lives, but most importantly, we are all equal before God. Each and every one of us is given an equal chance to accept and know Jesus as our Lord and Saviour. God will help and mould everyone who comes to Him for Him to fulfil His plans and purposes for our lives. He loves and cares for us all in equal measures. In the end, that’s what matters the most. Life may not be fair, but God is.

Paul wrote it so beautifully in Romans 8:38-39: For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come. Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

My exhortation to all of us today is to forget the past and what is behind, and instead strain toward what is ahead and press on to win the prize for which God has called us heavenward in Christ Jesus. Make sure we make it past the finish line with our names still written in the Book of Life! Hallelujah! God is good, all the time!