https://odb.org/2023/10/23/i-surrender

A phrase that we often hear is that God will help those who help themselves. There is wisdom in that in the sense that we need to act in order for God to act. We need to put in the work to see the results. It is conventional wisdom, but it is not biblical. This is because our faith in God is a relationship. Who we are in God is by His grace. We can not work for our salvation. The Psalmists knew this as they advised: trust in the LORD and do good (Psalm 37:3) and commit your way to the LORD (Psalm 37:5). Thus, it is biblical to say that the Lord will help those who trust and put their faith in Him. As we commit our lives to Him, He will protect and take care of us.

In addition, I will say that the Lord will help us because we belong to Him. In the days of old, the LORD protected Israel because they were His people, and He was their God. He helped them win their wars and battles because they were His people. We just heard during yesterday’s sermon that the key to victory for Israel is to put their trust in God, to cling to Him. That was the advice given by Joshua in his old age, having been given the task to take over from Moses at a young age to spearhead the Israelites’ entry into Canaan, incidentally the site of the current Israeli-Hamas war. Joshua had led Israel to many victories by placing his trust in God.

In present times, what we call the era of the church, we have been redeemed by Christ and are now seated in the heavenlies in Christ Jesus (Ephesians 2:6). Our spirit is born again, and in the spiritual realm, we have a place with Christ. We have now been given the privilege to be called sons and daughters of God, co-heirs with Christ. We belong to God. We are family to Him. That’s why Jesus Himself taught – will a father who loves you give you stone when you ask for bread? Or a serpent when you ask for fish? See Luke 11:11-13.

Rest assured, my dear brothers and sisters. The LORD our God, who created the heavens and earth, will help and protect us if we put our faith and trust in Him. He will make our paths straight as we commit our lives unto Him. He loves us, each and every one of us, dearly. We are His as we belong to Him. Redeemed by the precious blood of Christ. He is our shepherd and we His sheep. He is our God, and we are His.

https://odb.org/2023/10/20/in-the-garden-3

Most of us would have heard about the Garden of Eden even if we were not yet in the faith. There is a creation story in most cultures and civilisations. Except that in the biblical one, perhaps the difference is that it shows what it would have been if sin had not crashed in. It is a picture of perfection where humans lived in complete harmony with nature, only to be later shattered by sin. In Eden, man need not toil the ground. The ground itself produces all man needed to live – food for nourishment, beauty for the senses, and peace for the soul.

While sin and Satan broke that beautiful picture and led to man being banished out of Eden, Jesus Christ, the second Adam, mended our relationship with God and reconciled man back to God. He broke the veil.

We still live in this broken world with war, tears, and sorrow, and where the ground is still cursed. We need to toil hard for its produce, but most importantly, we are denied access to the tree of life. Our human bodies will die and rot away, returning to earth – from dust to dust. But the day will come when we who are in the faith, who believed in Jesus Christ as the Son of God, the Lamb of God who died for our sins, will get to live in Eden recreated in the new heaven and new earth. We will be in our glorified bodies and will then be able to partake of the tree of life. The ground will no longer be cursed. No more tears and sorrow and death. No more wars. Our souls will be at peace.

It’s not a dream or a fantasy. It’s a reality that we will possess one day if we hold on tightly to the faith and live a life of righteousness. We who already have our names written in the book of life need to make sure our names remain there until the end of time. Salvation may be by the grace of God by faith, meaning that we can not on our strength and virtue work for our salvation. But as humans with free will, we may lose it if we persistently ignore or go against Him. Don’t be Adam reincarnated.

https://odb.org/2023/10/19/first-on-the-list

In Matthew 6:33, Jesus tells us to seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you. If you read the preceeding verses, Jesus’s argument is that if God takes care of the birds and the flowers and the grass, will He not take care of us, His children whom He loves. So don’t go chasing after all these earthly riches like the non-believers do, but instead put God first, and He will make sure we will have the things we need to survive this life. He knows what we need.

In my view, what Jesus meant is not for us to not work and let God bring manna down from heaven to feed us. Life challenges are real. We need to work hard at our jobs and be the best that we can be at what we do. Put in the hours, learn the business, or trade and acquire the skill to do well. Do not be calculative over work. The more we do, the more we will benefit. Practice makes perfect. Exposure gives us experience and discernment and wisdom.

But in all that we do, put God first. Have integrity and do what is right. Focus on God and His righteousness even as we go through our list of tasks. Ask Him for His strength. A couple of days ago, someone consulted me about what to do. He was organising a trip and has collected all the money already. It is a few weeks away. Just to take his chance, he asked the AirBnB owner for a discount, and totally unexpectedly, the owner agreed. So he asked me, “Should he pass on the discount to his friends?” If it’s all confirmed and he actually receives a refund from the owner for the discount, that should be the right thing to do. Later, he texted me that he passed on the discount to everyone.

The above was not a work example but a real-life example that I experienced recently. But it’s illustrative of what we should do at work. For example, if we come across some information that could help our colleagues in their work, should we tell or keep it to ourselves? Maybe we do not want to tell so that our colleagues do not outshine us?

Put God and His righteousness first, and all these things shall be given unto us. The principle is real, and as we practice it, we will see it come to pass. Amen!

https://odb.org/2023/10/18/use-what-you-have-2

When I read Acts 9:36-46 of Peter raising Tabitha (or Dorcas in Greek) from the dead, I felt there were similarities with the story of Jesus raising the little girl from the dead, the 12-year old daughter of Jairus (Mark 5:35-43). In fact, this similarly occurred in ancient times when Elisha raised the Shunammite’s son from the dead in 2 Kings 4:18-37. Certain events are repeated throughout generations to the glory of God to demonstrate God’s power, compassion, and grace. Thus, it is true that as His disciples, we will be able to do what He did, in fact more (John 14:12).

But when we look at the story of Tabitha, what comes forth is also her dedication to the poor and widows with the clothes and robes she had sown for them. She used her talents for the good of others. When she died due to illness, they were really sad and grieved for her. The disciples sent for Peter, hoping he could do something, and lo and behold, he raised her from the dead!

I feel the message this morning is that as much as we may be able to do greater works than Jesus Christ (except, of course, His redemption of the sins of humankind on the cross), we should first use our talents and gifts to benefit others, especially the poor and the widows. Do what we can to help people in need or at least support charities or organisations that do so. The spiritual principle is that as God showed us mercy and grace by calling us to be His children, we must likewise show mercy and grace to others as a measure of our gratitude to God for giving us the gift of salvation. Current events point to the imminent second coming of Christ. Do good works and live a life of righteousness while waiting for Christ to return and take us with Him.

I like to end today’s devotional commentary with John 9:4 where Jesus said, “I must work the works of Him who sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.”

https://odb.org/2023/10/17/our-anchor-2

The longstanding conflict between the Palestinians and Israel, in a nutshell, is basically the former clinging on to a hope of returning to the 1947 borders and land despite the passage of 76 years with more than 7 million Jews already settled in and having developed Israel into one of the most advanced countries in the world. The Muslim world, in particular, countries backing the militants in Gaza and the West Bank and those based in Lebanon, could not accept the status quo mandated by the United Nations in 1948 and thus any peace that emerges once the current Israeli-Hamas war ends, will not last. This chain of events has been predicted in the book of Revelation and will herald the return of Christ, which, like the current expected ground invasion of Gaza, may be imminent, perhaps over the next 20 years or so, or as some predict within the human lifetime of the birth of the nation of Israel.

The Palestinian hope that fuels the uprising and the militant groups is unrealistic and not likely achievable. This is because, as declared by Iran, it involves the total annihilation of the state of Israel.

However, we have a hope that is built upon Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour, having already pierced the veil and have become our High Priest in the order of Melchizedek – see Hebrews 6:20. Our hope is real and eternal.

No one except the Father knows when Christ will come again. The events of the past week in Israel, however, suggest that this may not be too far away into the future. He may come and rapture us as believers (together with those who died in Christ before us) in accordance with 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17, or we may have to go through the great tribulation prior to the rapture as some believe.

As much as we need to work to continue to live and to plan for our future and old age, don’t ever forget the Lord and be prepared for a change in human history that we all know will come. It may well be within our lifetimes! Place our hope in Jesus Christ, our rock, and our salvation! Our hope is real, genuine, and realistic. Amen!

https://odb.org/2023/10/15/gods-unexpected-ways

I can relate very well to Paul’s exhortation in 1 Corinthians 1:27 that God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise. The truth is that in the Kingdom of God, one may be eloquent, articulate, and funny when preaching the Word, and that works well with most congregations. But even if we are not like that, we can still preach the Word because the Spirit of God can still work in the congregation through a less eloquent preacher. This is because in preaching, what really matters is the message we bring. Is the Word the Word of the season? Is there some prophetic slant to it? Is God telling us something that can make a genuine change in our lives, transform us, cause a paradigm shift in the way we look or approach God? An eloquent speaker will, of course, bring forth the message better, but a simple and plain speaking one can also do so as ultimately our reception to a Word depends also on the heart of the listener. In fact, what we do with the Word depends on the condition of our hearts – Jesus taught a whole parable on this point.

Thus, as believers, we need not look at our weaknesses or inadequacies or natural limitations when doing God’s work. Prepare and put in time and effort. We will get better over time as we do it more. Like sharing the Gospel. It is intimidating at first. We are unsure how to broach the topic. We are probably unprepared for all the difficult questions. But if we just start by sharing our testimony, it’s already an excellent start. Even in preaching or sharing from the pulpit, our personal experience and encounters make our message real. Not just an exposition of Scriptures but a living out of the living Word of God, our faith in action in the real world.

Don’t despise ourselves if we think we are one of those foolish things of the world. Be humble and respond in faith as God calls us. Move out in faith. Pray for the sick. Pray out loud for our friends when they face challenges. Pray to our Heavenly Father for them. Uphold them to God that they may also experience His supernatural interventions into the natural.

In my recent overseas trip, a friend gave me a bottle of red wine. At the check-in counter, I realised that I couldn’t bring it through immigration. So I had to check it on or finish it all before going through immigration! Of course, the only choice was the former. We were worried that the bottle would break and ruin all my clothes. Then, someone among us who is yet a believer said, “Pray, pray that the bottle will not break.” That’s the obvious answer. Why worry when we can place our hope in God? In the end, praise the Lord that the bottle made it through intact!

https://odb.org/2023/10/13/yielding-to-trust

That the LORD is our rock and salvation, and deliverer is a common phrase used by the Psalmists to describe God as someone whom they place their hopes on. Isiah 26: 1-4 is no different.

Thus, seeing an icy fog turn into a sunny morning looks like an impossibility, but nature has a strange way of surprising us. In Malaysia, we could experience a gloomy, rain filled day turning into a bright sunny day too, although usually once there was rain the temperature is slightly lower and thus once in a while, we in tropical Malaysia could experience a cool breeze despite the sun shining brightly. It’s not a common occurrence like in a cold climate country but nevertheless it happens.

Even as nature, created by God, points to changing weather, we whose spiritual father is our Heavenly Father can trust in the LORD that our lives will not be hard and difficult all the time and all the way. The gloom will turn bright. There will be a rainbow 🌈 that reflects God’s glory in our lives, and one day, we will find that pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. Strive on and work hard. Put our trust in the LORD. The day will come when we may put our struggles behind us and be thankful that we persevered on in the LORD. Don’t give up hope or trust in other gods or look to other spiritual forces. Put our full and complete trust in Jesus Christ and continue our walk in this journey of faith that will lead us to a life of eternity with God.

I like to end today’s message with Proverbs 3:5-6: “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways, acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths.“

https://odb.org/2023/10/12/knowing-and-loving-2

I heard the story of Mephibosheth (2 Samuel 9:1-10) preached once in my local church by a senior pastor and was very touched. I found it fascinating and was very impressed that David, after becoming king, sought to bless the grandson of the previous king, who was all out trying to stop David’s ascension. In fact, Saul was out to kill David just because the latter was already anointed by Samuel to be the next king. David had two opportunities to kill Saul himself, as seen in the Scriptures, but didn’t want his own destiny sealed by his own hands. David was the one who coined the famous phrase, “Do not harm the LORD’s anointed.” In other words, David was saying, if I am to be king, I will be king in accordance with God’s timing and will, not through my own doing.

The kindness and compassion shown by David towards Mephibosheth can be traced to a pact made by Mephibosheth’s father, Jonathan, with David to stand with him despite his own father’s desire to kill David. In fact, in one episode, when Jonathan defended David in words, Saul threw a spear at him. David remembered all this, and when Jonathan was killed in battle with Saul, David mourned his death and was filled with deep sorrow.

The story of David vis-a-vis Mephibosheth is a beautiful picture of how God remembers us and redeems us despite our wretchedness and sin. Despite all we lost spiritually as we remained outside His Kingdom, God, in His grace and compassion, restored to us our inheritance in the saints. Christ is able and will restore all that the locusts have devoured. We who were crippled by sin like Mephibosheth will find restoration in God. Like Mephibosheth and David, we will always have a place at the table with Christ. We are now sons and daughters of God, co-heirs with Christ.

I think the lesson for us this morning is to be like David and show those around us kindness, grace, and compassion, especially those who were with us or stood with us in the past. I think the worst thing we could ever do as a believer is to forget those who had helped or supported us in the past. Seriously, we don’t want to be rebuked like the ungrateful servant Jesus spoke about before (Matthew 18:21-35). If Jesus took the trouble to teach that, it must be something very dear to His heart.

https://odb.org/2023/10/11/open-the-eyes-of-my-heart

Whenever I lead my Young Adults Group in bible study, I will start by praying that our Heavenly Father will open our minds to understand His Word and open our hearts to receive what He is teaching us in our spirit. Ultimately, as He reveals the mysteries of His kingdom to us, we will work with Him to fulfil His will for our lives.

Paul sought something similar for the Ephesians when he asked God to give them the spirit of wisdom and revelation so that they may know Him better. He prayed that the eyes of their hearts may be enlightened that they may know the hope to which He had called them, the riches of His glorious inheritance in His holy people (Ephesians 1:18).

We got to know Jesus Christ and accepted Him into our life when the Holy Spirit removed the scales in our eyes to see and understand Him. It is by the revelation of the Holy Spirit that we embraced His salvation and understood the power of His death and resurrection. Thus, it is only through the spirit of wisdom and revelation that we will be able to dwell deeper into the truths of His Word and know Him better. In the process, we will learn and discover His will for us, the plans and purposes that He had prepared for us before the foundations of the world. The mysteries of the Kingdom and the knowledge of the power of His resurrection can only be opened to us with the spirit of wisdom and revelation.

Seek out and ask God, like Paul did for the Ephesians, that He grants us the spirit of wisdom and revelation that we may understand more of the spiritual realm, how to apply spiritual principles in our natural life and through it all, know Him better. His Word is a treasure trove filled with the riches of the mysteries of His Kingdom. May we immerse ourselves in the study of His Word and discover more of Him and enrich our lives with His glorious inheritance for the saints! Surely, in the process, we will be storing our treasures and riches in heaven in preparation for our life in eternity to be lived with God one day!

https://odb.org/2023/10/10/hope-for-the-hurting

Everyone has been hurt before. That’s part and parcel of human interactions. In fact, we get hurt more by the people who are close to us – our parents and siblings, our work colleagues. So we carry scars. Sometimes, these hurts lead to the buildup of resentment and anger. Coupled with external stress from studies, work, and peer pressure, as well as the need to sometimes keep up with the Joneses, all these can lead to a recipe for disaster.

I was just speaking with a major software supplier yesterday who is based in Singapore. He mentioned that it is not publicised for obvious reasons, but youth suicides are increasingly prevalent there. In his apartment complex in the East Coast, there is like one case every 6 months, and he even knew one family who had to go through this ordeal. Our conclusion is that as parents, we can not lock up our children in their rooms, and perhaps a key to alleviating the situation is to communicate with our children more so that pent-up frustrations and hurts may be surfaced and talked over. I personally think that this is particularly crucial for women who generally like to speak up and should be given all the opportunity to do so. As for men who are more reserved, they should be encouraged to talk about their sorrows and disappointments and hurts.

As believers, we have God whom we may cry out to. Psalm 6 is a perfect example of David venting his fears and frustrations unto the LORD, knowing and believing that God will deliver him from his enemies and predicament.

For the sake of our mental health, speak to someone and to God in prayer. Vent our frustrations. Don’t let our hurts fester. Forgive and be compassionate with others, and move on with life. There is much to be done in the Kingdom of God!

In my discussions with my supplier, we both agreed that it only takes a minute of madness, and it’s all over. We must do all we can not to allow that minute to ever come by.