https://odb.org/2023/08/23/witnesses-2

Hebrews 11:4 – By faith, Abel brought God a better offering than Cain did. By faith, he was commended as righteous when God spoke well of his offering. By faith, Abel still speaks even though he is dead. And the writer of today’s ODB added – so do the bones of those long forgotten slaves who perished to the bottom of the sea when the ship carrying them sank centuries ago. They are skeletons still bound in chains at the bottom of the ocean.

Right from Genesis 4, God is telling us that there are consequences to injustice perpetrated by man. Cain was jealous that God favoured Abel’s fat portions from his choice livestock. But if we read Genesis 4:7 carefully, we will see that even though God rebuked Cain for the quality of his offering, God was saying He was being honest. Cain only needed to do what was right. In other words, next time, do better. It didn’t mean that God would favour Abel forever. Instead, Cain attacked and killed Abel. A small thing escalated unnecessarily into something major as Abel’s life was lost in the process. Cain was punished severely. The ground was cursed for Cain. He would become a wanderer as the blood of his brother cries out from the ground.

I feel that the message today is that if we fail, we need to pick ourselves up and try again. Don’t overreact when others are being honest with us. Do better the next time. Don’t overreact as the consequences for our overreaction, like in the case of Cain, might be too great for us to bear. There is divine justice at work in the world, although sometimes, as victims, we do not clearly see it. But we can take comfort in the example of Cain and Abel that when God acts, He does not hesitate, and the consequences are real and severe.

We know that true success is built upon many failures, sometimes personality failures. The way forward is to pick up the pieces and start again. Never overreact and do stupid things in retaliation as the consequences may be swift and severe.

https://odb.org/2023/08/22/gods-eternal-church

We know that we are all a part of the universal church of Christ that, although we are separate branches, we all reach out and worship God together and collectively. Thus, as believers, we are a part of this universal body of Christ that is like many candles of lights illuminating the whole world in the spiritual realm. By now, we would have known that a church is not a building but a congregation of believers. We are, therefore, supposed to be able to move from one church to another seamlessly since we are all one.

However, a local church is more than just a congregation. It is a community. We interact with one another and share our lives together with the ultimate goal of supporting and encouraging everyone towards Christ and His plans and purposes for us. There are dynamics both in the physical as well as the spiritual realm. That is why we always need to cover each other in prayers and make sure that the spiritual dimension is not neglected. There are unseen forces creating havoc and sowing discord in our midst, and we need to bind them in the mighty name of Jesus.

In addition, every church has a unique role to play in the universal body of Christ. There are specific roles to be played for the community at large as well as the believing community within. We, as members and leaders, thus have a calling to serve one another in love, motivating each other towards God and His purposes. Just turning up on a Sunday is by itself a blessing and encouragement.

The message this morning is that we all need to go to church and settle ourselves in one. We can not be moving around too long as the church is not a place to visit for worship only, but it’s really an avenue of service and ministry. We can not serve unless we are committed, and unless we immerse ourselves with its people. Seek the Lord and pray for His direction and then stick on to one and put up our hands. Don’t remain anonymous in a sea of believers moving around in mega churches. A worship service is not a show. It is a time for both personal and congregational worship as we join hands to worship God as the universal church, together with the angelic beings in the heavenlies!

https://odb.org/2023/08/21/the-gift-of-encouragement-2

Unlike the Ziphites (a tribe in Israel) who betrayed David to Saul, Saul’s son Jonathan made a covenant with David before God. Jonathan encouraged David that God would not allow Saul to take David and that David would be King and Jonathan would be his second in Israel. In a subsequent encounter with Saul, Jonathan was nearly killed by Saul when he defended David in front of Saul. See 1 Samuel 20:32-42. Years later, David remembered Jonathan by giving back to Jonathan’s crippled son all of the latter’s property and servants and a permanent place at his table. See the story of Mephibosheth in 2 Samuel 21.

I think it was really outstanding and special that Jonathan stood with David and recognised God’s hand upon David. As Saul’s son, he was next in line to be King. In most royal families, the king and his heir will do all they can within their powers, which can be absolute, to make sure that the crown remains within the family. Instead, Jonathan was willing to be subservient to David and forgo his right to the throne, and eventually, David was succeeded by his son, Solomon.

Jonathan is the perfect picture of a faithful friend and subordinate. He is an encourager like Barnabas in the New Testament. It is a picture of who we can be as a faithful friend and servant to our Lord Jesus Christ and as an encourager to the brethren like Barnabas.

Be like Jonathan vis-a-vis our Lord Jesus Christ. Always be willing to bow the knee to Christ no matter how entitled we feel we are to certain things in life. Let Christ be our true king and, at the same time, be an encourager to those around us. Always be uplifting and supportive of our friends and fellow believers. Encourage them to stay the course and walk the path of righteousness to eternal life.

https://odb.org/2023/08/20/finding-open-spaces

We hear this expression, “give him some space,” which literally can be translated to, “cut him some slack.” Work-wise, we say give him some breathing space, meaning, don’t keep on loading him, he needs time to recover, to catch his breadth.

In our spiritual life, we also need to have some space, some open spaces. Not only in terms of work or tasks but more to commune with God, away from the “busyness” of life, demands from family and people around us. Space to speak to the Father, or the Son or the Holy Ghost. We need open spaces, a “me” time with the Lord like God speaking to Moses in the Tent of Meeting. Face to face, like a friend. A tine to commune with God.

That’s why quiet time is essential to our spiritual life. A time to pray, to worship, to reflect, and to contemplate or mull over things. It is also a time to take stock of where we are in this journey to eternity. Are we anywhere near to fulfilling His plans and purposes for our lives? How far are we from the image of Christ that God wants us to be? Are we now the best we can be for God? Perhaps not, but perhaps we are at the peak of where we are for this season. When the next season comes, we will act and respond accordingly, but for now, we are good. In the journey from Egypt through the wilderness, we are already at Canaan. We may have already conquered our Jericho, yet there are many more battles ahead of us. But maybe for now, we also need that open space before we move to our next Jericho.

Chill with God. Just relax. It’s not only about work, whether at our workplace or in our ministry at the church. There is more to life than our job or our ministry tasks. Of course, we need to start working on our next task at work. Of course, we need to prepare for our next bible study, next worship slot, or next preaching assignment. But in between all that, we need to chill before God and just let Him re-energise and strengthen us again. We need to depend on Him for strength. He is our rock and our stronghold. He is Jehovah Jireh, our provider – the source and the inspiration of our faith. He is our fortress.

Have a blessed Sunday, everyone! Dress up and go to church! Jesus deserves the best from us! Our brethren deserves our best! Let’s sing together in unison and chill with God in worship! In worship, we will see Him face to face in the spiritual realm.

https://odb.org/2023/08/18/festivals-of-worship

Our Jewish brothers back in the day would travel three times a year to Jerusalem to attend 3 festivals, namely, the Festival of the Unleavened Bread (the Passover), the Festival of Weeks and the Festival of Tabernacles. It’s a treacherous journey filled with danger and harm from bandits. Thus, the Jewish pilgrims will sing and recite Psalm 121, the Psalm of Accents, and pray for God’s mercy and protection. Jesus used this journey to narate the parable of the Good Samaritan. The Jewish pilgrims, in a way, were like salmon travelling upstream to spawn. Despite the tenous journey, they persevered.

In these modern post-Covid times, with the advent of double or triple vaccinations, it is thus sad and disappointing that there are still people who make excuses not to physically attend church. Choosing instead to tune in online – perhaps in their Pjs and with coffee in hand, somewhat reducing the Sunday worship to a TV programme and in the process of losing out significantly on the positive impact of congregational worship. Some people forget that the least one can do for one another is to show up as our physical presence encourages others. Most offices are now back to full-time on-site work. We need to all put Covid-19 behind us and do our best to bring normality back to everyday living, and that includes church worship services.

Make the effort to dress up and attend church on site on Sundays or Saturday evenings. It’s a place to worship God and meet Him face to face as we worship Him. Experience the tangible presence and power of the Holy Spirit as we sing songs of praise and worship in faith. Close our eyes and immerse ourselves as the congregation sings and worships in unison with the worship leader and the musicians. Speak to Jesus, commit our struggles to Him as we worship. Most importantly, enthrone the Lord, crown Him with many crowns. He is the King of Glory. Be encouraged and strengthened. The least we could do is to attend church on site after all that Jesus has done for us! Is it too hard to make that journey? Our Jewish brothers travelled for days to Jerusalem, and each of the festivals also lasted for at least a week!

https://odb.org/2023/08/16/the-power-of-persistence

In our faith, the qualities that are expounded are often contrary to that of the world. In terms of Christian living, it is “right side up living,” an expression that is inverse to upside down. So, selflessness is valued as opposed to selfishness. Humility is admired compared to pride. Servant leadership is emphasised. It is better to give than to receive because, in sharing, it opens up the heavens. Spiritual blessings are often intangible. Can we measure love and joy? It’s also a long game, and thus, faithfulness is really the virtue that God looks for in us. We want to be a good and faithful servant, not a spectacular and outstanding star for the Lord. We may be the light of the world, but we reflect His light, not shine our own.

Thus, persistence and perseverance are qualities to develop for faithfulness. Can we do the same thing for God, day in and day out, for 10 years or 20 years, without fail? Like the pastor who prepares and preaches the sermon week in and week out. Or the person who arranges the chairs for the sanctuary every Sunday for years until the day he dies. I recall many years back when I was attending another church, we were so inspired that come rain or shine, we will make it to church to worship God. Once after music practice, my wife (then girlfriend) and I were caught in the rain and got drenched while travelling on my old motorbike. On another occasion, the old boy broke down, and we had to push him home! But never once did we ever give up going to church for the music practice on Saturday afternoon or the service on Sunday morning. We will honour God and turn up come what may! In praying for others, we need to be persistent and persevere through for the people we are praying for. Over time, and it may be years, we will see the transformation and change as Jesus and the Holy Spirit work in their lives bit by bit. Very seldom do we see overnight genuine change. Transformation takes time, and true transformation takes even longer!

Be faithful to our calling from God. Be faithful being that little brick in that wall. Our contribution may look insignificant in the scheme of things or may even pale in comparison to our peers or other more outstanding brothers and sisters, but don’t give up. Be faithful in the smaller things first before God gives us bigger things. Persevere through, be persistent in fulfilling our current role and responsibility for God, in serving Him. Be a good and faithful servant!

https://odb.org/2023/08/15/jesus-our-brother

Theologically, we know that we are children of the most high God, the Great I Am, the LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Paul used the term “co-heirs” with Christ in Romans 8:17, and thus Jesus is our elder brother. While all that is true, Christ is also our Master and Saviour. He is also the true one and only Son of God. So it’s hard to imagine Jesus being like the elder brother who stepped in front of his sister and got his face mauled by the dog that required 90 stitches to his face with reconstructive surgery. You may catch the story here on Bridger Walker: https://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/real-life/good-news/mauled-boy-bridger-walker-unveils-incredible-transformation/news-story/c9885817fcfd5f4657a0308873ca2384

But the truth is as much as Jesus is our Lord and Saviour, He is also our friend and brother. As much as Bridger Walker was heroic and brave in sacrificing himself to save his sister, Jesus died a more horrific death on the cross for our sins 2,000 years ago. He was a totally innocent and sinless man, and He died for our sins to break the yoke of slavery and free us from the sting of sin, death. Jesus sacrificed His life on the cross for us so that we may have eternal life and one day live with God forever in our midst. He has gone before us to prepare a room for us in our Heavenly Father’s mansion of many rooms.

This morning, if we are going through something or if we are nervous about anything or fearful over a matter, know that Jesus is our elder brother and that He stands alongside with us. On this earth, I have lost my father and mother – they are now with God. I only have a younger sister who is far away in another continent. I never had an elder brother in real life. Yet I know Christ is that elder brother I never had. I can confide in Him and pour out all my fears and trepidation, all my anxieties and feelings on the things I’m going through. I know that Jesus will be with me all the remaining days of my life here and for eternity! Thank you, Lord Jesus, my Saviour, friend, and King, who is also my elder brother. Praise the Lord for His goodness and grace and mercy!

https://odb.org/2023/08/14/forgotten

Joseph in the Bible is the epitome of faithfulness. He is someone betrayed by his brothers and sold into slavery and, as a slave was wrongly accused by his master’s wife of trying to take advantage of her. He ended up in jail for that and stayed there for quite a number of years (some believed, 13 years). Yet despite all that, he stayed true and faithful to God. As a result, God was with him throughout it all. God also gave him a special talent that originated from God Himself. It is the ability to interpret dreams. It is a prophetic gift, and Joseph is careful to always attribute his gift back to God.

In the story of the Pharaoh’s cupbearer that ended up in jail with Joseph, Joseph interpreted a dream for him that foresaw him being released and back to his job in 3 days. Although Joseph asked him to put in a good word for him to the Pharoah as he was incinerated based on a false accusation, the cupbearer forgot and only remembered two years later. See Genesis 40.

Ultimately, Joseph ended up in Pharaoh’s court and became the prime minister of Egypt, which led to the entire Jacob clan, the Hebrews, being rescued from the great famine and drought that came later. The Jews became slaves to the Egyptians after Joseph passed away, and the Pharoah changed. 436 years later, God raised Moses to bring them back to the land of the Hebrews in Canaan.

In our lives, we probably have helped others before, one way or another. There was a colleague of mine who had taken advice I gave like 23 years back, and he still remembers and appreciates that advice till today. But there could be many that may have simply forgotten us and our help. They are like the Pharaoh’s cupbearer.

I think when it comes to good deeds done in the past, it’s more important that God remembers. The person we helped may have long forgotten us and our help, but not God. The LORD will always remember. Even those anonymous instances of us being kind to the next driver by allowing him to pass or when we gave up our place in the queue for someone older or with much more groceries or when we gave up our seat in the bus or train for a pregnant lady. Jesus remembers everything, especially the good things we have done in our humanity, despite our fleshy nature.

Like the poor woman who gave her only two pennies to God, Jesus remembers all our good deeds, even our struggles to honour Him and our determination to remain faithful to Him by doing right. Don’t despair when our bosses, friends, and colleagues forget us and our contributions and kind gestures. Like in the case of Joseph, if we remain faithful to God and His causes, He is with us. We can, therefore, be like Joshua and Caleb going into the Promised Land – be strong and courageous, for I, the Great I Am, am with you!

https://odb.org/2023/08/13/a-different-approach

In 1 Corinthians 9:22, Paul speaks of becoming all things to all people so that by all possible means he might save some. So, to the Jew under the law, he became like a Jew under the law, although he was no longer under the law. To the Gentiles, he became like one not under the law, although he was nevertheless under the law of Christ. Even though he is free, he became slaves to everyone.

For missionaries, taking Paul’s approach sometimes led them to not only live among the people they are reaching out to, but to live like them – learn their language, eat their food like what Mary Sleesor did in Calabar (now Nigeria). This is akin to a Westerner abandoning sandwiches for rice and dishes or noodles in Malaysia, something most Westerners struggle. Or, we abandon rice and noodles to only eat bread all the time, which we struggle. Or a person leaving behind his nice and warm bed to live with and among the homeless, not showering for days and just living in and off the streets.

It is a different approach to witnessing and is certainly not for everyone. It is radical and real. It will surely be more effective. But the point is not to save all but some as there will be many who will still reject the Gospel despite the radical approach we took.

I think at the end of the day, we must all find our own unique way to witness and reach out. We must try our best to live out Christ in our lives, and that usually involves us being the best at what we do and yet compassionate and kind. Our lives must be true to the Gospel and reflect Christ in the things we do and the lives we live. At the same time, we must target a few to be saved. Salvation is, ultimately, by the grace of God and the power of the Holy Spirit, but we must do our part!

Blessed Sunday, everyone! Let’s dedicate today to worshipping God and the Lamb of God, for He is worthy of all our praises and worship! May He dwell in the praises of His people! Amen! Hallelujah, Praise the Lord!

https://odb.org/2023/08/11/who-am-i-5

Honestly, I don’t understand the fuss about having a famous father or mother. If your dad or mum is well-known, surely that will open doors and you get instant recognition as so and so’s son or daughter. How can that be a bad thing? Sure, you live in the shadow of your famous parent, but if you are really outstanding, you will eventually be your own man or woman – see, for example, Michael Douglas or Dakota Johnson. Even in our part of the world, we have our very own Shareen Mary Vallabouy, the currently famous daughter of Samson Vallabuoy and Josephine Mary. Or the infamous ex-PM Najib carrying on the legacy of his father, Tun Razak, another ex-PM. In fact, in politics, it is common for sons to emulate their parents like Lim Guan Eng and Lim Kit Siang or Lee Hsien Loong and Lee Kuan Yew. Or Mukhriz, not doing as well to follow after the gigantic footsteps of Tun Dr M.

Perhaps the frustration lies in people not seeing us but seeing our famous father in us. Or worse, they overlook our personal contributions or efforts and only see our father’s. Thus, we feel that we are not appreciated in our own right.

The good news is that God looks at us as who we are and not who our father or mother was. We are personally accountable for our own actions. Our salvation is in our own hands. Jesus died for our sins personally for us, not on the account of or because of our parents or grandparents. No matter who our ancestors are, what counts is our personal confession and conviction of accepting Jesus Christ as our Lord and Saviour, our repentance of our sins and our quest to live out God’s plans and purposes for our own lives. Everything in our faith is personal to us. Although our legacy may have a positive impact on our children and our children’s children, we can not carry any of their souls into eternity with us no matter how much we love them or how much we try. That’s their personal decision, choice, and quest. Salvation is by the grace of God, yet it is grace that is personal to them.

Corollary to that, the “famous father syndrome” doesn’t quite exist in the spiritual realm. Maybe as the son of King David, we will be expected to inherit some of his good traits. But God still looks and relates to us as who we are, whether we are who He meant us to be. Not who our father or grandfather were. The only shadow we should know is that of our Heavenly Father, and that is a shadow we want to remain within as He is the Almighty God, the creator of the world and the universe and everything in it, whether in earth or in heaven.