https://odb.org/MY/2022/11/19/god-knows-you

If we read Psalm 139 carefully as written and expressed by David, we’ll first see that no matter where we are, God is there. Whether it’s the heavens or the depths of the sea or the fartherest east or west, God is there.

The LORD has searched us and knows us. He knows our thoughts and when we sit or arise. He knows our going out and our lying down. Before we even speak, He knows what we will say. Where can we flee from Him? He is in the heavens and the depths of the sea. He is there at the edge of dawn and the far side of the sea, meaning, whether it is the east or the west, He is there. Even night and darkness cannot hide us from God.

For me, the wonderful thing about the way David wrote Psalm 139 is that God is not just everywhere (omnipresent) and knows us inside out (omniscience) and is all powerful (omnipotent), but He is everywhere, knows us inside out and is all powerful for us. He is everywhere, true. But He is also everywhere for us. No matter where we are, He can save and protect us. We are never out of reach of His hand. As a believer, we know He is just a prayer away, a prayer in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and His beloved Son.

At the personal level, I think the best way forward with the Lord is to be as honest as possible with Him when we speak to Him. He knows our innermost desires and thoughts. For example, if we harbour ill feeling or hatred or anger because someone did something bad or evil towards us, ask God to help us get over such thoughts. No point hiding them as at most we can only pretend they are not there. But as God knows our heart, pretending they are not there will not make them go away and we know having unforgiveness and hatred will only make things worse as that could be a barrier in our relationship with the LORD. David proclaimed that the LORD has searched him and He knows him. Let the LORD search our hearts and even reveal to us things of the past that still bother us even subconsciously and let Him heal us. We need to move on and move forward in Him. Ask Jesus to take away our excess baggages and to take His yoke that is light and easy.

Malaysians who are voting today, have a blessed day voting for the right party and candidate at our polling station! Pray for His will be done for Malaysia even as He knows our desire for a better future for our country, for our children and children’s children. Take care and God bless!

https://odb.org/MY/2022/11/18/thoughts-and-prayers

Peter’s experience with the angel that helped him miraculously escape from prison (Acts 12:4-11) is different from Paul and Silas’ experience in prison (Acts 16:16-40) where an earthquake broke open the prison doors with the prisoners not escaping which led to the salvation of the prison keeper and his family. The difference is perhaps because Peter was going to face possible execution the next day but Paul and Silas were actually released the next day by the magistrates who had put them in jail at the instigation of the people, in particular, the owner of the slave girl who had a spirit that enabled her to foretell the future. While Paul and Silas’ miracle occurred when they were praying and singing hymns, Peter’s miracle was due to the church continual prayers for him. Both were supernatural in nature and prayer had a major part to play in both.

There is power in prayer; that’s for sure. Prayer can move mountains, figuratively speaking, as prayer moves the hand of God. God being the Almighty who created heaven and earth is surely able to do all things and prayer is the trigger for Him to move supernaturally and miraculously. Does it mean that every time we pray God will supernaturally come into the natural and change events and the course of history? No! But something happens in the spiritual realm and that may set a chain of events in the natural that may eventually change the course of history if our prayer is in the will of God.

So if we have been praying for GE15, we can see that a series of events had led to a change in tide against BN despite them having scored landslide victories in Johor and Melaka at the beginning of the year. We know the reasons for the winds of change but I’m sure the prayer of the saints had something to do with it. From despair and exasperation, we now have hope for the future. Issues have gone beyond race and religion. The narrative is we are in this together, everyone of us in the effort to save the country from doom and destruction. Although incumbency weilds tremendous benefits, any government will know that the toughest time for elections is always during bad economic times but circumstances have been such that the ruling coalition have had no choice but to call for early elections. Are all these factors mere coincidences? Or did our prayers make the difference in the spiritual realm?

Do not discount the power of prayer for big events like GE15 or even for smaller but still significant events or situations facing people we know who may request for our prayers. Pray continually for our nation as well as our friends and family. Pray for God’s will be done here on earth as it is in heaven. Continue to pray until we see the glory of God exalted all over the earth. Continue to pray for His will be done for Malaysia and most importantly continue to pray for GE15 as Malaysia goes into the polls tomorrow! Happy voting!

https://odb.org/MY/2022/11/17/onwards-unswerving

It is indeed ironical that as I am contemplating when to retire that the LORD speaks about finding our rest and joy in love and service. In 1 Thessalonians 4:9-12, Paul exhorts the church that was birth from his missionary visit to live a quiet life, mind their own business, work with their hands so that in their daily lives they win the respect of others and do not need to depend on others.

Not just a question of service or ministry in the church but working in the world to be self sufficient. That is why in my view pursuit of worldly wealth and savings is important so that if one day we were to serve God full time, we are still self sufficient and need not depend on any organisation or church for our subsistence. Not to be rich but to be self sufficient.

Having a job and career is often a necessity for most of us as we need to earn a living, that is, we need to earn for our living. We cannot continue to depend on our parents once we reach adulthood as they need to start saving up for their old age. Few are born with a silver spoon.

Of course if we have a calling to go full time for God we should also pursue that. But it is not likely that all are called to go full time as if so who will support the church? That is why most churches nowadays advocate an initial career in the world to gain working experience and build up some savings before going full time. There is thus a case for lay leadership and market place ministry, that is, our mission field is our work place. Going full time for the Lord need not always mean working in the church or ministry although there is a place for that. For most of us, we should always be full time with God in all that we do in particular our job and career. It is also a better place to serve, with interaction with our colleagues and customers and vendors. There are more opportunities to shine for God. More avenues to reach out and show God’s love.

That is why Paul implies that we should find our rest and joy in our work. As we work with our hands, we gain the respect of others and thus can be a better avenue and platform for the Gospel.

Continue to do what we are called to do at our workplace so that we have an avenue to reach out and at the same time gain the respect of others and be self sufficient without needing to depend on others. We accumulate our own wealth and savings so that if one day we want to serve God full time in missions, the church and ministries we need not depend on others for finance. We have our own finance to serve Him full time.

https://odb.org/MY/2022/11/16/keep-your-guard-up

When things are going smoothly especially our spiritual lives, we have a natural human tendency to let our guard down. Meaning we are less cautious and more care free. There is a place for throwing caution to the wind and yet there is a need to be cautious at the same time. In trying out new things and moving out of our comfort zone, we need to be less cautious, less risk adverse. Take the risk that things may not work out as planned as no venture, no gain. If we don’t try, we will never know the outcome. If we are always cautious and conservative, then we will just remain at status quo and this is not good if we are a church. We might be stuck in an era that is 20 years outdated. What worked and was useful 20 years ago will not cut it anymore in this present Tik Tok generation. The world is different now. We need to move out of our old mindsets to conquer the present generation for the Lord.

Yet there is a place for caution. There is a place to be risk adverse. Like our spiritual lives. We must never let our guard down lest the devil will come in and attack us. Don’t give the devil a footing into our lives for him to make inroads and dilute our spirituality and relationship with God. We must always keep our guard up and put on the armour of God as taught by Paul in Ephesians 6. The helmet of salvation. The breastplate of righteousness. The shield of faith. The belt of truth. The shoes of peace. The sword of the Spirit. The people who are likely to perish in a snow avalanche are the seasoned snow trekkers as they throw caution to the wind and take chances with nature. The more spiritual and the more experienced we are in God, the more likely we will fall if we let our guard down.

The message this morning is simple. Be on guard. Keep our guard up. Don’t let our guard down. There are places to take risk and to move out of our comfort zone but not in the area of our spiritual lives. Always be careful and cautious. Guard it carefully and constantly. Don’t rest on our laurels if we are having a great time of fellowship and worship with God. Keep up at it and don’t break the momentum. The devil is just waiting for any opportunity, any opening to step in and deceive, entice and tempt us away from God with the fancy attractions of the world, the earthly riches or just plain fame that will feed into our pride. Always remember to build up our treasures in heaven where the thief may not steal and the moth and rust may not destroy. Any other treasures we can’t bring across.

https://odb.org/MY/2022/11/15/using-your-voice

When I was very young in primary school, I used to read Marvel comics (yes, there was a time when they were available for sale or rent!) and imagine that I was one of the super heroes, with Iron Man being one of my favourites. It was of course my own make believe world, the fantasy of a child. Later when I grew older, I wanted to be handsome, read and write and study well. I recall I was so happy to be able to read in Standard Two, one of my major achievements to be able to read like adults. Of course nowadays kids start at a much younger age. Later I wanted to be able to sing and play the guitar. Never had the chance to learn the piano though. I always dreamed of being good at this and that but for many years struggled with my self confidence, especially speaking in public – somewhat like Moses.

As I became an adult I realised that I cannot be good at many things, only some. As I needed to study and later work, my ability to be good at something somewhat is constrained by the time I have. I can only learn or train or practice so much at a time. In my later years, I realised that I’m better at writing than speaking. Although both use words, speaking needs the gift of the gab – some have it and some don’t and I’m more of the latter. Yet God has given me the opportunity to speak from the pulpit for nearly 15 years now and although I still find it challenging to stand in front of a congregation and speak, I’m motivated more by the message than my lack of natural ability.

Each of us will have our own unique journey and struggles. We are good at something but not so good at other things. Some of just wish we could play an instrument and sing for God. Some of us wish we could preach like those seasoned and famous pastors. There are surely other wishes too.

I think ultimately God will use whatever talents He has given us for His glory if we avail ourselves to Him. That’s the fundamental principle. We are that brick on the wall, that unique peg as we are all fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:13-14). Yet the story of Moses tells us that even if we are not so good at something, God can still use us powerfully. So I don’t speak so well but God can and will use me to preach His message to reach out and touch hearts and bring change and transformation as His Word will not return void. Focus first on our unique God-given talents but don’t discount and underestimate the ability of the Father to use us even in areas that we are not great at. God uses the weak to shame the strong and the foolish things of the world to confound the wise. It is best to be like Moses who surrendered and yielded his will unto the will of the LORD. If that’s His will and we are a part of it, it will work despite and in spite of our limited natural abilities.

https://odb.org/MY/2022/11/14/the-love-of-god-2

We know life like the weather is unpredictable. It may be smooth sailing for some of us but there are and will be turbulence. There are ups and downs. Happy and sad moments. Times of joy and sadness. As we find our way in the world, we will have milestone achievements and yet failed expectations, disappointing results even unrealised potential due to lack of opportunities. We want to shine but was not given the avenue.

In Psalm 57, David had the misfortune and bad experience of needing to deal with Saul, the king he had been anointed by Samuel the prophet to replace. God had chosen him over Saul and yet Saul instead of yielding, seeks to kill him! As much as it is natural for people to preserve their position, Israel was a nation with a covenant with the LORD, with a God appointed prophet who has spoken. Isn’t that an open defiance against God when Saul sought to kill David?, God’s appointed successor?

For David, it must have been heart wrenching to experience this development of events. From a shepherd boy to the famous one who killed Goliath and redeemed Israel, to a successful army commander designated to be king one day and now a fugitive being hunted like a wild animal and needing to hide in caves. Caves are smelly, suffocating and dark but to save his life and fulfil God’s plan and purpose for him, he needed to persevere and stay alive.

What’s the message this morning? There are and will be difficult and disappointing times. Whether at work, in college or even in church. Like David in Psalm 57, we must find refuge in God and reach out to His unfailing love. Let Him be exalted above the heavens and let His glory fill all over the earth. His love is great, reaching to the heavens and His faithfulness reaches to the skies. Most importantly, we must not give up because if we do, we will not be able to do His will for us. Plough on despite the setbacks, despite the discouraging turn of events. Like David, we need to turn to God and not give up so that His plans and purposes for us remain intact. David needed to stay alive so that He can be king one day, as anointed and appointed by the LORD.

We need to persevere on so that whatever the Lord wishes to achieve through us may be fulfilled. Never lose sight of Christ but turn to Him in times of despair and disappointment. Surely He will lift us up and strengthen us as there is yet much to be done for Him!

https://odb.org/MY/2022/11/13/small-kindnesses

The thrust of Paul’s chapter 3 of his letter to the church in Colossians is that since God had been compassionate to us by calling us to Him, we having been forgiven and chosen by Him, we must likewise in return be compassionate, kind, humble, gentle and patient with others. It is only right to have compassion and love as we first experienced it with the Father through our Lord Jesus Christ.

That is why it is inconceivable that as a believer we can harbour evil in our hearts. Not just a question of perception but the reality of who we truly are, deep inside us. Never a mask or a persona. We are who we are, inside and out, as a grace-saved child of God. Like an orphan given a new home, a new family, a new identity in Christ – we represent Christ. We are the Kingdom of God, our corner of the world is an extension of God’s Kingdom. Why? Because our life is where Christ reigns as our King. He is our Lord. He saved us to be His, servants and soldiers in His army and yet co-heirs with Him. Do I sound like Paul? That’s because I’m using the terms and words that Paul uses to describe who we are in God.

But to be practical, we are not Mother Theresa overnight although we can eventually be like her; I’m sure we can. For now, let’s focus on just little acts of kindness. God is not asking us to give away our possessions to the poor. We need to live and provide for our families, old age and for His church and ministry. There are people who are dependent on us and our finance.

Small acts of kindness go a long way. As the little girl in today’s story found out, people generally just wished for a small act of kindness to make their day! A simple gift of a chocolate or a candy. A meal at the hawker centre. A cup of nice latte. Some peanuts. A good book. A pot of plants. As we give we are lifted up as we see the joy in face of our recipients. A RM20 or RM50 donation to a proper NGO in need, doing social work.

This Sunday as we come together to bring our sacrifice of praise unto the Lord, let’s remember to be kind to one another and to others. Let’s make it our mission next week to be kind, compassionate, humble, gentle and patient with others. Always remember who we are in Christ and that we are the Chosen Ones of God!

https://odb.org/MY/2022/11/11/the-source

A fundamental teaching that Jesus introduced which is logical to us now but considered radical at that time was the question of what defiles us. The Jews have the concept of not eating certain food as these are considered unclean. Till today, religious Jews only eat Kosher food and have separate kitchens for diary and non-diary food. Like the Muslims, they are particular about food, just more particular.

However, as believers, Jesus taught that what defiles us is not what goes into our bodies but what comes out. While that is true in the spiritual sense as taught by Jesus, we have to be aware that what goes into our bodies may still physically be harmful to us although it doesn’t defile us spiritually. So drugs can kill us. Alcohol will affect our liver. Red meat is bad for our heart and blood stream. Sugar may lead to diabetes. Smoking will destroy our lungs.

The source of our defilement lies in the fact that we are sinners due to the first sin by Adam. But as Jesus died for our sins, we are now free from the sting of sin which is death. We will still die and yet we live because we have eternal life in Christ. As God has put eternity in our hearts, we will have eternity in Christ Jesus. We have an inheritance in God that we can realise even here on earth as we go deeper into Christ and His Word as we fulfil His plans and purposes for our life.

Thus, at the most basic level, we are sinners and yet as wretched a sinner we are, God saw it fit to call us His own through His beloved Son, our Lord Jesus Christ.

In the end, we are the ones that will defile ourselves. What lies within us will defile us. Our evil thoughts, vengeance, hatred will defile us. What comes out of our hearts and not what we eat that will defile us spiritually. No matter what rituals we perform (in the olden days) or how many church services we attend (in the present context) can redeem us if we don’t allow the blood of Christ to cleanse and His Holy Spirit to transform our hearts.

“Create us O Lord a clean heart each day that we may see Your face as we worship You and bow before You”. Being a believer is the real deal. Pretense is useless, it will divert us from the narrow path. Our faith must be real and genuine. Our hearts must be for God. That’s the crux of the matter, the raison d’etre of our faith. It must stand the test of time and life!

https://odb.org/MY/2022/11/10/legacy-of-friends

Even if we are living in an isolated place deep in the jungle away from civilisation, we will in most likelihood still have a friend in the form of a pet cat or dog. But if there are nomadic or jungle living people near us like the Orang Asal, they will likely then be our friends. As human beings, we cannot avoid having friends no matter how insular or how an introvert we are. Friends come with life. In fact it’s a necessity in life.

Thus wounds from a friend can be trusted, while an enemy multiplies kisses (Proverbs 27:6), speaking that ultimately it is the sincerity of the heart that matters. Your enemy is the one who speaks with sweetness of honey but wishes evil and misfortune for you. As a believer, we may not believe such people exist but they do. A friend is thus someone who may correct not with sugar coated words, but in his heart wishes us progress, peace and happiness. A friend will be happy for us to see us succeed in life. No envy or malice, just pure and sincere joy and pride that someone we know has done well.

What’s interesting in today’s ODB message which I like to highlight is not only the importance of friends but the importance of being a friend. As we know the goodness of having friends, we must in turn be that true and sincere friend to our friends. Be someone our friends can trust and count on. Be a friend that will want to see the success and victory in our friends. Be that someone who will be a shoulder to cry on in times of sadness and disappointment. A comforter in times of grief. An encourager in times of failure. Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart, and the pleasantness of a friend springs from their heartfelt advice (Proverbs 26:9). And thus it is “better a neighbour nearby than a relative far away” (Proverbs 26:10).

This morning remember to be that neighbour friend to our friends and speak with sincerity of heart wishing the best for our friends. Be a good friend that others may see the glory of God shining forth from within us.

https://odb.org/MY/2022/11/09/wise-or-unwise

When I first started out as a believer we had this issue of whether we should listen to secular music. Not just pop music but any genre. Of course as a musician, I didn’t quite take that to heart but neither did I get seriously into pop or other music. Over the years I found the genre I liked most – and in the end, I still play and sing mostly worship songs. Not because I have anything against secular music, it’s just that my role and calling in the church necessitated that I play worship songs and thus that’s what I ended up doing the same way as I play and sing mostly in the key of G and A, with the occasional C, D, E or even F keys. Do I have anything against Bb or Eb? No! But as a guitarist, those are more difficult keys to play although a capo will solve the problem quite easily. A pianist will not understand this struggle of a guitarist but throw a pianist the key of B or even C# and they might run all over! 😀😀😀

After going through those Charismatic movement aspersions, fears and even prejudice towards anything worldly, we now realise that we are very much part of the world and we need to know the world to relate to them. Not listening or playing worldly music, or watching TV programmes or going to the cinema or even reading secular books is actually quite self defeating. We are just limiting the scope of our perspective, knowledge and skills (in the context of a musician). That’s quite unimaginable in the current world of YouTube and Google! Although it is true that the world and television and other media have a powerful negative subtle influence on us, we should always hold on to the Word that, “Greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world”. Jesus in us is stronger and as we allow the Holy Spirit to transform us by the renewing of our mind, we will not conform to the pattern of this world. We will eventually develop our own world view and move in faith instead of sight. Believing and trusting in the power of prayer to move mountains as even faith the size of a mustard seed can move a mountain, which figuratively speaking, means that if we have faith, little or more is less important, we can do wonders in both the spiritual and physical realms!

Still at the end of the day, there is the question of whether something is wise or not. It may be permissible but may not be wise. Nothing wrong to drive a Porsche 911 but is that a wise use of our money and is being flashy the image we want to portray? We might like to collect watches but seriously, should we go round wearing a Richard Mille or a Patek? Should we eat Japanese kobe beef steak or the finest abalone or lobster every weekend? Or drink only the finest and rarest wine? Look at Jesus. Was He the flashy or the simple and moderate type?

I guess as we mature in the faith, we will know and realise that the debate on whether to listen to secular music is trivial. There are many more pertinent things and issues in life that we will need to ask ourselves whether it is wise or unwise. Ultimately we need to ask whether it will glorify the name of the Lord or not, will Jesus be pleased or upset? Will God say well done or will He say, “C’mon what’s happening there?”.