Lord, Liar, or Lunatic?

Why is it that you can talk about God, and nobody gets upset, but as soon as you mention Jesus, people often want to stop the conversation? Why is it that the very name of Jesus seems to bother people, making them feel embarrass and angry, and even make them want to change the subject? Why don't the names of Buddha, Muhammad, or Confucius offend people the way the name of Jesus does? Why have men and women down through the ages been divided about the question, who is Jesus?

Who is Jesus Christ? Unlike the question, "Does God exist?” very few people have questioned whether Jesus Christ existed. It is generally accepted that Jesus was truly a man who walked on the earth in Israel almost 2000 years ago. The debate begins when the subject of Jesus' full identity is discussed. Almost every major religion teaches that Jesus was a prophet, or a good teacher, or a godly man. The problem is, the Bible tells us that Jesus was infinitely more than a prophet, a good teacher, or a godly man.

C.S. Lewis in his book Mere Christianity writes the following: "I am trying here to prevent anyone from saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him [Jesus Christ]: 'I'm ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher, but I don't accept his claim to be God.' That is the one thing we must not say. A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher. He would either be a lunatic -- on a level with a man who says he is a poached egg -- or else he would be the Devil of Hell. You must make your choice. Either this man was, and is, the Son of God, or else a madman or something worse... You can shut him up for fool, you can spit at him and kill him as a demon; or you can fall at his feet and call him Lord and God. But let us not come up with any patronizing nonsense about his being a great human teacher. He has not left that option open to us. He did not intend to."

Hence, believing Jesus to be a good teacher is not an option. It's either you believe that Jesus is a liar and therefore, a lunatic, or He is indeed, God. You have to make one decision.

Source: gotquestions.org, More than a Carpenter by Josh McDowell.

Next: Was Jesus a liar?

Isaiah

I have never told anyone about my christian name. I will feel kind of uneasy if someone were to know this name. Recently, I have this friend who asked for my christian name and I refused to tell him. I believe he was pretty irritated by my refusal to give him my name. Then he said something that made me reflect on what I have done. He said something along these lines: "Are you ashamed of your name? Your name is given by God. Being ashame of your christian name is like being ashamed of God." What he said made me feel so uneasy and guilt-stricken. There was no peace in my heart. I prayed to God and asked for His forgiveness, and God opened my eyes and allowed me to understand why He gave me this name, Isaiah.

Isaiah means "God is Salvation."

Ever since I was saved by God's grace, I had been worrying about my family's salvation. It came to a point where I would doubt God, wondering if He would ever save my family. Sometimes, I was so eager for their salvation that I would criticise their beliefs. I knew I had hurt my parents and was behaving in an ungodly manner, but i was becoming impatient with their salvation. "God, when are You going to save them? Can't You just make them believe now?" This was what I was thinking.

For this very reason, God gave me this name, Isaiah. He wants me to understand that Salvation comes from the Lord, not from my impatience, not from my eagerness, and above all, not from me. Only Jesus can save my family! Who am I to worry? Who am I to be impatient?

IT'S ALL IN GOD'S HANDS!

Isaiah 55:8-9
"For My thoughts are not your thoughts; neither are your ways My ways," declares the Lord. "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts."

Indeed, God's ways are higher than my ways, because only He knows the right time for my family's salvation. God must have greater plans regarding my family's salvation and I know that He will bring them to salvation because He will make all things work out for our good. Praise God. Come to think of it, God has been training me to shine for Him in my household. I have become more patient, my trust and faith in God is building up, and I have learnt to seek first His kingdom. I know that one day, me and my household will praise and worship Jesus together, and for all the days of our lives!

I thank God for this particular friend of mine, because His testimony about His family has greatly touched me, and I know that one day, my family will be like his too. I would love to see this happening, where there is true love for one another, the kind of love Jesus showed us through the Cross of Calvary. Thank You Jesus!

Conversion of a Muslim

Below is an amazing testimony of muslim who accepted Christ as his Lord and Saviour.

Yusof Lateef is a Malay in his late thirties. Though he was a Muslim, he completed both his primary and secondary education in mission schools. He was accustomed to the message of the Gospel as he had heard it shared many times during his school days. Being a senior prefect, he had even served in the chapel in his schooling years. Despite his Christian exposure, Yusof remained essentially a Muslim, although he never really went to mosque religiously. The times he went to a mosque were merely out of obligation and respect for his parents.

In 2006, a chance encounter with a taxi driver brought Yusof closer to God. He had just concluded his meeting in Shenton Way and hailed a taxi and was on his way back to his office in Pasir Ris. Feeling tired, he briefly told the taxi driver his destination and was going to take a nap on his journey. The driver politely acknowledged, then played a CD and assured Yusof that he would be energized by the songs. That CD was one of Don Moen’s albums. As they made their way out of Shenton Way, they spoke. Yusof recalled that he enjoyed their conversation so much that he did not sleep at all. At the end of the journey, the taxi driver took out the CD, put it in its cover and gave it to him. Although Yusof offered to pay for it, he just refused and insisted that it was a gift. Yusof was very touched by the gesture of this Christian brother. As he would usually arrive early in his office in the morning, he started listening to that CD every morning from then on.

In October 2007, Yusof decided to resign from his job rather than to be involved in malpractices. It was not an easy decision because he had worked there for 18 years. He then seized the opportunity to go on a long overdue holiday with his wife. During that period, someone from a conglomerate of property developers head hunted him. After his holiday, he met them twice and was offered a job in principle. However, in the morning he was supposed to sign the letter of offer, the boss apologized to him that the job had been offered to someone else. Naturally, he was very disappointed. Subsequently, although there were a few other job offers, he did not find them suitable. Before long, a void set in and he just felt an indescribable emptiness in his heart.

One day in December 2007, Yusof met another taxi driver, Jack Ng, who worships in Lighthouse Evangelism. Jack invited him to come and join in a “sing song” session in church. He was merely using that as a pretext to invite him to church. Yusof and Jack met a year earlier in one of the trips he made. He found Jack to be a pleasant and cheerful person and had a kind of informal arrangement to engage Jack’s service whenever he had
planned trips. They soon became friends and Jack used to tell him about church activities. Incidentally, Jack shares the Gospel with his passengers and has brought a number of them to church. So when Yusof, still a Muslim then, accepted his invitation to the Miracle Service, Jack was really excited.

On January 5, 2008, Jack drove Yusof to the Miracle Service. As they walked in, Jack introduced him to other Lighters there. Yusof felt a little uneasy at first when he drew some attention from the people around because he was a Malay and a Muslim. Notwithstanding, he found them to be polite and pleasant. In fact, a Gospelighter even prayed for him. When the worship started, Jack turned to him and not knowing what else to say, he remarked, “Nice song, isn’t it?” Throughout the service, Yusof understood all that was going on and was deeply touched.

During the altar call, Yusof told Jack that he was going forward but Jack, the usually jovial guy, suddenly had no response and just looked ahead because he was too astonished for words. That night, Yusof said the sinner’s prayer and received Christ in his heart! That indescribable void that had been troubling him just disappeared and was replaced by a peace that surpasses all understanding. His wife was the first to notice the difference. From then onward, Yusof never looked back and has been walking and believing in the Lord. Amen!

Source: Lighthouse Evangelism

My Life: "Honor Your Father and Your Mother..."

Deuteronomy 5:16
“Honor your father and your mother, as the Lord your God has commanded you, so that you may live long and that it may go well with you in the land the Lord your God is giving you.”

The moment I rededicated my life to Jesus, God gave me this desire to speak to my parents about my conversion. One night, God rained down His Holy Spirit upon me, and there was this urgency to tell my parents the truth. Lying to my parents in order to go to church is not honoring God, nor is it honoring my parents. That night, I cried out to God and I prayed that as I reveal the truth to my parents, all will go well with me; that I will not receive huge rebuke from them. I was very afraid, and I asked God for His peace that transcends all understanding to guard my heart and my mind. I also asked God to teach me what to say when I speak to my parents.

After much praying, I took my first step. I approached my father and told him that I have already received Jesus Christ as my Lord and Saviour. To my amazement, his reaction was far from what I had expected; it was not of hostile intent but rather, just a simple “Ok”. He accepted the fact that I had converted, that I had given my life to Jesus, the One he was against initially. God had planted the seeds in his heart. My mum too, accepted this very fact. I went on to confess about me lying to them in order to go to church. They weren’t angry at all. Praise God.

Not only did Jesus lift the biggest burden (of not speaking the truth) from me, He molded me to become more like Him. I became more obedient to my parents, and for the first time in my life, I bought birthday gifts for them. I felt this strong desire to love and take good care of my parents. My parents saw the changed in me. My mum began to talk to my relatives about this change in me after I accepted Jesus. I was shining for Jesus!

I knew I am drawing closer and closer to God everyday. I was very determined to serve God all the days of my life. I attended the New Believer’s Class, and was really on fire for Him. I attended the baptism class after that and was baptized. I began to serve in Soundlight Ministry, and became a member of Lighthouse Evangelism. Recently, I joined a cell group despite the hectic schedule of army because Jesus is more important than anything else.

Matthew 6:33
“But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”

My Life: God, Changed Me!

I was becoming like a Sunday Christian; God only came to the picture on Sunday, and from Monday to Saturday, I would forget about Him. I saw little changes in me life and I asked God where His promises for me were. I was so disappointed with Jesus. Despite that, I still believe that He is the true and living God.

Soon enough, I began to feel sick of how I was leading my life. I seriously wanted a change in my life. I felt so empty and meaningless. Jesus felt so far away from me. I was so devastated that I cried out to God to ask Him to draw near to me. I wanted to have a revived relationship with Him.

One Sunday, I was so touched by my Pastor’s message that during the altar call, I stepped forward even though I was hesitant initially. I said the Salvation Prayer once again, and this time round, I rededicated my life to Jesus. I was so touched and there was this peace in my heart that transcends all understanding. I knew that my life would be changed for real…

Next: My Life: "Honor Your Father and Your Mother..."

My Life: The Diminishing Fire

After I accepted Christ as my King of Kings, I was hot for Him. I wanted to learn and know more about Him. However, I did not know who to approach. There weren’t any mentors or spiritual leaders to help me and guide me, and very soon, I was well on my way to backsliding. To make the matter worst, I continued to sin even though I knew that God hated sin. Lies, hatred, disobedience and lust are but a few of the sins I had.

I continued to lie to my parents each week in order to go to church, and this went on for at least 5 to 6 months. Brothers and Sisters, I want to let you know that God hated lies, because it is a sin, and sin is of the devil. Lying in order to go to church is not honoring and glorifying God, it just implies that you are ashamed of the gospel. I was not only ashamed of the gospel, I was afraid of ‘persecution’ from my friends and family members. “I love and trust in God” was in my mouth; “Lord, I am ashamed to let people know I am a Christian” was in my heart. What a hypocrite I was then.

In the Ten Commandments, God said that we have to honor our parents. Not only did I disobey my parents, I disobeyed God. I spoke to my parents with attitude because I thought they were pretty annoying. I had wings to fly and no longer would I need my parents to interfere, or so I thought. I was so ignorant.

During these few months after my conversion, my friendship with my junior who brought me to church came crushing down. I began to dislike his presence and his character. It came to a point that we broke off our ties. Are Christians supposed to lead this kind of life? NO! God said in His Words that we have to ‘love thy neighbours as thyself’, that is to say that we have to love everyone, including our enemies, because we are all God’s creation. We should let Jesus deal with each one of us, and not take matter into our own hands because His ways are higher than our ways; He has better plans than we have.

Things weren’t as rosy as I would expect it to be after accepting Christ. Ain’t Christ supposed to change my life? Yes, He will change our lives, but we have to first, follow His ways and fully obey His Words. I didn’t read His Words nor followed His ways, nor did I open my heart completely to Him for Him to change me. My faith in Him was as good as zero. I was backsliding…

Next: My Life: God, Changed Me!

My Life: Salvation!

11 March came as a perfectly normal day, with the usual routines going on. Surely none would expect anything extraordinary to happen. Yet, it did happen. It was this day that I received Jesus as my Lord and Savior. It was this day that I opened my door and He entered and supped with me. It was this day that I confessed that I am a sinner, and only God can forgive me of all my sins, and give me a brand new life.

I didn’t receive my salvation in church, and I didn’t have to, because God is omnipresent. He isn’t confined to church only. I received a call from Lighthouse Evangelism when I was at home. The lady called to do a follow-up, asking me if I had been attending church. I told her that I have been attending regularly for the past few months. She was surprised and asked me if I had accepted Christ into my life. My response was “No” and immediately, she asked me if I believe that Jesus is the true and living God. “Yes” was my answer and she requested to lead me in the salvation prayer. I was hesitant, my mind was in a big confusion, but somehow, I knew that I had to say it because I need God in my life! I wanted my life to change once and for all! And so, I said the Salvation Prayer. Thank God I did!!!

I felt this excitement after I said the prayer. I knew my life would be totally changed by the power of God! I felt great! However, I kept this incident from my parents…

Next: My Life: The Diminishing Fire

My Life: God vs Parents

My junior invited me to a church event one Saturday afternoon. It was a fun-filled youth event with games, preaching, and praise and worship sessions. It was this gathering that I came to know more about this unique God, Jesus, whom they say created me. The sentence, “I am created in God’s image!” remained in my mind for quite some time, and I knew there was something special about this Jesus. During the salvation call, I wanted to accept Him as my Lord and Savior, but I did not because I know that my parents will kill me if I did. I went home feeling confused and that night, I told my parents that I want to convert; I received a huge rebuke. Not only was I scolded by my parents, I was scorned by my brother. I was so ashamed and disappointed.

From then on, my parents would give me constant warnings not to convert for several reasons, with my elder brother giving me piercing looks whenever we crossed paths. I felt so restricted and soon, I gave up about wanting to know this Jesus.

However, God had everything planned out for me. A few months later, to my amazement, my parents invited me to church as they were being invited by their friends. I thought they were against Christianity? What changed them? When I reached the hotel, I realized that my parents had already attended the services for a few times. I attended the youth gathering and one of the brothers told me that if I really want to know Jesus, all I need to do is to tell Him that “God, I want to know more about You.” I did just that that very night before I went to bed…

A few months later, another junior of mine invited me to Lighthouse Evangelism. I was awed by the praise and worship session. Somehow in my heart, I knew Jesus is indeed the true and living God. There was this feeling that cannot be explained through words. He had touched me, really. During the salvation call, my heart wanted to respond, but my body remained rooted to the ground. On one hand, I really wanted to receive Jesus into my heart, but on the other, I had to take my parents into consideration. My friend was prompting me, my heart was racing, and I knew God was knocking on my door. Sadly, I didn’t open it that day.

Week after week, I attended church without my parents consent, or rather; they had no idea where I went each Sunday. I had to come up with lies each week to be able to go to church. This went on for more than 3 months…

Next: My Life: Salvation!