let Me teach you... Part 4

Matthew 11:28-30
"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light"

So, back to this question: Why should we learn from Jesus?
1. "...for I am gentle and humble in heart"

Imagine learning from a person who is aggressive and short-tempered, who believes in physical punishment for any mistakes made, whose anger is spelt on their faces. How many times would you have gotten scolded and punished, with cane marks all over your body? And imagine learning from a person who is proud, who sees only himself and none around him. What will you be learning from him? Arrogance? Probably so.

You see, to be able to learn from someone, the person must first be approachable. Jesus himself has encompassed 2 very important characteristics that made Him so easily approachable. God wants you to know that He is not the fearsome, intimidating, and frightening God that some of us imagined Him to be. He is far from that. Just like how a baby response with pleasure to gentle and friendly handling, God wants us, as His children, to come to Him and ENJOY His presence, knowing that He is in control of everything that has happened thus far. And by gentle, believe me, just like how a parent will be so gentle to his newborn child, God does even better, even gentler because we are His precious creation, His beloved sons and daughters.

And how humble can Jesus be? Well, let's take a look at Philippians 2:6-8.

"Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death - even death on a cross!"

Yes, Jesus being God, knew of the path that was set before him, and instead of finding a way to escape the cross, He chose to humble himself so that His death will give us hope. And this, is true humility. Indeed, there is so much to learn from a God so humble, because no matter how humble we say/think we are, we aren't comparable to Jesus, not even a bit.

As a saying goes, "the moment we think that we are humble, we have become proud."

Coming Soon: let Me teach you... Part 5

let Me teach you... Part 3

What about the fairness of God?

Think about this:
If God had been fair, He would have let us go--all of us. He would have allow us to continue with our sins, and not provide a way for us to return to Him. If God is fair, He would not have sent Jesus--the sign of God's unfairness, for our sake.

Jesus died--so that we can be saved. Who are we that we deserved God's attention? Unfair.
The prodigal son left the family and squandered all his assests--His father called for a celebration when he returned. Unfair.
The workers employed at the last hour gets the same pay--the one employed earlier on gets the same too. Unfair.
To the murderer who repents--No need for a sacrifice, no need for a price--God hears and forgives. Unfair.
To the lost sheep--God is willing to find you. Unfair.
Jesus paid everything--All you need to do is, to believe. Unfair.

Yet, through the unfairness of Christ, we receive a grace that this world can never give.
A God who gives His everything for the completely undeserved-- you and I.

As Henri Nouwen points out, "God rejoices. Not because the problems of the world have been resolved, not because all human pain and suffering have come to an end, nor because thousands of people have been converted and are now praising him for his goodness. No, God rejoices because ONE of his children who was lost has been found."

God didn't have to do all these. You and I know that.

let Me teach you... Part 2

Let me first address the issue of the existence of God by drawing your attention to this webpage:

http://www.everystudent.com/features/isthere.html

If the above doesn't convince you that God is real, then history should.

An excerpt from "More Than A Carpenter" by Josh McDowell

We can appreciate the tremendous wealth of manuscript authority for the New Testament by comparing it to textual material available to support other notable ancient writings.

The history of Thucydides (460-400 BC) is available to us from only 8 manuscripts dated about AD 900, almost thirteen hundred years after he wrote. The manuscripts of the history of Herodotus are likewise late and scarce. And yet, as F.F.Bruce, Rylands Professor of Biblical Criticism and Exegesis at the University of Manchester, concludes, "No classical scholar would listen to an argument that the authencity of Herodotus or Thucydides is in doubt because the earliest manuscripts of their works which are of use to us are over 1,300 years later than the originals."

Aristotle wrote his poetics around 343 BC, and yet the earliest copy we have is dated AD 1100 (a gap of almost fourteen hundred years), and only five manuscripts exist.

Caesar composed his history of the Gallic Wars between 58 and 50 BC, and its manuscript authority rests on nine or ten copies dating one thousand years after his death.

"Consider Tacitus," says Bruce Metzger, author or editor of fifty books on manuscript authority of the New Testament, "the Roman historian who wrote his Annals of Imperial Rome in about AD 116. His first six books exist today in only one manuscript, and it was copied about AD 850. Books eleven through sixteen are in another manuscript dating from the eleventh century. Books seven through ten are lost. So there is a long gap between the time that Tacitus sought his information and wrote it down and the only existing copies.

"The quantity of the New Testament material," confesses Metzger, "is almost embarrasing in comparison with other works of antiquity."

When I first wrote this book in 1981, I was able to document 4600 Greek manuscripts of the Bible, abundantly more source material that exists than for any other book written in antiquity. However, as of this writing (2007), even more Greek manuscripts have been found, and I can now document more than 5600 of them.

Jewish scholar Jacob Klausner said, "If we had ancient sources like those in the Gospels for the history of Alexander or Caesar, we should not cast any doubt upon them whatsoever."

Anglican bishop and New Testament historian Stephen Neill argues that "we have a far better and more reliable text of the New Testament than of any other ancient work whatever."

New Testament Greek Scholar J. Harold Greenlee adds: "Since scholars accept as generally trustworthy the writings of the ancient classics even though the earliest manuscripts were written so long after the original writings and the number of extant manuscripts is in many instances so small, it is clear that the reliability of the text of the New Testament is likewise assured."

If you are still unconvinced, allow me to challenge you to pray this: "Dear Lord Jesus, I have doubts about your existence. If you really are God, then please open my eyes and let me see, so that I may believe. In Jesus' Name I pray, Amen."

Trust me, God hears and understands. Accept this challenge and you will see God's power in your life.

let Me teach you... Part 1

Matthew 11:28-30
"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light"

Learn from God? How can I learn from someone whom I can't see nor hear? How can I even learn from someone who does not even understand the problems that I am going through now, the crazy and ugly world that I am living in now, the horrendus boss who only knows to spit fire at me all the time. Who is He to give me advice on the situation that I am in now?

That must be on Jonathan's mind throughout the sermon after a week of thrashing by his boss. Going to church has never been Jonathan's idea, if not for his wife. He enjoys the melody of the songs during worship, but never the repetitive lyrics that always revolve around Jesus. He loves the outgoing pastor who never fails to get the attention of his audience, but always has doubts over the message delivered.

"If Jesus is real, then He must have disliked me so much as to put me in such environment!"

This sentence alone is what Jonathan believes strongly in - a sentence that can disprove everything that has been preached about God thus far. "Yes, there may be a God, but He is a unfair one, and one who doesn't know how to care for His creation."

Don't you think all these sound somewhat familiar? If God is real, why is there so much evil and suffering in the world? If God is fair, why then let the righteous suffer and the evil prosper? God, why am I in such a state? Why is life so miserable for me, yet so enjoyable and meaningful for others. Why am I bedridden? I thought you are a healing God? Why? Why? Why the injustice and ugliness of mankind? Why do You say that You are perfect when everything else seems so imperfect?

The many many unanswered whys have led many christians away from church and pre-believers to avoid the church. Yet interestingly, while the many whys seem to put God in such a bad limelight, God, in His Word, tells us to learn from Him. Learn from a God who is so unfair? Hmm, that may drive more away from the church at first thought.

Choices

A longing for more care and concern, a longing for more love, a longing for acceptance, a longing for stronger relationships, a longing for understanding, a longing for more support, a longing for better days... Who doesn't long for more of the good stuff, and less of the obstacles that always seem to collide head-on with you just when things are looking brighter? Financial meltdown just when your business is picking up, a cheating boyfriend just when marriage plans are on the go, misunderstandings that often destroy friendships just when you thought you had finally found someone whom you can talk to... The frailty of human relationships, the uncertainty of world's economy; no one knows what lies ahead of them.

I have my struggles too. My relationship with God took a downturn when I decided to trust in my own ways rather than God's even though I know in my heart that God's way is indeed the only way. It's like telling God, "Hey God, I don't want to trust you anymore. Not that my way is right and yours is wrong, but I just don't want to trust in you anymore. Period." Ironic? Of course. But this is exactly what is happening to many christians.

Instead of seeking God first when we are faced with a problem, we seek the world, including ourselves, for the answer. Through the process, we begin to backslide, lose sight of God, stop going church for a few sundays, which slowly becomes months and even years. For some of us, we turn back to God when our spirit take a beating, when we realised (not that we don't know) that God is indeed the only way. Yet for others, they become detached from God totally - Christianity becomes just another religion for people to feel good.

There is one thing that all of us must be clear of, that is, the devil is constantly fighting against God for our souls. Know that God's will is that none should perish, but God cannot do anything if we ourselves do not decide which side of the fence we are on. Yes, God loves us no matter which side of the fence we are on, but if you do not choose to be on God's side, you won't be able experience what God wants you to experience - love, joy, peace, blessings...

Having said so much, It all boils down to this - It's all about our choices.

Without choices, there will be no love, nor will there be friendships and relationships. We make a choice to love or to hate, to give or not to give, to be friends or remain as it is. We make a choice to build or break a relationship, to be faithful or otherwise.

Jesus too, had many choices. He could have chose to send the heavenly army down to destroy those who longed for His death at the cross. Yet, Jesus chose to go up to the cross, remain there until His death, all for the sake of you and me so that today, when you remember the decision Jesus made for you two thousand and nine years ago, you will be able to make the decision to trust God once again. All you ever need to do is to tell God that you need Him in your life. You don't have to work for it, nor do you have to pay for it. Just ask and God will hear.

Oh, and when you make this decision, the many longings that you have hoped for earlier seemed to have pale in comparison to the tremendous blessings God has for you!

the Jesus that I have always told you about...

You may be lost right now and as the emptiness sets in,
the sudden realisation that you are all alone,
that everything seems so meaningless,
that nothing appears to satisfy you anymore;
You have come to the end of the road.

No way forward,
No right turn,
Nor is there a left turn,
You've got no where to go.

All you can see is the darkness that consumed your future,
A once bright and perfect life that you thought you have
Has become the bleak and lifeless person you are right now.

No where to run,
No where to hide,
No where to seek comfort,
You've got no where to go.

The floodgates opened and you realised,
that the best you could do now
is to let the tears flow down,
flow down like a river.

And you remembered that very night
I told you about the Jesus that I know.

You may not see Him, You may not feel Him,
You may not even know Him; but He knows you.
Hold on and stay strong, because help is on the way
This is the Jesus who loves me.
This is the Jesus who never forsakes me.
This is the Jesus whom I have been trying to tell you about.
And this is the Jesus who is going to help you.

He says He loves you,
Just reach out and take His hand
He says He longs for you to come into His presence,
Just open your heart and let Him in
He says you are His,
Just believe in Him.

The floodgates remains opened;
but the tears that once brought sorrow,
have now given you much joy,
for you have believed in your heart,
the Jesus that I have always told you about.

The Reason to Celebrate!

Psalm 13
1 How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me?
2 How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and every day have sorrow in my heart? How long will my enemy triumph over me?
3 Look on me and answer, O Lord my God. Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep in death;
4 my enemy will say, "I have overcome him," and my foes will rejoice when I fall.
5 But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation.
6 I will sing to the Lord, for He has been good to me.

I believe many of us have been in such circumstances whereby you just felt so helpless and weak, so troubled and sad. The overwhelming sorrow in your heart causes the floodgates to open and all you can do is to cry and cry and cry. God seems to be so distant, and you question God, "Where are You?"

Perhaps you have a broken family, a broken relationship, or someone dearest to you just died. Perhaps you have just met with a failure; a massive debt you have incurred is haunting you. Your future looked so bleak, your life seemed so pointless; you are at the deepest valley.

King David experienced this too. Verses 1-4 tells us the difficult situation he was in and the sorrow and desperation that he felt during those days. He questioned God in his desperation, "Why, why is all these happening? Where are You? Are you going to help me?"

Yet, what did King David do after expressing his immediate emotions? He rejoiced and sang praises to God. More than that, he celebrated. A celebration in the midst of a difficult situation - that's surrender. King David celebrated because God had helped him so many times in his life and he knew that God was going to come true for him once again despite the tough situation he was facing. He celebrated because he trusted God when God said that He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. He celebrated because He knew that God's plan was the best for him. He celebrated because he knew that God was with him.

Whatever that God says He is, He is. It is up to us to believe it or not. God cannot do anything if you don't believe that He can. King David did and God help him. What about you?

A father will never leave his child alone. The cries of the child will soften the father's heart, and the joy of the child will bring joy to the father. When a child celebrate, his father will also celebrate. If you dance and sing before God, He will take you by His hands and dance and sing with you.

How can we not celebrate when we know that God loves us and He will ALWAYS be with us? How can we not celebrate when we know that the greatest of all is for us?

How can we not celebrate?
How can we not celebrate?

A Year of Transformation

"If you want to see something that you have never seen before, then you must do something that you have never done before. But if you do something that you always do, then you will see what you have always seen."
- Pastor Ed Silvoso, in the recently concluded Transformation Conference '09

In the beginning of this year, God impressed upon me that this year will be a year of transformation for me, that He will work mightily through my life, raising a strong warrior for His Kingdom. I was excited of course, and started off this year feeling good and hopeful about it. I was so determined at first, but lost that fire halfway through.

In God's perfect plan for me, He reminded me that He is going to do a new work in me. This was what happened.

Chris told me that his twin brother, Ben, had just won the top award in his unit. This wasn't any ordinary award because his unit had the toughest trainings and they were considered as the cream of the crops in the entire organisation. The best amongst the cream, that makes the award so special. I am very inspired by Ben because he always strives to give his best for the glory of God and it seems like nothing can stop him from doing that, NOTHING. His life is a testimony of God's grace and power, and the songs that Ben wrote reflects all that.

In his song "Things That Matter", he wrote "help me be the best that I can be, every single day" and here he is, giving his best for our great God every single day. What a great testimony and inspiration.

As I was reflecting, God led me to last year, when He placed Chris into my life. It was my first time seeing someone who was (and still is) so real to God. Through the tough times, Chris never gave up. I was a chaotic and messed up guy then and had caused him much distress and yet, he continued to shower God's love upon my life. He may not be perfect (none of us are) but He was shining so brightly in the kingdom of darkness, planting seeds of love in the lives of many, including me. If it weren't for his persistent prayers and faith in God that He will do something about my life, I don't think I will be who I am today.

God does have an interesting way of doing things. He sent this amazing twins into my life to show me that God is indeed in the business of transformation and my life can also be a testimony and inspiration to the lives of many if only I believe. That very day after the conference, I decided to make a decision for God - to give my best every single day of my life.

Through the lives of Chris and Ben, God showed me that He can do the same thing in my life. How can I reject this amazing offer that God has given to me? A year of transformation? Yes, this will be a year of transformation for me. As Pastor Ed said in the quote above, I will do what I have never done before (to give my best every single day of my life) and God will let me see things that I have never seen!