'If you follow my decrees and are careful to obey my commands, 4 I will send you rain in its season, and the ground will yield its crops and the trees of the field their fruit. 5 Your threshing will continue until grape harvest and the grape harvest will continue until planting, and you will eat all the food you want and live in safety in your land.
14 " 'But if you will not listen to me and carry out all these commands, 15 and if you reject my decrees and abhor my laws and fail to carry out all my commands and so violate my covenant, 16 then I will do this to you: I will bring upon you sudden terror, wasting diseases and fever that will destroy your sight and drain away your life. You will plant seed in vain, because your enemies will eat it. 17 I will set my face against you so that you will be defeated by your enemies; those who hate you will rule over you, and you will flee even when no one is pursuing you. (Lev 26)
Lev 26 lists down God's rewards for obedience and punishments for disobedience. God's promises to bless are not unconditional. Our identity as children of God do not guarantee blessings if we are rebellious, disobedient children. God reproves, he chastises, so we may share in His holiness.
"Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness. 11No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it." (Heb 12:10)
In the workplace, we've recently had a discussion about the difference between good leaders and good managers. One difference is that good leaders do the right thing, not necessarily the popular thing. For me, one application of that learning is that I need to be truthful with my subordinates when they're not performing as well as they ought. That may not make me popular, but to sugarcoat my words would lull them into a false sense of complacency, and does nothing for their professional growth.
So while at first glance, it offends my theology a little to read in Leviticus just how severe God's punishments can be for those who disobey Him, I think I can understand it. Why, doesn't God still love us when we sin? I think He does - and it is precisely because He does that He makes His displeasure known, that we may turn back to restored unbroken fellowship with Him. Proverbs 27:6 says "Faithful are the wounds of a friend. But deceitful are the kisses of an enemy." Given the choice, I think we all prefer gentle words. But harsh truth is better than gentle lies, and true friends speak truth.
Prayer today: Father, you are love. And even when you punish, it is because you love us. Help us to understand this and not to resent it, but to be thankful, because you only discipline those you love. Likewise, help us to have the courage to be truthful to speak the truth in love to those around us who need to be corrected. Help us not to sugarcoat our words because we want to be popular. For faithful are the wounds of a friend, but deceitful are the kisses of an enemy. Help us to be better friends. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Saturday, February 21, 2009
People, lives and lasting value
"As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. 17"Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men." 18At once they left their nets and followed him." (Mark 1:16)
My Myers-Briggs personality type is INTP - which makes me very task-oriented, so I need to always remind myself that God is totally people-oriented. We care a lot about activity. He cares about lives. When he called his disciples, he had one job description for them - to be 'fishers of men'. Ray Boltz's song "Thank You" underscores this - when we are in Heaven - what has lasting value are the people whose lives we've touched here on earth.
Prayer today: Father God, help me realise that just as you care about people, so you call us to love others; to point them to you. In my busyness, help me O God to make time for what's truly important - friends, family and relationships. Help me get my priorities right, and to live for what has lasting value. In Jesus' name, Amen.
My Myers-Briggs personality type is INTP - which makes me very task-oriented, so I need to always remind myself that God is totally people-oriented. We care a lot about activity. He cares about lives. When he called his disciples, he had one job description for them - to be 'fishers of men'. Ray Boltz's song "Thank You" underscores this - when we are in Heaven - what has lasting value are the people whose lives we've touched here on earth.
Prayer today: Father God, help me realise that just as you care about people, so you call us to love others; to point them to you. In my busyness, help me O God to make time for what's truly important - friends, family and relationships. Help me get my priorities right, and to live for what has lasting value. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Atonement & Sacrifice
This is to be a lasting ordinance for you: Atonement is to be made once a year for all the sins of the Israelites. And it was done, as the LORD commanded Moses. (Lev 16:34)
Was trawling the Cornerstone Community Church website this evening. These stats struck me:
Roughly two-thirds of the world's population (more than 3.2 billion people) live in the 10/40 window.
About 85% of the world's poorest of the poor, live there.
It is estimated that 95% of the people are unevangelized.
Of 22 countries with severe Christian persecution, 15 are in the 10/40 window.
Many have never heard the Gospel message even once.
Because the wages of sin is death, we escape death only if our penalty is paid for by another's death. "Without the shedding of blood there is no remission of sin." (Heb 9:22)
In the OT, it was through the blood of bulls and goats. In the NT, Christ atones for our sin by his own blood. "He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, having obtained eternal redemption." (Heb 9:12) It is a high price, but what great grace.
Prayer today: Father God, I thank you for the Saviour, Christ Jesus, who atoned for my sin, and satisfied the demands of justice by a Holy God. By this great act of love, I have been redeemed, set free, fully reconciled to you. I lift up the many billions who have not heard about Christ Jesus; that they too may know the Redeemer. Amen.
Was trawling the Cornerstone Community Church website this evening. These stats struck me:
Roughly two-thirds of the world's population (more than 3.2 billion people) live in the 10/40 window.
About 85% of the world's poorest of the poor, live there.
It is estimated that 95% of the people are unevangelized.
Of 22 countries with severe Christian persecution, 15 are in the 10/40 window.
Many have never heard the Gospel message even once.
Because the wages of sin is death, we escape death only if our penalty is paid for by another's death. "Without the shedding of blood there is no remission of sin." (Heb 9:22)
In the OT, it was through the blood of bulls and goats. In the NT, Christ atones for our sin by his own blood. "He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, having obtained eternal redemption." (Heb 9:12) It is a high price, but what great grace.
Prayer today: Father God, I thank you for the Saviour, Christ Jesus, who atoned for my sin, and satisfied the demands of justice by a Holy God. By this great act of love, I have been redeemed, set free, fully reconciled to you. I lift up the many billions who have not heard about Christ Jesus; that they too may know the Redeemer. Amen.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Faithfulness in a microwave generation
"His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!' (Matt 25:23)
One of my colleagues recently forwarded us an email on hilarious performance appraisal comments by supervisors. They literally put me in stitches. One of my favourites is "Works best when under close supervision, and cornered like a rat." (Haha!). Why do I bring this up? Because when I think of faithfulness, I think of the words "dependable, can be counted upon, unchangeable, firm until the end." Someone who can be relied to do what they promise. Not only when they are under close supervision, or cornered like a rat.
God loves faithfulness when he sees it in His children. Probably because they reflect His own character. "Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed,for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness." (Lam 3:22-23) I thank God for His faithfulness - He is not erratic or temperamental or unpredictable like the Greek Gods are portrayed to be. He is always the same God - loving, compassionate, holy, just. His promises fail not. When He says something, He watches over His word to perform it.
Prayer today: Father, faithfulness in this world is becoming an increasingly rare commodity. Because we are brought up on microwaves, instant coffee and Maggi Mee, we are so used to what is convenient and expedient for us. When things become troublesome, incovenient, vexing, we bail out. We don't take the difficult road and stick it out. We lack conviction about fighting for things that matter. We are happy to sprint but baulk at the idea of a marathon. Father, help us run in such a way that we may win the prize (1 Cor 9:24). Help us persevere to the end. Grant that we may be faithful to you, come what way, because you hold the key to eternal life. In Jesus' name, Amen.
One of my colleagues recently forwarded us an email on hilarious performance appraisal comments by supervisors. They literally put me in stitches. One of my favourites is "Works best when under close supervision, and cornered like a rat." (Haha!). Why do I bring this up? Because when I think of faithfulness, I think of the words "dependable, can be counted upon, unchangeable, firm until the end." Someone who can be relied to do what they promise. Not only when they are under close supervision, or cornered like a rat.
God loves faithfulness when he sees it in His children. Probably because they reflect His own character. "Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed,for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness." (Lam 3:22-23) I thank God for His faithfulness - He is not erratic or temperamental or unpredictable like the Greek Gods are portrayed to be. He is always the same God - loving, compassionate, holy, just. His promises fail not. When He says something, He watches over His word to perform it.
Prayer today: Father, faithfulness in this world is becoming an increasingly rare commodity. Because we are brought up on microwaves, instant coffee and Maggi Mee, we are so used to what is convenient and expedient for us. When things become troublesome, incovenient, vexing, we bail out. We don't take the difficult road and stick it out. We lack conviction about fighting for things that matter. We are happy to sprint but baulk at the idea of a marathon. Father, help us run in such a way that we may win the prize (1 Cor 9:24). Help us persevere to the end. Grant that we may be faithful to you, come what way, because you hold the key to eternal life. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Sunday, February 8, 2009
A life of no regrets
"Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him." (Matt 24:42-44)
"And now children, abide in him, so that when he appears, we may have confidence and not shrink from him in shame at his coming." (1 John 2:28)
A couple of months ago, I read a true-life story about a devout Christian man who had been told that he had but only a few more months to live. At some critical junctures, one usually evaluates what they will change about their priorities since time is short. The amazing thing was that because the man had ordered his life - to live it for Christ - many years prior, there was NOTHING to change. I know I'm not there yet.
In this passage on His return, Jesus tells us to "keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will return". We should live in a way that does not require a re-ordering of priorities, or lifestyle, if He should come back tomorrow or a thousand years from hence. It's a little like Jonathon Edwards' resolutions, 2 of which read:
1. Resolved, That I will live so, as I shall wish I had done when I come to die.
2. Resolved, Never to do any thing, which I should be afraid to do, if I expected it would not be above an hour before I should hear the last trump.
Prayer today: Father God, I want to live in such a way that when you appear, I may have confidence and not shrink from you in shame, at your coming. I want to live in such a way that I will have no regrets when I die. I want to live each day fully for you. Guide my steps, enlarge my heart, and grant me the grace, that each day you grant me will bless your heart, and others around me. In Jesus' name, Amen.
"And now children, abide in him, so that when he appears, we may have confidence and not shrink from him in shame at his coming." (1 John 2:28)
A couple of months ago, I read a true-life story about a devout Christian man who had been told that he had but only a few more months to live. At some critical junctures, one usually evaluates what they will change about their priorities since time is short. The amazing thing was that because the man had ordered his life - to live it for Christ - many years prior, there was NOTHING to change. I know I'm not there yet.
In this passage on His return, Jesus tells us to "keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will return". We should live in a way that does not require a re-ordering of priorities, or lifestyle, if He should come back tomorrow or a thousand years from hence. It's a little like Jonathon Edwards' resolutions, 2 of which read:
1. Resolved, That I will live so, as I shall wish I had done when I come to die.
2. Resolved, Never to do any thing, which I should be afraid to do, if I expected it would not be above an hour before I should hear the last trump.
Prayer today: Father God, I want to live in such a way that when you appear, I may have confidence and not shrink from you in shame, at your coming. I want to live in such a way that I will have no regrets when I die. I want to live each day fully for you. Guide my steps, enlarge my heart, and grant me the grace, that each day you grant me will bless your heart, and others around me. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Saturday, February 7, 2009
Standing Firm Till The End
'At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved.' (Matt 24:10-13)
Jesus always says stand firm to the end. As Paul warned: "You were running the race beautifully. Who cut in on you and stopped you from obeying the truth?" (Gal 5:7) Ps Kay Cheong of One Thing Ministries always exhorts us to 'buy oil now' - be so intimate with God and so confident in Him and His promises - that no matter how bad the suffering or persecution, we can stand.
Prayer today: Father God, but for your grace, who can stand? Help me so that my love will not grow cold, and that I will stand firm to the end. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Jesus always says stand firm to the end. As Paul warned: "You were running the race beautifully. Who cut in on you and stopped you from obeying the truth?" (Gal 5:7) Ps Kay Cheong of One Thing Ministries always exhorts us to 'buy oil now' - be so intimate with God and so confident in Him and His promises - that no matter how bad the suffering or persecution, we can stand.
Prayer today: Father God, but for your grace, who can stand? Help me so that my love will not grow cold, and that I will stand firm to the end. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Sunday, February 1, 2009
Jesus - a superior priesthood
Have Aaron your brother brought to you from among the Israelites, along with his sons Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar, so they may serve me as priests. (Ex 28:1)
Aaron and sons were from the tribe of Levite, and called to be priests to represent the people to God. But Jesus is from the tribe of Judah, and a priest after the order of Melchizedek. Jesus' priestly ministry is superior to that of Aaron's, as His sacrifice was ONCE FOR ALL (He offered Himself).
"Now there have been many of those priests, since death prevented them from continuing in office; but because Jesus lives for ever, he has a permanent priesthood.
Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them. Such a high priest meets our need— one who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens.
Unlike the other high priests, he does not need to offer sacrifices day after day, first for his own sins, and then for the sins of the people. He sacrificed for their sins once for all when he offered himself." (Heb 7:23-27)
Prayer today: Father God, thank you for Jesus our priest, who reconciles us to you, and always lives to intercede for us. I would not want to have any other priest, but Christ alone. Amen.
Aaron and sons were from the tribe of Levite, and called to be priests to represent the people to God. But Jesus is from the tribe of Judah, and a priest after the order of Melchizedek. Jesus' priestly ministry is superior to that of Aaron's, as His sacrifice was ONCE FOR ALL (He offered Himself).
"Now there have been many of those priests, since death prevented them from continuing in office; but because Jesus lives for ever, he has a permanent priesthood.
Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them. Such a high priest meets our need— one who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens.
Unlike the other high priests, he does not need to offer sacrifices day after day, first for his own sins, and then for the sins of the people. He sacrificed for their sins once for all when he offered himself." (Heb 7:23-27)
Prayer today: Father God, thank you for Jesus our priest, who reconciles us to you, and always lives to intercede for us. I would not want to have any other priest, but Christ alone. Amen.
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