God Will Wipe Away Every Tear from Their Eyes

 "We say this is the land of the living! It is not. It is the land of the dying," said D.L. Moody in a sermon near the end of his life. "What is our life here but a vapor? ...But look at the other world. No death, no pain, no sorrow, no old age, no sickness, no bending forms, no dimmed eyes, no tears.

"But joy, peace, love, happiness. No grey hair. People all young. River of life for the healing of the nations, and everlasting life. Think about it! Life! Life without end!" 🌬🔥📖 #ServeToLead #ToLiveIsChrist #ToDieIsGain

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Making the Most of Your Time

 

You don't have time to do what's important? All of us have the same amount of time: 24 hours, 1,440 minutes, 86,400 seconds a day. It's not that you don't have time, but making the most of your time. The Scripture says, "Be careful, then, how you live... making the most of your time." Btw, what have you been doing today? ⌛⌚⏰ #ServeToLead #YouCantTurnBackTime 

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The Two Great Laws of Life are Growth or Decay

Why do we grow? We grow to become wiser, more vibrant, real, spontaneous and whole. Ultimately, we continue to grow so that when we get to the end of our lives, we’ll feel that we made good use of our time here on earth. It is better to aim to reach your potential than to regret fear of failure #ServeToLead

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I Am The Way: The Amazing Claims of Jesus (Podcast)

This an unofficial reading of Jack Kuharschek's I Am The Way: The Amazing Claims of Jesus (2018, Our Daily Bread Ministries). In this booklet, Kuhatschek examines the words of Jesus about Himself. In Jesus' time, the magnitude of His claims were astonishing to the people around Him, especially the religious leaders of the day. There's no better source for understanding who Jesus is than the statements He made about Himself. Be transformed by some of the most powerful "I am" claims of the Saviour and gain an understanding of how wonderful He truly IS! 😊😉📖 #ServeToLead #JesusIsTheWay

To listen to the 4 (out of 8) I Am' statements of Jesus, CLICK LINKS below:

E.1 Jesus said, "I Am" http://bit.ly/LegasiClaim1

E.2 Jesus said, "I Am the Gate" http://bit.ly/LegasiClaim2

E.3 Jesus said, "I Am the Resurrection and the Life" http://bit.ly/LegasiClaim3

E.4 Jesus said, "I am the Way, the Truth and the Life" http://bit.ly/LegasiClaim4

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Angelus' Quote: You Are Not Special (Sorry)

As of May 2018, Wikipedia informed that there are 7.6 billion people on Earth (1 billion = 1,000,000,000. That's 9 zeros!). About 360,000 humans are born every day. And the population will only rise. It has been estimated that by the year 2100, the population will grow to 11.2 billion people. You are one of the billion people living on this planet right now. Even more, people have come before you and will come after you. Now, let me ask you, do you think you’re special?

If you think you're better, know that there is someone much better than you; If you think that you're talented, there are more people that are much talented than you (plus, there are richer too!); if you think that you're the center of the universe, think not! You're insignificant!

But perhaps, that's the Good News. You’re not special, but you can make your life special. God is the Giver of Life, do you think it's not special? Of course, your life is special! You can dream dreams, you can make a difference, you can enjoy it to the fullest! You're not special but you can live with purpose and meaning. You're not special but you can be great. There is greatness in you. Insignificant grain has great potentials. A small fire can cause a forest to burn. A little yeast leavens the whole batch of dough. So, don't be a fool - you're not special (as is to say 'It's not about you' in a narcissistic way). But you can make your life special.

Affirmation: Look yourself in the mirror or see your Facebook or Instagram profile picture, place your right hand on your chest, and say to yourself, "I'm not special but I can be great because there is a greatness in me. God creates me!"

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Timothy, Remember Your Calling in Life and Ministry (1 Timothy 1:18-19)

“This charge I entrust to you, Timothy, my child, in accordance with the prophecies previously made about you, that by them you may wage the good warfare, holding faith and a good conscience”
(1 Timothy 1:18-19, ESV)

I can sense Paul’s tenderness toward Timothy by calling him “my child” and also his seriousness by telling “this charge I entrust to you.” Another translation for “entrust” is “commit” which also means to “deposit,” just as I would take my life’s savings and entrust them to Maybank for safe keeping. Paul is placing great responsibility on Timothy by charging him with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. But mind you, Paul does not do so with stern authoritarianism (though no doubt Paul have authority over Timothy as apostle) but as a (spiritual) father speaking to the son he loves.

This charge is then reinforced by “the prophecies previously made about” Timothy. I’m not sure what were prophesied about him. I think this is the same reference point to event as in 1 Timothy 4:14, “Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophecy when the council of elders laid their hands on you.” This may refer to some special revelation of the Holy Spirit concerning Timothy’s call and ministry. Those prophesies, I think, was why Timothy is where he is now in leadership position. Why Paul need to reminded Timothy about his charge? Because the Christian life and ministry is a “warfare” in conflict with all the forces of evils.

Perhaps you, a child of God, reading this article needs to look back to your own “call” to serve the Son of God. It may be that call was to the ministry or some other phrase of the Lord’s service. Don’t forget, my friend that God have called you and His Holy Spirit will guide and empower you. So “be fearless in your struggle, keeping a firm grip on your faith and on yourself. After all, this is a fight we’re in” (1 Timothy 1:18b-19a, The Message). Remember your calling...

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Book Review: North Korea's Hidden Revolution (2016) by Jieun Baek

North Korea's Hidden Revolution:
How the Information Underground is Transforming a Closed Society (2016)
by Jieun Baek

After conference at Incheon, South Korea, I and my friends stayed for two more nights at Seoul. As I walked around the city area, I stumbled upon second-hand bookstore and bought this book (after I browsed books for only God know how long!). One of the talks that I could never forget during the conference is when a student shared about some issues in North Korea. I’ve watched documentary about North Korea before, but this personal story goes deeper into my soul. Since that day, I wanted to know more about North Korea… and thank God I found this book. Lord, saves North Koreans!

 This book is an insightful look into North Korea today and how the people are slowly getting information about the outside world at the risk of harsh punishment. The author also interviews some North Koreans who have defected to South Korea and a few to the U.S. It is fairly easy to cross at certain times at narrow points of the Tumen River into China, but there are armed guards on both sides (Google it!). Some of the guards can apparently be bribed to look the other way, though (because of the economic crisis).

‘The Information Underground’ refers to the illegal radios that allow North Koreans to listen to broadcasts from South Korea and other parts of the world in addition to USBs and DVDs that are smuggled in from China into NK with South Korean movies and television shows that have enlightened many to the fact that they have been brainwashed and not allowed to know anything about the rest of the world. Young people like the fashions that they see on South Koreans in the movies and soap operas, but dare not be caught trying to emulate them.

A bit of capitalism has entered the country in the form of small markets where people sell food, clothing and other items, even illegal ones. These black markets are far from Pyongyang, the capital city, place where most elite citizens live. During the famine in the 1990s, housewives would make anything they could such as rice cakes or cookies, and sell them to make money to buy more food for their own families. These little home-grown markets have become bigger with more items for sale and the author tells about one woman who gets used clothes in bulk from China to sell.

Overall, most people in North Korea are living in fear, communism/dictatorship and delusions (for examples, a defector once believe that “Kim Il-Sung was the greatest ruler in the world” or that “our Dear Leader will save us”). But not without hope. The people – especially young people – are becoming more open minded and more connected to the world as ever before.

Jieun makes an interesting observation that there are no experts on North Korea, and she considers herself a North Korea watcher. The country is so closed off from the rest of the world that it's impossible for an outsider to study it from the inside. The prison camps are still in operation and school children are taken to watch public executions. The Kim regime governs with fear. But there is hope. Kim Ha-Young, a student-defector, told the author:

“People say mountains change in about 10 years. If something as stubborn and mammoth as a mountain can change in a decade, the hearts of ordinary North Koreans can change. I’m sure of it. I’m living proof. I’m from North Korea. North Korea is my home, and I revere the soil that my family tilled. But I grew to embrace democracy over time as I settled in my new home in South Korea. It’s hard, and lots of things are still confusing in a democratic country. But if mountains can change, humans can change. North Koreans are humans too, you know. Just like me, and the reader. North Koreans can and will adapt to newer, better circumstances. I’m sure of it.”

Oh, pray for North Koreans!

Contents:

#1 Immortal Gods: Why North Korea Is Such a Durable Regime

#2 Cracks in the System: An Information Revolution

#3 "Old School" Media: From Trader Gossip to Freedom Balloons

#4 The Digital Underground

#5 A New Generation Rising

#6 Implications, Predictions, and a Call to Action

[This is quite a well-written book and allows the reader to learn about a changing society whether the regime knows it or not]

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Letters to Little Richard #1 Remember that It's Your Life and Be Responsible

Dear little Richard,

            If you make a big-time mistake – and if you get caught – what’s the first thing you’re tempted to do? I know you, you’re going to find somebody or something to blame. Don’t do it bro. Forget about playing the blame game. Here is what I learned over the years: The more excuses you make – and the less responsibility you take – the less likely you are to learn anything from your experiences.

Rich, the sooner you begin taking responsibility for your actions, the sooner you’ll start growing into a mature, sensible, clear-thinking adult. As E. Stanley Jones once says, “Transformation will begin in any life – in yours – when you stand up and say: ‘I’m responsible for the kind of person I am. I am what I’ve wanted to be. Now I’ve changed my mind. I’m sorry for what I am and for what I have done. I’m going to be different. God help me.’” If you don’t do this, the opposite is also true: The longer you postpone accepting responsibility for your actions, the longer it will take you to really grow up.

Richard, my brother, it’s your life, which means that the person you see in the mirror is the very same person who’s responsible for the things you do, the things you say, and the mistakes you make. No exceptions! Therefore, “I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received” (Ephesians 4:1) in Christ. I know that God is sovereign in all things and at the same time we’re human with responsibility. “God will take care of everything,” writes Lisa Whelchel, “the rest is up to you.” Remember my advice to you here. Meanwhile read the Word daily ya. I’ll write more soon…

Your big brother,

Richard

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Young Men, Consider the Crucified Jesus

“They crucified him” (John 19:18, NIV).

Jesus Christ was unique in His death as in His birth. In a perceptive and picturesque statement of a great truth, Martin Niemoller said, “The cradle and the cross of Christ were hewn from the same tree.” The incarnation was sole with a view of the crucifixion.

Our Lord’s death was unique in that it was the only death that fulfilled the millennia of prophecy. The sufferings and death of the Messiah were not only foreshadowed in meticulous detail in the Jewish sacrificial system, but they were foretold by the prophets. It has been stated that even in His tragic hours on the cross, thirty-three separate Old Testament prophecies were fulfilled.

He was the only person to whom death was not inevitable. “I lay down my life – only to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord” (John 10:17-18). To Him, death was deliberately chosen. He “gave himself for us,” wrote Paul to Titus (2:14). He was not dragged to the cross but drawn by quenchless love.

To Him alone, death was not a result of sin. “The wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23); but as He did no sin, He did not need to collect its wages. This left Him perfectly free to assume the burden and guilt of the world’s sin and to provide deliverance from its bondage.

His was the only death accompanied by miracles. It was appropriate that a life replete with miracles should conclude with a series of miracles. There was the mysterious darkness which was no eclipse since the moon was then at its farthest from the sun. And it lasted not for a few minutes but for three hours.

There was the miraculous rending of the curtain veil, sixty feet long and thirty feet wide, requiring three hundred men to handle it. “At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom” (Matthew 27:51). A mighty earthquake accompanied His death. Rocks were split, and graves opened. “The bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life… and appeared to many people” (27:52-53), conclusive evidence of His power over death.

Finally, His was the only death that made possible the forgiveness of sins – and experience to which myriads can testify.

When Thou didst hang upon the tree

The quaking earth acknowledged Thee

When Thou didst there yield up Thy breath

The world grew dark as shades of death

(Author unknown).

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Ezekiel prophesies that God will Give New Hearts for Old (Ezekiel 11:16-20)

“This is what the Sovereign LORD says: Although I sent them far away among the nations and scattered them among the countries, yet for a little while I have been a sanctuary for them in the counties where they have gone… I will gather you from the nations and bring you back from the countries where you have been scattered, and I will give you back the land of Israel again. They will return to it and remove all its vile images and detestable idols. I will give them an undivided heart and put a new spirit in them; I will remove from them their heart of stone and give them a heart of flesh. Then they will follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws. They will be my people, and I will be their God”
(Ezekiel 11:16-20, NIV).

The people of Israel had a long history of rejecting the Lord. God sent judges and prophets to warn them and foreign kings to punish them. And they reformed… for a while. When the threat was gone, Israel always fell back into their old patterns of sin.

Now in exile, the people finally understood what they had done. But could they ever get back again? Could they reform themselves enough that God would have them again?

The answer, of course, was no. Sinful people cannot improve or clean themselves up well enough to be received by God. But as God revealed thru the prophet Ezekiel, it doesn’t start with us. Even when His people were under punishment, God was “a sanctuary for them.” He will gathered up the scattered and brought them home again. Most important, He will changed them from the inside. He will gave them undivided hearts of flesh to replace their cold, dead hearts of stone. God, do this to us.

We can’t reform ourselves either. We don’t have to. God gives us new hearts in Christ, calls us His children, and brings us home. God, do this to me. Amen.

THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.

Jesus the Son of God: We Can Have, Know and Enjoy Eternal Life (1 John 5:11-12)

“[This] is what God has testified: He has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have God’s Son does not have life”

(1 John 5:11-12, NLT).

The Apostle John now sums up all that is in store for the believer. Not only do we have the promise of God’s Spirit living in us to help, teach, encourage, strengthen, and change us. “But you have received the Holy Spirit, and he lives within you, so you don’t need anyone to teach you what is true. For the Spirit teaches you everything you need to know, and what he teaches is true – it is not a lie. So just as he has taught you, remain in fellowship with Christ” (2:27). “[The] Spirit who lives in you is greater than the spirit who lives in the world… the Spirit of Truth” (4:4, 6). “God has given us his Spirit as proof that we live in him and he in us” (4:13). But we are also given a gift that cannot be earned, the gift of eternal life! Jesus Christ is the only true divine Son of God, and he is eternal life (5:20). We can enjoy eternal life (2:25), we can have eternal life (4:9), and we can know we have eternal life (5:13). This is the God-size-coolness beyond measure!

What is eternal life? Eternal life is not simply an unending progression of years. A common New Testament word for “eternal” is aionios, which carries the idea of quantity as well as quality. In fact, eternal life is not really associated with “years” at all, as it is independent of time. Eternal life can function outside and beyond time, as well as within time. For this reason, eternal life can be thought of as something that Christians experience now. Believers don’t have to “wait” for eternal life, because it’s not something that starts when they die. Rather, eternal life begins the moment a person exercises faith in Christ. It is our current possession.

[Source: Got Questions Ministries website]

As you know, there are a lot of people who are scared to death about dying. Some people are so afraid that they won’t even talk about it, and if a loved one does die, they try to act like it didn’t really happen. We see this fear in our society with such a focus on being wrinkle-free, young, and fit, and the increase of photo editors’ apps. But the truth is that all of us will die sometime, and that can seem kind of scary for those who don’t have hope. The power or fear of death can be defeated. However, we don’t need to live our lives being deathly afraid about dying. We know it’s going to happen, but we can be relieved of the worry and fear that so many people have.

God “has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have God’s Son does not have life.” This eternal life really starts right now, when we confess our sins before God and accept God’s Son as our Lord and Saviour. With Jesus in our lives, we can live life to the fullest right now – with joy unspeakable (even in the midst of suffering and persecution) and a great sense of purpose in life (you know why and what you’re living for) we never thought possible. To live without Jesus, on the other hand, is to be (always) bored, unsatisfied life, depressed, afraid, and the worst of all is not hell but – separation from God.

As this letter 1 John is written to Christians, I want to focus on us: Not only does being a Christian increase the quantity of our life (life eternal with God) but also brings a greater quality of life (life lived in Jesus right now). Brothers and sisters, what more could we ask for? Praise and worship God!

What comes to your mind when you think about death?

Fear or faith?

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Jesus Freaks: 'Asif' of Pakistan, How Could I Not Have an Interest in this Prophet?

This is not 'Asif.' A Christian was beaten by police men.

Pakistan, 2001

“Asif” was carefree as he sped his motorcycle down the street of his Pakistani town. He enjoyed being noticed by the young women as he sped by. In the traditional Muslim culture of Pakistan, overt glances would have been very inappropriate, but still Asif could tell when he had been seen. He was young, and he felt powerful as he drove past, relishing the murmur of the motorcycle’s engine in his ears and the feel of the tires gripping the road. He smiled to himself and twisted the accelerator to give the bike a quick burst of speed.

            Suddenly where the beautiful sky had been he saw only dirt, and where his motorcycle had raced along beneath him, it now felt like it was flying over his head. For the next few seconds all was clouds of dust and spinning. The next thing he knew he was lying on his back with his motorcycle next to him on the ground, its engine coughing and then dying. He heard the echo of the squealing tires as the car that hit him sped away. He had never ever seen it.

            Then he noticed the splitting pain shooting up his leg. When he looked at it, he could tell from the way his foot lay off to the wrong side that it was broken. He tried to stay calm, but panic was gripping his heart and he wanted to scream.

            Before he lost his composure, though, he felt a reassuring hand upon him. A woman had come out of the crowd of passers-by and knelt beside him, laying her hand on his leg. He was calmed for the moment and surprised as she began to pray.

            Through the pain, Asif heard the name of Jesus in her prayer. Despite his immediate thankfulness that someone had stopped to help, a wave of anger came over him at the mention of that name. How can this woman pray to Jesus, a mere prophet? Doesn’t she know that I am a Muslim, a follower of Mohammed, the greatest prophet? Why isn’t she praying to Allah?

            Yet Asif was suddenly distracted from his anger by an energy he felt running through his body as she prayed. It was different from anything he had ever felt before. His anger began to fade as his leg straightened itself and the bone came back into place. Eventually he sat up and carefully examined his leg. It was completely whole.

            As he stood, he noticed that there was no more pain either. He picked up his bike and walked it home.

            Sometime later, the same woman brought him a Bible. He never saw her again after that.

            Hungry to know more about this prophet who had healed his leg, he began to read the Bible, especially the New Testament and the miracles of Jesus. Asif’s question weighted heavier: If Jesus was truly only one of many prophets, how could he perform such amazing works? As Asif lay on his bed, he wondered, Who is Jesus? I know many prophets have come to earth, but none has had the power of Jesus.

            Asif was so perplexed by how a minor prophet such as Jesus could heal him two thousand years after His death that he took his questions to the mulvi (religious leader) at his mosque.

            “Why are you talking about Jesus?” the mulvi sneered. “Do you have an interest in him?”

            “How could I not have an interest?” Asif responded incredulously. “He healed me.”

            The mulvi and others at the mosque took Asif and locked him in a room. They forced poison down his throat thinking that if he died before fully accepting Christ, he would still make it to Paradise. They left him there overnight for the poison to do its work. Asif felt sick and thought he was dying. He vomited repeatedly and threw up blood.

            However, around midnight Asif found himself still barely alive and lying in the dust, caked with his own blood and vomit. The room was dark and he didn’t have the strength to get up. He didn’t know what else to do, so he prayed. He called out to Jesus and told Him he wanted to see Him before he died.

            Before he knew what had happened, a bright light had filled the dusty room. Asif suddenly felt a little better and forced himself up to see what was causing the light. Before him stood Jesus. It was at that moment that Asif surrendered the rest of his life to the Lord, saying, “God, this life is for you; as long as I am on earth, I will work for you.”

            Sometime before dawn, Asif managed to escape and made his way home.

            When he tried to tell his parents of his experience the next morning, they were not impressed. “You are a Muslim,” his parents told him. “If you accept Jesus, you must leave this house.”

            So Asif had no choice. He took his Bible and left. He went to a larger city where he met a pastor at a Christian bookstore. The pastor disciple Asif and later baptized him. From the first moments of his newfound faith, Asif felt a strong desire to share who Jesus was and what He had done for him with those around him, regardless of their religious backgrounds. Because of this, his troubles with the police and city leaders began almost immediately.

            “A landlord [city leader] came to me and said, ‘Where are you going? And why are you preaching this “gospel”? These are Muslim people. Why are they accepting Jesus?’”

            Seeing that Asif was undeterred, this landlord and some other Muslims took him and beat him with heavy sugarcane stalks. They stomped on his leg and broke it again. As they pounded his body, they shouted, “You dog! You low-class scum! Why did you come here and make our people Christians?” They ordered Asif to leave the city immediately.

            Despite their further threats, he refused.

            As they were beating him, he prayed for them, “Please, God, change their minds and their hearts.” Then he cried out to God to help him and give him strength.

            Many weeks later, after Asif had recovered from his injuries, the landlords and the police closed down a meeting where Asif was sharing about Jesus again. Asif was taken to the police station, where he was severely beaten.

            When Asif was asked how he could endure this and not be discouraged, he quoted Philippians 1:29 (NAS), “For to you it has been granted for Christ’s sake, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake.”

            Asif continues to evangelize whenever and wherever he has the opportunity.

[Taken from Jesus Freaks: Revolutionaries (2002) by dc Talk. Title mine]

The cost of serving Jesus Christ is your life.

What are you doing with your life now? For Christ and His Kingdom? or for self?

THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.

         

Jesus' Commandments: Believe in His Name and Love One Another (1 John 3:23-24)

Summary of God's Commandments

“And this is his commandments: We must believe in the name of His Son, Jesus Christ, and love one another, just as he commanded us. Those who obey God’s commandments remain in fellowship with him, and he with them. And we know he lives in us because the Spirit he gave us lives in us”

(1 John 3:23-24, NLT).

From Bible verses above we learn that there are two important ways we can obey God. First, we must “believe in the name of His Son, Jesus Christ.” This means that we need to accept Jesus for what He really is – God’s Son, our Saviour. Jesus was more than just a good man or a popular teacher or prophet. He is who He claims to be, and we need to believe and continue to believe in Him. And to believe Jesus is to love Him also. The other way we obey God is to “love one another.” Again, the Apostle John reminds us of the important combination of right doctrines and right actions. As the Apostle Paul tells us, “What is important is faith expressing itself in love” (Galatians 5:6).

By obeying God’s commands and loving others, we show that we belong to God. We remain in fellowship with Him, and He is with us. And we know that God lives in us because of the continuing work that the Holy Spirit does in our lives. “We know he lives in us because the Spirit he gave us lives in us.” How amazing is that?! Once we become Christians by believing in the name of Jesus of the Bible, we are never alone.  God gives us the strength and courage to keep on growing and learning since God’s Spirit lives within us.

In his letter to the Galatian Christians, the Apostle Paul challenged the believers to “live by the Spirit” (Galatians 5:16, NIV). And one way to know if God’s Spirit is really living in us is by the “fruit” (such as attitudes, actions, and so on) which come from our lives. The fruit of the Spirit includes: “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control” (read Galatians 5:22-23). The more we enjoy God and commit our concerns to God, the more God’s Spirit does its work in our lives – molding, changing, improving, and using engineering terms, overhauling – until we show the kind of “fruit” God wants for our lives.

My mom planted a rambutan fruit tree in our backyard. From observations and biology textbooks, I know that a great deal of work has to go into getting a fruit tree ready to bear fruit. The tree must be planted correctly, watered, fertilized, pruned, sprayed, and cared for until it is ready to bear fruit. That kind of care usually results in the best kind of fruit. But if we neglect the care of a fruit tree, the fruit may be shriveled up, full of insects or worms, or not show up at all. In the same way, the “fruit” in our lives is shown greatly when we care to habitually keep God’s commandments – “believe in the name of His Son, Jesus Christ, and love one another”. By God’s grace, we can. Amen.

  

THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.

Jesus Showed that Real Love is Costly: What Kind of Love Do You Have? (1 John 3:16-18)

“We know what real love is because Jesus gave up his life for us. So we also ought to give up our lives for our brothers and sisters. If someone has enough money to live well and sees a brother or sister in need but shows no compassion – how can God’s love be in that person? Dear children, let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions”

(1 John 3:16-17, NLT).

Love is something that is sung about, talked about, and argued about. There may be disagreement about what love really is. Different people, different cultures, and different beliefs have different and various definitions for love. But the Apostle John reminds us that Jesus Himself showed us (not just said) what “love” is really all about. Jesus gave up His life so that we could have life. “We know what real love is because Jesus gave up his life for us.” He gave the supreme sacrifice to show us that love is often quite costly, and He did it willingly and voluntarily. Jesus said, “I’m a good shepherd. The good shepherd sacrifices his life for his sheep” (John 10:11); “I sacrifice my life for the sheep” (10:15); “The Father loves me because I sacrifice my life so I may take it back again. No one can take my life from me. I sacrifice it voluntarily. For I have the authority to lay it down when I want to and also to take it up again. For this is what my Father has commanded” (10:17-18).

In the same way, Jesus wants us to be prepared to make our love that costly if it is necessary. “There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends” (John 15:13). Love doesn’t mean that we give to others what is left over or unwanted. It may mean at times that we give the very best we have. To love is to look after the other person’s good and not just our own. The Amplified Bible defines love (the Greek word agape) as not so much a matter of emotion as it is of doing things for the benefit of another person, that is, having an unselfish concern for another and a willingness to seek the best for another.

To be realistic, few, if any, of us will ever be called upon to sacrifice our lives for others – unless it should be in a situation such as war. I salute and respect my brothers and sisters in Christ in the Middle East, China, India, and places where Christians are persecuted. They really give up their lives for Christ and others. But as for us in Malaysia and the rest of the world, John reminds us that love is also shown in lesser acts than laying down our lives. “If someone has enough money to live well and sees a brother or sister in need” we need to show compassion. We can show our love for God by caring about those around us who have needs. One of the reasons we are given material things and money is to learn to share them with others, with those in need. The Apostle James writes, “Suppose you see a brother or sister who has no food or clothing, and you say, ‘Good-bye and have a good day; stay warm and eat well’ – but then you don’t give that person any food or clothing. What good does that do?” (James 2:15-16). Or as John asked, “How can God’s love be in that person?”

Notice that first John uses the plural form and refers to our “brothers and sisters” – a more general term referring to people, anyone. But then John uses the singular word “brother or sister.” Why? I think it seems to mean that we may find it easy to love people in general, but not so easy to love in a personal or individual way. So, when we see a brother or sister in need, let us show loving compassion. We may not be able to help everyone who is in need but we can show compassion to the immediate needs around us. This is what makes our faith so dynamic, even revolutionary! We grow in our faith and love as we get beyond just talking about the needs of others or about the importance of love. “Let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions.” How much better it is to be real – to show with our actions that we indeed do love other people. Jesus never once said directly, “I love you,” but no doubt as we look and observe His life, we know that He really loves us. This is love.

In a world that has so much “bad news” about murders, robberies, riots, and hatred, we can be a dynamic force to show the “Good News” that our God is indeed a God of love.  And we grow as God’s children as we learn to share this love with other people. Amen.

THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.

Jesus Came to Destroy the Works of the Devil (1 John 3:8-10)

“But when people keep on sinning, it shows that they belong to the devil, who has been sinning since the beginning. But the Son of God came to destroy the works of the devil. Those who have been born into God’s family do not make a practise of sinning, because God’s life is in them. So they can’t keep on sinning, because they are children of God. So now we can tell who are children of God and who are children of the devil. Anyone who does not live righteously and does not love other believers does not belong to God”

(1 John 3:8-10, NLT).

The Apostle John goes on to make it very clear that the devil is the mastermind of this problem of sin. Just as love and obedience are evidence that a person belongs to Jesus Christ, so habitual sinning and hating are evidence of the devil’s involvement.

When you think of the devil or Satan, what comes to your mind? Many people think of a monster-type figure with a terrifying face, goat-like head, dressed in red, and carrying a pitchfork. Other people may think of a demon who floats in the air like a ghost and causes scary things to happen. Some may just believe whatever the movies depicted Satan to be. What do I think? I’m not sure. I don’t care much. But I’m very sure that Satan is able to “disguises himself as an angel of light” (1 Corinthians 11:14).

As we read the Scriptures, we know that Satan existed for a very long time even before the earth was created (see Ezekiel 28). It was Satan who masqueraded as (or influenced) a serpent and tempted Eve and Adam to disobey God. Satan “has been sinning since the beginning” and is the very essence of evil. And he seems to be very sly and cunning. Satan, no doubt, has great power and influences great numbers of people. He even has a temporary throne (see Revelations 2:13; 1 John 5:13). Many people are so influenced by Satan and his demons that they worship him as the god of this world. They are totally under Satan’s control (see John 8:44; 2 Timothy 2:26).

But you my friends, don’t be afraid! We might think that Satan’s power is so great that he will rule the world forever. Don’t be afraid! The Scriptures make it clear that even though the devil is powerful, God is even stronger. In fact, Satan’s overthrow began with the coming of Jesus (read Matthew 12:25-29; Luke 10:18; John 12:31). “The Son of God came to destroy the works of the devil.” Jesus took Satan’s power away to neutralize this terrible influence and replace it with the power of love, freedom, peace, and forgiveness. But even though the devil has been knocked down, he still is alive and doing well in the lives of many people. He serves God’s purposes on earth. Soon God will finally destroy Satan totally when Christ returns to earth (read Revelations 20:10). Then Satan’s power will be gone forever. Even at this moment, anytime Jesus would wish to snap His finger, Satan will be destroyed!

Then John goes on to say that “those who have been born into God’s family do not make a practise of sinning, because God’s life is in them”. “God’s life” is also translated as “God’s seed.” I think John here is compares the Word of God to a seed that produces new life (read James 1:18 and 1 Peter 1:23). Just as a beautiful plant must begin by being a seed which is fed and watered, so we as human beings grow spiritually as we study, understand, and obey what God wants us to do. God’s Word gives us strength and guidance to know who God is, and what God wants us to do. If God’s Word is in us “[we] can’t keep on sinning, because [we] are children of God.”

There are two basic tests to show what influence God is having in our lives: 1) the first is whether a person continues to sin deliberately, knowingly, and habitually. This is different from the occasional sin (which you and I, all Christians will continue to do), and shows that sin is still dominant. The second test is more positive: 2) the children of God show that they belong to God by living righteously and loving other believers. According to John, then, we show who our spiritual father is – God or the devil – by the way we behave. It’s not our words but our actions that make the difference. Talk can be cheap; actions are more costly. And the actions of the Christians are to be summed up in one word: LOVE, agape.

What can you do to change your attitudes, behaviors, and so on,

so that you can look forward eagerly for Christ to return?

THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.

Jesus Promises Fellowship and Eternal Life, If You... (1 John 2:25)

“So you must remain faithful to what you have been taught from the beginning. If you do, you will remain in fellowship with the Son and with the Father. And in this fellowship we enjoy the eternal life he promised us”

(1 John 2:24-25, NLT).

The Apostle John reminds us of a great promise God has given to us if we “remain faithful” – that we will live forever with Him. “Eternal life.” To some people, that may sound so foreign to them, but let’s take a look at what it will be like for us to live with God.

The Scriptures tell us that when we live with Christ eternally, all of the weaknesses and problems we face in this life will be over. If we, for example, feel ugly, poor in studies or sports, unpopular, or handicapped, whatever the problem is, it will be gone; we won’t have to live with it ever again. Whether you’ve been poor or depressed, rejected or lonely, all that will be gone forever! Hallelujah! In the Book of Revelation, John recorded this promise: “They will never again be hungry or thirsty; they will never be scorched by the heat of the sun. For the Lamb on the throne will be their Shepherd. He will lead them to springs of life-giving water. And God will wipe every tear from their eyes” (Revelation 7:16-17). Imagine: no more hungry, no more thirst; no more tears, no more frustrations; no more crying, pain, or death (see Revelation 21:4). Everything will be made new. It’s hard to imagine, isn’t it?

All believers will be living in a new version of Jerusalem (Revelation 21), which will be quite unlike anything we have ever seen. John describes it as looking like a very special jewel, surrounded by a wall made of precious jewels, and the city itself made of pure gold. Even the streets will be made of pure gold! Not only will we live in such a perfect place (like the Garden of Eden) and enjoy all of its beauty (like Genesis 1), but it will last forever. And no sin can ever pollute its purity. The best of all is – God will live with us. This is almost impossible for us to understand since everything we know about has a beginning and an end. Every human being has a birth and a death; the same is true in the animal kingdom and nature kingdom (but the reality is that our souls are eternal). The idea of “eternal” life is a mind-blower to me, what about you? But it’s true!

Remember, “Eternal life” doesn’t begin when we die; it begins when we become members of God’s family. It begins when we “believe in” Jesus Christ. Because of Him we “will not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16). We can begin to enjoy that quality of life right now. Yes, right now! True, we may still experience sorrow and pain in this life, but we have a Resource – Jesus Christ – who has promised to help us cope with these challenges during this life. He will always be with us in the present time and time to come. Therefore, if we “remain faithful”, we “remain in fellowship with the Son and with the Father… and… enjoy the eternal life he promised us.” That’s a BIG deal! Amen.

THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.

Jesus Has Brought a "New", Richer and Deeper Meaning of An "Old" Commandment (1 John 2:7-8)

“Dear friends, I am not writing a new commandment for you; rather it is an old one you have had from the very beginning. This old commandment – to love one another – is the same message you heard before. Yet it is also new. Jesus lived the truth of this commandment, and you also are living it. For the darkness is disappearing, and the true light is already shining” (1 John 2:7-8, NLT).

In the previous verses, old Apostle John writes to us as “children,” now as “friends.” He reminds us that he is not writing about something new, but about a commandment that has been around practically since the beginning of time. That commandment is to love God with everything we have – with every energy and strength we have – and to love our neighbors as we love ourselves (see Leviticus 19:18; Deuteronomy 6:5). So, the idea of love is not new, is it? But why John said, “yet it is also new”?

What John – I’m convinced – trying to say is that his Master, Lord Jesus Christ has bought a richer and deeper meaning to the idea of loving God and others. The New Testament tells us that we are to love everyone, including those who may be different from ourselves because of their popularity level or race or economic level or style of clothing or whatever (But it doesn’t mean you have to like everyone). Jesus told a story to illustrate what he means by loving our neighbors. A story of a Good Samaritan (read Luke 10:29-37). Jesus told about a man who had been brutally beaten and left for dead all alone. It was not the priest or the religious leader who stopped to give help, but it was a Samaritan, a hybrid race who had been hated by the Jews for centuries, and who showed love in actions. He not only bound the man’s wounds but also took him to a hotel and even paid the bill!

This is the kind of quality that the “new” commandment is bringing – to love not only those with whom we are comfortable but to also reach out to those who are unpopular or unloved. Truth is not only something to be understood but that which results in action. John here tells us that this great truth is seen not only in Jesus but also in us! As Jesus was, so we are supposed to be. As people watch the way we live, they see how practical and helpful our faith can be.

The Apostle also talks about the fact that “the darkness is disappearing, and the true light is already shining.” This might sound confusing but it’s not when we remember that the “age to come” (Hebrews 6:5) actually began when Jesus Christ came to earth; He is the true light. The present age is called “evil” (see Galatians 1:4). These two ages – the “present evil age” and the “age to come” – actually overlap. We, today, are in both ages. The devil indeed continues to have much power in this world but it will be over soon. Even today we have already begun to taste the wonders of our life in Christ, the wonders which will continue forever! This present age which began when Jesus came to earth for the first time will end when He returns to earth someday. “Amen! Come, Lord Jesus!” (Revelations 22:20).

THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.