Don't Stop Walking with God

"When the feast was ended, as [Joseph and Mary] were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents did not know it, but supposing him to be in the group they went a day's journey, but then they began to search for him among their relatives and acquaintances, and when they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem, searching for him" (Luke 2:43-45)

We must not be ignorant about our relationship with God and don't take it for granted that we are in touch with Him. As J. Oswald Sanders commented on the passage above: "Joseph and Mary lost a whole day of fellowship with Jesus because they 'supposing him to be in the group.' They took for granted something of which they should have made sure." Are you still in touch with God? Or are you have stopped walking with God and don't know it? ������‍♂️��� #ServeToLead #PreachTheWord

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THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.

Enoch: Walking With God (Genesis 5:22-24)

In Genesis 5, the life of Enoch is only told in 4 verses! But although his story is short, his example of faith is massive! 😊⚡🙏 #ServeToLead #BiblicalCharacters #LifeOfEnoch

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THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.

What's So Amazing About Grace? (1997) by Philip Yancey, BOOK REVIEW

What's So Amazing About Grace? (1997) by Philip Yancey

What's so good about this book? Yancey ignites my understanding of God's grace and challenges me to be a dispenser of grace in my life and faith. When my friend died due to cancer, I was very frustrated but God helps me through Yancey's writing to "wrestle with God" as Jacob did when I read Where Is God When It Hurts? When I was having the crisis of faith regarding the historicity of Jesus' and the Bible, one of the books that helped me was The Jesus I Never Knew. I'm not a Yancey fan or have read every book by him, but when I do, it is timely. The same goes with What's So Amazing About Grace? When I read it, I reflect on myself and there were times (recently) when I'm un-graceful toward others. I called myself Christian, that means I'm the recipient of God's grace for the Scripture says "by grace you have been saved, through faith" (Ephesians 2:8) and yet, I'm behaving like morally-righteous believer. This book is easy to read, but hard to swallow. It is old yet still urgent. It is intellectually satisfying but with a cost: by God's Spirit, I can and must reveal the grace the world is searching for!

When Nicky Gumbel asked "What is grace?" during an interview, Philip Yancey said that he tries to explain it throughout the book, but if he were to give a definition, he said and wrote in this book: "Grace means there is nothing I can do to make God loves me more and nothing I can do to make God love me less. It means that I, even I who deserve the opposite, am invited to take my place at the table in God's family." I love this definition. Grace doesn't depend on what we have done for God but rather what God has done for us. We can read about this truth all over the New Testament. It's not new! "In Christian theology," explains Yancey, "Jesus reversed [the] ancient pattern: when the servants erred, the King was punished. Grace is free only because the giver himself has borne the cost." Grace, the last best word, is so desperately needed in the world today.

The church, of all places, has abused this truth. Sadly, some (if not, most) churches communicate un-grace by how we treat sinners (of different kinds), apply laws and moral legalism, judgmental and by its lack of unity. In the book, Yancey points out about his childhood church (I recommend reading his shorter book entitled Church: Why Bother?) was very racist, and other heart-breaking stories that people who have been and are in the church today reading this book would agree to some degree. I'm part of the church and so, I too, act in un-grace ways. Christians are more concern (rightly so) about homosexuality than divorce; attending religious activities than attend to AIDS patients; and quick to judge with open eyes than to listen with open ears. There are times for everything – love and hate, justice and mercy, forgiveness and punishment – but the church must remember that "dispensing God's grace is the Christian's main contribution." “…The world can do anything the church can do except one thing – it cannot show grace.”

Yancey also shares great examples of Christian ministers and churches that have the Jesus' distinguishing mark – not political correctness or moral superiority but – LOVE. I believe homosexuality is sin and so does divorce which is very prevalent in Christianity today. Abortion is another issue. Woman preaching in the church issue recently where John MacArthur, a Bible teacher, told Beth Moore, a Bible Study author, to "go home." What is this? As Yancey advice in the book and so here I say: we Christians can have firm views about ethical behavior or bold stand about the theological matter but we MUST demonstrate love foremost. Love allows us to be compassionate, vulnerable and empathy. When the church displays God's love and grace first without discounting justice and sin, we show the world: the real Jesus. The One who the world hate and at the same time attracted to. This statement by Yancey is so powerful: "The world thirsts for grace. When grace descends, the world falls silent before it." Amen!

There are so many lessons that I learned from this book. I've underlined and made notes. I will reread it (together with the newer book, 2014, Vanishing Grace). Yancey is such a good story-teller. Although he is a journalist, I see him as a theologian. Usually, when I read a book, I research it: read articles, reviews, listen to podcast interviews and YouTube videos. Some people disagree with Yancey and some of his writings are controversial. No write is flawless. With that said, I want to recommend fully this book especially to Christian leaders who have greater influence in shaping the way people think about the Church and Christianity in general. If you've been hurt by the un-grace believers, read this book too. In fact, come back to God or draw near to Him. Remember this: "There is nothing [you] can do to make God love [you] more. There is nothing [you] can do to make God loves [you] less." 

THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.

 

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From Ruth to Rich: How to Start Praying? Just Pray

As I read late Billy Graham’s Just As I Am (1997) autobiography, I’m encouraged by his wife, Ruth Bell, for her life, support, and works in the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association ministry. About Ruth, Billy writes, “God gave Ruth many, many gifts, one of which was writing.” I agree. In this series, I try to imagine (one of God’s greatest gifts to humankind) what would Ruth Bell says to encourage young man like me – and perhaps, you. I hope you enjoy it!

My dearest son, Richard,

            About the previous letter, I wrote about prayer… and let me continue with that theme here. A balance. As you know, my child, men of God whose prayers are recorded for us in the Scriptures, never read a book on prayer, never went to a seminar on prayer, never heard a sermon on prayer. They just prayed. Satan fears prayer because God hears prayer. Satan will stop at nothing to distract a person from praying or to get us to postpone praying or, failing to do that, to discourage us in our prayers.

This letter is simply to encourage you to START. Start praying where you are, as you are, about whatever concerns you, about whatever is lying most heavily on your heart, about whatever is irritating or frustrating you at present. Here is my suggestion: Keep a prayer list. Make your requests specific and date them. Then date the answer. Like the ungrateful lepers, we tend to forget. It may be impossible to date the answers to certain requests. For instance, if I pray for patience, I will not find that on such and such a date I suddenly become patient. But if I pray for guidance in a particular problem, for the conversion of a friend or for the resolving of some apparently hopeless difficulty, recording the answer as well as the request will be a cause for worship and a means of strengthening my faith.

You may not likely to keep a prayer list, I know you. But let this be an encouragement for you to just START praying. Be pointed. Be persistent. Be patient. But pray!

With love,

Ruth Bell Graham

(1920 – 2007)

THINK BIG.  START SMALL. GO DEEP.

                  

            

Book Review: Sit, Walk, Stand (1957) by Watchman Nee

Sit, Walk, Stand (1957) by Watchman Nee
 Compiled and Edited by Angus I. Kinnear

Nee To-sheng or Watchman Nee (1903-1972) is remembered for his leadership of an indigenous church movement in China, as well as for his books especially The Normal Christian Life, which continue to enrich Christians throughout the world. Beginning in the 1930s, Nee helped establish local churches in China that were independent of foreign missionary organizations and were used to bring many into the Kingdom of God. From these roots sprang many of the house churches that continued to meet after Western missionaries were forced to leave the country during the Cultural Revolution. Arrested in 1952 and found guilty of a large number of false charges, Watchman Nee was imprisoned until his death in 1972. Sit, Walk, Stand was compiled from the spoken ministry of Nee at Foochow during "the spacious days of the evangelistic witness in China just prior to the Japanese war, when the author and his fellow Christians enjoyed a liberty in the service of God that is rare today,” writes Kinnear.

In this small book or rather, in his sermon talks, Nee "expresses [the believers'] triumphant assurance in the finished work of Christ." To show this, Nee summed up the epistle of Ephesians ("the highest spiritual truths concerning the Christian life") into two parts, and three sections as follow:

A) Doctrinal (Chapter 1 to 3)

1. SIT: Our Position in Christ (1:1-3:21)

B) Practical (Chapter 4 to 6)

2. WALK: Our Life in the World (4:1-6:9)

3. STAND: Our Attitude to the Enemy (6:10-24)

In the first section of the letter to the Ephesians, Nee notes the word "sit" (2:6), which is the secret of a true Christian experience. God has made us sit with Christ in the heavenly places and every Christian must begin his or her spiritual life from that place of rest. "Christianity does not begin with walking," writes Nee, "it begins with sitting." He continues, "Most Christians make the mistake of trying to walk in order to be able to sit, but that is a reversal of the true order… Christianity is a queer business! If at the outset we try to do anything, we miss everything. For Christianity begins not with a big DO, but with a big DONE." We are invited at the very outset to sit down and enjoy what God had done for us; not to set out to try and attain it for ourselves. We must start with "sit" and not "walk" or "stand." Walking implies effort, whereas God says that we are saved, not by works, but "by grace… through faith" (Ephesians 2:8).

In the second section, Nee select the word "walk" (4:1) as expressive of our life in the world, which is its subject. We are challenged to display in our Christian walk conduct that is in keeping with our high calling. Nee rightly observes that "too many of us are caught acting as Christians. The life of many Christians today is largely a pretense." So what we should do? He says, "Our life is the life of Christ, mediated in us by the indwelling Holy Spirit himself, and the law of that life is spontaneous. The moment we see that fact we shall end our struggling and cast away our pretense. Nothing is as hurtful to the life of a Christian as acting; nothing so blessed as when our outward efforts cease and our attitudes become natural – when our words, our prayers, our very life, all become a spontaneous and unforced expression of the life within." Though Christian life begins with sitting, sitting is always followed by walking. We found our strength in sitting down, then we must begin to walk. Sitting is our position, while walking is our practice.

And finally in the third section, Nee emphasizes the key to our attitude towards the enemy contained in the one word "stand" (6:11), expressive of our place of triumph at the end. Yes, Christian experience begins with sitting and leads to walking, but it does not end there. Every Christian must also learn to stand. "Each one of us must be prepared for the conflict," encouraged Nee. "We must know how to sit with Christ in heavenly places and we must know how to walk worthy of him down here, but we must also know how to stand before the foe." Who is our archenemy? It is Satan and his fallen angels! Ephesians 6 is Paul's plea for us to stand against them. But we stand not by our own might and determination, we stand "merely on the ground which the Lord Jesus has gained for us." Nee confidence that when our eyes are really opened to see Christ as our victorious Lord, we can stand firm. No doubt!

I breathe "amen" as I finished reading this book; I gave praises to God for these refreshing words; I repositioned myself to sit near to Him. I'm reading Ephesians again in the new light! Dear friends, the Christian life really consists of sitting with Christ, walking by Christ, and standing in Christ. Watchman Nee concludes this precious book this way: "We begin our spiritual life by resting in the finished work of the Lord Jesus. That rest is the source of our strength for a consistent and unfaltering walk in the world. And at the end of a grueling warfare with the hosts of darkness, we are found standing with Him at last in triumphant possession of the field." Unto Him… be the glory… forever. Amen.

THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.

More on Watchman Nee:

1) Secrets of Watchman Nee: His Life, His Teachings, His Influence (2005) by Dana Roberts (click HERE: http://richardangelus.blogspot.com/2017/10/book-review-secrets-of-watchman-nee-his.html)

2) Watchman Nee: Man of Suffering (1998) by Bob Laurent (click HERE: http://richardangelus.blogspot.com/2017/10/book-review-watchman-nee-man-of.html)

Self-Leadership #3 Play To Your Strengths

“What great leaders have in common is that each truly knows his or her strengths - and can call on the right strength at the right time.”

(Tom Rath)

Self-discovery is nothing if not personal both in the process and in the results. There is no formula by which you can find out what makes you tick, no standardized test that will reveal your goals in life. Looking within yourself to ask the tough questions is an individual quest, and you must not conform to what you think the results should be.

The trick is to find your own strengths and to play those strengths. As you start to answer the questions that lead to self-knowledge, certain strengths – and weaknesses – in your own character will begin to become evident (This is not a bad thing. Strong people tend to have strong weaknesses; as long as you're aware of them, they don't have to work to your disadvantage). Good leaders will work to reduce their weaknesses, but moreover, they will use their strengths to the greatest advantage. Focus more on your strengths than weaknesses.

There are many ways in which we may learn more about our own strengths and weaknesses. Some of these are techniques we can choose to practice, such as prayer, meditation or long walks in the park. These are methods by which we pay attention, in very specific ways: with intention, in the present moment and non-judgementally. Keeping a journal can also be a way to learn more about yourself. Other learning experiences are less voluntary; pain, for example, can provide invaluable insights but is rarely a method that people would choose for themselves.

The important thing is to make the commitment to self-knowledge, through whatever means works for you, and to accept and use to your advantage the results of this discovery process. You see, you can't be a good leader if you only compare yourself to others. You have to look into yourself. Your greatest strengths as a leader are those qualities that are unique to you. As you discover them, use them to your advantage. Different people find their ways through different paths, and if you take someone else's path, you may not like where you end up.

Here three (3) ways to learn more about your strengths and yourself:

#1 Choose Your Own Path: It doesn't have to be the path less traveled or the one of least resistance. What matters is that it's the right one for you.

#2 It's Not a Failure If You Learn Something: Be open to the learning process. Whether its pain, mistakes or success, every experience can teach you something. Sometimes the hardest lessons are the most important.

#3 Practice Continuous Renewal: Continuous, disciplined self-examination internalizes the lessons you're learning about yourself and allows you instinctively to play to your own strengths.

THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.

Young Men and Women, Consider the Union with Jesus

“Don’t you realize that your bodies are actually parts of Christ?"

(1 Corinthians 6:15, NLT)

One of the most important doctrines (teachings) relating to the inner spiritual life of the believer is that of his union with Jesus Christ – we are “parts of Christ.” Indeed it could be claimed that it is our only hope of victory over sin and of triumph in the testing circumstances of life, and of abundant and prosperity of life! Yet many Christians do not know that they have been united with Christ and that Christ is in them and them in Christ. If we realize that we “are actually parts of Christ” – union with Him – everything He accomplished by His life, death and resurrection become ours.

Several figures are used in Scripture to illustrate this wonderful and mysterious union. There is the figure of marriage: “Now you are united (or married) with the one who was raised from the dead” (Romans 7:4). This is the highest and most intimate union known to man and is a picture of Christ and His Church. Marriage “is an illustration of the way Christ and the church are one” (read Ephesians 5:31-33).

There is the figure of the body and the head. “…growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church” (Ephesians 4:15). This picture here is of mutual dependence through sharing the same life. The smallest member of the body shares the life of the head.

Jesus also used the figure of the vine and the branches. “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches” (John 15:5). The vine and the branches are one. Neither can exist independently of the other but it is the vine that supplies the nutrients and sap to the branches for fruit-bearing. The sole responsibility of the branch is to receive from the root and stem the vital, nourishing fluid. Then fruit-bearing is automatic and inevitable!

To Hudson Taylor, the great missionary, at a time when he was heavily burdened, the fact of the union of the believer with Christ as illustrated by the vine and the branches brought a transformation of experience to him. Here are his own words: “Here I feel is the secret. Not asking how I am to get the sap out of the vine into myself, but remember that Jesus is the Vine – root, stem, branches, leaves, twigs, flowers, fruit. Let us not want to get anything out of Him, but rejoice in ourselves being in Him. I have not got to make myself a branch. The Lord tells me I am a branch. I am part of Him and have just to believe and act on it.”

We are parts of Christ.

Believe and act on it!

THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.

Help Child Deal with Divorce #10 Annabel, Be Happy, Have Fun and Enjoy Life (End)

Dear Annabel,

            You asked uncle, ‘It is okay to still laugh and have fun?’ Well of course! :) My prayer and wish are for you to be cheerful again. Divorce is not the end of your life, it’s just the beginning of a new and different chapter. Laughter and fun are great stress relievers and having fun with your friends can help you deal with what’s going on. Don’t feel guilty if you are having a good time even when your parents are not. Being miserable will not make it any easier for you or for them. Someone once said: “Some people think that it’s holding on that makes one strong; sometimes it’s letting go.”

            Right now, you might still be in shock and you’re not as happy as you want to. But like what uncle already told you in the past, it won’t always be this way. As time goes by you will find it easier to accept your parents’ divorce and the changes it brings. You may even discover some unexpected positives. I discovered that my parents are happier after the divorce. I get along better with both of my parents when they separated with each other.

I know this might sound weird but coping with divorce can also bring out your strength and maturity. You will become more responsible, independent and thoughtful. I know you will because I see great potentials in you to make a different in other’s lives. You also will become better problem-solvers, better listeners (you can empathize other better) and even better friends. You will be amazed that you can make it through this difficult situation successfully. So be patient. Let others support you and enjoy the good things in life. Be courageous. Be compassionate. Be dependence on God.

Listen… uncle and your aunty are here for you. We always support you. You’re our daughter. I pray you the absolute best as you go through this tough time. You’re not alone. I foresee that you will look back and say, “Wow! That was tough, but I did it. Praise God!”

Laugh more,

Angelus

THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.

Jesus is Here-and-Now, Not Just during Camp Experience... (Mark 9:2-9)

“After six days Jesus took Peter, James and John with him and led them up a high mountain, where they were all alone. There he was transfigured before them. His clothes became dazzling white, whiter than anyone in the world could bleach them. And there appeared before them Elijah and Moses, who were talking to Jesus”
(Mark 9:2-4, NIV).

“If we could just stay up here at camp site, it would be so easy to be a Christian. The beautiful surroundings, inspiring speakers, good Christian friends, good food and none of the hassles of living at home and campus. Jesus is so real here. Why can’t Christian life always be like camp experience?” In other word, why can’t Christian living be a ‘mountaintop experience’? If you’ve attended Christian camps as often as I have, response like wishful paragraph above is a very familiar one. After a week of fun, where praise and worship, quiet time and Christian friendships come so easily, who wants to go back home to the tests, trials and temptations of real life? It’s so much easier to live on the mountaintop.

So it seems like Peter, James and John got a taste of the Christian camp, only in a much more graphic way than you and I. As Jesus’ three closest disciples looked on in trembling amazement, Jesus’ appearance was drastically changed. Jesus “was transfigured before them. His clothes became dazzling white, whiter than anyone in the world could bleach them.” It was a touch of heaven, just like our typical Christian camps experience, only less. Then two Old Testament “stars” – Elijah and Moses – mysteriously appeared and began talking with Jesus as the three disciples stared and “were so frightened” (9:6). The Jews believed that both Elijah (representing the prophets) and Moses (representing the law) were noteworthy among their ancestors because of their great departure from earth (see 2 Kings 2:11 and Deuteronomy 34:5-6). With this knowledge, I think, perhaps Peter, James and John expected God to bring them from the mountaintop into heaven. What a way to go!

Peter, a man who was never at a loss for something to say, stepped forward to suggest that they “put up three shelters” (9:5) or build three shrines to commemorate the glorious event. He wanted the event to last as much as we want our camp to last forever! But Peter was interrupted by “a cloud [that] appeared and covered” the heavenly trio. Then “a voice came from the cloud” boldly announced: “This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!” (9:7). Then Elijah, Moses and the cloud disappeared leaving Jesus and his three disciples standing alone on the mountain. Sadly, the mountaintop experience ended.

Friends, isn’t that the way it is at camp? Great music, inspiring speakers, prayerful atmosphere – Christianity couldn’t be easier! On the way to camp we sing songs until our lungs out. Then on the last day we give a glowing testimony of our fresh commitment to Christ. Everything is rosy and bright – heavenly! But then, here is Monday morning. The thrill is gone! Camp is over! Life with all its disgusting realities and complexities is back. No! But that’s the way it is after a spiritual high like camp. It’s happened to me and almost every students I’ve ever known. We come back to the nasty here-and-now.

But wait a second! Take a look back up on the mountain in Mark 9:9. “As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus…” There are four of them who went back to the valley from the mountaintop experience. Peter, James, John – and Jesus! It’s not Jesus in shining cloth, accompanied by Elijah and Moses, and surround by cloud of heaven. No, it’s Jesus in everyday clothes, walking closely to His disciples as He accompanies them back to the nasty here-and-now. I think that’s what we tend to forget when coming back from camp, church, prayer meeting or any other mountaintop experience. Jesus is not confined to a mountaintop chapel, sanctuary or campsite. Jesus journeys with us into everyday life to help us with difficulties, temptations and trails.

No doubt, it is a great journey to a mountaintop and get a glimpse of a gloriously glowing Jesus. These occasional experiences with Christ help charge our spiritual batteries (Thus, I promote Christian camps). But everyday life is in the valleys and on the land, not on the mountaintop. And that’s where Jesus is today – right here in the valleys with us, helping us to live out the mountaintop glow. Life after camp is where we spend most of our time. Friends, do you see Him in the ordinary?

“As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus…”

I love Jesus. He is surely with us on the mountaintop,
and definitely – in everyday life.

THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.

Jesus doesn't Wants Us to Hide Behind Masks of Religious Piety (Mark 8:14-21)

“The disciples had forgotten to bring bread, except for one loaf they had with them in the boat. ‘Be careful,’ Jesus warned them. ‘Watch out for the yeast of the Pharisees and that of Herod.’ They discussed this with one another and said, ‘It is because we have no bread.’ Aware of their discussion, Jesus asked them: ‘Why are you talking about having no bread? Do you still not see or understand? Are your hearts hardened? Do you have eyes but fail to see, and ears but fail to hear? …He said to them, ‘Do you still not understand?’”

(Mark 8:14-18, 21, NIV).

Have pity on Jesus’ disciples. They are like us sometimes. They misunderstood Jesus’ teaching altogether. When Jesus said, “Be careful. Watch out for the yeast of the Pharisees and that of Herod,” their minds are still taken up with everyday physical matters like food, but Jesus was talking about spiritual matters. They could’ve ask Jesus further about what He meant, but instead they discussed the fact that they hadn’t brought enough bread to eat on their trip! But Jesus was warning them against something much more serious than forgetting their picnic basket. Luke, another Gospel writer, gave a more complete account of Jesus’ statement when He said, “Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy” (Luke 12:1). Matthew on the other hand, write that Jesus was talking about “the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees” (Matthew 16:12). So, Jesus was talking about their hypocrisy in conducts and teachings! [Note: Many “that of Herod” or Herodians were also Sadducees]

From my reading of the Scriptures, Jesus hate extremely these two things: unbelieve and hypocrisy. What is hypocrisy? Simply stated, it is pretending to be something or someone you’re not – putting up a front in order to conceal your true identity. The Greek word actually means, “playacting,” originally referred to the Greek dramatists who were famous for their masks (they act using masks). By the time of Jesus, the Pharisees were such accomplished hypocrites that they could have won Malaysia’s Anugerah Drama Festival! Remember what Jesus’ statement about them? “These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me” (Mark 7:6). They concentrated on appearing righteous and religious in front of people, but it was only playacting. They were really far from God in their hearts.

Jesus compared hypocrisy to “yeast” or leaven. Why? Because when yeast is added to bread dough, it causes the bread to rise beyond its normal size. Thus, if you study a slice of bread, you’ll find that it is full of holes and empty inside. In the same way, like hypocrisy, even though they appear full and perfect looking on the outside, but in the inside it is full of holes and lots of empty spaces. Jesus had stronger words for the Pharisees and their hypocrisy than any other human condition. Because of their hypocrisy, they become unbelieve to what is obviously true, namely, Jesus’ divinity shows through His miracle (Mark 8:1-13).

If God does not want His people hiding behind masks of religious piety, then, what does He want? Let me suggest, how about being transparent. A transparent Christian is one who is completely honest about him or herself to others and especially to God. People can see right through them – they are not wearing any hypocritical masks. They not trying to act out a role which is different from what they really are. When they are fine, they are fine. But when they sinned against God or against others, they are ready to say, “Forgive me, I’ve done you wrongly” (See how a hypocrite and a transparent-person respond to their sin in Luke 18:9-14). Being transparent is important for Christians. We all blow it on occasion – angry words, hateful deeds, failure and sin. The key to recovery in such situations is not hypocrisy such as think positive thoughts, positive confessions, etc. Don’t pretending! Admitting to God and to your Christian brothers and sisters that you are less than perfect and that you are in need of forgiveness and restoration.

Being a transparent person isn’t easy. That’s for sure. Jesus was the most transparent person who ever walked the earth and He was treated rather badly for it. But it’s the kind of life-style God is looking for in His people. For some of you that might mean humiliation as you apologize to a group of friends for show-off hypocritically and judgmental attitude. Or it might mean embarrassment as you confess to your pastor or friends in the church that you’re still struggle with some particular sins and in need of prayers. Don’t be too concern with what people think of you, what God think about you is all that matter eternally. Be transparent. Don’t “play the role” but “live it like it is.” If you’re transparent and be honest to God, He can do something great in you. Do you understand now?

THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.

Jesus's Perfect Love = No Fear of God's Judgement and Punishment (1 John 4:17-18)

“[As] we live in God, our love grows more perfect. So we will not be afraid on the day of judgment, but we can face him with confidence because we live like Jesus here in this world. Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love”

(1 John 4:17-18, NLT).

Early in the Apostle John’s letter (1 John 2:28), he talks about the confidence we will have when Christ returns because of our faith in God. At that time, people who have turned away from God will feel afraid and helpless. It will be too late – nothing more can happen. The opportunities people have had to understand God’s Word or to accept Jesus – the Son of God – as Lord and Saviour will be gone, and unbelievers will be speechless and unable to move because of their fear. True Christians, on the other hand, will feel strong and sure; they have put their belief in God.

Fears and anxieties are powerful emotions. Whether we feel fear (when we know what we are afraid of), or anxiety (when we feel afraid but we’re not sure what is causing it), such feelings can make us want to back off, withdraw, run or hide. We will often feel unsure or powerless when faced with a certain situation or person. And running away may seem like the only solution. Some of us may feel that our fears are controlling us; all we can think about is being afraid. Sometimes we even get afraid of being afraid, so we avoid certain situations to keep from becoming so strong that they overwhelm us.

But here is the great news (!) for coping with our fears: “As we live in God, our love grows more perfect… Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear.” As we walk in God’s light and live with God, our fears are banished. There is no room for fear in love. It is like oil and water – the two will just not mix. Love and fear are like that; they are not compatible. God calls us to be strong, courageous persons, not weak, cowardly nerds. “Love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear.”

Friends, let’s go back to the confidence we will have as Christians when Christ returns. We know that “we will not be afraid on the day of judgment” or “fear of punishment” because we have accepted Christ (if not, you’re sure to be afraid). Jesus Christ Himself is on our side, His blood covers us – and God’s Spirit lives within us. As we believe and have confidence in God about the future, we can learn to cope with our fears on a day-to-day basis. We need to recognize and deal with our fears rather than avoid them. Then we can pray that God will help us face those situations that make us so afraid, to give us the courage to walk towards our fears rather than away from them. Well, walking through our fears may feel like walking through a long, dark tunnel. If we think about how long the tunnel is we may be tempted to give up. But if we take one step at a time, soon we feel stronger and our fears begin to lose their power. Soon the light at the end of the tunnel gets brighter and brighter, and we can find our way more easily than before. No fear.

The Apostle Paul reminds us that “God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love and self-discipline” (2 Timothy 1:7). That is a gift God has given us. But it’s like a Christmas present. If we put a present away and don’t unwrap it, the gift won’t do us any good.  And the gifts of courage and love won’t be ours until we claim them and ask God to change whatever habits have been giving us problems. And this love we experience with God becomes more and more perfect (or mature and complete). “As we live in God, our love grows more perfect.” It just keeps getting better and better toward perfection in Christ.

So the next time you feel like running for your life, stop! Remember the courage God promises to give you. Make use of it. Face your fears. Claim God's promises and words. And your fears will do the running instead of you. Amen?

Come let us “fully experienced his perfect love.”

With Christ. No fear.

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 Hates These 3 Sins: Dominated by Appetites, Outward Show, and Try to Look Important (1 John 2:16)

“For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world”

(1 John 2:16, NLT).

According to the Apostle John [thus, it is according to Jesus really, since apostles are God’s instruments] there are at least three different sins related to love for the world: “a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions.” Let’s talk briefly about each of these concerns.

First, “A craving for physical pleasure” is translated as “the cravings of sinful man” and “the flesh’s desire” in other translations. It means to be dominated by your senses or appetites. Food, sex, music, or other material goods are examples. These items may not in themselves be wrong. The way we use them makes them right or wrong. Wanting food, for example, is not necessarily wrong, but if food becomes the most important thing in your life – you become obsessed with it – then you have a problem. If we want something selfishly, and we are willing to get that thing at practically any cost, then we are concentrating on that thing and not much else. That item then becomes like a god until we obtain it. But it is never enough; the desire for things tends to grow and grow.

A second sin is “a craving for everything we see” or “the lust of the eyes” or “eye’s desire.” When we begin to feel that happiness will be found in things that money can buy, we can be tugged into sin which focuses on the outward show. The Scriptures tell us again and again that what we see around us is temporary – it will eventually wear out or fall apart. The Apostle Paul reminds us of this when he says: “[Don’t] look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever” (2 Corinthians 4:18).

Remember, the eyes are the gateway to the mind, so they are a vital part of making us who we are. The Psalmist says: “Turn my eyes from worthless things, and give me life through your word” (Psalms 119:37). The more we look at something, the more we will think about it and the more we will want it. And the more we want it, the more we will use whatever energy we have to get it. Then such things become gods to us.

A third sin, one which goes a step further, is called “pride in our achievements and possessions.” Another translator calls this “the boasting of what he has and does” and “life’s empty pride.” Some people are tempted to go beyond outward show or show off what they have – even to the point of lying. In trying to look better and richer, these people may try to outdo everyone else in describing what they have, whether it is true or not. People who like this are very insecure and unhappy. They spend so much energy trying to look great and important and trying hard to impress others. Beware!

As we examine ourselves over these three sins of the world, take to heart that “these are not from the Father, but are from this world. And this world is fading away, along with everything that people crave. But anyone who does what pleases God will live forever” (1 John 2:16-17). Ask yourself further: what do you think about most of the time? What changes do you need to make so that God is at the center of your life? According to the Scriptures and the Spirit's leading, "what pleases God"? 

THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.

Letters to Annie: Your Circumstances Changes but God Does Not

Don't cry, I'm here for you. Be strong. The Lord is your rock.

Dear Annie,

            Don’t cry. Please don’t cry. Sometime things happened in our lives, changes that we can’t avoid and promises that people can’t keep. I want you to know that your circumstances change but God does not. My dear love, we live in a world that is always changing, but we worship a God that never changes – thank goodness! That means that we can be comforted in the knowledge that our Heavenly Father is the rock that simple cannot be moved. Annie, look at the Scripture, read Psalm 18:2, “The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my saviour; my God is my rock in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the strength of my salvation, and my stronghold.” Your circumstances change but God, “my rock,” does not. God declares: “I am the Lord, I do not change!” So, be strong.

            The next time you face difficult circumstances, tough times, unfair treatment, or a broken relationship with others, remember that somethings never change – things like the love that you feel in your heart for your family and friends and (I hope) for me… and ultimately the love that God feels for you. “God does not give us everything we want,” write Dietrich Bonhoeffer, “but He does fulfil all His promises as He leads us along the best and straight paths to Himself.” So, Annie, instead of worrying too much about life’s inevitable challenges, focus your energies on finding solutions. Plus, I’m here for you, to encourage and support you in anyhow possible. I love you. Have faith in your own God-given abilities, do your best to solve your problems, and dear… leave the rest up to God.

The God who spoke still speaks.

He comes into our world.

He comes into your world.

He comes to do what you can’t.

Annie, be strong!

Akui liveng Ikak,

Richard

THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.

Letters to Annie: Put Faith Above Feelings

Dear Annie,

Knowing you as proved to me that there’s still friendship and honesty in the world. You are the best friend and a lover any one can have! Knowing someone as sincere and honest as you has made my faith in the future grow. Now that disbelieve seems to be taking over our lives, to know there are people like you makes all the problems look smaller. It’s great to be your boyfriend and friend and to be able to look in your eyes and see a mix of serenity and hope. For me, this fairly recent relationship is something I consider to be sacred already. It makes me have faith again. Thank you Annie for loving me.

As much as I love you, this feeling can come and go. Faith is, however, much better. Let us have faith in each other and most importantly, faith in God. “Now the just shall live by faith” (Hebrews 10:38). This teaches that we should live by faith in God. “We are to live by faith, not feelings,” said Kay Arthur. Yet sometimes Annie, despite our best intentions, negative feelings can rob us of the peace and abundance that would otherwise be ours through Christ. When anger or jealousy or doubt or anxiety separates us from the spiritual blessings that God has in store, we must rethink our priorities and renew our faith.

Annie, and I want to tell myself: We must place faith above feelings. Human emotions are highly variable, decidedly unpredictable, and very sad to say – often unreliable. Our emotions are like weather, only far more fickle. So we must learn to live by faith, not by the ups and downs of our own emotional roller coasters.

Annie, remember our last night conversation? Have faith. Sometime during this day, you will probably be gripped by a strong negative emotion (I love you for who you are). Distrust it. Reign it in. And turn it over to God. Your emotions will inevitably change; God will not. So trust Him completely as you watch your feelings slowly evaporate into thin air – which, of course, they will. Helen Keller, blind early of her life, writes, “It gives me a deep, comforting sense that ‘things seen are temporal and things unseen are eternal.’”

I love you: that is both faith (that we going to be together) and affection (at this moment) for you.

But more than that, God loves you. Have faith in Him and live by faith.

                        You don’t have to understand everything,

Richard

THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.