Life Checkpoint: Do you have in your life some unresolved issues where
someone has wronged you and you feel great distress whenever you think
of him/her? Do you think "how dare him/her after all I have done? I
don't deserve this!" if so, I sensed from my quiet time to share this
with you.
Recently in my healing and wholeness, I have also come
to realise I have unresolved hurts that held on to and literally
controlled my life. But that has been dealt with. Yesterday, was just
chatting with someone on what it means to forgive and forget. And as I
read from 1 Sam 24 & 25, I sense God teaching me on it. In 1 Sam 24,
we see how David (who was pursued by King Saul for his life, though for
no wrongdoing of David's) had an opportunity to kill Saul but yet he
did not. But yet in the next chapter, he encountered Nabal who was
insolent to him when he asked for food for his people and he refused,
mocking him saying that he (Nabal) does not know who David is. This
after all the kindness that David has shown to Nabal's shepherds. Unlike
in the previous chapter, David got angry and arose with his men to want
to kill him, only to be stopped by Nabal's wife who stopped him midway
and reasoned with him. To which David, finally realising it, said that
her advice is good and stop him from needless bloodshed and taking
vengeance in his own hands (1 Sam 25:33).
And we read on that
Nabal was struck dead by the Lord ten days later and King Saul was dead
some time after. God has indicated 3 times in the bible, both old and
new testament that vengeance is His.
Beloved, do not avenge
yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written,
“Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. (Rom 12:19 NKJV)
Why
does the Lord requires that we leave vengeance to Him? I could only
think its because God does not want us to even entertain evil in our
lives and have our lives wrecked by it.
In the words of King
David, ‘Wickedness proceeds from the wicked.’ (1 Sam 24:13a NKJV). When
we hold on to unresolved bitterness, we allow wickedness and evil into
our lives.
In the word of Nabal's wife, "don’t let this be a
blemish on your record. Then your conscience won’t have to bear the
staggering burden of needless bloodshed and vengeance" (1 Sam 25:31a)
God
sees the heart and is more concerned of your heart, not wanting it to
unnecessarily be filled with malice, hatred, bitterness, which is not of
Him and which wrecks your life. If you do have these unresolved issues,
think about how it's eating you and your life up. When we let go and
let God, we are trusting in His good time things will work for good for
you who follow His way. God will deal with it. Not letting go to God is
not trusting God and wanting to run your own life. His purposes for you
are always good.
And we know that all things work together for
good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His
purpose. (Romans 8:28 NKJV)
God is not asking you to let go of your bitterness but to let go to Him and let God take over so you can be pure. He judges.
To all dads and future dads, you have an anointed role in the life of your children to NOT mess up their lives.
Also, our Heavenly Father does not want to see us mess up our lives...
We will all see Him face to face and that is where we will be judged.
11 Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it, from whose
face the earth and the heaven fled away. And there was found no place
for them. 12 And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before
God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the
Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the
things which were written in the books. 13 The sea gave up the dead who
were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them.
And they were judged, each one according to his works. 14 Then Death
and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.
15 And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the
lake of fire. (Revelations: 20: 11-15, NKJV)
He is the good Judge. Think His judgment will be based on the weighing of our goods over bad to see if we are saved for heaven? Think again.
Throughout the last few months, I have grown weary with all that happened in my life, which turned my life topsy turvy; having to manage quite a great deal including illness, loss of direction, death, disappointment, grief etc.
And despite God speaking very clearly in the past few weeks through sermon, chapel, department devotions, "Roadmap to Maturity" course and quiet time, asking me to take up my cross, I wrestled with God and wanted to run away, just as Jonah did. "I am just too tired Lord and it's just not worth it".
But this this Good Friday, God has helped me to come to realize the full extent of His love for us, which demanded from me a response. I have come to realize that in the last hours of Jesus' life, it came to be an intense demonstration of the full extent of His love (John 13:1b, NIV84).
In the verse following John 13:1, we see the disciple John providing the only account, among the gospels, of the Lord Jesus washing the feet of His disciples. More than just a simple act, it was an act with profound significance. As one commentary puts it: "it was an act of Jesus' love that would stoop to even the most menial service. It was a spiritual cleansing. And it was an example of how Christians should treat each other. In these ways, the washing of the disciples' feet prefigured the Crucifixion" (Asbury Bible Commentary).
Starting with feet washing, Jesus here showed the full extent of His love for us every step of the way, from the last supper, struggling at the Garden of Gethsemane where He had to face the reality that He would have to go through the pain of crucifixion soon, all the way to the cross. All these because Jesus wants to cleanse us.
Do you now understand the full extent of His love for you? And what would your response be to His love for you?
Came across this beautiful song "I Then Shall Live" which I hope will minister to you, in the way we should live our lives as a response to the Lord Jesus Christ's work on the cross for us.
Once again, we are reminded that we have been cleansed by Jesus. Now, live your life as cleansed...
We asked a poignant question yesterday in cell. Why does the church exists?
And there were indeed many answers given...
A community of believers to support, pray for, help, encourage and edify one another
A place where we can attend Christian Education courses to grow in God
A place where there's worship services so we can come together and hear God's leaders preach the word
A place where there are intercession for everyone
A place where there are programmes such as cell groups, missions, evangelism, discipleship etc
A place where we, as believers, can exercise our giftings to bless each other
All these are good but as I sat down to prepare for cell and pondered, God brought to me a deeper revelation of what the Church is and why it exists.
God: "Are You Missing the Point?" The past week had been an emotional roller coaster for me, as I struggled with God and told Him that I wanted to be a mediocre Christian. But from Sunday all the way till Friday, God has been sending me a series of "lessons".
I used to learn a lot from God when I did my QT using Navigator's Discipleship Journalwhich brought me through the bible each day rather extensively, through passages in both the Old and New Testament. And I remember how it always excites me because, even though the passages are all from 4 different places in the bible, sometimes a consistent message or lesson just pop out at me. But I have stopped using the Discipleship Journal plan ever since completed it some time back, and instead switched to a shorter plan. But, as I went through the "roller coaster" week, there was a desire to want to hear from God clearly again. And as I picked it up on Monday, God brought me to Acts 1:4-8 (NKJV):
4 And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, “which,” He said, “you have heard from Me;5 for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”6 Therefore, when they had come together, they asked Him, saying, “Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7 And He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority.8 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
Here, Jesus was asking the disciples to wait for the empowerment of the Holy Spirit, which would help them to go about His mission for them. But the disciples missed the point and instead asked Jesus if He was speaking about the restoration of the Kingdom to Israel. Jesus quickly brought the disciples back and reminded them that they will be empowered to be His witness, both locally and globally; to the ends of the earth.
What Perspective? There was a prompting to share this passage with cell yesterday but I did not know how to go about it. But it became clear to me during worship yesterday that I, just like the disciples, have missed the point when I struggled with God. I was holding on to a worldly perspective rather than a Kingdom perspective. God has helped me to realise that we too can sometimes miss the point e.g. about the purposes and role of the Church.
Yes, intercession, prayer meetings, cell groups, CE courses, missions, Sunday service, Sunday school, all these are good. But have we missed the whole point of why God caused the Church to exist? And it is also true that many of us receive from the Church many good things: teachings, growth, reminders, encouragement, counselling, friendship, peace, new perspectives but yet, why the Church?
God Loves EVERYONE For this, God again brought me revelation as I read Acts 2: 38-39 (NKJV) for yesterday's QT.
38 Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 The promise is for you and your children and for ALL who are far off—for ALL whom the Lord our God will call.” (Emphasis mine)
These 2 simple verses made me realise that God loves EVERYONE; you and me, He loves us so much that He does not want us to perish.
2 Peter 3:9 (NIV) -The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. (Emphasis mine)
God's Restoration Work
And it became very clear to me, once again, that God is going about His restoration work, all the way from the very beginning of time.
Acts 3:21, 25-26 (NIV)
21 Heaven must receive him until the time comes for God to restore everything, as he promised long ago through his holy prophets... 25 And you are heirs of the prophets and of the covenant God made with your fathers. He said to Abraham, ‘Through your offspring all peoples on earth will be blessed.’ 26 When God raised up his servant, he sent him first to you to bless you by turning each of you from your wicked ways.” (Emphasis mine)
Somehow, this was apparent to me after I completed the KAIROS course years ago, but I have since forgotten. On a sidenote, I would recommend everyone of you to go for KAIROS course, as it is a course which helps you make sense of the bible, as we examine it biblically, historically, strategically and culturally; everything in the past and in the current world will piece together and make sense as you see God's hands in it.
But I am reminded that, yes, God started His restoration work from the very beginning when Adam and Eve fell.
Genesis 3:15 (NIV)
And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspringand hers; he will crushyour head, and you will strike his heel.”
God was talking to Satan who have caused man to fall away from God and we now know that, from the very beginning, God was setting in motion His Kingdom salvation plan and will ultimately bring a Messiah, Jesus; offspring of the woman. Satan will strike His heel but Christ will crush his head.
And who is this Salvation plan for? The Jews? Us? No, it's for all peoples of the earth! Was not all of us in God's mind when He made the Abrahamic Covenant with Abraham when He said: "... and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.”
So it's now clear that God is not just concerned, from the very beginning for just a select group of people, but for ALL peoples of the earth. 2 Cor 5: 14a (NIV) reminds us that "one died for all".
The Ministry of Reconciliation Jesus came to reconcile us to God but left with us the mission to continue this ministry of reconciliation, which Daniel Goh so aptly pointed out in 2 Cor 5:18-20 (NIV):
18 All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: 19 that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. 20 We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.
So, from the very beginning, God has you and ALL peoples in mind, to restore us back to Him, away from the work of the Satan, who seeks to "steal, kill and destroy".
So coming back, where does the Church stand in all these? The Church is meant to be the "called out" ones; the ones who have been called by God to restoration with Him and then, to in turn call out others back to Him. This is why the Church exists. And all the cell groups, seminars, Sunday schools, missions, intercession, prayer meetings are the means to the end (not the end) of helping us, on a daily basis, to be restored to God and in turn to help us restore others to God.
God's Holy Spirit & Empowerment And God did not leave us alone because He knows we need empowerment. Thus, He gave the Holy Spirit to each of us, just as Jesus had the Holy Spirit which empowers Him:
Luke 4:18-19 (NIV)
"“The Spirit of the Lord is on me,because he has anointed meto proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisonersand recovery of sight for the blind,to set the oppressed free,to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”
Yes, there are people who are unlovable, who are resistant, who we might feel do not deserve Christ. But think about it, you and I are also unlovable to some other people and definitely unlovable in God's standards. But someone cared enough to bring us to be restored with God. All the peoples, both locally and globally, are children of God and God cares for them. What are you doing about it?
Do you now know why the Church exists?
In a nutshell:
God loves EVERYONE
God loves EVERYONE enough to begin His Salvation plan from the moment man fell
Jesus came to bring reconciliation between God and His people
Jesus gave the ministry of reconciliation to His followers
The Church exists, not as a building or institution or club, but as a gathering and community of His followers to be about this ministry of reconciliation.
Missions, cell groups, prayer meetings, services, CE courses all are means to help us be restored to God, on a daily basis, and to help us to restore others to God
God does not leave us alone but gives us the Holy Spirit to help us
And ultimately, the Kingdom of God will be established on earth, as it is in heaven
Amen
Do you now have the Kingdom perspective of the Church?
I have also included the videos which I showed in cell yesterday and hope it helps to further drive the points across.
Was in chapel today and heard about the Parable of the Pencil.
I adapted it and hope the below will bless you as it has blessed me:
The Parable of the Pencil
The Pencil Maker took the pencil aside, just before putting it into the box.
"There are 7 things you need to know..." he told the pencil, "...before I send you out into the world. Always remember them and never forget, and you will become the best pencil you can be."
"One: You will be able to do many great things, but only if you allow yourself to be held in Someone's hand."
"Two: You will experience a painful sharpening from time to time, but you'll need it to become a better pencil."
"Three: The most important part of you will always be what's inside."
"Four: You will be able to correct any mistakes you might make."
"Five: On every surface you are used on, you must leave your mark. No matter what the condition, you must continue to write."
"Six: Use your ability to erase appropriately, help others to correct mistakes and not to run them down and negate their mark."
"And finally Seven: You need to work alongside other pencils to see beautiful things achieved. There are times when a darker shade of pencil needs to be used and there are times when a lighter shade is essential."
The pencil understood and promised to remember, and went into the box with purpose in its heart. Now, replace the pencil with YOU. Always remember them and never forget, and you will become the best person you can be.
One: You will be able to do many great things, but only if you allow yourself to be held in God's hand. And allow other human beings to access you for the many gifts you possess.
John 15:4 (NIV, 1984) "Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me."
Two: You will experience a painful sharpening from time to time, by going through various challenges in life, but you'll need it to become a stronger person.
James 1:2,3,4 (NIV, 1984) "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."
Three: The most important part of you will always be what's inside. For some of us, we operate out of broken lead inside and no matter how much we sharpen, the tip will always come out broken and break. If you inside is broken, it's time for you to receive God's lead.
1 Samuel 16:7b (NIV, 1984) "The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”
Luke 6: 45 (NIV, 1984) "The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks."
Ezekiel 26:36 (NIV, 1984) "I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh."
Four: You will be able to correct any mistakes you might make.
The bible is full of imperfect people who makes mistakes. The difference is that they did not let them stop them from growing: David, Peter, Moses, Abraham and the list goes on.
Five: On every surface you walk, you must leave your mark. No matter what the situation, you must continue to serve God in everything.
Romans 12:11 (NIV, 1984) "Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord."
Six: Use your ability to erase appropriately, help others to correct mistakes and not to run them down and negate their mark.
2 Peter 3:9 (NIV, 1984) "The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance."
2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NIV, 1984) "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work."
2 Timothy 2: 25-26 (NIV, 1984) "Those who oppose him he must gently instruct, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will."
And finally Seven: You need to work alongside other pencils to see beautiful things achieved. There are times when a darker shade of pencil needs to be used and there are times when a lighter shade is essential.
Romans 12:4-8 (NIV, 1984) "Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man’s gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully."
By understanding and remembering, let us proceed with our life on this earth having a meaningful purpose in our heart and a relationship with God daily.
Allow this parable on the pencil to encourage you to know that you are a special person and only you can fulfill the purpose to which you were born to accomplish. You can have a life with a meaningful purpose and a wonderful relationship with God everyday.
Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV,1984) "For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
Jeremiah 1:4-5a (NIV, 1984) "The word of the LORD came to me, saying, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart;"
Ephesians 2:10 (NIV, 1984) "For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."
Life without God is like an unsharpened pencil, it has no point.
The time has come again when we are reminded of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ and what He did for us.
And as I ponder on the reason for the season, I would never fail to remember a meaningful story I once read, I am the Cross, about the pain that Jesus bore for me.
This year, at staff chapel earlier, I am again reminded of the pain that Jesus bear, but this time, not only on the cross but when the pain starts being unbearable at the Garden of Gethsemane.
Matthew 26
36 Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.”37 He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled. 38 Then he said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.”
39 Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.”
40 Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Couldn’t you men keep watch with me for one hour?” he asked Peter. 41 “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
42 He went away a second time and prayed, “My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done.”
43 When he came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. 44 So he left them and went away once more and prayed the third time, saying the same thing.
45 Then he returned to the disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Look, the hour has come, and the Son of Man is delivered into the hands of sinners.46 Rise! Let us go! Here comes my betrayer!”
Someone was sharing in chapel from an article written by Max Lucado, The Passion, the Pain and the Promise, and I have come to realise how how Jesus loved us and how the battle for our lives between God and Satan was won, not on Calvary, but at the Garden itself, when Jesus painstakingly make the decision to die on the cross even, this even though when He could have walked away.
... History records it as the battle of the Jews against Jesus. It wasn’t. It was a battle of God against Satan...
... And Jesus knew it. Jesus knew that before the war was over, he would be taken captive. He knew that before victory would come defeat. He knew that before the throne would come the cup. He knew that before the light of Sunday would come the blackness of Friday. And he is afraid...
... It will be the last time he sees them (His disciples) before they abandon him. He knows what they will do when the soldiers come. He knows their betrayal is only minutes away. But he doesn’t accuse. He doesn’t lecture. Instead, he prays. His last moments with his disciples are in prayer..
... It’s worth noting that Jesus chose prayer. He chose to pray for us...
... You need to note that in this final prayer, Jesus prayed for you....
... “I am also praying for all people who believe in me because of the teaching.” (John 17)...
... As Jesus stepped into the garden, you were in his prayer...
... His humanity begged to be delivered from what his divinity could see...
... we do know he asked to get out. We do know he begged for an exit. We do know there was a time when if he could have, he would have turned his head back on the whole mess and gone away. But he couldn’t.
He couldn’t because he saw you. Right there in the middle of a world which isn’t fair. He saw you cast into a river of life which you didn’t request. He saw you betrayed by those you love. He saw with a body which gets sick and a heart that grows weak. He saw you in your own garden of gnarled trees and sleeping friends. He saw you staring into the pit of your own failures and the mouth of your own grave. He saw you in your Garden of Gethsemane—and he didn’t want you to be alone. He wanted you to know that he has been there, too. He knows what it’s like to be plotted against. He knows what it’s like to be confused. He knows what it’s like to be torn between two desires. He knows what it’s like to smell the stench of Satan. And, perhaps most of all, he knows what it’s like to beg God to change his mind and to hear God say so gently, but firmly, “No.” For that is what God said to Jesus. And Jesus accepts the answer....
... The battle is won. You may have thought it was won on Golgotha. It wasn’t. The final battle was won in Gethsemane...
... For it was in the garden that he made his decision. He would rather go to hell for you than go to heaven without you.
This is the love of Christ, the love of God, for you and for me...
I like one of the songs which expresses this in its wonderful simplicity; that He is above all but He chose death and thought of us above all...
ABOVE ALL
Above all powers
Above all kings
Above all nature
And all created things
Above all wisdom
And all the ways of man
You were here
Before the world began
Above all kingdoms
Above all thrones
Above all wonders
The world has ever known
Above all wealth
And treasures of the earth
There's no way to measure
What You're worth
Chorus:
Crucified
Laid behind the stone
You lived to die
Rejected and alone
Like a rose
Trampled on the ground
You took the fall
And thought of me
Above all
One of the songs sang during cell last week captivated me and may we never lose the wonder of the cross; remembering the meaning of the cross not only on Good Friday and Easter but every day of our lives:
It’s nearly midnight when they leave the upper room and descend through the streets of the city. They pass the Lower Pool and exit the Fountain Gate and walk out of Jerusalem. The roads are lined with the fires and tents of Passover pilgrims. Most are asleep, heavied with the evening meal. Those still awake think little of the band of men walking the chalky road.
They pass through the valley and ascend the path which will take them to Gethsemane. The road is steep so they stop to rest. Somewhere within the city walls the twelfth apostle darts down a street. His feet have been washed by the man he will betray. His heart has been claimed by the Evil One he has heard. He runs to find Caiaphas.
The final encounter of the battle has begun.
As Jesus looks at the city of Jerusalem, he sees what the disciples can’t. It is here, on the outskirts of Jerusalem, that the battle will end. He sees the staging of Satan. He sees the dashing of the demons. He sees the Evil One preparing for the final encounter. The enemy looks as a spectre over the hour. Satan, the host of hatred, has seized the heart of Judas and whispered in the ear of Caiaphas. Satan, the master of death, has opened the caverns and prepared to receive the source of light.
Hell is breaking loose.
History records it as the battle of the Jews against Jesus. It wasn’t. It was a battle of God against Satan.
And Jesus knew it. Jesus knew that before the war was over, he would be taken captive. He knew that before victory would come defeat. He knew that before the throne would come the cup. He knew that before the light of Sunday would come the blackness of Friday.
And he is afraid.
He turns and begins the final ascent into the garden. When he reaches the entry he stops and turns his eyes toward his circle of friends. It will be the last time he sees them before they abandon him. He knows what they will do when the soldiers come. He knows their betrayal is only minutes away.
But he doesn’t accuse. He doesn’t lecture. Instead, he prays. His last moments with his disciples are in prayer. And the words he speaks are as eternal as the stars which hear them.
Imagine, for a moment, yourself in this situation. Your final hour with a son about to be sent overseas. Your last moments with your dying spouse. One last visit with your parent. What do you say? What do you do? What words do you choose?
It’s worth noting that Jesus chose prayer. He chose to pray for us. “I pray for these men. But I am also praying for all people who will believe in me because of the teaching of these men. Father, I pray that all people who believe in me can be one . . . I pray that these people can also be one in us, so that the world will believe that you sent me.”
You need to note that in this final prayer, Jesus prayed for you. You need to underline in red and highlight in yellow his love: “I am also praying for all people who believe in me because of the teaching.” That is you. As Jesus stepped into the garden, you were in his prayer.
As Jesus looked into heaven, you were in his vision. As Jesus dreamed of the day when we will be where he is, he saw you there. His final prayer was about you. His final pain was for you. His final passion was you. He then turns, steps into the garden, and invites Peter, James, and John to come. He tells them his soul is “overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death,” and begins to pray. Never has he felt so alone. What must be done, only can he do. An angel can’t do it. No angel has the power to break open hell’s gates. A man can’t do it. No man has the purity to destroy sin’s claim. No force on earth can face the force of evil and win—except God. “The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak,” Jesus confesses. His humanity begged to be delivered from what his divinity could see. Jesus, the carpenter, implores. Jesus, the man, peers into the dark pit and begs, “Can’t there be another way?”
Did he know the answer before he asked the question? Did his human heart hope his heavenly father had found another way? We don’t know. But we do know he asked to get out. We do know he begged for an exit. We do know there was a time when if he could have, he would have turned his head back on the whole mess and gone away. But he couldn’t.
He couldn’t because he saw you. Right there in the middle of a world which isn’t fair. He saw you cast into a river of life which you didn’t request. He saw you betrayed by those you love. He saw with a body which gets sick and a heart that grows weak. He saw you in your own garden of gnarled trees and sleeping friends. He saw you staring into the pit of your own failures and the mouth of your own grave. He saw you in your Garden of Gethsemane—and he didn’t want you to be alone. He wanted you to know that he has been there, too. He knows what it’s like to be plotted against. He knows what it’s like to be confused. He knows what it’s like to be torn between two desires. He knows what it’s like to smell the stench of Satan. And, perhaps most of all, he knows what it’s like to beg God to change his mind and to hear God say so gently, but firmly, “No.” For that is what God said to Jesus. And Jesus accepts the answer.
At some moment during that midnight hour an angel of mercy comes over the weary body of the man in the garden. As he stands, the anguish is gone from his eyes. His fist will clench no more. His heart will fight no more. The battle is won. You may have thought it was won on Golgotha. It wasn’t. The final battle was won in Gethsemane. And the sign of conquest is Jesus at peace in the olive trees. For it was in the garden that he made his decision. He would rather go to hell for you than go to heaven without you.
You are good, You are good
When there's nothing good in me
You are love, You are love
On display for all to see
You are light, You are light
When the darkness closes in
You are hope, You are hope
You have covered all my sin
You are peace, You are peace
When my fear is crippling
You are true, You are true
Even in my wandering
You are joy, You are joy
You're the reason that I sing
You are life, You are life,
In You death has lost its sting
Oh, I’m running to Your arms,
I’m running to Your arms
The riches of Your love
Will always be enough
Nothing compares to Your embrace
Light of the world forever reign
You are more, You are more
Than my words will ever say
You are Lord, You are Lord
All creation will proclaim
You are here, You are here
In Your presence I'm made whole
You are God, You are God
Of all else I'm letting go
For the past few weeks, I have been pondering how to work with at-risk youths, as God called me to my current new role here, working with at-risk youths; something which is very new to me. Following home visits, God has helped me to see a side which I never have expected to; how both youths and their parents are usually people who are hurting in their own ways. Similarly, I have recently also been asking God how I can increase in my capacity to work alongside with people to facilitate restoration and healing in ministry.
I thank God for an answered prayer as He brought me to Borders yesterday, since I had time to spare in between a planning retreat and another appointment. I had just intended to just go and just browse some books but had never thought that I would be blessed by finding a book, that helped me answered both my questions above and yet also teach me something about a spiritual matter I have been wanting to get some insights on.
As I browsed the shelves of Borders, God brought me to a book that looked old and dated; a book with a cover that had some defects as well. But the title caught my attention: "Changes that Heal" by Dr Henry Cloud. I picked up the book and started reading there and found myself getting quite a lot from the initial few chapters.
The first chapter spoke about how in wanting to help others to be helped in a sustained manner and to grow into the person who God has intended him/her to be, we need to first examine and understand two major qualities of God's character: Grace and Truth. The book started with an unlikely but powerful story which really sets one thinking about our view of God.
Once upon a time in a faraway galaxy, there was a highly advanced people. They had everything they could ever desire: technology to solve every problem, and more leisure than we get in a life time. But they were bored. Bored to tears. They needed something new-something exciting-to liven up their planet.
A committee was established to look into the matter. They discussed coming up with a new sport. Or developing a new amusement park. Finally, an alien named Beezy proposed the winning idea. "How about creating a god?" he suggested.
Everyone agreed it was a wonderful idea. "It will give our people something to do Sunday," one said. "And it will be great for conversations," said another.
So they tried to invent a god. But to no avail. Beezy, who had been placed in charge of the research and development of a new god, called the committee members together.
"Look, this just isn't working," he said. "What good is a god we can invent ourselves? We're smart enough to know that's not a real god. Why don't we find us a god instead--like the God the earthlings worship?"
The committee agreed, and soon afterward Beezy took a business trip to the Planet Earth. Under his invisible cloak, he visited dozens and dozens of churches and religious institutions. He took copious notes and spent hours writing up his report.
When he returned, the committee gathered, eager to hear of his findings. "Fellow aliens," he greeted them. "I have returned not with one god, but with two."
A gasp of astonishment rippled through the room. "The name of the first god, or should I say goddess, is Grace. A very attractive Goddess she is. She talked about love often. "Get along, be friends, be nice, she would say. 'And if you can't be good, I'll forgive you anyway." Beezy looked perplexed. "The only thing is, I'm not sure what she would forgive, since they didn't seem to have any rules to break."
Beezy went on. "I especially liked the things the followers of Grace did, like feeding poor people, and visiting prisoners in jail. However"--he shook his head--"these followers of grace seemed so lost. They kept doing the same bad things over and over, and they never seemed to know where they were going.
"Then there's the other god." Beezy took a deep breath. "This god is definitely a man, a his name is Truth. Truth is just as mean as Grace is nice. He kept telling the people all sorts of things about them that made them feel very bad, and his followers did the same thing. But there's a good side to Truth," Beezy reassured the committee. "He campaigns against some very nasty enemies, such as lying, cheating, adultery, abortion, and drunkenness. He's like a big religious street sweeper, sweeping away all his enemies. The only trouble is, he not only sweeps away bad things; he also sweeps away the people who do the bad things. As for the smiles you see on the followers of Grace--forget it. All Truth's followers do is scowl and scream."
Needless to say, after hearing Beezy report, the committee were ready to opt for the new amusement park because they didn't like either god. But Beezy had on last suggestion.
"We have all this wonderful technology for mixing repelling elements, like oil and water," he said. "How about if we try mixing Grace and Truth?"
As I read this part of the chapter, it forces me to think about how we view our God. Do we recognise the two aspects of God's character or do we just "invent" a god we are comfortable with, focusing only on one aspect?
With the first god of Grace, there is compassion and relationship and her followers did all kinds of loving things, both for one another and also for those in pain. The only problem is that they heard little truth spoken and keeps falling, again and again, into same old bad situations and patterns. They needed directions to prevent this from happening.
With the second god of Truth, the followers receive a lot of direction, knowing what if right and what is wrong, knowing what they can do and cannot do. The only problem is that the god "seems" uncaring and mean and not to care about the people who were violating the standards; wiping them out.
The fact is...
Our God is a God full of grace and truth (John 1:14) and grace and truth came through Jesus (John 1:16)
God gave us the truth in the form of the law which provided a blueprint of life to offer us guidelines and limits but
... no one will be declared righteous in his sight by observing the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of sin. (Rom 3:19-20, NIV)
The law was added so that the trespass might increase.(Rom 5:20, NIV)
Once I was alive apart from law; but when the commandment came, sin sprang to life and I died. I found that the very commandment that was intended to bring life actually brought death.(Rom 7:9-10, NIV)
For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it. (Jam 2:10)
You who are trying to be justified by law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace. (Gal 5:4)
God gives us Grace which is unmerited favour of God towards us because we have not earned it and do not deserve it; the unconditional love and acceptance God gave to us but
What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? By no means!(Rom 6:15-16, NIV)
The acts of the sinful nature are obvious... those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.(Gal 5:19-21, NIV)
You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature. (Gal 5:13, NIV)
Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry.(Col 3:5, NIV)
According to Henry Cloud, Truth without Grace is judgment and Grace without Truth is License (to sin). Both are essential as seen in John 8:3-11, where Jesus addressed the Pharisees who brought a woman caught in adultery and asked how she should be dealt with. Jesus showed grace and yet also emphasised the truth "Go now and leave your life of sin" (John 8:11).
In similar way, we will sometimes cross paths with hurting people in the body of Christ. But how do we work with them to help them be liberated and grow to be the person God intends him/her to be? Some of us may have experienced it ourselves or even seen how some would come from the angle and may say things like "they are in sin", "they don't have enough faith", "they are not obedient", "they don't spend enough time in the Word" etc, sort of like the friends of Job. According to Cloud, while they may contain some elements of truth, it does cause more pain; "the pain she originally had, plus the guilt over not being able to apply the answers she was given". If not handled well, those struggling would either learn to fake healing to remain in church or leave church, deciding their faith provides little solace. In the same reverse way, we have also heard know how grace without emphasis on the truth rarely helps, as in parenting. The bible does clearly says that:
He who spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is careful to discipline him.(Proverbs 13:24)
"...because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son... God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. ." (Hebrews 12:6, 10-11)
"...because the LORD disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in. (Proverbs 3:12)
Grace and truth goes together in helping people we come across with to heal: an atmosphere of grace to help the hurting cope with guilt and shame and feel the love of God, beginning the process of healing and truth to help facilitate growth as we grow in Christ-likeness.
This is of course the part we play in extending a hand to those who need healing in the Lord and on the other end, whoever is receiving help from us would also need to respond by allowing the real self (rather than the portrayed front) to come forth to receive ministry. For some, it might take some time, a community and God for that to happen and for growth to take place, just as a plant takes time to grow. The plant needs to be anchored, rooted, receiving nutrients and it does not grow in a vacuum but receives sunlight and water from the outside, doing its part of photosynthesis to grow under the heavens.
I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow. (1 Corinthians 3:6)
I hope this would bless you as it blessed me in thinking how to go about blessing others. I believe God will bring into your path someone who you can help heal.
Felt ministered by today's devotion on Our Daily Bread on Hosea 14, Come Back.
Besides talking about repentence and returning to the Lord, it does present to us ultimate a choice between life with and life without God. As Dr Bekker brings to our attention, it is ultimately our choice.
Hosea concludes his book with Chap 14 and speaks to me of the fruits of coming back to God:
Hosea 14 (NKJV) 1 O Israel, return to the LORD your God,
For you have stumbled because of your iniquity; 2 Take words with you,
And return to the LORD.
Say to Him,
“ Take away all iniquity;
Receive us graciously,
For we will offer the sacrifices of our lips. 3 Assyria shall not save us,
We will not ride on horses,
Nor will we say anymore to the work of our hands, ‘You are our gods.’
For in You the fatherless finds mercy.” 4 “ I will heal their backsliding,
I will love them freely,
For My anger has turned away from him. 5 I will be like the dew to Israel;
He shall grow like the lily,
And lengthen his roots like Lebanon. 6 His branches shall spread;
His beauty shall be like an olive tree,
And his fragrance like Lebanon. 7 Those who dwell under his shadow shall return;
They shall be revived like grain,
And grow like a vine.
Their scentshall be like the wine of Lebanon. 8 “ Ephraim shall say, ‘What have I to do anymore with idols?’
I have heard and observed him. I am like a green cypress tree; Your fruit is found in Me.” 9 Who is wise?
Let him understand these things. Who is prudent?
Let him know them.
For the ways of the LORD are right; The righteous walk in them, But transgressors stumble in them.
God's Promise to Us:
We will find mercy (v3)
God will turn His anger away from us and love us freely (4)
God will be to us as refreshing as dew (v5)
We will grow well and be established well in Him (v5)
We will grow to be beautiful and fragrant to others (v6)
We will bring many to return to the Lord and they too will be restored and be fragrant to others (v7)
We will bear fruit in God just as we are reminded to abide in the vine (v8)
We, who are righteous, will walk in the way of the Lord while the unrighteous will stumble (v9)
God has given us the choice to choose. What's yours?
I was doing my quiet time today and felt spoken to from 1 King 8 and thought of sharing what God has placed in my heart.
In 1 King 8, we read about King Solomon has completed building the temple for the Lord and is dedicating it. And we read in verses 10 and 11 that the temple begin to be filled with the glory of the Lord:
1 King 8:10-11 (NIV)
When the priests withdrew from the Holy Place, the cloud filled the temple of the LORD. And the priests could not perform their service because of the cloud, for the glory of the LORD filled his temple.
Solomon proceeds to pray what would happen in the temple of God. As I read, I sensed God speaking to me about my life because we are the temple of God now that we have the Holy Spirit residing in us.
1 Corinthians 6:19 (NIV)
Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own;
Therefore, let's see what happens to a life dedicated and consecrated to the Lord and reflect on where our lives are at this point in time.
Solomon prays that...
... there be the forgiveness of the Lord in the temple.
"Hear the supplication of your servant and of your people Israel when they pray toward this place... and when you hear, forgive." (v30)
In the temple of God, there is forgiveness of sin. Similarly, in our lives, we started off with the acknowledgment of our sins as we come before God to accept Him into our lives as Lord and Saviour. But, what other sins do you currently have that you need to deal with in the Lord. Remember that in the temple of the Lord, there is forgiveness of sins.
... there be judging by the Lord in the temple.
"When a man wrongs his neighbour and is required to take an oath and he comes and swears the oath, before your altar in this temple... Judge between your servants, condemning the guilty... declare the innocent not guilty and so establish his innocence." (v31-32)
As the Lord's presence is in the temple and judges between people, He is also in our lives and watches over the choices we make and how we walk. And we will also have times where we may have been wronged but there is trust in the Lord that He will judge between the guilt and innocent and will eventually declare and establish our innocence. Sure there will be situations where you may have been wronged but will you trust in the Lord that He is the Judge and will vindicate you in His time?
... there be restoration by the Lord, as we repent.
"When your people Israel have been defeated by an enemy because they have sinned against you, and when they turn back to you and confess your name, praying and making supplication to you in this temple, then hear from heaven and forgive the sin of your people Israel and bring them back to the land you gave to their fathers." (v33-34)
We know that as we come to the Lord, we will receive restoration in our lives to how God had intended it to be, restoration from hurts, pains, bitterness and a live lived apart from God and His blessings. Are there areas where you need restoration?
... there be teaching of His ways, as we repent.
"When the heavens are shut up and there is no rain because your people have sinned against you, and when they pray toward this place and confess your name and turn from their sin because you have afflicted them, then hear from heaven and forgive the sin of your servants, your people Israel. Teach them the right way to live, and send rain on the land you gave your people for an inheritance." (v35-36)
The Lord longs to teach us His ways and decrees so we can walk according to His ways and stay in His approval, blessings and favour. So, as we continue to have the glory of God in our lives, He will teach you, step by step, to grow in righteousness and to His likeness. Are you still keeping your hearts and minds open to the Lord's teaching, rebuking and correction?
... there be the fear of God.
"When famine or plague comes to the land, or blight or mildew, locusts or grasshoppers, or when an enemy besieges them in any of their cities, whatever disaster or disease may come, and when a prayer or plea is made by any of your people Israel—each one aware of the afflictions of his own heart, and spreading out his hands toward this temple- then hear from heaven, your dwelling place. Forgive and act; deal with each man according to all he does, since you know his heart (for you alone know the hearts of all men), so that they will fear you all the time they live in the land you gave our fathers." (v37-40)
A life with God's presence will also have the fear of the Lord because of who God is; the Almighty God who sees the heart of man and can do all things. Personally for me, I have seen what God can do in my life, especially when I grief Him, and so the fear of the Lord keeps me trying to always walk righteously. The day we do not have the fear of the Lord is the day we no longer stay within the boundaries of the Lord and of His love, peace, favour and blessings and we are in the danger of taking God for granted.
Proverbs 16:6 (NIV)
Through love and faithfulness sin is atoned for; through the fear of the LORD a man avoids evil.
Proverbs 14:27 )NIV)
The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, turning a man from the snares of death.
Proverbs 19:23 (NIV)
The fear of the LORD leads to life: Then one rests content, untouched by trouble.
Do you have the fear of the Lord in your life?
... that God's name be glorified.
"As for the foreigner who does not belong to your people Israel but has come from a distant land because of your name- for men will hear of your great name and your mighty hand and your outstretched arm—when he comes and prays toward this temple, then hear from heaven, your dwelling place, and do whatever the foreigner asks of you, so that all the peoples of the earth may know your name and fear you, as do your own people Israel, and may know that this house I have built bears your Name." (v41-43)
When the glory of the Lord is in the temple and in our lives, God's name will also be glorified through it because of the great things that He will do in you and through you, you will be seen as bearing His name and people will come to hear and know of God.
Do you bear the glory of God in your lives that is a living testimony to others who have yet to know Him. A living testimony, likened a living bible, who will result in others wanting to know about God?
... that there be favour.
"When your people go to war against their enemies, wherever you send them, and when they pray to the LORD toward the city you have chosen and the temple I have built for your Name, then hear from heaven their prayer and their plea, and uphold their cause" (v44-45)
When the temple of God is filled with the glory of God, there will be favour as we walk with the Lord and He upholds our cause.
Are you experience God's favour in your life?
... there be deliverance when we come in repentence.
"When they sin against you—for there is no one who does not sin—and you become angry with them and give them over to the enemy, who takes them captive to his own land, far away or near; and if they have a change of heart in the land where they are held captive, and repent and plead with you in the land of their conquerors and say, 'We have sinned, we have done wrong, we have acted wickedly'; and if they turn back to you with all their heart and soul in the land of their enemies who took them captive, and pray to you toward the land you gave their fathers, toward the city you have chosen and the temple I have built for your Name; then from heaven, your dwelling place, hear their prayer and their plea, and uphold their cause. And forgive your people, who have sinned against you; forgive all the offenses they have committed against you, and cause their conquerors to show them mercy; for they are your people and your inheritance, whom you brought out of Egypt, out of that iron-smelting furnace." (v46-51)
When our lives are filled with the glory of God, we will receive deliverance from bondages and things that we are caught in captivity by. Do you need something which you are captive of now that you need God to deliver you from? Just as God delivered the Israelite from Egypt? God indeed has the power to "bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners" (Isaiah 61:1), both Himself and through His servants doing His will in your life.
... there be the honour of being chosen by God.
"For you singled them out from all the nations of the world to be your own inheritance, just as you declared through your servant Moses when you, O Sovereign LORD, brought our fathers out of Egypt." (v53)
Ephesians 1:4-5 (NIV)
For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will
God chose you and what a privilege it is to be called sons and daughters of the living and Almighty God. And we are reminded that "we were by nature objects of wrath" because of our sin but God in His love and grace and mercy, gave us His son so we can be made alive in Christ while we were dead in our sins (Ephesians 2:3). That's the wonders of accepting the work of Jesus on the cross and appropriating it to our lives. Do you believe in your position as a child of God in your life?
... there will be turning of peoples' hearts back to God.
"May the LORD our God be with us as he was with our fathers; may he never leave us nor forsake us. May he turn our hearts to him, to walk in all his ways and to keep the commands, decrees and regulations he gave our fathers." (v57-58)
Often times, when we become restored and have experienced the love, grace and mercy of God and His work in our lives, we will naturally want to share this wonderful privilege with others who have yet to know and experience Him. And hearts will be turned to God through the work of our hands and the testimony of our mouths.
So, is your life filled with the glory of God...
... so much so there is forgiveness of your sins?
... so much so, there is trust in your life of God as the Ultimate Judge; that He knows everything that happens and is capable of vindicating you of wrong done to you?
... so much so there is restoration in our lives as we come to him in repentence?
... so much so we are receiving teaching from the Lord day after day as He continues to work in us?
... so much so we will have the fear of the Lord which will keep us within His boundaries, approval, blessings and favour?
... so much so God's name is glorified through us?
... so much so we experience God's favour in our lives?
... so much so we receive deliverance from things which keeps us captive?
... so much so we know and are affirmed of our position as children loved by God?
... so much so we see the turning of peoples' hearts back to God?
I know I am not there yet but yes, I pray that my life will be a wonderful temple, consecrated and dedicated to the Lord, filled with the glory of God.
"Instead of their shame my people will receive a double portion, and instead of disgrace they will rejoice in their inheritance; and so they will inherit a double portion in their land, and everlasting joy will be theirs." Isaiah 61:7 (NIV)
I turned and walked away from God in anger and disappointment. I tossed away the calling of ministry on my life. The Lord had hurt my feelings, so I left my faith to find a fresh path.
This happened during my twenties. With two toddlers climbing up my legs during the day and crying intermittently during the night, I was physically exhausted. Emotional turmoil began to disintegrate my marriage. My immature faith lacked the stamina to hold to God tightly. So, for seven years I wandered through sin, divorce, and miserable meanderings of my own making. It was a time of spiritual drought—the years of shame.
Although I walked away from God, He did not walk away from me. The Lord allowed me to experience life in the wilderness of doubt, but He was right there watching over me and waiting for me to return to the call of ministry placed on my life at age eighteen.
Eventually, I allowed myself to feel His presence in my life. Little by little, the Lord Jesus wooed me back to Himself. I remember the exact time and place that I felt Him whisper to my spirit, "Let's start over and do it right this time." I wept with relief and joy. I began to study the Bible and allowed it to change my damaged spiritual heart. This time it wasn't going to be head knowledge, but heart knowledge.
My faith was back on track, but I did not think my calling to ministry could ever be restored. Hadn't I traveled too far off the godly path? Surely, God didn't want me anymore in service to His Kingdom. Surely, He had more qualified daughters that could minister to others without the shame of a sullied past such as mine.
However, that is not how God thinks at all. The Bible says, "For God's gifts and his call are irrevocable (Romans 11:29, NIV). The Lord desires for us to move beyond the shame of past mistakes and into His calling for our lives. He will restore us to useful service in the Kingdom. It takes time and it is a process, but the Almighty God still has a plan for each of our lives. He intends to replace disgrace with rejoicing, so that we may show our world that we are living miracles.
Do I hear an "Amen"?
Dear Lord, thank You for having mercy on me. Display Your will for my life. Enable me to fulfill the gifts and call in my life, so that others will understand Your grace and mighty power. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
