Ministry of Education* takes 5 days of our life.
Ministry of God takes our life.
*For males above 18, change education to defense.
Monday, October 23, 2006
Sunday, October 22, 2006
[Relationships between love & hate]
What you love is a direct inversed reflection of what you hate to the exact degree.
I believe we all can see God's harshness clearly especially in the way He dealt with sin. As humans, we are naturally more inclined to remember inflicted pain much better then blessings. That is why on the superficial level, we tend to picture God to be less loving in the Old Testament then in the New Testament. Logically, this is inconsistent with God's immutable character, but experientially we cannot seem to make a strong case for a loving God in the Book of Law. Allow me to bring a new perspective to this issue.
Actually, I am glad that God is harsh with sin in the pre-Jesus era. In fact, I delight in the harsh-ness of His punishments! (Disclaimer: I am not a sadist) That is because His harsh treatment of Sin shows His extreme hatred for it. That is because this extreme hatred is a direct inversed reflection of His extreme love for us. God does not hate sin per say as an end to itself, but He hates sin so much primarily because of what sin does to the one He adores! Just like how we hate people manhandling our new handphones because we pamper them so much, how we detest people torturing our pets because we love them and how we hate people destroying what matters to us most; God hates sin that much because He loves us that much.
We are what that matters most to Him.
Sin destroys me, tortures me, abuses me and manipulates me.
Thus I dare conclude that:
If He does not hate sin, He does not love me.
If He hates sin a little, He loves me a little.
If He hates sin utterly, it can only mean one thing... He loves me utterly.
Saturday, October 21, 2006
by unknown
It is not material, lest it be destroyed.
It is not an academic achievement, lest I am too slow of thought.
It is not a medal, lest I run too slow.
It cannot be bought, lest I am too poor.
My salvation cannot be taken away from me, unless i allow it.
That... is the beautiful thing about my salvation.
Monday, October 09, 2006
"They are not just idle words for you -- they are your life."
-a dying Moses last words to his young aide, Joshua (Deut 32:47)
Tuesday, October 03, 2006
[When better is worse]
We all know that the enemy of the best isn't bad, but better (aka 2nd best). However, did you know that in the bible, some group of characters stubbornly chose the 2nd best despite seeing the mighty hand of God in action? Did you know only 9 and a half tribes entered the promised land of God?
Numbers 34:13-15
Moses commanded the Israelites: "Assign this land by lot as an inheritance. The LORD has ordered that it be given to the nine and a half tribes, because the families of the tribe of Reuben, the tribe of Gad and the half-tribe of Manasseh have received their inheritance. These two and a half tribes have received their inheritance on the east side of the Jordan of Jericho, toward the sunrise."
The dumbest thing is that unlikely Moses, these people were not barried from entering the promise land. Their fathers were dying to enter the promised land (pardon the pun). As for them, they just chose not to. In whole chapter of Numbers 32, while travelling to the promise land, some other piece of land caught their eye and they deemed it "suitable" for themselves. They held their horses, seeked an audience with Moses and told him, "Its ok, we shall settle down here. God's land may be better, but here's good enough for me. We're satisfied with 2nd best."
I see that common sense has been a rarity even in those days. How can we settle for the 2nd best when God has already given you the promised land!?! Its not even the case of "one bird in the hand is better then two in the bush". There isnt any uncertainty about us not able to enter the promised land. In fact, its more like "one bird in the hand now, or two birds in the hand later" concept.
We may laugh at them, but do we unknowingly commit the same mistake as them? Why? They may have chosen the wrong path, but i believe no idiot would choose a ten dollar option if the million dollar option was placed in front of them as well. There must be certain illusions or warped perspectives they have that led them to make the wrong choice.
Allow me to attempt to dissect their thought pattern.
1)They lost sight of the promise
They knew how the promised land was like. Their forefathers scouted in and described it as a land flowing with milk and honey. Along the 40 years in the desert, they lost their vision, got so comfortable with the current situation they just gave it up. Humans naturally don't like change, even if it might be for the better.
2) Lack of faith in God
They didnt believe that they would be able to enter the promised land. Had their own reservations. Might not have made it like their forefathers, thus decided to settle for the safer bet. A logical choice to take IF God might not be able to give them the promised land.
3) Impatience - Highly probable reason especially in this generation of instant gratification. They focused their eyes on what they can see immediately instead of what they will see eventually. They want the birds in their hands NOW, the number and quality of birds didnt matter as much.
"If you go hell, know why are u there. Don't end up in hell for reasons unknown."
-Jie Hui
If you are suffering for the 2nd best now, know why u made the mistake. Don't repeat it.
I know where I flawed while choosing.
Do you?
Sunday, October 01, 2006
[Not enough]
Some people place their pride in self sufficiency. Independent. Lone ranger. Somehow, society has elevate loneliness to a pole position. In fact, im sure some of us has heard of christianity becoming a religion for the weak -- God has became a clutch for those that need help.
Well, the truth is that we all need help. That's a fact. Its just whether are you placed in a situation in which you realize it to the fullest extend. To those that say God's help is unneccessary, have you ever tried being perfect for one day? Have you tried to be patient, loving, kind, serving, understanding, polite, gentle, peace-loving, joyful, faithful, self-controlled, etc? Are you sure you achieve all of that without God's help? I can't even pass the first 3 attitudes already. We don't know how much we need God because we do not try hard enough to lead the perfect christian life.
Its undenyable. His help is a neccessity, not a luxury.
We certainly don't need God to lead a perfectly sinful life.
We alone will suffice.
I need God I need God I need God. I dunno about you and neither do I care, but as for me, I really need God.