NIBBLE NIBBLE CHRISTIANS NO MORE!

An older preacher told the story of a young minister interviewing for his first pastorate. The Pulpit Committee had invited him to come over to their church for the interview. The committee chairman asked, "Son, do you know the Bible pretty good?"



The young minister said, "Yes, pretty good." The chairman asked, "Which part do you know best?" He responded saying, "I know the New Testament best." "Which part of the New Testament do you know best," asked the chairman. The young minister said, "Several parts." The chairman said, "Well, why don't you tell us the story of the Prodigal Son." The young man said, "Fine."


"There was a man of the Pharisees name Nicodemus, who went down to Jericho by night and he fell upon stony ground and the thorns choked him half to death.



The next morning Solomon and his wife, Gomorrah, came by, and carried him down to the ark for Moses to take care of. But, as he was going through the Eastern Gate into the Ark, he caught his hair in a limb and he hung there forty days and forty nights and he afterwards did hunger. And, the ravens came and fed him.


The next day, the three wise men came and carried him down to the boat dock and he caught a ship to Nineveh. And when he got there he found Delilah sitting on the wall. He said, "Throw her down, boys, throw her down." And, they said, "How many times shall we throw her down, till seven time seven?" And he said, "No, but seventy times seven." And they chucked her down four hundred and ninety times.


And, she burst asunder in their midst. And they picked up twelve baskets of the leftovers. And, in the resurrection whose wife shall she be?"


The above incident may not be true but the confusion of the Word of God is often true in Christians today. Believers everywhere today are ‘nibble nibble’ Christians rather than wholesome ones. Their Bible reading or hearing, most of the time on Sundays only, is like fine dining instead of continuous nutritious chewing and digesting. One well-known preacher in the United States went so far to say that the Americans have become illiterate in Bible knowledge.


The term ‘Crayon Christianity’ is aptly applied to this generation of believers. The maturity level in the Word stopped when they left Sunday School. The rest is just nibbling from every nook and corner, hardly able to distinguish right from wrong.


Today’s Christianity has been challenged with greater intensity. Atheists are slowly gaining mass appeal. The famous atheists used to be some nerdy, thick-spectacled professors having debates with high and mighty theologians concerning high and mighty issues of faith. This scenario has begun to change; young and old are now starting to be interested in hearing famous atheists challenging the Bible and its doctrines. Richard Dawkins wrote “God-Delusion” and sold about 2 million copies. Christopher Hitchens who wrote “God is not great” had a great following, young and old alike. People like television host, Bill Maher, actor Ricky Gervais and also singer Lady Gaga had mass appeal. These famous people are not only atheists (maybe Lady Gaga has a slight Roman Catholic background), they are incredibly intelligent and well-versed with today’s world.


There are hosts of others who are coming up to challenge the way Christians live for Christ and the biblical standard and if we are ill-equipped, then we may waver in our living for Christ. It is not enough to just nibble God’s Word on Sundays. We must chomp and gulp His precious Word every day, taking self initiative, self feeding your way to maturity.


God is preparing and equipping His army of believers who are able to stand firm on His Word and withstand every challenge against it. There is no excuse whatsoever for Christians today not to be equipped in God’s Word as God has provided more than enough resources for us.


Let us consider few things we need to do in order to be well-equipped…


1. We have to seriously think of learning apologetics (how to defend our faith).


Read books like “More than a Carpenter” and “Evidences that demand a verdict” by Josh Mc Dowell and “Case for Christ” by Lee Strobel. (These three books are quite sufficient, not only to defend our faith, it will also strengthen our faith)


Below are a few quotes from two famous atheists challenging what the Word of God is saying,


Christopher Hitchens,


“That which can be asserted without evidence, can be dismissed without evidence.”


“Exceptional claims demand exceptional evidence.”


The Bible may, indeed does, contain a warrant for trafficking in humans, for ethnic cleansing, for slavery, for bride-price, and for indiscriminate massacre, but we are not bound by any of it because it was put together by crude, uncultured human mammals.”


Richard Dawkins,


Faith is the great cop-out, the great excuse to evade the need to think and evaluate evidence. Faith is belief in spite of, even perhaps because of, the lack of evidence.

I am against religion because it teaches us to be satisfied with not understanding the world.



Religion is about turning untested belief into unshakable truth through the power of institutions and the passage of time.


Believers in the Lord must progress by the day, both in the Word and in spirituality. When we first became Christians, we were like babies naturally craving for milk. Often it is provided by mature believers in the church. After a certain time in the Lord, we will have to find truths for our own life, to satisfy a greater thirst for God. Although we still need teachers and professors to deliver deeper truths to us, all of us can connect to the Holy Spirit and learn from the Master Teacher. It is more about the attitude of learning rather than a matter of intelligence. Do you want to learn? Or do you still want to depend on the ‘bottle’ or ‘handouts’?


2. Read daily the Word of God, book by book.


While it is not wrong to nibble the Bible here and there every day, but to get a good wholesome picture of the text, we need to read it systematically. Many Christians today may not know the many connections between the Old Testament and the New. We must understand both Testaments in order to get a complete picture of what God is doing. Although the Bible is a library of sixty six books, they all present a same theme, “the world is fallen and God is a Saviour”. Since history began, there are no other writings or literatures which were compiled by more than forty writers who didn’t know each other, spanning more than three thousand years and yet could arrive at the same theme. It is indeed a mind-blowing miracle.


When we read a novel, it is often completed within a day or two. Remembering the plots and subplots is not difficult too. When it comes to the Bible, we jump from Exodus to Nehemiah, from Ephesians to Jeremiah. Worse, we flip randomly and viola! God has spoken!


3. Read to understand and not read to complete a Christian duty.


Jesus’ chief idea of telling parables is that the people understand the message of the kingdom, especially the parable of the soils. He wants to turn the religious mindset of the people upside down. The main point of God giving us the Bible is that we can understand a little about God yet enough to live an abundant, fulfilled life. Due to the frantic pace of life today, we rush through a passage of Scriptures or two, happy that we have done our duty. This fallen world will never satisfy us. Only God’s Word is able to penetrate deep into the desires of our souls. We worry because we do not read His Word. We do not trust what God said because we read out of duty. Let us read to hear God’s voice. Only when we are absolutely clear, then we can able to move forward.


4. Apply what you read – Allign your heart and actions with the Word of God.



The more you do God’s Word, the greater you learn. Often times, Christians are ‘holy’ on Sunday but worldly on the other days. They wasted their God-given talents living carelessly. Jesus always challenges people to do His Word. The parable of the wise and foolish builders illustrates that clearly. The one who builds his house on the rock is the one who hears God’s Word and put it into practice. It will stand firm against the storms of life. Contrast to the one who hears God’s word and does not practice it, he builds his house on sand. The house will certainly collapse when the tide hits (Matthew 7:24-27).


Humans are wired to fulfil God’s purposes. If we don’t hit it, we feel awful. Material things, fame or glory will only satisfy us for a short while. In the end, we will always come back to this question, “What is my ultimate purpose in life?” “Have I done what I was created for?”



Therefore, serve God to the best of your ability, both inside and outside the church. It is more outside than inside where most of the Christians are working or studying. Devote your skills, finance, and intelligence to the purposes of God in your life. Do not be like the Israelites during the Exodus who wandered in the wilderness for forty wasted years! They knew what God had said but did not act on His Word. Every one of them collapsed on the sand in the desert.



Understanding the Bible is not that we can outsmart people who don’t. It is about serving God’s purposes on earth. When we are confident and ready, God will then use us for His kingdom and His glory!

BLESSED ARE THE MEEK, FOR THEY WILL INHERIT THE EARTH

Johnson peered through the record books and grinned. Sales had doubled over last year. Nancy tapped him and they hugged. The ‘Boss’ as he was often called and his wife were well-known as the lovebirds of the city. They were married close to thirty years.



As they discussed how to invest the gains, there was a knock on the door. Both of them knew what was coming at this time of the year. Regis and the gang, the tax-collector boys, used their well-connected power to bulldoze and squeeze sizable amounts as their commission.


“Hi Boss! Good to see you,” Regis spoke obnoxiously. “It’s that time of the year again, yah?” he added with some misplaced excitement. Johnson smiled uncomfortably and calmly asked for the sum. “I heard business is booming and as per my calculation, it has to be a booming rate,” the bully said sarcastically.


“Regis, how much is enough for you?” Johnson asked sadly. “And what do you do with all the money you have collected for yourself?” he added.


“That’s none of your business, Boss!” Regis retorted. “I have some stuff to take care of.” Everyone in this suburb knew of his drinking habit. Often on drunken binges, he would involve in fights and skirmishes with other gangs.


“That’s not enough!” Regis angrily pushed away the stacks of notes Johnson had placed on the table. He sat down, looking away, waiting for a respond from the businessman. Nancy signalled to the husband to top it up as they usually would. Just before the cold war about to erupt, a group of men walked in the room where they were standing. “That’s enough!” one man shouted.


The lovebirds had been great philanthropists for a long time. Many men and women were helped and nurtured by the caring couple. The poor and the down-trodden went to them for assistance whenever they suffer lack. The Johnsons never turned away anyone that genuinely needed help. Their employees were the most fortunate workers in the city, everyone from the top down received a fair share of year-end bonuses. The couple would then invest their money in order to help even more people.


“I think you know Johnson well enough that every cent that he gained is being used to give back to society. What about you?” a well-built man spoke. One could easily sense the deep conviction that filled his soul. Johnson’s humility and concern for people had him many close-knitted friends and protectors. They were like a big family to him and his wife.


Regis was taken aback by Johnson’s supporters. More people came pouring into the house, shouting praises to the couple. Surrounded by people power and to save from embarrassment, he just wanted to take the money and leave. But Johnson quickly took the money from the table and topped with some extra cash. He then grabbed Regis’ hand and placed the money on it.


“Everything I have belongs to God. It was God who gave me the ability to make wealth,” Johnson shared. “Wealth can change a person. He can become arrogant and proud, lording over everything and everyone. At the end, this person will not gain an inch of respect from anyone,” he added with a serious tone. At this time, Regis was seen bowing in disgrace.


“Regis, can I take you and your boys to a person whom many people said he is the Messiah who was prophesied to come?” Johnson asked. “That Man from God struck a chord with me when I heard he did many things for the poor, especially the poor,” he added.


“We heard of many miraculous healings taken place,” Nancy chipped in excitedly.


“Do you know why all these people are here? We decided together to hear this person out,” Johnson tried to convince him.


“Ehhh…okay, since I am free today and see what he has to say,” Regis agreed reluctantly.


A large crowd had already gathered when they arrived. Everyone was anticipating what Jesus had to say. Regis and the boys stood near the Johnsons. All eyes were on ‘The Messiah’ who would speak in a short while.


"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth,” Jesus spoke with such poise and clarity.


As Jesus paused, Johnson stood there stunned. “Inherit the earth??” he pondered deeply. He could see those he helped, their teary eyes glancing at him. It was kind of a ‘God-sees-everything-you-did-for-me’ look. The philanthropist businessman could not believe his ears to hear such wonderful words. He did wonder at times was it really worth it to help people. Does God really see? As he stood there lost in his thoughts, Regis tapped on his shoulder and whispered, “Boss, you were right! You deserve all the respect and I…I need to repent.”


The third beatitude speaks of strength under control. Meekness is definitely not weakness. Whenever the old adage “the survival of the fittest” comes into play, it portrays a wrong concept of brute strength, whether one has it or not, in order to win respect. He will bulldoze his way into prosperity, fame and recognition, no matter what, no matter who gets hurt. She will charm her way into promotion, wealth or glory without giving second thought to decency.


Meekness that Jesus speaks about here talks of a willing submission to God and to authority. It describes a person who is yielded to God’s commands. In contrast, a wild-spirited person of the world will not gain respect from anyone and never God’s approval. Humility is often the trademark of a believer of Christ as one knows it is God who saves him or her. It is a mark of strength believing that God has everything under control.


The Greek word, “Praus” in meekness represents an image of a powerful horse under control. Jesus shown us the greatest example of meekness when he was arrested, put on a mock trial, tortured and ultimately dying on the cross. All throughout the ordeal, never a single time that he was helpless! He could just blow up the world into smithereens but he did not. Angels just waiting for a whisper of command to wipe out the entire Roman Empire but the order never came!


(Mat 26:53) Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels?


(John 10:17-18) The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life--only to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.


NEXT: Blessed Are Those Who Hunger And Thirst For Righteousness, For They Will Be Filled

BLESSED ARE THOSE WHO MOURN, FOR THEY WILL BE COMFORTED

“When? When will all this stop?” I moaned. Angry and frustrated, I clenched my teeth in utter despair. Stephanie, my friend was mourning for her husband, killed after some minor skirmishes with the authority. I knew what this pain was all about as my teenage son was taken away from me under similar circumstance not so long ago. Injustices had taken a toll on ordinary folks like us in the village. Most of the villagers had resigned to the fact that fate had brought them this predicament. They were already grateful that there was enough food to survive every day.

I went and hugged Stephanie tightly and let her cry on my shoulders. I was prepared to hug her all day and just be silent. After some time, I tried to squeeze some comforting words to her, “Step, your hubby died a righteous man and God would be please with him.” “Where…where was God when my husband was in trouble?” She retorted. I knew I was caught in this age old question. “I am so sorry for your loss. I don’t understand everything about what God is doing, but I know that no righteous lives would be wasted in His sight,” a sudden burst of wisdom came to my mind. Stephanie was comfortable with me because she knew I was in mourning too. “I’m sorry. I cannot see anything positive at this moment,” she apologised. When she said that, I cried. I thought so. It was a long shot. Yet, deep within me, I still held on to this notion: if there is God, there is hope.


As Stephanie’s head still rested on my shoulders in sorrow, another friend came over and gently nudged me. Erin put her hands around us and said softly, “There’s a man of God who’s going around doing great miraculous works. The whole village is exploding in excitement over this. They said it is like God sending a prophet directly to visit us”. Stephanie raised and tilted her head a little on hearing those words. My heart skipped a beat and I felt a little awkward. Erin’s excitement caught both of us by surprise. It was unlike Erin as she herself was fighting a deadly disease in her body. “Us?” Stephanie asked sarcastically. “Yes. Us,” Erin spoke confidently. “This man of God healed my disease,” she broke the news. I inched closer to Erin to make sure I got her right. “You mean he healed you. You are completely healed. It was a miracle,” I pressed. Stephanie and I watched in amazement as Erin twirled her body in a dance move which was impossible just the day before. Our moment of mourning was slowly melting away. Erin saw into our eyes that we wanted more. “He would be at this place afterwards. He said something about the kingdom of heaven. Some people said he could be…,” she said with tears in her eyes. “Could be what?” we asked simultaneously. “The Messiah!” Erin said with a tinge of awesomeness. I could feel my legs giving way. “Am I hearing correctly? Messiah? If he’s ‘The Messiah’, then change is coming?” I reasoned. That was huge news to Stephanie and me. We were witnessing right before us, a walking living miracle. I want justice for my best friend. With tears dripping down my face, I want justice for my son.


The good news Erin told us provided the extra strength for Stephanie to walk a long distance to where the man of God was. When we arrived, there was already a large crowd, all charged up to hear him. I had never seen such electrifying atmosphere in our village and the surrounding villages for God knew when. “Jesus! Jesus! Jesus!” they chanted in unison. “Save us, Son of David,” someone from the crowd cried in a loud voice.


Finally, my eyes saw him. This Jesus, Erin’s healer, stood with great confidence, exuded an aura of a powerful authority. He motioned with his hands to silence the crowd. And the words came, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.” Every word was crisp and clear. He paused and the words hung in the air, as if waiting for them to accomplish a purpose. They shot right into our very soul like flying arrows. I saw Stephanie knelt and then laughed. When she confided with me later, she felt the touch of God in those words. The Messiah’s words were like fresh bread from heaven. It was a comfort for her present mourning as well as a future hope. “We are not just dwelling in an earthly kingdom with earthly things. Now I believe that there is really a kingdom of heaven! Something eternal,” she shared with me. What she said next startled me. “Remember what you said to me, ‘If there is God, there is hope!’ I got it now! Thanks!” Yes, I did say that but I was only hoping then. After meeting with Jesus, I was sure!


I hugged Stephanie again but this time, we were breathing a sigh of relief. Thank you, Jesus!


The second beatitude in the Sermon on the Mount suggests a God-sent comfort in response to a heart of tenderness of a person who is afflicted with grief. Suffering, pain and death are part and parcel of this world infested with sins. No one escapes the trials and tribulations of life. There are two major reactions to suffering. One person falls into depression and hardens up. Another person ponders over everything with God on his mind. The former cries for attention selfishly while the latter reaches out to God. The one who thinks of God does not mean he will not grief and mourn. He will but his process could be easier or perhaps shorter. The Jewish audience that Jesus ministered to and Matthew, the gospel writer, wrote to could have been well-versed with prophet Isaiah’s proclamation of the coming Messiah and that He would comfort all who mourn hundreds of years before (Isaiah 61:1-3). Not long after the prophet Isaiah died, the Babylonians came and destroyed Jerusalem and the temple. The Jewish people were taken into exile. The words of the Prophet Isaiah became especially precious after that. Subsequently, many other voices of the prophets came after him. The people of God literally survived holding on to the promise of God! Many who suffered because of sin did not repent. There were those who gave up and assimilated into the culture of the Babylonians. But there were also many who continued to hold on to God and His Word!


God never denounces grief. He knows we need to mourn as humans in the flesh. But in our mourning and grief, we need to continually look to God as our healer and a source of comfort. Jesus Himself wept when Lazarus died. His flesh cried for relief from the cross in the Garden of Gethsemane. On the cross, He cried, “God, God, Why have you forsaken me?” Yet, in every occasion, He trusted God, the Father. He knew God would never abandon Him!


The principles that Jesus preaches in the Sermon are kingdom of heaven’s values. In the world, usually mourners blamed and cursed, exacerbating whatever bad that had occurred. Sometimes it caused untold suffering for many more people when uncontrolled revenge was to be exacted. An injustice would then breed many more injustices. Innocent parties dragged in as collateral damage. The comfort God brings to mourners results in reconciliation and freedom! Lessons, however bitter, if learnt God’s ways, will heal, bringing out only the good, or even the best of people in grief.


Next: Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
http://psbible.blogspot.com/2012/01/blessed-are-meek-for-they-will-inherit.html

SERMON ON THE MOUNT SERIES - BLESSED ARE THE POOR IN SPIRIT

“I am not going!” I protested. Jerry had been convincing me to hear out this great famous healer who happened to be in town. “So what, can he give me some money to ease our burden a little bit?” I was not in mood for anything. Dad told me to gather some woods for him. He wanted me to cook a little broth for him as he was having a bout of stomach cramps. Jerry showed me his usual facial displeasure. My life was all about surviving. Poverty had taken a toll of some of my family members. Dad and mom woke early and for a meagre sum, they toiled from dusk till dawn in a farm. Deep in my heart, I resented the owner for his arrogance and condescending attitude toward all his workers. His motto, “If you don’t work hard, you get out.”



“I heard from a friend that this guy did fantastic miracles! Must be someone blessed by God to do such things. Don't you think so?” Jerry kept hounding me. Maybe it was the word, ‘God’ that caught my attention. “Could be?” I answered calmly. Somehow, there were some mixed emotions within me. On one hand, I wished God would hear my cry for relief but on the other hand, I blamed Him for my predicaments. “But God’s got bigger things to do than noticing us,” I shrugged him off. “Okay, I help you with the woods and you accompany me to the hill on the other side,” Jerry rumbled on. I was taken in by his persistence, as usual. A friend since childhood, Jerry lived in poverty too but he was much more optimistic than me.


We kept the woods near my house and sauntered off to the hills. Laughing and joking along the way, we met many people, mostly poor peasants trudging in the same direction. Most of them kept conversing about that man from God. Few ladies rushed in front of us, almost knocking Jerry down. “Hey, look where you are going,” I shouted. “Sorry, I want to get a better glimpse of my healer afterwards,” one lady said excitedly with a wide grin. Did she say, “my healer”? Jerry and I ran along to catch up. “Hi, why are you girls so excited about that man?” I asked as I ran, panting for breath. “Oh, didn’t you know that Jane was healed of a skin disease by this man of God?” one of the ladies chipped. Evidently, Jane had brought friends to hear her healer out.


I stopped to take some deep breaths. “So the stories were true,” Jerry said in amazement as he leaned against a tree. Still unconvinced that God would do anything for me, I pushed on. When we arrived, a big crowd had already occupied almost the entire place below the hill. It was difficult even to go near where the famous person stood. All we saw was some of his disciples getting the people in order. It was very noisy but the excitement was electrifying. His presence exuded an aura of a King from God which our people had not experienced for a long time. Then I heard his name for the first time as the people cried for him.


My heart mellowed as I waited with bated breath for him to speak. I wondered seriously whether this so called man of God was able to change the down-trodden poor out of their severe poverty. And then he spoke, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.” His words were penetrating and my soul reverberated with a sense of awe. That one sentence was filled with such power. “Was he talking about me?” I reasoned. “You mean I can be blessed and happy when I possess nothing more than simply surviving,” I talked loudly to myself. Jerry’s eyes locked mine and I saw tears. Nudging him, I asked why? “I heard stories of foreign domination of this land and atrocious things being done here. And today, for the first time, I heard that I could belong to the Kingdom of heaven,” Jerry spoke and wiped his eyes. Both of us saw hope and future with this man. Perhaps he was a prophet who healed like Elisha. Maybe even the Messiah we heard so much about. Jesus paused and I cried. God created the whole world and He 'came' to this remote place. I got a feeling that Jesus was directing his words to people like me. As we walked home that day, things would not be the same anymore. Our eyes began to look up. Our lives started to feel hope. “Thanks Jerry!” I whispered. And he turned around and said, “Thank God!”


The Sermon on the Mount is a series of preaching or teaching by Jesus during his earthly ministry. He proclaims to them the Kingdom of heaven* and all the values associated with it. This Kingdom is both now (as God gathers the believers) and future (when Jesus comes again to reign as King of kings on earth literally). It is filled with God-given principles or laws that anyone who follows them would be blessed. The Latin word for blessed is beatus, from which we get the word beatitude. ‘Blessed’ in Greek language here denotes a happy state of a person, an innate experience regardless of outward circumstances.


Jesus’ preaching opens with the first beatitude, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” His audience is mostly poor peasants in the Roman world, the rich are very rich while the poor suffer greatly. When God includes them into His kingdom regardless of their status, they are overjoyed. Many sick people are ‘untouchables’ (unclean according to Jewish laws) and all of them feel a sense of hopelessness. When healings take place, imagine the joy of being accepted back into society and family. The only requirement for ‘membership’ into God’s kingdom is a heart of humility. Obviously, the poor are much more receptive to Jesus than the rich. With that opening beatitude, Jesus opens up a world of hope and future for people who think that God has abandoned them. Thus, Jesus begins the restoration of the world he loves and he comes to die for.


*The gospels of Mark, Luke and John referred mostly to the Kingdom of God which is equivalent to Kingdom of heaven because Matthew's gospel was directed to the Jewish audience where God's name was still too sacred to utter from the lips of man. Perhaps Matthew tried to evade controversy at this point of time.

Next: Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
http://psbible.blogspot.com/2011/11/blessed-are-those-who-mourn-for-they.html

MAX ON LIFE. ANSWERS AND INSPIRATION FOR TODAY'S QUESTIONS.

This is a very different Max Lucado’s book that I have read. Indeed, it is a much needed book in a society which is getting more complex and difficult. The author did the right thing (and a right time too) to come out with a reference sort of a book like this as ‘real’ people are asking real questions more and more today. He did cover wide range of issues that anyone of us are bound to ask from time to time if we are still breathing in this world. So, this book is not primarily for others only or only for those who think that they are the “answerman” or “answerwoman” but for all of us.



I like especially the author’s terse answers for difficult questions on every issue. People who are suffering need precise and pertinent answers from God’s Word. No beating around the bushes. While the questions are often hard and challenging, the answers are comforting, frank and honest.


I believe it has been quite a while for me to have read a questions and answers book and truth be told, it was both enriching and refreshing. And the answers are not only doable but quotable too. Well, I enjoyed it and highly recommend to all who are still breathing now.

I wish to thank BookSneeze program under Thomas Nelson publishers for giving me this free e-book for the purpose of this review. I give this book 5 stars!

THE CHURCH AT LAODICEA: THE DECAYING CHURCH

Reverend Alvin pushed himself to wake up almost every morning. It was Saturday and having a late night Friday’s celebration in a five-star hotel for a member’s new business didn’t help. He had enjoyed all kinds of celebrations over the years as a pastor in this classy church located in a famous boulevard. His favourite theme of all his preaching series was “God is Rich and Able” and he presented them ever so convincingly. It was not a warm church as it used to be when it was first started. As church goers began to prosper and their lifestyle changed, the members began to disassociate themselves with the poorer section of the community. They came only for the positive messages that Alvin expounded with the help of some selected Bible verses to suit their rich and exquisite taste. Reverend Alvin even declared in the pulpit one time that the poor people really had missed God, just a little short in saying that God had judged them for their lack of faith. Some pastors around the vicinity had spoken and advised him but all to no avail. Alvin had a group of powerful rich deacons with him who gave him advice even on what to share on Sundays.



As he was about to freshen up in the bathroom, a bright light shone on him. He quickly covered up his nakedness and knelt down shivering.


A strong voice spoke…


These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God's creation. I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm--neither hot nor cold--I am about to spit you out of my mouth. You say, 'I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.' But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see. Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent. Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me. To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches."*


Alvin clasped his hands to his face in shame. He felt so awful that he cried in repentance. It was more of tears of relieve that God showed him his disastrous faults. He began to confess his sins before God and promised to make it right. That day, he read the Bible to purely build relationship with God again rather than dissecting them for his preaching. And his eyes fell upon Matthew 5:3, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”


*The verses above are taken from Revelation 3:14-22.


This ends the series, The Seven Churches in the Book of Revelation. Please feel free to check out the previous stories of the six other churches in this series.

THE CHURCH AT PHILADELPHIA: THE PERSEVERING CHURCH

Reverend Kenny came back from a meeting exhausted. He had been the director for “Pastors Fellowship” for many years, planning and coordinating spiritual direction for hundreds of members all across the province. Hailed as the “leader of leaders”, yet he often humbled himself and carefully gave all glory to God. Never once did he boast about his own ability as he knew that everything was from God’s grace!



Lately, there were squabbles in the Fellowship in regards to moral issues. Some leaders had argued away some major principles of the Bible and became bitter towards him. They claimed to stand together with him and his biblical principles but acted very differently outside. He stood firm and endured bitter attacks both from within and without.


Famous for his no nonsense preaching, he implored all his members to suffer like Jesus if need be. His church grew in greater numbers as people saw the presence of God and the power of the Holy Spirit in his ministry. Many doors were open for him and his church to influence VIPs in government circle, even foreign ones. Due to envy from leaders of other faiths and also opposition groups, the pressure to bring him and the church down was immense. Many times Kenny wondered how he could survive such an onslaught if it wasn’t for God!


Kenny bowed before God knowing that whatever he did didn’t belong to him in the first place. It was all about his ultimate BOSS, God Himself! As tiredness began to bear a heavy burden upon him, he saw a bright light shining into his room.


A strong voice spoke….


These are the words of him who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open. I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name. I will make those who are of the synagogue of Satan, who claim to be Jews though they are not, but are liars--I will make them come and fall down at your feet and acknowledge that I have loved you. Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come upon the whole world to test those who live on the earth. I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown. Him who overcomes I will make a pillar in the temple of my God. Never again will he leave it. I will write on him the name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which is coming down out of heaven from my God; and I will also write on him my new name. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.*


He felt like his body being ‘electrocuted’ with strength from on high! Crying unashamedly, he sang softly and slowly, “I have decided to follow Jesus. I have decided to follow Jesus. I have decided to follow Jesus. No turning back. No turning back.”


*These verses are taken from Revelation 3:7-13.


Next: THE CHURCH AT LAODICEA: THE DECAYING CHURCH
http://psbible.blogspot.com/2011/08/church-at-laodicea-decaying-church.html