ONE DAY - My Poem (Edited by Chris Low; Video and Music by Julian Chong)

THERE'S MORE ON OUR SIDE!

Dothan:  The king of Aram was furious because his country’s war plan against Israel had been disclosed by someone. Every time he planned something, the king of Israel knew about it. He then interrogated his officers whether they were spies.

One officer stood up and said it was the prophet Elisha who heard every word that was discussed.

The furious king immediately called and sent a strong army to where Elisha lived. By night, the whole area was surrounded by a vast army with horses and chariots.

Next morning, Elisha’s servant came up and great fear seized him. He ran back inside and told the man of God what was happening. The great prophet calmed the servant down and told him not to be afraid. Then he said these words, “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them”. He prayed a simple prayer that God would open his servant’s eyes so that he may see God’s mighty army.

God, in answering Elisha’s prayer, opened the servant’s eyes to see something supernatural. He saw in the hills above, full of horses and chariots of fire belonging to the army of God. They were really more than those of the enemies.

As the enemy’s army marched towards them, Elisha prayed again to God that they be blinded. True enough, God’s power had them all blinded.

The enemies were confused when this happened. The prophet then led them all to Israel’s army in Samaria. While they were there, God opened their eyes. They were shock to find themselves in Israel’s capital. All of them were captured alive by the king of Israel. The delighted king asked Elisha if he could kill them all. Full of compassion, Elisha denied that request. Instead, he asked the king to give them plenty of food and water and later asked him to send them all back.

Because of the compassion of Elisha, the king of Aram stopped the war with the king of Israel.

Because of God’s power and His promise to help His own people, the victory that day was a resounding one.

Elisha’s servant learned a great lesson that day. He didn’t want to depend on his own strength anymore. He will indeed focus on God’s power. - PS BIBLE News

REFLECTION

This story above is taken from 2 Kings 6:8-23. Our eyes sometimes deceive us just like they deceive Elisha’s servant. We must see through the eyes of faith believing that there are more that stand on our side than those who are against us. Why? Because God is our source of strength. He had more angels than all our enemies combined. Isn’t it good to be on His side? Certainly. Whatever problems or shortcomings we may have can be overcome because He is with us! He will fight on our behalf! Did Jesus Himself promise us this? Yes! Jesus said, “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33). He said, “I have given your authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you” (Luke 10:19)

EVIL FOR GOOD

Unidentified place:  A rich man went for a journey, promised he will return after a long time. He owned a good fertile land and he rented it to some farmers. He was a kind-hearted man who wanted to see that these farmers that he loved got some benefits out of this land.

When the time came for the harvest, he told his servant to go and get some fruits that the farmers had planted so as to show their appreciation for him. They refused to give him the fruits. Instead, his servant was beaten up and was told to go back. The land owner was very surprised with the farmers for what they did. Since he loved them so very much, he decided to try again with another servant.

The servant went. The farmers gathered up again and beat him up as well. They mocked him and laughed at him. They ridiculed him and threw insults at him.

The servant managed to get back to his master and related everything to him. The owner was grieved and deeply saddened with what had happened. “Is that what they paid me for my kindness and love towards them?” he cried in utter despair.

He didn’t give up loving them but sent another servant just to collect some of the fruits in his own land.

The same thing happened. The servant was wounded severely by them. His master heard about it and started to become indignant, seeing all the injustices that were done. He began to reason within himself that if he sent his one and only son to them, perhaps they would respect him. His son was not afraid at all to go and collect the fruits. He was obedient to his father.

Still at a long distance away, the farmers saw him coming. They then discussed among themselves what to do with the owner’s one and only son. They came out with a wicked idea. Since he was the heir of the land and if they could kill him, the land would be theirs. They thought this would be the chance that they could forcefully wrest control of the land and be very rich.

This time they did the worse thing. Not only did they beat the son up, they murdered him. The farmers were very glad for they thought they would possess the land. They celebrated and went on taking in the good harvest that the land had produced.

While they were in the fields, gathering in the fruits, there appeared few strong men. They saw them looking like warriors, waiting to fight their enemies. They ran as fast as they could and began to gather together in a village. The farmers were asking each other about the huge men. At a distance away they saw the terrifying men coming towards their direction. At the front of the men, they then saw someone familiar, directing the men. The land owner. He was angry and sad at the same at these bunch of unrepentant wicked farmers. With a loud shout, he ordered the men to kill all those who murdered his son.

The owner then rented his land to others who would listen to him and be blessed. – PSBIBLE News

REFLECTION

This parable is taken from Luke 20:9-15. Many people today think that God will not come and judge them for their wickedness. They could go on doing whatever seems good in their own eyes, cheating, murdering, abusing people, thus neglecting the Word of God. Judgement will come as promised by God Himself if they do not repent. Yet God is a Judge full of love who would still wait for people to repent and be saved. He warned everyone in this world to repent and believe in Him through Jesus so that their sins can be washed away.

….. He (God) is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9)

THE GIANT TUMBLES

Socoh, Judah:  A nine feet tall man named Goliath from Philistine today threatened the Israelites, considered to be the people of God. He challenged anyone who could fight him to step out in the middle while the soldiers from both sides gathered in line, ready to do battle with one another. Then the Israelites, upon seeing the “giant” trembled in fear. They looked at each other in utter dismay because they saw no one stronger than Goliath. Even their King Saul was sad at the repeated taunting by this strong man.

Goliath hounded them again and again. The Israelites on the other hand shivered with great fear even though they have great experience in battles.

  

Meanwhile, David, a shepherd boy who is very close with God, overheard the proud chant of Goliath, asked the king that he be sent to fight him. King Saul was very surprised that this boy could be so daring, David then told him how he killed a lion and a bear before with bare hands because God was with him. He assured the king that God will also help him kill this giant. King Saul hesitantly agreed to let him go on the condition that he must put on the king’s armour. David put it on but it was too huge for him and caused him to walk with great difficulties. He took them off immediately and asked the king to grant him that he used his own weapons instead. The shepherd boy only took a pouch filled with five stones and a sling shot.

So off he went to fight the Goliath, the “giant”.

When he confronted Goliath with only small stuffs, the “giant” laughed at him. He jeered the whole Israelites’ army for sending a boy to fight him. David, a boy full of faith in his God, did not fear him at all. Everybody in the Israelites’ camp did not give a ghost of a chance to him to win this confrontation.

But then it happened!

When Goliath was about to draw his sword, David aimed his sling with a small rock he took from his pouch. He released the rock with a powerful slingshot. It hit the giant right on the forehead before he could charge towards David. Then the “giant” fell like a timber. He was killed by just one slingshot. The whole Israelites’ camp rejoiced greatly at the triumph of David.

It is a day that David will never forget that God wrought this victorious feat through him. While others look at their own puny strength, David looks to God who is the most powerful One of them all. – PS BIBLE News

REFLECTION

This story is taken from 1 Samuel chapter 17 in the Bible. David was not like the rest of them who looked at their human strength to achieve things. When the Israelites found no one who was taller and stronger than Goliath, they became very afraid and ran. David was different. He relied upon God even though the king offered him his armour, another man-made weapon, he rejected it. Instead, David called upon the Name of the Lord and used what he had to gain the victory over the enemy. Although he was not big size in the sight of man, he was strong on the inside because he trusted in God. Are you only strong outwardly? Do you have God inside of you like David?

GREEDY NO MORE

Jericho:  Zacchaeus, an evil tax collector received a wonderful guest to stay in his place. It was a talk of the town. The guest was no ordinary person. Everybody considered this fellow a very righteous person and some worshipped him as God. His name, Jesus. The biggest puzzle they had was that how a righteous man like Jesus wanted to come and stay in the home of this wicked man. Everybody knew that Zacchaues was a greedy man who liked to threaten people. He cheated people of their money and had a band of thieves with them, all tax collectors.

But deep inside of Zacchaeus’ heart, he knew he had done wrong. Especially so when he heard of Jesus doing so many marvellous things for the people. Being a greedy person, Zacchaeus did some very bad things. He could not bear the guilt anymore but didn’t know who to turn to so that he could change into a better person. He was shattered and devastated.

Suddenly, Jesus came into his mind. He heard of Jesus forgiving the sins of the people and of the many who worshiped Him as the Son of God. He thought that if he could get hold of Jesus, he would be set free from sins of greed. Furthermore, this will stop people from grumbling and gossiping about him once and for all. So, he resolved in his mind to find Jesus.

Zacchaeus was a short man. When he knew Jesus was coming into the part of the town, he was extremely delighted. But when he saw that Jesus was surrounded by a sea of people, he could not see nor reach Him. He promised himself that no matter how he had to see Jesus that day. Nothing stopped him from meeting Jesus. He found a tree nearby and straight away climbed up just to get a glimpse of Him.

With so many people clamouring over the Son of God, he was glad that he could at least see Jesus’ face. Then something happened that day that changed Zacchaeus’ life forever. Jesus noticed him up on that tree. He was stunned and couldn’t utter a thing. “He’s seen me! He’s seen me!”, the thought kept ringing in his mind. But then a marvellous thing happened which completely took the tax collector by surprise.

Jesus spoke. He not only spoke but He spoke to Zacchaeus. This was too good to be true. Jesus asked him to come down from the tree for He wanted to stay in his house.

“The Son of God wants to stay at this short, wicked, and greedy tax collector’s place,” he thought to himself, completely surprised!

Yes! It was true. Immediately, he reached out his hands towards Jesus and hugged Him, oblivious of people who cursed him and gossiped about him. They were also annoyed with Jesus for making friends with this sinner.

With tears in his eyes, he told Jesus that he would be a better person. He promised the Son of God that half of his possessions will be given to the poor. Furthermore, he would give back four times as much as those whom he had cheated.

Jesus forgave him because he genuinely repented of his sins. The greatest thrill of  Zacchaeus ‘ life was when his sins were forgiven and the second greatest must have been to have had Jesus staying in his house. “WOW!” – PSBIBLE News

REFLECTION

This story is found in Luke 19:1-10. Jesus said “The Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost” (Luke 19:10). Are you lost in your sins of greediness, or grumbling or gossiping? Call on Jesus and He will come into your heart and forgive all your sins. Your heart is like Zacchaeus’ house which Jesus can come in and be a friend to you even though you are a sinner. Hallelujah!

UNFORGIVEN

Middle East:  Today, a king sentenced a man to prison to be tortured for owing him millions of dollars. At first glance perhaps, many would think that the king was harsh in his judgement. Actually the king was a gracious king.

Initially he wanted the servant to pay everything he owed. If he couldn’t pay, he had to sell off his wife and children and everything that he owed. This punishment was in accordance with the law in the country. After the servant pleaded earnestly with the king to spare him, the king forgave him and cancelled his debt.

Relief and joy were apparent all over his face as he hugged his wife and children tightly. He bowed low and thanked the king for his mercy. The next day, he went about his usual work in the palace. Then he saw a fellow servant who owed him a few hundred dollars. Quickly, he took hold of his garments and demanded he pay every cent. The man was very afraid of him because he had no money to pay him back. He pleaded for him to cancel the debt, but he refused to forgive his fellow servant and cancel his debt.

Instead he forcefully put him to jail and kept him there until he paid his debt in full. This was only a few hundred dollars. He had forgotten that the king, his master cancelled his debt for few million dollars.

When all of this was happening, some fellow servants of the king saw everything this ungrateful servant did. They quickly ran to the king and told him everything he had done.

The king was furious. He sent his guards to bring the wicked servant before him. He knelt before the king and pleaded once again for his forgiveness.

“You wicked servant. I cancelled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?” the king growled angrily. This is how the king turned him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he could pay back all he owed. – PSBIBLE News

REFLECTION

This story was told by Jesus in Matthew chapter 18 verses 23 to 34. God wants to teach us that we need to forgive others. Why? Simple. God gave His only Son to save us from going to hell. Jesus died on our behalf. In other words, he cancelled our debt which we could never pay at all like the few million dollars the servant owed the king. What is a few million dollars compared to a few dollars people owed you? Therefore, forgive them because God forgave you. Jesus sums up this lesson on forgiveness when He said in verse 35, “This is how my Heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart.”

BE BORN, AGAIN?

Judea:  Born again? This phrase was made famous by Jesus through Nicodemus, a well-known figure from a political party called the Pharisees. He confronted Jesus late one night when he was afraid to let others see him with Jesus, because the other Pharisees hated Jesus. Deep inside him, he knew that Jesus was not just a man. “Is He God?” he often asked himself for he saw all the miracles He did. That day, the meeting with Jesus Himself changed him forever.

He was taken aback when Jesus uttered this statement, “I tell you the truth, no one can see kingdom of God unless he is born again.” The last two words, especially, created a great curiosity in him. He had never heard of such a phrase before in his entire life. Impossible! He knew in his own life he had done many bad things and if he could go back to his mother’s womb and be born again, that would be great. Probably, he would try to be a better person.

Jesus then began to teach him what “born again” really meant. It was indeed impossible for Nicodemus to be born again through the human help of his mother.

There was a greater meaning in those two words awaiting him. It was more powerful than he could ever imagine.

God, the Creator was waiting to recreate him and make him into a new person. He could now become a new creation or be “born again”.

“Born again” here meant being born of God and that was far better than being born by human descent. In other words, he could be saved from going to hell and instead, would be on the way to Heaven where he can live forever and ever with God.

Jesus led Nicodemus to focus on the heavenly things when He said that he must be born again. That’s why Jesus told him that He Himself came from Heaven and He could be trusted.

Then Jesus uttered the greatest statement and the most beautiful one for the entire world to hear.

“For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

From then on, Nicodemus knew that God offered hope to every man who needed to come near to God. The hope of eternal life. That hope was in Jesus.

Tears began to well up in his eyes as he knew that God had finally revealed the truth to him and was giving him the chance to be born again. He understood it all. He had to believe in the Son of God, who was just standing right in front of him.

That night, Nicodemus thanked God over and over again that he was able to meet Jesus. “What if I hadn’t met him?” or “What if I had been so afraid of my friends that I missed the greatest appointment of my life?” He didn’t dare to imagine the consequences. He went back home reiterating the same words, “I need to be born again”

He was also committed to tell others too. “You need to be born again,” he told others confidently. – PS BIBLE News

REFLECTION

Everyone needs to be born again! The good news is everyone can be born again. This story was found in John chapter 3. God said in His Word that whoever believes in Jesus shall not perish but have eternal life. The word ‘whoever’ includes you and me. God is always waiting for us to call upon Him because He loves us very much. “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” (Romans 10:13) Have you called upon Jesus to save you? If not, why don’t you do it today?

HOPE REKINDLED: THE RISEN SAVIOUR APPEARS TO HIS DISCIPLES!

Galilee:  Peter, a strong disciple of Jesus was extremely sad. When his Master was cruelly hung on a cross, he ran away from the scene. His mind couldn’t take anymore the anguish of being so helpless. He had already denied Jesus three times when He was put on trial. Moreover, he was thinking real hard about why Jesus as God could have been so easily and humbly captured by mere men. He was confused and frustrated.

Peter and the rest of the disciples of Jesus were shocked when their Master appeared in front of them even though the doors were locked. When Jesus had calmed them down, they were all overjoyed, especially Peter. He had every reason to rejoice because he wanted to turn away from God after failing many times to be a good disciple. Now, his hope had been rekindled once more.

One of Jesus’ disciples named Thomas did not want to believe this extraordinary occurrence unless he could touch Jesus himself. The next day, Jesus appeared to Thomas and asked him to touch His hands. After realising Jesus had indeed risen from the dead, he went down on his knees and worshipped Jesus as his Lord and his God. Jesus forgave his disciples for running away when He needed them to stand by Him at the cross. All of them repented from their cowardice. Peter was the one with most hurt when he saw his Saviour alive again. His heart broke into many pieces when he renounced Jesus. In his mind, he did not want to see Jesus at all. He was too ashamed.

One day Jesus took him aside and forgave him personally. He asked Peter three times whether he still loved Him. This triggered off the memory that he had renounced Jesus three times, too. Peter felt his heavy guilt lifted away from within him. In tears, he understood now that Jesus had known everything about him all along. His nagging question of whether he could still serve and follow Jesus was answered in a remarkable way. Jesus asked him to tend to all His people and to glorify Him. Peter was overjoyed and made a commitment to follow Him all the way even if it meant dying on the cross.

(After having served the Lord for many years, Peter died for his faith in Jesus on a cross hung upside down. He died as a martyr. He was happy to die for His Master as he knew He would take him home to Heaven to live forever!) – PS BIBLE News

Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand that He may lift you up in due time. CAST ALL YOUR ANXIETY ON HIM BECAUSE HE CARES FOR YOU - 1 Peter 5:6-7

REFLECTION

This story is found in the book of John chapter 20 and 21. It tells us that Jesus is indeed risen from the dead. What does that mean to you? To Jesus’ disciple, it was a hope rekindled after He left them. They were a confused lot when their Master died on the cross. They were so delighted to know that Jesus’ words had come to pass when He said that He would rise again from the dead when they literally saw Him alive again.

What about you? Does Jesus rising from the dead mean anything to you? Absolutely yes! In fact, to you and everyone who lives on the earth. All the other founders of different religions in this world died. Their graves are still here on earth. Jesus is the only Person who claimed that He was God and proved it by rising from the dead. And He really did it! Nobody ever found Jesus’ body and nobody ever will because He is risen. Therefore, Christians are not believing in a dead man’s testimony but words right from the mouth of a living Saviour!

SAUL SEES THE LIGHT: THE PERSECUTOR OF THE CHURCH BLINDED BY A GREAT LIGHT!

Damascus:  An amazing thing happened to a nasty man named Saul. He was greatly feared for his atrocities toward the people from the church. Back in Jerusalem, he used to beat them and drag them to prisons to be tortured. His heart cared for no one except for his pride in obeying the laws of his religion. He was very close to the high priest of his religion. Once, Saul asked him to grant an approval for him to capture the Christians who fled to Damascus, a city far away from Jerusalem. He was very persistent in persecuting them. More amazingly, the Christians were not angry with him. Instead they prayed for him. they believed the Creator God is stronger than anyone in this world.

While Saul was travelling to Damascus to persecute them, he saw a powerful glaring light. It was so magnificent, shining form above the clouds that Saul and his companions were thrown off their horses. Then a powerful voice started to thunder from where the light came. “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” the voice said. Saul asked, “Who are you, Lord?” The voice replied, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.”

Saul was spellbound and sat on the ground in utter disbelief. Was he wrong in turning against the people who believed in Jesus? Was Jesus alive as the Christians claimed Him to be? Question after question pounded in his confused mind.

He wanted to look at the light again just to see if it was still there but he could not see a thing. He realised then that he was blind!

His companion did not know the meaning of the light and the voice. They led him to a house in Straight Street near here and quickly ran off.

One of the disciples of Jesus named Ananias was called by God to go to him. He was a bit hesitant due to this notorious man and his fervour in persecuting the Christians.

He obeyed the Lord Jesus. He went to the house where Saul stayed and prayed for him. Instantly, Saul was healed of his blindness. He then told Saul what Jesus had done for him.

Finally, the truth was revealed to Saul in a miraculous way. Today, he knows that Jesus is his risen Saviour and Lord. He is still shaking his head at the wonderful mercy of Jesus for giving him a chance even though he was murderous in dealing with God’s people.

And so is Ananias. He cannot comprehend how God is so compassionate and loving in saving Saul.

No matter how bad a person may be, God is able to change him. – PS BIBLE News

REFLECTION

Another powerful story from the Bible! It is found in the book of Acts chapter nine. God can change a murderous and unmerciful man into a beautiful saint. How true! After Saul was saved by the Lord Jesus, he went to his own people, who once were together with him persecuting the Christians, to tell them about the Saviour, Jesus. What an amazing turnaround! Have you experienced it yourself? If not, why not let Jesus add colour to your life?

Jesus said, “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full” John 10:10b

The main reason for Jesus to come to this earth is to save mankind from their sins. Sin in this world has clouded mankind from seeing the true colours of life through God’s eyes. Jesus loves us so much and he could not bear to see us going through life in doubts, disappointments, despair and finally towards destruction. He came so that our life could be full of happiness, hope and love. We can see clearly now the way that leads us to Heaven and towards ultimate joy with Jesus as our living Saviour.

Therefore, let us walk in His way and follow His commands. Some people do not have joy in God because they choose not to follow Jesus and do what He says. That’s why there are still millions of people living in darkness and despair. The good news is that many people too, have taken the right step to follow Jesus. They have found the joy that they never had before in Jesus. Have you?

GOD'S WORD IS VICTORIOUS!

Jordan: On the hill of Jordan while most of the people still sleeping, a tremendous fight took place. It was a fight of different nature. PS BIBLE News called it ‘The Duel Between Light and Darkness’.

Jesus Christ, claimed that He is God who came as a Man, went there to pray when he met Satan, nicknamed ‘The devil’. The devil had been very active lately trying to deceive the villagers to turn away from God. He wanted to disrupt Jesus from doing God’s will and so decided to tempt him. Satan wanted the Son of God to bow down and worship him as he had done so to many villagers before. The first subtle attack came!

Thus, the fight began! The Tempter said, “If you are really the Son of God, turn these stones to bread” He knew that Jesus was hungry. Satan was shocked when Jesus refused to yield to him. Instead Jesus challenged him with the Word of God. He said, “Man does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God” Jesus followed His heavenly Father instead of listening to Satan.

The devil was dejected at the defeat. As usual, he did not quit. As they were walking towards the highest point of a temple, he dared Jesus to jump down. This time, Satan too quoted God’s Words but he was merely saying it to suit his own desire.

Jesus did not jump. He was angry at Satan using God’s Word for a wrong purpose. Then he jabbed the evil one with another round of God’s Word. He refused him by saying “God says, ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test’ ” With these powerful words, he again foiled Satan’s attempt to make Him Satan’s servant. Satan was devastated! The Word of God used by Jesus is too strong for the devil to withstand.

Satan was desperate! He led Jesus to a high mountain and showed him the beautiful kingdom below.

This time he was willing to give everything away to Jesus. Everything the devil ever had was gained through deception. All these would be given to Jesus with one condition: that he must bow and worship him alone. Satan laughed and thought surely this time, Jesus would agree to his proposal. But “Away from me, Satan! God says, ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only’,” Jesus rejected him.

“What!” The devil screamed in anger. He covered his face and fled like one chased by a hungry, fierce wolf.

The fight was over!

The infallible word of God triumphed over evil. Truly, darkness has to flee when light comes! – PS BIBLE News

REFLECTION

In this simple story of the Bible, Jesus showed us the example of using God’s Word in times of difficulties and temptation. This true story is found in Matthew 4:1-11. in Hebrew 4:12, it says that the Word of God is living and active, sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates deep inside us and judges our thoughts and the attitude of our hearts. Psalm 119:105 says that the Word of God is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path. It simply means the Word of God guides us through this life!

God’s Word is like a sword! It is used to counter Satan’s temptations. Ephesians 6:17

God’s Word is like fire and a hammer! It consumes and crushes falsehood. Jeremiah 23:29

God’s Word is like water, washing away unrighteousness from us. Ephesians 5:26; see also John 15:3

WE ARE LIVING IN A SICK WORLD

The rise of Boko Haram, ISIS, Al Shabaz, dictators and extremists of all kinds, including shootings in schools all over the USA have made this world a sicker place to live. Violence is now not only confined to movies and television shows but acted out everywhere and often in front of young children. Many have taken religion as a front to kill, maim, sexually assault, oppress and subdue. Jesus predicted this will happen, two thousand years ago and we live to see more of it today than ever before. 

....the time is coming when anyone who kills you will think they are offering a service to God (John 16:2).

Then there is narcissism all over the world where people just couldn't care less about all that is happening around them. "What's in it for Me?" is their battle cry!

In the last days...People will be lovers of themselves.... (2 Timothy 3:1-2).

Is this the beginning of the end where the world will get worse culminating to God's final wrath? Or is God telling us that the greatest opportunity for the Gospel is now?

What can followers of Jesus do?

1. Do not add doom to the gloom.

Do not go around sulking and whining about the condition of the world. The world is broken and can never get back to its original position until Christ comes again. It will not help at all to add fire to the already raging bush fire. Your world does not need one more problem but a solution, any solution - however small.

2. Pray and lay everything in God's Hand.

Psalm 73 speaks of a leader who was about to backslide over sinners gaining greater notoriety without repercussions at all from God. Then he went into God's presence, his eyes were opened to see the final destruction of evil wicked men. 

"Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written:"It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord" (Romans 12:19).

God sees the biggest picture from above while we see things with our little puny cluttered earthly minds. God answers prayers and will release all our sincere tear-filled, heart-broken prayers for justice, when the time is right. (Revelation 5:8; 8:4-5).

3. Alter the authoritative figure's mindset with God's wisdom.

Convince one person at a time of the need for Jesus, particularly authoritative figures which hold the final word in a family, a department, a company, a constituency or even a province or state. Pray for God to change these hearts. The greatest example of an authoritative turn-around guy in history is Paul in the Bible. He went from persecuting the church to being the greatest missionary and church planter for Jesus Christ!

In my many experiences of sharing the Gospel, many held back their confession of Christ because they were afraid of some authoritative figures at home, male or female. On the brighter side, I also encountered whole family saved due to the salvation of an authoritative figure.

4. Be patient with the 'patients' of God.

I must confess I did ask God to do 'zappy' things to these 'sick' people. And often God reminded me that I was also a 'sicko' once. Although the degree is different, sin is still sin. God's grace of salvation had reached and touched me and I am forever grateful. Imagine the unimaginable sufferings that will befall these sinners if they do not repent and respond to the Gospel of God. That's why God's patience can out-stretched all of us. He sees the intense darkness for the godless in the future while we want everything to end, send all 'sickos' to hell and close the case.

5. Do a good deed to people in need.

Action-oriented servings are much better than perfectly-crafted sermons. The Bible is filled with teachings of daily life examples, doing on-the-ground works and reaching the grassroots by deeds. Jesus taught His disciples through personally involved in people's lives, loving, caring and healing them. Many times He was moved with deep compassion and on one occasion, He cried. Jesus did not only preach, he also healed and not only He healed and went away, He changed lives! He believed in the future of all those He saved! For God so loved the world (that includes extremists of all kinds) that He gave His one and only Son... (John 3:16).

6. Love the Unlovable.

Hate the sin and not the sinner. The spew of hatred fuels greater hate. Never in my life will I be able to understand the victims and their families who are deeply affected by all the senseless violence. Perhaps it is more comfortable to hate than to do otherwise, I don't know. But hate is never the answer. Bear with me as I offer my two cents' opinion. In my little suffering and pain, I usually use the Gethsemane prayer principle, "I disliked it. I even hated it. But God, let Your will be done."

The greatest example I believe that left an indelible mark on Jesus' disciples was forgiving the unforgivable, those who ridiculed and mocked Him, those who lashed at Him and spitted on Him and those who crucified Him. He taught it first at the Sermon on the Mount and He did it for all to see. Today, only true followers of Christ love the unlovable, forgive the unforgivable.

And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do that....But love your enemies, do good to them...Then you reward will be great and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful (Luke 6:33-37).

Yes, we are living in a sick world. Yet the remedy is with the true followers of Christ and that remedy is the God-given Good News! It is like a cure for cancer in a cancerous world!

PASSION: THE BRIGHT LIGHT OF GLORY BY LOUIE GIGLIO

This book is written by a team of leading preachers and Christian voices, all involved in Passion Conference for college students. The book traced the trail of Passion Movement which based on this very verse in Isaiah 26:8, "Yes, LORD, walking in the way of your laws, we wait for you; your name and renown are the desire of our hearts." 

I was thrilled to read Giglio's unwaning passion for Passion in the book. I could see his passion translated to those he worked with and more so, to the millions of youth who excitedly came for the conference each year. All who wrote in this book shared in his excitement and cooperatively served their best to the theme of the verse above.

Louie Giglio and team have never wandered off the tangent of the audience of One, Jesus Christ! Throughout the book, the LORD is being glorified, pleased, shouted forth, boasted of and supremely desired in all their hearts! I give this book 5 stars!

Thank you Thomas Nelson Publishers for giving me this free E-book for the purpose of this review.

NELSON'S ANNUAL PREACHER'S SOURCEBOOK, VOL. 3 by Dr. O. S. HAWKINS

This book has a wide variety of sermons to choose from and great ideas to ponder upon. As a preacher myself, it is a book that adds to my understanding about the passage of Scripture given there. I don’t follow them but it allows me to better grasp some topics presented. Somehow I was not really excited about this book because of several reasons. Firstly, a preacher needs to hear from God and not extract from other preachers. Secondly, following it may damper the creativity of a preacher. Lastly, the audience in each congregation is different and sometimes a sermon may work well in one but totally disastrous in another. So, for me, I am just okay with this book. 

I give this book three stars. Thank you, Thomas Nelson's Publishers for giving me this free e-book for the purpose of the review.

THE CHURCH AT ITS BEST - THE FIRST GREAT COMMISSION CHURCH

Church at Antioch as described in Acts 11:19-29 and 13:1-3, was at that time, a church at its best during the initial years after Christ’s resurrection! It was truly a great Commission church! 

The church started on Pentecost after the Holy Spirit moved greatly at Peter’s sermon. Three thousands were converted on that day at Jerusalem (Acts 2). It comprised of all Jewish believers. They were fulfilling what Jesus said by going to Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria. Since the Christians were all Jewish converts, there were two problems - one external and the other, internal. The external problem was that the believers were looked upon as traitors to Moses’ Laws. This gave the religious authority the reason for persecuting the disciples of Christ. They were sure the Romans would side them as the majority to win over their favours. Meanwhile the internal problem had to deal with cliques of  all things Jewish. This would eventually lead to inwardness of the Church at Jerusalem, thus curtailing the expansion of the Gospel to the Gentiles. Then came the stoning of Stephen to death and igniting widespread persecution on the believers. This led to the migration of believers to other cities across the region except the apostles and some leaders who stayed at Jerusalem. Some Jewish believers went to Antioch, the first city outside of Israel! These did not go there only to escape imprisonment and torture but they shared the Gospel! Thus, the first Great Commission Church - began. The first multi-racial, multi-cultural church. 

There are few ingredients that make the Antioch church the first Great Commission church and leave a benchmark for any church today.

1. It was a witnessing Church  (Acts 11:19-21).

The church was started not by a famous preacher or a great church strategist. There were no big names like Paul, Peter or Barnabas in its initial months. It all began when some unnamed and unsung believers believed in the call of the Great Commission. They were persecuted yet they did not give up! They were not ashamed of the gospel for they believed it was the power of God unto salvation! They shared not only to the own native race, but also to the Gentiles. Their passion rested upon Jesus’ very words, “Go and make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19).

If we are not witnessing to the lost and not winning them to Christ, then the church loses its purpose of existence. Church becomes a club and Christianity becomes a religion with 'dos' and 'donts'!

How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news...(Isaiah 52:7). This prophecy concerns the future of Israel under captivity to the Babylonians. It'll last for 70 years. When that judgment is over, God will send a messenger of goodnews that Israel is no longer bound. They are free to go. This messenger will be passionate about the message and will run across treacherous terrains to deliver the goodnews. Those in exiles who long to return see the messenger's beautiful feet! The feet of the runner of hope is beautiful! 

Do we have the passion to run with the Gospel message telling the lost that they are set free by the cross of Christ?

2. It was a Discipling Church (Acts 11:22-26).

When Barnabas arrived in Antioch, he saw something that probably never entered his mind before. The Gentiles were expressing their adoration and worship for Jesus Christ the same way that the Jewish believers did! This caused him to be overflowed with joy seeing what Jesus Christ had commanded come to pass. He immediately began to disciple the growing church. He knew he needed to disciple these believers for even greater days ahead! He couldn’t do this alone and so he recruited Saul. Saul had been in Tarsus for four years now, preaching and teaching in the churches throughout the region, and growing in the grace of God. Together, they taught and discipled the new believers in Christ! 

Barnabas and Saul are so called functional leaders - they came for a need! Barnabas did not settle down in Antioch as the ‘POPE’. Saul did not set up an office to be the ‘BISHOP’. 

Do we need prophets today? Sure, if there is a need. Do we need teachers and pastors and evangelists? Of course, if there are needs for them. But more importantly, the church today needs disciplers! Every believer is not only to be followers of Christ but also to teach others to become followers of Christ! Making disciples of all nations, and in Greek, ‘nations’ means all people groups.

Antioch church could go either way. Either it could explode to a great revival or it may implode with racial issues! The church at Antioch was multiracial with a tinge of uneasiness. On one hand, the Jews with their own culture and practices and on the other, Gentiles with their own traditions. Also, in Jerusalem church itself, there were Jewish believers who were skeptical that the Gospel be preached to the Gentiles.

Making disciplers out of the church in Antioch was pivotal. It was a turning point in history of the church of Jesus Christ. It turned out to be the catalyst to fulfill Jesus’ commands to make disciples to the ends of the earth.

Is your church a discipling church? A church without strong disciples of Christ is easy target for Satan. If we do not disciple believers by God’s Word, then the world will disciple them. Satan is a great discipler of evil! 

The believers in Antioch were the first to call Christians It was a sarcastic remark by those on the outside the church who heard them always talking about Christ. In today’s context, these are Christ fanatics, the holy Joes! 

Remember they were disciples first, then called Christians! Today, we have many Christians who are not disciples of Christ! 

John Welsey (1703 - 1791) aptly put it, “My fear is not that our great movement, known as the Methodists, will eventually cease to exist or one day die from the earth. But my fear is that our people will become content to live without the fire, the power, the excitement, the supernatural element that makes us great. 

Later William Booth (1829 - 1912) warned, “I consider that the chief dangers which confront the coming century will be religion without the Holy Ghost, Christianity without Christ, forgiveness without regeneration, politics without God and heaven without hell. 

3. It was a sharing Church (Acts 11:27-30).

The multiracial church at Antioch was practising what the Jerusalem church practiced - giving their best for the community of believers. In Antioch, it went one notch higher where the Gentiles were giving to the Jews in Judea! This was a goodwill that would go a long way in promoting peace between the Jewish and Gentile  It prompted Paul in his letter later to the Galatian Christians. 

There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus (Galatians 3:28).

‘Konoinia’ in Greek for ‘fellowship’ literally means to have in common or to share. It was a breakthrough word for the early church where everyone helped each other. The Jerusalem church led the way for the Antioch church to follow. 

Is your church a sharing church? In other words, “Is it a loving church?” Today we are talking more on prosperity than on generosity. We come to church to take and not so much to give. Perhaps in this generation of so much lies and deceits, we are also much more careful to help one another. We are questioning and justifying everything. Remember the parable of The Good Samaritan how he never think when he chanced upon the badly injured guy, “Maybe he deserves it because of some sins in his life” or “Maybe someone else would come and help” or  “If I help, I may be accused of hurting him”.

4. It was a worshipping Church  (Acts 13:2-3). 

In Antioch church, the believers came corporately together before God in submitting to His Lordship. They surrendered themselves as instruments in the hands of the Master. The word ‘worshipping’ in NIV here literally means ministering to God. They were waiting before God to hear from Him and were ever ready to obey the Holy Spirit! Fasting and devotion to God speak of their seriousness of doing the will of God. With this attitude, God was ready to speak to them!

Is your church a worshipping church? Author Joshua Harris wrote a book entitled, “Stop dating the church” and he wrote how in our consumer-driven church market we’ve developed the practice of hopping from one church to the next, attending this church or that church based on how we feel on that particular Sunday morning. We have too many CEO Christians today. Christmas Easter Only. Not those who are seriously wanting to hear from God and ready to obey His commandments. Let us be a church that seriously yearn to hear from God and obey His voice!

5. It was a Sending Church (Acts 13:2-3)

Because of their readiness to hear God and to obey Him, they obediently sent off Barnabas and Saul when the Holy Spirit called! Mind you, these two were the best of the lot! Someone said, ‘The church is not an institution to be protected but a Movement to be expanded’. The real Church is like an army, ready and alert. They are always on the move to gain territories for Jesus! Jesus is our Lord and He is on a mission! And He is using the church for His mission and no gates of hell shall prevail against it!

Is your church a sending church? 

The Antioch church began with some unnamed believers and it turned up to be the first Great Commission Church. From Antioch, the apostle Paul started his missionary journeys, all the way Asia Minor and Rome, creating a wide regional Church later on. Thus Jesus’ commands to reach the ends of the earth was obeyed even though not all fulfilled during the Antioch days! However, the effects of that church in Antioch had gone global! It was a local church with a global mission!

Let us learn from the Antioch Church these five ingredients that make up of a Great Commission Church and shine forth Jesus for God’s glory! 

THE FULFILLMENT OF THE LAW OF MOSES

Doug gulped a mouthful of tablets as usual before he retired to bed. The scholarly old man just finished perusing the last documents of the new regulations of the society. Poor health and constant late nights had caused him to feel more lethargic as ever.

As he began to lie down to bed, his phone rang. “Yes!”

“Oh no! Prof., that idiot has done it again,” the other person on the line muttered.

“Calm down, Rex. What done it again?”

“Calvin has changed some rules in our society! He wanted to change what you have done over the last ten years!” Doug’s assistance hollered.

“What! Calvin again?”

The People-Choice-Awards Society was a powerful entity in the city, highly sponsored by the corporate world and sanctioned by the government itself. Doug with some prominent professors and business people had founded the society, giving out awards for life-changing works either through a person or a group. As years went by, there were added regulations to protect its awards until it was almost impossible for common people to participate. No one dared to criticize the Society because of its many high-standing patronages. Doug often boasted, “My rules are chiselled on stone.”

Calvin was a young successful businessman. He had done a great deal for society especially among the poor and was named caring entrepreneur of the year by a famous newspaper. Yet, he could not break in to Doug’s Society although he submitted his work many times. One day, he thought to change things within and was appointed into the board.

From inside, he could see all the unbending extra regulations, making it extremely difficult for anyone to win without help and intervention. The young entrepreneur looked up to the sky and decided to change things so that the original intention of the Society would be realised again.

After many years heading the outfit, Doug had proudly added new laws to secure his position in the Society and also to please the many opinions of various people.

“Calvin, do you care to explain why you have to change some regulations which we had set so meticulously by all of us?” Doug questioned his colleague.

“Yes! I think we need a clarification from you,” Rex insisted.

Calvin cleared his throat. “Listen to me, all my esteemed colleagues. I did not change the regulations at all. I simply simplify them for the sake of better following. Through the years, the laws have been too rigid and stiff. Furthermore, the added regulations made them more impenetrable. We need to guide the people who submitted their applications so that they could follow along with us,” he explained confidently.

It was Doug who roped in Calvin to the board. The plot was to have as many on his side as possible. The longer the energetic young man was in, the hotter he was to handle. In the end, Calvin managed to get more than half onto his side for the change. Doug was losing the popularity and the majority vote.

“But...it was agreed already our set of rules,” Doug argued.

“Do you have better ones?” One influential board member spoke.

“Doug, we have benefitted by your many years of service here. It’s time we need fresher ideas from the younger generation,” opined another.

The old man was smiling on the outside but gritted his guts. “I suggest we go for a vote on this,” he suggested, hoping against hope to win.

As the 10 board members began to vote, Calvin was praying for an overwhelming support. The votes were counted, 9 to 1. Doug took a long hard look at Rex, stood up and said, “I resign!”

The Sermon on the Mount found in Matthew 5:17-20 was a history changing time for Israel and for the rest of the world. The Law of Moses given by God at Mount Sinai had always been the supreme laws of the Land. Kings would make or break in regards to those laws. The whole nation rises or falls depending on them. God desires His people to follow His laws to shout His fame but sadly, they fail and fail Him miserably!

The laws of Moses first of all are good laws – scholars of the Bible argued that they are more humane than the laws of Israel’s many surrounding nations. When Jesus came upon the scene, He seemed like abolishing all those laws. Of course, the Pharisees and teachers, strict guardians of Moses’ laws, especially the Ten Commandments, were shoving and screaming at Jesus. They added many laws until they reached 613 commandments. (According to Babylonian Talmud, Makkot 23b-24a, the negative commandments number 365, which coincides with the number of days in the solar year and the positive commandments number 248, a number ascribed to the number of bones and main organs in the human body) One can now see the impenetrable laws which evolve to become a trap for everyone. In fact, God wants the laws to be an ‘X-ray’ to show that all have sinned and fall short of God’s glory. A ‘wake-up’ call for all, that everyone needs a Saviour!

The Son of God managed to stir up all kinds of emotions among the people when He made some seemingly new alterations to laws that they were taught carefully to obey since young. When we look a little closer at Scriptures, Jesus Christ neither abolishes nor changes the laws of Moses. In fact, He upgrades them even further. The people of Israel used to obey from the power of the will and when Jesus came, He wanted them to obey from inside out. Murder stemmed from anger and adultery caused by lust from the heart (Matthew 5:21-22; 27-28). Jesus wanted a complete overhaul of the heart! In fact a new heart must replace an old one and that would need divine intervention. This was not a surprise if the people understood the Old Testament correctly! It was prophesied from Moses to the prophets!

The LORD your God will circumcise your hearts and the hearts of your descendants, so that you may love him with all your heart and with all your soul, and live (Deuteronomy 30:6).

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 (Ezekiel 36:26).

I will give them a heart to know me, that I am the LORD. They will be my people, and I will be their God, for they will return to me with all their heart (Jeremiah 24:7).

Thus, Jesus began to change the mindset of the people of His days that without God in them to help them, they would fail miserably. Only after Jesus died and resurrected, the people began this ‘new heart’ lives with the Holy Spirit in them.

And with that he breathed on them and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit” (John 20:22).

With 613 tangled and complex laws, it is unsurprising that the Jews were ensnared in the circle of confusion. One can remember when at the Garden of Eden, there was only one law – do not eat the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil (Genesis 2:16-17). 

Jesus then shortened 613 laws to two greatest commandments which all the Law and the Prophets hung on (Matthew 22:34-40).

‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’’

No one could and can fulfill or fully obey Moses’ laws except one Man – Jesus Christ! He lived a perfect sinless life and no one could point a finger at Him or talk a single bad about Him. Therefore He was worthy to die on our behalf for all our sins. When He died on the cross for the sins of mankind, Jesus in essence ‘carried believers’ over to God! Not one person could or can earn himself or herself to be restored to the relationship with God!

When we go to heaven, God sees Jesus’ sacrifice as the seal of redemption! Not us! We are all sinners condemned to hell if not for our Saviour!

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit (Romans 8:1-4).

So, we come back to the Person of the Holy Spirit. When Jesus left to heaven after His resurrection, He sent the Holy Spirit to be in every believer. He was the promise of God of how a ‘new heart’ believer should live from then on. The Holy Spirit is working His way in us so that we can obey the two greatest commandments mentioned above. From the inside out!

Next: Anger and Murder (Matthew 5:21-26)