Ushering in the New Year - 2015

Wishing all my readers, near and afar a very blessed New Year. May all our resolutions, dreams and hopes be fulfilled this brand new year =)

ODJ Focus Article

Question :
Recently I spoke to a friend from Germany, and he asked me how we know that Jesus and God exist and how we get this information and from whom? Because the Bible was written by prophets, how did they get this information about Jesus and God? 
- Kofi -

Answer :
We can know that God exists because God Himself told us so. God has revealed Himself to the world.

Firstly, God has revealed Himself through the universe He created. Our complex universe and the intricacies of our earth tell us that God exists. David, one  of the writers of a song in the Bible speaks of this : "The heavens proclaim the glory of God. The skies display his craftsmanship. Day after day they continue to speak, night after night they make him known" (Psalm 19:1-2). The apostle Paul, another writer of the Bible, says the physical world we live in tells us that there is a God and that we can know Him. "They [that is, all human beings] know the truth about God because He has made it obvious to them. For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything GOd made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities - his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God" (Romans 1:19-20).

Secondly, we know that God exists because He has told us about Himself. He has revealed to us who He is, what He is like and what He wants us to do in the Bible. In speaking of the origin and the authority of the Bible, Paul says that "All Scripture is inspired by God" (2 Timothy 3:16), literally meaning that the Bible is "God-breathed" or the words that come "from the mouth of God" (Matthew 4:4) The 40 human authors of the Bible clearly acknowledged that what they wrote were "the Lord´s instructions" (Exodus 24:3-4, 34:27; Jeremiah 30:1-2; Hosea 1:1; Joel 1:1; Haggai 1:1-3; Hebrews 1:1). They put into words what God revealed to them (2 Peter 1:21). The Bible is God´s Word, God speaking to us.

Thirdly, we know God exists because He has shown Himself to us in the person of Jesus Christ. John, who wrote the gospel that bears his name, says that God Himself "became human and made his home among us" (John 1:14). Jesus, "who is himself God... revealed God to us" (v.18). Jesus told His disciples, "Anyone who has seen me has seen [God]!" (14:9).

There is a God. And He has told us about Himself because He wants us to know Him personally. He is Immanuel, which means "God is with us" (Matthew 1:23).

You may want to read more about God in the following online booklets :

http://discoveryseries.org/ten-reasons/in-the-existence-of-god/

http://discoveryseries.org/ten-reasons/in-the-bible

- K.T. Sim -

Radical Recovery

Wednesday December 31, 2014

Attempting a quadruple to loop, Olympic skater Jeremy Abbott swivelled into the air and fell. He careened into the rink´s wall and lay clutching his side. Amazingly, Jeremy then stood up and resumed skating. The rest of his routine included two extremely difficult, yet well-executed maneuvers. In the end, his perseverance after a serious mistake won the crowd´s heart.

Peter´s biggest error was predicted by Jesus when He said, "You will deny three times that you even know me" (Luke 22:34). The next day Jesus was captured and taken to the high priest´s home. Peter followed from a distance; but when a female servant identified him as a friend of the Saviour, he rejected her claim. Twice more Peter shirked any connection with Him. Finally, he recalled Jesus' prophecy and wept.

When Jesus predicted Peter´s denial, He also predicted that the disciple would repent and turn back to Him (v.32). Peter had a radical recovery from his spiritual mistake. After Christ rose from the dead, Peter zealously spread the good news. When the religious leaders recognised Peter and John as Christ´s disciples, they told the duo to keep quiet. This time, however, the disciple didn´t shy away from his loyalty to Jesus. He said, "We cannot stop telling about everything we have seen and heard" (Acts 4:20).

After being flogged (5:40), Peter and the apostles entered the temple and went door-to door preaching "Jesus is the Messiah" (v.42). He also eventually wrote two letters to encourage Roman believers to live for God and "worship Christ as Lord of [their] life" (1 Peter 3:15).

Peter´s life proves that you can revive a radical relationship with Jesus even after making serious mistakes (Acts 4:13). - Jennifer Benson Schuldt

Read
Acts 4:13-20
When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus. But since they could see the man who had been healed standing there with them, there was nothing they could say. So they offered them to withdraw from the Sanhedrin and then conferred together. "What are we going to do with these men?" they asked. "Everybody living in Jerusalem knows they have done an outstanding miracle, and we cannot deny it. But to stop this thing form spreading any further among the people, we must warn these men to speak no longer to anyone in this name."
Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John replied, "Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God´s sight to obey you rather than God. For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard."

Psalms 51:17
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit;
a broken and contrite heart,
O God, you will not despise.

Titus 1:16
They claim to know God, but by their actions they deny him. They are detestable, disobedient and unfit for doing anything good.

Question to Ponder
How would you respond if someone told you to "keep quiet" about Jesus?
Do you think Peter´s spiritual life was better or worse after repenting of his denial? Why?

**Article taken from ODJ (Our Daily Journey with God) Dec 2014 - Feb 2015 issue

The Best Will Come

Tuesday December 30, 2014

This week I bought a lot of toilet paper in order to qualify for a partial refund. The refund form told me to address my envelop to "Road to Glory". Really? I haven´t slain a dragon or won a championship. I had merely purchased TP. So I laughed at the ridiculous title as I wrote it on the envelope. 

The world often exaggerates its achievements, and so do we. We use social media to post about our "amazing" weekend with our "awesome" kids, when all we did was pack a lunch and go to the beach. If we use our biggest superlatives on picnics, we´ll have nothing left to describe what´s truly spectacular.

It´s also important to remember our temptation towards inflation when speaking of the kingdom of God. Jesus said His kingdom is both already here - for "the Kingdom of God has arrived among you" (Matthew 12:28) - and also not yet. FOr He taught us to pray "Father... may your Kingdom come soon" (Luke 11:2). We should celebrate the kingdom now, but not in a way that detracts from what´s yet to come.

It´s good for churches to plant community gardens, fight injustice and help those in need, but we shouldn´t leave the impression that these efforts are the consummation of the kingdom. If we oversell what we´ve done, we´ll leave people feeling depressed. Is this all the kingdom amounts to? Is this as good as it gets?

Psalm 24 expresses our tension. Enjoy life now, as much as you can, for "the earth is the Lord´s and everything in it. The world and all its people belong to him" (v.1). But never stop longing for the return of the King. Our world will be infinitely better when He returns, so "open up, ancient doors, and let the King of glory enter" (v.9) - Mike Wittmer.

Read
Psalm 24:1-10
The earth is the Lord´s, and everything in it,
the world, and all who live in it;
For he founded it upon the seas 
and established it upon the waters.
Who may ascend the hill of the Lord?
Who may stand in his holy place?
He who has clean hands and a pure heart, 
who does not lift up his soul to an idol
or swear by what is false.
He will receive blessing from the Lord
and vindication from God his Savior.
Such is the generation of those who seek him,
who seek your face, O God of Jacob.

Lift up your heads, O you gates; 
be lifted up, you ancient doors,
that the King of glory may come in.
Who is this King of glory?
The Lord strong and mighty,
the Lord mighty in battle.
Lift up your heads, O you gates; 
lift them up, you ancient doors,
that the King of glory may come in.
Who is he, this King of glory?
The Lord Almighty --
he is the King of glory.

Question to Ponder
Where do you experience the kingdom of God today?
How does this make you even more excited to anticipate the return of Jesus?

**Article taken from ODJ (Our Daily Journey with God) Dec 2014 - Feb 2015 issue

Balancing Seasons

Monday December 29, 2014

As we pause and reflect on another 12 months gone by, we´re often quick to aim for greater balance in all areas during the new year. Author and pastor Andy Stanley suggest that we aim to find a rhythm in the changing seasons of life. Instead of trying to carve out equal amounts of time for each activity in order to attain and maintain a balanced lifestyle, there are seasons which require us to work longer or shorter hours, spend less or exercise more, cut out or add certain foods to our diet, and so on.

King Solomon looked back at his life of excess and was disappointed by how meaningless all of it was. " 'Everything is meaningless,' says the Teacher, 'completely meaningless!'" (Ecclesiastes 1:2). He acknowledged, however, that God does ultimately bring beauty out of the rhythm of the changing seasons of life (3:11), writing "For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven" (3:1).

Contentment comes when we ease into a new rhythm in the midst of change. For instance, the birth of a child or the death of a loved one; the start of something new and the time it takes to grow and bear fruit (v.2); the moment we decide to put to death the one thing that´s been sapping our strength, and the day we choose to say we´re sorry and work towards healing (v.3); the times that we tear down or build up, cry or laugh, grieve or dance, scatter or gather, embrace or turn away, search or quit searching, keep or throw away, tear or mend, be quiet or speak up, love or hate, make war or bring peace (vv. 4-8).

In all things, at all times, finding a rhythm based in God´s leading is surely far more satisfying than striving for the perfect balance. - Ruth O'Reilly-Smith.

Read
Ecclesiastes 3:1-11
There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under heaven : 
A time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,
a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build
a time to weep and a time to laugh
a time to mourn and a time to dance
a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them
a time to embrace and a time to refrain
a time to search and a time to give up
a time to keep and a time to throw away
a time to tear and a time to mend
a time to be silent ad a time to speak
a time to love and a time to hate
a time for war and a time for peace.

What does the worker gain from his toil? I have seen the burden GOd has laid on men. He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end.

Philippians 4:11-12
I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.

Question to Ponder
What does your current season of life look like?
How can God help you find a rhythm that honours and glorifies Him?

**Article taken from ODJ (Our Daily Journey with God) Dec 2014 - Feb 2015 issue

Audience of One

Sunday December 28, 2014

As a preacher, I´m rightly concerned with the content of each of my Sunday Sermons. I must confess, however, that I can fall into the trap of being overly concerned with what people think of my message -- not whether or not the message is clearly understood or whether the people and the Lord Himself are blessed by what I say. I can become more concerned with the goal of having church members like what I say and approve of my message. Sometimes a furrowed brow in the congregation, especially from someone I know and respect spiritually, can seriously interrupt my flow and cause me no small amount of consternation.

In 2 Samuel 6, David didn´t dabble in such self-obsession as he danced "with all his might" before the ark (v. 14). His behaviour wasn´t becoming for a king, nor was it in keeping with the character of a mighty warrior. ("Saul has killed his thousands, and David his ten thousands!" the people sang in 1 Samuel 18:7). Mighty warriors and kings simply didn´t behave so passionately, so exuberantly in front of their subjects. What must his generals have thought?

But David danced before God "with all his might", because God is worthy of all our worship, and He demands our all. The writer of the great hymn "When I survey the Wondrous Cross" put it perfectly : "Love so amazing, so divine, demands my soul, my life, my all". Likewise, in John 7:1-52, we read of Jesus passionately doing what His Father wanted Him to do. His family, the Jews, the multitude and the Pharisees all turned on Him! But He pressed on, despite their sniping words and physical attacks. Only His Father´s opinion really mattered. May that also be true of us as we passionately serve our audience of One. - Russell Fralick

Read
2 Samuel 6:12-23
Now King David was told, "The Lord has blessed the household of Obed-Edom and everything he has, because of the ark of God." So David went down and brought up the ark of God from the house of Obed-Edom to the City of David with rejoicing. When those who were carrying the ark of the Lord had taken six steps, he sacrificed a bull and a fattened calf. David, wearing a linen ephod, danced before the Lord with all his might, while he and the entire house of Israel brought up the ark of the Lord with shouts and the sound of trumpets.
As the ark of the Lord was entering the City of David, Michal daughter of Saul watched from a window. And when she saw King David leaping and dancing before the Lord, she despised him in her heart.
They brought the ark of the Lord and set it in its place inside the tent that David had pitched for it, and David sacrificed burnt offerings and fellowship offerings before the Lord. After he had finished sacrificing the burnt offerings and fellowship offerings, he blessed the people in the name of the Lord Almighty. Then he gave a loaf of bread, a cake of dates and a cake of raisins to each person in the whole crowd of Israelites, both men and women. And all the people went to their homes.
When David returned home to bless his household, Michal daughter of Saul came out to meet him and said, "How the king of Israel has distinguished himself today, disrobing in the sight of the slave girls of his servants as any vulgar fellow would!"
David said to Michal, "It was before the Lord, who chose me rather than your father or anyone from his house when he appointed me ruler over the Lord´s people Israel -- I will celebrate before the Lord. I will become even more undignified than this, and I will be humiliated in my own eyes. But by these slave girls you spoke of, I will be held in honor."
And Michal daughter of Saul had no children to the day of her death.

Philippians 1:21
For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.

Question to Ponder
How does pride sometimes prevent us from truly worshipping God?
Why are we sometimes held back by opinions of others?
What can we do about that?

**Article taken from ODJ (Our Daily Bread with God) Dec 2014 - Feb 2015 issue

Hospitality to Strangers

Saturday December 27, 2014

In 2011 marine biologists around the globe were fixated on a pod of sperm whales in the North Atlantic Ocean; they had adopted a bottlenose dolphin calf. Jens Krause, a German behavioural ecologist, told one news source that sperm whales have "never been to mingle this closely with another species." Apparently the young dolphin had a spinal defect and couldn´t swim fast enough to keep up with other dolphins. But surprisingly, the sperm whales gathered the struggling dolphin into their fold.

The sperm whales modelled in nature what the people of God are to do throughout the whole world - welcome with wide-open arms of love those who are outsiders, gathering them into our communities. The writer of Hebrews charges the church to "keep on loving each other as brothers and sisters" (Hebrews 13:1). Before we can give love, however, we must be immersed in communities where love is front and centre, where it forms our identity. We must experience love as it´s freely poured into us.

Love must never stay confined within us, though. It should move outwards. "Show hospitality to strangers," the Scripture says (v. 2). This instruction doesn´t carry a simple moral mandate. Rather, these words define the way love works. It welcomes, offers friendship and relationship, tends to others' needs and takes on others' burdens. "Remember also those being mistreated, as if you felt their pain in your own bodies" (v.3). To feel another´s pain, we must allow them to come in close. We must welcome them into our inner circle.

Teresa of Avila encouraged this kind of biblical hospitality. "Spread love everywhere you go," she said. "Let no one ever come to you without leaving happier." - Winn Collier

Read
Hebrews 13:1-3
Keep on loving each other as brothers. Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it. Remember those in prison as if you were their fellow prisoners, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering.

Question to Ponder
Where do you most need hospitality to be offered to you? 
How does hospitality reflect God´s loving nature?

**Article taken from ODJ (Our Daily Journey with God) Dec 2014 - Feb 2015 issue

Panda Cub Has a Ball - Xiao Liwu's 18th Exam

The Source of Joy

Friday December 26, 2014

On a scale of 1 to 10, how would you rate your level of joy?

When a friend was asked this question, her reply was "1". She shared, "I´m, living a relaxed life, doing what I want, but I am not joyful."

Clearly there´s a distinct difference between happiness and joy. Author Oswald Chambers offers this explanation : "Joy is different from happiness, because happiness depends on what happens. There are elements in our circumstances we cannot help, joy is independent of them all."

So where can we find joy? In God!

The numerous commands to rejoice in Him (Psalms 5:11, 9:2, 32:11, 40:16, Philippians 3:1, 4:4) show that it´s possible for all believers - regardless of temperaments - to experience the joy of the Lord. And because God is the same yesterday, today and forever, we can rejoice in His attributes as well as His actions during good days and bad days.

The author of Psalm 43 knew this truth objectively, but subjectively he felt sad and discouraged. I´m sure we can all identify with him. Let´s look at what he did to find joy again : firstly, he spoke to God about his circumstances (vv. 1-4). But more than simply asking God for deliverance, he asked for light and truth that would guide him to God and His exceeding joy. Secondly, he spoke to his soul (v.5). Preacher Martyn Lloyd-Jones described the importance of preaching to ourselves : "Have you realised that most of your unhappiness in life is due to the fact that you are listening to yourself instead of talking to yourself?"

Let´s learn from the psalmist. Preach hope to your soul when your circumstances are speaking of despair. Tell yourself : "Hope in God," "praise Him again," for He is "my Saviour and my God!" (v.5) - Poh Fang Chia

Read
Psalm 43:1-5
Vindicate me, O God,
and plead my cause against an ungodly nation;
rescue me from deceitful and wicked men.
You are God my stronghold.
Why have you rejected me?
Why must I go about mourning, 
oppressed by the enemy?
Send forth your light and your truth,
let them guide me;
let them bring me to your holy mountain,
to the place where you dwell.
Then will I go to the altar of God,
to God, my joy and my delight.
I will praise you with the harp,
O God, my God.
Why are you downcast, O my soul?
Why so disturbed within me?
Put your hope in God,
for I will yet praise him,
my Saviour and my God.

Luke 10:17-22
The seventy-two returned with joy and said, "Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name."
He replied, "I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven."
At that time Jesus, full of joy through the Holy Spirit, said, "I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this was your good pleasure. All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows who the Son is except the Father, and no one knows who the Father is except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him."

Question to Ponder
What brings you joy?
What does it mean for you to find joy in the Lord?

**Article taken from ODJ (Our Daily Journey with God) Dec 2014 - Feb 2015 issue

The Right Time

Thursday, December 25 2014

In a speech given during the commencement of a newly formed missions agency, my friend - who heads up the ministry - spoke of its mission and vision. He also gave everyone a clear picture of its goals and plans.

Similarly, at the start of His public ministry, our Lord Jesus gave an "inaugural message" in a synagogue in His hometown. He deliberately directed everyone´s attention to Isaiah´s prophecy concerning God´s Anointed One (Luke 4:16-20).

Nearly 700 years earlier, the prophet Isaiah had spoken of the mission of the Messiah : "The Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor --- to comfort the brokenhearted and to proclaim that captives will be released and prisoners will be freed ... to tell those who mourn that the time of the Lord´s favour has come" (Isaiah 61:1-2). Isaiah 61 celebrates God´s grace in delivering the Jews from the Babylonian bondage, and proclaims God´s glory in restoring and blessing the Jews after their exile.

After reading this Scripture, Jesus publicly announced that He was the Messiah who had come : "The Scripture you´ve just heard has been fulfilled this very day!" (Luke 4:21). Jesus laid out His mission (vv. 18-19). He declared that God had sent Him to rescue us (Matthew 1:21), to heal all who are broken by sin (Psalms 34:18, 147:3), to set free those captured by Satan and enslaved in sin (John 8:32-36; Romans 6:6-8) and to restore and bless us (Ephesians 1:3).

Christmas is a reminder that "the time of the Lord´s favour has come" (Luke 4:19). And the apostle Paul reminds us not to reject "this marvellous gift of God´s kindness... indeed, the 'right time' is now. Today is the day of salvation" (2 Corinthians 6:1-2). - K.T. Sim

Read
Luke 4:16-21
He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. And he stood up to read. The scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written : 

"THe Spirit of the Lord is on me,

because he has anointed me

to preach good news to the poor.

He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners

and recovery of sight for the blind,

to release the oppressed,

to proclaim the year of the Lord´s favor."

Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of  everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him, and he began by saying to them, "Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing."

Matthew 5:3-10

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.

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,

for they will be filled.

Blessed are the merciful,

for they will be shown mercy.

Blessed are the pure in heart, 

for they will see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers,

for they will be called sons of God.

Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,

for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Question to Ponder

God has shown you His favour. Have you received His gift of salvation?

If you are a believer, how has salvation in Jesus changed your life?

**Article taken from ODJ (Our Daily Journey with God) Dec 2014 - Feb 2015 issue

The Gift

Wednesday, December 24 2014

Most people aren´t naturally wired to say they can die in peace. One has to experience something profound to mouth those words! But that´s precisely what Simeon said as he held baby Jesus in his arms. He said to God, "Let your servant die in peace" (Luke 2:29).

The righteous man´s response leads to a question : What exactly had Simeon seen Jesus do? The answer : nothing. There´s no indication that Jesus performed a miracle of some kind at His tender age, nor was there a nativity-like chorus of angels overhead. He probably seemed like an ordinary baby, and little more. Yet Simeon said, "I have seen your salvation, which you have prepared for all people" (v.30).

So why did Simeon react the way he did? This is explained in part by the ministry of the Holy Spirit. For it was the Spirit that brought Jesus to Simeon and revealed His true identity (the long awaited Messiah) to the old man (vv. 25-26).

What a great reminder that we need the Spirit to help us see Jesus clearly! But, in addition, I think Simeon responded the way he did because he had been faithful his entire life and truly knew God. Luke labelled him as both "righteous and devout", and being a man of God, he knew that He is good and loving (v.25). So God´s servant would surely be good and loving as well. Because Simeon trusted the Giver, he was able to see the Gift (Jesus) for what he truly was!

In order for us to recognise God´s good gifts, we nee to focus not only on the gift itself, but on the character of the One who gives it. And if we have faith in a good, wise and powerful Father, then surely we can trust that whatever He gives will be wonderfully good as well! - Peter Chin

Read
Luke 2:25-35
Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord´s Christ. Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, SImeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying : 

"Sovereign Lord, as you have promised,

you now dismiss your servant in peace.

For my eyes have seen your salvation,

which you have prepared in the sight of all people,

a light for revelation to the Gentiles

and for glory to your people Israel."

The child´s father and mother marveled at what was said about him. Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: "This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too."

Luke 11:1-13

One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, "Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples."

He said to them, "When you pray, say :

"Father, hallowed be your name,

your kingdom come.

Give us each day our daily bread.

Forgive us our sins,

for we also forgive everyone who sins against us.

And lead us not into temptation"

Then he said to them, "Suppose one of you has a friend, and he goes to him at midnight and says 'Friend, lend me three loaves of bread, because a friend of mine on a journey has come to me, and I have nothing to set before him.' "

"Then the one inside answers, 'Don´t bother me. The door is already locked, and my children are with me in bed. I can´t get up and give you anything.' I tell you, though he will not get up and give him the bread because he is his friend, yet because of the man´s boldness he will get up and give him as much as he needs."

"So I say to you : Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened."
"Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good giftrs to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!"

James 1:17

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights who does not change like shifting shadows.

Question to Ponder

Have you ever received something from God that didn´t seem to be a gift? 

Was there some way that "gift" did indeed and up being a blessing?

What gifts will you praise God for today?

**Article taken from ODJ (Our Daily Journey with God) Dec 2014 - Feb 2015 issue

Rebuilding

Tuesday, December 23 2014

On 31 October 2003, 13 year old Bethany Hamilton was attacked by a 14 foot tiger shark while surfing off the North Shore in Hawaii. Bethany survived, but she lost her left arm and more than 60% of her blood in the assault.

As chronicled in the film Soul Surfer, however, Bethany refused to let her new life as an amputee cause her to give up. Instead, she relied on God to give her the strength and confidence she needed.

Bethany´s faith propelled her to continue living with zeal and has inspired people around the world as well (2 Corinthians 1:3-5). Her Testimony reminds me of God´s restorative work found in the book of Nehemiah. Let´s take a look at Bethany´s trip to Thailand, to minister to tsunami survivors : in 2005 thousands of children were orphaned after a tusnami destroyed homes and many lives across the massive Southeast Asia shoreline. Just as Jerusalem lay in ruins (Nehemiah 2:17), a large portion of the coast of Thailand was now in ruins.

Like Nehemiah, who told his people how God had been gracious to him (v.18), Bethany shared with Thai orphans about God´s gracious work in her life. Then, "with surfboard in tow, she slowly walked one trembling 8 year old boy into the breaking waves off the village of Phuket ... After a few moments, she helped the youngster onto the board, and his fear dissolved into a broad smile."

When Nehemiah testified of God´s goodness, the people found hope and exclaimed, "Let´s rebuild the wall" (v.18). Bethany´s faith has inspired many people to rebuild what was broken down.

Today, consider what you can share about God´s work in your life to inspire others and help them move forward victoriously in Jesus. - Roxanne Robbins

Read
Nehemiah 2:1-18
In the month of Nisan in the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes, when wine was brought for him, I took the wine and gave it to the king. I had not been sad in his presence before; so the king asked me, "Why does your face look so sad when you are not ill? This can be nothing but sadness of heart."
I was very much afraid, but I said to the king, "May the king live forever! Why should my face not look sad when the city where my fathers are buried lies in ruins, and its gates have been destroyed by fire?"
The king said to me, "What is it you want?"
Then I prayed to the God of heaven, and I answered the king, "If it pleases the king and if your servant has found favor in his sight, let him send me to the city of Judah where my fathers are buried so that I can rebuild it."
Then the king, with the queen sitting beside him, asked me, "How long will your journey take, and when will you get back?" It pleased the king to send me; so I set a time.
I also said to him, "If it pleases the king, may I have letters to the governors of Trans-Euphrates, so that they will provide me safe conduct until I arrive in Judah? And may I have a letter to Asaph, keeper of the king´s forest, so he will give me timber to make beams for the gates of the citadel by the temple and for the city wall and for the residence I will occupy?" And because the gracious hand of my God was upon me, the king granted my requests. So I went to the governors of Trans-Euphrates and gave them the king´s letters. The king had also sent army officers and cavalry with me.
When Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite official heard about this, they were very much disturbed that someone had come to promote the welfare of the Israelites.
I went to Jerusalem, and after staying there three days I set out during the night with a few men. I had not told anyone what my God had put in my heart to do for Jerusalem. There were no mounts with me except the one I was riding on.
By night I went out through the Valley Gate toward the Jackal Well and the Dung Gate, examining the walls of Jerusalem, which had been broken down, and its gates, which had been destroyed by fire. Then I moved on toward the Fountain Gate and the King´s Pool, but there was not enough room for my mount to get through; so I went up the valley by night, examining the wall. Finally, I turned back and re-entered through the Valley Gate.
The officials did not know where I had gone or what I was doing, because as yet I had said nothing to the Jews or the priests or nobles or officials or any others who would be doing the work.
Then I said to them, "You see the trouble we are in : Jerusalem lies in ruins, and its gates have been burned with fire. Come, let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem, and we will no longer be in disgrace." I also told them about the gracious hand of my God upon me and what the king had said to me.
They replied, "Let us start rebuilding." So they began this good work.

Ezra 9:9
Though we are slaves, our God has not deserted us in our bondage. He has shown us kindness in the sight of the kings of Persia : He has granted us new life to rebuild the house of our God and repair its ruins, and he has given us a wall of protection in Judah and Jerusalem.

Question to Ponder
What do you need to ask God to rebuild in your life?
How can you share God´s love and restorative power with those around you?

**Article taken from ODJ (Our Daily Journey with God) Dec 2014 - Feb 2015 issue

Promises Kept

Monday December 22, 2014

In the 2013 film Man of Steel, young Clark Kent used his super-human strength to save a busload of fellow students from drowning in a river. Clark´s father, who believed the world wasn´t prepared to accept his supernatural son, urged Clark to keep his great strength a secret. He explained to him, "When the world finds out what you can do, it´s going to change everything - our beliefs, our nations of what it means to be human - everything!"

Watching that scene made me wonder if Joseph, Jesus' stepfather, ever had similar thoughts cross his mind about his supernatural son. I wonder if it ever occurred to him how dramatically the world was going to change when it found out who his boy truly was.

We can´t say for sure if Joseph had such thoughts, but we know Mary did. Several day after an angel broke the news to Mary that she was going to get pregnant (Luke 1:26-38), she went to visit her relative Elizabeth, who was 6 months along in her pregnancy. Luke tells us that the baby in Elizabeth´s womb "jumped for joy" at the sound of Mary´s voice (v. 44). The two women saw it as a sign that Mary was indeed pregnant with God´s child.

Overcome with joy, Mary burst out with what would become one of the most famous songs of the Bible - The Magnificat (vv. 46-55). The last line of the song acknowledges that Mary was fully aware that the child growing inside her womb was the long-awaited fulfillment of God´s promise to Abraham - one that would bless and change the whole world (Genesis 12:1-3).

One of the many things the birth of Jesus reveals is that God is faithful. To celebrate Jesus' birth is to celebrate the One who keeps His promises - Jeff Olson

Read
Luke 1:39-45
At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, where she entered Zechariah´s home and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary´s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. In a loud voice she exclaimed : "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished!"

Luke 1:68-70
" Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel,
because he has come and has redeemed his people.
He has raised up a horn of salvation for us
in the house of his servant David
(as he said through his hoy prophets of long ago)"

Question to Ponder
What are some promises God has kept that  you can celebrate=
How has His faithfulness been revealed in your life?

** Article taken from ODJ (Our Daily Journey with God) Dec 2014 - Feb 2015 issue

Pray and Release

Sunday December 21, 2014

Author and speaker Mary Lou Quinlan claims that her mother "inhaled a worry and exhaled a prayer." She says this because her mother had a habit of writing down prayer requests and keeping them in a special place - her "God Box". There was one rule related to these petitions. According to Mary, "If [anyone] ever worried about the request, Mum would say, 'If you think you can handle it better than God, it´s coming out [of the box].' " This helped Mary and her family to let go of their concerns.

God wants us to release our fears and troubles into His hands (Matthew 11:28). If you´re like me, this takes a bit of effort. Here´s what usually happens. Firstly, I follow Paul´s advice and discuss my concerns with God. He said, "Pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him" (Philippians 4:6). After praying, I take a breath and open my eyes, and the worry immediately returns. I have two choices - continue to worry or begin to pray.

If I worry again, I´m telling God that I´m not sure He´s strong enough or willing to take care of the issue. I´m rewriting the Scripture that says "Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you" (1 Peter 5:7). If I worry, my version says : "Cling to your problems, because God is unconcerned with your life."

The truth is, God loves His children. His design for our lives doesn´t include worry as a way to save problems (Matthew 6:27). The discipline of prayer, however, can help us to see His power and remember His past provision for us. Committing our worries to Jesus can help us find peace when we´re stressed. This peace "exceeds anything we can understand ... [it will] guard [our] hearts and minds as [we] live in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:7) - Jennifer Benson Schuldt

Read
Philippians 4:1-9
Therefore, my brothers, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, that is how you should stand firm in the Lord, dear friends!
I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to agree with each other in the Lord. Yes, and I ask you, loyal yokefellow, help these women who have contended at my side in the cause of the gospel, along with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again : Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me - put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

Proverbs 12:25
An anxious heart weighs a man down, but a kind word cheers him up.

Luke 12:29-32
And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.
"Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom."

Question to Ponder
How might constant worry affect a believer´s testimony before unbelievers?
Which comes more naturally to you - pray and worry or pray and release?

**Article taken from ODJ (Our Daily Journey with God) Dec 2014 - Feb 2015 issue

Everlasting Splendours

Saturday December 20, 2014

C.S. Lewis grasped the essence of humanity and captured it in these choice words found in The Weight of Glory : "There are no ordinary people. You have never talked to a mere mortal." He then wrote the poignant, biblically accurate fact that each of us will either become an "immortal horror" or an "everlasting splendour."

In the early years of his life, Jesus' half-brother Jude couldn´t grasp the fact that his oldest brother was indeed divine, let alone that He was an everlasting splendour. Apparently after Jesus' death and resurrection, however, Jude came to believe that Jesus is the Saviour of the world (Acts 1:14; 1 Corinthians 9:5), and he began to spread His message.

In the book that carries his name, Jude - now an old man - warned his readers of the dangers of false teachers and their treacherous message. But he then concluded the book by calling all true believers to grasp who they are in Jesus : (1) possessors of the "most holy faith"; (2) vessels filled with "the power of the Holy Spirit"; (3) recipients of "the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ" and the "eternal life" found in Him; (4) children who have received "God´s love" (Jude 1:20-21).

It's vital that we remind other believers in Jesus and receive reminders from them that God has made us His everlasting splendours. The world, with its false views and faith-belittling ways, will keep telling us that we´re simply "immortal horrors". And that´s why we must constantly "build each other up" in our faith, helping and rescuing one another when our faith wavers (vv. 20, 22-23).

You, as a believer in Jesus, are an everlasting splendour who one day will be in Jesus' "glorious presence" (v.24). Build up another believer with those truths today! - Tom Felten

Read
Jude 1:20-25
But you, dear friends, build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit. Keep yourselves in God´s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life.
Be merciful to those who doubt; snatch others from the fire and save them; to others show mercy, mixed with fear - hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh.
To him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy -- to the only God our Saviour be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen.

John 15:15
I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master´s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.

Ephesians 2:10
For we are God´s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Colossians 2:10
and you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head over every power and authority.

Question to Ponder
What false views have been clouding your true identity in Jesus?
How can you better encourage believers in Him, helping them see that they´re "everlasting splendours"?

** Article taken from ODJ (Our Daily Journey with God) Dec 2014 - Feb 2015 issue

Stay Awake

Friday, December 19 2014

A German bank employee was in the middle of transferring 62.40 euros from a customer´s bank account when he suddenly nodded off. His "power nap" took place while his finger was still on the "2" key, resulting in a 222 million euro (175 million pounds) transfer into the customer´s account. The sleepy state of the worker nearly became a nightmare for the bank, all because he wasn´t being alert.

Jesus warned His disciples that if they didn´t remain alert, they too would make a costly mistake. He took the men to a place called Gethsemane to spend some time in prayer (Luke 22:40). As He was praying, sorrow washed over Him - sadness to the point of distress. It was unlike anything He had ever known in His earthly life.

Jesus asked Peter, James and John to stay awake with him (Matthew 26:38). Yet, in His moment of greatest need, He found them snoozing (vv. 40-41). Their failure to give the Master the support He needed would leave them defenceless when the real temptation was upon them. He charged them to remain alert and expectant so that they would not fall into temptation - the temptation of denying Him. The disciples needed spiritual vigilance, which, in this case, included physical self-control.

Today, the Saviour calls us to live out the same spiritual vigilance that He desired from the first disciples. Staying awake and avoiding the most costly mistake of denying Jesus means spending more time on our knees. We must devote our entire being "to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart" (Colossians 4:2), to pray in the power of "the Spirit at all times and on every occasion" (Ephesians 6:18) and to "be earnest and disciplined in [our] prayers" until He returns (1 Peter 4:7). - Marvin Williams.

Read
Matthew 26:36-46
Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, "Sit here while I go over there and pray." He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled. Then he said to them, "My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me."
Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, "My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will."
Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. "Could you men not keep watch with me for one hour?" He asked Peter. "Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak."
He went away a second time and prayed, "My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done."
When he came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. So he left them and went away once more and prayed the third time, saying the same thing.
Then he returned to the disciples and said to them, "Are you still sleeping and resting? Look, the hour is near, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise, let us go! Here comes my betrayer!"

Revelation 3:2-3
Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your deeds complete in the sight of my God. Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; obey it, and repent. But if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what time I will come to you.

Question to Ponder
If Jesus graded your prayer life at this moment, would He commend you for your diligence or rebuke you for sleeping on the job?
In what part of your prayer life do you need to become more disciplined?

**Article taken from ODJ (Our Daily Journey with God) Dec 2014 - Feb 2015 issue

No Lazy River

Thursday December 18, 2014

One of our favourite family holiday sites is a beautiful beach community. We like to go there during the "off season" when few tourists are around. Though the ocean water is a little chilly, we enjoy swimming in an indoor pool. Also, there´s a lazy river that surrounds the pool and holds a special appeal for our children. They´ve tried to swim against its current over the years, only to be carried in the opposite direction.

My husband and I must frequently swim against the flow of society´s values in order to bring our children into a healthy, godly understanding of who they are. Whether we´re considering our experience in youth ministry or my work in Christian education, we return to this truth : we´re ultimately responsible for the spiritual education of our children.

Active training of our children can be exhausting (Proverbs 22:6). Following the flow of society in our parenting choices, however, will lead to "lazy river" results for our children - an aimless journey affording them no real direction and little strength (Proverbs 29:18). Likewise, keeping them sheltered in Christian environments won´t do much better in preparing them for the rigours of true discipleship (Matthew 22:9; Mark 16:15).

While the greatest spiritual deposit I can make in my children´s lives is to bring God´s knowledge and discipline to them (Proverbs 22:15, 17-19), I must also understand that they´ll never learn to persevere in their faith if I remove every obstacle of pain or discouragement from their paths. The training pool isn´t always easy, but as we look to God´s Word we can rest in His promise that "the Lord preserves those with knowledge" (v.12). - Regina Franklin

Read
Proverbs 22:1-21
A good name is more desirable than great riches; 
to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.
Rich and poor have this in common : 
The Lord is the Maker of them all.
A prudent man sees danger and takes refuge,
but the simple keep going and suffer for it.
Humility and the fear of the Lord bring wealth and honor and life.
In the paths of the wicked lie thorns and snares,
but he who guards his soul stays far from them.
Train a child in the way he should go,
and when he is old he will not turn from it.
The rich rule over the poor, 
and the borrower is servant to the lender.
He who sows wickedness reaps trouble,
and the rod of his fury will be destroyed.
A generous man will himself be blessed,
for he shares his food with the poor.
Drive out the mocker, and out goes strife;
quarrels and insults are ended.
He who loves a pure heart and whose speech is gracious
will have the king for his friend.
The eyes of the Lord keep watch over knowledge,
but he frustrates the words of the unfaithful.
The sluggard says, "There is a lion outside!"
or, "I will be murdered in the streets!"
The mouth of an adulteress is a deep pit;
he who is under the Lord´s wrath will fall into it.
Folly is bound up in the heart of a child,
but the rod of discipline will drive it far from him.
He who oppresses the poor to increase his wealth
and he who gives gifts to the rich - both come to poverty.

Pay attention and listen to the sayings of the wise;
apply your heart to what I teach,
for it is pleasing when you keep them in your heart
and have all of them ready on your lips.
So that your trust may be in the Lord,
I teach you today, even you.
Have I not written thirty sayings for you,
sayings of counsel and knowledge,
teaching you true and reliable words,
so that you can give sound answers to him who sent you?

Matthew 5:1-16
Now when he saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, and he began to teach them, saying : 

" 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.

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,

for they will be filled.

Blessed are the merciful,

for they will be shown mercy.

Blessed are the pure in heart,

for they will see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers,

for they will be called sons of God.

Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,

For theirs is the kingdom of heaven."

"Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way, they persecuted the prophets who were before you."

"You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men."

" You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl.Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heave."

Question to Ponder

What are some valuable lessons you learned from your parents or other influential adults?

How has the Word challenged you recently in your relationship with your children or other children you know?

**Article taken from ODJ (Our Daily Journey with God) Dec 2014 - Feb 2015 issue

Stirring, Searching, Humbling

Wednesday, December 17, 2014

Christmas cards and nativity scenes depict the wise men visiting the Christ-child. But I think the story is bigger than the way it´s presented. The wise men´s journey is also a pattern for our spiritual journey.

"We saw his star," the astrologer-astronomers said (Matthew 2:2). That star, sent by God, initiated their quest to find Him. Like them, I believe our own spiritual journeys begin with such a stirring (John 6:44) - perhaps through a crisis or just a sense that there must be more to life than this.

"We saw his star," they say, "and we have come." After the stirring comes a searching. And what a search the wise men made! They may have travelled by foot for nearly a year to get to Jerusalem. What´s more, upon arrival, they had to go against the directives of a Roman-appointed king known for his brutality (Matthew 2:7-16). Few of us today pay such a price to search for God. But people still search, even if it´s just by buying a self-help book promising the secret to finding "something more".

We "have come to worship him". After the stirring and the searching comes a humbling. In a defiant act against the Herod (the self-proclaimed "King of the Jews"), their Persian kings (traditionally crowned "Kings of Kings") and their religion, the wise men bowed to Jesus (v. 11).

This final stage of the journey for us is a key, as it judges the results of our search. Does the spirituality we find call us to self-fulfillment alone, or to self-surrender? Does it lead us to ourselves or to Someone greater? Does it cause us to worship humanity or to bow before God?

I´m convinced that if our spirituality doesn´t cause us to bow to Jesus, who the wise men found, it´s not big enough to accept. - Sheridan Voysey

Read
Matthew 2:1-12
After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, "Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him."
When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. When he had called together all the people´s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Christ was to be born. "In Bethlehem in Judea," they replied, "for this is what the prophet has written :

'But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,

are by no means least among the rules of Judah;

for out of you will come a ruler

who will be the shepherd of my people Israel' "

Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, "Go and make a careful search for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him."

After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshipped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.

John 13:12-17

When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. "Do you understand what I have done for you?" he asked them. "You call me 'Teacher' and 'Lord' and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher have washed your feet, you also should wash one another´s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them."

Question to Ponder

Can you see your spiritual journey in the wise men´s story?
How can their account help us better understand today´s spiritual seekers`

**Article taken from ODJ (Our Daily Journey with God) Dec 2014 - Feb 2015 issue

Adventure Time

Tuesday December 16, 2014

As my wife tried to get home from visiting our daughter over the holidays, bad weather shut down numerous flights. After 2 days, she had a fistful of boarding passes for planes that couldn't leave the ground, and she joined thousands of weary travellers scrambling for places to stay.

The occasional delay is one thing. Sleeping on your luggage is quite another.

Jesus apparently spent a lot of time sleeping on the ground. When someone declared, "I will follow you wherever you go," Christ told him, "Foxes have dens to live in, and birds have nests, but the SOn of Man has no place even to lay his head" (Luke 9:57-58).

No doubt, many people showed Jesus hospitality. But it´s odd to think of Him as homeless. The simple fact remains that He wasn´t averse to sleeping under the stars.

In the week prior to Jesus' death, Luke tells us, "Each evening he returned to spend the night on the Mount of Olives" (21:37). Then, early in the morning, He would go back to the temple to teach.

I like the idea of this outdoorsy, accessible Jesus. Imagine the Creator of the cosmos going up the mountain to talk with His Father deep into the night. But then I´m reminded of His hard statement : "The Son of Man has no place even to lay his head." The Son of God, born in a stable... wandering as a homeless rabbi... nailed to a cross.

Commitment to a great cause sounds adventurous, but reality soon intrudes. Believing in Jesus is easy, but following Him poses a challenge. He may lead me to places I don´t care to go. And my pledge of allegiance rings hollow if I don´t count the cost. "Anyone who... looks back is not fit for the Kingdom of God" (9:62). - Tim Gustafson

Read
Luke 9:57-62
As they were walking along the road, a man said to him, "I will follow you wherever you go."
Jesus replied, "Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head."
He said to another man, "Follow me."
But the man replied, "Lord, first let me go and bury my father."
Jesus said to him, "Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God."
Still another said, "I will follow you, Lord; but first let me go back and say good-bye to my family."
Jesus replied, "No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God."

Matthew 11:28-30
"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."

Question to Ponder
What commitments (if any) have you made to Jesus?
How can you seek His help in living up to them?

**Article taken from ODJ (Our Daily Journey with God) Dec 2014 - Feb 2015 issue

What do you believe?

Monday December 15, 2014

Near the climax of the film Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, a villain shoots Indiana´s father to motivate the distressed son to enter a booby-trapped temple and retrieve the Holy Grail. "The healing power of the Grail is the only thing that can save your father now," he said. "It´s time to ask yourself what you believe." I deplore what the evil man did, but he was on to something : what we believe determines what we do.

The world belief  means to commit or trust, and it´s used in two different ways :

The weak sense of belief merely means "I think so." We say, "I believe it is going to rain" when we don´t know for sure. But if it does rain, and if we had good reason for thinking it would, then we may say we knew it. So we often use belief as a first step towards knowledge. This is what James means when he says even demons believe that there is one God (James 2:19). They know that Yahweh is the only God, but they don´t fully acknowledge this knowledge.

Then there´s the second meaning for belief. This belief, that saves, goes beyond simple knowledge and commits our whole being to what we know is true. Paul expressed this higher faith when he said, "I know the one in whom I trust, and I am sure that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him" (2 Timothy 1:12). Martin Luther explained that this saving faith is "a living, daring confidence in God´s grace, so sure and certain that the believer would stake his life on it a thousand times."

Indiana Jones chose to commit to the Grail, so he entered the temple and retrieved the healing water for his father. What do you believe? How does it affect the way you live before a world that needs God´s healing touch? - Mike Wittmer

Read 
James 2:14-26
What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily . If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.
But someone will say, "You have faith; I have deeds."
Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do. You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that - and shudder.
You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless? Was not our ancestor Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. And the scripture was fulfilled that says, "Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness," and he was called God´s friend. You see that a person is justified by what he does and not by faith alone.
In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction? As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.

Mark 9:14-29
When they came to the other disciples, they saw a large crowd around them and the teachers of the law arguing with them. As soon as all the people saw Jesus, they were overwhelmed with wonder and ran to greet him.
"What are you arguing with them about?" he asked.
A man in the crowd answered, "Teacher, I brought you my son, who is possessed by a spirit that has robbed him of speech. Whenever it seizes him, it throws him to the ground. He foams at the mouth, gnashes his teeth and become rigid. I asked your disciples to drive out the spirit, but they could not."
"O unbelieving generation," Jesus replied, "how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy to me."
So they brought him. When the spirit saw Jesus, it immediately threw the boy into a convulsion. He fell to the ground and rolled around, foaming at the mouth.
Jesus asked the boy´s father, "How long has he been like this?"
"From childhood," he answered. "It has often thrown him into fire or water to kill him. But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us."
"If you can?" said Jesus. "Everything is possible for him who believes."
Immediately the boy´s father exclaimed, "I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!"
When Jesus saw that a crowd was running to the scene, he rebuked the evil spirit. "You deaf and mute spirit," he said, "I command you, come out of him and never enter him again."
The spirit shrieked, convulsed him violently and came out. The boy looked so much like a corpse that many said, "He´s dead." But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him to his feet, and he stood up.
After Jesus had gone indoors, his disciples asked him privately, "Why couldn´t we drive it out?" He replied, "This kind can come out only by prayer."

Question to Ponder
What do your actions, or inaction, reveal about what you really believe?
How can you grow in your belief in God and His Word?

**Article taken from ODJ (Our Daily Journey with God) Dec 2014 - Feb 2015 issue

Helping the Stranded

Sunday December 14, 2014

After Nelson Mandela´s death at the end of 2013, many stories surfaced of his genuine concern for others. In 1950s Apartheid South Africa, Mandela once saw a white woman standing beside her broken car in Johannesburg. Approaching her, he offered help and was able to fix the car.

When the grateful woman offered to pay him, he said, "Oh no, that´s not necessary." "But why else would you, a black man, have done that for me if you didn´t want money?" she asked. "Because you were stranded at the side of the road," he replied. This same man went on to become the first democratically elected president of the country in 1994.

In this season of giving, most of us are more generous and outward-focused than we might ordinarily be. The apostle Paul applauded the church in Philippi from his prison cell and thanked them for their generosity (Philippians 4:15-18), but he also warned them against wrong motives (2:3-4). His words remind us not to be selfish, urge us to be humble, call us to think of others as better than ourselves and require that we be genuinely interested in them and their needs (2:3-4).

The apostle challenged others to have the same attitude as that of Jesus Christ : though He was God, He gave up His divine privileges, took on the humble position of a slave and was born a human being. He humbled Himself in obedience to God and died a criminal´s death on a cross. God therefore raised Him to the place of highest honour and gave Him the name above all other names, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father (2:5-11).

He gave His life because we were stranded in sin and death. May we live out His servant heart. - Ruth O'Reilly-Smith

Read
Philippians 2:1-11
If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.
Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus :
Who, being in very nature God, 
did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,
but made himself nothing, 
taking the very nature of a servant, 
being made in human likeness.
And being found in appearance as a man, 
he humbled himself and became obedient to death - even death on a cross!
Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
and gave him the name that is above every name,
that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, 
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.

Matthew 7:12
So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets

Luke 6:31
Do to others as you would have them do to you

Acts 20:35
In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said : "It is more blessed to give than to receive."

Question to Ponder
How can you truly serve others this Christmas Season?
How do humility and serving others fit together?

**Article taken from ODJ (Our Daily Journey with God) Dec 2014 - Feb 2015 issue

Rejoice!

Saturday December 13, 2014

The UK foot and mouth disease epidemic in 2001 wrought more destruction to the British farming community than any event in history. Some believers prayed that Christian farmers would be miraculously protected, while others prayed that their witness for Jesus would be strong, no matter what happened.

My friend´s sheep and dairy herd had to be destroyed within a month of that prayer. His elderly father phoned and old friend, who had also lost his herd, to sympathise with him. The friend was literally standing among the carcasses of his herd of pedigree bulls. This was a herd that had been started by his grandfather, perfected by his father and continued by him in the hope that his eldest son would inherit the well respected, carefully nurtured bloodlines when he retired.

But now, as he surveyed his dead beasts, his dreams were shattered and he was facing an uncertain future. But that´s when my father´s father quoted Habakkuk 3:17-19, and both old men wept.

They cried, but they also rejoiced in the God of their salvation (v.18). And God was glrified as others in the community saw them press on with joy. As John wrote, "The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it" (John 1:5).

Going through desperate trials with God makes a saint truly shine. A few months later during a Sunday service, I asked the farmer who had quoted Habakkuk, "When you recited those lines, and when you saw your livestock lying dead all around you, where was God?"

He looked at me and said with tears in his eyes, "Right there beside me, He was never closer."

All the church wept together with him, and worshipped. You could almost hear the cheers in heaven; for I´m sure our God was well pleased. - Russell Frolick

Read
Habakkuk 3:17-19
Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines,
though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food,
though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls,
yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Saviour.

The Sovereign Lord is my strength;
he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, 
he enables me to go on the heights.
For the director of music.
On my stringed instruments.

Hebrews 5:8
Although he was a son, he learned obedience from what he suffered

Question to Ponder
Why do we try to avoid difficulties and trials?
How can our suffering reveal God and His glory to others?

**Article taken from ODJ (Our Daily Journey with God) Dec 2014 - Feb 2015 issue

An Unwed Mother

Friday December 12, 2014

Imagine this scene. Joseph leading a donkey-drawn carriage towards Bethlehem. Inside that carriage sits his pregnant wife, Mary. She was found to be pregnant before they had consummated their marriage! This would be the scandal of the town. Imagine the gossips and stares. Surely she was a promiscuous woman. And both of them are guilty of premarital sex!

A few months before, Joseph had to make a difficult decision. He could have easily cleared his own name by publicly exposing Mary´s perceived infidelity. But in doing so, it would have led to Mary´s death (Deuteronomy 22:23-27). Joseph had wanted to break off the engagement discreetly, a course that would not shame or harm her (Matthew 1:19). But that was not to be. For an angel ordered him to proceed with marrying the pregnant Mary as planned, for "the child within her was conceived by the Holy Spirit" (v. 20). And Joseph was to name the baby boy "Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins" (v. 21).

We´re not told how much the distraught and confounded man truly understand about his situation. But we are told that Joseph simply obeyed. He immediately " did as the angel of the Lord commanded and took Mary as his wife. But he did not have sexual relations with her until her son was born" (vv. 24-25).

Today, there´s not a hint of anything scandalous about Jesus' birth, or that Jesus was an illegitimate son (John 8:41). Instead, there´s an inexplicable sacredness and indescribable awesomeness about a virgin who was with child.

The story of the unwed mother is the story of God´s power (Matthew 1:18), God´s salvation plan (v.21), and God´s presence (v.23). By God´s grace, we experience those same things today. - K.T.Sim

Read
Matthew 1:18-25
This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about : His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.
But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins."
All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet : "The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel" - which means, "God with us."
When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. But he had no union with her until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.

Isaiah 7:14

Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign : The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.

Question to Ponder
If you had been Joseph, would you have believed Mary if she had told you that "she became pregnant through the power of the Holy Spirit? (Matthew 1:18)
Why or why not?
How are you experiencing God´s power, plan and presence today?

** Article taken from ODJ (Our Daily Journey with God) Dec 2014 - Feb 2015 issue

Champion open debate and discourse on Islamic law

This letter was written by a concern citizen in Malaysia and signed by 25 others regarding the religion issue in Malaysia. It is a very good read, and personally... I support her, even though I am not a Islam. It´s time that the government do something about those fanatics out there who keeps thinking that everyone is just out to get them!

Happy reading!

Original Article : Champion Open Debate and Discourse on Islamic Law

Champion open debate and discourse on Islamic law – Noor Farida Ariffin and 24 others

Published: 8 December 2014

We, a group of concerned citizens of Malaysia, would like to express how disturbed and deeply dismayed we are over the continuing unresolved disputes on the position and application of Islamic laws in this country.

The ongoing debate over these matters displays a lack of clarity and understanding on the place of Islam within our constitutional democracy. Moreover, they reflect a serious breakdown of federal-state division of powers, both in the areas of civil and criminal jurisdictions.

We refer specifically to the current situation where religious bodies seem to be asserting authority beyond their jurisdiction; where issuance of various fatwa violate the Federal Constitution and breach the democratic and consultative process of shura; where the rise of supremacist NGOs accusing dissenting voices of being anti-Islam, anti-monarchy and anti-Malay has made attempts at rational discussion and conflict resolution difficult; and more importantly, where the use of the Sedition Act hangs as a constant threat to silence anyone with a contrary opinion.

These developments undermine Malaysia’s commitment to democratic principles and rule of law, breed intolerance and bigotry, and have heightened anxieties over national peace and stability.

As moderate Muslims, we are particularly concerned with the statement issued by Minister Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom, in response to the recent Court of Appeal judgment on the right of transgender to dress according to their identity.

He viewed the right of the transgender community and Sisters in Islam (SIS) to seek legal redress as a “new wave of assault on Islam” and as an attempt to lead Muslims astray from their faith, and put religious institutions on trial in a secular court.

Such an inflammatory statement from a federal minister (and not for the first time) sends a public message that the prime minister’s commitment to the path of moderation need not be taken seriously when a minister can persistently undermine it.

These issues of concern we raise are, of course, difficult matters to address given the extreme politicisation of race and religion in this country.

But we believe there is a real need for a consultative process that will bring together experts in various fields, including Islamic and constitutional laws, and those affected by the application of Islamic laws in adverse ways.

We also believe the prime minister is best placed with the resources and authority to lead this consultative process. It is urgent that all Malaysians are invested in finding solutions to these longstanding areas of conflict that have led to the deterioration of race relations, eroded citizens’ sense of safety and protection under the rule of law, and undermined stability.

There are many pressing issues affecting all of us that need the urgent leadership and vision of the prime minister, the support of his Cabinet and all moderate Malaysians.

They include:

i) A plural legal system that has led to many areas of conflict and overlap between civil and shariah laws.

In particular there is an urgent need to review the Shariah Criminal Offences (SCO) laws of Malaysia.

These laws which turn all manner of “sins” into crimes against the state have led to confusion and dispute in both substance and implementation. They are in conflict with Islamic legal principles and constitute a violation of fundamental liberties and state intrusion into the private lives of citizens.

In 1999, the Cabinet directed the Attorney-General's Chambers to review the SCO laws. But to this day, they continue to be enforced with more injustices perpetrated.

The public outrage, debates over issues of jurisdiction, judicial challenge, accusations of abuses committed, gender discrimination, and deaths and injuries caused in moral policing raids have eroded the credibility of the SCO laws, the law-making process, and public confidence that Islamic law could indeed bring about justice.

ii) The lack of public awareness, even among top political leaders, on the legal jurisdiction and substantive limits of the powers of the religious authorities and administration of Islamic laws in Malaysia.

The Federal Constitution is the supreme law of the land and any law enacted, including Islamic laws, cannot violate the Constitution, in particular the provisions on fundamental liberties, federal-state division of powers and legislative procedures.

All acts, enactments and subsidiary legislations, including fatwa, are bound by constitutional limits and are open to judicial review.

iii) The need to ensure the right of citizens to debate the ways Islam is used as a source of public law and policy in this country. The Islamic laws of Malaysia are drafted by the executive arm of government and enacted in the legislative bodies by human beings.

Their source may be divine, but the enacted laws are not divine. They are human made and therefore fallible, open to debate and challenge to ensure that justice is upheld.

iv) The need to promote awareness of the rich diversity of interpretive texts and juristic opinions in the Islamic tradition. This includes conceptual legal tools that exist in the tradition that enable reform to take place and the principles of equality and justice to be upheld, in particular in response to the changing demands, role and status of women in the family and community.

v) The need for the prime minister to assert his personal leadership as well as appoint key leaders who will, in all fairness, champion open and coherent debate and discourse on the administration of Islamic laws in this country to ensure that justice is done.

We especially urge that the leadership sends a clear signal that rational and informed debate on Islamic laws in Malaysia and how they are codified and implemented are not regarded as an insult to Islam or to the religious authorities.

These issues may seem complex to many, but at the end of the day, it really boils down to this: as Muslims, we want Islamic law, even more than civil law, to meet the highest standards of justice precisely because it claims to reflect divine justice.

Therefore, those who act in the name of Islam through the administration of Islamic law must bear the responsibility of demonstrating that justice is done, and is seen to be done.

When Islam was revealed to our Prophet saw in 7th century Arabia, it was astoundingly revolutionary and progressive. Over the centuries, the religion has guided believers through harsh and challenging times. It is our fervent belief that for Islam to continue to be relevant and universal in our times, the understanding, codification and implementation of the teachings of our faith must continue to evolve.

Only with this, can justice, as enjoined by Allah, prevail. – December 8, 2014.

1. Tan Sri Datuk Abdul Rahim Haji Din, former secretary-general, Home Ministry

2. Tan Sri Ahmad Kamil Jaafar, former secretary-general, Ministry of Foreign Affairs

3. Tan Sri Dr Aris Othman, former secretary-general, Ministry of Finance

4. Tan Sri Dr Ismail Merican, former director-general, Health Ministry

5. Tan Sri Mohd Sheriff Mohd Kassim, former secretary-general, Ministry of Finance

6. Tan Sri Dr Mustaffa Babjee, former director-general, Veterinary Services

7. Tan Sri Nuraizah Abdul Hamid, former secretary-general, Ministry of Energy, Communications and Multimedia

8. Tan Sri Dr Yahya Awang, cardiothoracic surgeon and core founder, National Heart Institute

9. Datuk Seri Shaik Daud Md Ismail, former Court of Appeal judge

10. Datuk Abdul Kadir Mohd Deen, former ambassador

11. Datuk Anwar Fazal, former senior regional adviser, United Nations Development Programme

12. Datuk Dali Mahmud Hashim, former ambassador

13. Datuk Emam Mohd Haniff Mohd Hussein, former ambassador

14. Datuk Faridah Khalid, representative of Women’s Voice

15. Datuk Latifah Merican Cheong, former assistant governor, Bank Negara

16. Lt-Gen (Rtd) Datuk Maulob Maamin

17. Datuk Noor Farida Ariffin, former ambassador

18. Datuk Ranita Hussein, former Suhakam commissioner

19. Datuk Redzuan Kushairi, former ambassador

20. Datuk Dr Sharom Ahmat, former deputy vice-chancellor, Universiti Sains Malaysia

21. Datuk Syed Arif Fadhillah, former ambassador

22. Datuk Zainal Abidin Ahmad, former director-general, Malaysian Timber Industry Board

23. Datuk Zainuddin Bahari, former deputy secretary-general, Ministry of Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism

24. Datin Halimah Mohd Said, former lecturer, Universiti Malaya and president, Association of Voices of Peace, Conscience and Reason (PCORE)

25. Hendon Mohamad, past president, Malaysian Bar