Why did Jesus come?

“The very existence of the Bible is incontrovertible evidence of the God who refused to forsake his rebellious creation, who refused to give up, who was and is determined to redeem and restore fallen creation to his original design for it. . . . The very existence of such a collection of writings testifies to a God who breaks through to human beings, who disclosed himself to them, who will not leave them unilluminated in their darkness, . . . who takes the initiative in re-establishing broken relationships with us.” Charles R.Taber, “Missiology and the Bible, “ Missiology 11 (1983): 232

That is why Jesus came.

"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" - John 3:16

And that is why there is Christmas. And celebrations because Jesus has come to give us life, and life everlasting.

Merry, blessed Christ-mas!

See you next year Arsenal

It's the same story again. Plenty of possessions, good link play, unable to score and giving away silly goals. By now, Chelsea is 2-0 up at the Emirates and up until that point, Arsenal has dominated.

The first goal is due to poor defending and the second goal's the same. Sounds familiar? Yes. This was the case against Manchester City, Manchester United and now Chelsea. In each game, Arsenal started well, dominated but the game ends in their opponents' favour.

They have yet to win against the big teams and this sums up their entire make up in this season again - Outside title contenders. I'm sorry Arsenal. As much as you miss clichy, gibbs and especially Van Persie in this game, you do not have enough to win the league this season(again).

How much patience do an Arsenal fan has? Not much. 4 years and counting. Au Revoir.

A Time of Rejoicing - Luke 15:7

We were having a meal and sharing life with each other when he said things like, "Just have to pray to God and see how He leads"(paraphrase). I paused. Something was different, so I felt prompted to ask, "Have you accepted Jesus into your life?" and he said, "Yes."

I tried my very best to contain my exuberance. But I was happy, very happy. This is a dear friend of mine and I recalled the days when I first invited him to a church service about 8 years ago. We shared a lot about life together and as usual, I shared my bible-based principles and views and God's word always have this 'special effect' of making the most sense in this crazy world we're living in.

Like most people, he believed he can achieve anything by believing in himself and he saw no need for a God, even if this God does exist. But life is a mystery sometimes. Through events and situations, he became more open to God and one day, he looked back and ask for forgiveness of his sins. He said God touched him, he felt as if his heart was melting, and there was a sense of joy and peace and having the assurance that his sins had indeed been forgiven. He said it was different, very different - as he recalled those days when I shared with him. On those occasions, the words were only head knowledge and meant nothing to him. But when God touched his heart, he knew something was different. God is real.

I'm so glad that he came to know the Lord. If you think those 'occasional' prayers for your unsaved friends are unimportant, think again. Every one of them counts. And God will indeed make all things beautiful in His time. What a joy!

Jesus said,"I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent." - Luke 15:7

Terrible Violence: Question and Answer

Extracted from BBC News: Thailand's shadowy southern insurgency

Someone is killed on average every day in the provinces on the Thailand's southern border with Malaysia, where a shadowy group of Islamist extremists are stirring up a deepening sectarian divide.

"So many of my relatives have been shot and killed I feel bitter inside. I want to know how to shoot, so I can help people in the village."said Monthira Peng-Iad, a 40-year-old farmer.

In a community in which Muslims and Buddhists used to live side-by-side in peace, her rhetoric shows how divisive the insurgency has been. In just five years 3,800 people have been killed and more than 6,000 injured. But what they want is not totally clear and no group has ever publically admitted they carried out an attack.

"My house was burned down, my husband was shot dead, my daughter was shot and my son disappeared," said Kuang Narumon, a 52-year-old Buddhist.

I do not have time to talk about the atrocities and violent deaths in Iraq, Pakistan, Afghanistan and other parts of the world.

What could possibly drove a man to carry out acts of senseless violence? How can cruel violent acts such as the Holocaust, Khmer Rouge massacre and Rwanda genocide be possible?

Remember the days of old? "Now the earth was corrupt in God's sight and full of violence. God saw how corrupt the earth had become, for all the people on earth had corrupted their ways" - Genesis 6:11-12

Ever since the fall of Mankind, sin has spread, deepened and got worse.(Gen 3-6) The only possible answer to horrendous acts like the bombings and killings is sin. There is no satisfactory explanation to why a thinking person would kill himself so that he could kill others - whether those killed are babies, innocent children or bystanders. There is no satisfactory explanation to why a thinking person would smash dead a baby, chop up a child with a machete or shoot an innocent man at pointblank range; except for the fact that it is the wickedness of sin at work.

I know of no other way to deal with this problem the world is facing than to point to that one way. "Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord," Acts 3:19-20, and to "love one another as I have love you," John 15:12.

But who will go?

Who Calls the Shots?

Human Rights & Religious Rights - Who calls the shots really? Is there really such a thing as human rights or religious rights? In today's postmodern world, such rights are relative; the governing bodies call the shots. You can end up with rights that have become useless; just a front to show that you deserve some form of (controlled) recognition.

Take for example, the recent case of Malaysian authorities confiscating 15000 Bibles because those Bibles use the word "Allah" to describe God.

The government, which is dominated by Muslim Malays, claims that the word Allah is Islamic and that its use in Bibles could upset Muslims. So are the authorities saying Muslims have been happy with the usage of "Allah" in the Bible for decades but now they have the potential to get upset? Or is it because the authorities are really the ones upset? (or is it more likely a case of "showing of care & concern" to garner some brownie points and the favour of the Muslim community?)

Anyway, the word "Allah" is the Arabic word for God and Arab Christians have been using it for centuries even before Islam was founded. Just do a wiki search or a read up of History books for it.

Coming back to these Rights issues with a religious tinge to it, Switzerland and Italy had some recent issues regarding Islamic minarets and Crucifixes too. Read the full story of this issue at BBC UK News - Faith Diary: Whose God is Allah?

Who is the Real Cause of the Problem?

Senator J William Fulbright in "The Price of Empire", page 172:
"It is understandably difficult... to get off to a good start with a new revolutionary regime when you plot to kill its leaders. If we plan to assassinate leaders we don't like, as the CIA is believed to have done with Castro, you are only asking for trouble. It's self-defeating. It is against our interests. I don't think it ever succeeds. It gives others an excuse to engage in terrorism, to kill our ambassadors or citizens travelling abroad[or at home]. You start a process of terrorism that has far-reaching and unpredictable consequences. There is a good case to be be made that we initiated it. We and some of our friends have initiated some of the worst aspects of modern terrorism."

Sometimes, we thought the problem is out there. But often, upon reflection, the problem begins in-house; in the heart, in the mind and in the supposedly benevolent action. Can we blame terrorism totally on one party? Who actually 'created' them? It's really no use pointing the finger now. I read with much sadness news about lives that are innocently lost in senseless bombings. A week ago it was Pakistan, today it was 90 lives and more in Baghdad. We have not heed the full extent of the phrase "You reap what you sow", especially when it comes to using force and violence as a problem solver - it never truly solves any problem.

Not too long ago, a man stood on stage and in a reflective tone spoke about the problem of 'rice christians' and 'christian workers with shallow roots' in an asean nation. Were the local people the problem? Who 'created' these different 'types' of christians? He concluded by saying, "We(the foreign force) are the cause of it". Let us not repeat the mistakes we have learned the hard way.

The Evangelistic and Societal Dimensions of Christian Mission

Paragraph 5 of the Lausanne Covenant

"We affirm that God is both Creator and Judge of all men. We therefore should share His concern for justice and reconciliation throughout human society and for the liberation of men from every kind of oppression. Because mankind is made in the image of God, every person, regardless of race, religion, colour, culture, class, sex or age, has an intrinsic dignity because of which he should be respected and served, not exploited. Here too we express penitence both for our neglect and for having sometimes regarded evangelism and social concern as mutually exclusive. Although reconciliation with man is not reconciliation with God, nor is social action evangelism, nor is political liberation salvation, nevertheless we affirm that evangelism and socio-political involvement are both part of our Christian duty. For both are expressions of our doctrines of God and man, our love for neighbour and our obedience to Jesus Christ. The message of salvation implies also a message of judgement upon every form of alienation, oppression and discrimination, and we should not be afraid to denounce evil and injustice wherever they exist. When people receive Christ they are born again into His kingdom and must seek not only to exhibit but also to spread its righteousness in the midst of an unrighteous world. The salvation we claim should be transforming us in the totality of our personal and social responsibilities. Faith without works is dead."

Get it?

Who is Richer?

There are things in life which money cannot buy. We will do well to learn today. Enjoy the video.

Take this Risk

The onlookers say, "Why build this? Why do that? It's too expensive. It will fail. It's not possible. Are you sure? Is it worth the risk?"

Dr.Ralph D.Winter has the perfect reply for this:
"Risk are not to be evaluated in terms of the probability of success but in terms of the value of the goal"

What is the value of the goal of reaching the nations and seeing every tongue, tribe and people worshipping the Lord?

Priceless.

So I say - Take the risk. Take the plunge. Go for it.

One Child at a Time

Sometimes, we need a reminder.

No Reserve, No Retreat, No Regrets

Excerpt from "Are you a follower of Jesus Christ?" by Billy Graham, Urbana 87

http://www.urbana.org/articles/are-you-a-follower-of-jesus-christ

"Just before World War I a young man arrived in Cairo, Egypt. He was 25 years old, a graduate of Yale University and Princeton Seminary. He was tall, handsome, athletic, intelligent, single and very rich. His name was William Borden, and he was the heir to one of America's great fortunes. But he had tamed his back on all the privilege and all the luxury and all the money that could have been his and was on his way to China as a missionary.

But shortly after arriving in Cairo he became critically ill with cerebral meningitis, and in a matter of days he was dead. Many students back in America asked, "Was it worth it?" Later his biographer wrote that Borden had said, "No reserve, no retreat, no regrets." There was no hesitation in his dedication to the Lord What about you? No reserve, no holding anything back. No regrets - never taming back from the path God has set before you. No regrets - joyously knowing that God's way is always best.

There are a thousand things you can do with your life; a thousand ways you can spend it. But how many of them will enable you to say at the end of your life "no reserve, no retreat, no regrets"? There is only one way you can truly say that, and that is to be a follower of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Should I Go?

I have been quite busy this month with preparations for the trip to East Timor so July's pretty quiet.

Here's a short extracted write-up from a NTM missionary couple in Cambodia on why they went in the first place.

"The world had not been reached and we realized we had been commanded to go. There was a choice that had to be made. Did we want to serve as senders in this Great Commisson or did we want to go ourselves?"

So they made up their mind to go.

"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." Matthew 28:19-20

3 more "go" commands found in the gospels - Mark 16:15, Luke 24:46-48 & John 20:21.

Still thinking if you should go?

Guaranteed Answer to this Prayer

"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..." Matthew 7:7-8.

"Hmmm, for everyone who asks receives... ask and it will be given to you. What a great promise", I thought to myself. We know God is good and He gives good things to us. But sometimes we wonder if we will receive what we ask, don't we? Then a verse comes to my mind and I noticed something.

"Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field" Matt 9:37-38.

Did you notice something? It says, "ASK the LORD of the harvest to SEND out workers in his harvest field". Ask. The verse tells us to ASK him. Did you know this is a prayer that will be answered for sure? It's guaranteed! It explictly tells us to ask God to send out workers! Ask him and he will do so. Ask and you will receive! If you're burdened by the lack of workers in the harvest field and in your church, then ask and you will receive. No missions programs or conferences can guarantee any workers. Only bended knees can.

Wisdom on What you hear, What you believe, What you say

Encountering again what possible damages a rumour, a hearsay or an unclarified source of information may caused, I felt prompted to post this again. Please be wise and beware of the enemy's snare.

Excerpt from "The Imitation of Christ", Book 1 Chapter 4, by Thomas à Kempis

"We ought not to believe every saying or suggestion but ought to warily and patiently to ponder the matter with reference to God. But alas, such is our weakness, that we often believe and speak evil of others rather than good! Good men do not easily give credit to every tale; for they know that human infirmity is prone to evil (Gen 8:21), and very subject to offend in word (James 3:2)

It is great wisdom not to be rash in actions (prov. 19:2), nor to stand obstinately in your own conceits. It belongs also to this same wisdom not to believe everything you hear, or to pour into the ears of others (Prov 17:9) what you have heard or believed.

A good life makes a man wise according to God (prov 15:33), and gives him experience in many things (Eccles 1:16). The humbler a man is in himself, and the more resigned to God, the more prudent will he be in all things, and the more at peace."

Reflection: Going Through the Same Thing

Have you experience God bringing you through different stages over the same issue so that you learn and get better after each one? My lessons on Surrendering is already strike 3. The lesson this time? Compromise. It is already strike 2. I hope I've learned and not repeat it. (very often, it is only after the air is clear, and when reflected upon, that the lesson became as clear as a crystal)

Lesson no.1 - Don't compromise. (The issue's very obvious)
Lesson no.2 - Again, don't compromise. (The issue's less obvious)
Lesson no.3 - I hope I've learned! Hold out and don't compromise!

"Campus evangelism irks students" - Be Wise

"Campus evangelism irks students" - the second page of My Paper on June 8 2008 reads. It said that "Some students at Ngee Ann Polytechnic are seeing red over how a number of their schoolmates are trying to evangelise by approaching them in pairs on their campus in Clementi Road."

Why are they seeing red? It went on to say this - "Not only did they feel it was "invasive", but some also felt it bordered on harassment."

Personally, I feel there is nothing wrong if one wants to tell me more about his or her faith. I won't think that is "invasive". But to have someone who kept telling me despite my explicit expression of disinterest can be quite a different matter.

Freedom of speech and freedom of religious expressions does not mean one can say anything and do anything. Romans 13:1-7 tells us plainly how we ought to live our lives under the rule of governing authorities. So the question beckons, "Can one evangelise in campus?"

In matters and words not well defined(or almost impossible to define), it is hard to answer such a question. The paper said that "Three other polytechnics here - Republic, Singapore and Temasek- said they do not condone evangelism on their campuses." What they meant by "evangelism" is anyone's guess. Is it someone "preaching" on a open platform(that is unapproved)? Is it whipping out a religious tract and telling others what the tract is saying? Is it actively "promoting" a particular religion by approaching someone in a on-the-street-insurance-agent sales manner? Or does it include even a conversation where a person is telling another friend how good his God is because of something good that had happened?

I suspect they meant the first 3 I've mentioned. While I don't see any problem with giving tracts or approaching people to talk about one's faith(it's similar to someone giving you a flyer or an insurance agent approaching you on the street. You can always say no or walk away), the manner in which such activities are carried out are important.

1 Peter 3:15-16 tells us this - "But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behaviour in Christ may be ashamed of their slander."

Got it? We can be zealous. But don't be foolish. Always be prepared to tell people the good news, but with gentleness, respect and with good behaviour. Make significant conversations, listen more than you speak, be genuine in your concern. Let Love be the main motivation for your sharing. Otherwise, it will be ironic to preach the gospel of love without showing any love.

Freedom of speech and freedom of religious expressions are both 'gifts' and blessings. Use it wisely for the glory of God. And if you're still reading this, can I suggest you build wonderful relationships with those you're already in touch with? I'm sure they won't feel "invasive" or "harassed". God bless.

John Piper’s Personal Tribute to the Late Ralph Winter

I've just read that veteran missiologist Ralph D. Winter passed away on May 20 at the age of 84.

According to the US Center for World Mission website, Winter died peacefully at home in Pasadena, California, "surrounded by three of his four daughters, his wife Barb, and a few friends."

I think it's amazing how and to what extent he has influenced many people about modern missions and missiology. He has indeed leave behind a legacy, and a vision.

Read:Pastor John Piper's personal tribute to Winter. "His vision of the advance of the gospel was breathtaking," writes Piper, calling Winter's emphasis on unreached peoples "globally seismic in the transformation of missions."

What is Tithing all about?

Tithing or giving tithe is to give a tenth of one's income as an offering to God. A very helpful article that explains Tithing is found at: Should a Christian pay tithes? The article explained from the Word that offering up to God part of what He has blessed us with is how we demonstrate and acknowledge His Lordship over us. And that tithing fulfills three needs in the Kingdom of God.

1. Supporting the work of God - Acts 4:32 - 35
2. Providing for the laborers and the work of the kingdom - 1 Corinthians 9:14, Galatians 6:6
3. To support the disadvantaged (strangers, homeless, fatherless e.t.c) - Romans 15:26, 1 Corinthians 16: 1-2, Acts 11: 27 - 30

Why the sudden topic of tithing? Well, you see, it is interesting how MANY of us Christians do not understand what tithing is all about. We may only know that we are supposed to do it but never really understood why we do it. My friends, it is a good time to understand what the Word of God said about tithing. Read the article I've linked above.

If you think tithing is a kind of membership fee similar to those that you pay in a country club, you are badly mistaken. In fact, that's quite an insult to the God who created and owns everything. And if you think tithing(the 10%) is only applicable to those under the Law(i.e. the Old Testament), you are also badly mistaken. When Jesus came, He told the crowds that He came to fulfill the law. In fact, when you read His sermon from Matthew chapter 5-7, Jesus gave a HIGHER standard requirement than the Law. If under the old covenant, it is a 10% offering unto the Lord, then what more when you are under the new covenant? Don't you feel that you ought to give even more than the required 10%(under the Law) since the Son of God has paid the greatest price to purchase you? Remember, you are not your own. You were bought at a price. And everything you possess belongs to Him.

"A man came to me and said, "I'm so glad the New Testament doesn't teach tithing. I think I'll prefer the Old Testament." I said, "That's interesting. My friend, in the Old Testament you give 10%. In the New Testament, you give everything." He wasn't very excited about that. :)" - in a sermon by Pastor Michael Ross Watson.

Forget about the various methods and styles of giving!!! Some people put their tithes into an envelope & write their names, some people used GIRO, some people give a tenth of their produce(Yes, in poorer farmlands, tithes are in the form of farm produce like chickens and eggs), some wants to give anonymously - whatever it is, it won't kill me to change a method. If I have to change the method, I adapt. What is most important is that I am doing right in the eyes of God by giving what is due Him as an act of worship, and for the extension of His Kingdom(the 3 reasons listed).

Do the right thing today.

Don't Forget How to Drive!

What happens when you have not driven for almost 10 years? I realized I can't even park a car properly!

Okay, to begin with, I had little driving experience after I passed my driving test but I was still shocked that I can't park a car(head in) in one simple move.

Moral of the story: If you've learned something and not practice it, you'll lose it sooner or later.

God has given you gifts and everything you need for life and godliness(1 Peter 4:10, 2 Peter 1:3) He has saved you and gave you new life and purpose. Use your gifts to honour Him and practice what He says. Otherwise, you might end up losing your gifts.(Matt 25:14-30)

Therefore, let us "continue to to work out our salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to His good purpose"(Phil 2:12-13). Let's continue to walk the talk. :)

Be a Stranger for a Change

Taiwanese singer, A-Mei (Zhang Hui Mei), a World Vision ambassador had this to say after visiting 6 different groups of people helped by World Vision in New Delhi, India.

"We need people to stop talking, and to start doing. It's actually not hard at all. You just need to give that little extra you have.

A lot of us like to worry about our own problems first. But we have to remember, when we're having trouble, we'd be receiving help from others, even strangers sometimes. Maybe you could be that stranger for somebody else for a change?"

Source: The Star Newspaper, on page T3 of StarTwo section, 20 May 2009

Read Matthew 25:35-40 again.