Web of Relationship

Mark 12:30 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.

Spiritual maturity and success in Christian life are not results from how much we know about biblical facts and principles. It comes from loving one another in the same way Christ loved us. God made it clear that we can do this only if we 'abide' in Him [John 15:7]. This means we must stay close to Him through prayer, and that we will obey His commands [v10].

Our web of relationship must first extend to God [i.e vertically] and then to others [horizontally].
How do we extend our relationship to God, if not through prayer and communion. Relationship is build through conversation.

Prayer is the soul of man talking to God.

It should consist of at least four parts - A,C.T.S.
Adoration - Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the LORD our Maker [Psalm 95:6]

Confession - Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, "I will confess my transgressions to the LORD "— and you forgave the guilt of my sin. [Psalm 32:5]

Thanksgiving - Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. [Philippians 4:6]

Supplication - I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone. [1 Timothy 2:1]

As our fellowship with the Lord in prayer and reading of His Words strengthen, this will extend our relationship towards our fellow brethens [1 John 1:3,7]

WHEN CHRISTIANS DRAW CLOSE TO CHRIST, THEY DRAW CLOSER TO ONE ANOTHER.

Fear of God

Ecclesiastes 7:17-19 Do not be overwicked, and do not be a fool— why die before your time? It is good to grasp the one and not let go of the other. The man who fears God will avoid all extremes. Wisdom makes one wise man more powerful than ten rulers in a city.

The first of our five Rukun Negara principles is to believe in God. Apparently, many have not fully lived their pledge. When we pledged that we believe in God, do we realise the enormity of those three little words? We go through life living for the here and now and are just overly concerned about material things but give little thought to our afterlife and the eternal.

When we believe in Him, we obey all His teachings faithfully. We also acknowledge the sovereignty and supermacy of God in all things. There are hypocrites who claim to believe in God. They pledge one thing but live their lives in opposition to what God wants.

A healthy fear of God will deter one from doing evil even when no one is watching.

Dr. C. I. Scofield defines 'fear of God' as 'reverential trust with a hatred of evil'. Fear of God means piety. It is used to expressed our religious duty towards God.

Job 1:1 In the land of Uz there lived a man whose name was Job. This man was blameless and upright; he feared God and shunned evil.

Let us pray that God will teach us to fear Him. Psalm 86 : 11 Teach me your way, O LORD, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name. While Proverbs 15:16 reminds us "Better a little with the fear of the LORD than great wealth with turmoil." and Proverbs 19:23 The fear of the LORD leads to life: Then one rests content, untouched by trouble.

This thing called LOVE

Love - it's such a simple word yet it means a lot of different things, and varies from one person to the other. It has no age limit. People discover it at any age.

To a child, love could just be a cuddling from his parents or his loved one. But to the teenages, love could be spending time with his or her love one. To the elderly, love is everything.

A love that has stood the test of time is one built on trust, loyalty and respect.

Whatever love means to you, it does not matter. For love is universal.

But to God, love is sending His Son to died for our sin as John 3 : 16-18 recorded "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. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son.

1 John 4:9-15 This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us. We know that we live in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit. And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in him and he in God.

LOVE IS THE DOOR THROUGH WHICH WE PASS FROM SELFISHNESS TO SERVICE.

TRUE LOVE IS AN ACTION, NOT JUST A FEELING.

HAPPY VALENTINE to all lovers, couples and everyone.

Job's Principle

Job 2:10 He replied, "You are talking like a foolish woman. Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?" In all this, Job did not sin in what he said.

The life of Job's is a constant communion with God. Even after God allow Satan to take away his material things [Job 1:13-17], his loved ones [Job 1:18-19], and his health [Job 2:7] he still worship God [Job 1:20] and praised Him. Job 1:21 "Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked I will depart. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised." The tragedies reduces him economically, physically and emotionally but Job still fear the Lord and has faith in God. [Job 5:8 & Job 13:15]

Satan argues that divine blessing elicit human obedience while Job's friend contend that obedience earns God's blessing and disobedience merits punishment. However, Job teaches that some suffers are saints, that God is always worthy of the love and worship of His creation, whether or not He bestows blessing upon them, and that God always has a purpose in permitting suffering, though one may never fully comprehend it.

The principle is not "Why do the righteous suffer if God is loving and all-powerful? Suffering itself is not the central theme; rather the focus is on what ones learns from his suffering - the sovereignty of God over all creation.

Philippians 4 : 10-13 I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you have been concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. 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. I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

Bare your love

Female students in higher learning institutes here are being persuaded not to wear panties on Valentine's Day as an expression of true love for their boyfriends. The "no panties promotion"to being held for the first time, has apparently being gaining interest among the students, who are passing the news by word-of-mouth. [The Star dated 29-01-10]

In loving relationships, people warn one another of the inevitable consequences of foolish behaviour. The fact is, when we love, we take risks. People could very well hurt us, disappoint us, or even leave us. We must ask ourselves, why do we do what we do? and, are our actions affecting other people life?

What a demeaning way to show ones love? Are women suppose to sell their reputation to show their love?

Sometimes conservatism has a higher value than liberalism, especially when it protects ones values and ensures ones reputation are unscathed.

Colossians 3:17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

The best place to find love is not in another person but in a book, the Bible. The Bible tells of God's great love for us.

Smack of success

Young children smacked by their parents may grow up to be happier and more successful than those who have never been hit, a study has found.
According to the research, children smacked up to the age of six were likely, as teenagers, to perform better at school and were more likely to carry out volunteer work and to want to go to university than their peers who had never been physically disciplined.
Only children who continued to be smacked into adolescene showed clear behavioural problems, said Marjorie Gunnoe, professor of psychology at Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
[Extracted from Sunday Times dated 10-10-10 reported by Georgia Warren]

The Bible recorded that a home cannot be happy without children but at the same time parents are to bring their children to the Lord at an early age. Matthew 19:13-14. Parents are also to train and discipline their children for the Lord as Proverbs 22:6 recorded Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.

Proverbs 13:24 said He who spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is careful to discipline him.

Psalm 127:3-5 reminded us that Sons are a heritage from the LORD, children a reward from him. Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are sons born in one's youth. Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them. They will not be put to shame when they contend with their enermies in the gate.

Even as we love our children we should also teach them to obey God and the laws of the country.

Life and Lifestyles of Godly Man

Matthew 5 : 3-12 "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.

As Christians, we are to honour God with our righteous character and morally correct conduct, which include adhering to the principles of love, peace and good neighbourliness, even to peoples whose faiths are different from ours. We should never resort to violent actions to promote, propagate or protect our faith as we believe that we are created in the image of God who is holy, loving, kind, compassionate, merciful and forgiving.
We also believe the governing authorities are appointed by God as part of his sovereign design to ensure the proper operation and functioning of the civil society.

We have been taught to submit ourselves to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established (Romans 13:1). Hence, we expect the authorities, to whom we pay tax (Matthew 22:21), to be just, fair, transparent, accountable, and be held responsible for our well-being.

In times of calamities, Christians need only to pray and trust God because He control everythings, as Matthew 8:25-27 recorded.

Metro Tabernacle's senior pastor Rev. Ong Sek Leang said the church did not condone such acts[arson attack] but would forgive those responsible. [The Star dated 09-10-2010]
Romans 12:21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

WE CAN STOP FORGIVING OTHERS WHEN CHRIST STOPS FORGIVING US.

Don't worry, Be Healthy

Matthew 6:28-29 "And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these".

See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not worry. They do not toil (which means to perform hard labour). They do not spin. The Lord uses the word 'spin' to refer to clothes. We do not need to toil or spin and God will still give us healthy bodies...

Do not worry. God knows what we need. The people in the world seek health and wealth but our heavenly Father knows our needs and we are not to get them as the world gets them as His Word says in Matthew 6 : 31-33 So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

Is it hard to seek His kingdom ? No. Luke 12:32 says, "Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. So, how can we miss it when our Father gives it to us?

If we want things added to our life, then we need to seek His kingdom. What is God's kingdom ? Paul said that the kingdom of God ".... is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit" (Romans 14:17).

Once we have Jesus in our life, we will have righteousness. Peace and joy of God will then follows. When we are at peace, worry will not dwell within us.

THE SECRET OF PEACE IS TO GIVE EVERY ANXIOUS CARE TO GOD.

What are you seeking for ?

Matthew 6:33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

What are you seeking for as the new year starts? Gold or Glory? Health or Wealth?

People sometimes became so obsessed with making money that they did not form healthy relationships. This made them go through life without purpose or meaning, never satisfied with all they had worked for [Ecclesiastes 4:8]

To counter our natural tendency toward covetousness, Christ urged us to be rich toward God and to trust Him for all our needs. He commands us to "seek first His kingdom", and He promises that "all these things"(life's necessities) will be added to us [Luke 12:31]

Contentment must come from a source other than wealth and fame.

Ecclesiastes 5:10-12 Whoever loves money never has money enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with his income. This too is meaningless. As goods increase, so do those who consume them. And what benefit are they to the owner except to feast his eyes on them? The sleep of a laborer is sweet, whether he eats little or much, but the abundance of a rich man permits him no sleep.

It is not material prosperity but "godliness with contentment" that the apostle Paul called "great pain" (1 Timothy 6:6)

God give us life to enjoy things But the world give us things to enjoy life.
CONTENTMENT COMES NOT FROM GREAT WEALTH BUT FROM FEW WANTS.

New Wine in New Wineskin

Luke 5 : 36-38 "No one tears a patch from a new garment and sews it on an old one. If he does, he will have torn the new garment, and the patch from the new will not match the old. And no one pours new wine into old wineskins. If he does, the new wine will burst the skins, the wine will run out and the wineskins will be ruined. No, new wine must be poured into new wineskins. [Matthew 9 : 16-18 & Mark 2:21-23]

Praise God - The theme "New Wine in New Wineskin" is going to be a good start for the year 2010.

New Wine because God is going to pour down new anointing so that we can have the courage and strength to continue His Great Commission. "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 : 18-20]

New Wineskin as in 2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!

Old thoughts, routine ways, normal standard are now God's thought, God's way and God's standard.

So let us trust God for the next 365 days of 2010. Let His Holy Spirit guide us and His Word lead us as Psalm 119:105 said "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path."