2 Cor 10:3-7
"For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. And we will be ready to punish every act of disobedience, once your obedience is complete.
You are looking only on the surface of things. If anyone is confident that he belongs to Christ, he should consider again that we belong to Christ just as much as he."
We are constantly at war and fighting, not just at the spiritual front, but at the ideological front for God's truth to be revealed. Strangely, the battlefield doesn't just lie in the marketplace, where we pit our weapons against the ideology of the world, but the battlefield extends deeply into our own homeground - The Church.
In the passage Paul was putting up his defence of his ministry towards the Corinthians, in an effort of repealing off the "bullets" and "arrows" of the untruth spreaded by other immatured and incorrect Christians. Thus it would not be strange if almost 2000 years later, such phenomenon still exists in the church.
According to Paul, he described the kind of war that Christians would have to fight. Compare the weapons that Christians use VS weapons the world uses. Christians use biblical truth from the bible, which Paul described as having "divine power" to demolish "strongholds". The soundness and the wisdom of the bible, vindicated by historical outcomes have such power to tear down and vanish strongholds of unbalanced, unsound, unbiblical, untrue, legalistic and illogical worldview and convictions that had been so entrenched to be considered "strongholds".
As Christians, Paul mentioned that we would need to "demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself against the knowledge of God..."
What arguments have we heard recently from other Christians or church leaders that seemingly right but we felt strangely uncomfortable towards, or that we observe things been seemingly bad when such arguments are being lived out by others?
Have we considered clearly the full counsel of God's Word, instead of just consulting our shepherds? What do the other Christians from other churches say about the arguments? From the way Paul said, it was as if the pretension comes very stealthily, and often very hard to be "detected", since it is "clothed" with "camouflaged truth".
Have we spotted any arguments and every pretension later? Are we doing anything to demolish these arguments?
Paul also mentioned that"...and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ..." Not just 90% of the thoughts or ideals but 100%. Any unbalanced and erroraneous ideology and practice would have to be made known and submit under the authority of Christ.
What would be the impact to the lives of people we cherish in church if such arguments and every pretension are not addressed promptly? I like this quote from Martin Lurther King - "Our lives will end the day we become silent about things that matter."
Dear brothers and sisters, let us not be unaware of the constant battle of beliefs and ideology within our minds, but learn to discern those which are right and uphold these beliefs and ideology against erosion by others.
Monday, September 28, 2009
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Service to God
I was reading Philip Yancey's book entitled "The Jesus I Never Knew" just now, on the chapter pertaining to the profile of Jesus when I saw these descriptions of Jesus.
"Jesus did not mechanically follow a list of "Things I Gotta Do Today"...He attended wedding feasts that lasted for dys. He let himself get distracted by any "nobody" he came across, whether a hamorrhaging woman who shyly touched his robe or a blind beggar who made a nuisance of himself. Two of his most impressive miracles took place because he arrived too late to heal the sick person...
Jesus was "the man for others"...He lept himself free - free for the other person. He would almost accept anybody's invitation to dinner and as a result no public figure had more a diverse list of friends, ranging from rich people, Roman centurions, and Pharisees to tax collectors, prostitutes, and leprosy victims..."
What struck me was the example of Jesus in living His Father's will in such a manner (He lived his life normally, going about doing his daily chores and duties while ministering to other people through his daily activities) - a stark contrast as to the example of Paul, whose famous words is to be Acts 20:24
"However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace."
I had come across some individuals within church in the past who kept on glorifying this ideal. They would often quote the example of Paul in fulfilling the Great Commission and would use this verse to urge all their followers to follow the example of Paul. The result of such kind of ministry is that the church simply have no time for people who can't match up nor measure up. Another result is that the church don't have time to reflect upon past mistakes, nor change for the better. "Move on with God and serve God" they said and "Leave the past behind."
There is nothing absolutely wrong with the life of Paul. The issue arises when his ideal and the example is overly emphasized by some individuals as compared to other biblical heroes whose faith, character, belief and deeds ought to be embraced as well. After reading this descriptions from Philip Yancey, I can't help but to say this - I would rather follow the example of Jesus than Paul, to the dismay of those individuals whom I had encountered in the past.
To those who are still in such a system whereby serving God equals to giving all your time to church and its activities, and you do not simply have time for other peope, a food for thought- How to reconcile the life of Jesus (seemingly free and available for people) as compared to the life of Paul (rushed, kept on doing things for God)?
What is God's will when comes to serving Him? What constitutes our service to God?
"Jesus did not mechanically follow a list of "Things I Gotta Do Today"...He attended wedding feasts that lasted for dys. He let himself get distracted by any "nobody" he came across, whether a hamorrhaging woman who shyly touched his robe or a blind beggar who made a nuisance of himself. Two of his most impressive miracles took place because he arrived too late to heal the sick person...
Jesus was "the man for others"...He lept himself free - free for the other person. He would almost accept anybody's invitation to dinner and as a result no public figure had more a diverse list of friends, ranging from rich people, Roman centurions, and Pharisees to tax collectors, prostitutes, and leprosy victims..."
What struck me was the example of Jesus in living His Father's will in such a manner (He lived his life normally, going about doing his daily chores and duties while ministering to other people through his daily activities) - a stark contrast as to the example of Paul, whose famous words is to be Acts 20:24
"However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace."
I had come across some individuals within church in the past who kept on glorifying this ideal. They would often quote the example of Paul in fulfilling the Great Commission and would use this verse to urge all their followers to follow the example of Paul. The result of such kind of ministry is that the church simply have no time for people who can't match up nor measure up. Another result is that the church don't have time to reflect upon past mistakes, nor change for the better. "Move on with God and serve God" they said and "Leave the past behind."
There is nothing absolutely wrong with the life of Paul. The issue arises when his ideal and the example is overly emphasized by some individuals as compared to other biblical heroes whose faith, character, belief and deeds ought to be embraced as well. After reading this descriptions from Philip Yancey, I can't help but to say this - I would rather follow the example of Jesus than Paul, to the dismay of those individuals whom I had encountered in the past.
To those who are still in such a system whereby serving God equals to giving all your time to church and its activities, and you do not simply have time for other peope, a food for thought- How to reconcile the life of Jesus (seemingly free and available for people) as compared to the life of Paul (rushed, kept on doing things for God)?
What is God's will when comes to serving Him? What constitutes our service to God?
Friday, September 11, 2009
Funny Joke
There was this Japanese tourist who goes on holiday in the States and goes to a money changer to convert his yen into dollars and is disturbed to find that he gets fewer dollars than he expects.
“Why so little ne?”, he asks,
to which the helpful money changer explains that it’s due to “fluctuations”.
Shocked, he yells at the money changer, “Well, fluck you Amelicans too”.
PS: Can you catch the joke? Focus on the pronuciation of “fluctuations”. Cheers
“Why so little ne?”, he asks,
to which the helpful money changer explains that it’s due to “fluctuations”.
Shocked, he yells at the money changer, “Well, fluck you Amelicans too”.
PS: Can you catch the joke? Focus on the pronuciation of “fluctuations”. Cheers
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Cult Watch
I know that some of you are following my blog. Just want to share with you this website that I have been introduced recently and it had certainly helped me made a great deal of sense of things that had previously happened in church. I hope to share to all of you, so that you too can "open" your eyes, and be free from human "indoctrination" of teachings which are not as biblical as claimed to be by the church leaders.
http://www.cultwatch.com/
For those who knows me, do feel free to ask me out to clarify more on the article.
Bless!
http://www.cultwatch.com/
For those who knows me, do feel free to ask me out to clarify more on the article.
Bless!
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Important Things in Life
I've received this story from my CEO (Yes, it's the CEO of NCSS. She's actually very nice and always motivates us by sending us inspiring stories and quotes) and immediately some thoughts come to my mind. We all know that almost intuitively that our family, children, health, friends, etc are the most important things in our lives. However, it's funny that some churches preaches otherwise, that "serving God to the utmost", to the point whereby we sacrificed these important things to show our love to God is the noblest.
Food for thoughts on what exactly is God's will for each of our lives.
Enjoy the story!
The Mayonnaise Jar
When things in your life seem, almost too much to handle, when 24 Hours in a day is not enough, remember the mayonnaise jar and 2 cups of coffee. A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of him. When the class began, wordlessly, he picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls..
He then asked the students, if the jar was full. They agreed that it was. The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. ! He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf ball. He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was. The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it
into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else. He asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded with a unanimous 'yes.'
The professor then produced two cups of coffee from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar, effectively filling the empty space between the sand. The students laughed.. 'Now,' said the professor, as the laughter subsided, 'I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life.
The golf balls are the important things - family, children, health, friends, and favourite passions - Things that if everything else was lost and only they! remained, Your life would still be full.
The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, house, and car.
The sand is everything else --The small stuff. 'If you put the sand into the jar first,' He continued, 'there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls. The same goes for life.
If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff,
You will never have room for the things that are important to you.
So...
Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness.
Play With your children.
Take time to get medical checkups.
Take your partner out to dinner.
There will always be time to clean the house and fix the disposal. 'Take care of the golf balls first -- The things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand.'
One of the students raised her hand and! inquired what the coffee
represented. The professor smiled. 'I'm glad you asked'.
It just goes to show you that no matter how full your life may seem,
there's always room for a couple of cups of coffee with a friend.'
Please share this with other "Golf Balls"
Food for thoughts on what exactly is God's will for each of our lives.
Enjoy the story!
The Mayonnaise Jar
When things in your life seem, almost too much to handle, when 24 Hours in a day is not enough, remember the mayonnaise jar and 2 cups of coffee. A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of him. When the class began, wordlessly, he picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls..
He then asked the students, if the jar was full. They agreed that it was. The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. ! He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf ball. He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was. The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it
into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else. He asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded with a unanimous 'yes.'
The professor then produced two cups of coffee from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar, effectively filling the empty space between the sand. The students laughed.. 'Now,' said the professor, as the laughter subsided, 'I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life.
The golf balls are the important things - family, children, health, friends, and favourite passions - Things that if everything else was lost and only they! remained, Your life would still be full.
The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, house, and car.
The sand is everything else --The small stuff. 'If you put the sand into the jar first,' He continued, 'there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls. The same goes for life.
If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff,
You will never have room for the things that are important to you.
So...
Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness.
Play With your children.
Take time to get medical checkups.
Take your partner out to dinner.
There will always be time to clean the house and fix the disposal. 'Take care of the golf balls first -- The things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand.'
One of the students raised her hand and! inquired what the coffee
represented. The professor smiled. 'I'm glad you asked'.
It just goes to show you that no matter how full your life may seem,
there's always room for a couple of cups of coffee with a friend.'
Please share this with other "Golf Balls"
Monday, September 7, 2009
Friday, September 4, 2009
Muser over Kong Hee's Blog
I came across this blog from the Pastor of City Harvest Church.
http://www.konghee.com/www/category/blog/
Inside the blog, there are a lot of postings of his own personal take as a Chrisitian on some of real life issues and concerning recent happenings in Singapore. Moreover, it generates a lot of discussions, further insights, alternative perspectives and more other questions revolving around these issues.
Personally I think that is a great way of growing in being word-centered, especially pertaining to comtemplatory issues that we have to deal with but yet, there are few channels to discuss. Moreover non-believers who have misconception about the Christian faith and belief can see the discussions for themselves to have an accurate, better and complete understanding of the Christian faith. Moreover, the Pastor understands the "potential", "power" and the "reach" of Internet to engage people through the use of his blog.
Well done.
http://www.konghee.com/www/category/blog/
Inside the blog, there are a lot of postings of his own personal take as a Chrisitian on some of real life issues and concerning recent happenings in Singapore. Moreover, it generates a lot of discussions, further insights, alternative perspectives and more other questions revolving around these issues.
Personally I think that is a great way of growing in being word-centered, especially pertaining to comtemplatory issues that we have to deal with but yet, there are few channels to discuss. Moreover non-believers who have misconception about the Christian faith and belief can see the discussions for themselves to have an accurate, better and complete understanding of the Christian faith. Moreover, the Pastor understands the "potential", "power" and the "reach" of Internet to engage people through the use of his blog.
Well done.
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
The Parable of the Good Samaritian
Luke 10:25 - 37 (NLT)
“A Jewish man was traveling on a trip from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he was attacked by bandits. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him up, and left him half dead beside the road. By chance a priest came along. But when he saw the man lying there, he crossed to the other side of the road and passed him by. A temple assistant walked over and looked at him lying there, but he also passed by on the other side. Then a despised Samaritan came along, and when he saw the man, he felt compassion for him. Going over to him, the Samaritan soothed his wounds with olive oil and wine and bandaged them. Then he put the man on his own donkey and took him to an inn, where he took care of him. The next day he handed the innkeeper two silver coins, telling him, ‘Take care of this man. If his bill runs higher than this, I’ll pay you the next time I’m here.’ “Now which of these three would you say was a neighbor to the man who was attacked by bandits?” Jesus asked. The man replied, “The one who showed him mercy.” Then Jesus said, “Yes, now go and do the same.”
It is so interesting to experience the bible so directly in our lives and to translate the knowledge from an intellectual one to an experiential one. Recently I have the "privilege" to come across this story from my friends who was preparing for their marriage.
They were once very fervent in serving the church and the church community but because of some incidents were no longer doing so. Recently as they were preparing for their wedding, they needed some people to be their key helpers for the event. Due to their commitment to the church community previously, they were not so in contact with their own friends outside the church community. As such, they could only turn to those whom serve with them in the past from church for help.
They encountered mixed responses to their requests from the people they asked, ranging from the enthusiastic and supportive ones to those who were hesitant. The interesting fact was that those who were hesitant were the ones who served as fellow church leaders with them in the past. They were hesitant as they needed to be involved to run service on Sat for their group. I can imagine myself in the shoes of my friends and how they are to make sense of these people.
How to we serve God? Does serving God entail only doing religious matter, e.g. running church service, leading caregroup, etc? Or is it that helping a fellow brother and sister in Christ who's getting married once in a life time, less desirable than running service (which takes place 52 weeks a year?). Does it mean that we are loving God lesser if we were to help out in the wedding while ignoring running of service?
We have on hand, a real-life case study for Luke 10:25 - 37, and something for us to experience and learn experientially. It beats having to attend church service and listen to pastors preaching week after week.
My personal reflection is this: I would rather have a Samaritian for friend anytime than a Priest or a Temple Assistant. The Samaritian may not be perfect or religious (attending service or caregroup regularly) but at least the Samaritian reflects Christ and His love in my life.
“A Jewish man was traveling on a trip from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he was attacked by bandits. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him up, and left him half dead beside the road. By chance a priest came along. But when he saw the man lying there, he crossed to the other side of the road and passed him by. A temple assistant walked over and looked at him lying there, but he also passed by on the other side. Then a despised Samaritan came along, and when he saw the man, he felt compassion for him. Going over to him, the Samaritan soothed his wounds with olive oil and wine and bandaged them. Then he put the man on his own donkey and took him to an inn, where he took care of him. The next day he handed the innkeeper two silver coins, telling him, ‘Take care of this man. If his bill runs higher than this, I’ll pay you the next time I’m here.’ “Now which of these three would you say was a neighbor to the man who was attacked by bandits?” Jesus asked. The man replied, “The one who showed him mercy.” Then Jesus said, “Yes, now go and do the same.”
It is so interesting to experience the bible so directly in our lives and to translate the knowledge from an intellectual one to an experiential one. Recently I have the "privilege" to come across this story from my friends who was preparing for their marriage.
They were once very fervent in serving the church and the church community but because of some incidents were no longer doing so. Recently as they were preparing for their wedding, they needed some people to be their key helpers for the event. Due to their commitment to the church community previously, they were not so in contact with their own friends outside the church community. As such, they could only turn to those whom serve with them in the past from church for help.
They encountered mixed responses to their requests from the people they asked, ranging from the enthusiastic and supportive ones to those who were hesitant. The interesting fact was that those who were hesitant were the ones who served as fellow church leaders with them in the past. They were hesitant as they needed to be involved to run service on Sat for their group. I can imagine myself in the shoes of my friends and how they are to make sense of these people.
How to we serve God? Does serving God entail only doing religious matter, e.g. running church service, leading caregroup, etc? Or is it that helping a fellow brother and sister in Christ who's getting married once in a life time, less desirable than running service (which takes place 52 weeks a year?). Does it mean that we are loving God lesser if we were to help out in the wedding while ignoring running of service?
We have on hand, a real-life case study for Luke 10:25 - 37, and something for us to experience and learn experientially. It beats having to attend church service and listen to pastors preaching week after week.
My personal reflection is this: I would rather have a Samaritian for friend anytime than a Priest or a Temple Assistant. The Samaritian may not be perfect or religious (attending service or caregroup regularly) but at least the Samaritian reflects Christ and His love in my life.
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