Heart to heart #36 Are you thirsty? (30th Aug 2012)

Dear....

'And He said to me.....I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts.'
            Revelation 21:6

"Still or sparkling?" This has increasingly become the standard question in the restaurants serving Continental fare. Difference is the waiters no longer voluntarily pour the equally delicious free water from the tap. And it is understandable given a bottled water adds $6 to the cash till.
The East is matching the West in this aspect. The trend especially in the upper end Chinese restaurants is towards an array of creatively named teas, with a mini king's ransom to match. The days of unlimited flow of cheap tea is fast becoming a relic of the past.

Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.
                Matthew 4:8-9

Mega trends these might not be, and what has it got to do with the gospel message?
And what is the gospel message? Is it not about the forgiveness of man's sins through the crucified Christ? And the breaking of the deathly grip of sin upon man with the risen Christ? And the need for a response from us the believer, a willing and total surrender
of our worldly desires,  to follow the leading of the Holy Spirit? But somewhere along the way, many professed believers  have taken a wrong turn and ended up worshipping the devil, the ruler of our sinful world, rather than Christ our Lord!!

Jesus answered them and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Ye seek me, not because ye saw the miracles, but because ye did eat of the loaves, and were filled.
                John 6:26

Do you patronize a restaurant to drink its exorbitant water or tea, or are you there to partake in its cooking? Does one become a Christian to follow God our provider or is Christianity an easy gravy train to the worldly provisions one hanker after?

Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven. And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the  eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.
                  Matthew  19:23-24
               
Is prosperity gospel the very anti thesis of the teachings of Our Lord Jesus Christ?

Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.
                  Matthew 19:21

Money in itself is fine, but it is the love of money that is sinful. Is this unfettered encouragement to the flock by the proponents of the prosperity gospel that God is always at our command, and faith is about our relentless focus on asking for what we want, truly the intended relationship that Christ planned for the believer?

And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.
                1 Timothy 6:8-9

The purveyor of the prosperity goody bag often quotes selectively from the Bible to justify their message. But what about verses like 1 Timothy 6:8-9 and Matthew 19:21 which seems to encourage divestment rather than the garnering of wealth?

The Word of God is God, and clarity of our heart can only come from our taking time in God's presence and in the context of our willingness to seek Him with our all. To rely on my or that of any other 3rd party interpretations is to deprive oneself of the direct relationship with the Lord our God, and subject yourselves to misconceptions, especially when verses are quoted out of context. Satan quoted from the Bible when he tried to tempt Christ. But he failed because Christ know His Father very well. What about you? When was the last time you read the Bible?

They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them. We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.
              1 John 4:5-6

A Christian need not have to be a pauper. But clearly he should not start as a Prince. The anointed men of God - Joseph, David, Moses.....
they underwent trials to hone their character and align their hearts to God, before they were placed in positions of power.  With wealth comes the need to respond in Christlikeness.  For without God as our rock, wealth will corrupt.

This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
                Galatians 5:16

All who come to the faith will still carry with them the carnality of their old self. For all of us, including pastors,  it will be a life long journey of transformation into Christlikeness. A true shepherd of our Lord Jesus Christ will never proffer the intoxicating drug of worldly prosperity to an addict of the world, which all of us still are. And even more susceptible are  those who are new believers,  just as they literally "check into rehabilitation" to be cleansed of their carnality.

They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.
          Titus 1:16

The late pastor David Wilkerson ( of Cross and Switchblade fame) in a sermon

Check out this video on YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aa_KKUj9w90&feature=youtube_gdata_player

in year 2011 used the term "counterfeit Christianity," to describe those who mouthed the name of Christ, but whose heart are very much with the world. Whose misconceived idea of faith is about Christ surrendering to our whims and fancies, and not about our surrendering our all to His will.

'Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness........'
              Galatians 5:19

Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
                Galatians 5:21

But the fields are ripening, especially in our city. To some, the most expedient way to harvest is to "cross over." In pagan Rome, do like the debauch Romans do. Christ did sit down to eat with the taxpayers. He engaged in conversation with the harlot. But Christ never compromised  his God given principles. Christ was with the sinners, but he never sinned.  The end does not justify the means. God looks not for sacrifice but obedience.
Is the production of risqué dance videos in the name of evangelism not a blatant disregard of the command(see Galatians 5:19-21) from our Lord?
Christianity is not an overcoat one place  over our still very carnal self and one continues in our sinful ways. It is about a total transformation of the heart where the Spirit of God leads us, and NOT we leading Christ.

'You reject all those who stray from Your statutes. For their deceit is falsehood. You put away all the wicked of the earth like dross. Therefore I love Your testimonies. My flesh trembles for fear of You. And I am afraid of Your judgments.
          Psalm 119:118-120

These are end times intensified. Delusions will abound. Last week I shared about the "pink tide" of lusts. And today, it is about the "green tide" of greed for monies, that blinds us to the Scriptural truths, that lead to  many who  rather believe in the purveyors of snake oil.
If our Lord so wills, we will talk about the "yellow tide." next.

Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?
            Galatians 4:16

As followers of Christ, we are reminded not to judge our fellow beings. But does it mean that we turn a blind eye to an obvious deviation from the Biblical truths? Correct we must, but always in truth with love. And this posture of alignment with God on our part is only possible if we are willing to put Him as our only focus every moment of our life. Bear in mind that only in the presence of the Perfect God, can we the imperfect not stray ourselves.

For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision:
                Titus 1:10

God  by His grace has lifted the veil upon the hearts of some of us. We are to be the bulwarks of faith,  which will not just stand firm, irregardless of the relentless tide of deceit, but be the beacon of truth upon which the beleaguered will journey with, for the Spirit of God is in our midst.

And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst. But I said unto you, That ye also have seen me, and believe not.
            John 6:35-36

Do take time in the presence of our Great God and ask yourself this question. Are you coming to Christ because He is Santa Claus? Or are you coming to Christ because He is our Lord? Are you still seeking the riches of the world, encouraged by your false prophet? Or are you seeking the richness of a life lived in obedience to Christ, always thankful in all circumstances? Be convinced not by my imperfect thoughts, but be convicted by the Spirit of God by immersing your very being in His Word, and in His work.

God blesses

Eng hieang
30th Aug 2012

Heart to heart #35 Squeamish (23rd Aug 2012)

Dear...

Teach me, O Lord, the way of thy statutes; and I shall keep it unto the end.
            Psalms 119:33

Time flies, at a twinkle of an eye. The length of our yesteryears are already longer than our remaining days. With age comes ailments, and possibly realism and one is decidedly more cognizance of one's mortality.

Question is, what drives our very waking moments now?
Is it
- the need to accumulate more as time is fast running out for retirement looms in the horizon?
- or is it the relentless pursuit of life's pleasures for we are hard pressed to level down the mountain of means we possess?

I the Lord have called thee in righteousness, and will hold thine hand, and will keep thee,
and give thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles;
To open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the prison,
and them that sit in darkness out of the prison house.
          Isaiah 42:6-7

If time is a precious commodity, juxtaposed that brevity with the finite and flawed man with unlimited wants, it is inevitable that none can be truly happy. And this delusion, that man will be better off without God, this lie that was propagated by the devil to the first man, Adam need not continue to hover over us, his seed.  For with  the risen Christ, death is nailed to the cross and there is eternity joy with God our Father that is available to all. But we must use the time we have in this fallen world, to prepare for our place in eternity, be it in damnation or eternal bliss.

And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless. Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. For many are called, but few are chosen.
              Matthew 22:12-14

As end times intensifies, there must be a sense of urgency to share this  gospel truth, and we who are blessed to have the veil upon our hearts  lifted are the messengers.

Fear not, thou worm Jacob, and ye men of Israel; I will help thee, saith the Lord,
and thy redeemer, the Holy One of Israel.
          Isaiah 41:14

Yesterday was the first time in my life I ever ran over an animate object on the road. A squirrel unfortunately dashed across the highway and it was too late for me to avoid this sudden lunge to immortality by the furry creature. Squeamish it was, but does not the same apply to us when it comes to living a Christlike life or  sharing the gospel truth with people God placed in our lives?

A decade back, God placed a dear non believer friend with me for one long Friday afternoon. We talked about family, visited a car showroom as he planned to buy one for his young wife, and I even got to visit his new abode. Through it all, the Spirit of God prompted me to share the gospel of  salvation with him. But I felt he was not ready and by my finite wisdom thought it will be better for another time. In truth, there was no better time for my dear friend died from a fatal heart over the weekend.

The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.
        Proverbs 11:30

It is not in the nature for most of us to want to share the faith with the non believer. For it can be construed as imposition, and we are not in the "fois gras" business. God understands and His command is for us to let His Spirit transform us, for the truth and  power of the  gospel is most effective when lived out rather than mouthed out.

We are most natural with  what we are most familiar and comfortable with. God know all of us, but do we know Him?

Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.
        Matthew 5:13

As I close this sharing, some of you might have read the news on the current challenge in our court to  decriminalize gay sex(see link below)

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1221319/1/.html

There seems to be a very clear concerted push, from both within and without, to transform our "little red dot" to "pleasurable pink."  Singapore is a nation that has been blessed to pack a punch that is much bigger than its size warrants. Is it reflective of our calling as the Antioch of the East. Is this why the androgynous devil is very determined to sway us from our focus on God, to self? A few years back, the now defunct Far East Economic Review had a cover story on the "pink revolution" in Asia, and Singapore was bestowed the title of "gay capital" of Asia.

Then the Lord rained upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the Lord out of heaven; And he overthrew those cities, and all the plain, and all the inhabitants of the cities, and that which grew upon the ground.
                    Genesis 19:24-25

It is not about us pushing back the pink tide, for it will continue relentlessly. But fear not, for victory is already won with the risen Christ. Question is, where will you  and your loved ones be when Christ returns as He surely would?

Do truly take time to be with our Lord, for His Spirit to convict you, sanctify your very being, and realign your heart, to Christ the author and finisher of our faith. For Christ himself always seek our Sovereign God in prayers, and much as the devil is the master of deceit, like Christ, if our hearts are grounded upon the Lord our God, the light of God will pierce through the enveloping darkness of delusion that the modern day hedonist are propagating.
The battle is now for the hearts and minds of our children.

'And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.'
              Revelation 20:10

And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.
              Revelation 20:15

Eng Hieang
23rd Aug 2012

Heart to heart #34 Kaleidoscope (15th Aug 2012)

Dear...

'That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God. For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries:
                1 Peter 4:2-3

I has been fourteen years since I had forgone my permanent residence status in Australia. And while never planned by me, our great God brought me back into His fold right after that. Giving up my right of residence in the "Lucky country," pales in comparison to a place in Heaven.
Salvation is God given, we work not for it, but we must work on it. And glad to say, by the grace of God, His Spirit has imbued in me the desire to seek Him with my all, much as I still struggle with my carnality.

'The Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.'
      Luke 19:10

Coming back to one's once familiar haunts after eight years is an interesting experience. Like a time warp, the familiar is interspersed with the new, at least new to the long absent me. The long dead proponents of the once "White only"policy for Australia will turn in their  yellow mud caked graves if they were to stroll down the busy streets of Melbourne. They will be forgiven to think that they were in China.

'I spread out my hands to You; my soul longs for You like a thirsty land.'
      Psalm 143:6

Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens  with the saints, and of the household of God,...'
          Ephesians 2:19

The passage of time and distance often make strangers of once comfortable relationships. Yet, with Christ as one's common focus, the warmth of Christian love comes naturally  as one reconnects in the body, albeit temporarily. And my wife and I are thankful for the two decades old friendships renewed and to our good Lord for making it possible for us to be in Melbourne to enjoy the fellowship in His presence.

But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:
                1 Peter 3:15

A kaleidoscope allows one to observe beautiful colorful patterns. It is a delightful yet simple gadget. As one commiserates about our individual journeys the past eight years, much as we live in a fallen world, there were many things to be thankful for. And it was because God cared about our every need. And when we learn to look beyond our circumstances to Christ the author and finisher of our faith, we will see and experience the beautiful tapestry that God continues to weave in our life. A heart that is fixed on God, becomes our kaleidoscope to observing His power and glory at work.

'O Lord God of Abraham.....keep this forever in the intent of the thoughts of the heart of Your people, and fix their heart toward You...'
        1 Chronicles 29:18

As I conclude my trip, the local media reported on the intent of the State Premiers of Tasmania and South Australia to legalize same sex marriage on the oft repeated argument that everyone should be free to live out their choice. I am reminded that this rationale was what the devil used to lure Adam to sin, to move away from dependence upon the Sovereign God. Man is made in the image of God. Can one  walk independently of one's shadow? Independence from God is enslavement to the devil, for our mind is self deceiving, and Satan is the master of  deceit.

And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.
              Romans 1:27

Fix our hearts  upon God and we will experience the beauty of His ways. Continue to turn from Him and indeed the fallen world is ugly.
Same sex and other acts of disobedience will be an inexorable tide, for it is an exercise of our sinful free will. But caveat emptor, because God loves us, He will discipline the disobedient, for not to do otherwise will mean one is lost to eternal damnation.

Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.
          Romans 1:32

As the summer months approaches next year in Australia, will she experience the mother of all bush fires? It is not too late to turn back to the Lord our God.

But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.
                1 Peter 4:7

God blesses

Eng hieang
15th Aug 2012