Fool or Be Fooled

One can make himself/herself a fool for actually not knowing something that he or she thinks he or she knows.

We know that the Bible preaches the Truth. We know how precious the Word of God is. We know that only God is righteous and holy. But even some highly admirable preachers or people-pastors in the world often misquote the scripture or preach out of the context. It is sad but the saddest thing is when the people who hear actually believe the unsound preaching.

We must be wise in choosing whom we listen to and the books that we read in supplement to our belief of the Word and our walk with God. How can we be wise? The only way is to be soundly rooted in the knowledge and application of the Word of God.

Some preach the prosperity gospel. Ask them to preach the same message in the Forth World Countries that everyone should be rich and healthy. It is wicked. Some proclaim that Jesus is not the only way. Some preach salvation is through our works and we can work our way to gain. Some say mother Mary was a virgin her whole life.

Who gains out of our foolishness towards God's word? The devil.

It is not so much about labeling ourselves against Calvinism or Arminianism. It is about believing in what the Bible says! There is only one standard - God's standard, God breathed.

We can fool ourselves through our ignorance and shallow knowledge towards the Scripture. At the same time, we can fool the devil by equipping and armoured ourselves with deep knowledge and understanding towards the Scripture.

Do not Amen to every sentence that a preacher preaches. Amen only when you have welly digested and agree with the teaching.

Fool ourselves or fool the devil.

Fear God and read the Scripture in reverence and we shall gain wisdom.

How much do we know?

The Greatest Comfort

The greatest comfort is not how much someone else can cheer us up when we are down in spirit, or how much someone can speak words of healing into our broken heart when we are hurt, or how thankful we are towards those angels who give us a hand us in times of our greatest predicament or when someone else willingly shares our worries and burdens. The greatest comfort is knowing that God Is With Us.

In many parts of the Book of Isaiah, the prophecy about Jesus is made known. In Chapter 7:14b, "The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel." Yes! Our King Jesus Christ is Immanuel. The name Immanuel as we know means "God is with us". It is to convince us that God is able to rescue us from the downfall of this world and from our enemies. I believe there is a significant purpose for God to name Jesus "Immanuel". Most of the names of the characters in the Bible come with their specific meaning and if we examine the story of each character, his or her name is closely related to the life and who he or she is going to be.

We can't rely on human strength because we are imperfect and fallible. But our God will never fail. He is everlasting from eternity to eternity and even when the whole world collapses, He is still who He is. Regardless of the situation we are going through right now, there is Hope in Jesus. Big or small, He can handle all.

Psalm 23 - A Psalm of David

¹ The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.
² He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
³ he restores my soul.
He guides me in paths of righteousness
for his name’s sake.
⁴ Even though I walk
through the valley of the shadow of death,^[a]
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.

⁵ You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
⁶ Surely goodness and love will follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the LORD
forever.

The promise of God is that He is faithful and He will never leave those who love Him. In darkness or trial, His sovereignty rules.

Isaiah 59:1, "Surely the arm of the LORD is not too short to save, nor his ear too dull to hear."

Cry and look to the mountain, where our help comes from, knowing that our God is Immanuel.

To know the comfort, we need to know Him first.

The Moment

Recently there was this little clip of a Mobbed Wedding being widely circulated on Facebook. It was a magnificent one and I believe most girls actually cried after watching it. It is not just a mobbed proposal, but a proposal plus wedding. Indeed, if I were the bride, I couldn't even dare to imagine what might have just happened after the entire session. It gonna be like "Oh my gosh, yesterday I was still in a relationship and everything was just typical and normal, but now I am wearing a wedding ring and I am married!" It was indeed a massive and creative mobbed proposal plus wedding, and some titled it as the greatest wedding on the earth, greater than the Royal Wedding.

Looking from the perspective of the man, it was just incredible. I couldn't fathom how many hundreds of hours and effort he had poured in, not to mention the numerical cost that he had to fork out. Hundreds of participants, dancers, crew, relatives, band and best friends flew in from different states, and parents for both side were invited. Moreover, massive choreography was portraited. Can you imagine the time and arena for practice and just to get hundreds of people coming together for one purpose? It was like a show, so perfectly done from different angles as being a spectator deriving from the clip. I do hope that it is a real one. Aha!

Everything aside, I have to salute and respect the man. He so wanted to marry her, and that revealed how much she meant to him and how much he valued her. At the same time, I gotta say as a man, I "hate" him as he had set an incredible benchmark and standard and causing more women out there dreaming of their romance and greatly escalated their expectation. Guys, SIGH!

Everything and the tremendous preparation was all meant for the significant moments, the big flabbergasted "YES", "I DO" and the exchange of ring to officially married the couple.

Likewise for Christians today, the moment we accepted Christ into our lives, we are accumulating and working towards the second coming of Jesus. I hope we are preparing for that. Those things include attending Sabbath service, cell group, prayer meeting, personal devotional time, ceaseless prayers unto God, sharing the Good News in the streets, serving God in different ministries etc. When we know Christ, we find our life purpose. There is this moment that all believers should greatly anticipate, which is the return of Christ in glory. However, it is not mere "working" towards our eternity. The Bible says we are saved not by our works, but by Grace alone through Faith. It is putting the belief and trust in God alone, and developing that intimate relationship with God daily. It is about living on a transforming life and walking through the ups and downs together with Christ. It is about knowing the Creator and craving to dwell in His presence.

Looking at the man in the video, no word can probably describe his love for his fiancee and that was justified through his action. Today, where is Christ's position in us? Is Christ still the First Love, or has Christ ever been our First Love? Do we love our God more than anything else?

Luke 14:26-27 says: "²⁶ “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters—yes, even his own life—he cannot be my disciple. ²⁷ And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple."

Where is God's position in our life today? If Jesus is to return tomorrow, are we ready to receive Him?

Longing after You

"My dear Lord, I can but tell Thee that Thou knowest I long for nothing but Thyself, nothing but holiness, nothing but union with Thy will. Thou hast given me these desires, and thou alone canst give me the thing desired. My soul longs for communion with Thee, for mortification of indwelling corruption, especially spiritual pride. How precious it is to have a tender sense and clear apprehension of the mystery of godliness, of true holiness! What a blessedness to be like Thee as much as it is possible for a creature to be like its creator! Lord, give me more of Thy likeness; enlarge my soul to contain fullness of holiness; engage me to live more for Thee. Help me to be less pleased with my spiritual experiences, and when I feel at ease after sweet communings, teach me it is far too little I know and do. Blessed Lord, let me climb up near to Thee, and love, and long, and plead, and wrestle with Thee, and pant for deliverance from the body of sin, for my heart is wandering and lifeless, and my soul mourns to think it should ever lose sight of its beloved. Wrap my life in divine love, and keep me ever desiring Thee, always humble and resigned to Thy will, more fixed on Thyself, that I may be more fitted for doing and-suffering."

Taken from The Valley of Vision: A Collection of Puritan Prayers & Devotions, edited by Arthur Bennett

My soul longs after you. I have resolved that you are my one desire. Take this heart and make it whole again. In the midst of wilderness and as if the world has engulfed me, lift me out and pull me through. Show me your glory. What have I obtained? Who I am without you? Let me not drown in the tide of this world but in the sea of your grace. Yours forever.

Compromise

Compromise is a settlement of differences in which each side makes concessions. It might or might not require a mutual agreement or understanding.

In life, we compromise. Often when we find ourselves in a confrontation, the best way to retreat is to compromise. Football fans compromise their sleep by staying up late, to the extent of compromising their health and productivity in the following day. Businessmen compromise their integrity by adopting dirty tactics such as collusion and black market activity to maximize their profits. It can be quite frustrating when the surrounding environment has such an influence on us that we give in to compromise, even though it might not be our heart desire. We compromise often to our own convenience and benefit.

Everything aside, one thing that Christian must never compromise is one's relationship with God. In fact, God is not affected by our compromise. We are the one who receive all the outcomes. God is not affected when we love Him less. God is not affected when we lose faith in our prayer. God is not affected when we indulge in our sins. Perhaps we might think that God is upset with us, therefore, there is an emotional impact. The truth is that God is not limited. God is still able even when 50% of the Christians on this earth are wiped off. God still moves! God is not confined. We will always be the losing side if we compromise our relationship with God.

So, what are the areas that we need to watch out for?

1. We must not compromise Sin.

For God is holy, therefore sin is intolerable. Romans 12:1-21 talks about presenting ourselves as living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God. Do not compromise with sin or temptation. When we give in to temptation, sin welcomes us. The truth is that, either we face God and turn away from Sin, or we face Sin and we turn away from God. God and Sin cannot co-exist. Jesus took on the Cross, reconciled and brought sin to powerless. Sin shall not reign in a believer's life.

2. We must not compromise our Faith.

Faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. If we compromise our faith, we will not receive what we are hoping for. The greatest enemy of faith is doubt. Doubt confuses us and leads us to question God's ability and timing. When we lose our faith, we will lose all the promises of God.

3. We must not compromise the Truth.

The Word of God is our way and key to life. Knowing that it is infallible, we must not allow our enemy to destroy the Word of God. There are horrendous false prophets and teachers prowling for their victims and their number will increase as one of the signs of the end of world. Are we able to defend and uphold the Truth no matter what? For when we let go the Truth, we are alienated from God. Therefore, immerse ourselves richly and deeply in the knowledge and understanding towards God's word so that we will not be easily shaken in time of trials.

4. We must not compromise our First Love.

God must be our First Love, not our parents or our partner. "For anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son and daughter more than me is not worthy of me." Matthew 10:37. Is God the priority in our life? When we know God, we know love. The greatest love that can change and turn the whole world upside down is not the human ability to love, but the love that was made known on the Cross. The greatest definition of Love is therefore, 1 Corinthians 13.

5. We must not compromise our Body.

Our body is the temple of God and the Spirit lives in our body. 1 Corinthians 6:19. Do not give in to sexual desires. Do not commit adultery or pre-marital sex. God forbid it for a good purpose. More than that, couple who are not yet married should not live under one roof. If we do, we are pushing ourselves into temptation. When it gratifies, death it is.

The list of areas that we must not compromise is never exhaustive. But lets examine and learn from two Bible characters in the area of compromise.

1. The story of Esau.

In the ancient times, the birthright was a very important and sacred thing. It belonged to the first born and he would also receive a chief portion of the inheritance. More than mere physical assets, it was also a spiritual position of the people of God. For a pot of stew, poor hungry Esau sold his birthright and the blessings from his father went to Jacob. One fatal mistake is enough to kill. Never make a decision when we are in the lows. Recently there was this news in China where a teenager sold one of his kidneys in exchange for cash to purchase Ipad 2. It might not be the most WOW case, the question is not about 'what is next', but 'who will be the next?'

2. The story of Solomon.

King Solomon was one of the wisest men that had ever lived yet one of the greatest fools. He inherited everything from his father, King David and was greatly blessed by God. In his early years, despite his youth and inexperience, his complete obedience and faithfulness to God had ensured his success in the later years. However, as feeble as you and me, he fell and compromised God's truth and commandments. He led himself to his own failure. He trusted his own wealth and political power more than in God. Although he did not reject God entirely by continuing to worship God, he compromised the Truth by tolerating all sorts of paganism such as keeping a harem of 1,000 women and worshipping the idols. The book of Ecclesiastes clearly recorded Solomon's agony and reflection over his life, from the high end to the pitfall.

Think about that. Think about the areas in our life when compromise seems to be the only option, where is God's position? God can never be compromised.

Solomon's example clearly teaches us that compromising what God says is right and acceptable can bring a heavy costly price.

I am as weak, and I am still learning to grow closer and deeper in the One whom image I carry.

Conviction

What does conviction mean to you? What is conviction? Conviction means "the act or process of convincing", "the state of being convinced" or "a fixed or strong belief about something". It can also refer to "the state of being convicted of sin, or by one's conscience." Biblical Conviction means conviction or belief derived from and based on a commitment to Scripture, the Bible and the conviction affect him or her spiritually .

We need to be careful when differentiating generic conviction to biblical conviction. As a conviction is a convinced conscience, not all our conscience is flawless. Conscience is not a perfect indicator of right and wrong as our human conscience can be weak and defiled. Our convictions will not always agree because they are personal. However, if our convictions are grounded on the Scripture which is God breathed, our biblical convictions can guide us through many pitfalls in our life.

Conviction is nasty. Why is it so? Conviction can bring inconvenience at the time when convenience is most desirable. It can be troublesome as we are kind of being held back and unable to perform something. One's conviction can turn out to be a laughing stock of another person. Our conviction may not necessary be appreciated and valued by others. One's conviction can even cause misunderstanding between two parties.

Above all, conviction convinces us of our sin. It tells us the right and wrong. Everyone should have a set of personal biblical convictions in our journey with God. One who has no conviction is easily moved. When our conviction is challenged, our character is tested. Keeping and upholding a conviction isn't easy but as long as God is honoured, the soul is satisfied.

Our conviction should not be people-driven or environment-driven, but God-driven.

Along my journey so far, these are some of the convictions that I have carried and by God's grace, I will carry on... (Not in sequence)

1. I resolved not to speak any profanity.

2. I resolved that I will not skip/miss any Sabbath service as a result of my own agenda, God the priority.

3. I resolved to keep my virginity till marriage.

Some convictions I have adopted along the way through observation from others and as I am convinced by the teaching of the Scripture:

1. I resolved not to attempt illegal downloading.

2. I resolved not to purchase pirated goods.

3. I resolved not to jaywalk even though to my most inconvenience (when there is not even a car spotted). I rather wait.

I am convinced that little tiny things in my life that are not rightly upheld or practiced are the roots to bigger sins. I am still discovering many more convictions to uphold in my life.

So, how can we bring glory to God in every move that we make?

Do you have a conviction?

Interesting Thought:

1. Is there a testimony when we ran against the traffic or jaywalked as we rushed our way to arrive at certain destination for the purpose of serving God?

2. I download worship songs. I think God is pleased because I am a musician in church. I download for the glory of God.

So you think? :)

Contentment

"Heavenly Father, if I should suffer need, and go unclothed, and be in poverty, make my heart prize Thy love, know it, be constrained by it, though I be denied all blessings. It is Thy mercy to afflict and try me with wants, for by these trials I see my sins, and desire severance from them. Let me willingly accept misery, sorrows, temptations, if I can thereby feel sin as the greatest evil, and be delivered from it with gratitude to Thee, acknowledging this as the highest testimony of Thy love.

"When thy Son, Jesus, came into my soul instead of sin He became more dear to me than sin had formerly been; His kindly rule replaced sin's tyranny. Teach me to believe that if ever I would have any sin subdued I must not only labour to overcome it, but must invite Christ to abide in the place of it, and He must become to me more than vile lust had been; that His sweetness, power, life may be there. Thus I must seek a grace from Him contrary to sin, but must not claim it apart from Himself.

When I am afraid of evils to come, comfort me by showing me that in myself I am a dying, condemned wretch, but in Christ I am reconciled and live; that in myself I find insufficiency and no rest, but in Christ there is satisfaction and peace; that in myself I am feeble and unable to do good, but in Christ I have ability to do all things. Though now I have His graces in part, I shall shortly have them perfectly in that state where Thou wilt show Thyself fully reconciled, and alone sufficient, efficient, loving me completely, with sin abolished. O Lord, hasten that day."

Taken from The Valley of Vision: A Collection of Puritan Prayers & Devotions, edited by Arthur Bennett

Contentment is one of the greatest states of life if one can ever achieve. That is the state when the soul is deeply satisfied, rooted in the acknowledgement and the recognition from God alone and not from the world. It is a journey of counting the blessings, what we have instead of what we are lacking. The world is never contented with everyone trying to out-rule another mankind. If we drink from the world, we will be thirsty again. Those who drink from the living water, shall not thirst again.