Colossians 1

As we read through the book of Colossians, we would understand Paul’s purpose of writing this letter which is to refute the Colossian heresy. Chapter 1 sets a crucial path in accomplishing Paul’s goal as he stresses on the Supremacy of Christ by exalting Christ as the very image of God (v15), the Creator (v16), the preexistent sustainer of all things (v17), the head of the church (v18), the first to be resurrected (v.18), the fullness of deity in bodily form (v.19) and being the reconciler to redeem the sinners from the eternal damnation (v.20-22). Prior to further discussion on the supremacy of Christ, I would like to kick off my insights and discussion from the thanksgiving and prayer as I believe there are some important and practical points to take note of.

Reading through the letters from Paul, Paul begins most of his letters with thanks or praise. It is a great reminder, whether or not if it is just Paul’s mere pattern of writing. Being repetitive, we can truly see the importance and the value of being thankful and praising our Heavenly Father. In verse 5 Paul mentions the three Christian virtues of faith, love and hope. We most probably can recall the Faith Hope Love that Paul mentions in the book of 1 Corinthians 13 where on top of all, Love is the greatest virtue. These three virtues are also mentioned in the book of Romans 5 and Galatians 5 and Hebrew 10. These three virtues are definitely not coming from humans, but God. Personally, I think that these three virtues are essential in a Christian’s life, they should be assimilated into every facet of our life to demonstrate what God values in his created beings.

Another character that caught my eyes is Epaphras (v.7). Throughout the Bible, there are many famous characters that everyone can recall and remember while we tend to forget some characters who do not seem to be as outstanding but I believe as long as their names appear in the Bible, they are bunch of AWESOME people. There must be something we can learn as I believe there is a reason for their existence or appearance. Digging into this guy called Epaphras, Paul addressed him a Faithful minister and his dear fellow servant. My research tells that Epaphras is a native and probably founder of the Colossian church, and an evangelist in nearby Laodicea and Hierapolis (4:12-13). Paul loved and admired him and Epaphras was the one who told Paul at Rome about the Colossian church problem and thereby stimulated Paul to write this letter. Epaphras comes from the Greek word of “Aphrodite”, the Greek Goddess of Love, suggests that he was a convert from paganism.

Verse 8 tells us that the Holy Spirit is the source of all Christian love. From verse 9-14, we see the urge from Paul informing the Collosians that he has been praying for them and asking God to fill them with the knowledge of His will through Spiritual Wisdom and Understanding. Biblical knowledge shouldn’t be stored as head knowledge only, but it should be practically demonstrated through Godly living. Catch phrase: godly in EVERY WAY (v.10). Few other values that Paul mentions are endurance, patience and joy.

Verse 12 carries a descriptive phrase that opposes another in verse 13. Kingdom of Light vs Dominion of darkness. Interesting?

The Supremacy of Christ

Perhaps this is one of the strategies that Paul uses to counteract the false teaching at Colosse (at the later chapter). He stresses and explains on the truth of Christ Jesus so that the Collosians can be fundamentally right on the fundamental truth. Paul talks about Christ’s supremacy in creation and in redemption. Christ is called the image of God which speaks of the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being. Thinking deeper, the image suggests that God is invisible (No one has ever seen God, even Moses in the book of Exodus only managed to see the back parts of God – refer to Exodus 33:20-23) and Christ is the eternal Son of God and who became the God-man, reflects and reveals God.

One interesting fact, “all creation”, “all things” and “everything” appear seven times from verse 15-20. This shows the supremacy of Christ.

Last but not least at the end of Chapter 1, Paul talks about the reconciliation brought by Jesus. Ever since Adam and Eve sinned, not only was the harmony between God and human beings destroyed, but also disorder came into creation. So when Christ died on the cross, he made peace possible between God and humans, and he restored in principle the harmony in the physical world, though the full realization of the latter will come only when Christ returns. However, we have to be reminded that the death of Christ doesn’t mean all are saved, but only believers, those who believe and place their faith in God. If not, what is the purpose of hell?

Verse 28, is a great reminder for all preachers of truth and leaders and you and me, “we proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ”.

To pen, I am thinking of the mystery that God hid and kept for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to us!!!

What is it? CHRIST IN YOU, THE HOPE OF GLORY!!!

How valuable? THE GLORIOUS RICHES!!!

It is the revelation of divine truths – once hidden but now openly proclaimed, that you and I have received! Praise God =)

I Nailed Him on the Cross

In evil long I took delight

Unawed by shame or fear;

Till a new object struck my sight

And Stopped my wild career.

I saw one hanging on a tree

In agonies and blood;

Who fixed his languid eyes on me

As near his cross I stood.

Sure never till my latest breath

Can I forget that look;

It seemed to charge me with his death

Though not a word he spoke.

My conscience felt and owned the guilt

And plunged me in despair;

I saw my sins his blood had split

And helped to nail him there.

Alas, I knew not what I did

But now my tears are vain;

Where shall my trembling soul be hid?

For I the Lord have slain.

A second look he gave which said

"I freely all forgive;

This blood is for thy ransom paid

I died that thou mayest live."

Thus while his death my sin displays

In all its blackest hue;

Such is the mystery of grace,

It seals my pardon too.

With pleasing grief and mourning joy

My spirit now is filled;

That I should such a life destroy

Yet live by him I killed.

John Newton

Father, may your word continue to convict, transform and empower me. That may the Gospel be the sound track of my day. I pray for a Cross-Centered life. Rooted in the Truth, more than merely seeking experiences with You. I pray for a conviction and commitment that will never falter, for I am saved only by Grace through Faith. Let Thine be the Glory, forever.

1.30am

It's 1.30am. My body is aching but my eyes are still roaming at people's blogs, from page to page and from people that I know to the anonymous.

I love reading blogs, especially individuals who amass and blog about their life, experiences, and journey with God. Many times, convictions, determination, encouragement and motivation are birthed just simply through picking the right pieces to read. At the same time, reading people's stories can actually help you to contemplate and ponder about life. However, every journey is unique and distinguished from one another.

So, what does your life sound like?

A Thought

This thought came across my mind and I halted and pondered. This may sound weird but it's true!

It's a random thought about Cars! Cars people!

Well, for majority students studying overseas, the main dishes that haunt you persistently will be mainly your accommodation, Uni days, homesicks, and just things that go about one's life. For Brisbane, public transportation has been innovative, modern and efficient, definitely if compared to KTM in Malaysia, not to mention the bumpy airconless steam-powered bus (sorry for exaggerating about the condition! Just couldn't help). I still remembered when we first came to Brisbane, King George Square, Roma St and Central Station are just like airport terminal. It's amazing to see the massive gap between the modernization and development between my beloved country and this GuiLao's place. Anyway, my point is that, as an international student, one will not really think of getting a car to zoom around, unless the place one resides is really inconvenient, or that one has just too much cash to deposit on. The downsides are that the car maintenance is exclusively expensive, parking fees cost you a fortune though the cars are mesmerizingly cheap.

Ok. Here is my thought. My friends and I have been blessed by many who drive. Isn't it great if someone give you a lift, cutting down your hassle of walking and catching the public transport, and send you straight to the destination. Deep down in my heart, I am so blessed and I am really thankful for you all (you know who you are :P). Therefore, the thought of getting a car has always been tugging at my heart (though foreseeably,it won't be occurring). For me, I want to serve people, especially the bros and sis in lifegroup and church. It just touches your heart so much to be able to stand in the need of someone. I think it is a great act of service, to bless others.

However, funny but true, if you are attached or engaged, the act of service might be disturbed. For once you might be fetching a full car of lovely peeps with Chris Tomlin singing Let God Arise, but the next moment, you will either be driving a person you are infatuated and fallen into with Elton John humming Can You Feel The Love Tonight or "Sorry, I am not heading home now. Can you follow XXX?" Or presumably, once you are fetching a full house of Guys, but the next moment, you are driving a full house of girls (your sweetheart's housemates or mates staying near your sweetheart) :P Isn't it amazing!

Well, for me, if I am blessed with a car, no matter what, I will bless others as long as my days are available. I believe my sweetheart then will understand :P Putting God's children first, loving God's people and seeing them being blessed, just warm your heart.

For now, I love Translink!

Little Updates

Hi People! Realize that I have been hiding myself from blogging, or perhaps blogging has never been something that I am really passionate of. Somehow I opt to be a blog reader than a blogger. You will agree with me of the pros and cons for both. Reading people's blogs can boost you, bring insights, encourage you, motivate you, trigger you to ponder and contemplate over life issues, and sometimes, to stalk people unnecessarily just to find yourself digging into the life of someone you probably wouldn't know. Having said that, blog is meant to share with others, if one would like to keep it private then keep it that way; if not, you are just exposing yourself to the world of technology.

My last post dated two months ago. Within these two months, eons have taken place. Being pushing myself to excel in my studies for the glory of God, not just living up to the recognition that I am a Scholar which doesn't really have its say, serving in Lifegroup, doing life with lovely bros and sis, churching, attended a worship night with Bethel Church from Redding, CA at Citipointe Church Brisbane, being through the final exams, tightened up my schedule especially for the planning of Campus Christian Movement 2011 as being the Events' Coordinator with a team of people to work with, meeting datelines, doing sponsorship drive, and of course doing some shoppings prior to my departure back to Malaysia for the summer holidays. Oh yeah, it has been crazy few months grabbing and hunting stuff on some Australia online shopping websites, credit to my shepherd who taught me so much not just along the line of spirituality, but how to hunt for good priced stuff. Apparently Catchoftheday.com.au has been one of the top listed website. The prices are amazing, not to mention the freebies caught online. Consequently, I found myself jogging my way to the Toowong Post Office week in and out to collect my parcel. Having said that, I love the place that I am currently residing in. With uncertainty holding back my dear housemate's future whereabouts, we decided to give it a go. Praise the Lord we managed to seal a new lease with no rental increment prior to Buibui's departure back to Malaysia. Everything is just in time. Signing a new lease basically means we do not need to worry about survival and accommodation headache upon returning from summer break. Apparently, Auchenflower is just one of the most convenient and sustainable place to live me. Let me throw you some lights upon this.

1. It is located at Zone 2. 5-10 mins bus trip to Brisbane CBD, where my campus is located. Amazingly, there are heaps of buses to catch, you don't need to rush and make yourself a fool chasing after buses.

2. 10 mins walk to the Church Office, which has been a place that I often patronize since God opened the door to serve in the worship ministry.

3. 2 mins bus to Toowong Village where grocery is done.

4. Jogging track stretching along Brisbane River down my apartment all the way from Toowong to Gardens Point.

5. 10 mins bus trip to UQ St Lucia where church is held weekly. There is direct bus to catch down the road to UQ, which means I do not need to change bus as I did for the entire 12 months in 2009 when residing at the old place.

6. Brisbane Basketball Incorporation with awesome indoor basketball courts is just a stone throw distance from my place. I can shoot hoops for free on monday, tuesday, thursday and friday!

Enough of my current updates. I will share more with what God has been doing and tugging in my life and heart for the past weeks, about my 21st Birthday, the Church Legacy Conference, being impacted by different ones as well as embarking on the journey of sweeping victories in God and cultivating the getting my nose digging into books and His words. I would like to see a different and fruitful summer holidays this round!

To then, Love!

Joshua Kong

Be Contented. Give Thanks.

If you were born with a Golden Spoon in your mouth, growing up perfectly fed and in your little round cosy bubble, getting everything you desire and thinking that your life is going to be forever smooth, have you ever pondered what your life will be and the significance of the difference it means if you were born in a less fortunate family?

If you have been grumbling, dissatisfied with what you have now, being never contented, not realizing how blessed you are, have you ever wondered if you were born in a destitute family, not even be able to secure an opportunity to study in the higher education or to say the least, you have to dream to have certain thing, that anyone else can get without much consideration?

What is this life, given to us, that we are never contented, admiring and have green eyes of what others possess?

What is the cry, for you to carry a Big W Bag while seeing someone holding a LV Limited Edition bag?

It is sick and tiring, if we need to be forever self-conscious, thinking of how others will think of us, how people judge us, how do I present myself in front of others, will I be mocked? Etc.

Bible teaches us that we are not meant to judge, for at the end days, there is only one who has the authority to judge the whole earth, none other than God. For we cant live a life to please everyone, but we can and should live a life that pleases God. When God smiles.

Strengthen yourself so that current will not swipe you away. Do not conform to the world.

Friends, Be Who You Are. And in ALL circumstances, Give Thanks to the Lord and Rejoice Always.

Racing for Time

I have to admit that I am not a frequent or hardcore blogger, but at least, I blog when the mood kicks in.

One day in His court is better than thousand days elsewhere. Sometimes I wonder, how long will be a day in His court? Time flies so swiftly before you realize. 6 man months gone, what have you achieved?

The 1st semester of my 2nd year was indeed tough and the result came swallowing you down. It wasn't that bad, or perhaps my expectation was higher? But still, I praise God for my result.

Every student's dream during holidays is to hid yourself in the blanket until the sun sets, plan for breakaway, hang out with dear Johns, or just have a life of simplicity. For me and some of my peers, we are totally on the opposite river. Day in and day out we are busy preparing and planning for events, conference, serving in Lifegroup, church, attending and chairing meetings and etc. But somehow, I found that inward joy bursting out, knowing that I am serving a Big Big God. I pray that my motivation, empowerment and strength will be all for him and from him, knowing that my labours in Him are not in vain. Frankly speaking, every meeting, every practice is fun filled. Everyone is excited. The spirit is just overwhelming.

I am now into a new page of life, especially in the ministry that I am serving in. Thank you so much Joseph for your encouragement and opportunity for me to serve as a little young drummer, with no experience and proper training, is a long milestone for me! Let me roll the beat for you God! Six Eight? Triplet?

The orientation and market day for Campus Christian Movement is just days away, harvest ground, here we come!

Daniel 1 Lake Wivenhoe Camping trip was one of my most enjoyable camps ever. You missed it if you know you were not there :P CCM 1st Inaugural Student Conference is 3 days away! High expectation for a fun and spirit filled Conference!

Last but not least, Amazing G Race on the 31st July! Wooohooohhhh!!! People, come join us in this wonderful event and see if you are amazing enough, or me! Gear up to the challenge and the fantabulous prizes are waiting for you!

For more information, visit http://ccmqut.blogspot.com/