It is Finished!

Love this saying indeed.

The Cross was the ultimate goal of Jesus’ life. He came to fulfill the will of his father. The Cross resembles his total submission, obedience and the work of redemption. On the Cross he traded our sin to be his, in other words, he who knew no sin became sin on our behalf. Hail, King of the Jews they shouted. Little did they know they crucified the one who bore their sin on the Cross. Some passed by and hurled insults at him and said “So! You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, come down from the Cross and save yourself!” Others joined in and mocked, “He saved others! But he can’t save himself!” I have no doubt Jesus can set himself free considering all powers and authorities belong to him, but I have no doubt also that Jesus chose to surrender to the will of his father. So one man lived his life for the sake of the world; one man died the death that no one could ever qualify or to replace. A far-reaching debt no one could ever pay, he paid with his life. A fallen world, a risen King.

Once for all, bringing the good work to completion. Someday we will rise and be lifted with glory, for those who put their trust in Jesus. Someday many will fall in eternal agony, names craved on the hell gate. On that day, when wealth, fame, power, appearance and success have no say of a person’s status. On that day, a Prime Minister and a beggar have no difference. On that day, ultimate justice will be upheld. Either way, up or down. But today, we can choose, before it’s too late.

Jesus knows his goal in life. He knows where he is heading. He knows his mission on earth. He knows his father’s heart. What about us?

“It is finished” is never an acceptance of defeat, it is the greatest shout of VICTORY in human’s history!             

Death to Endless Joy

Cemetery, graveyard. A place not so common to visit, unless for a reason. It’s where a man who breathes his last will head to, but no, it’s just where the physical mortal body will be buried. 

I believe all of us have some forethought – the kind of job we will want to take up, the kind of person we want to marry, the kind of house we want to live in, the number of kids we want to have, the kind of retired life we want to live … But, how many have thought about what kind of death are we going to die? Or who are we willing to give up our lives for? I’m not sure about you, but I have pondered about this before, and a visit to my grandparents’ graveyard on Good Friday morning has further triggered me to think twice about life and death.

First, I am willing to die for Christ’s sake, that is irrefutable considering what he bears for me on the Cross, and every breath that I take is a mouthful of grace from Him. Next, I am willing to die for my wife, my parents, my children, people that I love… Yes I know that it is easier said than done, but I believe if I carry this thought with me and should I face a situation that requires my life, I will not be as hesitant, and of no regret. Consider this society, in the news, from talk of the town, we often hear someone or so and so dies from accident, heart attack, sickness, playing too much computer games/online, overeating … I mean, there are a myriad ways to die. Several years ago, an uncle collapsed on the stage in the church while leading a prayer meeting, and breathed his last. What a way to die.

Let’s die for a good purpose. Let’s die leaving a legacy behind and not a rotten record. Let’s die for something far greater and not for oneself. We all live once, and die once. Since we have only one life, what is worth chasing after? Fleeting pleasures, building an earthly home, wealth and fame? It’s not about how we start, but how we end. Paul doesn’t have a good start, perhaps worse than anyone of us, he persecuted Christians, he called himself the Chief of all sinners, yet in the end he said “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.” ~ 2 Timothy 4:7

Remember today, the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords, the Son of God – Jesus died for you and me on the Cross, regardless if we know him personally or not. It’s done. It’s done for the sake of the world. Yet death could not hold Him down. He triumphs over death and darkness, and brings this hope and glory to those who place their faith and believe in Him.

“O Death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” ~ 1 Corinthians 15:55

Are you prepared to face your last breath?

St. Augustine used to say he did not know whether to call it a dying life or a living death, and I leave you the choice between those two expressions. This is certainly a dying life; its march is marked by graves. Nothing but a continuous miracle keeps any one of us from the sepulchre. Were omnipotence to stay its power but for a moment, earth would return to earth, and ashes to ashes. It is a dying life: and equally true is it that it is a living death. We are always dying. Every beating pulse we tell leaves but the number less: the more years we count in our life, the fewer remain in which we shall behold the light of day. ~ Charles Spurgeon

“I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies, and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?” ~ John 11:25-26

What Love Does

This is what love does: It lets the needs of the sinful men set His agenda, rather than letting His agenda limit how much He is willing to serve. So He took the Cross, bore our sin and transgression, laid down His life for us on the Cross. He did not let our sin limit His love for us, nor let our ability to pay back His love to cause Him to think twice, yet He called us – His people. He charged forward and pleaded, “Father, forgive them. They don’t know what they are doing”, and with that, set the greatest example of love in the history of mankind. He loves us anyway. ~ J.K. 2013

Your Labour IN the Lord is Not Wasted

"Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves FULLY to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain." ~ 1 Corinthians 15:58

Ever feel that what you have done is diminutive, too insignificant, that sometimes you feel discouraged and disheartened because no one seems to notice what you have done or laboured, not even a "thank you", "good job", "you've done well", "thank you so much for all your effort", "that blesses me!", "you are awesome", etc? Take heart! It has been clearly promised that "our labour in the Lord is not in vain". In other word it means "nothing we do for the Lord is useless or wasted". God sees it, God has it counted. If I put in another perspective, SIN, regardless of how small our sin might seem to be, God knows, and God has it counted. 

So cheer up! Everything that we do, regardless of how insignificant we think it is, it's never insignificant in God's eyes, as long as we DO IT IN THE LORD, FOR GOD. If we study, study for the glory of God, if we work, work for the glory of God. Be faithful. We work not for the recognition of man, but for the Audience of One.

A Gal's Promises Worth To Be Taken

I am a blogger and I love reading people's blogs. Sometimes I stumble upon interesting blogs, at times I stumble upon people who share their real personal stories, heartfelt feelings, complaints, opinions, plans, resolutions, determinations, dreams ... all sort of writings.

Last night I did my usual browsing, and read these personal promises from a blogger to her bf or future bf or betterhalf. So let me copy and paste.

1. I promise to make your growth my goal, and relate to you with sincerity and purity.
2. I promise to build close friendships with a group of you and not make any exclusive.
3. I promise to not be emotionally dependent on you but be honest and open in sharing with you about my life.
4. I promise to not feel jealous when you are closer to other girls than to me,and i will not try to intentionally make myself special to you/make you like me despite my desire to feel valued and special to someone.
5. I promise to put God in the center of our friendship,i will not try to leave you a good impression of me by holding back from speaking up when i see your life off track because i want you to love God more not love me more.
6. I promise to not give any misleading signals and if I do anything inappropriate, I give you the permission to correct me in love and tell me what I need to hear even though I may not necessarily like it. 
7. I promise to humbly receive help when you are being the gentleman God has called you to be, but also to be responsible to carry my own load and not take advantage in any way.
8. I promise to be a life-long learner so that conversations with me may add value to you in any tiny way possible.
9. I promise to not flirt with you in any way(if im ever capable to),whether is it laughing at unfunny jokes,or paying special attention to you and leading you on. Again, please be brutally honest with me if you have to in my inappropriate moments!
10. Lastly, i promise to not expect you to be exactly like (ahem) Edward Cullen/Josh Hartnett but I will learn to appreciate your own unique strengths!

Pretty cool isn't it? If you make those promises to me I don't mind marrying you. I think they are pretty solid commitments and resolutions, healthy and crucial in pursuing a God-honouring relationship yet not at the expense of the excitement one can look forward in a relationship. Being random here, but let me echo this post with some quotes regarding marriage from a book that I am currently reading.

God made the woman from a rib taken out of the man's side. Perhaps this was because she belongs at his side as an intimate equal and not in front of him as feminism would teach or behind him as chauvinism would teach. God said it best: "It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him." Thus, anyone who tells his or her spouse, "I don't need you" is in fact calling God a liar. ~ Mark Driscoll in Real Marriage

Marriage is more than your love for each other. It has higher dignity and power, for it is God's holy ordinance, through which he wills to perpetuate the human race till the end of time. In your love you see only your two selves in the world, but in marriage you are a link in the chain of the generations, which God cause to come and to pass away to his glory, and calls into his kingdom. In your love, you see only the heaven of your own happiness, but in marriage you are placed at a post responsibility towards the world and mankind. Your love is your own private possession, but marriage is more than something personal - it is a status, an office. Just as it is the crown, and not merely the will to rule, that makes the king, so it is marriage, and not merely your love for each other, that joins you together in the sight of God and man. ~ Dietrich Bonhoeffer - Pastor, Theologian and Martyr, a letter written in his prison cell in Nazi Germany. 

True friendship involves healthy conflict and hard discussions as God reveals sin and repentance, and reconciliation takes place. ~ Mark Driscoll in Real Marriage 

Board to Glorify

Today I had an opportunity to play basketball with a bunch of high school graduates who are attending 3 months short term mission school at a local theological school. I am glad to see young teenagers giving up their precious 3 months of holidays for a greater purpose and eternal investment while waiting for their public exam (SPM) results to be released. Many of them who joined the short term mission school actually came from other towns or cities. My heart is blessed as I know it’s hard to find young people who are sold out and having that burning passion for Jesus, in view of the pattern of this secular world filled with temptations and excitements. Graduated from university with most of my time invested in the student movement, I couldn’t be more convinced that the best years to give to God is when one is young, energetic, kicking strong and vibrant – teenage years & uni years. Praise God for this bunch of youngsters, may God bless and guide your step ahead!

Later on, on the same court I joined a bunch of adults for another game. Not sure about other places, but it’s on this court that someone will lead a prayer prior to the commencement of every game and often some pastors will be joining, and surely not to forget that there are non-believers participating as well. I love playing on this court because it’s the place where no harsh languages are allowed, no spitting and people play with good courtesy and attitude, as the pastor who joined today led the prayer said “Let us play with grace and joy, and may God be vivid in every facet of our lives, that we will glorify God in all that we do.”

Love the basketball board – “Glorify God” as painted. This is how we shine.

Speak Faith

Dedicate this post to a friend who is battling through faith crisis, and perhaps many out there. 

I know it’s tough, and I will never fully understand what you are going through but let me speak faith into you. The turbulence that I have gone through in life might not be as huge as yours, and the storms that hit me might not be as raging as yours, but the same faith from the same source is that one thing that can sufficiently soldier us through. Trials might come, but never allow trials to rob our faith – that one thing we all need to live through every day filled with uncertainties and challenges.

You might have a hundred and one questions that you would like an answer from God, uncountable grudges and complaints buried deep down in your heart or you literally cried out day and night unto God yet He remains silent, not even a single word being whispered. You might feel that God is so distant, and what had happened seems to contradict tremendously with the just and gracious God that you grew up knowing, especially when you begin to look around and compare your situation to others, those who seem to sail on smoothly without beating through the waves of life, and good things come prospering to them without much toiling. And you question God if He is truly the Jehovah Jireh – the God who will provide, when is he going to grant you the special request you have been asking for a dinosaur years.

Let me be honest I am just like you, too many times I stood at the crossroad asking God a thousand questions, to a point I asked God what does he really mean by “God does not show favoritism.” With my partial understanding and finite knowledge, there is just too much unfairness and unjust in everything I demand an answer. For instance, I once questioned God why not everyone being born with a silver spoon in his mouth, that there will be no comparison, there will be no jealously, there will be no embarrassment, they will be no hatred. That everyone will drive the same big SUV and live in the penthouse. I once questioned God why not let everyone live healthily, that there will be no sickness, no illness, that there will be just pure happiness without a milligram of sadness. I once questioned God why I put in so much effort in certain things yet achieved so little, while others who took it lightly attained much more. Travelled to a first world country and returning to a developing country, I questioned God when is he going to uphold the justice he promised, that why the wicked and corrupted seem to enjoy the riches while the poor remain poor, being violated in their every right and punished for what they don’t deserve. And a very personal experience, something I thought I have secured and given yet it was taken away during the most intense and crucial period of my uni life, messing up my initial plan and left stunned, shipwrecked. Till today, too many whys I asked. Too many tantrums I have thrown. Sometimes I walked away unsatisfied with God. But despite all that, when I truly looked back and pondered, I would like to quote what Mark Altrogge once said, which I fully concurred, that when I became a Christian, I signed on for an adventure of trust. Like getting on a roller coaster without seeing all the drops, dives, twists and turns ahead. I signed on with no idea of the blessings I’ll receive, afflictions I will endure, fruit I will bear, friends I will make, enemies I will face, places I will go, ways I will change. No idea of how God will humble or lift me up. Not knowing details in advance. Not knowing, not knowing, not knowing. All I have is the Scripture, everything that being said. The whole chapter of faith in Hebrews 11, what the ancients were commended for, like Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going. It is said that many were commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised, since God has planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect (Hebrews 11:39). Is your encounter the worst ever? There’s always someone else, the least to say, Job in the Bible.

Sink or fight. Sink into self-pity, sadness or turmoil or fight to hope in God. Tell ourselves that we will again praise God, that the story isn’t over yet. Keep up the devotion. Keep reading the word and repent on our unbelief. Romans 10:17 says, “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.” We dwindle in faith when we neglect God’s Word. Rehearse God’s promises. Recall God’s past faithfulness in our lives. Get back into fellowship, encourage and build up one another. Surely, it’s hard to praise God in tough times. But, tough praise is still praise – to the one worthy to be praised despite the changing seasons in life, for he deserves it all.

We don’t know how Jesus will get us through storms, but we know he will. We don’t know how he’ll provide, but we know he’s the one who can multiply loaves and fishes. I’d have fainted if I’d known the many onion-layers of sin God would peel back and change. If I’d known in advance all Jesus would take me through I might not have signed up. This is why Jesus doesn’t give us the details but says, “Trust me.” ~Mark Altrogge.

So my friend, don’t lose faith. Have faith in the unseen. Whatever you are going through, remember that our Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit (Psalms 34:18). For me, I have learnt the art of losing myself in his unfailing love, unchanging truth and unwavering faithfulness. I am convicted that, for now I see only a reflection as in a mirror; then I shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully (1 Cor 13:12). Remember, every cloud has a silver lining. God will bring you through for He loves us. I am praying for you. I never know, may be one day I need your prayer, and speak this to myself.