ANCHOR IN HOPE

I've been on boats numerous times out fishing in the seas off both east and west coast. Once I got into bad weather and it was dark at night. The captain of the boat decided it was best we head back to dock. But prior to that, amidst the rough seas, we were doing alright although all I could see was just the sky and the water but not land because of the rocking boat in high waves. None of us were concerned because the captain of the boat wasn't worried. He had his anchor down. Though tossed by the strong waves, we held our ground.

Anchor is something that holds a boat in place. Without an anchor, the captain will never be able to stay in a fixed place at sea. When a boat is anchored, the captain is relaxed. Though the waves and winds may buffet the boat and the under currents may drag at it, the captain is not worried. His boat is tied to the anchor and his boat will not drift. If your life is like a boat, you must ensure you have your anchor with you at all times. It's fun to sail the seas and experience the openness and sense of freedom and adventure. But never forget the anchor. Bible says "hope is the anchor of our soul". If we were to keep us from drifting, form being overcome by obstacles; if we were to reach our dreams, we need to anchor ourselves in hope. Without hope we will never be able to overcome to reach our destinations.

Hope is that happy expectation that something good is going to happen. Your morale is high when your hopes are high. But when your hopes are dim, your morale will take a dive. For 430 years the Israelites were living in bondage in Egypt. There was no prophet and God hadn't spoken. It was a dark period in Israel's history. Their morale were at an all time low. Then God broke His silence and connected with His people through Moses, the chosen one. Seeing the presence of God before them and watching the God of the universe at work on their behalf, their hopes returned. Their morale shot up. They were looking forward to the deliverance of God and a promised land. God gave them hope and they anchored in hope.

When the winds and waves and the under currents of life were tearing at David, he turned his hope towards God. He anchored his soul in hope. Many times, it wasn't faith he needed. It was simply hope.

 "Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God for I will yet praise Him, my Savior and my God" (Psalm 42:5).

"Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from Him" (Psalms 62:5).

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit" (Romans 15:13).

What happens when you anchor in God? Joy and peace will start flowing and you will overflow with hope. There will be this happy expectation that something  good is going to happen. Your faith will kick in for faith cannot work without hope (Heb 11:1). Before we bid farewell to 2018, let me exhort us with these words: "And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love" (1 Cor. 13:13).Faith cannot work without hope. Hope (the happy expectation that something good is going to happen) cannot be without love. Bible says God is love. When you anchor your soul in God, when you hope in God, you will experience the greatest love story ever! Let's anchor our souls in hope, in the God of hope and let joy, peace and overflowing hope be our portion for the year ahead of us. No matter the wind, no matter the waves, no matter the undercurrents, let us all, like David, hope in God. Let us put our anchor down. For those of us who are anchored in hope, let's too not forget to check is we are still tied to the anchor of hope. God bless.

Q & A

A disciple once came to a Rabbi asking. "Why is it every time I come asking questions that you would answer my questions with a question?". The rabbi answered, "How then shall I answer?".

Answering questions with a question is something that's not unfamiliar with  our Lord Jesus. Facing off the Pharisees and teachers of the law in Matthew 15:1-3 who asked why Jesus's disciples would break the traditions of the elders by not washing their hands before a meal, Jesus answered with a question: "Why do you break the command of God for the sake of your tradition?" Answering a question with a question has value in it. There is more value in teaching a person how to fish than merely providing the fish.

When a question is asked, a process is started. The process is more important than the end product. I read about a farmer who once produced the best fruits in the market. Year after year he would focus on the packaging, the volume and the distribution of the fruits. Then came a time when the demand for his fruits began to dwindle. By the time he realized his mistakes he had already made his losses. While concentrating on the fruits, he had forgot about the trees. As long as the trees kept producing fruits he was satisfied. But trees need tending to in order to produce better harvest. So yes. If God were to answer your questions today with a question, be grateful. Growth is a process. Learning is essential for survival. The process is just as important as the product. One can never end without a starting point.

Asking right questions start a process that will lead you to better answers. It's not better answers we need today but rather better questions. I am of the opinion that is why Jesus answer questions with a question. One of the manifold blessings of God is this: we don't know all things. God created the universe for us to explore. How can we explore, uncover, understand, solve mysteries, unless we seek answers. And how then can we seek answers if not for questioning? Last week I spoke on "Asking right questions". Here's the gist; learn to ask right questions. Cos better questions lead to better answers and you will only have answers to the questions you asked ☺

MILLENNIAL

I just had a very interesting talk with my close friends who are pastors of different churches  over current church matters. The subject of discussion was on the millennial (born between 80's and 90's) and their thoughts on church life. A forum was started live on church stage followed by Whatsapp and I had the opportunity of reading some of the texts. It was interesting reading about their struggles. Most of the participants were born into Christian homes and had the opportunity to study overseas before joining the work force back home here in Malaysia. It was a thought provoking experience for me.

I'd like to share my thoughts here today. I'm neither claiming to know the answers nor am I being judgmental. If at all, I am seeking cos I am well aware of the log before my own eyes. So here goes.

First off, Bible says there's nothing new under the sun. What has been will be again; what has been done will be done again (Ecc 1:9). In other words, what the millennial are experiencing today is the same as what the previous generations experienced in their time too. The context of this world vastly differ comparing the now and then but the woes are but the same. We call it growing pains. I had them too.

Secondly, one of the millennial hit the mark. His/her comment is that "youth today are a very "packed base" generation. We are like wolves, we travel in packs, and we are attracted to people just like us". (My comment: same with my generation too). Herein lies one of the main reasons why some youth choose to leave their home churches. Friendship. Friendship are bonded in schools. When school ended friendship mostly dissolved as each move on from common ground to uncharted grounds. It's a heart retching time having to lose your BFF along the way but it's unavoidable as each move on to different colleges and universities locally and overseas. There new friendships are once again bonded and again for a short but crucial years. College life ends and working life begins. The whole process repeats. Only this time it's a different playing field. Let me just stop here.

From the chat group I see millennial feeling kind of lost during  all those transitional times. Back home in church they couldn't connect  although church is not unfamiliar ground. I guess that "packed base" mentality kicks in. They looked to join their packs wherever they are.  Friendship seems to be their focus. Perhaps here is where we need to pause and re-think or rather ... re-focus on what church really is. And this bring me to my final thoughts.

All of us are in church for different reasons, some of which are very personal in nature. Whatever the reasons, church as we know is not a club. Although it is a place where people gather, church is a spiritual organism. The life of a church is centered around God. The temple in Biblical days was set up for the glory of God. It's all about God and as the people gather together in the name of God and for the glory of God, they partake of the fellowship around the "table of God". IF we can grasp this truth, then no matter where you are, Jesus will be sufficient for you. BUT if you are a consumer (making church about you) then Christ won't be sufficient for you and you will wonder around churches trying to fill that void. The early church experienced the same problem. One such example is circumcision. The church was told that believing in Christ alone was not enough. They needed to be circumcised too.

Bottom line: whether you are a millennial or a Y or Z generation, remember .. there's nothing new under the sun. What has been will be so you are not exclusive to this pressure in life. Secondly, look beyond being a consumer in church. If church is all about you, then you will never be fulfilled no matter where you go. And finally, not just you but the generation after you (your kids) will also face the same growing pains you and your previous generations faced. To deal with this phase of life, we simply need to RE-FOCUS. The supremacy of Christ is more than enough for us. We can grow where we are planted. We are not wolves but sheep. We just need to look out for one another and remind each other that Jesus is more than enough for us no matter what, where, when or how :-)

THE COMING STORM

Jesus told us that in this life, we will have troubles. It doesn't matter if you are a Christian and profess to have faith in God. The fact of life is there will be storms in life and it will come, be it personal, financial, health, or physical. Storms as we know can be rather destructive. It can wash away that which you have built perhaps your whole life. Can we survive the storms in life? I believe so. We are tougher than we think. A preacher once said, "A man can do what he cannot do when he has to do it". We have had miraculous stories of how people survived literal storms both on land and in the open seas. Why do some succumb while others strive? What does it take to weather a storm and come out of it stronger?

Jesus gave us a clue when He gave us the parable of the wise and foolish builder (Matt. 7:24-27). It's all in the foundation. You build you house on rock, not sand. We need something solid. In the Bible, Jesus is the foundational rock that we are to build our lives on. He said in Matthew 16:18 that He will build His CHURCH upon a rock, referring to Himself. And here's the revelation. Our foundation to weather storms in life is His church which was built upon Jesus.

Church is not a social club, or a business corporation although many run church as such. The church that Jesus built is a FAMILY. Because of Jesus, today we have an extended family. I thank God for good worship. I thank God for good preaching. I thank God for good programs. But these aren't church. Church is FAMILY. Family is relationship. Family look out for one another. Family support one another. The church exist for two reasons. One is to declare the glory of God. The other is to support one another. In other words, you and I, we are to facilitate people's relationship with each other and with Jesus. We are to "love our neighbours as we love ourselves". Church is not a place to take care of number one (me). The church is a BODY that consists of many parts and each part needs one another. You cannot be a Christian and say, "I don't need church".  Jesus didn't come to die just for you and you alone. Like a seed, He was planted that we might be a family.

People do need people. Life is not a journey you must walk alone. The road ahead of us could be treacherous. Out of the blues a storm may come. Maybe a storm is brewing right now. If our foundation is built on His church, then we know we can weather it. Today, I give praise to God for Vineyard. I do pray that we will all truly understand and embrace what church truly is. With this God given foundation, we can weather the storms ahead of us. Let's be the church Jesus wants us to be. A place to CONNECT, a place call to call "home".

GOD! I AM A PRIEST!

GOD! I AM A PRIEST!

Suppose you were back in the Old Testament times. Given a choice, which tribe of Israel would you want to belong to? Here's a hint. Of all the twelve tribes, only one is not allowed to own land and properties because it's been set apart and dedicated to only serve God. Born a Levite your career path is already drawn up for you!

While this particular job may or may not be the choice of the majority, the truth of the matter is, the entire welfare of Israel depended on the spiritual welfare of the Israelite. If Israel remains faithful to God and  observe all the ordinances of God, the windows of heaven will remain open and God will continue to pour out His blessings and be their shield. But if they were to turn away from God, then God will turn them over to their enemies. To keep Israel from straying off its path, this is where the tribe of Levi matter.

Coming back to the New Testament and to the present, the apostle Paul wrote; a body is made up of many different parts. Suppose you are to choose, which part of the body would you want to be? The eye? Nose? Right hand? Hair? Ear? How about the little pinky toes? I am sure majority would want to be the eye ... way up there to be seen and admired (ooohh those eyes!) or the hair (ooohh those groovy hair!). I don't remember anyone commenting ... ooohh those gorgeous toes. But truth be told, though way down at the bottom and kept "hidden" most of the day, the toes are a rather important part of the body. Without them we will walk funny. Every member of the body is important and necessary to remain wholesome and healthy.

Back to the Old testament. The role of the Levites are utmost important. But their jobs are not necessarily pleasant. Imagine having to daily slaughter animals for sacrifice, cleaning up the blood after! This is a gruesome and dirty job but someone had to do it. Then there's this packing and unpacking of the Tabernacle on the move and being in the front line of the battle fields. The job may not seem glamorous but it's the life line of Israel. God took care of the Levites. They were God's special possession! In today's context, all of us are Levites. 

"But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light." (1 Peter 2:9).

While we are spared from animal sacrifices, nevertheless our jobs are not easy either. As God's royal priesthood, we have the responsibility of inviting friends and co workers to church, greeting people, praying and encouraging others, helping and serving the next generation in children's ministries. In God's eyes we are His priesthood. Like the Levites, we have a sworn duty towards God and towards the welfare of His church. We have responsibilities. We are called to serve, not to be served. We are called to minister, not seeking to be ministered. Sadly, in today's context, church members seek to be ministered to instead of ministering to others. They come to receive, not to give. They have forgotten they are the royal priesthood of God.

The apostle Paul started his ministry as a tent maker. He worked to support himself in the ministry. You and I, we are the royal priesthood of God. We all are priests. Don't matter if you are an electrician or an accountant, a doctor, a waiter, an engineer, a full time house wife, etc. Like apostle Paul, we work to sustain ourselves in the ministry. You may be a waiter. Serving tables is what you do to sustain your priesthood. As an accountant you crunch the numbers to sustain your priesthood. Everything you do you do to sustain your priesthood. In the eyes of God you are but a priest. What do a priest do? He ministers. The priest don't come to the temple to be blessed. He come into the temple to bless. Over two thousand years ago, Jesus the high Priest came NOT to be ministered to but to minister. He came not to be served but to serve, to do the will of His Father. He has set the example. We are to emulate Him and do our part.

Being born again we (like the Levites) were born into a family of priesthood. That's our identity. That's who we are. May not be what we have asked for but that's our portion, our calling. We must not deny ourselves. We cannot be a fish out of water. God saved us, called us and gave us a purpose. Regardless of who we are or what we aspire to be, we are .. "His chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light." 

Doing our part and fulfilling our priestly ministry, we are in fact ministering to God. Someday we will be in "Canaan land". Till then, let's keep the church going strong and healthy. The path before us may not be easy. But together as one body we will make the difference. 

A LITTLE LOWER THAN ANGELS

"In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you" (John 14:2).

This earth that God created is not meant to last forever. The earth is part of a solar system which in turn is one of the tens of billions of solar systems within the great milky way. And our milky way is just one of the hundreds of billions of milky ways in the universe. The universe is God's "house" and God is preparing His house for us! TALK ABOUT THE FUTURE!!! Yahooo.....

God is perfect. In His perfect nature God created the heavens and the earth and God shaped man's body out of the dust of the earth and breathed His life into the lifeless body. Adam, the very first man on earth, became a living soul. From out of Adam's bones, God created Eve. They were the first of the human race and God created them according to His likeness.  At the end of the sixth day of creation, God looked back and said it was very good. He didn't say it was PERFECT. He said it was very good.

We have this notion that since God is perfect, everything He made therefore must also be made perfect. While He could have made all things to perfection, He chose to man make a little lower than angels. What is good in not necessarily perfect. In fact, nothing in creation is ever perfect. Only God is and only God can be perfect. In His perfection He crafted creation to be "very good". You can see from garden of Eden. Eden wasn't the size of a planet or a country. It's a garden. Outside the garden is the rest of the earth where later Adam and Eve had to tilled the land in order to survive in it. While Eden may seem perfect, the earth was not. It was, in God's own words, "good". And Adam and Eve were made to be "very good", short of perfection. That put a lot of things in perspective. You see, God's got a master plan (wink ... smile).

Everything God made was made according to pattern. Don't just see earth. See universe. See the big picture. It's no wonder they say, "life is bigger than you". We live our lives, build our homes, store our treasures, as if we are going to live here eternally. We make no plans for eternity although we believe in the prophecies of God. We live life routinely with temporary goals but no eternal values. We don't think death until we hear its footsteps coming towards our door. We dwell in self gratification instead of doing right by the Kingdom of God. We know Jesus is returning soon and His second coming is imminent yet we live like He's not due for another hundred years or so. We care more about the earth's environment than the eternal destination of souls. Love for animals matter more than love for souls. We think church is more important that the harvest fields. Made in the image of God? Yes and indeed we are. Still reflecting His image in a darken world today?

Since creation wasn't made to perfection, we need to search the Scriptures and understand what's ahead. Else the things we do is but a chasing after the wind. Take for example ... SAVING THE EARTH. While I agree the earth's health is going south, it's important to do what we can to slow the process (I said slow). Earth too need saving but it won't be by human efforts since we are the ones that's the cause of the problem in the first place. It will take Jesus during the millennium reign to heal the earth. That also will be for just one thousand years before the planet disintegrates. With the advancement in technology, inventions, social media, etc the world had not gotten any better but rather worse. The human race has not improved. I am not being pessimistic here. Jesus forewarned us of the coming tribulation that affect both the physical earth and the human race. Things will not get better. Our refuge is in God and in embracing the signs and the warnings. Take heed and be watchful is what the Bible suggest.

So what do I do in the meantime? Fold my arms and do nothing? Give up? On the contrary. Knowing time is short and Jesus is returning soon, we should be more diligent and strive harder to do things for betterment, be it saving earth or stopping wars. And knowing what's coming, we need to major on that which really matters. And that brings us to THE question. WHAT REALLY MATTERS? Money? Health? Fame? Power? Human rights? Save the sharks? While many things in life matters, eventually we will have to face the only one thing that unavoidably and truly matter. Death. What then? Our lifespan pales in comparison with eternity. Yet we are more caught up with the present than with eternity. What really matter to us (who are saved by the blood of Jesus) is to be greeted by our Master and to hear Him welcome us with utter joy, "Welcome home my good and faithful servant". We may not be made perfect and I think that's God's ingenuity. Our imperfections caused us to explore, to extend, to improve and to discover our Creator and His awesome universe! This itself is a story worth telling. In fact, this is our mission and purpose. Do you honestly believe we still have lots of time to tell the greatest story on earth? Jesus is coming back soon.

Don't see earth. See universe! Don't miss out on what God has prepared for us! The day of perfection will come. Though not perfect, we are to have the attitude of striving for perfection. Jesus is coming soon. We have a story to tell. And people love to hear a good story.

John 14:2-4 NIV

My Father's house has many rooms; if that were not so would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you ? [3] And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. [4] You know the way to the place where I am going."