From Prison to Palace or From Sodomy to ...?

The symbol of justice as in the picture has been internationally recognised as the icon of law and justice. Of late, in Malaysia, we really do not know what is right or wrong, what is truth or a lie anymore. The recent sodomy allegations against the de facto Opposition Leader is one such episode where we witnessed the 'ugliness' of politics and the deceitfulness of man in full swing.

There are so many theories of this "sodomy episode" ranging from an old theory being re-hatched, a conspiracy to stop Anwar at all costs, a self-concocted act, etc and the list goes on. Whatever it is, as responsible citizens of Malaysia we cannot be indifferent anymore. We have to make a stand and stand we must on grounds of righteousness, justice, peace and deliverance for a safer, peaceful and prosperous Malaysia.

These 3 months have seen major shifts in the political scene and we are sick and tired of all these political charades. There are even postings on the internet that the country is no longer a safe place anymore nor is it a good place to invest. In the absence of knowledge of the whole truth, we as mere citizens can only discern with our spirit and whatever little wisdom that we have, on who the "bad guys" or "good guys" are. We need to pray like never before for God to deliver Malaysia from the current mess.

And this is my prayer : "If Anwar is innocent of these allegations, may he rise from prison to the palace (Putrajaya) but if he has indeed committed the act, may justice be served...".

My take is that Anwar was like Joseph of old in Genesis 39 where he was wrongly accused of seducing Potiphar's (his master) wife when in actual fact Joseph was the victim here and he ran away from Potiphar's wife for fear of God. Joseph was thrown in prison but God was with him and he later interpreted Pharoah's dreams and was made Prime Minister over Egypt.

May this Bible story be Anwar's as well and may we see his change of position from prison to Putrajaya with a caveat (i.e. if indeed he has turned over a new leaf and is innocent). May God help us all. Let us P.U.S.H. (Pray Until Something Happens) !

Life For Sale

A Briton living in Australia has agreed a bid of more than £192,000 after putting his "entire life" up for sale on e-Bay following a split from his wife. Ian Usher, 44, who left Darlington six years ago, included his house, car, job and friends in the online eBay auction, in an effort to make a fresh start.

The lot attracted a peak offer of 399,300 Australian dollars (£192,276) when bids closed early on Sunday. Despite expecting higher bids, Mr Usher said he had "no regrets". Up for auction was his three-bedroom home, in Western Australia's capital Perth, and everything inside it, including his Mazda car, motorcycle, jet ski and parachuting gear. He also sold an introduction to his friends and a trial run at his sales assistant job at a rug shop.

Mr Usher decided to cut ties with his current life after realising almost everything reminded him of his relationship with his wife of five years. He said: "I've got some ideas. Once it's finished and confirmed, I'd like to do some travelling. I'd like to go to the top of the Eiffel Tower, it's one of a huge list of things I want to achieve."

What Mr. Usher did may not be the norm and borders on being eccentric. In a split-up, to remain bitter or better is really a personal choice. He chose to “sell his life” to start afresh but there is a better way. The Bible in 2 Corinthians 5 : 17 states that : “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” We can have a fresh new beginning in the Lord Jesus Christ

He is also our Good Shepherd who cares for us (His sheep). He cares for the broken-hearted as a Shepherd tends his sheep. In Isaiah 40 : 11 we read : “He shall feed His flock like a shepherd; He shall gather the lambs with His arm, and carry them in His bosom, and shall gently lead those with young.”

The Lord Jesus Christ offers us life and life more abundantly (John 10 : 10). We can cast all our cares on the Lord Jesus Christ for He cares for us (1 Peter 5 : 7). In Isaiah 55, The LORD says, "Come, everyone who is thirsty--- here is water! Come, you that have no money--- buy grain and eat! Come! Buy wine and milk--- it will cost you nothing! Why spend money on what does not satisfy? Why spend your wages and still be hungry? Listen to me and do what I say, and you will enjoy the best food of all. "Listen now, my people, and come to me; come to me, and you will have life! I will make a lasting covenant with you and give you the blessings I promised to David (a former king of Israel)”.

Why sell your life when you can come to the “Life Giver” Jesus Christ ! He will give you fullness and newness of abundant life in Him. Come my friend to the Living One ! He can give you new life. Amen !

Broad Way or Narrow Way ?

Last week, one of my Bible class students asked me : "What does it mean by the "Narrow" way ?" and in a hurried moment, I just explained what I could to her at that point in time. Well, now that I am relatively free, this topic is worth "blogging" and here is an exposition of the "Narrow" way.

The Bible in Matthew 7 : 13 - 14 states : "Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it." Jesus was continuing on His sermon on the Mount, better known as the "Beatitudes" or "Beautiful Attitudes" and this teaching on the narrow and wide gates are an extension of His teaching.

Have you ever wondered why Hollywood is also called "Broadway" ? What values do we get from Broadway ? We have movies like "Sex & the City", values on "it is okay to kill, steal, sleep around, lie, cheat, etc..." being churned out from the Hollywood factory. No wonder the Bible says that "broad is the road that leads to destruction". How true it is in today's society to follow the "Broadway" ! We want to be rich fast, we want an easy life without the hard work, we want immediate gratification to our wants. All these are elements of the broad way that one chooses.

The way to Jesus is a through a narrow way or gate. Why is it a narrow way ? Because it is a road less traveled and one which is not filled with rose petals and everything nice. The way of Jesus is one of being an overcomer. It is narrow because it talks of "focus". When it is narrow, we can focus on Him alone and be not distracted by the things on either side of the road along the way.

There was a rich young man who asked Jesus : "Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life ?"

Why do you ask me about what is good?" Jesus replied. "There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, obey the commandments."Which ones?" the man inquired.

Jesus replied, " 'Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, honor your father and mother, and 'love your neighbor as yourself.'

"All these I have kept," the young man said. "What do I still lack?". Jesus answered, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me."

When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth.Then Jesus said to his disciples, "I tell you the truth, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God."

When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and asked, "Who then can be saved?"Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.

Peter answered him, "We have left everything to follow you! What then will there be for us?"

Jesus said to them, "I tell you the truth, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and many who are last will be first."

Jesus said in John 14 : 6 "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me" and in John 10 : 9 - 10 "I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out, and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full."

Friend, enter into life, abundant life through this narrow gate for Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life. Amen!

See Jesus, Serve Jesus, Speak Jesus !

A Leader's Credibility

In recent days, we have seen many leaders who have lost their credibility by virtue of the things they said, do or did not do. They seem to be like the "Transformer" in the picture, transforming from a leader with the people's interest at heart seemingly, to one who are careless with their words and actions.

The Bible in Proverbs describe such leaders as messengers :

"An unreliable messenger stumbles into trouble, but a reliable messenger brings healing."
Proverbs 13:17 NLT

Peter Kuzmic wrote :

"A credible message needs a credible messenger because charisma without character is catastrophe."

We are not short of leaders who are good orators and charisma and I think you know who I am referring to. However, as Peter Kuzmic rightly pointed out : "Charisma without character is catastrophe." Does Malaysia needs another "charismatic leader" ? He may turn out to be a "charis-maniac" and be puffed up with pride once in power. That is the curse of leadership in this country. Do the acts and words of the so-called "government-in-waiting" or the present government reflect the very manifesto of a people-oriented agenda or is self-interest the order of the day ? When the so-called leader acts, does his deed reflect on the country or people he represents ?

Similarly as Christians, we are Christ's ambassadors and therefore his messengers. Too often we think that the message we preach reflects our faith. However, on a much deeper level it is the message of our everyday words and actions that are influential. We are the letter from God that people read. We become unreliable messengers when we speak crudely, gossip about a neighbor, or act dishonestly. May we not be like the leaders of our day but may we raise the standard for God and pray that He will raise God-fearing leaders who will lead with credibility, integrity and much wisdom.

Our words and actions reflect God, who lives inside us, to people who never open a Bible or enter a church. Never forget that you are an ambassador for Christ and a messenger of hope. Ask his Spirit to empower you to deliver the Good News with your life and words.

LORD, thank you for allowing me to be your ambassador. Let my message be honest and true. Help me to encourage others and to go out of my way to speak a kind word. Forgive me for times when I have spoken without thinking. Let me live in such a way that my words and actions represent you so that my message may be one of love and hope.

The “Fu-Bu” Culture : Re-emergence of “Jezebel Spirit”

In the Sunday Star newspaper recently, I read with disbelief an article written about a disturbing culture/trend amongst young adults and teens today termed as “fu**-buddies” (censored) or in short “fu-bu” culture. In the Wikipedia, the term "fu**-buddies" is defined as a term to describe a type of casual relationship (sexual). These are young adults or teens who engage in free sex with different partners and even same sex partners who are not at all afraid of sexually transmitted diseases as they claim : “We take precautions you see !”

These “fu-bu” practitioners are not from broken homes but most are from highly respected families, professionals and would you believe it, the more aggressive ones are the girls who have no reservations at all in buying the guy a drink, inviting him over for a full night of sex romp and often ending up in an orgy which could be easily arranged via a few short messages sent via the mobile. This is indeed frightening and what comfort does it give parents with teenage kids who may be susceptible to such bad influence ?

I believe this “fu-bu” culture is the re-emergence of the “Jezebel spirit” in our midst as prophesied and forewarned by many modern-day prophets like Chuck Pierce, Cindy Jacobs, etc in recent times. Who is this “Jezebel” ? In the Bible, we read from 1 Kings 16 : 30 “Ahab son of Omri did more evil in the eyes of the LORD than any of those before him. 31 He not only considered it trivial to commit the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat, but he also married Jezebel daughter of Ethbaal king of the Sidonians, and began to serve Baal and worship him. 32 He set up an altar for Baal in the temple of Baal that he built in Samaria.”

Jezebel was a “seducer” and married King Ahab who turned from the worship of Yahweh (God) to the worship of Baal (idolatry, witchcraft, sexual promiscuity, etc). She engineered the slaughter of God’s prophets and the Bible further described how King Ahab was so influenced by her in 1 Kings 21 : 25 “There was never a man like Ahab, who sold himself to do evil in the eyes of the LORD, urged on by Jezebel his wife.” What is this “Jezebel spirit” ? It is the embodiment of sensualities, self gratification, sexuality, lust, witchcraft, manipulation and everything to do with the flesh.

Even in her dying moments before she was killed, guess what Jezebel was doing ? She was making up to look pretty even in death ! We read this in 1 Kings 9 : 30 - 33 “Then Jehu went to Jezreel. When Jezebel heard about it, she painted her eyes, arranged her hair and looked out of a window. As Jehu entered the gate, she asked, "Have you come in peace, Zimri, you murderer of your master?" He looked up at the window and called out, "Who is on my side? Who?" Two or three eunuchs looked down at him. "Throw her down!" Jehu said. So they threw her down, and some of her blood spattered the wall and the horses as they trampled her underfoot.

In the last book of the Bible, Reveleations 2 : 18 - 25, Jezebel is mentioned again prophetically when the Church in Thyatira was admonished for tolerating her :

"To the angel of the church in Thyatira write:
These are the words of the Son of God, whose eyes are like blazing fire and whose feet are like burnished bronze. I know your deeds, your love and faith, your service and perseverance, and that you are now doing more than you did at first. Nevertheless, I have this against you: You tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess. By her teaching she misleads my servants into sexual immorality and the eating of food sacrificed to idols. I have given her time to repent of her immorality, but she is unwilling. So I will cast her on a bed of suffering, and I will make those who commit adultery with her suffer intensely, unless they repent of her ways. I will strike her children dead. Then all the churches will know that I am he who searches hearts and minds, and I will repay each of you according to your deeds. Now I say to the rest of you in Thyatira, to you who do not hold to her teaching and have not learned Satan's so-called deep secrets (I will not impose any other burden on you): Only hold on to what you have until I come."

We are in a spiritual battle dear friends. A battle against the evil forces which robs our teens and young adults of the sanctity of marriage, which robs them of having sex the proper way i.e. in marriage and which stirs them to want immediate gratification to meet their sexual urge and lusts. There are many bad consequences for the "fu-bu" practitioner. He/she will never ever be satisfied again with just one partner and even if they do get married, the marriage in itself would only be ceremonial. There is no joy for the groom in discovering that the one he has married is indeed a virgin. He would possibly be wondering how many men has my wife bedded previously ?

For the woman, the wedding night would no longer be sacred and it would be just another "night of sex", only this time with my legally wedded husband. What if the husband could not satisfy and what if the husband still practices "fu-bu" ? What chance does this marriage has of survival ? And it has been medically proven that for such ladies to conceive, the chances would be slim as the abuse to their body in the sex romps prior to marriage would render her to have a weak womb and reduce the production of eggs in the ovaries.

My prayer is that this "Jezebel spirit" be removed and that the practice of "fu-bu" be totally eradicated. Join me as we pray against this in Jesus' Name ! Amen !

Power Of A Father's Prayer - Happy Father's Day

A story was told of how one Elsa Sturit Kint's father who have been constantly praying for her and her cousin's safety reluctantly sent them off to sail on the maiden voyage of the ship "Titanic" to America. Here is her story :

Saved by a Stamp
"God's answers to prayers can affect generations to come. In fact, if not for His gracious answers to a prayer offered many years ago, my children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren would not know His blessing today. The story is simple. My cousin Mirea and I wanted to visit friends in America. Sensing that we would not abandon our grand idea, my father sent us on our way with heartfelt prayers for our safety.
Our trip across Europe took several days. Finally we arrived on the western shores of England. But as we prepared to set sail for America, we were told there was a problem with our papers. Officials at the immigration office said Mirea was missing a stamp on a paper that would allow her to leave the country. We would have to stay in England for another week until Mirea's papers could be corrected, they said.

Mirea and I went to the steamship office to ask if we could exchange our tickets for a ship leaving later in the month. The man at the window was glad to make the exchange. He was sure he could resell our berths. People were eager to sail on the maiden voyage of the Titanic. As we wandered back to the hotel, Mirea and I were disappointed that we had to stay in England. But, when the news reached us a few days later of the sinking of the Titanic, we both began to cry, in sadness for our lost shipmates, but also in relief, realizing how close we had come to death ourselves. God, in His mercy, had answered my father's prayer for our safety with something as small as a missing stamp. How good is God! (Elsa Sturit Kint)".

Even as I read the story of Elsa, how many a times I thank God that He has answered my prayers as a father when I prayed for the protection of my kids, their healing, their studies, etc and indeed He has been a good God. Even as we celebrate the fathers this weekend on Father's Day, may we remember our Heavenly Father God who loves us and gave His only begotten Son Jesus to redeem us back to Himself through His sacrifice on the cross. Oh, what love..Oh, what grace the Heavenly Father has lavished on us that we should be called the sons and daughters of God !

Happy Father's Day to all Dads out there !

Remedy For "Heart Failure"

Man is getting very jittery and nervous nowadays due to the uncertainties of life and prevailing harsh conditions in the world. For those who just survived a typhoon, a change in weather conditions to a stormy day will get them scrambling for shelter. Yet, for those who survived an earthquake, the slightest rumbling in the deep of the night will send their hearts fleeting fearing another big quake.

For those who are affected economically by rising costs of living and unemployment, we fear for our future and how far our next dollar will bring us. Man is literally dying of "heart failure" as fear grips them. The prophet Isaiah described Man in fear as such :
Isaiah 13:7
"Because of this, all hands will go limp, every man's heart will melt."

Even the Psalmist David described his "heart failure" as follows :
Psalm 40:12
For troubles without number surround me; my sins have overtaken me, and I cannot see. They are more than the hairs of my head, and my heart fails within me.
Psalm 38:10
My heart pounds, my strength fails me; even the light has gone from my eyes.

But there is hope in God and as the Psalmist David turns to God, he proclaimed :

Psalm 73:26
My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

God will strengthen us again. We need not fear as He will carry us through the storms of our lives. Ultimately, whatever grips us and whatever plans there are in Man's heart God's purpose will prevail.
Proverbs 19:21
Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails.

God's promises are "Yes" and in Christ "Amen !". He will not fail us nor forsake us. As written in Joshua 23:14 "Now I am about to go the way of all the earth. You know with all your heart and soul that not one of all the good promises the LORD your God gave you has failed. Every promise has been fulfilled; not one has failed."

The prophet Isaiah wrote :
Isaiah 35:4
say to those with fearful hearts, "Be strong, do not fear; your God will come, he will come with vengeance; with divine retribution he will come to save you."

Yes, God will come and save you. Do not fear or be dismayed, for God is the strength of your heart. Keep your focus on Him. He will carry you through.