Seeing Jesus In Our Daily Bible Reading

It has been a long while since I last updated my blog. Since our church started on the Daily Bible reading plan in March 2009, I was thinking : "Why don't I just blog on my daily readings with the objective of sharing what I see about Jesus in all my readings ?". For the week 1st March through 7th March, we were supposed to have read Leviticus 24 - 27 Numbers 1 - 9, Mark 10 - 13, Psalm 44 - 50 : 23  and Proverbs 10 : 20 - 30. 

In Leviticus, the final chapters deal, among others, on the topic of "Resting With God." The Jewish religious establishment developed complicated and rigid rules about Sabbath observance. Jesus also encountered legalistic attitudes from people who devoted much of their energy to strict adherence to rules. Instead of allowing Himself to become buried in sorting through the technicalities of religious life, Jesus defended doing good deeds on Sabbath as he stated, "My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I, too am working" (John 5 : 17). The Bible makes it clear that attitude and heart are much more important to God than keeping religious traditions. 

Chapter 25 also talks about the Year of jubilee i.e. to consecrate the fiftieth year and proclaim liberty throughout the land to all its inhabitants. The verse which appeals to me in Chapter 26 is verse 8 : "Five of you will chase a hundred, and a hundred of you will chase ten thousand, and your enemies will fall by the sword before you." The final cahpter of Leviticus emphasizes the importance of paying vows and tithes when they are due. Leviticus reminds us that there is always a price to pay when buying back somoeone or something. It is said to have been redeemed. That is exactly what Jesus did for us as his death is referred to as "a ransom for many" (Mark 10 : 45).

Moving on to the book of Numbers, we see a God of mercy who even in Old Testament times held His arms open wide for those who would turn back to Him. Jesus' sacrificial deathwould later personify that mercy and would also fully satisfy God's demand for justice. Consider that just as God promised to lead the Israelites into their promised land, Jesus has promised to be with us in our journey toward our own. Numbers 1 begin with the taking of a census. God knew that as His people made their way out of Egypt in search of the promised land, they would need a "map". 

God's map included travel instructions. Each individual knew his position with relation to his tribe (Numbers 2 : 3 - 33). Also, each tribe knew its position with relation to the larger community. Finally, the whole community knew its position in relation to God. In the very centre of the community, the people set up the Tent of Meeting, ensuring that God will remain the central focus of all activity. Every Christian is also on a journey, and it is vital on that journey to have a proper relationship both with God and with each other. As we travel along, Jesus is whom we have to imitate as we learn what He desires. 

Numbers 3 considers the family of Levites. Levi's descendants constituted the priestly line and were also a part of the Messiah's lineage through Jacob and Leah (Numbers 3). Numbers 4 talks about the Levites' clans and families whilst Numbers 5 talks about purity in the camp, restitution of wrongs and the introduction of the law of jealousy. Chapter 6 gives a definition of a Nazarite being a man or woman who wants to make a special vow of separation to the Lord. The most intersting passage for the week's reading is in Numbers 6 : 24 - 26 which is the Priestly Blessing or often called "A Blessing of All Time" : "The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace."

Chapter  7 continues with "Offerings at the Dedication of the Tabernacle" and chapter 8 on "Setting up the Lamps" and the "Setting Apart of the Levites". Chapter 9 deals with how the Israelites are to celebrate the Passover and the presence of God expressed as a cloud above the Tabernacle. When the cloud of His Glory settled down to cover the Tent of Meeting, the people stopped, set up camp and stayed put until further notice. When the cloud lifted from the Tent of Meeting, the people pulled up stakes and follow wherever it led them. 

Over to the New testament, for the week we considered Mark 10 - 13. The most significant part of chapter 10 which spoke to me is in verse 36 : "What do you want me to do for you ?". If Jesus were to appear before us this very moment and asked this same straightforward question, how would we respond ? In order for us to experience all that Jesus has for us, it is imperative that we first of all realise that we lack something and blind Bartimaeus knew that he needed his sight. The greatest commandment was given in Mark 12 : 30 - 31 : "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this : "Love your neighbour as yourself". There is no commandment  greater than these."  The latter part talks about the secret of giving when Jesus pay tribute to a widow's offering which to Him is more than all the others. Chapter 13 of Mark deals with the "Signs of the End of the Age". Reading these makes one think and know that indeed the Lord is coming very soon. 

In Psalm 45, this psalm was written to commemorate a wedding day. It is a picture of Jesus and His bride - the Church. This psalm ultimately points to Jesus, God's promised One - to Jesus the ultimate King who will reign for all eternity. Psalm 46 : 1 - 3 makes a good memory verse. Psalm 46 is one of the many psalms that refer to the "city of God". The author cleraly intended to remind us that wherever God is present, there is abundant reason for unwavering confidence. Psalm 47 - 48 are psalms of praise and exultation and Psalm 49 reminds us that no amount of money can ransom anyone from death. Psalm 50 is a psalm of Asaph on the soverignity of God.

Lastly, in Proverbs 10 : 20 - 30, we read about living our lives by "God's way". God's way is perfect - which makes sense because he is pefect. We all need help getting through life and God's Word provides all of the direction and correction we require. God's perfect instruction offers us the hope of a long and satisfying life, while ignoring God's Word and living life on our own terms eventually result in destruction and grief. 

In summary :

The verses that impacted me are :

1.  Lev. 26 verse 8 : "Five of you will chase a hundred, and a hundred of you will chase ten thousand, and your enemies will fall by the sword before you."
   
2. Numbers 6 : 24 - 26 which is the Priestly Blessing or often called "A Blessing of All Time" : "The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace."
   
3. Mark 12 : 30 - 31 : "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this : "Love your neighbour as yourself". There is no commandment  greater than these." 
   

What I learnt about God is that He is a Holy God and yet He is One who cares for His creation and especially us, the crowning glory of His creation. He is ever willing to bless us and keep us if only we continue to trust and obey. Even when we fail Him, He is faithful and true to His word because He cannot deny Himself.

How I have been inspired this week is to continually look to Jesus, the author and perfector of my faith that I may aspire to live a life holy and pleasing unto him.

My application is as per various exegesis of the passages above. This is the end of week 1 of my journaling for the Daily Bible reading. To God be all the Glory !

Guiding Bible Verse for 2009

In the hour leading to the end of the year 2008 and the beginning of the year 2009, my Senior Pastor, under the inspiration of God, shared with us a very appropriate Bible verse as our guiding verse for 2009. It is found in 2 Chronicles 20:09 "If calamity comes upon us, whether the sword of judgment, or plague or famine, we will stand in Your presence before this temple that bears Your Name and will cry out to You in our distress, and you will hear us and save us."  This verse is so appropriate that even its reference Chapter 20:09 represented the year that we are in now, 2009. 

For 2009, all of us whether rich or poor, Godly or ungodly, wicked or kind, will face challenging and difficult times ahead. When it rains, it rains on the good and the bad. All, irrespective of who we are, will be affected. Already, we are seeing many being retrenched, facing calamities (as in the case of my good friend who lost his wife and 2nd son in a car accident on 1st Jan 2009), war in the Middle East, famine, political unrest, etc. We do not need to be prophets of doom to predict that we are in for difficult days ahead. 

So, what posture should we adopt as Christians ? It is found in this verse in 2 Chronicles 20:09 -"We will stand in God's Presence before this temple (a church) that bears His Name and cry out to Him in our distress and God will hear us and save us." My friends, this is a year not to run away from God and church but may this be a year where we stand in His Presence in a good church which glorifies and magnifies His Name. We have to pray like never before and P.U.S.H.

(Pray Until Something Happens). 

When we do that, even as we read of God's deliverance for His people in the latter verses of 2 Chronicles chapter 20, God will Restore, Bless, Give us Breakthroughs, Peace and Turnaround our situations even as we put our faith and trust in Him and seek Him with all our hearts. In the end, we read that Peace, Joy and Rest came upon God's people.  May we too find Peace, Joy and Rest in God's Presence for the whole year of 2009. God Bless & Keep You ! Shalom...

Log In To God's Covenant Promise

In this modern age, we use PCs and have to "log in" our passwords in order to access the various programs or sites and gain usage. Similarly, in these troubled times, how do we "log in" to God and His covenant promise ? Remember that God is a covenant keeping God, and even in the best or worst of times, He is there with us and for us and His promises are "Yes and in Him, Amen !"

In the Bible, there is a story of a famine recorded in Genesis 26 for which Isaac was given specific instructions to follow. Although our current world financial crisis has not caused widespread famine yet, it can be likened to a financial famine for many especially to those who have lost their jobs and every asset that they ever had. Let us observe what God told Isaac and how He kept His covenant and blessed him even in a famine situation :

1. Do Not Rely On Old Ways Of Provision

The first instruction given when God appeared to Isaac during the famine was in verse 3 : "Do not go down to Egypt". The natural tendency for human beings in a disaster situation or when they face financial challenges is to "go to Egypt". We have borrowed before, just take a personal loan to tide over first, let's mortgage the house, let's emigrate to Australia, etc.

We do all things in the natural which seems to be the "right thing to do" and limit God to meet all our needs according to His riches in glory. God is a creative God. He can make a way where there seems to be no way. Trust Him with an open and renewed mind and He will come through for you.

2. Dwell In The Land Which I Shall Tell You

The second instruction to Isaac was : "Dwell in the land which I shall tell you". After this second instruction, God reminded Isaac that He will keep His promises as given to his father Abraham. In troubled times, we tend to worry and think : "Should I go for a better job ?, What if I get retrenched ?, I better save for a rainy day...etc". Most times, God will want us to just be still and stay where we are and know that He is God. Proverbs 3 : 5 - 6 reads : "Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths." There is a Chinese proverb which says that when you reach a crooked bridge, it will straighten out by itself. Choose whom or what you want to put your trust in.

3. Presence Of God Will Be With You

God assured Isaac that He will be with him when he sojourn and dwell in the land where He will show him. In troubled times, the Presence of God in us is our everything. We must learn to stay in His Presence in abounding and lean times. Most Malaysians and Christians alike have been so blessed that we only know how to bless the Lord and know His Presence in good times. May we be ever more sensitive to His leading and ever aware of His Presence in us.

4. God Blesses You & Your Descendants

The story in Genesis 26 continue to assure the reader that God keeps His covenant and reminded Isaac of His covenant with Isaac's father, Abraham. We may forget the promises of God, but God will keep His part of the covenant and fulfill it. Our side of the covenant is to remain in Him as Jesus is the fulfillment of all the laws, statutes and commandments. We are the head and not the tail and even in crisis times, God can still bless us and even transfer the wealth of the world (or unrighteous) to the righteous (that's us - the righteousness of Christ).

5. Do Not Cease To Sow

Whilst God is a covenant keeping God, that doesn't absolve us of doing our bit. In verse 12, Isaac sowed in that land and reaped in the same year a hundredfold. The LORD blessed him and the man became rich and gained more and more until he became very wealthy." In "famine times", we must continue to sow into His Kingdom (i.e. tithe) and work hard and we will reap a bountiful harvest. The world's system is one of borrowing and lending but God's Kingdom principle is one of sowing and reaping. I have heard of so many testimonies where even in economic downturns, the church's tithes and offerings went up and many are still blessed. I am not saying it will be true for all Christians, but He will meet all our needs, not necessarily our wants.

6. Reaping A Hundredfold

Consistent to the parable of the sower, how we sow will reap us the kind of harvest we will get. Those who sow sparingly into His Kingdom will also reap sparingly. Crisis time is a good time to exercise our faith. Give your dues to God and let Him prove Himself strong in meeting all your needs. Let us all keep the faith and reap a hundredfold like Isaac.

Look to God as He is indeed a covenant keeping God. God is with you, no matter what. Remain in Him and He will remain in you. He's got the whole world in His Hands and God is still on the throne. God Bless and have yourself a very blessed Christmas and bountiful New Year 2009 !

J.E.F.F. = Just Everyone's Favourite Friend

Yesterday, one of my church's pastors gave me a key chain in appreciation of my contribution in teaching the Beta and Precept-upon-Precept classes. The key chain has my name in short form : JEFF and the acronym stands for "Just Everyone's Favourite Friend". Boy ! If only that is true. As human beings we are full of flaws and has many shortcomings.

We also have our fair share of close friends or "favourite friends" but definitely this "JEFF" here do not measure up as "Just Everyone's Favourite Friend". Through the course of my life so far, I have had very good and favourite friends and then, there are those who are acquaintances, whilst some, you won't want to go near them. You know what I mean.

My hope and prayer is that when I am in contact with my friends or even strangers or new found friends, they will come away from meeting me and say : "Hey, Jeff is a friendly guy ! Enjoyed his company". There is still much room for improvement and it is my desire that everywhere I go and whomever I am in contact with, I will always leave a "good fragrance" i.e. the fragrance of Jesus Christ, that all may see and give glory to God. We are not perfect as the best of Man is still Man at best. May I take this opportunity to say "thank you" to all my friends out there and all those who have sent me SMS's and emails to wish me "Happy Birthday" recently. I appreciate all of you and may our friendship grow deeper and stronger in the days ahead. God Bless ...

Four Keys To Success

Hi ! It has been a long time since I last updated my blog. Been very busy at work and church. Just want to share something which I hope will help us experience success even in challenging times. Even as we go through so many challenges in life and amidst the chaos and turmoil in the world, here are 4 Keys to Success which are :

1. People of Vision - We are to be a people of vision, God's vision - in order to be people of success. In Numbers 13, Moses sent out 12 spies to survey the Promised Land and to give a report of what they saw. 10 spies came back with a negative report, but 2 spies namely Caleb and Joshua came back with a positive report that they are well able to take the Land. We are to see with "supernatural eyes" and not with our natural eyes. We are to see what God sees. You will see what you are looking for. If it is success you look for, then success is what you will see and the opposite is also true, that is, if it is failure that you see, then failure it will be for you. Remember that God has given us His Holy Spirit, and just as Caleb and Joshua are of a "different spirit", the One in us is greater than the one who is in the world. We are a people of vision and overcomers in Him.
2. Attitude - Our attitude determines our altitude. How high we soar or how low we sink depends a lot on our attitude towards life and people around us. When you see the right things, you believe the right things but if you are always having a negative attitude towards life, you cannot have what you hope to have. Your attitude will either push you to attain what you set out to do (just like Caleb and Joshua) or it will prohibit you (like the other 10 spies).
3. Presence of God - In Numbers 14 : 44, the ark of covenant which represents the Presence of God continued to be at the camp of the Israelites and we read that wherever they went, the ark of covenant was carried with them. If we do not have the Presence of God in our lives, it is difficult to have success especially in our spiritual battles. No Presence = No success. In Psalm 16 : 11, David wrote : "You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore." David always pursued the Presence of God, whereas for us now, we have the Presence of God in us. It is either active or dormant as we at times grieved the Holy Spirit and is not even aware that He lives in us. May we always be conscious of His ever Presence in our lives.
4. Prayer - Our most powerful weapon and key to success is prayer. When Abraham's servant was asked to look for a wife for Isaac, he prayed to God : "Give your servant success today." Whatever you do, and wherever you may be; whether in a meeting, doing a project, etc, just shoot a quick prayer up to God : "Give me success today, Abba Father".

May these 4 Keys to Success help you in your journey in life and give you peace.

Lunch With A Group Of Pastors

Today (19th Oct 2008), my wife and I were invited by our Senior Pastor, Ps. Chew to have lunch with him and Ps. LT Jeyachandran of Ravi Zacharias Ministry as Ps. Chew wanted me to send Ps. LT back to USJ 6 which is near Bandar Sunway where I stay. Little did we know that Ps. Edmund Chan and his pastors from Covenant Evangelical Free Church of Singapore were in town and they too were invited. All in all, there were six pastors who had lunch with my wife and I ! Awesome !

There were Ps. Chew, Ps. Chandran, Ps. LT Jeyachandran, and Ps. Edmund Chan, Ps. Tony Yeo and Ps. Fabian from CEFC, Singapore. What an overwhelming privilege it has been for me to be having lunch with God's anointed servants and in the brief one hour or so, I learned so much from these servants of God. From Ps. Edmund, I learned that it is a good practice to live not just within our means but below our means so that we have some to save and some to bless others. He also stated something which was profound : "To have freedom without maturity is lame" and "To have maturity without freedom is blind".

Ps. LT commented that in India, the Christians are suffering now although the Indian Constitution allows freedom of religion. This is because Indians do not know how to handle their freedom with maturity.

From Ps. Fabian who is a Worship Pastor, I learned that worship is not just an activity we do during the weekends when we gather but in every aspect of our lives, it should be a worship unto the Lord and we also opined that most worship ministries in churches today have deteriorated into "golden calves" to which Ps. LT commented that the songs that we sing now are about how much we adore the worship we give to God rather than just worship God and God alone.

Ps. Chew then asked the pastors how as pastors are we to address the congregation in the wake of the current economic/financial meltdown. To this Ps. Edmund commented that as a Pastor, he has always hold on to the principle of : "Nothing to lose, nothing to prove and nothing to hide." So, to pastors the current meltdown is not so much felt by them as they hold no stocks and shares but to the business people, it could mean a total wipe-out or almost half of one's assets being wiped out overnight.

So, as Pastors he opined that they have to feel their pain as well and point them back to the God of all comfort, the One who has the answers to life's problems, and assure them that God is still in control of every circumstances. There will be a new generation of poor but there will also be the next generation of the rich.

There were many other topics which we talked about but suffice to share here in my blog that it has been such a "blessed" afternoon for my wife and I. May God continue to use these pastors to build and encourage the Body of Christ ! Amen !

Words

With more than 8,000 satellites currently orbiting the planet, 2 billion or more cellphone subscribers and a trillion signals being transmitted from earth to the satellites and back, we live in a world where words, good words are hardly spoken to fellow human beings.

Our short messages (or SMS's) are really short and the more common ones are : "c u (meaning "see you"), r u gud ? (meaning "are you okay or alright ?"), etc. Kids hardly talk to their parents and vice versa. With so much technology which is supposed to "improve" communication, the irony of it all is that communication per se has degenerated to just a mere few words or short messages.

May we be wise with the words we speak to one another and may we as we see the picture above about "kind words" be not stingy with our words but have a right word to say for the right season and time. May we deposit the Word of Life (i.e. the Bible) in our hearts, for out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks. So, if we have nothing deposited inside of us we are just an empty vessel with no words to speak, get it ? So load up your "word bank" and let it roll !