Messages of Hope and Love

One year...

noreply@blogger.com (Casey) — Sun, 19 Oct 2008 02:03:00 +0000

Fascinating.

It's as if God himself brought me back to this blog exactly 1 year after my last entry. I was brought to read this again after receiving some weird comment last month on an entry about katanas and the sword of God early 2007. Well, you can go ahead and read his/her comment; its the weirdest I've ever received. The focus of the article was about 'Using the Word of God', which I related to the katana, as the word of God is often referred to as being as sharp as a two edged sword. The reader obviously missed the whole point of the blog entry.

Since my last entry, I've gone through one of the toughest times in my life. I would not be able to cope if it wasn't for Jesus' love for me, projected through my dearest Rowena, my church members and close friends.

My journey of faith suffered the most enormous setback ever.

It's ok to be honest to God. He understands.

But I don't want to be. Perhaps I want to sit there and blame someone for the circumstances I was caught it.

I still believe in Jesus.

But like someone close to you who promised you something but failed to deliver, you get hurt and withdraw your presence.

---

I don't even know what will happen to these collections of sharing. I doubt many people are impacted by reading them anyway. If they fail to serve the purpose, perhaps its time I take this blog down. Or should I just leave it here? Perhaps someone out there needs to hear my thoughts?

Hmm, maybe I should write a book. Always wanted to. I'd probably be the only one reading it though. Might get famous after I've died. Who knows. :)

Do you REALLY believe?

noreply@blogger.com (Casey) — Thu, 18 Oct 2007 16:12:00 +0000

"Many christians try to put God into this box," said a older christian friend of mine.

"The bible speaks clearly about how God is a rich a prosperous God; how He is a gracious and loving God. Yet many christians take an extreme view on one or two scriptures and end up limiting God in their beliefs."

---

I have been thinking about my conversation with him. About how true his statement is.

What were we talking about?

Well, we were actually talking about the gospel of grace, and how many well meaning christians are against it.

"Yes, the grace of God is needed for salvation, but after that we have to do good deeds to work out our salvation"

I can just hear people saying this to me. Or perhaps they might quote to me a scripture about doing good deeds. Or maybe they might say something like this:

"Yes, God is rich and all, but I don't think its right to hear so much about the prosperity message. God makes us poor to humble us; He provides just enough so that we won't be proud"

Hmm. Sounds familiar. Religious people don't seem to like prosperity at all. Might even tell you money is evil. Which is biblically incorrect. Well, well, well, then why are they still using money now?

"Yes, God heals, but we have to find the will of God in this first. We don't know the will of God for this sick person. Maybe it is God's will for him or her to be sick"

Now this is a classic. Fantastic phrase to quote when you are praying for the sick. Very comforting indeed. I wonder if thats how the Bible tells us to pray?

Excuse me for my sarcasm, but you can tell that I get pretty annoyed with such statements. You see, I strongly believe that we actually LIMIT God with our unbelief; with such statements. Which ironically, is the greatest sin (remember the garden of eden?)

Anyway, first and foremost, as I have established in my last post, your good deeds cannot bring you salvation.

Ok - now you're going to quote me some scripture about working out your salvation. I can sense it. Strongly.

Now let me ask you to pause for bit and think about it. Lets get it straight. If you believe that you are saved by grace (which is biblical), then why do have to work out your salvation after? Doesn't make sense does it? H-E-L-L-O!

Secondly, in reference to the 'prosperity message', if you think that God is poor, then speaking about a prosperous God is wrong. Ok, let me ask you a question: Is God, almighty God, rich in heaven? (pause) Now, if God is your father (also biblical), and He is a rich, rich God, then you being the son/daughter should be rich too right? H-E-L-L-O!

Lastly, the worst statement is about God's will in someone who is sick and suffering. Now the bible says in John, that when we see Jesus, we see God the Father as He is. Tell me, well meaning christians, was there even ONE person whom Jesus did not heal? From my knowledge, even those who merely touched his clothing were healed. Now don't you tell me to find God's will in sickness. God's will is to heal all. Perhaps we are limiting God again and putting him into our box of restraints from our personal experience.

Why not choose to believe the Bible 100%? What's the point of being a half past six christian? Why not just believe?

I know it is not easy, especially when you are going through something in life, like I am now.

But I choose to believe. 100%.

I'm not going to limit God or put him into this box.

And Jesus said to him, "If You can? All things are possible to him who believes."

Mark 9:23 NIV

The choice is yours.

Lost Focus

noreply@blogger.com (Casey) — Mon, 15 Oct 2007 12:08:00 +0000

It's been a long, long while. I know I named this blog - Messages of Hope and Love. Sounds corny, but that was the initial idea of the blog: - to motivate people into believing that there is Hope and Love out there. Initially I also wanted people to be able to share their testimonies and so forth, but I've been so busy with my own life, getting sucked into the rat race and juggling family commitments all at the same time. It's pretty harsh. It's also quite draining - but work has been rewarding. I don't think I'll be able to work in another industry that can allow me to impact people's lives in a such a unique manner and earn good income at the same time.

"It's a ministry that pays well," I thought.

However, not everyone thinks so. I guess my industry is littered with people only interested in themselves, putting their own interests first, forgetting that it's not just about the money - it's about impacting people's lives as well. Which is why I have chosen to train the next generation in a way that we can change the way people have viewed my industry in the marketplace. I'm going to make a difference. Watch me.

OK. So you still may not agree that I am in ministry. I can just imagine people in utter disagreement. But I don't really care. I know that God has put me in this line of work for a bigger purpose - for a reason. A reason that differs from others. Would it be unimaginative of God to give people the same exact purpose?

Alright - let me get this straight. In case many of you don't know the Bible speaks about this. I'd like to quote from Mark 16:15-16

He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.

Mark 16:15-16 NIV

One thing is for sure. We have ONE main purpose. We should have ONE focus. How it is achieved is different for other people. It's the GOOD NEWS. What is that? Often, we talk about how our good deeds and so forth is the good news. We often think that by telling people where they have gone wrong is the good news. Often we speak as if we need to get right with God before going to church as the good news. Or maybe we talking about how good our life is is the good news. But it's not.

The Good News is just this:

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him."

John 3:16-17 NIV

It's the simple believe of admitting that we have done wrong (even if you think you haven't you have-ask your mother/father if you think otherwise), and that we believe that the only way to eternal life is by believing in Jesus. Not anyone else; certainly not yourself. Not your good works or good deeds. Not your charity. Not your donations. Not your money or your status.

Now let me share you another scripture that shows you that there is no other way.

"Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved."

Acts 4:12 NIV

Thats right. No other way. Only by His grace.

A christian is simply someone who believes in Jesus for his salvation.

It's really that simple. So why not you believe Jesus right now? No one else in the world or certainly no other religion has ever claimed that He is the only way. The choice is yours.

When hope seems far away...

noreply@blogger.com (Casey) — Wed, 15 Aug 2007 11:04:00 +0000

It's been a long journey.

I wonder if it'll ever end.

I wonder if life was different, how it would be?

The light at the tunnel seems so faint now.

Where is the light?

I know there is light at the end of the tunnel - but will I reach it?

What if I don't make it to the light?

Will it come to me?

###

God be the solution.

What else is there to hold on to?

Jesus...

You are my hope, my trust, my saviour, my healer.

There is nothing else to hold onto in this world.

Jesus...

###

Trust in the LORD with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding;
In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall make straight your paths.
(Proverbs 3:5-6) NKJV

Persecution...

noreply@blogger.com (Casey) — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 17:11:00 +0000

It's expected. Everyone will face persecution. The bible clearly states so - if you are a christian you will face persecution. We face persecution just by being christian.

I never really understood persecution in the spiritual aspect. I'm blessed to be living in a country where there is some partial form of freedom to choose what to believe, at least for my race anyway. Now I don't like to use the word 'religion'. To me, religion equates to what you are doing wrong, and how you should be doing right - laws, rules and regulations to holiness. Let me firstly clarify - christianity is NOT a religion. Now I could go through this point of mine, which many might differ, but I would be deviating from my topic today. I guess I'll have to leave that for another blog.

I believe that people in countries where there is a strong control of beliefs face constant and dire persecution if they are christian. I guess none of us would really understand that unless we have experienced it some form or another. And as a result, I took Jesus' words for granted when he spoke of persecution. I guess I couldn't really relate. Life has been pretty swell for me in this area. Where I did face persecution however, is in my work - and I didn't imagine it would be so strong.

In my line of work, I face alot of persecution, disappointments, discouragements and disrespect. I knew I was in for a difficult job, one which people won't really respect you for what you are doing; a line of work whom people seem to disrespect without any proper reason. What upsets me I suppose, is how people can belittle you for just telling them what you do for a living. Amazing. I realised that this happens in social events, amongst friends, and even in church (*GASP*). It hurts even more when you know and believe in what you do is really helping others.

Honestly, I usually get pissed. My usual response isn't very friendly. However, the more I thought about it, the more I felt I could start relating to those who were being persecuted for what they believed in. This is when God brings me to the story of Jesus in the gospels. He himself, who had no sin or wrongdoing, was being persecuted for no reason whatsoever. This shows me one thing - you can go through alot of tribulation for no apparent reason at all.

I guess the problem isn't me or my work. It's people. It's no wonder we all needs salvation.

---

Sincere apologies that I have no scripture reference in this blog - it's just a random response to series of events I have been experiencing that I thought I can share.

Time to get back my heart

noreply@blogger.com (Casey) — Tue, 20 Mar 2007 03:46:00 +0000

So much to write about, so little time.

Since my last blog, many things have come to happen and pass in my life. Though it has only been about 1 month, the plethora of wisdom I've obtained is immeasurable. Sharing my life with another personally and intimately has brought me closer to truths that I never saw if I was alone. You see, you have to know the truth, before the truth can set you free.

John 8:32 (NIV) says:

Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.

This morning as I was driving to work, I received my weekly scripture sms on my phone. I had a read of it since I was stuck in rush hour traffic. It spoke about worrying. Yeah, God, I get it. Don't worry. Thanks. I didn't really think much about it till I heard the exact same quote in a random Ps Prince sermon I was listening to on CD titled 'What it means to be dead to sin'.

Now that got my attention. Thats twice in a row. God must really want me to pay more attention to it, since its the 2nd time. Ok, I'll look at it soon.

Then I opened my email at the office and got the same scripture in my daily devotions.

OK. Time to whip up Matthew 6:25-34 (NIV). Feel free to click on the link and read the full text for yourself. What caught my attention was this:

25"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? 26Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?
34Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Now, who has not been worried about life? I worry every single day, every moment, every opportunity I have. It's a bad habit that has robbed me of my health and joy. Day in, day out, I've been struck with negative thoughts; thoughts of fear, condemnation, guilt, sadness. Is this the christian life? Oh nice, they should have told me this at the altar call- 'Now you receive Jesus, you are forgiven - now here are 100 more laws for you to follow so you can be more like Jesus. Yes, suffer and crucify your flesh on earth but don't worry, you'll gain eternal rewards in heaven.'

All this time, I've had this ingrained in my head. I've been christian for so long of a time, but I never really believed in my heart that Jesus loves me unconditionally. I've always wanted to live the best for Jesus, do this, do that for the kingdom of God - but it actually ISN'T about that. It's the greatest lie the enemy has ever told christians. It was never about doing at all. The christian walk is believing that everyday, by faith, that we are righteous because of what Jesus did. We are IN CHRIST.

Romans 6:11 says:

Likewise you also, reckon [account, consider] yourselves to be dead indeed to
sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord

For too long have I focused on the negative part of the message. I've focused all this while on my performance, on my 'sins' (or bad habits). I've become religious. Too often are we reminded that we are inadequate. And too often do we take this into our heart. And our heart is what Jesus came to set FREE. He didn't come to bring bondage and more rules. In fact Jesus came to FULFILL the laws. I didn't realise I was neglecting the work of the cross by focusing on my self efforts to be a good christian, to not sin.

Let me share my heart as a man. My biggest struggle in life (I thought) was sexual lust. All this while since young, I've condemned myself for just being a guy. I've struggled with pornography since my teens. I've applied 101 ways to stop but it never works. And now I know why - it's cause I've focused on this law - to not sin by looking at another lustfully. And it brought bondage. And instead of being reminded of how Jesus made me RIGHTEOUS, I'm reminded of my sin. It's a lost cause. And ladies, don't think that I'm the only one going through this. Think of the nicest christian guy you know of - my bet is he still struggles with sexual lust. It's not just me. And until last night, I realised that lust actually isn't my biggest problem. It's way worse. I realised that my greatest struggle was not lust, but self-righteousness.

Romans 3:20

Therefore no one will be declared righteous in his sight by observing the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of sin.

I had lost my focus on HIS work and the cross. Instead I started focusing on MY work. Who did I think I was? If I could don't do, I wouldn't need Jesus. Jesus in the gospels gave GRACE to everyone he met, who've sinned, all except the Pharisees - cause they were self-righteous and trusted in their own works.

It's time to set my heart free. It's time to rest in Jesus' love and righteousness.

Here's something for you all to think about. Feel free to share your thoughts...

A Warrior's Katana

noreply@blogger.com (Casey) — Sun, 28 Jan 2007 15:14:00 +0000

I promised a good friend of mine that I would blog about this -

A Warrior's Katana.

For those of you who have visited my apartment in Melbourne, you would have noticed that I displayed a samurai sword by my bedside. It was positioned in a way that if someone were to break into my room, I would be able to immediately unsheath the sword and use it. Even if you didn't notice it, I'm sure I would have shown it off to you at some point or another (I can't resist showing it off..... I mean come on, it's a samurai sword replica from The Last Samurai!).

Once a while, I would actually take the sword in my hand, draw it out and pretend that I'm some noble samurai warrior from ancient times.

"Wow," I thought, "there was a time when men fought for their country and families with this very weapon in their hands..."

As I drew the sword from it's sheath slowly, I knew that if this sword was sharpened, it would be extremely deadly - a single edged sword. It's like....the sword served its true purpose when it is drawn - it would be a weapon ready for battle. However, if it was sheathed, it would remained ineffective in battle until it was drawn from it's sheath - it would fail to serve it's purpose.

You see, the sword is still there, and the power to kill is still there, but it is contained; restrained; supressed; protected.

One thing was for certain. When a samurai warrior goes into battle, he would have to remove his sword from it's sheath before it can be used to effectively strike an enemy. He could strike his enemy with his sheathed sword all he wanted, and it would not harm his enemy. Only until it is unsheathed would his enemy fear the warrior. It had to be unleashed first.

Ephesians 6:17 (NIV) says:
"And take...the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God."

The Bible states very clearly that we are in spiritual warfare (Ephesians 6:12). Sorry people. You have an enemy out there, and he hates you even more especially when you are christian. It ain't always a merry go round - in fact its more like samurai warriors clashing in the battle scene of 'The Last Samurai'.

If we look at it from this context, it is imperative that a christian uses this 'sword', which is the word of God, as much as possible when needed. Yet it's surprising how many of us neglect it. It's like we have the sword, but it is still kept in it's sheath. We have the weapon to fight the enemy, yet we are unwilling, or ignorant in it's inability to be effective unless it is drawn. Why aren't we drawing our swords for battle?

Hebrews 4:12 (NLT) says:

For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.

Sounds like a good reason for christians to start drawing their under-used swords against the devil, isn't it?

---
Ephesians 6:12 (Amp):

12For we are not wrestling with flesh and blood [contending only with physical opponents], but against the despotisms, against the powers, against [the master spirits who are] the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spirit forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) sphere.

What I have forgotten...

noreply@blogger.com (Casey) — Wed, 17 Jan 2007 17:13:00 +0000

As I stood silently on the train ride back to my aunt's place for the night, I could hear a familiar voice speaking to me; a soft and loving voice; a still small voice.

"Why won't you let me love you?"

There was no reply.

I had no reply. Frankly, all I did was continue to stare at nothingness as I ignored what I just thought I heard. Maybe my mind is playing tricks on me. If often does.

And then I heard if for the second time. This time, it was louder, yet still full of love.

"Son, why won't you let me love you?"

As I pondered in my heart for an answer, the sound of music eminating from my Ipod began to fade...

"I don't know..."

I didn't know the answer.

It should be simple, shouldn't it? Why does it seem like I have a problem receiving love? Unconditional love? A kind of love I do not deserve?

I guess I must have been hurt before. But this love isn't supposed to fail you. It's the love of God - one that is coming from my 'Papa God'. A love described in the parable of the prodigal son. A love of a father to a son. But somewhere along the journey of my life, I felt that I was betrayed of that love. I don't know why, but I've forgotten how it was to be loved by God. Shouldn't it be easy? Come to think of it, I haven't felt it in a long time.

Maybe it is time to let Him embrace me all over again. To let Him drown me with His love for me.

I guess there is a difference knowing in your mind that you are loved, and feeling it in your heart.

Take a chance, I remembered a friend recently told me. A chance in love.

---

As my stop approached, I decided I would take that chance. And I walked out allowing Jesus to love me.... yet again.

After all, it's a new season.

It's a New Season... of Hope & Love

noreply@blogger.com (Casey) — Sun, 31 Dec 2006 15:23:00 +0000

Firstly, I'd like to wish all my readers a Happy New Year! May your new year be filled with hope, joy, peace and love abundantly through the love of our Lord Jesus Christ.

It's a new season. Time to let the past be the past. Time to expect a new season of blessing.

If 2006 has not been a good year, expect God to turn your problems around. If you've been waiting for a new season, the time is now. Don't hold back, don't look back.

Don't look back.

It felt just like yesterday when I heard the new year message in City Harvest Church early 2006. Ps Kong Hee was speaking about not looking back. It was around that period which I started writing my first blog I think. You can find my older entries at my old blog by clicking on the link to the right sidebar. It was after I heard the message, when I named my blog, 'Not looking back...'.

As I reflect upon the previous year, I'm beginning to remember all that has happened. New relationships, new church, new friends, new business - so many changes in such a short time. Some bad, some good. God led me to a church so filled with life where my new journey started - there are so many people I've met who've impacted my life in such a meaningful way; I would never have known them if it wasn't for taking that new step. The church I attended in 2006 in Melbourne was easily the most vibrant and loving church in that city - I remember the cheerful, warm and loving faces of the people as I seeked God's love, as I seeked to find a new place I could call home, just for that little short time I had left in Melbourne. At that time, my life was in partial turmoil - I was getting out of a wrong relationship, most of my close friends have left the country, a church which I once called home abandoned me, my spiritual life was faltering; I heard my heart cry, "Were there still people out there who could receive and love me for who I am? Who would love and accept me despite my flaws?"

I remember so clearly the first time I stepped into Carlton Lifegroup at Leicester Street, Melbourne. I saw something different.
I felt the love of God eminating from the people around me. A feeling that was so profound that I'm sure no one could deny it. And I could hear my heart whsiper to me, "Here is a place I could call home". And I made it my home. For the whole year.

You see, sometimes we have to take that step forward. And we can't afford to look back. If I had never taken that new step, I would have missed all the good things and blessings God had in store for me that year. Who knows what else I would have missed?

Don't let fear and the past hold you back. If you're expecting something from God this year, know that this will be THE year. Never give up hope.

Romans 4:18-25 (Amplified Bible) gives an example of God pulling through for someone when it whose situation was utterly hopeless:

[For Abraham, human reason for] hope being gone, hoped in faith that he should become the father of many nations, as he had been promised, So [numberless] shall your descendants be.(E)

He did not weaken in faith when he considered the [utter] impotence of his own body, which was as good as dead because he was about a hundred years old, or [when he considered] the barrenness of Sarah's [deadened] womb.(F)

No unbelief or distrust made him waver (doubtingly question) concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong and was empowered by faith as he gave praise and glory to God,

Fully satisfied and assured that God was able and mighty to keep His word and to do what He had promised.

That is why his faith was credited to him as righteousness (right standing with God).

But [the words], It was credited to him, were written not for his sake alone,

But [they were written] for our sakes too. [Righteousness, standing acceptable to God] will be granted and credited to us also who believe in (trust in, adhere to, and rely on) God, Who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead,

Who was betrayed and put to death because of our misdeeds and was raised to secure our justification (our [e]acquittal), [making our account balance and absolving us from all guilt before God].

If you have a promise from God, this scripture is encouragement that there is hope out there. And Jesus bought that hope for us by His blood. You don't have to be christian to receive this. This promise is for everyone. All you need to do is to believe in Jesus - that He died on the cross for our sins. Know that someone out there, loves you. And that someone is Jesus. That someone is God. It's not a religion. It's not about going to church or doing 101 things to be a good person. It's a relationship of love.

For God so loved the world, the he gave his one and only Son (Jesus), that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.

(John 3:16-17 NIV)

Odd. I initially wanted to blog about something else today. Perhaps I've been led to share this for a reason. If what I've shared spoke to your heart, then know that Jesus loves you that much to have me blog about this instead, just for you. What better way to start your new year than to have a relationship of love with Jesus?

--->For those who are in Melbourne and would like to know which church I'm talking about - it's Richmond Assembly of God

Long absence

noreply@blogger.com (Casey) — Sun, 10 Dec 2006 16:12:00 +0000

I have wanted to update this blog for a long time.

You see, when I established this blog, I didn't just want it to be a story about me. I wanted it to be a story about someone bigger, someone better, someone who was perfect. I wanted this blog to be an encouragement to people who read it; to stimulate their thoughts abit; to share my insights and revelations of what I was learning in my life; to let people know that there was hope out there. I wanted it to be a testimony of my life with Jesus.

Over the past few months, so much has happened, and I felt no encouragement to write at all. I had many ideas floating around my head, but for some reason I didn't manage to put it in writing.

A friend once asked me, "Why haven't you updated your blog for so long?".

I replied "Hmm... I only want to write intellectually stimulating stuff on my blog, not the usual day to day ramblings. I put quite a bit of thought before each post, so it takes some time. Else I won't write anything."

I'm somehow surprised with my own response. Perhaps I'm contradicting myself now. Cause I really don't have much to write about this time round.

I've been down in the dumps for a while now. It was like my whole life came to a complete halt; nothing else mattered. How can I encourage people now? At times, I felt that I myself need the encouragement. I felt like the Psalmist in Psalms 88:

O Lord, the God who saves me,
day and night I cry out before you.
May my prayer come before you;
turn your ear to my cry.

For my soul is full of trouble
and my life draws near the grave.
I am counted among those who go down to the pit;
I am like a man without strength.

I am set apart with the dead,
like the slain who lie in the grave,
whom you remember no more,
who are cut off from your care. (v.1-5)

I am confined and cannot escape;
my eyes are dim with grief.
I call to you, O Lord, every day;
I spread out my hands to you. (v.8-9)

But I cry to you for help, O Lord;
in the morning my prayer comes before you.
Why, O Lord, do you reject me
and hide your face from me? (v.13-14)

I used to wonder why some Psalms were quite depressing. They seemed somewhat negative as well. But they are in the Bible, that is for sure. Why are they there? Has anyone given thought about it? Maybe it was there cause there were times where God's people went through extreme difficulties as well. They suffered, and felt that God was far, especially when terror struck. Maybe they even fell to depression, I don't know.

Here is what I think. It was put there, just cause God knew I would need to read those scriptures at a certain point in my life. He knew that when I was depressed and wasn't in my 100% faith speaking mountain moving mode, I would still find encouragement knowing godly people have gone through bad times before. He knew, that I would read these scriptures, and know that God is able to relate to my feelings, right there, right then, right now.

You know what? I'm encouraged knowing that the Bible actually spoke of how I was feeling. It was like....I felt that God was still able to relate with me.... to cry with me, to embrace me; even when I wasn't full of faith. You see friends, it is His faithfulness that pulls us through anyway. It's all about Jesus and His finished work.... His faithfulness.

The living, the living - they praise you,
as I am doing today;
fathers tell their children
about your faithfulness

(Isaiah 38:19 NIV)

I guess God has encouraged me again. Hope this does the trick for those out there who feels that God can't relate and is far away. He can relate after all.

Defeating sin by grace, not by doing...

noreply@blogger.com (Casey) — Mon, 11 Sep 2006 10:27:00 +0000

A theologian once said

"Feeling guilty is the greatest form of self-righteousness".

Think about that statement for a bit. Let it sink in.

*This is the part where you reflect on the last statement for at least a short while.*

With the last thought still in your mind, here are some questions for you:

How many of you have tried to stop sinning, but seem to fail everytime?

Or how many of you implemented a couple of ways to stop sinning, which worked for a while, only to fall again and beat yourself over it?

How many of you feel guilty for falling into the same temptations and sins all over again?

I raise my hands for every question asked.

---

Everyone sins. Thats why everyone needs grace. We don't need people telling us we have sinned or done wrong, because the Holy Spirit convicts us. If you have accepted Jesus as your Lord and saviour, you no longer need to know when you have done wrong. You just know.

I once heard a respectable christian leader say to me, "I think pastor _______ preaches too much grace."

I was taken aback. Something inside me told me that it wasn't right. It was by grace that we were saved. It was by grace that we can call God our Daddy. It was by grace that we receive all the blessings in our life. And just recently, I learned that it was by grace that I can defeat sinning.

I tried everything I could to best stop myself from falling into sin over and over again. I tried sticking up scriptures around to remind me. I treid memorised scriptures. I tried reading the Bible when tempted. I tried to avoid situations that would tempt me to sin. I tried, and I tried. And I kept failing, and kept feeling guilty and condemned. And then I realised why the battle never seemed to end. It was because I kept trying.

Romans 8:2

The law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death.

Romans 6:14

For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace.

I finally got it. After hearing about God's grace so many times, the truth finally sank in. The more I tried, the worse it got. Trying to defeat sin by works is like trying to fulfil God's law! If it were possible in the first place to 'stop sinning', Jesus wouldn't have to come at all! It was because God KNEW that we wouldn't be able to fulfil the law that Christ came! None of us deserved it! Thats grace!

As I came to know more and more about God's grace for me, the less powerful the temptation of sin was to me. I began to stop noticing sin, and stopped focusing on it. The less I tried to 'stop sinning', the more I suceeded in defeating sin. It's like sin's grip on me has suddenly weakened as this revelation dawned upon me. The more I realised this truth, the less guilty I felt. After all, feeling guilty from falling into sin is pretty much saying Jesus' work was useless.

Let us not mock the work of the cross by feeling guilty and beating ourselves over it. After all, Romans 8:1 says

There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus...

For those of you who are going through the same situation as I am, I hope this message encourages you. God bless.

The image of the Lion (Part 2)

noreply@blogger.com (Casey) — Thu, 31 Aug 2006 13:05:00 +0000

Alright, let me first clear some things about myself.

(1) I am not a chauvinist
(2) I do not advocate violence, or the use thereof
(3) I don't think men are in a higher/better position than women
(4) I personally have nothing against nice guys

Sorry if the previous post gave you the impression that I am some extreme guy who's prone to violence. I'm not. In actual fact, if you know me long enough, you'll realise that I was once a 'Nice Guy' (might still be referred to one for all I know).

Actually, my last post was only part of the image of Jesus. In actual fact, according to the Bible, Jesus was also gentle, kind, loving, compassionate, patient and understanding. He was the only man on earth who was perfectly balanced. Notice that he was sarcastic and rude to the proud religious leaders, but he gave grace to the humble and needy. He overturned the tables in the temple in anger, yet when he saw thousands of people following him, he was moved by compassion and fed them all.

You see, Jesus was both strong and full of grace. He knew when to stand up and fight, and he knew when to back down.

Wait a sec. Come to think of it, I don't think Jesus ever backed down. Not even when he was captured, tortured, and crucified. It took real strength to go through all He did - cause He knew that was the only way for our total forgiveness of sins. Before all of that, Jesus prayed

"Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done." (Luke 22:42 NKJV)

He fought all the way. He never gave up.

Remember the scene from the movie The Passion, where Jesus was carrying the cross up the hill? Think about it - he had the strength to carry it AFTER being whipped for our sins. Seeing the whole image?

But why was He strong in the first place? What gave Him that strength to go all the way?

His grace. His love for us. It was because of His grace that He was strong. Yeah, thats right. He did it all for you and for me.

Man... I want to be like Jesus.

The image of the Lion

noreply@blogger.com (Casey) — Tue, 29 Aug 2006 12:44:00 +0000

Wild at Heart was an eye opener for me. Well, for one thing, it made me realise that being a Christian is not about hiding at the back, avoiding confrontations and letting people trample all over you. At the time of reading the book, it was a revelation to me. I came to realise that Jesus wasn't this emasculated, weak, frail, helpless, skinny man who looked severely malnourished (as depicted in most pictures I used to see of Jesus in church). He was the total opposite. He was the lion of Judah.

Wait a sec. This doesn't really add up. The image of a lion doesn't seem to tally with the image of Jesus in the potraits. Not only that, we are called to become LIKE Jesus. The question is, WHICH IMAGE?

The author of 'No More Christian Nice Guy'(pg34) paints an interesting image of Christ...

"Regardless of how hard we try, Jesus will not be domesticated. Consult the gospel facts: He is no comfortable Christ, no meek and mild Messiah.

Let's set the record straight.

Here is our popular Nice Guy misconception: Jesus didn't drink, swear, get angry, use sarcasm, confront, avoid questions, grow impatient, or complain. Conversely, the record shows he did all of the above, and the gospel includes no apology, confession, or repentance for any of them."

Now wasn't that unconventional? I say that's something to think about. Especially when we are called to be like Christ. No, no, no... the Bible didn't tell us to be like Christ in some things. It said be like Christ in everything.

"God wants us to grow up... like Christ in everything." (Ephesians 4:15(MSG))

If you thought that Jesus was just a typical 'nice guy', think again. He was good alright, but he wasn't 'nice' all the time.

What is your image of Jesus?