The Eye Of A Needle

The Eye of a Needle Rock Formation, Sylvan Lake, South Dakota

'What do you have that God hasn't given you? And if everything you have is from God, why boast as though it were not a gift?' 1 Corinthians 4:7 (NLT)

'But who am I and who are my people, that we could give anything to you? Everything we have has come from you, and we give you only what you first gave us!' 1 Chronicles 29:14

He was a young entrepreneur, a self-made billionaire, a very confident upstart. On hearing of a preacher of the same age attracting crowds in his home town, the rich young man approached Jesus, with some audacity, to ask whether he would qualify for eternal life. Firstly, Jesus told this man to keep the commandments, to which the smug gentleman proclaimed that he had kept all the commandments and almost boasted then what more was needed. Then, Jesus went for the weak spot, "If you want to be perfect, go and sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come follow me."

This encounter was recorded for us in Matthew 19:16-24. It did not have a happy ending for the young man rejected the chance of a life-time to follow Jesus and  went away sad because he had great wealth. Bishop Solomon in his book 'Practical Christianity' concluded, "He was, unfortunately, a prisoner of his wealth and his greed that lay behind its accumulation."

The Eye of a Needle Gate

Referring to the Needle's Eye or  the smaller doorway of a Riad, the rest station of the caravans that prevents camels and other animals from entering, Jesus said

'I tell you the truth, it is very hard for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. I'll say it again - it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of God!' Matthew 19:23-24 (NLT)

This young and rich man had a choice to make, God or Money and he chose money. He could not afford to part with his money so he parted with God.

To be sure not all wealthy people are like that young man. Many are very good people who are very humanitarian in nature. Many are philanthropists, very generous with their wealth, giving to the poor, supporting missions and social concerns projects. But wealth has its downsides, although many will not admit it.

Why did the rich young ruler walk away? Why can't the wealthy part with their money? The problem was not wealth per se but the insatiable accumulation of money and possessions leading to avarice, greed and selfishness. The Apostle James wrote of this, rather forcefully, in his epistle, James 5:1-6 

Money corrupts:

• The Encumbrance. The rich young man not only wanted to get to heaven but he also wanted to bring along all his hoarding and riches with him. He wanted to secure his future not only spiritually but materialistically. That hoard weighed him down, encumbered him and he is trapped, never free, 

'You have hoarded wealth in the last days' James 5:3b 

• The Excessive Greed. Despite the hoarding and accumulation of money, it is never enough. The Bishop Robert Solomon commented, 'Such greed can never satisfy. Like drinking sea water when one is dying of thirst, it will only make matters worse and finally destroy the greedy.' 

'You have lived on earth in luxury and self-indulgence. You have fattened yourselves for the days of slaughter.' James 5:5 

• The Exploitation. The hoarding and greed for money can create in the wealthy, an insensitivity for the needs of others, an antipathy to the poor. Apostle James said that there is exploitation of workers by the wealthy, robbing them of just wages.

'Look! The wages you failed to pay the workers who mowed your field are crying out against you.' James 5:4    

How do we deal with the problem of money? Jesus told the rich young man to sell all his goods and give to the poor. Jesus was saying that the wealthy should empathize with the poor and needy, to share their wealth. The wealthy is expected to give generously, Jesus is making a case for Radical Generosity, not just a trifle giving. Why?

• Our money belongs to God. Timothy Keller stated 'While secular individualism says that your money belongs to you, and socialism says your money belongs to the State, the Bible says that all your money belongs to God, who then entrusts it to you.' 

'Everything comes from You and we have given You only what comes from Your hand.' 1 Chronicles 29:14b

 

 'What do you have that God hasn't given to you. And if everything you have come from God, why boast as though it were not a gift.' 1 Corinthians 4:7b (NLT)

• Our money does not last. We may think money and possessions bring honour, prestige and fame. But these things are merely temporal, they do not have everlasting value. These material and lavish things cannot guarantee our future. Jesus said

'Don't store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal.' Matthew 6:19 (NLT)

• Our money should be generously donated. The type of giving amounting to Radical Generosity is described in two verses of the Bible

'One person gives freely and gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty.' Proverbs 11:24 (NLT)

'They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor.' Psalms 112:9a (NLT)

In the Hebrew text, the meaning and nuances of the type of giving found in these two verses describe Radical Generosity. We are used to understand Biblical giving as Tithes, Offerings and Sacrifices. But the meaning in the above verses convey an exuberance, excessive, lavish almost wanton way of giving, a fourth type -  Shock Giving.

In amount the giving here is described as shocking, unbelievably large. In attitude the giving here is described as throwing it away; giving and forgetting that one had given. Once given, there is no need to control the use of the gift. It described the way the Jewish farmers would sow their crops, scattering liberally, extensively and freely on the ground.

'The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and who ever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must decide in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.' 2 Corinthians 9:6-7 (ESV)

So give cheerfully, after all that money you give away really belongs to God. There is a hymn often sung after during the offering in church, 'We Give Thee But Thine Own.' 

We give Thee but Thine own,

Whate'er the gift may be;

All that we have is Thine alone,

A trust, O Lord, from Thee.

May we Thy bounties thus

As stewards true receive,

And gladly, as Thou blessest us,

To Thee our firstfruits give.

O hearts are bruised and dead,

And homes are bare and cold,

And lambs for whom the Shepherd bled

Are straying from the fold.

To comfort and to bless,

To find a balm for woe,

To tend the lone and fatherless

Is angels' work below.

The captive to release,

To God the lost to bring,

To teach the way of life and peace-

It is a Christ-like thing.

And we believe Thy Word,

Though dim our faith may be;

Whate'er for Thine we do, O Lord,

We do it unto Thee.

Lionel  

Ref 1: Bishop Emeritus Robert Solomon. Practical Christianity Chap 12: A Warning to the Wealthy. Cru Asia Ltd, IMprint Edition, 2022 

Ref 2: Tim Keller on Justice in the Bible

https://quarterly.gospelinlife.com/justice-in-the-bible/

Simplify Yourself

 

'Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in heaven. And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.' Matthew 18:2-3

The opening episodes of 'The Chosen' the multi-season drama series on the life of Jesus Christ contrasted the simple minded attitudes of little children ( Season 1 Episode 3) towards Jesus with the confused, complexity of the Pharisaical mind of Nicodemus (Season 1 Episode 8) trying to understand Jesus. Nicodemus approached his faith in a highly intellectual manner; the children accepted Jesus with childlike faith. The series devoted an entire episode on the interaction of Jesus with a group of children, how he accepted them and how he gently taught them. Why?

The contrast between the cynical questioning adult to the innocent acceptance of the child believer underscores the need for simplicity in the heart of every Christian as we exercise our faith. Bishop Robert Solomon, in his book Spiritual Disciplines for Urban Christian (Ref 1) selected Simplicity as one of six spiritual disciplines. Bishop said this is the quality of being single hearted, 'the simplicity of having one heart that is not divided or fragmented, one that has no duplicity.'

Christians are to serve God with an undivided heart.

'Teach me your way, Lord, that I may rely on your faithfulness; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name. I will praise you, Lord my God, with all my heart; I will glorify your name forevermore.' Psalms 86:11-12

Christianity is not so much a religion of the mind as it is a religion of the heart. St Paul warned that we are not to be confused with the theoretical doctrines but practical simplicity of a loving heart.

'We won't be tossed and blown about with every wind of new teaching. We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever that they sound like truth. Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more like Christ.' Ephesians 4:14-15a (NLT)

Bishop Solomon wrote that 'the undivided mind is focused on Christ. James warns us against being double-minded.' 

'Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as the wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind.' James 1:6

'Their loyalty is divided between God and the world, and they are unstable in everything they do.' James 1:8

This is the simplicity of serving God alone of having a childlike faith. But living in the modern world especially in affluent Singapore can be very distracting. There is too much to buy, too much to possess, too much to hoard that modern Christians can end up serving two Masters, God and Mammon. 

That is why Bishop Solomon suggested that we continually ask, "Where is my treasure?" He wrote, "Our heart (which in the Bible is the personal centre of our will, emotion and reason) will be where we hold our treasures."

Dallas Willard (Ref 2) wrote, "... love God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength. It means to treasure Him..Our only wisdom, safety and fulfillment lies in so treasuring God."

So let us make life simple, Jesus loves the little children of the world.  

Lionel

Ref 1: Robert M Solomon, Spiritual Disciplines for Urban Christians, Genesis Books, 2021

Ref 2: Dallas Willard, The Divine Conspiracy: Rediscovering Our Hidden Life in God. HarperSanFrancisco, 1998.

A Healing Ministry Without Making Your Church Sick

  

Jesus Heals

'Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me.'  Corinthians 12:7-8

The affliction that Paul had was not something trivial; not just an inconvenience. It tormented him to the extent where he thought that Satan had inflicted it upon him. It was something so painful or embarrassing that he pleaded with the Lord to remove it. Three times he pleaded but there was no healing. God used this affliction for Paul’s greater good in order to keep Paul from becoming conceited and to keep him from depending upon himself. Instead, Paul depended on God and not on his personal visions, revelations, spirituality or apostleship. God strengthened him.

Yet we read in the Bible of countless miraculous cures, many of them effected by Jesus as part of His ministry. Matthew, the gospel writer devoted an entire chapter, Chapter 9, to the healing ministry of Jesus. Five miracles were recorded, four physical healings and one restoring to life of a dead girl. Matthew summed up this ministry,  

'Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness.' Matthew 9:35 

It is not without evidence in scripture that miraculous cures will occur. But what happens when you pray for a cure to an illness and a miracle did not happen? Was it a lack of faith that God seem not to answer prayer for healing? Did we not pray hard and long enough?

 

We need to correctly pitch what the Bible has to say about healing in order not to hurt other people, especially those suffering from intractable illnesses. Some Christians have the unrealistic expectations that God always cures and God always does miracles. However, the reality is that very often, as in the case of Paul’s experience, God will choose not to heal.

What do we do with Christians who accuse others to be without faith or to harbour unconfessed sins when, despite persistent prayer, there is no healing?

My father-in-law served God as a Pastor, always tending to his churches and congregation throughout a 40 year ministry. He died of prostate cancer which had spread to the spine. When he was first diagnosed, many Christians, including the family, exercised faith and prayed for a cure.

When it became obvious that no miraculous cure would happen, some people refused to give up the praying for a cure. 

After he died, my mother-in-law, exhausted and grieving, also succumbed to cancer. Some people later suggested there were some unconfessed sins which prevented an answer to prayers. Yet, both my parents-in-law had fruitful Christian ministries for many years; well into their mid-seventies. 

Where medicine cannot provide a cure, when God did not provide a miracle, sick people die. We should always first hope for a complete cure of the illness and indeed this is when the intercessory prayer for complete cure is so necessary. Here the healing ministry of the church is so vital to encourage and sustain faith in someone who is sick as well as for the family and caregivers.

Dover Park Hospice

We should always hope for a cure. But there will be a time when both the doctors and ourselves realise that a cure is not imminent nor possible even with much prayer. It is then time to switch from curative treatment to palliative treatment. It is time for palliative care at home or in a hospice.

This does not mean that healing ceased to take place. God heals even when he chooses not to cure. There is continuing healing in the body, mind, soul and spirit and the healing ministry should continue to minister although differently.  

For this reason, as a profession of my Christian faith and ministry, I serve as a volunteer and on the Governing Council of the Dover Park Hospice (DPH) in Singapore for more than 20 years. DPH tends to the dying, managing pain and other concerns, giving palliative care as needed and keeping the patients comfortable.  

I admire the doctors, nurses and staff of DPH as they dutifully and lovingly look after their patients with much care and sensitivity. The DPH's motto is 'Every Moment Matters' which means that whilst we may not add days to life we shall add life to days. Our desire is to tend to the sick so that in dying, they can be at peace with family and friends, at peace with themselves and at peace with God. We witnessed many instances of healing even as the patients die. This is when the miracles happen and healing takes place and often we will recognise them.

That is why there will always be a place for a healing ministry in our churches. This has been the practice of the church since the very beginning.

'Are any of you sick? You should call for the elders of the church to come and pray over you, anointing you with oil in the name of the Lord. Such prayer offered in faith will heal the sick, and the Lord will make you well.' James 5:14-15a

Bishop Robert Solomon surmised (Ref 1), "It is best not to be distracted by secondary issues (such as anointing with oil and prayer by elders) in order to focus on the main point made by James. And that is, prayer is what is required in all kinds of situations." 

It is God, our 'Wonderful Merciful Saviour' who gives healing and grace.

Wonderful, merciful Savior

Precious Redeemer and Friend

Who would have thought that a Lamb

Could rescue the souls of men

Oh, You rescue the souls of men

Counselor, Comforter, Keeper

Spirit we long to embrace

You offer hope when our hearts have

Hopelessly lost our way

Oh, we've hopelessly lost the way

You are the One that we praise

You are the One we adore

You give the healing and grace

Our hearts always hunger for

Oh, our hearts always hunger for

Almighty, infinite Father

Faithfully loving Your own

Here in our weakness You find us

Falling before Your throne

Oh, we're falling before Your throne

You are the One that we praise

You are the One we adore

You give the healing and grace

Our hearts always hunger for

Oh, our hearts always hunger for

You are the One that we praise

You are the One we adore

You give the healing and grace

Our hearts always hunger for

Oh, our hearts always hunger for

Lionel

Updated 1st Published 17 Mar 2011

Ref 1: Robert M Solomon. Practical Christianity. The Book of James and its Relevance Today, Cru Asia IMorint Edition, 2022.

Title of this post is taken from Peter Wagner's book, “How To Have A Healing Ministry Without Making Your Church Sick”.

Listen, do you want to hear God?

Conversations with James

'Your Word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.' Psalm 119:105

The Hebrew word for the Bible is “Miqra”. This is rooted to the verb “qara” which means “to call”. The Bible is not just a repository of spiritual information, not just a book to carry around, but a voice to listen to. We should read the Bible in the anticipation of listening to the voice of God which we should obey and so live our lives.

At no time am I more aware of the dynamics of listening and obeying than in watching my grandson, James, grow up. James is now 15 years old but years ago I enjoyed watching James at play or at the table for breakfast. I observed the interplay between the child and his mother. Mother gives, sometimes shouts, instructions. James hears, listens, and obeys. Most times, James responded to his mother’s call in faith. He understood that his mum meant well for him and he saw no reason not to respond positively to her instructions.

James, Eleanor, Luke

The same is true for Eleanor, now 12 and Luke, now 7 years old.  

But even as young as 1 year old, these children have a mind of their own. So, there were times when the children would exert their wills taking on personal responses which might not always bring them in alignment with their Mum. 

The grandchildren are also exposed to the extended family. They are listening to the voices of their father, grandparents and beyond us to other adult voices especially in church. Our voices are shaping them, molding their character and developing consciences; these are the healthy dynamics of growing up children.

The same dynamics work in the hearing of God's voice, through the the Bible; Miqra, a voice to listen to. Each day, like a mother guides her children, the word of God 'speaks' to us.

'How can a young person stay pure? By obeying Your word. I have hidden Your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you' Psalm 119:9,11 (NLT)

The Bishop Robert Solomon in his book 'The Conscience' stated “The conscience is like a divine spark in human beings, but it has been dulled and neglected and require the Logos (Word) in the revelation of the Scriptures and Christ to be revived and renewed.” Coming from Christian roots, we hope by example and gentle persuasion to help the grandchildren define, a godly conscience with good attitudes and virtues. From the earliest ages, they have been taught to read the Bible. The psalmist said, 

'Be good to your servant, that I may live and obey Your word. Open my eyes to see the wonderful truths in Your instructions.' Psalm 119:17-18 (NLT)

'Teach me Your decrees, O Lord; I will keep them to the end. Give me understanding and I will obey Your instructions; I will put them into practice with all my heart. Make me walk along the path of Your commands, for that is where my happiness is found.' Psalm 119:33-35 (NLT)

'Your laws are my treasure; they are my heart's delight. I am determined to keep your decrees to the very end.' Psalm 119:111-112 

These 'conversations with God's Word,' allow Christians 

'to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have received.' Ephesians 4:1 

The word, “worthy” is translated from the Greek word, 'axios.' This word 'axios' pictures a balancing scale. The items which Paul asked to be in balance, are God’s calling and personal direction. This will be expected of our grandchildren as of all of us too, to keep our walk and God’s call in equilibrium.

Indeed 'God's word is a lamp unto our feet.' 

Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path

Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path

When I feel afraid

Think I've lost my way

Still you're there right beside me

And nothing will I fear

As long as you are near

Please be near me to the end

Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path

Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path

I will not forget

Your love for me and yet

My heart forever is wandering

Jesus be my guide

And hold me to your side

I will love you to the end

Nothing will I fear as long as you are near

Please be near me to the end

Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path

Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path

And a light unto my path

You're the light unto my path

Lionel

Updated 1st Published 11 April 2010

Ref:  Solomon, Robert M, The Conscience - Rediscovering the Inner Compass Singapore Genesis Books 2010

Climb Up Higher

Starting the Climb to Mount Sinai

'When Moses went up on the mountain, the cloud covered it, and the glory of the Lord settled on Mount Sinai.... to the Israelites the glory of the Lord looked like a consuming fire on top of the mountain.' Exodus 24:15,16a and 17 (NLT)

On the 4 Dec 2010, the tour-pilgrimage group from Singapore reached St Catherine's Monastery. We journeyed by bus via a tunnel under the Suez Canal and through the Sinai Desert for about 7 hours.

At this spot at the foot of Mount Sinai, Moses encountered God in the burning bush, where he received the commission to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. On a second occasion, at the top of the mountain, Moses received the Ten Commandments. We all felt that we were on Holy Ground

A much smaller group, 5 out  of 37 of us, decided to brave the biting cold and make the 3 hours climb up to the summit, 2285 metres high. They wished to see the sunrise at the mountain peak. More importantly, in making the climb they hope in the stillness of the dawn to very personally find God at a most sacred place. The rest of us lesser mortals settled in our beds to rise up early to worship at the foot of the mountain.

The Bible passage in Exodus 24 describes a similar group of pilgrims; the Israelites arriving at this same location after several days of walking through the Sinai desert. Here, the Lord God called Moses and the Israelites into a covenantal relationship with Him. Just like us, at the invitation to climb higher up the Sinai, the congregation separated; this time into 3 groups. Bishop Robert Solomon expounding from the passage described this as 3 levels of intimacy, the general congregation at the foot of the mountain, the seventy elders at mid-level and Moses alone at the mountain top.

At the foot of Sinai, the general congregation experienced their first introduction into a relationship with God :

'Moses then wrote down everything the Lord had said. He got up early the next morning and built an altar at the foot of the mountain and set up twelve stone pillars representing the twelve tribes of Israel' Exodus 24:4 

Sacrifices were made and blood was shed. This reminds us of baptism, which hinges on the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross and His blood shed as atonement for our sins.

The second level is represented by the elders who went with Moses halfway up the mountain. It was recorded that they ate and drank at the feet of God:

'Moses and Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, and the seventy elders of Israel went up and saw the God of Israel. Under his feet was something like a pavement made of sapphire, clear as the sky itself. But God did not raise his hand against these leaders of the Israelites; they saw God, and they ate and drank.' Exodus 24:9-11

The scene depicted the communal relationship of God's people, among themselves and with God. In the church we express this in the Holy Communion.

Then, Moses was invited alone into a deeper relationship with God; he was called to come up to God.

'The Lord said to Moses, "Come up to me on the mountain and stay here, and I will give you the tablets of stone, with the law and commands I have written for their instruction.' Exodus 24:12 

There was a cloud covering the mountain, which appeared to be on fire. In a spiritually charged atmosphere, Moses worshipped God alone.

Pilgrims from Singapore by the walls
of St Catherine Monastery

On that cold morning on 4 Dec 2010, every one of the 37 pilgrims who came from Singapore to Mount Sinai wanted to feel very close to God.

The five that went up the mountain will no doubt always remember the physical feat that led to a very special spiritual experience. At the summit, they worshipped and sang 'How Great Thou Art'. The rest of us worshipped by the walls of the Monastery of St Catherine, at the foot of the mountain. We sang 'To God Be The Glory'.

Here, on this historical site, God revealed himself so dramatically in ages past. 'This is holy ground.' We were glad that we came. During our worship, a special communion transpired between  our human spirit and the Holy Spirit. We knew that wherever we are and whatever level we are at, God will still beckon us to 'Come Up Higher'.

This is holy ground,

We’re standing on holy ground,
For the Lord is here
And where He is holy.
This is holy ground,
We’re standing on holy ground,
For the Lord is here
And where He is holy.

These are holy hands,
He’s given us holy hands,
He works through these hands
And so these hands are holy.
These are holy hands,
He’s given us holy hands,
He works through these hands
And so these hands are holy.

We are standing on holy ground

And I know that there are angels

All around

Let us praise Jesus now

We are standing in his presence

On holy ground

We are standing on holy ground

And I know that there are angels

All around

Let us praise Jesus now

We are standing in his presence

On holy ground

We are standing on holy ground

And I know that there are angels

All around

Let us praise Jesus now

We are standing in his presence

We are standing in his presence

We are standing in his presence

On holy ground

Lionel

Updated 1st published 4 Dec 2010

A New Creation

 'And I will give you a new heart, and I will put  a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn  heart and give you a tender responsive heart.' Ezekiel 26:26 (NLT)

Saint Paul wrote when we received Christ as our saviour, we received new life!  

'This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!' 2 Cor 5:17 (NLT)

The King James Version of the bible renders this as 'a new creation.' 

St Paul went further in Romans 12 to state that we could offer our bodies as a living sacrifice and in exchange be transformed by the renewing of our minds,

'Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God - this is your true and proper worship. Do not be conformed to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.' Romans 12:1-2a

In a sermon at Charis Methodist Church on the 18 April 2021, Bishop Solomon described this new life as a redemptive relationship with the triune God, a living relationship. He went on to expound on 3 truths of that relationship.

• A New Position - We develop a redemptive relationship with the Triune God. Romans 8:38-39 'For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.'

• A New Power - We are more than conquerors. Romans 8:37: 'No in all these things we are more than conquerors.' 

• A New Promise - We are co-heirs with Christ. Romans 8:16-17: 'The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children. Now if we are children then we are heirs - heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ.'    

Billy Graham mentioned seven gifts associated with this new life in Christ (Ref 1)

• A New Relationship. Once we were alienated from God because of our sins but now we are God's children, reborn into the family of God.

• A New Citizenship. Now we possess dual citizenship. We owe allegiance to our country but we are also citizens of the kingdom of God.

• A  New Family. We are now related to other believers, our spiritual brothers and sisters. We are never alone; we are a part of God's family, a family that loves us and will help us.

• A New Purpose. We used to live for ourselves but when we come to Christ, God gives us a new purpose. Now we want to life for Christ, not just for ourselves

• A New Power. God Himself comes to live within us by His Holy Spirit. We are not meant to live the Christian life all by ourselves. The Holy Spirit empowers us.

• A New Destiny. Once we were headed for hell; now we are headed for heaven. Once we were bound for eternal separation from God; now we live with Him forever.

• A New Journey. We are on to a whole new path, it is a whole new beginning; the beginning of a whole new life.

It is a Life of Service. The Bible speaks of this service as walking humbly with God. 

'What does not Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.' Micah 6:8

St Paul exhorted in Romans

'Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord's people who are in need. Practice hospitality.' Romans 12:11-12

It is a Life in the Spirit. We are controlled by the Spirit of God no longer driven by our sinful nature 

'But you are not controlled by your sinful nature. You are controlled by the Spirit if you have the Spirit of God living in you.' Romans 8:9a

'Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires.' Romans 8:5

C. S Lewis in 'Mere Christianity' wrote that man's pursuit of happiness without God is futile, "And out of that hopeless attempt has come nearly all that we call human history—money, poverty, ambition, war, prostitution, classes, empires, slavery—the long terrible story of man trying to find something other than God which will make him happy."

To put it simply, Christian living is God's way of living; a life of true happiness and contentment. No wonder that we should ask God, to Create In Me A Clean Heart

Create in me a clean heart, O God

And renew a right spirit within me

Create in me a clean heart, O God

And renew a right spirit within me

Cast me not away from Thy presence, O Lord

And take not Thy Holy Spirit from me

Restore unto me, the joy of Thy salvation

And renew a right spirit within me

Lionel

Ref 1: Billy Graham, The Journey, Thomas Nelson, 2006

Hard Times but Life Is Beautiful

The Murray in Drought

'Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you. Instead, be very glad - for these trials make you partners with Christ in His suffering, so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing His glory when it is revealed to the world.'  1 Peter 4:12-13

The Murray Valley is one of Australia's bread baskets. Fed by waters from the Murray river, this basin is lush with vineyards, olive groves and fruit orchards. From 10-16 Oct 2008, all 6 of us, Pat, Becky and I, John, Debbie and James, shared the rural pastoral experience of a town named Yarrawonga. It is located at the dam across the Murray River and Lake Mulwara. We swam, kayaked down the river, golfed, visited farms and wineries. The perceptive visitor will sense that there is a certain dryness, a land hardened by drought in this particular part of Australia. 

The shop-owner who rented to us two kayaks informed that the drought had so far lasted 10+ years. He had stopped taking tourist for kayaking tours because the interesting creeks along the river had all dried up. A farmer's wife at the Uniting Church where we worshipped, that Sunday informed Pat that the smaller farms had to burn their crops if there was insufficient rain. The church members are all senior citizens. They were so pleased to see us and to hear baby James cry in church. The younger people had long left the area to seek their fortunes in Melbourne or Sydney.

 

Droughts are hard times especially for a farming community but the week we were at Yarrawonga, coincided with the global financial crisis making it worse. Banks failed, the stock markets crashed and a global recession loomed. Many governments had to step in and underwrite their national banks. Australia was no exception. We can expect many people to suffer huge financial losses.

 

Kevin Rudd, then Prime Minister of Australia, rallied the Australians to tide over the global financial crisis with these words. "Anyone who grew up on the land knows that you can't control the weather," he declared. "Sunshine every day and rainy nights. That's what you dream of. But life's not like that. There are good years and there are hard years. And you don't choose the order in which they come. But the hard years teach you never to give up." Kevin Rudd was not just politicising but referring to character building; hard times whether in farms or in corporate rooms can bring out the best in character provided one learns life's lessons humbly.

Through these times, we learnt the bitter lesson that life wasn't meant to be easy. Christians despite our special relationships with God can fall on hard times too. Our faithfulness and the promised blessings do not shelter us from the hard knocks of life. Chapter 12 of the Book of Hebrews writes of discipline imposed on God's children and encourages us to withstand and overcome it,

'No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been through it.' Hebrews 12:11

We admire people who can go through very trying periods and still retain their sense of humour and sanity. The character, Guido in the film 'Life Is Beautiful' is a case study. Guido, goes to extraordinary lengths to convince his son that navigating life under the Nazis in the concentration camp is actually all an elaborate game. His behaviour in times of great suffering is comical and amuses his son, the narrator in the film who described his Dad's ruse as 'his gift to me.'   

Roger Ebert the film critic noted that in the real death camps there would be no role for, the comic, Guido. Ebert wrote, "But Life Is Beautiful is not about Nazis and Fascists, but about the human spirit. It is about rescuing whatever is good and hopeful from the wreckage of dreams. About hope for the future." The critic Tom Dawson wrote "the film is presumably intended as a tribute to the powers of imagination, innocence, and love in the most harrowing of circumstances," 

St Augustine, in his book the 'City of God' spoke of suffering and opined that what matters is not the nature of the suffering, what matters is the nature of the sufferer. Bishop (Dr) Robert Solomon wrote in his book, The Race(Ref 1), “In suffering, we need to find meaning. We need to also find love. It is difficult to suffer alone and many people feel they do. But we are not really alone when we suffer. God offers us His loving presence.” Bishop wrote on, “And when we allow Him to walk with us, we will find that suffering is redemptive. It changes us and makes us like Him. It gives depth and brings new life.”

St Paul wrote in Romans Chapter 8,

'I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the the glory that will be revealed in us...For we all know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to His purposes... Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us."  Romans 8:18,28,35 and 37

Matt Redman wrote a song, 'It is Well with My Soul' which is describes the relationship of Christians with suffering and the grace and blessing it can bring.

Our scars are a sign

Of grace in our lives

Oh Father, how you brought us through

 

When deep were the wounds

And dark was the night

The promise of your love you proved

 

Now every battle still to come

Let this be our song

 

It is well (it is well)

With my soul (with my soul)

It is well, it is well with my soul

 

Weeping may come

Remain for a night

But joy will paint the morning sky

 

You're there in the fast

You're there in the feast

Your faithfulness will always shine

 

Now every blessing still to come

Let this be our song

 

It is well (it is well)

With my soul (with my soul)

It is well, it is well with my soul

I trust your ways (trust your ways)

I trust your name (trust your name)

It is well, it is well with my soul

 

You lead us through battles

(You lead us through battles)

You lead us to blessing

(you lead us to blessing)

And you make us fruitful

(and you make us fruitful)

In the land of our suffering, God

 

Lionel

Ref 1. Robert M Solomon, The Race – Finding the Real Journey in Life. Genesis Books 2008

Updated 1st Published Nov 2008