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”.

Christ Has Opened Paradise

 

'I passed on to you what was most important and what had been passed on to me. Christ died for our sins, just as the Scriptures said. He was buried, and He was raised from the dead on the third day, just as the Scriptures said.' 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 (NLT) 

My Lord! What a Morning! Every Easter every Christian should wake up with this exclamation and just soak up the irrefutable fact that the resurrection of Jesus Christ validates our faith, our confidence, our joy.

Google 'Resurrection' or 'Easter' and you will come across many articles trying to prove the resurrection of Jesus Christ on the third day after his death as a historical fact. But the early believers believed the resurrection needing no apologetics or proofs; they lived the fact of the resurrection, Jesus being among them and appearing before their very eyes. They were the eyewitnesses of the resurrection as St Paul wrote

'He was seen by Peter and then by the Twelve. After that He was seen by more than 500 of His followers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have died. Then he was seen by James and later by all the apostles. Last of all, as though I have been born at the wrong time, I also saw Him.' 1 Corinthians 15:5-8 (NLT) 

The very drastic change in the behaviour of the apostles from fearful and despondent followers to confident, brave and committed disciples indicated that something extraordinarily miraculous occurred. Christ had informed them that despite the horrendous nature of his death by crucifixion, on the third day, He will be raised again from the grave. Indeed, they saw first hand, Jesus Christ's triumph over death and they were no longer afraid.

A drastic paradigm shift occurred. Because Jesus Christ lives, Christianity grew from a small motley band of believers in the backwater of the Judean hills to the global religion it is today with millions of Christians from every country and every part of the world.

St Paul put it bluntly,

'And if Christ has not been raised, then all our preaching is useless, and your faith is useless. And we apostles would all be lying about God - for we have said that God raised Christ from the dead.' 1 Corinthians 15:14-15

What does the fact of Christ's resurrection mean to us personally? We can take reference from a hymn composed by Charles Wesley in 1739, 'Christ The Lord Is Risen Today!' Originally written in 11 stanzas, now condensed to 6 stanzas as in the United Methodist Hymnal, the hymn is replete with all that Easter, the Resurrection, mean to individual Christians today, the good news of the Gospel

• All heaven and all earth now sing for joy, triumphantly at this irrefutable resurrection.
• Christ's redeeming work is complete.
• The fight against evil proved victorious,
• Paradise was opened, eternal life ushered.
• There is no more fear of death, no victory of the grave.
• We now look forward to the day of our own resurrection to everlasting life.

At that first Easter as the three ladies, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Salome entered Jesus' tomb, the angel told them,

'Don't be alarmed. You are looking for Jesus of Nazareth who was crucified. He isn't here! He is risen from the dead! Look this is where they laid His body.' Mark 16:6 (NLT)

Christ, the Lord, is risen today, Alleluia!

Sons of men and angels say,Alleluia!

Raise your joys and triumphs high,Alleluia!

Sing, ye heavens, and earth, reply,Alleluia!

Love’s redeeming work is done,Alleluia!

Fought the fight, the battle won,Alleluia!

Death in vain forbids His rise, Alleluia!

Christ hath opened paradise,Alleluia!

Lives again our glorious King, Alleluia!

Where, O death, is now thy sting? Alleluia!

Dying once He now doth save, Alleluia!

Where thy victory, O grave? Alleluia!

Soar we now where Christ hath led, Alleluia!

Following our exalted Head, Alleluia!

Made like Him, like Him we rise,Alleluia!

Ours the cross, the grave, the skies, Alleluia!

Hail, the Lord of earth and Heaven, Alleluia!

Praise to Thee by both be given, Alleluia!

Thee we greet triumphant now, Alleluia! 

Hail, the resurrection, thou, Alleluia!

King of glory and soul of bliss, Alleluia!

Everlasting Life is this, Alleluia!

Thee to know, Thy power to prove, Alleluia!

Thus to sing and thus to love, Alleluia

On that Easter morning, the prophecies of the Old Testament (Isaiah and Hosea) were fulfilled and the era of the New Testament declared.

'Death is swallowed up in victory, O death, where is your victory, O death where is your sting?' 1 Corinthians 15:54b-55

Happy Easter!

Lionel 

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

Somebody's Praying For Me

 
'I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people.... that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.' 1 Timothy 2:1-2

Intercession is a Christian privilege. The word “intercessor” has roots in Greek, and the Greek meaning is “to meet with, come between." When we pray an intercessory prayer for someone, we stand in the gap between that person and God, we make representations on behalf of a beloved friend or family member to God

There is a small group of intercessors in Charis Methodist Church who have been meeting weekly for many years to pray for the church and its members. These Christians will receive prayer requests and commit the items to God. 

Recently both Pat and I experienced the power of this intercession and the effects it has on our faith when these dedicated prayer warriors prayed for Pat as she undergoes chemotherapy for lymphoma. To be sure we do not know yet how and when God will answer this intercession but we are sure that we are blessed. Our hearts are warmed by the ministry. 

One of the ladies will telephone Pat prior to any major treatment and pray with her. When she prays, I feel that she is praying as naturally as birds sing; so sincere, full of faith and with quiet passion.

In these days on the social media, the WhatsApp Chatgroups are also the places where Christians in small groups, bible studies, choir and praise groups are interceding for one another. Recently several choir members were down with the Covid-19 infection, the Choir WhatsApp chatgroup became abuzz with short messages of intercessory prayers. There are so many friends and family praying for us that we feel the grace of God upon us. We are very encouraged and uplifted, knowing how  fervently they are praying.

The power of intercession is not just about the results nor the effectiveness of the prayer. It is really about how much love is put into the prayer. A dramatic example of 'standing in the gap' intercession is found in the healing of the paralysed man told in the Gospels. 

'A few days later, when Jesus again entered Capernaum, the people heard that he had come home. They gathered in such large numbers that there was no room left, not even outside the door, and he preached the word to them. Some men came, bringing a paralysed man, carried by four of them. Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus by digging through it and then lowered the mat the man was lying on. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralysed man, "Son your sins are forgiven." Mark 2:1-5

This paralysed man had no way to reach Jesus by himself. His four friends helped him and they went to great lengths to bring him to Jesus. They lowered him from the roof. They interceded for this man in a dramatic fashion. Eventually Jesus not only healed the paralysis but he noted and commended the faith of the four men. 

What does this teach us about intercessory prayer? It is not the prayer itself, not the content or even the words that were uttered that matter. What really matters is the fervency of the heart. 

To this end, we realise that Jesus Christ is our ultimate intercessor. Jesus Christ is the one who stands between and pleads the case for us all. He paid the ultimate price, He sacrificed His life.

'For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself a ransom for all people' 1 Timothy 2:5-6

We thank God for the many who are praying for us. There is a wonderful song, 'Somebody's Praying For Me' written by Don Moen. In one of the introductions to this song, Don Moen quoted from the Epistle of James,

'The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.' James 5:16

Don Moen said, "The effective fervent prayer of a righteous man or woman makes all the difference in the world. You are here today because someone prayed for you and we must continue to pray for one another during these times."  

I was lost in a desert land

So dry and thirsty

But God was there where he'd always been

Giving grace and mercy

So hard to sing and hard to pray

Yet I knew His word was true

And then one day my faith returned

And suddenly I knew

Somebody's praying for me

Somebody's knocking on heaven's door

Somebody's praying for me

Somebody's lifting me up to the Lord

I knew it had to be

Somebody down on their knees

Somebody praying for me

I've been spared by so many prayers

How many times I could not say

What a difference a prayer can make When it's offered up in faith

God has always made a way

When I didn't know what to do

Just when I needed a miracle

That's when your prayers broke through

Somebody's praying for me

Somebody's knocking on heaven's door

Somebody's praying for me

Somebody's lifting me up to the Lord well I knew it had to be

Somebody down on their knees

Somebody praying for me

Now I know that friend was you

You were the gift God gave me

'Cause when you prayed

His love broke through

It was your prayer that saved me

Thank you for praying for me

Thank you for knocking on heaven's door

Thank you for praying for me

Thank you for lifting me up to the Lord now I can clearly see

That you were the one on your knees

So thank you for praying for me

Somebody's praying for me

Somebody's knocking on heaven's door

Somebody's praying for me

Somebody's lifting me up to the Lord well I knew it had to be

Somebody down on their knees

Somebody praying for me

Lionel