“I am going to your house for tea” – A Moment Of Importance.

'He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; (miry clay in KJV) He set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand.' Psalms 40:2

On 23 Dec 2010, the Prime Minister of Singapore, Mr Lee Hsien Loong, and  Deputy Prime Minister, Mr Teo Chee Hian, visited my father in hospital.

My Father and My Grandson

My father, then 84 years old, had been lying in a single room isolation ward for 10 days prior, suffering from a multidrug-resistant bacterial infection. Dad had been wheelchair-bound due to osteoarthritis in both knees making it too painful for him to walk. He also had early senile dementia, along with diabetes, heart disease, bad lungs, thyroid problems and colonic cancer in remission. 

The VIPs were on a fact-finding visit to the newly-opened Khoo Teck Puat hospital and upon hearing that Dad was in the ward, took a detour to visit with him.

Imagine an old man, trapped in bed with an intravenous line inserted into his arm, feeling depressed and very confused when who should walk into his room but the most important person in the country. That very kind gesture made my father's day.

The next day, he was perky and bright, talking about the visit to anyone who would care to hear. My family really appreciated what the PM did - he engaged in small talk with my father despite knowing that he was entering an infection-control isolation ward.

When someone grows old, not only does he suffer physical weaknesses and disabilities but more insiduously he finds that he loses his psycho-social skills. Gradually, he will lose his social status and becomes isolated and shut out from friends and family. This erosion of the sense of well-being is the most disconcerting change that I had observed in Dad in the last few years of his life. It affected both his pride and self-esteem. The rest of the world had moved on and left him behind.

During the days of the making of Singapore, Dad was a political and trade union activist. In 1954 he was the PAP convenor when the People's Action Party was founded. He was often not at home when I was growing up because he was preoccupied campaigning for workers’ rights and working with the leaders in fighting for the independence of Singapore.

In his latter years, he had been largely forgotten and alone, confined to a wheelchair and beholden to two maids who looked after his daily needs. It is sad to see how time and age can strip down a proud man and make him so vulnerable. 

Ecclesiastes 2:11 notes this great loss in despairing tones, 

'Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done and what I had toiled to achieve, everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind; nothing was gained under the sun.'

The VIP visit was brief. PM asked about his condition and they chatted briefly about old days of the political party.  Then PM left.  But this short encounter did wonders for my father. The PM’s visit left Dad feeling important and happy.

This reminds me of another brief encounter recorded in Luke 19:1-8.  Zacchaeus, the tax collector, was a short person.  He climbed up a sycamore tree so as to have a glimpse of Jesus as he was passing by.

Here was another man, an insignificant, non-descript entity amongst the crowd. His short stature made him unnoticeable. His was a tax-collector and was despised.  All he wanted was to see above the crowd and watch the proceedings. However, that day was meant to be different for Zacchaeus. On reaching the tree where Zacchaeus was sitting, Jesus noticed him and invited himself to Zacchaeus’ house to spend time with him.  This non-descript person suddenly became important. 

Sometimes, a brief and everyday gesture of recognition can mean much to a person who is feeling unrecognised, insignificant and sorry for himself.  One moment in time can become truly inspirational - a great blessing. 

But that encounter more than 2000 years ago was different from any human discourse. It was a visit from God in Jesus Christ, the divine meeting the human. And the humanity in Zacchaeus recognised this. It was more than just a moment of importance for the short man who climbed up a tree for a better view, it was a life-changing experience. 

We all have a chance at this wonderful moment when the love of God reaches down to us, a love that lifts us up (Love Lifted Me!)

I was sinking deep in sin

Far from the peaceful shore

Very deeply stained within

Sinking to rise no more

But the master of the sea

Heard my despairing cry,

From the waters lifted me

Now safe am I

Love lifted me! Love lifted me!

When nothing else could help

Love lifted me

Love lifted me! Love lifted me!

When nothing else could help

Love lifted me

Souls in danger look above

Jesus completely saves

He will lift you by his love

Out of the angry waves

But the master of the sea

Billows His will obey

He your savior wants to be

Be saved today

Love lifted me! Love lifted me!

When nothing else could help

Love lifted me

Love lifted me! Love lifted me!

When nothing else could help

Love lifted me

Lionel

Updated 1st Published on 12 Dec 2010

In God’s Power The Weak Become Strong

My Late Father at Toa Payoh Methodist Church

'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.' 2 Cor 12:9 and 10, 

In successful societies like Singapore, it is fairly easy for us to praise and look up to successful and strong men. This can lead us to assess the extent of the grace and blessing we receive from God not in terms of virtue, character and spiritual worth but in terms of wealth, good jobs and high positions in society. After all success and prosperity are very visible rewards that we can achieve by working hard in a meritocratic society. So, we can easily mistake these to be the same rewards we could expect from God in answer to our prayers.

Like Singapore, first Century Corinth was a busy metropolis capitalizing on economic opportunities that the extended peace of the Roman empire brought to the region. Like Singaporean Christians, the Corinthians easily succumbed to the persuasive teachings of false teachers who equated the very tangible evidence of success and power in society to the rewards, blessings and grace God would bestow upon faithful Christians.

J I Packer wrote this in his book, Rediscovering Holiness (ref 1), “What do we Christians mainly preach and teach these days? The answer seems to be not holiness but success and positive feelings – getting health, wealth, freedom from care, good sex and happy families. What do we Christians chiefly value in our leaders – our preachers, teachers, pastors, writers, tele-evangelists, top people in parachurch ministries, money-men who bankroll churches and other Christian enterprises and other folk with key roles in our setup? The answer seems not their holiness but their gifts and skills and their resources."

In the extreme cases, we could even succumb to the belief that we should pray hard for material success and wealth for that is a Christian heritage which God has ordained for us. Then, if we do not receive these blessings from God, our faith must be weak or that God may not be happy with us.

In 1 Cor 12:9-10, Paul said No, the way to God’s favour is not by the route of power and success but  sometimes, by the route of weakness and suffering. The second pathway will more likely strengthen our character and resolve. 'My grace is sufficient for you and my power is make perfect in weakness.' This is a Christian paradox, when we are weak we will go out of ourselves to Jesus and receive from Him an abundant supply of divine strength and grace that will enable us to overcome these weaknesses. Paul was able to boast about his weakness because he has come to understand that Jesus is ready to draw near to him and to help him.

Most Christians learned this lesson when facing a crisis or suffering an illness. 

Nelson Mandela whilst imprisoned on Robben Island wrote, in a letter to Winnie Mandela dated Feb 1975, (ref 2) “Incidentally you may find that the cell is an ideal place to learn to know yourself, to search realistically and regularly the process of your own mind and feelings.

In judging our progress as individuals we tend to concentrate on external factors such as one’s social position, influence and popularity, wealth and standard of education. These are, of course, important in measuring one’s success in material matters and it is perfectly understandable if many people exert themselves mainly to achieve all these. But internal factors may be even more crucial in assessing one’s development as a human being. Honesty, sincerity, simplicity, humility, pure generosity, absence of vanity, readiness to serve others – qualities that are within easy reach of every soul – are the foundation of one’s spiritual life.

Development in matters of this nature is inconceivable without serious introspection, without knowing yourself, your weaknesses and mistakes. At least, if for nothing else, the cell gives you the opportunity to look daily into your entire conduct, to overcome the bad and develop whatever is good in you.”

When we face hardship, deprivation and weakness, we find God. Let us be thankful with what God has graced us. Sing 'Give Thanks.'

Give thanks with a grateful heart

Give thanks to the Holy One

Give thanks because He's given Jesus Christ, His Son

Give thanks with a grateful heart

Give thanks to the Holy One

Give thanks because He's given Jesus Christ, His Son

And now let the weak say, "I am strong"

Let the poor say, "I am rich

Because of what the Lord has done for us"

And now let the weak say, "I am strong"

Let the poor say, "I am rich

Because of what the Lord has done for us"

Lionel

Ref 1 JI Packer in 'Rediscovering Holiness.' Regal 2009 pp 31
Ref 2 In 'Nelson Mandela – Conversations with Myself.' MacMillan 2010, pp 211, 212

Updated 1st Published 16 Mar 2011

True Religion

'With what shall I come before the Lord and bow down before the exalted God? Shall I come before Him with burnt offerings, with calves a year old? Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousand rivers of olive oil? Shall I offer my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?

He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.' Micah 6:6-8 

What is true Religion?

I have been a Christian for more than 55 years and I consider myself a religious person. But how do I define my Christianity? For the most part, my Christianity has been defined by the things I do, a litany of practices that pronounce my faith:

• Attending church
• Reading the Bible 
• Praying
• Fellowshipping with Christian brothers and sisters
• Leadership in church and other Christian organisations 
• Attending sermons, speeches and seminars
• Evangelism and Crusades
• Reading Christian books
• Serving God in social concerns
• Supporting missions
• Supporting Christian schools
• Giving generously

My Christianity is a series of outward behaviours, as offerings to God. Henry Scougal, a Scottish minister and theologian (1650-1678) in his article entitled, 'The Life of God in the Soul of Man' (Ref 1) wrote of Christians like me, "They are found caught up in a constant round of duties and observances. If they live peacefully with their neighbours, are temperate in their habits, are regularly at worship - both publicly and in their own homes - and sometimes extend themselves to giving to those in need, then they think they have performed sufficiently."

I also define my Christianity by applying my mind to understanding God through the discipline of Bible Study and reading books of the life and writings by the heroes of the faith. I try to understand and defend church doctrines and theology. Henry Scougal's opinion of such Christians practising their faith as "A matter of intellect and understanding and orthodox opinions. The only account they can give of their religion is that they are of this or that theological persuasion or that they have joined one of the many groups (denominations) or sects into which Christiandom is so unhappily divided.

Many friends I know are emotionally devoted and attached to the practice of their prayer, praise and worship. Henry Scougal wrote of them, "Still others are focus on their emotions. They concentrate on spiritual ecstasy in their devotions. All they aim for is to pray with passion, to think of heaven with pleasure, and to be so overwhelmed with a sense of loving God." 

These may be expressions of our religiosity but they are but external expressions; what is needed is an inner transformation. Henry Scougal wrote, "Those things that have any resemblance to true holiness - or are at best the ways in which holiness may be pursued - are frequently mistaken for the real thing." 

What then is true religion? The word 'religion' come from the Latin word 'religare' with 'ligare' deriving the English word ligature. Like ligature this word, 'ligare' means 'to tie fast.' Thus true religion is to join or link God with us. Scougal emphasised this re-tie, "True religion is a union of the soul with God. It is a participation in the divine nature. It is the very image of God drawn upon the soul. In the apostle's words, it is Christ formed in us."

In Micah 6:6-7 two rhetorical questions were asked; the answers to these questions were negative. Displays of religiosity, sacrifices and worship in themselves will not honour God. Micah's great question in verse 8, then is What does God require of us? How can we please God? The answer to that question is to have a relationship with God (to walk humbly with God) and from that relationship to do good by our neighbours (to act justly and love mercy). 

Henry Scougal wrote "The life and power of true religion are better expressed in actions than in words because actions are more lively and better represent the inward principle from which they proceed." It boils down to this; that true religion is to follow the commandment that Jesus later reiterated to the religious leaders and experts of religion of His days 

'Love the Lord Your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength' The second is this: 'Love your neighbour as yourself. There is no greater commandment than these.' Mark 12:30-31

 

With what shall I come before the Lord,

And bow myself before God on high?

Shall I come before Him with burnt offerings,

Shall I come before Him with yearling calves?

Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams,

With ten thousand rivers of oil?

Shall I give my first-born for my transgressions,

The fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?

He has shown you, O man,

He has shown you what is good.

And what does the Lord require of you

But to do justice and to love kindness,

And to walk humbly with your God?

So in the twilight years of life, as we face eternity, we learn to experience God, know Him. We should stop trying to demonstrate the activity of our faith as much as to try to have a inner transformation of Christ in us. Let us offer to God a relationship with him and others as the expression of our true religion.

Lionel 

Ref: Henry Scougal, The Life of God in the Soul of Man. Crossway Short Classics, Crossway 2022 

Set Your Mind On The Kingdom Of God

St Francis in Meditation, San Damiano, Assisi

'But seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given you as well.' Matthew 6:33

The Bible, the Word of God, is very interactive with the lives of committed Christians. God speaks to us from the Bible, often referred to as the Living Word. A verse such as Matthew 6:33 impacts differently at different times of our lives, yet remains always relevant as we grow and mature in faith.

There are 2 parts to this verse

• Acquiring the Kingdom - 'Seek the Kingdom'
• Acquiring wealth - 'All these things will be given you.'

With each passing year, my understanding of both these aspects take on different slants and understanding. 

What does it mean to seek first the kingdom of God? I started first by seeking to do God's will, to participate in Christ's ministry, to become involved. Over the years, I served in the church, in charitable organisations, in missions and social concerns; to do God's will. 

But Father John Main, whose advocacy of Christian meditation led to the eventually founding of WCCM (World Community for Christian Meditation), understood this 'seeking first the kingdom' to mean setting our minds on the Kingdom of God. In one of his lead-ups to a time of meditation, John Main mentioned that our minds are often set on all forms of intermediate desires and aims when our one true focus should be only God. He said, 'The moment we go beyond all intermediate desires and desire only God, that is the moment of reality, the moment of enlightenment.' 

And so instead of focusing on the 'doing' I learnt much later on in life, to focus on the 'being' - being in the presence  of God. This is what we are doing in our Quiet Times, in prayer, in silence, in stillness and in meditation. We set our minds on the the kingdom of God, finding God's presence. Whereas Christian Ministry fulfills God's will, Christian Meditation equally fulfills Christ's injunction to seek first His Kingdom.

And sometimes, action comes after meditation as was the experience of St Francis of Assisi. In the 13th Century a young Francis entered the dilapidated church of San Damiano, just outside the city walls of Assisi. He knelt before the San Damiano crucifix in meditative prayer when he heard God's voice telling him that the church was in ruins and asking Francis to rebuilt the church. Francis after his quiet contemplative moment went into action not only to rebuilt the physical church at that location but started a movement to stir up the universal church.

Regarding the second part of Matt 6:33, admittedly, an early intention to seek the kingdom was to acquire wealth and blessings. We conclude that the blessings of wealth and happiness will be our reward as we seek after God. This belief is prevalent with many Christians and has led to teaching of the  prosperity Gospel. While Christian industry may bring much wealth and satisfaction, the verse aims at establishing priority, the priority of pursuing God rather than the pursuit of earthly treasures.

Hence many have interpreted Jesus' statement, 'all these things shall be added unto you, to mean spiritual wealth rather than material wealth. Some, like saints Francis of Assisi and Theresa of Calcutta, chose the paths of poverty instead.

About possessions and wealth, Saint Paul wrote:

'I once thought these things were valuable, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done. Yes, everything is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ and become one with Him.' Philippians 3:7-9 (NLT)

'Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.' Philippians 4:11-13

It is wonderful to see how the Word of God 'grows' on you. I think I now understand what Christ meant in Matthew 6:33 and learned to apply through the quieter and more reflective times of my maturing age. Having been a Christian for so many years, seeking to find and doing the will of God, I realise that whilst Christian service was important in my younger days, Christian meditation and a more contemplative phase begin to take precedence in my maturing years.

  

Seeking the Kingdom of God now means Finding the Presence of God. This song by Don Moen expressed the desire to seek God's presence through Christian meditation,  'I Just Want To Be Where You Are' 

I just want to be where you are

Dwelling daily in your presence

I don't want to worship from afar

Draw me near to where you are

I just want to be where you are

In your dwelling place forever

Take me to the place where you are

I just want to be with you

I want to be where you are

Dwelling in your presence

Feasting at your table

And surrounded by your glory

In your presence

That's where I always want to be

I just want to be

I just want to be with you

I just want to be where you are

Dwelling daily in your presence

I don't want to worship from afar

Draw me near to where you are

Oh my God, you are my strength and my song

And when I'm in your presence

Though I'm weak, you're always strong

I just want to be where you are

In your dwelling place forever

In your dwelling place forever

Take me to the place

Take me to the place where you are

'Cause I just want to be

I just want to be with you

I just want to be

I just want to be with you

Lionel

Don't Put God In The Box

'When I look at the night sky and see the work of your fingers - the moon and the stars that you set in place -  what are mere mortals that you should think about them, human beings that you should care for them?' Psalm 8:3

Humanity limits Deity. We put God in a box, limiting his infinity to our finiteness. We perceive Him from our limited experiences, confine Him to our world views and expect Him to act within the scope of our personal preferences.

We experience God in the shallows and conceive of him with our shallow minds.  

The prophet Jonah is the Biblical example of such an attitude and behaviour. He first chose to run away from God's mission to preach to the people of Nineveh, a civilisation Jonah considered as evil and corrupt and undeserving of God's mercy and salvation. When that plan was thwarted by God's intervention, Jonah preached reluctantly but was surprised that the Ninevites repented and that God's stayed His hands at destroying the city. 

Jonah then had the audacity to complain about the mercy of God, became depressed and remorseful when his views were not considered. Even when God provide shade in his remorse, he felt that he had the right to complain and took issue with God removing the provided shade.

Jonah's attitude was an example of the pride of religious men who thought they knew better and could opined what God can and cannot do. We confine the Almighty into our own little huddle and box of limited understanding of God's universe. 

God is doing right only if He executed what we planned and conceived. Otherwise we feel that God has let us down. This was the example of the Prophet Elijah in the episodes at Mount Carmel and Mount Horeb (Sinai). 

Elijah had a spectacular, grandstanding show against the prophets of Baal. In dramatic fashion, he challenged them to a contest at Mount Carmel. With the prophets of Baal present, he asked God to bring fire from heaven to consume the altar of his sacrifice. The prophets of Baal called on their gods to do the same to no avail. But for Elijah, the Lord demonstrated His power in vivid drama, by fire which consumed Elijah's sacrifice.

Elijah had the notion that he had clearly demonstrated God's greatness so much so that the people, King Ahab and Queen Jezebel would all repent. He strutted off to the capital city, Jazreel presumably to confront king and people. He was met with indifference, no repentance happened. Instead Jezebel threatened to kill him in 24 hours. This caused Elijah to flee to Mount Horeb not only for protection but to stave off his depression and demand an explanation from God as to why Elijah's grand design did not work. 

There, in a cave on the mountain God ministered to Elijah, gently helping him to recover. God showed Elijah, His presence, not in the hurricane, earthquake nor fire but with a gentle whisper, a still small voice. 

God dealt with Elijah as so often with us, in unexpected ways. In a message entitled the Still Small Voice on 1 Kings 18 and 19, Timothy Keller eloquently expounded on experiences on Mount Carmel and Mount Sinai which is worth listening to. Timothy Keller drew three lessons:

• Do not confine God to your world view.

• God works in all sort of places,  even those not on your map that is where you least expected.

• Don't put God in your box.

Timothy quoted Elizabeth Elliot from her book Through The Gates of Splendor, "God is God and if he is God there is no place except in His will and that will always be immeasurably, unspeakably and infinitely beyond any of your largest notion about what He is about to do."

It is laughable how some of us in our conceit can conceive God. We treat God like a 'Jack in the Box,' a toy some of us had as children. We try to demonstrate God the same way we open up that box, putting up a show to impress. This often can end up being clownish. 

We cannot show God. Only God will show us who He is. Elijah brought down fire from heaven but God comes in whisper.  

Jimmy Owens wrote a song, 'He Cares For Me' that speaks of the greatness of God and a most wonderful truth is that this Almighty God cares for us.

Our God is far greater

Than words can make known

Exalted and holy, He reigns on His throne

In infinite splendour He rules over all

Yet He feeds the poor sparrows

And He knows when they fall

His power is great and will ever endure

His wisdom is peaceable, gentle and pure

But greater than all these glories I see

Is the glorious promise that He cares for me

The earth and the heavens

Are the works of His hands

And billions of angels

Obey His commands

He guides the great galaxies, spinning through space

Yet He gave us His Son as a gift of His grace

He rides the wild heavens

He strides through the sea

The high mountains tremble

To hear His decrees

His voice with great thundering

Sounds from above

But to His own children

He whispers His love

Who are we to say who can or cannot be saved by God? Who are we to choose whom should God care?  God comes in a multiplicity of ways and in a word of grace.

Lionel