Judges 11:23-24
Now since the LORD, the God of Israel, has driven the Amorites out before his people Israel, what right have you to take it over? Will you not take what your god Chemosh gives you? Likewise, whatever the LORD our God has given us, we will possess.
In the time of judges, the Ammonites made war on Israel because they wanted to claim back land which Israel had conquered and won many years ago when they first crossed the red sea. The elders of Gilead went to get Jephthah to be their commander to repel the Ammonites.
Jephthah sent back messengers to the Ammonite king to fairly recount the entire history and then makes a powerful stand of possession. As I read the passage above, I'm challenged by the surety of his words and the powerful destiny which is meant for us.
Who was Jephthah?
He was despised person. Born a son of a prostitute, he was driven out of the house and deprived of any inheritance by his siblings. When he was approached to be a commander, Israel was a weak composition of different tribes. It had lost its allure of its former glory as the mighty conquering force of Joshua's time.
Inspite of the circumstances, and the challenge of repelling against the forces Ammonites, Jephthah states strongly against the king of the Ammonites, "whatever the LORD our God has given us, we will possess".
As I read the words of Jephthah, my spirit stirrs up because of the truth and power of the statement. It's time that we bring into captivity the spirit of intimidation and fear and confidently stand in the truth that whatever the Lord gives to us, no one, no powers and principalities of the air or circumstances, would have any rights to take it over. In these endtimes, we must arise in confidence and recognise that we will possess the destiny, plans, promises and blessings which God has given to us!
How often we forget our inheritance as children of God and, in the face of tempest and storms of life, we waver and struggle. They could be prophesies which have been given to your life, promises of the unknown future, blessings proclaimed to your life, or bible verses which had been real to you but now they are all a dim part of your memory. Perhaps it was a life of a friend who has since fallen from God's presence, wilful friends who seem to have no hope of ever turning back from wickedness to recognise the Lordship of Jesus Christ, a physical infirmity which never seems to get healed inspite of prayers. There could be a lot more negative circumstances and situations which seem to overwhelm your life and perspective.
Take hope! Nothing has the right to take over what God has promised us. May your spirit arise in intercessory faith and hope as you profess today "whatever the LORD my God has given me, I will possess it". We are children of destiny, and its time we arise to challenge anything that comes against the perfect will and plans of God for us and the things that we hold dear.
Blessings,
M.
"The eyes of the LORD are everywhere, keeping watch on the wicked and the good" (Proverbs 15:3)
29 August 2006
25 August 2006
Youth
2 Timothy 2:22
Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
I love the exuberance of Youth. The energies felt as I was growing up. I recall the many long hours spent burnt under the sun training for volleyball, enjoying the pleasure of physical and mental training as we played match after match, despite the fact that the sun had gone down and I had bruised myself silly since afternoon.
I love the carefree days of my youth. The world was my oyster as I laughed and played with unlimited energy and engaged friends with arrogance and a care-free attitude. Apart from the major exams which caused me some stress, there was no real stress and responsibilities that bound me and constrained me. As I entered secondary 3 (15 year old) , the world was a big, exciting treasure chest. I acquired independence, was maturing, gaining self-confidence, and intellectually more confident.
But I also recall the ugly moments where the energies of youth were translated into aggression, violence and uncooth behaviour that caused tempers to flare, hurts and destruction. These were not proud moments of my life which I would like to relive but sadly, something that would continue to haunt me.
Paul warns his young ward, Timothy to "flee the evil desires of youth" simply because he too recognises the passions and energies associated with youth. Scientifically we know that the onset of youth, puberty, is when individual experiences physical, cognitive, social, and emotional changes. During which the body begins to produce the hormones necessary for pubertal development and the world of a youth seems to go upside down.
Adolescence is a period of great change and growth. Its a challenging phase because there are different expectations and encounters with the surrounding, and wide range of possible reactions and responses to growing up. Its also a time where sexual and material awakening occurs. Only in my days of youth did I suddenly desire to have branded clothes, nice shoes, stuff my peers had and I thought was essential for being normal.
In God's creation eyes, he fully understands all this issues of youth. Often I wonder how Jesus lived in his teenage years and wished the bible documented his life as he was a youth. That would be a great encouragement to many who go through this seemingly aweful phase of life. But it really doesn't matter as there are enough examples of how we are to live and cope with youth.
It's all about pursuing God and allowing him to teach us and mould us. Added to that, Paul says it is important to band together with other Godly youths and do things that are in righteousness, faith, love and peace. Peer pressure and support is one of the most vital experience of adolescence. Its all about selecting the correct circle of friends to be with. When we band with peers that support and pressure to do the right thing, we grow up well. If these friends are God fearing and pure hearted, they influence us to grow up to fear and worship God.
The days of youth was also the time which I experienced God and the passion of pursuing and worshipping Him. Suddenly, the bible stories learned as a child could be seen in a a different spiritual dimension and prayer was no longer dead silence. My life no longer became centered on myself and suddenly I perceived the corruptness of my own life through every little life's failure of adolescence.
In church, as I looked up to the fellow youths who were budding musicians and committee members. I was inspired by their talents and gifts and the rich experiences which they had with God. So inspired and envious that I even tried out some instruments to realise that I couldn't play either to save my life. Thank God that I saw the lack of talent in my life and an opportunity arose for me to help to look after young children. Eventually God used my talents differently and called me to teach. I would have been the worst musician ever. today, as I look back, I am greatful to have a bunch of Godly church friends who inspired me to pursue God and be found in the house of God and not like my other secular friends who encourage me to have fun in the secular things of life, albeit clubbing, drinking or spending my weekends outside the church.
David proclaimed, "Since my youth, O God, you have taught me, and to this day I declare your marvelous deeds." (Psalms 71:17) . May the Lord guide and teach you like David in your youth, bind you together with passionate Godly youths that would help you grow up well into adulthood - complete and in the grace of God - ready to declare God's blessings and name.
Blessings,
M.
"For you have been my hope, O Sovereign LORD, my confidence since my youth." (Psalms 71:5)
Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
I love the exuberance of Youth. The energies felt as I was growing up. I recall the many long hours spent burnt under the sun training for volleyball, enjoying the pleasure of physical and mental training as we played match after match, despite the fact that the sun had gone down and I had bruised myself silly since afternoon.
I love the carefree days of my youth. The world was my oyster as I laughed and played with unlimited energy and engaged friends with arrogance and a care-free attitude. Apart from the major exams which caused me some stress, there was no real stress and responsibilities that bound me and constrained me. As I entered secondary 3 (15 year old) , the world was a big, exciting treasure chest. I acquired independence, was maturing, gaining self-confidence, and intellectually more confident.
But I also recall the ugly moments where the energies of youth were translated into aggression, violence and uncooth behaviour that caused tempers to flare, hurts and destruction. These were not proud moments of my life which I would like to relive but sadly, something that would continue to haunt me.
Paul warns his young ward, Timothy to "flee the evil desires of youth" simply because he too recognises the passions and energies associated with youth. Scientifically we know that the onset of youth, puberty, is when individual experiences physical, cognitive, social, and emotional changes. During which the body begins to produce the hormones necessary for pubertal development and the world of a youth seems to go upside down.
Adolescence is a period of great change and growth. Its a challenging phase because there are different expectations and encounters with the surrounding, and wide range of possible reactions and responses to growing up. Its also a time where sexual and material awakening occurs. Only in my days of youth did I suddenly desire to have branded clothes, nice shoes, stuff my peers had and I thought was essential for being normal.
In God's creation eyes, he fully understands all this issues of youth. Often I wonder how Jesus lived in his teenage years and wished the bible documented his life as he was a youth. That would be a great encouragement to many who go through this seemingly aweful phase of life. But it really doesn't matter as there are enough examples of how we are to live and cope with youth.
It's all about pursuing God and allowing him to teach us and mould us. Added to that, Paul says it is important to band together with other Godly youths and do things that are in righteousness, faith, love and peace. Peer pressure and support is one of the most vital experience of adolescence. Its all about selecting the correct circle of friends to be with. When we band with peers that support and pressure to do the right thing, we grow up well. If these friends are God fearing and pure hearted, they influence us to grow up to fear and worship God.
The days of youth was also the time which I experienced God and the passion of pursuing and worshipping Him. Suddenly, the bible stories learned as a child could be seen in a a different spiritual dimension and prayer was no longer dead silence. My life no longer became centered on myself and suddenly I perceived the corruptness of my own life through every little life's failure of adolescence.
In church, as I looked up to the fellow youths who were budding musicians and committee members. I was inspired by their talents and gifts and the rich experiences which they had with God. So inspired and envious that I even tried out some instruments to realise that I couldn't play either to save my life. Thank God that I saw the lack of talent in my life and an opportunity arose for me to help to look after young children. Eventually God used my talents differently and called me to teach. I would have been the worst musician ever. today, as I look back, I am greatful to have a bunch of Godly church friends who inspired me to pursue God and be found in the house of God and not like my other secular friends who encourage me to have fun in the secular things of life, albeit clubbing, drinking or spending my weekends outside the church.
David proclaimed, "Since my youth, O God, you have taught me, and to this day I declare your marvelous deeds." (Psalms 71:17) . May the Lord guide and teach you like David in your youth, bind you together with passionate Godly youths that would help you grow up well into adulthood - complete and in the grace of God - ready to declare God's blessings and name.
Blessings,
M.
"For you have been my hope, O Sovereign LORD, my confidence since my youth." (Psalms 71:5)
23 August 2006
The Agony of Hell
Luke 16:20-31
"There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day. At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores and longing to eat what fell from the rich man's table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores.
The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham's side. The rich man also died and was buried. In hell,where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side. So he called to him, 'Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.'
But Abraham replied, 'Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony. And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.'
He answered, 'Then I beg you, father, send Lazarus to my father's house, for I have five brothers. Let him warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.'
Abraham replied, 'They have Moses and the Prophets; let them listen to them.' '
No, father Abraham,' he said, 'but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.' He said to him, 'If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.' "
It's so easy to be taken up by this life that we live. The stressful challenges, unreasonable expectations, the desire to succeed, the pleasurable pursuit of self, and a need to secure a good life for the future. There's heaps and heaps of excuses and reasons that we generate to justify our actions and how we choose to live. Sadly, when we die, nothing will be able to justify how we are unable to live according to the warnings of John in 1 John 2:15 "Do not love the world or anything in the world."
The bible tells strongly on the agony of hell as we read the desperate expression of the rich man who said "have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire".
Have you ever eaten chilly or super-spicy food that burns your tongue and seems to burn through your into your inner being, and you actually start feel your lips and tongue swell and then you perspire? It's absolutely agonising when you don't have a cool fan blowing and a cold glass of drink to quench that agonising moment. Well if you don't know what I've described, find a chance to watch Christopher eat grilled chicken wings with heaps of fresh chilli sauce to see a perfect example of what I'm talking about.
This parable which Jesus tells is the only one which clearly describes the burning agony that is to be experienced in Hell. But, it isn't his only warning as time and again he warns of the "weeping" and "gnashing of teeth" found in darkness, outside the kingdom of heaven upon judgement. (Matthew 8:12, Matthew 24:51, Luke 13:28)
We know for sure Hell is real. We are not talking about the fictional holleywood movies depicting hell and its resident house of the devil. However, Revelations 20 states the truthful picture of Hell as a lake of fire. On the day of judgement, each person will be judged according to what he had done. If anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he will be thrown into the lake of fire. Hell is a lake of fire which would burn and torment the soul for eternity and there is no turning back or any more chances to go to heaven.
I know it seems like a freakily scary thought of being burned for all eternity, but not many of us have this eternal persepective that grips us every waking day to live Christ-like lives and guard our salvation. Sadly, if we continue today to live normally and enjoying life, without the need for God, as the rich man did, there may just come a day when our life passes by and we too would have to face the agony of hell.
What can we do then? As quoted in the parable above, 'If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead." May we learn to pay attention to the leaders, instructions, warnings and prophesies that God places in our lives that we may live God fearing lives. The agony of Hell should never be an option.
Blessings,
M.
"The Son of Man will send out his angels, and they will weed out of his kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil. They will throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth." (Matthew 13:41-42)
"There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day. At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores and longing to eat what fell from the rich man's table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores.
The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham's side. The rich man also died and was buried. In hell,where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side. So he called to him, 'Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.'
But Abraham replied, 'Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony. And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.'
He answered, 'Then I beg you, father, send Lazarus to my father's house, for I have five brothers. Let him warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.'
Abraham replied, 'They have Moses and the Prophets; let them listen to them.' '
No, father Abraham,' he said, 'but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.' He said to him, 'If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.' "
It's so easy to be taken up by this life that we live. The stressful challenges, unreasonable expectations, the desire to succeed, the pleasurable pursuit of self, and a need to secure a good life for the future. There's heaps and heaps of excuses and reasons that we generate to justify our actions and how we choose to live. Sadly, when we die, nothing will be able to justify how we are unable to live according to the warnings of John in 1 John 2:15 "Do not love the world or anything in the world."
The bible tells strongly on the agony of hell as we read the desperate expression of the rich man who said "have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire".
Have you ever eaten chilly or super-spicy food that burns your tongue and seems to burn through your into your inner being, and you actually start feel your lips and tongue swell and then you perspire? It's absolutely agonising when you don't have a cool fan blowing and a cold glass of drink to quench that agonising moment. Well if you don't know what I've described, find a chance to watch Christopher eat grilled chicken wings with heaps of fresh chilli sauce to see a perfect example of what I'm talking about.
This parable which Jesus tells is the only one which clearly describes the burning agony that is to be experienced in Hell. But, it isn't his only warning as time and again he warns of the "weeping" and "gnashing of teeth" found in darkness, outside the kingdom of heaven upon judgement. (Matthew 8:12, Matthew 24:51, Luke 13:28)
We know for sure Hell is real. We are not talking about the fictional holleywood movies depicting hell and its resident house of the devil. However, Revelations 20 states the truthful picture of Hell as a lake of fire. On the day of judgement, each person will be judged according to what he had done. If anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he will be thrown into the lake of fire. Hell is a lake of fire which would burn and torment the soul for eternity and there is no turning back or any more chances to go to heaven.
I know it seems like a freakily scary thought of being burned for all eternity, but not many of us have this eternal persepective that grips us every waking day to live Christ-like lives and guard our salvation. Sadly, if we continue today to live normally and enjoying life, without the need for God, as the rich man did, there may just come a day when our life passes by and we too would have to face the agony of hell.
What can we do then? As quoted in the parable above, 'If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead." May we learn to pay attention to the leaders, instructions, warnings and prophesies that God places in our lives that we may live God fearing lives. The agony of Hell should never be an option.
Blessings,
M.
"The Son of Man will send out his angels, and they will weed out of his kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil. They will throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth." (Matthew 13:41-42)
14 August 2006
Godlessness in the Last Days
2 Timothy 3:14-16
But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
Over and over, the bible warns of the overwhelming level of godlessness and alarming evil that would make the last days terrible times to live in. Jesus himself warns in Matthew 24:12 that the increase in wickedness would cause Christian hearts to grow cold. Paul reiterates the same strong point to Timothy (in 2 timothy 3:1) that there will be terrible times in the last days.
It all boils down to the same point - godlessness shall prevail in the last days and Christian need to stay on the highest stage of alert lest they succumb to the storm of godlessness that will pummel them.
The beginning of birth pangs have already started and we must see it with big open eyes. We see it in the various rumblings of earth and Tsunamis of nearby Indonesia, typhoons in north Asia, wars and uncertainties of the middle east and UK. But here we are, many of us still living in the comfortable lull of life, blindly struggling with our own little 'life-issues' totally oblivious to the early contractions experienced as the end days undergo its birth pangs process.
As I skim through the entire Isreal-Lebanon saga, my heart stirs because I suddenly realise that everything in the world has been moving too rapidly and I've been blinded by the enemy's deceptful scales of contentment covering my eyes. There must surely be a lot more than my life's 'struggles' of wanting a new job or to have hair regown on that bald patch of my head.
As I separately talked to Matthew and Christopher yesterday over the issue of baptism, I pondered why were they each denying the need to be baptised. There is simply no logical rationale for any of them to hem and haw to provide a reason and rational explanation, especially when publicly each comes to church to openly worship and encounter God. Why are we facing situations of people not keenly wanting to be baptised, or come to church for service & fellowship, or come to church punctually with a fearful reverance of wanting to meet God?
Is there anything more important than to guarantee our own personal eternal salvation? Make haste while we can, we only have a short time left and cannot afford to have eyes that are blinded by the scales of deception and self indulgence. The warnings of the perils of the last days are already provided to us in strong black and white. God has already spoken that the earth has a terminable cancer and as inhibitants, we only have a limited of time before the cancer destroys everything.
Stay firm Christians! Stand firm till the end! Be thoroughly equipped with the word of God. Continue to learn from the word of God and live Godly lifes with Godly decisions. All scriptures is God-breathed that would enable us to prevail as the pregnancyof the end times progress.
Be faithful Christians! Make every decision a Godly decision! You and I do not know on what day the Lord will come back and we need to do what we can and must to keep the flames of God in our lives from flickering out, lest the Lord comes back and we are left behind because we are not ready.
Blessings,
M.
"Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come." Matthew 24:42
But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
Over and over, the bible warns of the overwhelming level of godlessness and alarming evil that would make the last days terrible times to live in. Jesus himself warns in Matthew 24:12 that the increase in wickedness would cause Christian hearts to grow cold. Paul reiterates the same strong point to Timothy (in 2 timothy 3:1) that there will be terrible times in the last days.
It all boils down to the same point - godlessness shall prevail in the last days and Christian need to stay on the highest stage of alert lest they succumb to the storm of godlessness that will pummel them.
The beginning of birth pangs have already started and we must see it with big open eyes. We see it in the various rumblings of earth and Tsunamis of nearby Indonesia, typhoons in north Asia, wars and uncertainties of the middle east and UK. But here we are, many of us still living in the comfortable lull of life, blindly struggling with our own little 'life-issues' totally oblivious to the early contractions experienced as the end days undergo its birth pangs process.
As I skim through the entire Isreal-Lebanon saga, my heart stirs because I suddenly realise that everything in the world has been moving too rapidly and I've been blinded by the enemy's deceptful scales of contentment covering my eyes. There must surely be a lot more than my life's 'struggles' of wanting a new job or to have hair regown on that bald patch of my head.
As I separately talked to Matthew and Christopher yesterday over the issue of baptism, I pondered why were they each denying the need to be baptised. There is simply no logical rationale for any of them to hem and haw to provide a reason and rational explanation, especially when publicly each comes to church to openly worship and encounter God. Why are we facing situations of people not keenly wanting to be baptised, or come to church for service & fellowship, or come to church punctually with a fearful reverance of wanting to meet God?
Is there anything more important than to guarantee our own personal eternal salvation? Make haste while we can, we only have a short time left and cannot afford to have eyes that are blinded by the scales of deception and self indulgence. The warnings of the perils of the last days are already provided to us in strong black and white. God has already spoken that the earth has a terminable cancer and as inhibitants, we only have a limited of time before the cancer destroys everything.
Stay firm Christians! Stand firm till the end! Be thoroughly equipped with the word of God. Continue to learn from the word of God and live Godly lifes with Godly decisions. All scriptures is God-breathed that would enable us to prevail as the pregnancyof the end times progress.
Be faithful Christians! Make every decision a Godly decision! You and I do not know on what day the Lord will come back and we need to do what we can and must to keep the flames of God in our lives from flickering out, lest the Lord comes back and we are left behind because we are not ready.
Blessings,
M.
"Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come." Matthew 24:42
09 August 2006
The Often Unused Shield
Ephesians 6:10-18 (key verse - Ephesians 6:16)
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.
Someday I do hope to be able to learn and then share more about the individual pieces of the armour of God, which Paul speak about. But today, I just want to focus on the Shield of Faith simply because I suddenly realise how underutilised/neglected it has been in the armoury of a warrior.
Last week, I watched a documentary on Alexander and how his army conquered the ancient world with their strategies and skills in Discovery Channel. During a battle, when the army of Alexander stormed head-on to face the opponents, the first row of Romans banded together, used their shields as a wall of protection to deflect the advancing army swords and thereafter to stab their enemies by lowering their shields.
As the Romans advanced forward in the battle ground, they would face the onlaught of the enemy's rain of arrows - what we deem as modern day artillary bombardment. Upon seeing the arrows, the Romans would form a formidable tortoise shell-like shield over their heads that neutralised the arrows raining down on them as they advanced forward.
To the church in Ephesus, Paul's speaks of the need to dorn the armour of God so that in the day of evil, Christians are able to stand (or stand firmly/hold your ground). Every part of the armour is made to equip a Christian to survive the onslaught thrown by the enemy in the last days.
The obvious truth of the armour of God is every single piece is adorn onto the body like a thick shell over the naked, vulnerable skin and body. Only the sword and shield are external pieces which are held up a small distance away from the physical body to provide a projected layer of defence.
Much has been spoken about the word of God as the sword, the only weapon of defence and offense. However, having read the NIV version which states "In addition" to all the bodily protection armour, I am very intrigued by the obvious truth that holding the shield of faith adds increasing value which may Christians fail to neglect.
In war, a shield can protect its holder even without wearing bodily armour. But when you adorn a full armour, holding a shield can be sometimes be a chore in bodily combat, given the fact that both hands may be better off trying to wield the sword to attack more efficiently and defend quickly. However, when we recognise the enemy's use of sharp, armour piercing arrows (and flame lit!) that are projected to attack us even before we can face him, the shield starts to play an invaluable role of covering. No one would then see the shield as a cumbersome article to carry.
I'm not sure if the show TROY starring Brad Pitt as Achilles was a good representation of how a soldier is to use his sword and shield. But in one scene where Achilles was battling Hector (played by Eric Bana) it was an impressive show of how even in face-to-face combat, the sword and shield could be masterfully used for both offensive & defensive attacks. A savvy soldier knows that he needs to utilise his shield as it is an essential life preservation equipment. without it, the bodily armoured pieces would be pierced in a few sharp thrusts.
If I could interprete Ephesians 6:16, I would make it a call of "Hold up your faith!", "Lift it up high!" The enemy's fliery armour piercing arrows are meant to stab us deeply and cause us so much agony, grimmacing pain and mental torment that the soldier of God would be crippled and unable to move on. That's YOU and ME that the flaming arrows are targetted at!
So today, don't procrestinate and be lazy. If you haven't been carrying your shield of faith because you found it heavy and cumbersome. If you have be lugging it but failing to utilise it properly - lift it up! Let faith arise in you that you would be able to dispel the attacks that would cause you to waver.
Blessings,
M.
"Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong." 1 Corinthians 6:13
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.
Someday I do hope to be able to learn and then share more about the individual pieces of the armour of God, which Paul speak about. But today, I just want to focus on the Shield of Faith simply because I suddenly realise how underutilised/neglected it has been in the armoury of a warrior.
Last week, I watched a documentary on Alexander and how his army conquered the ancient world with their strategies and skills in Discovery Channel. During a battle, when the army of Alexander stormed head-on to face the opponents, the first row of Romans banded together, used their shields as a wall of protection to deflect the advancing army swords and thereafter to stab their enemies by lowering their shields.
As the Romans advanced forward in the battle ground, they would face the onlaught of the enemy's rain of arrows - what we deem as modern day artillary bombardment. Upon seeing the arrows, the Romans would form a formidable tortoise shell-like shield over their heads that neutralised the arrows raining down on them as they advanced forward.
To the church in Ephesus, Paul's speaks of the need to dorn the armour of God so that in the day of evil, Christians are able to stand (or stand firmly/hold your ground). Every part of the armour is made to equip a Christian to survive the onslaught thrown by the enemy in the last days.
The obvious truth of the armour of God is every single piece is adorn onto the body like a thick shell over the naked, vulnerable skin and body. Only the sword and shield are external pieces which are held up a small distance away from the physical body to provide a projected layer of defence.
Much has been spoken about the word of God as the sword, the only weapon of defence and offense. However, having read the NIV version which states "In addition" to all the bodily protection armour, I am very intrigued by the obvious truth that holding the shield of faith adds increasing value which may Christians fail to neglect.
In war, a shield can protect its holder even without wearing bodily armour. But when you adorn a full armour, holding a shield can be sometimes be a chore in bodily combat, given the fact that both hands may be better off trying to wield the sword to attack more efficiently and defend quickly. However, when we recognise the enemy's use of sharp, armour piercing arrows (and flame lit!) that are projected to attack us even before we can face him, the shield starts to play an invaluable role of covering. No one would then see the shield as a cumbersome article to carry.
I'm not sure if the show TROY starring Brad Pitt as Achilles was a good representation of how a soldier is to use his sword and shield. But in one scene where Achilles was battling Hector (played by Eric Bana) it was an impressive show of how even in face-to-face combat, the sword and shield could be masterfully used for both offensive & defensive attacks. A savvy soldier knows that he needs to utilise his shield as it is an essential life preservation equipment. without it, the bodily armoured pieces would be pierced in a few sharp thrusts.
If I could interprete Ephesians 6:16, I would make it a call of "Hold up your faith!", "Lift it up high!" The enemy's fliery armour piercing arrows are meant to stab us deeply and cause us so much agony, grimmacing pain and mental torment that the soldier of God would be crippled and unable to move on. That's YOU and ME that the flaming arrows are targetted at!
So today, don't procrestinate and be lazy. If you haven't been carrying your shield of faith because you found it heavy and cumbersome. If you have be lugging it but failing to utilise it properly - lift it up! Let faith arise in you that you would be able to dispel the attacks that would cause you to waver.
Blessings,
M.
"Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong." 1 Corinthians 6:13
03 August 2006
Blaspheme
Exodus 20:7
"You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not leave him unpunished who takes His name in vain."
This commandment addresses the need to reverently treat God. The people were warned of the consequences of use God's name profanely or as an obscene language, and if they were to make oaths using God's name, this decision was not to be trifled or used rampantly.
In the days of Moses, God had decreed the sacredness and sovereignty of His name and told the people "anyone who blasphemes the name of the LORD must be put to death. The entire assembly must stone him. Whether an alien or native-born, when he blasphemes the Name, he must be put to death." (Leviticus 24:16 )
Against the Honour of his Holy name, Jesus warns in Matthew 5:37 that the people of God are not to swear using his name, instead they are to let their "yes" be "yes" and "no" be "no". There was no need to be like the triad and invoke the name of god or proclaim "may the heavens strike me dead, if I didn't do as I say". I recall petty days as a child when we childishly "swore and crossed our hearts" for issues that we had stated and others simply didn't believe. Those truely were simple-minded days of innocence, but now I know better.
Weirdly, in today's context very few of us need to make oaths or administer promises under oaths. (except in a court of law). However, in the care-less environment that we live in, we fall guilty of treating the name of God irreverently.
How often have we seen characters in movies blaspheming in exclamation "Oh god!" or "Oh my god!" or even to have ourselves type in msn or in blogs the short form "OMG!". It may seem of little reason to make a fuss about it, afterall, with all that vulgarities spewing forth and coarse, crude language being used in our generation, what is a fuss over this short exclamation of shock that is accepted colloquially?
But even in what we consider the little things to us, it is before God a sin of blasphemy as we irreverently use His name. When we stand before Him when we die, there is no such excuse as "I didn't mean it", "it was a slip of the tongue" or "It was acceptable then."
Like it or not, God is the same yesterday, today and forever. His standards, decrees and warnings to humans as we live are absolute and not subject to trends of time or evolution of time. So may we stay alert and embrace the statues of God clearly that we may not be deceived or sin ignorantly.
Blessings,
M.
'Do not swear falsely by my name and so profane the name of your God. I am the LORD" (Leviticus 19:12)
"You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not leave him unpunished who takes His name in vain."
This commandment addresses the need to reverently treat God. The people were warned of the consequences of use God's name profanely or as an obscene language, and if they were to make oaths using God's name, this decision was not to be trifled or used rampantly.
In the days of Moses, God had decreed the sacredness and sovereignty of His name and told the people "anyone who blasphemes the name of the LORD must be put to death. The entire assembly must stone him. Whether an alien or native-born, when he blasphemes the Name, he must be put to death." (Leviticus 24:16 )
Against the Honour of his Holy name, Jesus warns in Matthew 5:37 that the people of God are not to swear using his name, instead they are to let their "yes" be "yes" and "no" be "no". There was no need to be like the triad and invoke the name of god or proclaim "may the heavens strike me dead, if I didn't do as I say". I recall petty days as a child when we childishly "swore and crossed our hearts" for issues that we had stated and others simply didn't believe. Those truely were simple-minded days of innocence, but now I know better.
Weirdly, in today's context very few of us need to make oaths or administer promises under oaths. (except in a court of law). However, in the care-less environment that we live in, we fall guilty of treating the name of God irreverently.
How often have we seen characters in movies blaspheming in exclamation "Oh god!" or "Oh my god!" or even to have ourselves type in msn or in blogs the short form "OMG!". It may seem of little reason to make a fuss about it, afterall, with all that vulgarities spewing forth and coarse, crude language being used in our generation, what is a fuss over this short exclamation of shock that is accepted colloquially?
But even in what we consider the little things to us, it is before God a sin of blasphemy as we irreverently use His name. When we stand before Him when we die, there is no such excuse as "I didn't mean it", "it was a slip of the tongue" or "It was acceptable then."
Like it or not, God is the same yesterday, today and forever. His standards, decrees and warnings to humans as we live are absolute and not subject to trends of time or evolution of time. So may we stay alert and embrace the statues of God clearly that we may not be deceived or sin ignorantly.
Blessings,
M.
'Do not swear falsely by my name and so profane the name of your God. I am the LORD" (Leviticus 19:12)