Are You Listening?

Can we have ears and yet not hear? It sounds impossible and yet it is true. How many times have you been told that you are not listening? If you are like me then we tend to do selective listening. More than once Jesus said these words, "He who has ears to hear, let him hear.". In the parable of the Sower, the four types of ground are symbols of our ears. The seed (symbolic of the Word) was scattered onto the different ground. Some ears are like the hard path, unresponsive to the seed of God's Word. Others have ears like rocky soil that hear but does not allow the seed to take root. Yet others have ears that resemble more like thorny soil, where there was too much competition to give the seed a chance to grow. And then there are the ears that really hear God's voice, those that landed on good soil.

Notice that in all four cases the sower (messenger) and the seed (message) are both the same. The only difference is the listener. They just did not listen to the voice of God. We all have ears and yet can respond differently to the Word of God. It can be due to hardened hearts, or a shallow lives or even minds too distracted by the anxieties and pleasures of life. The truth is that the majority of people are missing the message. The Bible places great importance in hearing God's voice. The laws of God through Moses starts with "Hear, O Israel" (Deut. 6:4). The sheep of Jesus hears His voice (John 10:3-5) and "Faith comes from hearing the message" (Romans 10:17)

What then do you do when God throws seed in your way? How well do you hear? Are you hard of hearing? Don't be like the majority who have ears but do not listen. Take time to read the Bible and pray regularly. Find a place - your private space without any distractions. Allow the Word to speak to you. Write it down. Have an open heart to hear and an obedient heart to do what it says. Don't be surprised then to hear things you have never heard before! Share with others (or us) what you have learned.

Ps. Ben

The Temple

Last Sunday the preacher mentioned something that I had not seen before about the temple imagery that Paul used for the three different problems in the church at Corinth. First it was in relation to the divisions in the church (1 Cor. 3:16-17). Then he used it on the problem of sexual immorality (1 Cor. 6:12-20) Finally he used it to talk about being unequally yoked with unbelievers (2 Cor. 6:14-7:1)

Like the temples of Corinth, there is only one god that is worshiped for each temple. There is no co-existence with other gods. For the Christian the Lord is our God. He comes to dwell in the believer's body and the Church is the body of Christ. What we do with our bodies then is important. There is no separation between what is spiritual and physical, just as God is one.

So let us honour God with our bodies and not allow anything that will divide, compromise or defile it.

Ps. Ben

Depressed?

During the conference that I attended recently, the main speaker, a Christian psychiatrist with 50 years of experience shared on the topic of depression. He shared on the different types of depression and the signs & symptoms, causes and treatment. Some people think that Christians don't get or should not get depression. We need to rejoice and be victorious. But the truth of the matter is that it happens. It can be caused by life events, genetics, physical, upbringing, social expectations, culture, job and ambitions. Sometimes we don't even know we are in it or recover from it without realising it. Some examples of Bible characters who suffered depression include Elijah and Jonah.

The speaker shared that if one were to face 2-3 major losses or changes within a 2 year period, a person could be susceptible to depression. They just find that they cannot cope with the changes happening all at once. We need to recognise the symptoms early and take precaution. Things like a change in sleeping pattern, inability to concentrate or cope, and irritability are just some signs to look out.

One of the things that I noticed from the various sharing by others was how our upbringing can affect us as adults. The unreasonable expectations and lack of affirmation by our parents had caused many to grow up with guilty feelings and shame of never being good enough. As adults we continue to seek the approval of people and things to show that we are successful. We look for someone or something to fill the emptiness within. When we fail or do not receive the affirmation then our world collapses and we feel like failures. Ask yourself - Why are you doing what you are doing? Is it to please others, yourself or God? What is driving you? Is it your guilt, duty or shame that is driving you to succeed?

As Christians, we need to remember that God loves us for who we are and not what we can do for Him. How do we know that? Well, He loved us first before we loved Him! Jesus was the proof of that love. There is nothing that we can ever do that will make Him love us more. His grace is sufficient! Do you know that love our Father shows?

Let's take heed and have the right attitude to serve and live. Develope coping skills and don't be afraid to ask for help or be sensitive to those around us.

Ps. Ben

Baptism Service July 2010

Today we had our baptism service at Household of Faith. This place is so convenient and the right size for our use. Also this is the first time that I am conducting it indoors. It's a different feeling. But praise the Lord that everything went well. I taught that the candidates carried themselves commendably! Well I am looking forward to having more baptisms in the near future. Already I have had two potential enquiries. May this event encourage us to step up our faith and attempt to do greater things for the Lord.