I came across an article in a local newspaper about the heroes of our nation's independence. There were the photographs of men and women of different races and religion who served our nation and most have passed on. Most of the names of these people I have not even come across but they were remembered for their sacrifices! After 53 years of Merdeka many of us don't even know or remember them and many other nameless heroes who helped built this country to where it is today, including the migrant workers. And today we are struggling with our identities whether we are first Malaysians or our racial origin. Whilst our world has become increasingly globalised - economically, socially and politically, there are some who are trying to build walls to not only prevent the outside world from getting in, but also to divide people from within! How foolish we have become when we conveniently choose to quickly forget our past and those who have gone on to sacrifice their lives for our sakes. There are bigger issues at hand to battle together but we have chosen the ones that in the long term are relatively unimportant! We are indeed like lost sheep that desperately needs to find a shepherd!
The Bible keeps on reminding us to remember and not have selective memories to do what is convenient and appealing to our interests. There are important things that we must never forget. Like the Sabbath, the commands, the Lord, Lot's wife, others in prayer and many others. Even the celebration of the Lord's Supper is a call of remembrance of God's love and sacrifice. There are many others who have given up their lives for the gospel - nameless to us but remembered by God. We are beneficiaries of their sacrifices. So let us remain focused and finish our race well. Then we can really shout "Merdeka! Merdeka! Salvation belongs to the Lord!"
Ps. Ben
August 30, 2010
August 21, 2010
Life Consuming Passion
Today we are spoiled for choice in the selection of English translated Bibles. There are just so many types and in different forms to cater to the different age groups. I am sure that you have more than one translation or copy with you! It is no wonder then that the Bible is the best seller of all time! Once upon a time, it was a crime to have any translation of the Bible apart from Latin. Only the clergy could read it and explain it to the people. Reason? The man in the street was without proper training to interpret it correctly. They were too much in the business of the world and could not be trusted with it. The Bible was the property of the church and could only be read at public services.
But one man was instrumental to bring about a revolution. His name was William Tyndale, the father of the English Reformation. Tyndale's one life consuming passion was to see the Bible being translated into English. During his time the only Bible available was in Greek or Latin, which was certainly not accessible to the ordinary folks who used English, the language of the peasants. His request for the translation of the New Testament (NT) was turned down by the church authorities in England. He then had to escape to Germany, where he completed his translation of the NT from the Greek. In 1526, he printed several thousand copies of the NT and smuggled it into England. Many of these copies were confiscated and burned. The price for possession of it was death!
Tyndale was condemned by the English church authorities as a heretic and had to be on the run from the law for several years. He spent most of his time translating the Old Testament and living in poverty. Eventually he was betrayed by a friend, imprisoned and eventually executed. Even in prison, he led such an exemplary life that his jailer and some of his family members were converted (just like the jailer at Philippi) As he was about to be hanged and burned, he cried with a loud voice, "Lord, open the King of England's eyes!" Less than a year later in August 1537, King Henry VIII gave permission to publish what was to be known as the Matthew's Bible. Though this translation contained 90 percent of Tyndale's work, his name was never mentioned in the version. But most of it still lives on today in the 1611 King James Authorised Version.
The invention of the printing press was a revolution. It enabled the English version of the Bible to spread far and wide in a relatively short time.Now everybody can read the Bible! The effects of the printing press had on society then is just like what the Internet has on today's society. The door was opened and now cannot be shut. Now that we have Bibles easily available, what do we do with them? Do we read it and treasure it as God's Word just as Tyndale had passionately gone all out to fulfill his life consuming passion? There are some places still in the world that possession of a copy of Scripture is a crime or the import of it has been disallowed by the authorities (like our own nation for the BM version). Keep what you possess not by having more copies but using it on a regular basis. Eat it like honey and bread to give you nourishment and life.
Ps Ben
But one man was instrumental to bring about a revolution. His name was William Tyndale, the father of the English Reformation. Tyndale's one life consuming passion was to see the Bible being translated into English. During his time the only Bible available was in Greek or Latin, which was certainly not accessible to the ordinary folks who used English, the language of the peasants. His request for the translation of the New Testament (NT) was turned down by the church authorities in England. He then had to escape to Germany, where he completed his translation of the NT from the Greek. In 1526, he printed several thousand copies of the NT and smuggled it into England. Many of these copies were confiscated and burned. The price for possession of it was death!
Tyndale was condemned by the English church authorities as a heretic and had to be on the run from the law for several years. He spent most of his time translating the Old Testament and living in poverty. Eventually he was betrayed by a friend, imprisoned and eventually executed. Even in prison, he led such an exemplary life that his jailer and some of his family members were converted (just like the jailer at Philippi) As he was about to be hanged and burned, he cried with a loud voice, "Lord, open the King of England's eyes!" Less than a year later in August 1537, King Henry VIII gave permission to publish what was to be known as the Matthew's Bible. Though this translation contained 90 percent of Tyndale's work, his name was never mentioned in the version. But most of it still lives on today in the 1611 King James Authorised Version.
The invention of the printing press was a revolution. It enabled the English version of the Bible to spread far and wide in a relatively short time.Now everybody can read the Bible! The effects of the printing press had on society then is just like what the Internet has on today's society. The door was opened and now cannot be shut. Now that we have Bibles easily available, what do we do with them? Do we read it and treasure it as God's Word just as Tyndale had passionately gone all out to fulfill his life consuming passion? There are some places still in the world that possession of a copy of Scripture is a crime or the import of it has been disallowed by the authorities (like our own nation for the BM version). Keep what you possess not by having more copies but using it on a regular basis. Eat it like honey and bread to give you nourishment and life.
Ps Ben
August 10, 2010
Lunch with David & Sharon
Recently David and Sharon returned for a visit and here is a picture (courtesy of D&S) of a group of us after our lunch together. Thanks for your fellowship and may God bless both of you and we hope to see you again next year!
August 6, 2010
A Time to Pray
This Sunday (Aug 8) is the start of the NECF 40-Day Fast and Prayer. It is a good time to really pray for our nation. The theme for this year is "Uniting the Generations" and also marks the 10th anniversary of this event. For the first time, the fast will end on Sept 16, which is Malaysia Day (first time it is a national public holiday) This is also the Ramadan season. We are praying for our nation Malaysia to be united.
If you have not thought of what to do and need help, then get hold of the prayer guide. The electronic copy (adult and kids version and in different languages) is available at the NECF website at http://www.necf.org.my for your download. It is also available on Facebook. The prayer guide is informative as well as useful to help you pray for each day. If the Lord leads you to fast, do so. There's always a first time. Let us prepare our hearts to be in a prayerful mode.
May the Lord teach us all to pray.
Ps Ben
If you have not thought of what to do and need help, then get hold of the prayer guide. The electronic copy (adult and kids version and in different languages) is available at the NECF website at http://www.necf.org.my for your download. It is also available on Facebook. The prayer guide is informative as well as useful to help you pray for each day. If the Lord leads you to fast, do so. There's always a first time. Let us prepare our hearts to be in a prayerful mode.
May the Lord teach us all to pray.
Ps Ben
July 27, 2010
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
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
July 21, 2010
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
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
July 20, 2010
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
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
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