人生的抉擇

你還記得父子騎驢的寓言故事嗎？『有對父子牽著一頭驢要進城，路人指指點點：「怎麼有頭驢也不知道騎？」於是爸爸牽驢，兒子騎驢。路人一看，皺起眉頭說：「這個兒子怎麼這麼不孝順？」父子倆趕快交換位置，爸爸騎驢，兒子牽驢。路人一看，交頭接耳說：「這個爸爸怎麼這麼不愛護小朋友？」於是父子一起騎上驢。路人一看，大驚失色：「這兩人怎麼這樣虐待動物？」父子兩人無計可施，只好合力把驢子扛進城門。』

另一個抉擇故事說有一個農民從洪水中救起了他的妻子，他的孩子卻被淹死了。事後，人們議論紛紛。有人說他做得對，因爲孩子可以再生一個，妻子卻不能死而復活。有人說他做錯了，因爲妻子可以另娶一個，孩子卻沒法兒死而復活。農民告訴他們，他救人時什麽也沒去想。洪水襲來，妻子在他身邊，他抓起妻子就往山坡游。待返回時，孩子已被洪水沖走了。不過，如果這個農民救人時要進行辯證一番的話，事情的結果可能更加悲哀呢！

有許多時候，在可以抉擇時我們卻猶豫不決，而當事情轉急時，就連作抉擇的時間和機會都丟失了。所以把手頭的機會抓住，是至重要的。最靠近你的機會，就是最重要的和最迫切的。因爲，過去的不能再來，而未來的還是個謎﹝信徒所相信的永生盼望自當別論﹞，很難談上抉擇。人生的抉擇往往是困難的，因為抉擇的過程和決定多是不容易的，當中又牽涉到個人的價值觀，利害關係、處境限制和社會的趨勢等因素。

從信仰說，主耶穌稱讚馬利亞[路10:42]的例子：「但是不可少的只有一件；馬利亞已經選擇那上好的福分，是不能奪去的。」不知你是否能在人生抉擇時──如擇偶、兒女教育、工作…等等，都有信心選擇那上好的福分呢？

Howard

Who is Jesus?

WHO IS HE?
IN CHEMISTRY, HE TURNED WATER TO WINE.
IN BIOLOGY, HE WAS BORN WITHOUT THE NORMAL CONCEPTION;
IN PHYSICS, HE DISPROVED THE LAW OF GRAVITY WHEN HE ASCENDED INTO HEAVEN;
IN ECONOMICS, HE DISPROVED THE LAW OF DIMINISHING RETURN BY FEEDING 5000 MEN WITH 2 FISH & 5 LOAVES OF BREAD;
IN MEDICINE, HE CURED THE SICK AND THE BLIND WITHOUT ADMINISTERING A SINGLE DOSE OF DRUGS,
IN HISTORY, HE IS THE BEGINNING AND THE END;
IN GOVERNMENT, HE SAID THAT HE SHALL BE CALLED WONDERFUL COUNSELOR, PRINCE OF PEACE;
IN RELIGION, HE SAID NO ONE COMES TO THE FATHER EXCEPT THROUGH HIM;
SO. WHO IS HE?
HE IS JESUS!

Source: Rock Hill Baptist Church

Testimonies of Life after Death

Story 1: "Atheist Professor's Trip to Hell and Back" (see: Atheist professor’s near-death experience March 10, 2012).

Dr. Howard Storm, a professor of art at Northern Kentucky University, had once technically died but was subsequently revived through his "Near Death Experience" on June 1, 1985 (Saturday) when he was in Paris with his wife, Beverly, and a group of students. While in his hotel room making plans for his last day in the city, Storm collapsed with a pain in his abdomen—so intense that at first the 38-year-old professor thought he must have been shot. He was sent to the nearest emergency room. It was later found that Storm’s duodenum had perforated, flooding his abdominal cavity with burning digestive acids.

Unfortunately, he had to wait more than 10 hours before he received proper attention. When at last he felt death approaching, he whispered a tearful good-bye to his wife who was then by his side, and closed his eyes. The very next thing Storm remembers is he was standing next to his hospital bed, the pain all but gone. Looking more closely at the bed, Storm was dumbfounded to realize that his body was still lying in it. He walked over and spoke to his wife, but she just kept staring straight ahead, completely ignoring him. Then Storm heard voices calling to him from the hallway outside his hospital room. They were pleasant voices, male and female, young and old. Storm felt compelled to follow them.

As he walked down the hospital corridor after them, he saw figures around him. They were vague and indistinct. Gradually, he realized that they were malevolent beings. They approached and began to mock him, to push, to pull and bite at him with long, sharp fingernails and teeth! Storm was a one hundred percent cynic before. But what was happening didn’t allow for disbelief. A voice inside said to him three times, “Pray to God.”

And that’s what he did. Ultimately, he yelled, “Jesus, save me!” All of a sudden, a brilliant white light appeared. He felt arms embracing and lifting him. A love more intense than any he’d ever known coursed through him. He felt that he was in the presence of Jesus himself with innumerable angels gathered all around. At last, they told him that it was not his time and he was back in his hospital bed and covered in bandages. According to the doctors, he was operated upon and saved at the last possible moment.

For further details, please visit: NEAR DEATH EXPERIENCES

Story 2: “Matthew Botsford – To Hell and Back” by Tim Branson The 700 Club

Matthew and Nancy Botsford worked hard and played even harder. They pursued life with gusto -- except when it came to God. But everything changed on one March night in 1992. Matthew and two sales associates were in Atlanta on business. They had just left a restaurant and had gone outside to catch a taxi, when suddenly 3 of the men arguing behind them pulled out guns and started shooting. One of Matthew’s friends took a bullet to the head and died instantly. The other was unharmed. Matthew was also shot in the head, and he too died.

"Utter blackness. Incredible fear. I went to a place what I believe was hell. It was void of anything good. Beyond anything any words could describe”, recalled Matthew. But a hand came down towards him, and as it did, it brought warmth, flooding the room he was in with a brilliant white light. He was being pulled upwards. He heard a voice say, ‘It’s not your time.’ Mathew was resuscitated on the scene and taken to Piedmont hospital in Atlanta. Nancy flew in from their home state of Michigan and the doctor told her that there’s only a 30% chance Matthew would make it through the night. After that, he’ll probably be in a wheelchair and he might become a vegetable consequently.

Nancy took a walk down a corridor to clear her head and saw a blackness in front of her which was getting bigger and bigger. She was almost lost when she felt a heavy hand on her right shoulder, pulling her back. There was nobody there and she knew it was Jesus. Nancy went straight back to Matt’s room. He’s all wrapped up and bandaged. She said, “Lord, I’m not saved. Bring back my husband even if he’s in a wheel chair.…I promise I’ll stay with him.” Thereafter, Nancy lived hour-to-hour as it seemed that one crisis followed another. But with every crisis came a glimmer of hope.

After 27 days, Matthew awoke from his coma. The left side of Matthew’s body was paralyzed. They returned to Michigan where Matthew started rehab trying to rebuild his body and his mind. For two and half long years Matthew worked through the pain with Nancy by his side. Progress was slow. He eventually left the wheelchair and walked with a cane. Recovering mentally was a much slower process. But Nancy remembered her promise to stay with Matthew through it all. The Botsfords were so focused on Matthew’s regimen that they forgot their experiences with God.

Not until they moved to Florida, one day Matthew met a neighbor while out taking a walk and asked for a good church around rather unintentionally. Eventually, they attended an Easter service. The peace, the anchor and the stability in Jesus came back alive to them. Through the years they began to recognize God’s hand in their journey. Today, Matthew walks without the help of a cane and even gets to drive.

For Video testimony, please visit: Matthew Botsford - To Hell and Back

The Easter Story ... in Sand

Dear Friends,
You might be amazed at seeing how the image above is worked out in sand. Please click on to the link: http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/342149.aspx

Howard, in Christ

詩歌分享：客旅人生

客旅人生 (調：昨夜的渡輪上; 詞：黎傳道)　　

若問日後日子　
得失我總會再遇　
盪漾像個海　
成敗好像時常對峙 　

甜蜜伴著苦澀　
思想彷彿似心痴　
日後望這景　
心中愁煩倍覺唏噓

旅途上　成就你我個人故事
真漢子　無讓感慨成為障礙

莫問前路可知！　
今天耶穌為嚮導，
「夜盡露曙光　旅途何妨再次開始 」(x2)

來11:13「這些人都是存著信心死的，…又承認自己在世上是客旅，是寄居的。」

上星期六 (11月17日) 我們一班男子漢聚會，談到「為誰辛苦為誰忙」，多數的答案離不開是為了生活、工作、家庭和兒女等‧‧‧事實上，作為香港人的我們，真有不忙就不太正常的看法；有人或許是怕閒散多於怕忙碌！因為忙碌往往是身份重要性的指標。遺憾的是，香港大多數上班一族，他們的忙碌其實已超越了世人的合理水平，因為很多人忙得不可開交──連跟自己的配偶、兒女和親人的相處的時間都嚴重不足，又或者連自己的健康都自顧不下，試問這樣的忙碌真是你我所願的嗎？不要說忙來忙去都是為了二餐一宿的工友們，就算是成功的商家或專業人士，真的能全情陶醉於自己的忙碌中嗎？又或者問：「大忙人所能成就的，真的是滿載成功？立己立人？實質而持久地造福社會？

主耶穌說得好[太 16:26]: 「人若賺得全世界，賠上自己的生命，有什麼益處呢？人還能拿什麼換生命呢？」使徒保羅也提醒我們[林前 10:23]：「凡事都可行，但不都有益處。凡事都可行，但不都造就人。」這些教訓都指向一個極重要的考慮，就是人生的意義何在？在基本的生存、平安和昌盛的訴求外，還有沒有更超越和長久的目標呢？對信徒來說：「若我們相信我們得救不是出於偶然，那我們的人生會不會只是一個偶然現像呢？若不是，我們所強調的永恆價值跟我們人生的旅途又有何關係呢？」

敬愛的肢體們，但願我們都能認清人生的價值和目標，不要隨便迷失於世界的潮流裏，願主幫助我們認真的找到生存的意義，以至我們能好好的渡過這既短暫又重要的客旅人生吧！

黎傳道

後現代和互聯網

剛看到以下影片教育的未來(Did you know?) ，很有意思。巧合地，香港宣道會華基堂主任湯頌年牧師於2000年9月發表的文章中提及「二十一世紀──後後現代」的讀後感，指出後現代社會的特點是資訊爆炸、人際關係疏離、自我膨脹，人從前能肯定自己擁有真理，現在卻變成不能確定。而文中引用美國（U.S.A.）的調查，指出了信徒參與教會聚會的熱誠減退，這正是教會需要面對的問題。

後現代的文化潮流對教牧及信徒的衝擊很大，甚至使基督教成為邊緣群體，不但不能影響文化，甚至反被文化所影響。在十八、十九世紀，屬靈信息及資訊必須在教會裡透過牧者才能傳遞給信徒；但在現今資訊發達、知識爆炸的社會，平信徒可以透過不同管道接觸屬靈信息，例如在網際網絡（internet）上不同的網站找釋經的資料。然而，在複雜的社會環境下，知識、資訊爆炸卻造成極大的混亂，信徒在云云資訊中難以分辨真理、判別是非。

後現代人崇尚個人主義、自我膨脹、沒有秩序、混亂、找不到出路，《聖經》及牧者的權威備受衝擊。在後現代多元的社會，「真理」似是而非，究竟孰是孰非？哪裡才是出路呢？信徒很渴望有人與他一起作決定，從迷惘中走出來。若牧者能與他一起經歷基督的愛和真理，以滿足其需要，教會自然有凝聚力。正如文章所言，後現代是從理性到混亂的狀況，故我的教會便針對這個問題，與信徒同行，成為支援的群體。此外，後現代社會另一現象是人際關係疏離，人的心靈空虛，缺乏安全感。

在混亂的後現代社會中，教會必須作一定位，否則便很容易會隨波逐流，迷失在潮流之中。教會如何定位？耶穌基督頒佈兩條誡命，我們教會就是用這兩條腿走路：一方面是成為愛的群體，廣傳福音，使萬民作門徒，作差傳的事工。另一方面是愛上帝，愛鄰舍如同自己，所以我們學習彼此相愛、愛鄰舍，透過社會服務來學習和實踐愛的關係網。

[箴 14:12]指出有一條路，人以為正，至終成為死亡之路。(There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.)今天人類正朝著一條不歸路前進，問題是這條路會通往那裏？作為信徒的我們，能否憑著我們的信仰和聖經的啟廸來跨越一些迫在眉睫的危機呢？

Howard

The Story of Three Trees

Dear brothers and sisters in the Lord, have you ever heard about “the story of three trees” (author unknown). It is simple and yet inspirational. It goes something like this:

Once upon a mountain top, three little trees stood and dreamed of what they wanted to become later on. The first little tree looked up to heaven and said, "I want to hold treasure. I want to be covered with gold and filled with precious stones. I'll be the most valuable treasure chest in the world!" The second little tree said, "I want to travel mighty waters and carry powerful kings. I'll be the noblest ship in the world!” The third little tree prays, “I want to grow so tall that when people look at me they'll raise their eyes to heaven and think of God. I will be the tallest tree in the world.”

Years passed. One day three wood cutters came along. The first wood cutter looked at the first tree and said, "This tree is perfect for me." With a swoop of his shining ax, the first tree was felled. The second wood cutter looked at the second tree with satisfaction, and the second tree was felled. The third tree shivered when the last wood cutter came by. Even though it was tall and pointed bravely to heaven, the merciless wood cutter hastily cut it down.

The first tree rejoiced when the wood cutter brought it to a carpenter's shop. Nevertheless, it was only made into a feed box for animals and was then placed in a barn. The second tree smiled when the wood cutter took it to a shipyard. However, it was cut and fit into a simple fishing boat and was then taken to a little lake. The third tree was confused when the wood cutter cut it into strong beams and left it in a lumberyard.

The years went by, and the trees forgot about their dreams. One day, a couple came to the barn. The wife gave birth to a baby and she carefully placed him upon the hay in the feed box which was made from the first tree. The baby’s name was JESUS. The first tree was shocked to learn that it was then holding the greatest treasure of all time. Years later, a group of men got in the fishing boat made from the second tree. One of them fell asleep. While they were out on the water, a great storm arose and danger was imminent. The sleeping man was awoken. He muttered a command the storm was gone! At this time, the tree knew that it had carried the King of Kings as it had wished.

One Friday morning, someone came and got the third tree. It was carried through the streets as the people mocked the man who was carrying it. When they came to a stop, the man was nailed to the tree and raised in the air to die at the top of a hill. When Sunday came, the tree came to realize that Jesus had been crucified on it. Subsequently, people would think of God and be grateful to their Saviour every time they thought of the third tree.

Beloved, when things don't seem to be going your way, do you still believe that God has a plan for you? Even though we don't always know what God's plans are for us, it is enough to know that His ways are best for us. (see 三棵樹 for a Chinese translation)

The Consequence of Moral Uncertainty

When there is no standard or universal truth, people would find it convenient for them to make standards and norms for themselves. Such standards and norms are inevitably subjective and relative. People like them anyway because they give the individuals a sense of freedom and control over what they like or hate. Such a liberal stance bears a great social and moral cost, namely, there is a general feeling and opinion of moral uncertainty as nothing is absolute or universal. One of the consequences of such a situation is that people tend to pick up the values from an egoistic and materialistic perspective. For instance, the theme of "family values" was a key one in the last several presidential elections in the United States. However, most Americans have a different understanding of what family values are about. Worse even, many people can't identify or define what “family values” are because the words' meaning has become so vague and imprecise nowadays.

Morality was once based on virtue while today morality is based on value. Therefore, morality changes as values change. In the last century, marriages are generally taken as sacred or solemn unions between a man and a woman. Today, marriages are probably no more than paper certificates of a so-called official union between either the opposite or even the same sex partners! Beloved, are you having some trouble or uncertainty about morality today? Do you have a good sense of truth and eternal values? If you are confused, please go back to the Bible as God's inspired words and be guided by them (2 Timothy 3:16)

Without God's words and an eventual standard of truth and value, people would be vulnerable to their desires, lusts and temperaments. It is the main cause for school shoot-outs happened from time to time in recent years in the States. It also makes divorces and separations commonplace nowadays in most cosmopolitan cities around the world. From a biblical point of view, it is a classic consequence of pushing out God's Word from our lives and hearts.

The dire consequence of adopting the lifestyles and falling on moral issues against God's Word is the judgment and the wrath of God. Evidence is ample throughout the history of God's dealing with people. The good news is God is still a loving Father and there is always hope in the Lord Jesus! Let's be watchful for ourselves and our society and bear witness to our Father with our Saviour's guidance and promises.

For further reading, see Causes Moral Uncertainty.

On Grief and Loss

Generally speaking, there are five stages in one's grieving process such as when a loved one is lost. The first one is denial – yes, it is human nature to deny any great loss to us. Sometimes, we simply hope that the situation that brings us grief is unreal. When we begins to accept what has happened is real, our denial will turn to anger. We become angry at ourselves, our loved one and even God. Anger turns subsequently to kind of a bargaining. As we try to get something out of such bargaining, it will take us eventually to sorrow. We're just inundated and baffled with sorrow. This sorrow can and will turn to acceptance of the tragedy later on.

Christians believe that there is always a good reason for why God brings something, including grief into our life. Indeed, no person could be exempted from grief in one's life. So the question really becomes "What can we do to help our friend to overcome their sorrows and grieves?” First, you have the opportunity to help your friends from their pain by assuring that you are still their friend. This is very important. They may have lost a dear loved one, but they haven't lost you as their friend. You haven't abandoned them and hopefully you are going to be there through their grieving process. You were there to listen to their agony or to talk sensitively with them when they wanted to, so that they know that you're going to be there to help them.

Persons at grief are usually confused by their pain and shut up in an imaginary dark world. Nevertheless, as soon as they reenter the world of normal life, you could offer yourself as a bridge to facilitate their reentry into the real world. All it takes is some time and a lot of love and patience. It takes somebody who could and would spend sufficient time with the bereaved to sense their needs, to sympathize with them and comfort them. It takes a friend who will encourage them as well as to do something supportive for them.

It is a great privilege to help one's friend through a tragedy. You have all you need when you have faith in Jesus Christ and are willing to follow His example (remember how our Lord comforted Martha & Mary at Lazarus' funeral, etc…). Let's trust that healing will come from the Lord Jesus if we are willing to be His vessel of mercy. Let's be encouraged by Psalm 48:14: "For this is God, our God forever and ever: He will be our guide, even unto death."

For further reading: see Helping in a Time of Healing

Assurance of Rejoicing

To the average Christian, it is not always feasible to rejoice in all things. Indeed, things could be very disappointing and even frustrating. How can we rejoice in all things as Paul has taught us (Philippians 4:4)? Indeed, Paul further opines in I Thessalonians 5:16-18 that we should rejoice always, pray constantly and give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for us. Those who have followed Paul's advice would find that rejoicing is a great weapon for us to fight our way through obstacles and mishaps. Proverb 17:22 resonates that a cheerful heart is a good medicine, but a downcast spirit dries up the bones.

I know some of our enthusiastic brothers and sisters might be disappointed at the outcome of our effort to win lost souls to Christ through various kinds of evangelism. Nevertheless, it is definitely not the end of the road to fulfill our Christian destiny. We should rather learn from our experience to foster a keener sense of the purpose and destiny of our lives, to promote discipleship through Biblical education, to ensure mutual understanding and solidarity among us through honest dialogue in the face of conflict in a healthy manner—not just how to "smile and get along" but how to disagree with grace.

If we can stick ourselves to the principle of rejoicing, determination and perseverance in our pursuit, and encourage one another with the promises of our Lord, I am sure God will open another door for our pursuit when the time is ripe. In between, it is a preparation for our future destiny with a joyful heart, a ceaseless hope and a constant prayer seeking God's guidance and blessings. May God the Father and the Lord Jesus help us! Amen.

My Goodbye Message to T.P.I.B.C.

Dear Brothers and Sisters of TPIBC,

I wish to thank all of you in the Tai Po International Baptist Church for your understanding and support during my tenure as the voluntary part-time minister in your church. I must thank also the volunteers, e.g. those who are involved with the children's ministry as most of them were overstretched both in terms of their involvement and tenures.

While some of our beloved members were leaving us, the Lord brought to us new families from abroad and local members like Emily, Dinnie and Alice. Indeed, God even called back Nilda to help us out! To me, they are the signs of our Lord's care and concern towards the church rather than coincidences. What's more, light is shed recently on our awaited and needed fulltime pastor–2 candidates have come forward with promising signs.

After my personal review, it is time for me to leave your church as an interim minister. Hopefully, I could dedicate myself to my endeavor to build up a local men's support ministry. Also, my leave should contribute to a larger space and freedom for the CMC and the congregation together to gauge and consolidate the imminent and specific needs in the church's pastoral ministries. Let me borrow the Apostle Paul's words (II Thess. 2:16–17) as my goodbye blessing to you:“May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.” Amen.

Howard (31/1/2007)

The Baptist Choice

Tom's article last week made a salient point: Our move to SFCC is neutral. Yet, our decision and commitment are crucial for the growth and advancement of both our church and us. You might wonder why we still have to conduct 2 rounds of voting if our church has somehow decided to move elsewhere for growth and development. The simple answer is that we are not 100% sure if God wants us to move exactly to the SFCC. Thus, our leadership has resorted to a cautious approach by arranging a confirmation voting by all of our regular attendants plus possibly (if at least 80% support is obtained in the first voting) another registered members' voting to affirm our decision.

At this juncture, I wish to bring your attention to the Baptist belief of congregationalism. Baptists concluded from the Bible that authority for church governance should reside with the congregation. Also, Christ is the head of the church (see the Baptist History and Heritage Society). Related to the latter principle are two significant concepts: soul competency and the priesthood of all believers (1 Pet. 2:5, 9; Rev. 1:6, 5:10). Soul competency is the idea that God has endowed individuals with the ability to decide matters of faith for themselves. Baptists also affirm that people have free access to God through the sacrifice of Christ Jesus. When Jesus died on the cross, the veil of the temple was torn (Mark 15:38). The symbol of the division between people and priest in the Old Testament was removed.

Through statements of faith, the Southern Baptists assert that the individual church is an autonomous body, operating through democratic processes under the Lordship of Jesus Christ. Members are equally responsible in such a congregation. This is the main reason why our CMC together decided to resort to the proposed 2 rounds of voting by our regular attendants and registered members respectively. By doing so, our church does live up to the Baptist faith and practice of making important decisions through such democratic process as voting. It is also an act of honesty and respect of our identity as a Baptist church and the priesthood of our believers. Beloved, please feel free to cast your sacred vote according to what the Spirit has led you. May God help us! Amen.

Howard, Oct. 22

Our Way to Move Ahead

You might have thought about whether we should move to the SFCC since our 2nd worship there on October 1st. I would like to take this opportunity to explain to you the relevant CMC decisions made accordingly. The CMC has been scrutinizing over the question of our relocation strategy in the past few months. We all agree that our church needs to grow and develop both for the kingdom of God and our own spiritual development. The remaining question is whether the SFCC is the right location for us.

Ever since our last 2 worships there, we have received some feedback from our members. For instance, some have opined that the SFCC is spacious, well facilitated and it has a beautiful surrounding. On the other hand, there are also comments on the possible traffic inconvenience of going to SFCC by the usual bus routes from areas of around Tai Po. Things appear to be a bit at a stalemate. Nevertheless, the same or similar concerns will emerge again if our church decides to move ahead at all. It happens to be SFCC this time. It could be anywhere (the Baptist Seminary, say) in the New Territory next time should things so happen and our situation so demands.

The CMC has consequently resolved to conduct 2 rounds of voting, the first being a pre-requisite voting for a minimum of 80% approval from our congregation (i.e. ALL WHO HAS CAST A VALID VOTE THEN) to move ahead to SFCC. Any registered member OR regular attendant of our church could and should vote with his/her choice in the first round. Regular attendants are those who have attended our church for a minimum period of 6 months with at least 2 Sunday attendances per month. The minimum 80% approval is intentionally set to make a cautious and prudent deliberation from among our congregants. With a bit of faith, we shall take the result of the first round of voting to be either an approval/disapproval from our Lord Jesus.

Should we get the minimum 80% on October 22nd, we would then make a motion to vote on our official decision to move ahead in the nearest general meeting of our registered members according to our church rules. Dear brothers and sisters, the move itself is neutral. Yet, our decision and commitment are crucial for the growth and advancement of both our church and us. Please do remember this in your prayer and be ready to vote according to what the Spirit has led you.

Tom, Oct. 15

Bulletin Article for TPIBC for October 1st

The Reward of Due Diligence and Watchfulness

Joanne's article last Sunday (Sept. 24) asked a question, “How can we hold onto God?” The answer is that we can do that through faith and obedience. Indeed, faith and obedience are the essential and basic attitude of followers of Christ in terms of our reliance upon and connection to God. Such a teaching is simple enough. Yet, its practice requires a lot of watchfulness and determination.

A couple in Christ came to me recently for pastoral counseling. They were looking for help and spiritual direction to overcome a recurrent problem in financial management. They have been believers in Christ for more than a decade hitherto. However, they have somehow missed the opportunity to develop and enter into a good spiritual discipline. As a result, they were beaten by their moods and led astray by the emotional responses when things were not going right for them. The test for our faith and obedience in Christ comes mostly during our afflictions and frustrations. Most Christians could perform well during times of prosperity and success. Nevertheless, the Bible tells us that the maturity and gifts of the Apostles Peter and Paul were perfected only after their personal trials and transformation.

It is almost a universal truth that every servant of our Lord Jesus has to go through some sort of trials and transformation before one could become a valuable instrument in the hands of our Lord. You may wonder how then Christians should prepare themselves to serve the Lord. Should we seek trials actively and purposefully? The answer is “NO”. Jeremiah 18: 4–6 teaches us that like the clay in the potter's hand, so are we in the hand of the Lord God. It is entirely up to our Lord Jesus for what we might have to go through and become at the end of the day.

Luke 12:35–36 records one of Jesus' parables teaching us to be dressed ready for service and keep our lamps burning, like men waiting for their master to return from a wedding banquet, so that when he comes and knocks they can immediately open the door for him. This teaching tells us essentially to do what is right and watchful before the Lord God as we are His servants. Luke 12:37 goes on to comment that it will be good for those servants whose master finds them watching when he comes. The master will even gird himself and have them sit at table, and he will come and serve them. What a surprising outcome! Beloved, how good a promise we have: we will be rewarded beyond our expectation if we are willing to follow the Lord as our master and serve him with due diligence and watchfulness.

Daily Devotional for September 22nd

Surprises and Assurance

Just 2 days ago (Sep. 20th), the wealthy and politically dominant Thai minister, Mr Thaksin Shinawatra, was ousted by a military coup during his attendance at the UN's General Assembly in New York. The new military leaders said Mr. Thaksin could return to Thailand but may face trial. Today, it is reported that The Pakistani president Mr. Pervez Musharraf said during his address in the same UN's General Assembly that following the attacks of September 11, the US threatened to bomb Pakistan "back to the stone age" unless it joined the fight against al-Qaeda. Are these 2 pieces of news any surprise to you?

Another piece of surprising and sad news is the execution of three Christians today (Sep. 22nd) in Indonesia for leading attacks on Muslims six years ago that left at least 70 people dead and setting off fresh sectarian clashes on the Sulawesi Island. Ironically, the Muslim militants involved faced a maximum of 15 years’ imprisonment only. “Justice” is really in the hands of the ruling and the powerful!

What an incredulous and absurd world we are living in! It is well known that the military has had a dramatic presence in the politics of Thailand. This is obvious from the confusing array of coups and coup attempts that have occurred since 1932 (see THAILAND: MILITARY INTERVENTION). As of today, the coup against Thaksin is something like the 18th in the array. Amazingly, people in Thailand are so used to them that the impact of the September 20th coup to their daily lives is so minimal!

The Apostle Paul's teaching about terrible times in the last days (II Tim. 3:1-5) is so vivid. He prophesied that people will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy,… slanderous, without self-control, … treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God. Beloved, what shall we do then? First, let's learn to protect ourselves by avoiding and turning away from those sinful acts and those having a form of godliness but denying its power. Secondly, let's not give up the mission to lead people to Christ while staying as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves (Matt.10:16) in our footsteps to follow Jesus for we are citizens of the Eternal Kingdom.

Devotional for September 19th

The Cost of Evangelism

The Vatican released a statement on September 16th to explain the position of the Pope concerning Islam as a result of the controversy stirred up by the Pope's address at the University of Regensburg, Germany on September 12th. It stated that the Church regards with esteem also the Muslims. Understandably, the said statement was aimed at pacifying the recent outrageous reaction of the Muslim world towards the Catholic Church. Unfortunately, the wave of Muslim protests around the world especially in the hard-line Muslim areas is still surging.

The center of the controversy appears to be the Pope's quote of the Byzantine emperor Manuel II Paleologus' statement before an educated Persian, namely, "Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached". The theme of the Pope's address (see LECTURE OF THE HOLY FATHER) was, according to the Vatican, rather that of “Acting unreasonably contradicts God's Nature”. The Pope quoted again Manuel II's remark, namely, "Not to act reasonably, not to act with logos, is contrary to the nature of God" in the conclusion of his concerned address.

The hostility and protests are certainly unfortunate events. It is also a sad thing regarding the use of violence in connection with religion. As a reflection, these events prompt me to ponder over our relationship with the other religions and the cost of our Lord's Great Commission. In Luke 12:51, Jesus said, “Do you think I came to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but division.” What an amazing remark it is – especially when we think of Jesus' earlier teaching (Luke 6:27) that we should love our enemies and do good to those who hate us. The apparent conflict between love and division could be resolved through John 15:18-20 when Jesus pointed out that, “If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you, A servant is not greater than his master. If they persecuted me, they will persecute you; if they kept my word, they will keep yours also.”

It is so true that preaching the gospel requires a proper understanding of our neighbours and the cultures around us. It often attracts some form of confrontation between us as Jesus' embassadors and the world because behind somebody's conversion is spiritual warfare! Beloved, let's remind one another of the Lord's instruction (Matt.10:16) for us to be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves when we are sent into the lost world.

Devotional for September 14th

Our Hope and Destiny

Beloved, have you thought about what heaven is like as our future destiny? In your attempts to preach the gospel to others, similar questions might prompt up such as: “If the people in heaven have no lust and desire, are they living like monks? If there are no money, no hunger, no material needs, what then will be their satisfaction?” Do you have an answer for them?

For a genuine seeker of ETERNITY, we should praise them for their sincerity in their quest for human beings’ ultimate destiny. Obviously, there are NO simple answers to the above questions. However, we could take the chance to reflect on the promises in the Bible and to share our honest belief and hope with them. Most of such questions have two foci, namely,
(1) What is "heaven" in the Christian sense? and
(2) How is the life in the heavens like?

The biblical answers for (1) are available in Isaiah 65:17 which points out that the Lord will create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind. Isaiah 66:22 assures that the new heavens and the new earth shall remain before God. II Peter (3:13) states that righteousness will dwell in the new heavens and the new earth. Hence, the Righteousness of God will replace the unrighteousness and depravity (including the transient good things) of the current cosmos we are in. In fact, chapters 21 & 22 of Revelation describe the new heavens and earth as an absolute purity. They are also free from the wrath and curse of God.

As for (2), I Corinthian (2:7,9) says, “But we (i.e. Paul & his coworkers) impart a secret and hidden wisdom of God, which God decreed before the ages for our glorification.… But, as it is written, 'What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man conceived, what God has prepared for those who love him'.” The important clue in these verses is that it is beyond our imagination and physical senses concerning the actual livelihood or events which will take place in the new heavens and earth.

Thus, we have a good reason to believe that our eternal destiny is really good and promising. It is guaranteed by God's grace given through our faith. It is the true gift of God not because of our works; lest any man should boast and might find a reason to argue that one may become dull of such eternal destiny.

Devotional for September 13th

A Choice for the Narrow Gate

Have you ever seen somebody spitting in the public? If you are a regular mainland traveler, I would bet you must have seen such “disturbing” acts as spitting in the open or yelling aloud in restaurants. Honestly, I feel a bit disgraced as a Chinese in front of such uncivilized acts because they are either unhygienic or causing a nuisance. Nevertheless, people's reaction to unseen but potentially hazardous acts is very much different.

One of my good old friends in Canada asked me recently: Is man-to-woman marriage a moral standard based on biblical story? How about one to two, two to two etc.... If God had created two men and two women in the first place, do we have a two-to-two situation? He also pointed out that the church has been against the homosexuality strongly via different means while some scientists had suggested it was a genetic problem. Beloved, have you been challenged by a similar question before. Sadly enough, the advocates for homosexuality and homosexual marriages often turn a blind eye to the ever increasing divorce rate in our modern society, the increase in the incidences of sexually transmitted diseases especially the risk of AIDS spreading around the world. They also neglect the important findings by sincere researchers that it is too early to conclude that homosexual inclination is genetically determined. The traditional family system and values of the west are facing a threat of disintegration much as the Chinese Confucian values were facing during the Chinese Cultural Revolution.

The western world today is not only that the fear of God and faith in the Lord Jesus are no longer their norm, their peoples have a tendency to do away with all the traditional norms. Instead, the individual person and individualistic freedom is at the center of such post-modern cultures where the INDIVIDUAL often takes precedence over the collective society. There are definitely social and anthropological reasons behind such a tendency. Amazingly, the Bible (e.g. Jude 17-19) has foretold long ago that in the last times there will be scoffers who will follow their own ungodly desires. They are the men who divide the Christians; who follow mere natural instincts and do not have the Spirit – what a striking similarity with our existing situations!

As an individual, one is free to choose one's choice and values. However, the reasonable choice should be made in terms of the development, welfare and sustainability of the human society at large. As Christians, we must remember the Apostle Peter's warning (II Pet. 3:10) that the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare. For this reason, we must exercise our spiritual freedom to bear witness to our Lord and to be a salt and light to the world even though it is the narrow gate that the world would despise.

Bulletin Article for TPIBC on September 17th

Peace and Courage

Joanne's article last Sunday (Sep. 10th) mentioned Tse Pau Pau, a sister whose life was dictated by a great sense of fear before she was delivered by Christ Jesus. We, most probably, have gone through a similar struggle and bondage (be it fear or emptiness) before our conversion. Being saved is a wonderful experience. On the other hand, being Christian is a life long experience and blessings. Nevertheless, our Lord has not promised his followers a through road of success and prosperity in the world. What the Lord Jesus has promised (Jn.14:27) is His Peace. He also reminds his followers not to let their hearts be troubled and do not be afraid because Christians are Jesus’ messengers sent into the world (Jn.17:18). For this reason, Jesus had prayed for all those believe in Him before he returned to the Father. His prayer (Jn.17:15-17) is not that the Father will take the believers out of the world but that God the Father will protect them from the evil one because Christians are not of the world and are sanctified by the truth – the Word of God.

As a matter of fact, proclamation of the gospel is not an easy task for behind someone's choice to accept or reject the Salvation of Jesus Christ is spiritual warfare! It is obvious warfare when we try to preach the gospel to the Muslim or anti-Christian countries. It is also warfare even when the gospel is preached in Christian countries! Do you agree? Let's think about the 9-11 attack and tragedy 5 years ago. It is a sign of the conflict between the western Christian nations and the Muslim Middle East. Furthermore, it is the result of mutual distrust and hatred between the two camps. More unfortunately, the road to a real peace and solution to eliminate terrorism through the application of armed forces and retribution appears to be endless! Indeed, such a retributive reaction and treatment of the problem does not conform to the Christian principles of love and hope.

The modern advocacy of the liberalistic freedom and rights has resulted in pluralistic and highly individualistic societies in the west. The fear of God and faith in the Lord Jesus are no longer their norm or foothold. The authority of the Bible is replaced by their ever changing constitutions. The Christian love and hope are being overwhelmed by the quests for worldly achievements and competitions. Today, few people in the west talk about leadership through service and humility. Rather, people are craving after leadership by leading and success. It is against such a backdrop that the gospel is making its way through to save the lost souls. Dear brothers and sisters, let's encourage one another with the Lord's promise of His Peace and do not be discouraged in our Christian pursuit for we are Jesus’ messengers sent into the world having a divine protection from God. Amen.

Devotional for September 6th

A Heart for The Seasons

In my devotional Master of Our Freewill dated August 25th, 2006, I quoted Luke 12:34 saying, “Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” Beloved, where is your treasure today? Is your heart with it? As Christians, we are taught and encouraged to look to our heavenly treasures. As human beings, we are under a constant reminder of the power and influence of money. Such a situation often draws us into a dilemma in our decision making.

I once heard a story about a Christian brother's confession during his escape from Vietnam. It goes back to the time when Vietnam was divided. The said brother was a rich man living in the South. He enjoyed his living and business before the South was annexed by the North. As South Vietnam was tumbling, he had to desert his business and join a massive exodus to flee out of Vietnam. During his escape to the nearby countries, he could still travel in a Mercedes Benz with his family! He figured out a clever idea to hide his treasure by forcing all his bank notes into an empty tyre. Unfortunately, the vehicle broke down in the middle of an isolated area. His family had to spend the cold night there. Without suitable firewood or other materials to light a fire, he finally had to burn up his treasured bank notes for his family's sustenance! Tears immediately rushed down from his eyes. His heart was aching with a strong sense of distress and repentance – he was so sad that he had not used the money wisely to support his church and God's kingdom while he was free to do that. Things were too late then because he was running for his survival in a country filled with hatred.

Beloved, does the above story remind you of any thing? It really enlivens the parable in Matthew 25:14-29 about the burden of servants to make profits on behalf of their master. Isaiah 55:6 urges us to seek the LORD while he may be found, call upon him while he is near. Let's learn from the aforesaid story and prepare ourselves against possible crises in our lives. The Apostle Paul's reminder (I Thess. 5:1-2) is germane – But as to the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need to have anything written to you. For you yourselves know well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.