Hi! Loving brothers and sisters,
Relevant verses are extracted below for your reference and reading:-
Matthew 5: 14-15 "You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house.
Mark 4:21-22 Also He said to them, "Is a lamp brought to be put under a basket, or under a bed? Is it not you to be set on a lampstand? 22 For there is nothing hidden which will not be revealed, nor has anything been kept secret but that it should come to light.
Luke 8:16 -17 "No one, when he has lit a lamp, covers it with a vessel or puts it under a bed, but sets it on a lampstand, that those who enter may see the light. 17 For nothing is secret that will not be revealed, nor anything hidden that will not be known or come to light.
1. Lamp refers to God's Word
2. Lampstand refers to our Heart. As the lamp sits on its stand to illuminate draws the same analogy that God's Word has to dwell in our hearts to shine God's light. Human heart is the place for God's Word to dwell. Once the Word dwells in our heart, we become bright, joyful and content as exactly advocated by Apostle Paul in Philippians 2:15 “you shine as lights in the world.”
For those who holds fast to Word of God are like stars, sparkling brightly in the dark world. As when Word dwells in our heart, we become the light bearer, as the lampstand for God's Word. In other words, through us Word shines the light (Truth) into the dark world. We are the lampstand that tells the truth to the world by shining the light( Truth). We function exactly like the lampstand that share light with people in darkness. We are the lampstand that spreads the Gospel and live by faith.
3. Basket or Bed refers to the place where we hide the lampstand. It clearly indicate to us that we should not hide God's Word due to whatsoever reason we may have.
Therefore, it is crystal clear that the choice is yours. It is up to you whether to place the lamp on the lampstand or under the bowl or bed.
However, both Mark 4:22 and Luke 8:17 plainly tell us that the truth will surface ultimately. The secret of God's Kingdom will be disclosed when the light shines in us. The secret of the evil will be revealed clearly no matter how cleverly it was hidden. We can see clearly when light shines in us. The truth will prevail. Our hidden sins, sorrow and despair will be disclosed whether you like it or not.
Above all, our love, faith and hope in Jesus Christ that are kept in our hearts will be exposed as well. Ultimately, nothing can be hidden from God’s eyes. As such, we need to live before God’s eyes not before men’s eyes. We can deceive man but God's Word reveals all things. Therefore, we should shun the secret double life.
I pray to God to reveal the truth to you should there be any other interpretation of this parable.
James Oh
Monday 30 November 2009
Saturday 28 November 2009
WHAT I HAVE LEARNED FROM THE LIFE OF MOSES
Hi! loving sisters and brothers,
It is clear to me that both old and new testaments are God's integral plan from the beginning and not Plan A and B as some may think. God's love and care for His people never changed as advocated by John 3:16. He did everything for us, knowing the truth that we can't add value to it. He even send His begotten Son to die for us so as to redeem our sins.
Below are some of crucial points extracted for your easy understanding.
1. Man of God
Moses is a man of God. God reaffirmed that Moses is a sinner, that he made mistakes despite his privilege to be able to communicate with God face to face. He still fell short of perfect obedience which resulted in his failure to enter the promised land. Deuteronomy 34: However, God's grace made him not lacking in anything. Even though he was one hundred and twenty years old, his eyes were not weak nor his health. God's grace enable him to see the entire promised land prior to the end of his life.Thereafter, no one has any idea as to the whereabouts of his dead body. Do not forget that his living body was protected by God and delivered from the hatred of Pharaoh when he was a baby in a basket in the Nile.
Since then, no prophet has risen in Israel like Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face, who did all those miraculous signs and wonders the LORD sent him to do in Egypt - to Pharaoh and to all his officials and to his whole land.
Through Moses, four profound principles are well entrenched in the Christian walk :-
a) Time
The most important thing is to spend time with God.
Here, our issue is that we must get our priorities right and find the time to be with God. Is it not Him that gives time?
b) Obedience
Obey God. If you spend time with God and thus come to love Him, you have to obey His commands. This is inclined to inward rather than outward looking. Once you have intimate relationship with God, you will hear His voice accurately, and not the voice from your flesh.
c) Trust God
This means to believe Him, to act and also to have your entire life based on His instructions, encouragements, statutes, laws and promises.
d) Witness
Speak often to others about God. The purpose of our presence is to testify God's existence. We share our experiences and revelations to glorify Him knowing the truth that all titles, glory, mercy, holy, and grace are for Him.
These four elements are integrated and function as one action to form the characteristics of Christ likeness.
2. Tutor between Adam and Jesus
One man's sin (through Adam), the world sin. Therefore, one man saved (through Jesus), the world is saved. Laws are our tutor but does not make us perfect us. [Galatians 3:24] If not, Christ death on the cross is in vain.
From Moses' life, we find abundance of evidence that God's grace delivered them out of Egypt and not through any of their efforts. In their weaknesses God's great strength is demonstrated. The point of the illustration is that salvation is made possible by the grace of God alone and it is received by faith alone, and not through our work. [Ephesians 2:8 - 9]
3. Two basic yet powerful commands
The vertical line of the Cross symbolize the first command of loving God whereas the horizontal line of it symbolize the second command of loving our peers, including our enemies.
Moses has demonstrated an unshakable faith even in the most troubling circumstances. In Moses' last breath, he still pray for his people despite his disappointing experiences with almost all of his people except Caleb and Joshua. God's grace made him lack nothing because of his fulfillment of these two basic commands.
James Oh
It is clear to me that both old and new testaments are God's integral plan from the beginning and not Plan A and B as some may think. God's love and care for His people never changed as advocated by John 3:16. He did everything for us, knowing the truth that we can't add value to it. He even send His begotten Son to die for us so as to redeem our sins.
Below are some of crucial points extracted for your easy understanding.
1. Man of God
Moses is a man of God. God reaffirmed that Moses is a sinner, that he made mistakes despite his privilege to be able to communicate with God face to face. He still fell short of perfect obedience which resulted in his failure to enter the promised land. Deuteronomy 34: However, God's grace made him not lacking in anything. Even though he was one hundred and twenty years old, his eyes were not weak nor his health. God's grace enable him to see the entire promised land prior to the end of his life.Thereafter, no one has any idea as to the whereabouts of his dead body. Do not forget that his living body was protected by God and delivered from the hatred of Pharaoh when he was a baby in a basket in the Nile.
Since then, no prophet has risen in Israel like Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face, who did all those miraculous signs and wonders the LORD sent him to do in Egypt - to Pharaoh and to all his officials and to his whole land.
Through Moses, four profound principles are well entrenched in the Christian walk :-
a) Time
The most important thing is to spend time with God.
Here, our issue is that we must get our priorities right and find the time to be with God. Is it not Him that gives time?
b) Obedience
Obey God. If you spend time with God and thus come to love Him, you have to obey His commands. This is inclined to inward rather than outward looking. Once you have intimate relationship with God, you will hear His voice accurately, and not the voice from your flesh.
c) Trust God
This means to believe Him, to act and also to have your entire life based on His instructions, encouragements, statutes, laws and promises.
d) Witness
Speak often to others about God. The purpose of our presence is to testify God's existence. We share our experiences and revelations to glorify Him knowing the truth that all titles, glory, mercy, holy, and grace are for Him.
These four elements are integrated and function as one action to form the characteristics of Christ likeness.
2. Tutor between Adam and Jesus
One man's sin (through Adam), the world sin. Therefore, one man saved (through Jesus), the world is saved. Laws are our tutor but does not make us perfect us. [Galatians 3:24] If not, Christ death on the cross is in vain.
From Moses' life, we find abundance of evidence that God's grace delivered them out of Egypt and not through any of their efforts. In their weaknesses God's great strength is demonstrated. The point of the illustration is that salvation is made possible by the grace of God alone and it is received by faith alone, and not through our work. [Ephesians 2:8 - 9]
3. Two basic yet powerful commands
The vertical line of the Cross symbolize the first command of loving God whereas the horizontal line of it symbolize the second command of loving our peers, including our enemies.
Moses has demonstrated an unshakable faith even in the most troubling circumstances. In Moses' last breath, he still pray for his people despite his disappointing experiences with almost all of his people except Caleb and Joshua. God's grace made him lack nothing because of his fulfillment of these two basic commands.
James Oh
Thursday 26 November 2009
WISE AND FOOLISH BUILDERS
Hi! loving brothers and sisters,
Grace and peace to you.
I thank God for being able to share with you the article below.
Matthew 7 : 24 - 27
24 “Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: 25 and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock.
26 “But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: 27 and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall.”
Luke 6 : 47- 49
47 Whoever comes to Me, and hears My sayings and does them, I will show you whom he is like: 48 He is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently against that house, and could not shake it, for it was founded on the rock.[h] 49 But he who heard and did nothing is like a man who built a house on the earth without a foundation, against which the stream beat vehemently; and immediately it fell.[i] And the ruin of that house was great.”
In the book of Matthew, the ones who obey God are described as the wise builders who build their houses on a rock ( strong foundation ) whereas the ones who do otherwise are described as the foolish builders who build their houses on sand ( no foundation).
While in the book of Luke, the ones who obey God are described as the wise builders who build their houses with a foundation whereas the ones who are not are building their houses without foundation. Naturally both of them are drawing our attention on wise and foolish behaviors.
Whereas both flood and storm used are metaphorical to suggest either trial or judgement. Therefore, the theme of the message is discussing the concept of obedience. How can we apply to our Christian walk? This Mighty and Loving God give us a choice either to choose Him as the foundation of our lives or alternatively reject Him. I am sad to say that there is no mid way.
To build a strong foundation, we require constant and lasting efforts to ensure that the construction of the foundation in itself is sturdy. God not only calls us to trust Him wholeheartedly with our minds and souls, but also build intimate relationship with Him, thus forming an unshakeable foundation. This have been demonstrated in both Moses' and Jesus' life, It is also portrayed by Luke by saying that the wise builder not only erects on a rock but also digs sufficiently deep to find this rock. This analogy is to draw our attention that we must constantly seek God as the foundation of our lives. Only then we can expand our efforts to understand His Word diligently, establish intimate relationship with Him and draws His grace, exactly like Jesus, to obey God perfectly. Without drawing God's grace, there is no way we can effect His will perfectly. That's what advocated by Apostle Paul, if the law can make us perfect, then Christ died in the cross is in vain.
If there is any different interpretation in any part directly; indirectly; expressly or impliedly, I pray to God that He reveal the truth to us. In Jesus' wonderful name, I pray. Amen.
James Oh
Grace and peace to you.
I thank God for being able to share with you the article below.
Matthew 7 : 24 - 27
24 “Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: 25 and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock.
26 “But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: 27 and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall.”
Luke 6 : 47- 49
47 Whoever comes to Me, and hears My sayings and does them, I will show you whom he is like: 48 He is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently against that house, and could not shake it, for it was founded on the rock.[h] 49 But he who heard and did nothing is like a man who built a house on the earth without a foundation, against which the stream beat vehemently; and immediately it fell.[i] And the ruin of that house was great.”
In the book of Matthew, the ones who obey God are described as the wise builders who build their houses on a rock ( strong foundation ) whereas the ones who do otherwise are described as the foolish builders who build their houses on sand ( no foundation).
While in the book of Luke, the ones who obey God are described as the wise builders who build their houses with a foundation whereas the ones who are not are building their houses without foundation. Naturally both of them are drawing our attention on wise and foolish behaviors.
Whereas both flood and storm used are metaphorical to suggest either trial or judgement. Therefore, the theme of the message is discussing the concept of obedience. How can we apply to our Christian walk? This Mighty and Loving God give us a choice either to choose Him as the foundation of our lives or alternatively reject Him. I am sad to say that there is no mid way.
To build a strong foundation, we require constant and lasting efforts to ensure that the construction of the foundation in itself is sturdy. God not only calls us to trust Him wholeheartedly with our minds and souls, but also build intimate relationship with Him, thus forming an unshakeable foundation. This have been demonstrated in both Moses' and Jesus' life, It is also portrayed by Luke by saying that the wise builder not only erects on a rock but also digs sufficiently deep to find this rock. This analogy is to draw our attention that we must constantly seek God as the foundation of our lives. Only then we can expand our efforts to understand His Word diligently, establish intimate relationship with Him and draws His grace, exactly like Jesus, to obey God perfectly. Without drawing God's grace, there is no way we can effect His will perfectly. That's what advocated by Apostle Paul, if the law can make us perfect, then Christ died in the cross is in vain.
If there is any different interpretation in any part directly; indirectly; expressly or impliedly, I pray to God that He reveal the truth to us. In Jesus' wonderful name, I pray. Amen.
James Oh
Tuesday 24 November 2009
SOWER AND THE SOILS
Hi! brothers and sisters,
My bible study group is going through the parable of sower and the soils, which I find is very important in relation to our SPIRITUAL growth. That's the driving force for me to share with you.
For those who want to read this parable, you may refer to the relevant verses from the Scripture as shown below:-
a) Matthew 13: 3-8;
3 Then He spoke many things to them in parables, saying: “Behold, a sower went out to sow. 4 And as he sowed, some seed fell by the wayside; and the birds came and devoured them. 5 Some fell on stony places, where they did not have much earth; and they immediately sprang up because they had no depth of earth. 6 But when the sun was up they were scorched, and because they had no root they withered away. 7 And some fell among thorns, and the thorns sprang up and choked them. 8 But others fell on good ground and yielded a crop: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.
b) Mark 4: 3-8
3 “Listen! Behold, a sower went out to sow. 4 And it happened, as he sowed, that some seed fell by the wayside; and the birds of the air[a] came and devoured it. 5 Some fell on stony ground, where it did not have much earth; and immediately it sprang up because it had no depth of earth. 6 But when the sun was up it was scorched, and because it had no root it withered away. 7 And some seed fell among thorns; and the thorns grew up and choked it, and it yielded no crop. 8 But other seed fell on good ground and yielded a crop that sprang up, increased and produced: some thirty fold, some sixty, and some a hundred.”
c) Luke 8: 5-8
5 “A sower went out to sow his seed. And as he sowed, some fell by the wayside; and it was trampled down, and the birds of the air devoured it. 6 Some fell on rock; and as soon as it sprang up, it withered away because it lacked moisture. 7 And some fell among thorns, and the thorns sprang up with it and choked it. 8 But others fell on good ground, sprang up, and yielded a crop a hundredfold.” When He had said these things He cried, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear!”
From the above parables, Jesus was drawing the analogy SEED to the GOSPEL and SOIL to those who hear the gospel. He portrayed that the key to spiritual growth is condition of the HEART of the person receiving or hearing the GOSPEL.
Let us study through together and at the same time, examine and evaluate our hearts honestly to ascertain which type of soils our hearts will fit into:-
In the parable, Jesus reiterated that there are four types of conditions of soil as follows:-
1. The hard-packed soil.
Jesus is describing the situation where there is essentially no chance for the seed germinating because of hardness of the ground. The seed eventually become bird feed instead.
He refers this soil to those whose hearts are hardened and impenetrable. GOSPEL has no chance of growing just like the seed fallen on a hard-packed soil.
These group of people do not understand the Gospel because they simply refuse to do so.
2. Soil that was shallow
The seed would germinate quickly on such ground because it grows rapidly but there was no depth! As a result, it becomes weak and could not withstand the resistance.
This apply to those who have a SHALLOW HEART and are drawn to the blessings of salvation. However when hardship and adversity arises, they usually complain and search for alternate spiritual utopia.
3 Soil hat was filled with weeds
You may know that weeds are very easy to grow. It is very hard to detect them in early stage because they blend in so well with the plants. And if left unchecked, they will begin to choke the life of the sprout. The weeds will flourish whereas the plant dies.
Here, WEEDY SOIL refers to those who are too busy with other interests which are of lesser importance. The weeds will eventually overwhelm their spiritual life.
4 GOOD SOIL (the fertile soil)
The good ground was deep; fertile and soft where the seed could gain entry. It could find nourishment and yield crop.
GOOD SOIL refers to those who are not only receptive to Gospel, but hungry for it. As such, they grow and bear fruit.
I hope the above discussion have given you an insight of the four different soils. It is worthy to note that they may not necessary refer to four different types of people, but they may also apply to four different responses within the same person as well. In reality, we may respond to God differently depending upon the situation we are in, contentment or frustration at the particular moment of time.
May I sum up this discussion with the Psalmist below.
“Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me and lead me in the way everlasting.” I pray in Jesus' wonderful name. Amen.
James Oh
My bible study group is going through the parable of sower and the soils, which I find is very important in relation to our SPIRITUAL growth. That's the driving force for me to share with you.
For those who want to read this parable, you may refer to the relevant verses from the Scripture as shown below:-
a) Matthew 13: 3-8;
3 Then He spoke many things to them in parables, saying: “Behold, a sower went out to sow. 4 And as he sowed, some seed fell by the wayside; and the birds came and devoured them. 5 Some fell on stony places, where they did not have much earth; and they immediately sprang up because they had no depth of earth. 6 But when the sun was up they were scorched, and because they had no root they withered away. 7 And some fell among thorns, and the thorns sprang up and choked them. 8 But others fell on good ground and yielded a crop: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.
b) Mark 4: 3-8
3 “Listen! Behold, a sower went out to sow. 4 And it happened, as he sowed, that some seed fell by the wayside; and the birds of the air[a] came and devoured it. 5 Some fell on stony ground, where it did not have much earth; and immediately it sprang up because it had no depth of earth. 6 But when the sun was up it was scorched, and because it had no root it withered away. 7 And some seed fell among thorns; and the thorns grew up and choked it, and it yielded no crop. 8 But other seed fell on good ground and yielded a crop that sprang up, increased and produced: some thirty fold, some sixty, and some a hundred.”
c) Luke 8: 5-8
5 “A sower went out to sow his seed. And as he sowed, some fell by the wayside; and it was trampled down, and the birds of the air devoured it. 6 Some fell on rock; and as soon as it sprang up, it withered away because it lacked moisture. 7 And some fell among thorns, and the thorns sprang up with it and choked it. 8 But others fell on good ground, sprang up, and yielded a crop a hundredfold.” When He had said these things He cried, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear!”
From the above parables, Jesus was drawing the analogy SEED to the GOSPEL and SOIL to those who hear the gospel. He portrayed that the key to spiritual growth is condition of the HEART of the person receiving or hearing the GOSPEL.
Let us study through together and at the same time, examine and evaluate our hearts honestly to ascertain which type of soils our hearts will fit into:-
In the parable, Jesus reiterated that there are four types of conditions of soil as follows:-
1. The hard-packed soil.
Jesus is describing the situation where there is essentially no chance for the seed germinating because of hardness of the ground. The seed eventually become bird feed instead.
He refers this soil to those whose hearts are hardened and impenetrable. GOSPEL has no chance of growing just like the seed fallen on a hard-packed soil.
These group of people do not understand the Gospel because they simply refuse to do so.
2. Soil that was shallow
The seed would germinate quickly on such ground because it grows rapidly but there was no depth! As a result, it becomes weak and could not withstand the resistance.
This apply to those who have a SHALLOW HEART and are drawn to the blessings of salvation. However when hardship and adversity arises, they usually complain and search for alternate spiritual utopia.
3 Soil hat was filled with weeds
You may know that weeds are very easy to grow. It is very hard to detect them in early stage because they blend in so well with the plants. And if left unchecked, they will begin to choke the life of the sprout. The weeds will flourish whereas the plant dies.
Here, WEEDY SOIL refers to those who are too busy with other interests which are of lesser importance. The weeds will eventually overwhelm their spiritual life.
4 GOOD SOIL (the fertile soil)
The good ground was deep; fertile and soft where the seed could gain entry. It could find nourishment and yield crop.
GOOD SOIL refers to those who are not only receptive to Gospel, but hungry for it. As such, they grow and bear fruit.
I hope the above discussion have given you an insight of the four different soils. It is worthy to note that they may not necessary refer to four different types of people, but they may also apply to four different responses within the same person as well. In reality, we may respond to God differently depending upon the situation we are in, contentment or frustration at the particular moment of time.
May I sum up this discussion with the Psalmist below.
“Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me and lead me in the way everlasting.” I pray in Jesus' wonderful name. Amen.
James Oh
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