Key Scripture Reading: HEB 11:8 , LUKE 14:33

As human beings, we tend to struggle with what is ambiguous and uncertain. We value clarity, predictability, and logic. We want to know things before we set to do anything, esp. when it involves or poses a great risk. 

Abraham  was sold out with this idea of a God who promised him a land as an inheritance. Although as intangible and invisible as it was, but to Abraham, it was real enough to him. Therefore, he was so willing to give up everything, to risk everything and to live radically.

Abraham’s faith is a practical faith. Faith that is displayed through an obedient act in doing what God called and commanded him to do. It is not just an intellectual agreement nor verbal confession. 

TRUE FAITH demands you to betting your life – all of it. And by so doing, you are surrendering whole of yourself to God to be sanctified and used to complete His purpose in your life. 

“Do not love the world of the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in Him.” (1 John 2:15 ESV)

True Christian faith has its purpose of making us to be a man and woman who desires God more than anything. To be God’s people who are INCREASINGLY LESS ATTACHED with everything in this life here. Instead, being INCREASINGLY MORE INTENTIONAL TO BE A PERSON OF A FUTURE LIFE – THE CITIZEN OF THE NEW HEAVEN AND THE NEW EARTH. 

 And toward that end, we must be committed to condition our mind and way of life as a stranger and nomad here in this world. 

BE FREE from MAKING ANYTHING TO BE “AN ABSOLUTE”.  Because OUR ABSOLUTE IS ONLY ONE: THE LORD – AND HOW TO LIVE ACCEPTABLY BEFORE HIM. AMEN.  

Key Scripture Reading: Romans 8:14-17 (NIV)

Nowadays, many Christians believe and even are comfortable to claim that they are “child of God”. But they don’t raise the central question, which is: WHAT KIND A CHILD AM I TO GOD?  Because there are two kinds of child. Hebrews 12:8 indicates that there are TRUE or LEGITIMATE child [huios] or ILLEGITIMATE child [nothos].

Through believing in Jesus and His redemptive work, that status of the child of God is recovered or given back to those who believe in Him.  However, it does not stop here. Each person who claims to be a believer thus must continuously “work out” their faith  until that recovered status of being a "legitimate" child of God is VALIDATED through the fruits of their salvation. And to produce this fruit, one must live his/her life led by the Spirit of God.

If we call God – “Abba Father”, then we must be child who gives a proper respect, honor and love to Him. If we call God – “Abba Father”, then we must be progressively growing in our maturity. A child who RECIPROCATES the Father’s love. AMEN. 

Key Scripture Reading:  ROMANS 7:14-25

There are TWO undeniable facts: 1) there is a “fleshy” nature in ALL of us - human beings. Whether you identified yourself as a Christian or not. Christians call it sinful nature.  This sinful nature still exists in every person. It is the serious consequence of the original sin of our forefathers  - started with Adam and Eve. And it’s still ALIVE and WELL. It is IN and WITHIN you and me. It’s attached to us.

2) this sinful nature shackles us to do God's will rightly or perfectly. Because of this nature, human beings struggle or even almost impossible to be able to live in ways that are pleasing and acceptable to God - godly and holy. And this is including those who claim to be Christians.

In Hebrews 12:1, Let us throw everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.” (“race set before us” – ESV), the author might very much make the point about the transformation of human sinful nature. 

Run with perseverance and finishing the race in Christian faith should be understood more than just die as a Christian (meaning never become an apostate or renouncing Christian faith). The “race marked out for us” is more about transforming that internal and invisible SINFUL NATURE into DIVINE NATURE so that we can live in a complete HARMONY with God. 

When it comes to our sinful nature, we cannot deal with it by ignoring it. We cannot deal with it by suppressing it. Nor by diverting it. We have to deal with it by EXTINGUISHING it.

How should/could we extinguish it? Here are some practical disciplines we must develop. 

1)    You must know God’s authentic truth

2)    You must stop feed your sinful nature

3)    You must continuously be intentional to live in God’s presence every moment.

We are REDEEMED by Jesus’ sacrifice so that we can be set free from the bondage of our sinful nature. It is not an automatic process. It requires serious efforts and determination to die to ourselves, and to live for the Lord, who is the Owner of our lives. As Christians, we are called to be more than just a good person, but GODLY. And the Holy Spirit is provided to empower us to accomplish that purpose. AMEN.  

1 Pet 5:8 says, “Be alert and sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”

Our real battles as Christians are more than just illness or the problems in life. In fact, so often our real battles are invisible and spiritual. They are deep within ourselves. The battlefield of the mind. There is deception, denial, hidden unbelief, disobedience, envy, discontentment, covert superiority,  and many more. 

 Your mind is the true battle ground! Satan knows that if he wins your mind, he wins your devotion/loyalty. He wins all over you! From there you are vulnerable. He can easily to whisper lies into your life.

As a child of God, Let's be clever and discerning. He wants us to grow in knowledge and maturity of Him and His good purpose. God loves you. That is truth!

Win the battlefield of your mind today. Don’t let the enemy to have any foothold. “Be alert and sober mind.” AMEN!

“Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it.”  - Mat 16:24-25 (NIV)

 Why is an authentic branded item costly? The answer is because it is authentic! 

It is the same with our Christian faith. True and authentic Christian faith is costly. Christian faith that is real and original will echo what Jesus taught. Jesus, the Son of God, is THE only standard of holiness and righteousness that is acceptable to God the Father. Therefore, the Father makes it very clear that it is His will for us to be like His Son.

Authentic Gospel is costly. Authentic Christian life is costly. Let’s not be deceived by teachings and messages that only underscore the promise following Christ as the guaranteed “short cut” to heaven or the “vending-machine” to life’s fulfillment on earth. The message, “Just believe and the rest is done deal” is not an authentic Gospel message! Beware!

 Because Jesus never taught it that way. Authentic Gospel demands our “whole being” – our entire life. Like Jesus emptying Himself. God wants us to empty ourselves so that He could restore us as He has originally planned and designed – to be holy and blameless in His sight. 

AMEN!

THERE IS NO GREATER LOVE THAN THIS

Key Scripture Reading: John 15:13

“…13There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”   - John 15:13 (NLT)

JESUS IS RISEN. THUS, YOU AND I CAN HAVE AN ULTIMATE LIVING HOPE. The hope that nothing and none could ever give.

The value of something is based on how much someone is willing to pay for it. Jesus purchased you and me by His holy and precious blood. It should suffice to tell you how much loved, valuable and priceless you are… we are!   

God’s love is so compelling and so indispensable in life. It IS comforting. It brings healing, meaning and fulfilment. God’s love is so true, so pure, so unselfish and self-sacrificial. God’s love is the answer of many problems, bitterness and tragedies in life. There IS STILL A TRUE LOVE – which is GOD’S LOVE.

 ALL YOU NEED IS GOD’S LOVE. GOD’S LOVE IS ALL YOU NEED! And Jesus Christ, the Son of God, has it made available for us.