Ten Commandments

Whenever I read Exodus 20, the "You shall not" in the Ten Commandments are always sound so serious and stern to me. Because of the “You shall” and “You shall not”, I tend to imagine God as a stern and serious old man with white hairs when He gave Moses and the Israelites the Ten Commandments at Mount Sinai. So in my creative imagination, God in Exodus 20 become one that “You step my toe, I punch your nose”.

I believe I’m not the only one that has this feeling towards the Ten Commandments. Perhaps God was amused by my creative imagination and so recently, I met someone who shared with me a very interesting perspective of Ten Commandments: the Ten Commandments are Ten Promises!

We all know deep in our hearts that we are not able to keep the Ten Commandments. In our lifetime, there will be times that we would fail to uphold the commandments set by the Almighty God for all men sinned. However, what we cannot achieve in our strength is what we can do when we are complete in Christ. Consider this – on the day when we are called back to our heavenly home, the Ten Commandants become:

We will not have other gods – one and only God;
We will not make for ourselves idol – our eyes are always on Him;
We will not misuse the name of the LORD – we bow at His holy name;
We will keep Sabbath day - every day is holy day;
We will definitely honor our Father and one another – worshipping Him forever;
We will not murder – there is no hatred, only LOVE;
We will not commit adultery – we are His holy one;
We will not steal – why steal when we have everything?;
We will not give false testimony – only light, no darkness;
We will not covet our neighbor's house – LOVE, LOVE, LOVE.

So, isn’t the Ten Commandants = Ten Promises from God? Amen, Hallelujah!

Oh, by the way, God is not a stern and serious old man with white hairs (told you that's my imagination). God is a lovely, beautiful and gracious God. He is always ready to bless, teach and forgive us. At the same time, He is the King of kings, Lord of lords (the all-powerful one). See the difference between my imagination and truth? So next time, don't overly-endorse your imagination! God bless you! #min#

2 Peter 1

Greeting the Faithful

1 Simon Peter, a bondservant and apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who have obtained like precious faith with us by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ:

2 Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, 3 as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, 4 by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

Fruitful Growth in the Faith

5 But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, 6 to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, 7 to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. 8 For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins. 10 Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble; 11 for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Peter’s Approaching Death

12 For this reason I will not be negligent to remind you always of these things, though you know and are established in the present truth. 13 Yes, I think it is right, as long as I am in this tent, to stir you up by reminding you, 14 knowing that shortly I must put off my tent, just as our Lord Jesus Christ showed me. 15 Moreover I will be careful to ensure that you always have a reminder of these things after my decease.

The Trustworthy Prophetic Word

16 For we did not follow cunningly devised fables when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of His majesty. 17 For He received from God the Father honor and glory when such a voice came to Him from the Excellent Glory: “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” 18 And we heard this voice which came from heaven when we were with Him on the holy mountain. 19 And so we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts; 20 knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, 21 for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.

Is It Worth All The Labour?

Man was created with glory. Glory speaks of a light; a shine that is of exceptional brightness; of premium quality. Christ was fully man but far from common. As we walk with Him, our character is molded. We become more and more like Christ. That is, we come to bear the attributes of God.

And our nature determines our works. Paul heeds us in Romans 16:19 to be wise about what is good, and innocent about what is evil. Yet so very often, we hear people say, "It's ok that you did not do it. God sees your heart. He understands..." In this age of grace, there is a danger for this to imply an elimination of the need for us to do good works. Is this biblical? Does grace eliminate the need for works?

1 Corinthians 3:8 Now he who plants and he who waters are one, and each one will receive his own reward according to his own labor.
1 Corinthias 3:14 If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward.

While God knows us by our heart, it does not eliminate the requirement for good works. They are those that will survive the fire of God. Only God’s purposes and works endure forever. That is to say, unless we labour in the things of God, investing and sowing where God’s heart is, we labour in vain. This is further reinforced in 1 Corinthians 15:58 which encourages us to "... stand firm. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labour in the Lord is not in vain."

Clearly, our reward in heaven is certain but it is also conditional upon our efforts in building God’s house. Let us not to be deceived to think that faith only can save, for James 2:20 says "faith without works is dead." #nelle#

What Kinda Axe Do You Have On Hand?

EMERGE 2006 is an annual conference for the youths at City Harvest Church. It is a time of recreation, rededication and renewal. And this year is no exception! It was a resounding success with thousands of our very own CHC youths and delegates from around Asia and the America, and the invited guest performers were a remarkable hit with the youths! And the messages at the close of each day was power-packed.

The opening message was drawn from 2 Kings 6:1-7 which states:

1 The company of the prophets said to Elisha, "Look, the place where we meet with you is too small for us. 2 Let us go to the Jordan, where each of us can get a pole; and let us build a place there for us to live." And he said, "Go." 3 Then one of them said, "Won't you please come with your servants?" "I will," Elisha replied. 4 And he went with them. They went to the Jordan and began to cut down trees. 5 As one of them was cutting down a tree, the iron axhead fell into the water. "Oh, my lord," he cried out, "it was borrowed!" 6 The man of God asked, "Where did it fall?" When he showed him the place, Elisha cut a stick and threw it there, and made the iron float. 7 "Lift it out," he said. Then the man reached out his hand and took it.

In short, this speaks of how very often, we think that what we have is too small, too little (v1) and eager for more. This is good but we must recognise that our destinies cannot be built on great ideas and hype alone (v2) because if it were so, then the outcome would be an anticlimax (v4). Thank God You are His child! And being amidst a company of the over-zealous (v3), filled with the Holy Spirit, you can be the one solution-provider; the lighthouse to shine the path and focus of people back to God Almighty again (v6-7).

The lessons from this borrowed axe (v5) are:
1. We cannot live on borrow methods and experiences - no borrowed axehead please!
2. To engage the people and the world in what you do, you need to have a cutting edge - dull blades cant do, pal!
3. Everything we have and do must be build on our spiritual life - no axe head = Holy Spirit, no Word, no power of God!
4. Your lifestyle sets the direction of the path that you walk - a loose axe head signifies a loose lifestyle or morality that leads to destruction. Keep away!
5. Live in faith, not fear - a cracked handle gives you the jitters when you swing the axe - without faith, you cannot please God.
6. It takes effort and strength to make an impact with your swing - do not be limited by a shortened handle (comfort zone!) and do only that which is convenient only. Step out; step up!
7. The Spirit of God can empower you to achieve heights beyond your talent, capability and good ideas - when you are weak, He is strong; depend on God.

What parts of your axe needs a change? [nelle]

Superiority In Christ

Acts 11:7 But the voice answered me again from heaven, "What God has cleansed you must not call common."

The word common is descriptive of that which is:
1. Not distinguished by superior or noteworthy characteristics; average e.g. the common man, the common cold.
2. Of no special quality; standard: common procedure.
3. Of mediocre or inferior quality; lacking refinement; second-rate.

Many would be able to associate themselves with this description. You think, "I'm just average. Sure, there're a couple of things that I do pretty well but on the whole, I'm just ok. Nothing special..."

Brother/Sister, you need a renewal in your mind! Let me be clear about this. I am not suggesting that we are to think ourselves to be great and be puffed up in our head, thereby putting others down and living our lives with our noses up in the air (watch your step lest you fall, dear!). I am not referring to being boastful. That is repulsive. What I am saying is you are no longer just you.

In case you did not realise or have yet to grasp the reality, the truth is that the day you came to the Lord, you are more than you. Yes, there's more than you in you. Hence, life is no longer "me, myself, and I." It is no longer all about you.

Did you read that? It is written, "What God has cleansed you must not call common."

What does that mean for you and I? Let us look at some passages:

1. You are a new creation in Christ.
2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.

2. You are to be imitators of God, walking in love so you might inherit all that's in the Kingdom of Christ and God.
Ephesians 5:1-7 Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma. But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints; neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. For this you know, that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not be partakers with them.

3. You are a vessel for honour, sanctified and useful for the Master.
2 Timothy 2:19-21 Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: "The Lord knows those who are His," and, "Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity." But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honor and some for dishonor. Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work.

4. You are God's sanctuary.
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.

Can you identify with these? They speak of your new identity in Christ.

The day you were led into salvation, and gave your heart to Jesus, the gift of the Holy Spirit was deposited in you. That is why there begins to be a glaring confrontation of the common things that you have been doing all your life just like the boy/girl next door. What used to be alright becomes a problem "overnight" because they go against the purity and holiness that is the nature of God.

1 John 1:17 says But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.

When areas of uour lives surface as no longer acceptable, the decision is yours to forsake the common things of the past so you might be the permanent dwelling place of the Spirit of God. You have been called to be His and you are chosen for the good work. Would you be faithful to see it to completion?

Your God is a God of omniscience and omnipotence. If He knows everything and can do everything, He is the epitome of excellence. You are called His child. As He is, so you are. By you alone, you are weak. Yet in Him, you can say, "I am strong."

2 Corinthians 7:1 Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

Live a live of victory; of superiority in Christ. No longer are you called common. #nelle#