28 May 2014; Mat 6
Jesus came and illustrated the way of living a disciple should live. It is based on love. It is not based on retaliation. Jesus knew that if more is return to what is done wrong to you - the case gets spiral.
With love, the wrong done is stop. Jesus illustrated in Mat 5:38-43. Gave up your institutional rights. Why? Because God first love us through Christ who died for us. Jesus has the right to call us to gave up our rights of retaliation, because Jesus died for us.
Everyone who love is born of God.
Why then I am compel to love? is it because I have compassion, or because I know I cannot fight back or because I love peace. It will end up with hurt and hatred in me and get myself trap with grudges and inside anger.
The world has seemed in a lot of way unfair to me. But wait, son, what is fair? Getting the more the best?
Am I then secure in my self worth in Christ - one who knows that he has enough and sufficient in Jesus. If I only know how Christ has done for me. How then I view my identity and know that all that I need and be recognize is not on how much I have, what I can do and what my status. Know and I have all in Christ who love me just I am - no matter how much or empty I am.
Lord, let me know my sufficiency in you. I strive not because I need more because you also do not need the more. Lord let me know that my self worth is not in the much I have, but in the much I have in you.
Wednesday, May 28, 2014
Monday, May 26, 2014
26 May; Mat 6:1-4
26 May; Mat 6:1-4
Call it ego. The world looks at what you do and wow at you. Call it achievement - the world needs to see what you can produce and attain and wows at you.
Do I see myself then as a person who wants to do things for God and for man to know and see that I am doing things for God and man knows that I am doing these good things to benefits mankind?
Again it is about the heart intent. In Mat 6:1-4, Jesus say if you do and what you do is made known or so that what you do can be seen, then you have receive your rewards in full.
I am not pressured by what the peers are doing for God and therefore it is not a race to see who do more. It is more of a need to do something? It must then flows out of the heart - it is not about community service but rather it the things that you do will be able to bring someone closer to Christ.
It is not the tangible and it can then starts simple by prayers. It is not something anyone will see - it reveal however the needs and the call to God in petition - to pray for someone and something to happen so that he/she can know God better.
Therefore for me - stop the doing, start the praying. Who then to pray for? Again it is about the heart intent.
Call it ego. The world looks at what you do and wow at you. Call it achievement - the world needs to see what you can produce and attain and wows at you.
Do I see myself then as a person who wants to do things for God and for man to know and see that I am doing things for God and man knows that I am doing these good things to benefits mankind?
Again it is about the heart intent. In Mat 6:1-4, Jesus say if you do and what you do is made known or so that what you do can be seen, then you have receive your rewards in full.
I am not pressured by what the peers are doing for God and therefore it is not a race to see who do more. It is more of a need to do something? It must then flows out of the heart - it is not about community service but rather it the things that you do will be able to bring someone closer to Christ.
It is not the tangible and it can then starts simple by prayers. It is not something anyone will see - it reveal however the needs and the call to God in petition - to pray for someone and something to happen so that he/she can know God better.
Therefore for me - stop the doing, start the praying. Who then to pray for? Again it is about the heart intent.
Thursday, May 22, 2014
22 May 2014; Mat 5:38-48
22 May 2014; Mat 5:38-48
I was sharing with Rach that the sermon on the mount is indeed about the intent of the heart and the style of living Jesus was asking the disciple to live.
Mat 5: 38-48 is on the retaliation as well as love your enemies.
The world rules is about what more to do to others when they do bad to us. Not less. Clearly Jesus asked the disciples to give to them more than what they (those you hate or those who hate you) more.
Why must I? Because we are the disciples of Jesus and are different from the world. But why so noble. The one who paid for the sins of mankind - Jesus has died for us - while we are still sinners.
The world return good for good and evil for evil. Then which standard are we to live. The world can only be made a better place if good is return for evil. But then it makes evil more prevailing so that more good can be received. Jesus died it for all.
As disciple of Christ - we died as He died for us. We are not saint but we model after Christ who died for us. Are we ready to return good for evil. Check our heart - where then is the willingness to part good for evil in us? If we are not - are we not part of the world?
By acknowledging good for evil - we also acknowledge Christ in me and that is all I need.
You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect. (Matthew 5:48 ESV)
We therefore strive to be perfect - the saint. But remember - not the saint for the world to see and take advantage of, but one who image after Jesus.
I spend much time dwelling of the sermon on the mount. And this is the occasion that I see that Jesus makes the intent of our heart. The things we do as a disciple - the realness b the things we do and don't reflect the intent of our heart. Here Jesus is asking for one that behaves and act for for a show or to attain sainthood, but one that image after Jesus.
I see the purpose of Jesus - for without Him, I am still a sinners in the laws of God - doing what should be done and not doing what the religion ask me not to. Jesus is the one that makes this a non religion and that makes a way of life because Christ made it possible.
I am with gratitude that I am bless because I am make clean. I just have to me the real me, and all actions checks after the intent of the heart - does the things I do and don't glorify the heavenly father in heaven.
I am grateful that I am not bound by the laws- the dos and the donts.
I was sharing with Rach that the sermon on the mount is indeed about the intent of the heart and the style of living Jesus was asking the disciple to live.
Mat 5: 38-48 is on the retaliation as well as love your enemies.
The world rules is about what more to do to others when they do bad to us. Not less. Clearly Jesus asked the disciples to give to them more than what they (those you hate or those who hate you) more.
Why must I? Because we are the disciples of Jesus and are different from the world. But why so noble. The one who paid for the sins of mankind - Jesus has died for us - while we are still sinners.
The world return good for good and evil for evil. Then which standard are we to live. The world can only be made a better place if good is return for evil. But then it makes evil more prevailing so that more good can be received. Jesus died it for all.
As disciple of Christ - we died as He died for us. We are not saint but we model after Christ who died for us. Are we ready to return good for evil. Check our heart - where then is the willingness to part good for evil in us? If we are not - are we not part of the world?
By acknowledging good for evil - we also acknowledge Christ in me and that is all I need.
You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect. (Matthew 5:48 ESV)
We therefore strive to be perfect - the saint. But remember - not the saint for the world to see and take advantage of, but one who image after Jesus.
I spend much time dwelling of the sermon on the mount. And this is the occasion that I see that Jesus makes the intent of our heart. The things we do as a disciple - the realness b the things we do and don't reflect the intent of our heart. Here Jesus is asking for one that behaves and act for for a show or to attain sainthood, but one that image after Jesus.
I see the purpose of Jesus - for without Him, I am still a sinners in the laws of God - doing what should be done and not doing what the religion ask me not to. Jesus is the one that makes this a non religion and that makes a way of life because Christ made it possible.
I am with gratitude that I am bless because I am make clean. I just have to me the real me, and all actions checks after the intent of the heart - does the things I do and don't glorify the heavenly father in heaven.
I am grateful that I am not bound by the laws- the dos and the donts.
Saturday, May 17, 2014
17 May 2014; Mat 5:31-37
17 May 2014; Mat 5:31-37
Be it a marriage or a contract or a vow - we have written certificates, agreement and other legal documents to show our intent and enable us to escape or get even when things go wrong.
Jesus countered the argument in divorce and oaths making - that it is not about contract. Jesus said it is wrong for one man to divorce a woman, excepts on ground of sexually immorality, makes the woman sin if she remarries another as well as makes the man who married her sin. 3 sins in one divorce.
Jesus also said that it was the technicality or the way we craft the vows or oaths - or in our modern case, the way we draft our contracts and agreements.
It was therefore the ability to escape our marriage vows, oaths in a case we have to break it in the ways we craft and draft the contracts. It is not so that we can then still say accordingly, I have not commit any wrong doings and therefore not be liable for any commitment of sins. It is the other person.
Jesus will provides the protection - He don't default. He will make sufficient for us and there is no need to agree and later disagree and still intent to walk free. In all we enter a vows or oath - the intent that we will fulfill the commitment with no intent to break it or default.
Because a default will make us look bad, we want to make us look good again by saying that accordingly it is the other person fault because of the writings in the contract. Jesus is saying - I am the one will be with you, even when you look bad.
I have to put my trust in Jesus - the intent in any doings is therefore not that I can gain more and achieve more and be able to walk away ok if anything goes wrong. Jesus is the one will see to me the wants and needs. Jesus is the anchor when things don't go too well.
The intent of the heart proves a righteous person - a disciple of Christ that let your yes be yes and no be no.
Lord help me that in the things that I do - I know that you have my good intention, such that I know that Jesus you will provides and your grace is always sufficient for me.
Be it a marriage or a contract or a vow - we have written certificates, agreement and other legal documents to show our intent and enable us to escape or get even when things go wrong.
Jesus countered the argument in divorce and oaths making - that it is not about contract. Jesus said it is wrong for one man to divorce a woman, excepts on ground of sexually immorality, makes the woman sin if she remarries another as well as makes the man who married her sin. 3 sins in one divorce.
Jesus also said that it was the technicality or the way we craft the vows or oaths - or in our modern case, the way we draft our contracts and agreements.
It was therefore the ability to escape our marriage vows, oaths in a case we have to break it in the ways we craft and draft the contracts. It is not so that we can then still say accordingly, I have not commit any wrong doings and therefore not be liable for any commitment of sins. It is the other person.
Jesus will provides the protection - He don't default. He will make sufficient for us and there is no need to agree and later disagree and still intent to walk free. In all we enter a vows or oath - the intent that we will fulfill the commitment with no intent to break it or default.
Because a default will make us look bad, we want to make us look good again by saying that accordingly it is the other person fault because of the writings in the contract. Jesus is saying - I am the one will be with you, even when you look bad.
I have to put my trust in Jesus - the intent in any doings is therefore not that I can gain more and achieve more and be able to walk away ok if anything goes wrong. Jesus is the one will see to me the wants and needs. Jesus is the anchor when things don't go too well.
The intent of the heart proves a righteous person - a disciple of Christ that let your yes be yes and no be no.
Lord help me that in the things that I do - I know that you have my good intention, such that I know that Jesus you will provides and your grace is always sufficient for me.
Friday, May 16, 2014
16 May 2014; Mat 5:21-32
16 May 2014; Mat 5: 21-32
The interesting perspective about these verses are - it is not about you alone and how should you live your Christian life. It is also about how you relate and how you spur one another towards Christian living.
Verse 21-26 is about how you deal with anger.
Verse 27-30 is on lust
Verse 31-32 on divorce
In many aspect, it is not about if I don't do it - I live a righteous life and I am holy and godly.
v21 - you shall not murder - I did not
v27 - you shall not commit adultery - I do not
Murder start with being angry with someone. Jesus said - stop that in the first place before you go on and murder. Jesus also said - if you know of a brother that has something against you - go and make peace. That is if you know that someone is angry with you - go make peace, least that his anger turn into murder. Therefore it is not how you should live alone, but how you intent - and not about do and don't which is not a clear line drawn. It is also about helping others against committing sins.
Likewise - it is not about you have not committed adultery. And the cause of those who cause me to commit adultery - like the woman should cover up (so as to help the man). Jesus said - it is about the heart. It is not what you have done or have not - but the intent of not committing adultery. Likewise it is not about if your cutting out your eyes that cause you to sin - it is the heart and the intend.
It is not about divorcing a woman, but also about the intend to say it is ok to marry a divorce woman. It could be justifying that it is ok that I am not committing adultery because I marry a woman who is divorce. Divorce then is as simple for a man to write a paper of divorce. Of all the intend, the man may be force to do so, in order for another man to take his wife.
It is not about refraining oneself but also to prevent others from falling into temptation or to cause them to sin.
And he said, “What comes out of a person is what defiles him. For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person.” (Mark 7:20-23 ESV)
Intent of the heart - intention.
As such, it is about intentional living as a disciple. The authenticity of one such disciple lies not about the do and don't but weigh on the action and consequence - the ending intention of the outcome.
I am not alone. As such it is not what I have not done or what I have done - both can be wrong. What I have not done can cause hurt. what I have done does not justify myself. Jesus you are the center so that the intend of doing or not doing speaks weight and conviction.
Open my heart to do what I am called to do and what I am called not to do. If relating to people - then it it be so - that my actions can help justify their godliness and all walk towards a closer walk with God.
The interesting perspective about these verses are - it is not about you alone and how should you live your Christian life. It is also about how you relate and how you spur one another towards Christian living.
Verse 21-26 is about how you deal with anger.
Verse 27-30 is on lust
Verse 31-32 on divorce
In many aspect, it is not about if I don't do it - I live a righteous life and I am holy and godly.
v21 - you shall not murder - I did not
v27 - you shall not commit adultery - I do not
Murder start with being angry with someone. Jesus said - stop that in the first place before you go on and murder. Jesus also said - if you know of a brother that has something against you - go and make peace. That is if you know that someone is angry with you - go make peace, least that his anger turn into murder. Therefore it is not how you should live alone, but how you intent - and not about do and don't which is not a clear line drawn. It is also about helping others against committing sins.
Likewise - it is not about you have not committed adultery. And the cause of those who cause me to commit adultery - like the woman should cover up (so as to help the man). Jesus said - it is about the heart. It is not what you have done or have not - but the intent of not committing adultery. Likewise it is not about if your cutting out your eyes that cause you to sin - it is the heart and the intend.
It is not about divorcing a woman, but also about the intend to say it is ok to marry a divorce woman. It could be justifying that it is ok that I am not committing adultery because I marry a woman who is divorce. Divorce then is as simple for a man to write a paper of divorce. Of all the intend, the man may be force to do so, in order for another man to take his wife.
It is not about refraining oneself but also to prevent others from falling into temptation or to cause them to sin.
And he said, “What comes out of a person is what defiles him. For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person.” (Mark 7:20-23 ESV)
Intent of the heart - intention.
As such, it is about intentional living as a disciple. The authenticity of one such disciple lies not about the do and don't but weigh on the action and consequence - the ending intention of the outcome.
I am not alone. As such it is not what I have not done or what I have done - both can be wrong. What I have not done can cause hurt. what I have done does not justify myself. Jesus you are the center so that the intend of doing or not doing speaks weight and conviction.
Open my heart to do what I am called to do and what I am called not to do. If relating to people - then it it be so - that my actions can help justify their godliness and all walk towards a closer walk with God.
Monday, May 12, 2014
12 May 2014; Mat 5
12 May 2014; Mat 5:17-26
With the opening statement, Jesus called the people who were there on the mount and his disciples - blessed - blessed are those who are poor in spirit...
With a separation and a deprivation from an access to God, Jesus offered these people an access to God - for theirs is the kingdom of God.
But after the blessings or the beatitudes - Jesus said that the laws will be kept and unless you do more than what the religious leader did, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven. ???????
Why????
Jesus is saying - there is no way that the works of the religious leader can bring you to the kingdom. This is not the way to live your lives. The law of Mosses and that God hate sins cannot be taken likely.
Jesus went on to explained that issue of murder. Have you murdered someone accordingly to the law? If the answer is no - you did follow the law and so are the religious leader. But this is not what a disciple living Jesus is looking for.
Jesus went on to say about what anger has to do with murder. It is the deep root issue - the depth of our hearts and thoughts - that Jesus want the way the disciple to live. If you are angry, go and make peace, but Jesus went on to say that if you know that your brother is angry with you, go and make peace.
In addition, Jesus is also saying - we have our limitations - we cannot do it - but with Christ and for the sake of Christ we change and can change our intend. Therefore Christ and Jesus is the change agent. It is not the laws that make a person good, it is not about the do and dont, but a change heart that wants to change.
I am not perfect. Unless I came as one with a poverty in the spirit and recognize that I need Christ to be my change agent, there is no way I will be good by the amount of services I rendered, the goods that I do, the amount of words I read and understand.
I pray and come with a spiritual hunger and acknowledged the imperfectness in me. Humble me for the things I can do but empty me so that I know that all that I can and all that I have belongs to Christ.
“Do not think that I have come to abolish qthe Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but rto fulfill them. 18 For truly, I say to you, suntil heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished. 19 tTherefore whoever relaxes uone of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least vin the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great vin the kingdom of heaven. 20 For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceedswthat of the scribes and Pharisees, you xwill never enter the kingdom of heaven.
Anger
21 y“You have heard that it was said to those of old, z‘You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable ato judgment.’ 22 But I say to you that beveryone who is angry with his brother3 will be liable ato judgment; whoever insults4 his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to cthe hell5 of fire. 23 dSo if eyou are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24 leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. 25 fCome to terms quickly with your accuser while you are going with him to court, lest your accuser hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you be put in prison. 26 Truly, I say to you, gyou will never get out until you have paid the last penny.
With the opening statement, Jesus called the people who were there on the mount and his disciples - blessed - blessed are those who are poor in spirit...
With a separation and a deprivation from an access to God, Jesus offered these people an access to God - for theirs is the kingdom of God.
But after the blessings or the beatitudes - Jesus said that the laws will be kept and unless you do more than what the religious leader did, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven. ???????
Why????
Jesus is saying - there is no way that the works of the religious leader can bring you to the kingdom. This is not the way to live your lives. The law of Mosses and that God hate sins cannot be taken likely.
Jesus went on to explained that issue of murder. Have you murdered someone accordingly to the law? If the answer is no - you did follow the law and so are the religious leader. But this is not what a disciple living Jesus is looking for.
Jesus went on to say about what anger has to do with murder. It is the deep root issue - the depth of our hearts and thoughts - that Jesus want the way the disciple to live. If you are angry, go and make peace, but Jesus went on to say that if you know that your brother is angry with you, go and make peace.
In addition, Jesus is also saying - we have our limitations - we cannot do it - but with Christ and for the sake of Christ we change and can change our intend. Therefore Christ and Jesus is the change agent. It is not the laws that make a person good, it is not about the do and dont, but a change heart that wants to change.
I am not perfect. Unless I came as one with a poverty in the spirit and recognize that I need Christ to be my change agent, there is no way I will be good by the amount of services I rendered, the goods that I do, the amount of words I read and understand.
I pray and come with a spiritual hunger and acknowledged the imperfectness in me. Humble me for the things I can do but empty me so that I know that all that I can and all that I have belongs to Christ.
Thursday, May 08, 2014
8 May 2014; Mat 5
8 May 2014; Mat 5
Who are the disciple of Jesus Christ? The spiritual zeros - the poor in spirit.
God intend to use them for the fallen world, but they have to realize and to live out their true identities.
In Mat 5:13-16, Jesus spelled out how the disciple of Christ should lives their lives- be the salt and the light of the world.
Many sermons has been preached about salt and light. These are 2 metaphors that Jesus used.
The first metaphor, salt of the earth, has to do with discipleship with a sense of distinctiveness. It relates to one’s identity in the world.
Jesus also warn that if we are the salt - do not lose its saltiness - that sense of distinctiveness. Like salt, the saltiness can only be lose through contamination by a similar look alike compound called gypsum. Both can be found at in the region of Jesus' time.
When mix, it is difficult to separate salt and gypsum - therefore simple throw it away. Be part of the world and as a Christian you will lose your distinctiveness, with the ways you should have, live, act, speak ....
Light can never be hidden. If there is no light, it is darkness. There is no substance form, energy form or any created elements called darkness. Light is an energy produce by heated object - or photons.
The intend - let your light shine before man, so that they can see your good works and glorify God who is in heaven. To clear the world of its darkness.
Am I able to bring out the best of God or does my presence bring more zest to the people around me or am I able to slow down sins or to bring delights to people and to God.................
I am not alone. God need people for people so that THEY (other people).......
Who are the disciple of Jesus Christ? The spiritual zeros - the poor in spirit.
God intend to use them for the fallen world, but they have to realize and to live out their true identities.
In Mat 5:13-16, Jesus spelled out how the disciple of Christ should lives their lives- be the salt and the light of the world.
Many sermons has been preached about salt and light. These are 2 metaphors that Jesus used.
The first metaphor, salt of the earth, has to do with discipleship with a sense of distinctiveness. It relates to one’s identity in the world.
The second metaphor, light of the world, has to do with discipleship with a sense of destiny. It relates to one’s influence of the world.
Jesus also warn that if we are the salt - do not lose its saltiness - that sense of distinctiveness. Like salt, the saltiness can only be lose through contamination by a similar look alike compound called gypsum. Both can be found at in the region of Jesus' time.
When mix, it is difficult to separate salt and gypsum - therefore simple throw it away. Be part of the world and as a Christian you will lose your distinctiveness, with the ways you should have, live, act, speak ....
Light can never be hidden. If there is no light, it is darkness. There is no substance form, energy form or any created elements called darkness. Light is an energy produce by heated object - or photons.
The intend - let your light shine before man, so that they can see your good works and glorify God who is in heaven. To clear the world of its darkness.
Am I able to bring out the best of God or does my presence bring more zest to the people around me or am I able to slow down sins or to bring delights to people and to God.................
I am not alone. God need people for people so that THEY (other people).......
Wednesday, May 07, 2014
7 May 2014; Mat 5
7 May 2014; Mat 5
Today I spend most of my time alone with God, listening to a sermon on Mat 5, but more so praying.
The people who comes to Jesus are physically poor. They do not have the much in lives or the world has any to offer them.
But it is the attitude that Jesus wants us us as disciple - Blessed are the poor in spirits, for theirs is the kingdom of God.
It is about kingdom perspective - a radical view of what makes a "desirable" disciple for Jesus Christ. The God of heaven has a lot to offer and therefore why view the things of the world more important.
I pray, that given the time I have, I should continue to seek and keep close to God. But how? It is to recognize the problem I have with my heart - a need to cut off the desire of the world. A mind of knowledge not based on what I know about the world or about what the world knows about God. It is just a new pursuit in Him. I look forward to another get away in June.
The second set of the beatitudes is on how should a disciple lives in fellowship with each other.
“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 5:7-10 ESV)
We give mercy, we are peacemakers and we choose the pure and righteous path.
I realized that there is too much impatient and shouting in my own house. I pray for that gentle and patient spirit. I also realized that I am too distant from my children. I need to be with them like a friend.
I am also too cold to many others, but my workplace is not a place to build deep relationship. But people is the elements - the why Jesus is here on earth. remove the coldness - Lord heal my heart if and as necessary.
Today I spend most of my time alone with God, listening to a sermon on Mat 5, but more so praying.
The people who comes to Jesus are physically poor. They do not have the much in lives or the world has any to offer them.
But it is the attitude that Jesus wants us us as disciple - Blessed are the poor in spirits, for theirs is the kingdom of God.
It is about kingdom perspective - a radical view of what makes a "desirable" disciple for Jesus Christ. The God of heaven has a lot to offer and therefore why view the things of the world more important.
I pray, that given the time I have, I should continue to seek and keep close to God. But how? It is to recognize the problem I have with my heart - a need to cut off the desire of the world. A mind of knowledge not based on what I know about the world or about what the world knows about God. It is just a new pursuit in Him. I look forward to another get away in June.
The second set of the beatitudes is on how should a disciple lives in fellowship with each other.
“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 5:7-10 ESV)
We give mercy, we are peacemakers and we choose the pure and righteous path.
I realized that there is too much impatient and shouting in my own house. I pray for that gentle and patient spirit. I also realized that I am too distant from my children. I need to be with them like a friend.
I am also too cold to many others, but my workplace is not a place to build deep relationship. But people is the elements - the why Jesus is here on earth. remove the coldness - Lord heal my heart if and as necessary.
Tuesday, May 06, 2014
6 May 2014; Mat 5
6 May 2014; Mat 5
The followers that were there at the Mount when Jesus preached are normal ordinary people - fishermen, and those from the country side - probably with the sick and poor.
Jesus opened and tell them that they were blessed.
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 5:3 ESV)
Jesus knew that these were the people who had few blessings of the world - the way the world measured blessings - material wealth, power or status.
But Jesus is not preaching a new religion - because these cannot be achieved and even if they can do not made them any closer to God.
Instead Jesus say - those who like the tax collector - who was probably rich and has much but when he came to God cried out to God for mercy.
It is therefore those who come to God with spiritual poverty, those who admit they they have nothing in the spirit when it comes to God - Genuine Christian. Those who mourned because they recognized that they are sinners.
In the 3rd beatitudes - those who is meek for they are the ones who inherit the earth.
The world pursue wealth, material needs, power and status in order to be happy. They anchored on these things and derived satisfaction. But the real blessings are those who are welcome into the kingdom of God - not by what you have or by what you have done, but for those who realize that when it comes to God - seek meekness or humility. I am nobody in God sight.
The beatitudes is also about Christian living - as disciples how do we and should approach God.
“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. (Matthew 5:4 ESV)
They shall be comforted because they mourn. No it is not about "they" it is not about we. It is not they shall be comforted - but they are comforted by Jesus when they mourn. They don't get these blessings because of their actions - get comfort because they mourn, but when they mourn, then someone else comfort them. That someone is Jesus.
Those who mourn are those who are sorry about they actions, their sins.
The mark of meekness is the absence of self assertiveness. It consider having less privileges for themselves. They don't asked for special treatment or rights. You learn these as a disciple when you know that having less of these, God can and will provide for these shortfall. There is no need to demand from the world.
“Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. (Matthew 5:5-6 ESV)
Those who seek righteousness are those who are starving for a better world not those defined by the rich and powerful, but by the fairness of God. They yearn for things to be made right. And again only Jesus can satisfied that. God can made all things new.
The first 4 beatitudes are God directed - how should we live as Christian disciples and lead our lives with God in the center.
I fall short of these. I direct my own effort and live by what the world can satisfy. I refuse to acknowledge the lack - the lack by world standard. the key is to come to God and acknowledge the poverty I am in spirit, the sins and actions I did and not upholding the status nor the rights.
Lord I come and pray and seek you...
The followers that were there at the Mount when Jesus preached are normal ordinary people - fishermen, and those from the country side - probably with the sick and poor.
Jesus opened and tell them that they were blessed.
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 5:3 ESV)
Jesus knew that these were the people who had few blessings of the world - the way the world measured blessings - material wealth, power or status.
But Jesus is not preaching a new religion - because these cannot be achieved and even if they can do not made them any closer to God.
Instead Jesus say - those who like the tax collector - who was probably rich and has much but when he came to God cried out to God for mercy.
It is therefore those who come to God with spiritual poverty, those who admit they they have nothing in the spirit when it comes to God - Genuine Christian. Those who mourned because they recognized that they are sinners.
In the 3rd beatitudes - those who is meek for they are the ones who inherit the earth.
The world pursue wealth, material needs, power and status in order to be happy. They anchored on these things and derived satisfaction. But the real blessings are those who are welcome into the kingdom of God - not by what you have or by what you have done, but for those who realize that when it comes to God - seek meekness or humility. I am nobody in God sight.
The beatitudes is also about Christian living - as disciples how do we and should approach God.
“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. (Matthew 5:4 ESV)
They shall be comforted because they mourn. No it is not about "they" it is not about we. It is not they shall be comforted - but they are comforted by Jesus when they mourn. They don't get these blessings because of their actions - get comfort because they mourn, but when they mourn, then someone else comfort them. That someone is Jesus.
Those who mourn are those who are sorry about they actions, their sins.
The mark of meekness is the absence of self assertiveness. It consider having less privileges for themselves. They don't asked for special treatment or rights. You learn these as a disciple when you know that having less of these, God can and will provide for these shortfall. There is no need to demand from the world.
“Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. (Matthew 5:5-6 ESV)
Those who seek righteousness are those who are starving for a better world not those defined by the rich and powerful, but by the fairness of God. They yearn for things to be made right. And again only Jesus can satisfied that. God can made all things new.
The first 4 beatitudes are God directed - how should we live as Christian disciples and lead our lives with God in the center.
I fall short of these. I direct my own effort and live by what the world can satisfy. I refuse to acknowledge the lack - the lack by world standard. the key is to come to God and acknowledge the poverty I am in spirit, the sins and actions I did and not upholding the status nor the rights.
Lord I come and pray and seek you...
Monday, May 05, 2014
5 May 2014; Luke 18:9-14
5 May 2014; Luke 18:9-14 (The Pharisee and the Tax Collector)
Religion is about doing more - doing more good, praying more, reading the bible more, blessing others more, evangelize more and even look more holy (by the way we dress, act, speak).
The Pharisee and the Tax Collector He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt: “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’ But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.” (Luke 18:9-14 ESV)
As a pre-text to the sermon on the mount, Luke 18:9-14 was a parables that Jesus spoke and the message is simple and clear - it does not matter whether you have a religion or if you do not have one. Both does not make you closer to God. If that is so - what then makes us closer to Him?
In the parable, no one will be surprises if someone without religion is far away from God. But the twist in that parable is about someone who is a religious person is not consider close to God!
The deeds of the one without religion does not exclude him from God, and that includes the bad deeds like the tax collector.
If then according to the exact words for words from the bible, we who accept the bible as a religion is set to fail, because there is not many we can actually obey and fulfilled.
The twist in the parables that Jesus in Luke mentioned, following religion makes us worst off and further away from God. Therefore, Jesus is no offering to the people another set of religion nor another set of do and dont on the sermon on the mount.
Religion makes us look up to God and tell God how good he looks and began to look well on himself and off focus from God. It makes us look good in front of others and began to look down on those who fare worst than us.
The things we do is measurable - the more the better. But Jesus say it is not the more, but the least, not the things that is possible measurable, but the things that is not possible to be measured. That is what matters and makes us closer to God.
It is not the check list and the rights things we do. But it is the person that we are to focus - Jesus. Like a marriage, it is your spouse that we should focus rather than the things we do or don't in the marriage. Your identify that is based on works become the self worth, the values. It is based on fear and insecurity.
Mat 7 - Choose between life and death. Jesus is speaking to us, the ones who know Christ. to those who pray, who give, who bless - but how we should be praying, be giving, be blessing - it is the way of living as a Christian - the kind of disciple who should lives their lives.
It is the attitude in our doing and the focus on Jesus the center of why we are doing that will get us closer to God. - It is a matter of live and death.
That is where Jesus began is sermon. All the practices of the pharisee or Judaism is similar to Christianity. But it is not based on what you do, but based on what Jesus did. To the tax collector, he is justified, because he humbled and realized that he did not deserved anything. - Blessed are the poor in spirit for they will inherited the kingdom.
Doing much like the pharisee, do us off focus and make us proud of the things we do or do not do. With Jesus, we know that the bad things we did do not make us further away from God and their knowing that we can come to God with humility and be able to be in that spirit to come to God.
As a personal reflection, it is not about knowing the word well, but be able to see through the words, the deeds of Jesus and the love of God that he has for me. Can I then say it is not how much I know about God, but how much He wanted to know me so that I can be with Him.
It does not matter whether I serve, but why do I want to serve.
Can I too say that - forget about what wrong or right I have done in the past - that I can always come back to God. It will be worst to think that for the little things I do wrong it will upset all the things I do right - like the way karma do its balancing. Can I then crawl in humility back to the God who is always there to received me with open arms? Forget about the things of the past and forgive me as I come back to Jesus - and be able to acknowledge that it is all about Christ works that I can come back to Him.
Religion is about doing more - doing more good, praying more, reading the bible more, blessing others more, evangelize more and even look more holy (by the way we dress, act, speak).
The Pharisee and the Tax Collector He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt: “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’ But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.” (Luke 18:9-14 ESV)
As a pre-text to the sermon on the mount, Luke 18:9-14 was a parables that Jesus spoke and the message is simple and clear - it does not matter whether you have a religion or if you do not have one. Both does not make you closer to God. If that is so - what then makes us closer to Him?
In the parable, no one will be surprises if someone without religion is far away from God. But the twist in that parable is about someone who is a religious person is not consider close to God!
The deeds of the one without religion does not exclude him from God, and that includes the bad deeds like the tax collector.
If then according to the exact words for words from the bible, we who accept the bible as a religion is set to fail, because there is not many we can actually obey and fulfilled.
The twist in the parables that Jesus in Luke mentioned, following religion makes us worst off and further away from God. Therefore, Jesus is no offering to the people another set of religion nor another set of do and dont on the sermon on the mount.
Religion makes us look up to God and tell God how good he looks and began to look well on himself and off focus from God. It makes us look good in front of others and began to look down on those who fare worst than us.
The things we do is measurable - the more the better. But Jesus say it is not the more, but the least, not the things that is possible measurable, but the things that is not possible to be measured. That is what matters and makes us closer to God.
It is not the check list and the rights things we do. But it is the person that we are to focus - Jesus. Like a marriage, it is your spouse that we should focus rather than the things we do or don't in the marriage. Your identify that is based on works become the self worth, the values. It is based on fear and insecurity.
Mat 7 - Choose between life and death. Jesus is speaking to us, the ones who know Christ. to those who pray, who give, who bless - but how we should be praying, be giving, be blessing - it is the way of living as a Christian - the kind of disciple who should lives their lives.
It is the attitude in our doing and the focus on Jesus the center of why we are doing that will get us closer to God. - It is a matter of live and death.
That is where Jesus began is sermon. All the practices of the pharisee or Judaism is similar to Christianity. But it is not based on what you do, but based on what Jesus did. To the tax collector, he is justified, because he humbled and realized that he did not deserved anything. - Blessed are the poor in spirit for they will inherited the kingdom.
Doing much like the pharisee, do us off focus and make us proud of the things we do or do not do. With Jesus, we know that the bad things we did do not make us further away from God and their knowing that we can come to God with humility and be able to be in that spirit to come to God.
As a personal reflection, it is not about knowing the word well, but be able to see through the words, the deeds of Jesus and the love of God that he has for me. Can I then say it is not how much I know about God, but how much He wanted to know me so that I can be with Him.
It does not matter whether I serve, but why do I want to serve.
Can I too say that - forget about what wrong or right I have done in the past - that I can always come back to God. It will be worst to think that for the little things I do wrong it will upset all the things I do right - like the way karma do its balancing. Can I then crawl in humility back to the God who is always there to received me with open arms? Forget about the things of the past and forgive me as I come back to Jesus - and be able to acknowledge that it is all about Christ works that I can come back to Him.
Friday, May 02, 2014
2 May 2014; Mat 5
2 May 2014; Mat 5
The second beatitudes is
“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
(Matthew 5:4 ESV)
The mourning here refer to one who mourn for the loss of hope. A reference is made from Isaiah 40:1 A mourning because the nation of Israel was loss and was exile. It was a crying out to God for the turn of event that one see the lost of hope more than a sudden loss of a love one or a procession.
It was therefore a hope promise by the Messiah Jesus that the hope is not lost, because the lost kingdom will be regain and the people will be comforted.
When a situation is loss, one person will be worrying but for another will be wailing. David was seen mourning for the lost of his son. It is a outpouring of emotions.
But why there is a need to pour out this expressions for a situation that is already loss?
It is an expression of grieve, of the heart, the pain suffered because of the loss and that loss is important. It is a cry to God - why O Lord did this thing happen to me?
For those who mourn, who know their loss and cry out to God, the loss is replaced by a hope and they will be comforted.
The second beatitudes is
“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
(Matthew 5:4 ESV)
The mourning here refer to one who mourn for the loss of hope. A reference is made from Isaiah 40:1 A mourning because the nation of Israel was loss and was exile. It was a crying out to God for the turn of event that one see the lost of hope more than a sudden loss of a love one or a procession.
It was therefore a hope promise by the Messiah Jesus that the hope is not lost, because the lost kingdom will be regain and the people will be comforted.
When a situation is loss, one person will be worrying but for another will be wailing. David was seen mourning for the lost of his son. It is a outpouring of emotions.
But why there is a need to pour out this expressions for a situation that is already loss?
It is an expression of grieve, of the heart, the pain suffered because of the loss and that loss is important. It is a cry to God - why O Lord did this thing happen to me?
For those who mourn, who know their loss and cry out to God, the loss is replaced by a hope and they will be comforted.
Thursday, May 01, 2014
1 May 2014;
1 May 2014
The Lord has kept me all these years. I have seen people of my age pass away. I can then only count my blessings.
I give thanks for being able to be here writing - in good health. I can still run, swim except with a weak back and will not be able to carry heavy load like I used to for hiking, trekking...
I am blessed with a wonderful family. I have someone to travel to different places and play and enjoy the laughter together. The family will probably be the one who will stick to you when you are old. And the children are those who will pass on the love and knowledge of God - legacy to.
As this day starts, the intend is to grow the forex business. It is not going to be easy and need concentration, clear mind and time to be there for the trading time. It is only going to be passive at the moment, but the experience can be pass on to someone later or use it as a training.
The intend is also to grow the online business, but the start is going to be slow.
Time and energy is the factor. Because time with God, my family will come first and that puts all other business in second place.
As for now, which I have began - serving in the orphanage - Lord let me find the higher purposes beside teaching and imparting knowledge.
There are man blessings to count. So as I step into the next half, use the remaining time and life span to build purposes - for the extension of His kingdom, to leave a legacy and to build passive income for retirement.
The Lord has kept me all these years. I have seen people of my age pass away. I can then only count my blessings.
I give thanks for being able to be here writing - in good health. I can still run, swim except with a weak back and will not be able to carry heavy load like I used to for hiking, trekking...
I am blessed with a wonderful family. I have someone to travel to different places and play and enjoy the laughter together. The family will probably be the one who will stick to you when you are old. And the children are those who will pass on the love and knowledge of God - legacy to.
As this day starts, the intend is to grow the forex business. It is not going to be easy and need concentration, clear mind and time to be there for the trading time. It is only going to be passive at the moment, but the experience can be pass on to someone later or use it as a training.
The intend is also to grow the online business, but the start is going to be slow.
Time and energy is the factor. Because time with God, my family will come first and that puts all other business in second place.
As for now, which I have began - serving in the orphanage - Lord let me find the higher purposes beside teaching and imparting knowledge.
There are man blessings to count. So as I step into the next half, use the remaining time and life span to build purposes - for the extension of His kingdom, to leave a legacy and to build passive income for retirement.
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