The Power House

A few days ago I received a (snail) mail from my Mom in Toronto containing a small booklet, a letter, and copies of two of the articles I wrote more than two years ago. She said she was sorting out old files and came across some of my “Dear Reader” articles and found some of the pages were boldly speaking to her. So she sends back to me a copy so I could hear what it is saying to her loudly.

Upon reading the two articles I wrote, it felt like I was struck by lightning twice. Sometimes, we give advises or encouragements and yet, here we are not taking our own. I felt that I have been much occupied that I have set aside one of the most important tasks I have been practicing for a long time. It’s her way of reminding me something I have been neglecting.

What she does really is encourage others in many ways and sending out my articles to someone in need is one of them. Now it's time I receive my own dose of encouragement. This is something I really admired about my mother, aside from her being most understanding. She keeps us in her thoughts most of the time. She knows if there is something bothering us even if we do not give her a single hint at all. She can read our movements, responses, and probably even our minds! She even used to tell us she’s got sixth sense - yeah, right Mom! But that’s what makes her a super Mom! So there goes the truth in the saying, "Mothers know best!" I know not all moms are like her and each moms are gifted in many different ways. I am really blessed to have her.

My mother was never wrong and this message does speak to me loudly. Here is the first article I wrote in May 2005:

A time came when I was assigned to visit a factory in China with my colleague to see how they can set up our new product development for the coming Back-to-School season. Since it was my first visit to that factory, I was given the privilege to tour its large premises, along with my colleague.

We were shown the various departments and sections of the factory where large machines were making a great deal of noise. These machines feeds and cuts assorted sizes of polypropylene sheets where workers collect them to bring to the next stage of development. Other parts of the tour include the sample room, the dyeing section-where raw materials are mixed with dye stuffs; the die area, embossing, printing, lamination, trimming, folding, packing and the workers’ quarters.

After crossing 3 blocks of the compound, we were led to the back lot area housing nothing but huge generators and control panels. My colleague said, “Hmmm, there is nothing interesting here, nothing much happening. This place is not so important.” Then the guide smiled, “Yes, it seem nothing much happening here and nothing interesting to see. But this is the most important place of all. This is where the power is distributed to the entire factory. And when there is a power failure, the generator here runs and provides power supply to the entire factory.”

Now here is a lesson for all of us to that comment: In our Christian life, the place where we pray is our ‘power house’, a quiet place where we can be alone with God. There we do our quiet time where we can speak to God and reverently allow Him to speak to us as we meditate on His Word, the Bible.

Like the many areas of the factory, our lives also have sections that do various tasks. But all areas of our lives should begin from the ‘power house’. When we rise up in the morning, we switch on our ‘power’ through prayer. It is like a key that unlocks your day. At the end of the day before we retire, we do our quiet time and meditate on God’s Word, works like a lock before retiring at night. What if we fail? When we fail to pray and suddenly experience a storm in our life, we panic when our generator does not provide us power during blackouts. It is only then that we remember to say our prayers.

Remember this: If you want to know how to pray in the bad times, learn to pray in the good times!

In Matthew 6:6, Jesus taught the value of intimate fellowship with heaven, which can be attained only in the sacred solitude of our prayer closet. “But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut the door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.” So why pray in secret? Praying alone in secret allows us to pour ourselves to God. We become intimate with Him. We have our personal encounter with Him. It is our quality time with Him. All these because we have a ‘Father and son’ relationship with God since we are His children. “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God.” Romans 8:14-16. Jesus did not discouraged public prayer, but He did warn us against the evil of seeking attention by parading our piety before others. When we pray, it seems nothing much is happening. It seems unimportant that we pray without ceasing. But prayer does move mountains to those who have faith! It is one of the most important tasks a Christian must do. This is our communication with the heavenly Father.

When was the last time you shut the door on the distractions of life and poured out your heart before the heavenly Father?

Bible passage to read: Psalm 5:1-8

“KNEELING KEEPS YOU IN GOOD STANDING WITH GOD”

Rich Man, Poor Man

There was this story of a very wealthy Scandinavian farmer who has just returned from his very extensive trip. Upon arriving home, he walked out into his fields. While there he encountered his hired man named Hans saying his grace over his meal. “Excuse me, but what are you doing?” Asked the rich man. “Oh, pardon me sir, but I was just thanking God for the food He has provided me.” The rich man noticing the prudent meal of bread and cheese simply remarked, “Well, if God did not provide me any better than this, I think I would not bother.” Then Hans continued on, “You know sir, it’s most interesting that you should come back today because last night I dreamed that the richest man in our village would die tonight. Strange isn’t it?” Visibly, the rich man was shocked.

The rich man asked a doctor friend to spend the evening with him because he was confident that he had more money than anyone else in the valley. That night the housekeeper prepared a lovely meal for the two men, though the rich farmer ate very little being so anxious about his hired poor man’s dream. Every time the clock struck, he jumped nervously. The clock struck eight; nine, ten, eleven… suddenly there was a brisk knock on the door. The rich man almost jumped out of his skin, then reluctantly went to the door to find one of the farm man to give him the news, “So sorry to bother you sir, but I thought you should know. Hans just past away a few minutes ago. His heart has stopped beating.”

True riches of life are not the ones that have to be protected with high security and insurance against theft. Well, you may be the richest person in your village or city, but how about just spending a little time to give thanks? You’re not rich at all? Not a problem. There are still plenty of things to thank God for! Not a thanksgiving day? So what? After your dinner, go around your table and let each one on the table share what he is thankful for and praise God for everything He has done in your life. “Oh that men would praise the Lord for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men!” Psalm 107:8 (KJV).

I remember a colleague of mine told me about her 32 year-old friend who just passed away one month after discovering she had breast cancer. It was nearly at the last stage when discovered but she refused to have a treatment knowing she would die anyway. Instead, she packed her bags on a very extensive trip around the world with her boyfriend spending every minute together of what’s left of her time. In the last moments of her life, laying on a hospital bed, all her friends gather around her pretending to be happy entertaining her as if everything was alright. Once they all leave the room everyone was silent. She said she was happy that she got all her friends and family together around her and thought she got everything she ever wanted, well almost. I was told that before this woman passed away she could not recognize any single one of them while seeing all her dead relatives coming to get her.

Like the rich man and the poor man in this story, one of them knew his time has come but remained thankful, certain and prepared knowing where his soul is headed when he dies while the other was uncertain, lost, afraid, full of worries and confused. Which one of these two are you? When you know you’re at the last moments of your life, how would you spend it? Would you be rather thankful or fearful? Just like a lost wanderer who is hungry and thirsty epitomizes anyone who has not found the satisfaction that comes from knowing God through Jesus Christ. Anyone who recognizes he’s at state of being lost can accept Christ’s life-giving offer: Jesus is the way, the truth and the life (John 14:6), He is the bread of God from heaven that gives life unto the world (John 6:33 & 35), He is the living water (John 4:10-14), and the giver of rest (Matthew 11:28-30). Why wait until the last moments of your life for you to make that decision. Who knows it may not be revealed unto you. You will lose your chance of Christ’s life-giving offer!

Bible passage to read: Psalm 107:8

“Ordinary riches can be stolen, real riches cannot.

In your soul are infinitely precious things that cannot be taken from you.”

Celebration of Praise

Many times we celebrate special occasions such as birthdays, anniversaries, dedications, Thanksgiving, Christmas & New Year to name a few. As much as possible, we take time to prepare to make the celebration grand and a memorable one. But why do we celebrate such occasions? We celebrate because we want to commemorate special events that take place in our lives. Such occasion brings memories and joy as we celebrate them.

But when it comes to celebration of praise, there is nothing quite like it the way the Israelites did it. You’ve probably never been to a worship service quite like the one the Israelites held after they reached the safe side of the Red Sea. The book of Exodus 15 is probably the best congregational worship pattern one could ever find in the Bible. This is where the people had just seen God save them from certain death. They had come within an eyelash of being pushed into the sea by the charging forces of Pharaoh’s army. Relentlessly, the soldiers in chariots chased them down half way across the Red Sea (Exodus 14:5-9). In panic, the children of Israel had cried out for help (v. 10). In response, God parted the sea, allowing the people to cross (v. 16, 21-22). But when the Egyptians rode onto the seabed, God caused the waters to cascade down on them (v. 28).

That’s when the celebration began! Joyously, the people of Israel praised God for His strength and salvation (Exodus 15:2), His power (v. 6), His greatness (v. 7), His holiness (v. 11), His mercy, redemption and guidance (v. 13), and His eternal reign over them (v. 18). They poured out their hearts in worship to the God of their salvation.

Now let me ask you this: Why do you think we need to praise God? We all know that it is easy to praise God when great things happen or when you receive an answer to your prayer. But when difficult or bad things happen, we often react by blaming others or even our own self, which only compounds the problem. But if you refuse to react to your problems and move immediately into the realm of praising God, things will turn out differently. When our first reaction to anything that happens in our lives is an affirmation of praise to God for who He is, we invite His presence to inhabit the situation and His power to come and change things. This is the power hidden in praising God. We simply praise God because He is our creator, our heavenly Father, because He loves us unconditionally, He has forgiven us, because of His presence through the Holy Spirit, He is Holy, a good God, all-powerful, He has a purpose in your life, He is faithful, because of His promises, and so many other reasons and attributes.

Now look over the attributes for which the Israelites praised God. Review how God’s character has touched your life over the past year. Find ways to honor Him in worship. The God who parted the sea is the same God who makes a way for you. It’s appropriate to pour out our uninhibited praise on God when we see Him work in great and miraculous ways. But those aren’t the only times He deserves our adoration. Many times we wait for God to perform a big answer to our prayer before we even feel like singing Him praises. Just think about it: God does not owe us any miracles. He does not need to do anything to prove us His greatness. He has already given us an incredible display of His power in His creation. He has made the ultimate sacrifice, His only Son Jesus Christ, to purchase our redemption. Through His power, He has conducted the most miraculous transaction known to mankind – He brought us from spiritual death to spiritual life that is eternal.

How should you worship the Lord? Every thought or action should be done out of honor for Him and His greatness. Our hearts and voices should be filled with the kind of praise expressed in Psalm 98 since praise should come from a graceful heart. Our expressions of thanksgiving are a sacrifice to Him (Psalm 116:17). Surely enough, we benefit when we turn our attention to God, either in prayer, singing, worship, or reading the Scripture, but that should not be our motivation. We don’t worship God just to gain His benefits because we already have those. It’s not for us that we worship God. It should always be for Him.

As the new year comes, do you have other reasons for celebrating it apart from being in festive mood and mingling with your party friends? Or are you still waiting for a miracle like the parting of the Red Sea before you sing your praises? God has done plenty enough of them already. Give Him your celebration of praise and unconditional worship for there is none like Him. “Who is like unto thee, O Lord, among the gods? Who is like thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders?” Exodus 15:11 (KJV).

Bible passage to read: Exodus 15:1-21

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!

“GOD’S GREAT POWER DESERVES OUR GRATEFUL PRAISE”

Tightrope

For me, there’s nothing more exciting to watch than a live circus. I have been to several ‘Cirque du Soleil’ shows and their acrobat acts are just simply the greatest. It's always a thrill watching their acrobats fly across the big dome with such dramatic performances. Even though I have a great fear of heights, I still do enjoy watching them from the ground. There’s the fire-eater, all sorts of jugglers, the flying trapeze, contortionists, and of course, the tightrope artists. Looking back, Karl Wallenda was probably the best-known tightrope artist of all time. He was the patriarch of a family that thrilled the world with their acts on the high wire back in the late 1960’s. But in 1978, Karl was crossing a tightrope 75 feet high above the ground stretched between two buildings when he lost his balance and plummeted to his death. After that incident, his wife talked about his career and that fateful tightrope act, “All Karl thought about for three straight months prior was falling. It was the first time he had ever thought about falling, and it seem that he had put all his energy into not falling rather than walking the tightrope.”

A lot of people fall because they’ve consumed all their time and energy thinking about not falling rather than accomplishing the task before them. Similarly, focusing only on the results could bring unpleasant consequences. Many people do their responsibilities and focus mainly only on what benefits they could get even if it would cause them their obedience to God.

When Samuel brought the message to Saul that God had sent him to anoint Saul as king of Israel, he also gave God’s message to Saul to smite Amalek and utterly destroy all that they have, spare none but slay both men, women, infants, ox, sheep, camel, donkeys and their fatlings. So Saul gathered his people, numbered them and came to a city of Amalek and waited in the valley. He warned the Kenites to go since they had been kind to all the children of Israel. As soon as the Kenites departed Amalek, Saul and his army attacked the Amalekites. He took Agag, the king of Amalekites alive and destroyed everything with sword. But Saul and his people spared Agag and the best of the sheep, oxen, the calves, lambs, and other animals; and all that was good were not destroyed. God was saddened for Saul did not performed according to what He commanded. When confronted by Samuel, Saul reasoned that the people spared the best of the sheep and of the oxen to offer as sacrifice unto God, and the rest had been utterly destroyed as the Lord had commanded. Samuel responded that the Lord had no delight in the burnt offerings and sacrifices if this causes you to fail obedience unto God for to obey is better than sacrifice (1 Samuel 15: 1-23). Saul walked on the tightrope. However, he missed out big time the process of doing what God had commanded Him to do. Instead, he became stubborn and later rebellious that God finally rejected Him and took away his kingdom. How ironic since we often behave like Saul and fall. We actually need to focus on the reasons for making the sacrifices rather than the sacrifice itself.

What does it take to successfully walk the tightrope, whether it’s 75 feet above the ground, or the tightrope of life? First is, perspective. When walking the tightrope, there is no fooling around. It’s strictly serious concentration and focus – your head up and eyes on the goal, staying alert.

Second, must have balance. Without it, you’re dead! This is where you learn to handle between business, social, family and peer pressures, church, managing finances, home affairs, giving and so on. Become a workaholic and you’re liable to burn out. I know because I do. This may cause you your family, but if you fail your family suffers.

Third, is tension, usually considered an enemy but you’ll need it. Without tension a violin sounds sharp, the wings of an airplane will sag, the tire on the cars go flat, and the tightrope walker will not get across the wire. But too much tension can also destroy you. Having not enough of it can keep you from being at your best.

There is one more crucial element needed to succeed in crossing the tightrope: courage! You may have all the above elements but without courage you’ll never step out and give it a go. Don’t just concentrate on not falling but instead, concentrate more on walking the tightrope.

“Now unto Him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding great joy.” Jude 24 (KJV). We Christians have the assurance that Christ keeps us from falling prey to many things – although many of these are widespread and dangerous, there’s no need for us to be afraid if we trust Him and we are deeply rooted and grounded in Him.

Bible passage to read: Jude 24

“CONCENTRATE ON THE WALKING,

NOT THE FALLING IN TIGHTROPE OF LIFE”

The Christ of Christmas

Are you aware that even Christians today can miss the point of the Christmas story if they are not careful? There is a warning of the danger that we can become so charmed with the story of the baby that we have become so sentimental about and it does not demand any vital change in our way of thinking and living.

Now here’s the question: Is Christmas only a story about a baby born in a manger? Or is there more to Christmas than just a newborn child? Christmas is an undying story about a baby born in a manger that later grew up and redeemed the world from its sins and calls us into partnership with His great and mighty purposes.

When the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph, he said, “And she shall bring forth a Son, and thou shalt call His name Jesus for He shall save His people from their sins.” Matthew 1:21 (KJV). We are able to grasp the full meaning of Christ’s coming only when we see His birth in the light of His crucifixion and resurrection.

If Christ is the essence of Christmas, how does it affect our lives today? Did Christ’s birth made any difference at all? Many people come to a point of discouragement by saying “Christ’s coming to earth has made a little difference in one’s life because we still have so many problems.” As the world celebrate Christmas today, many shops and places remove ‘Christ’ in their Christmas by using the words “Merry X’mas” and “Happy Holidays”. “X” means the unknown factor. Thus, eliminating Christ as the center of their Christmas and their hearts.

But when you sit down and think about the difference Jesus’ life has made, you can reflect on these four truths:

1. Jesus did not remain a baby. He grew up to be strong in spirit (Luke 1:80) and had an effective ministry of teaching and healing (Matt. 9:35).
2. Jesus when He was crucified did not remain in the grave. He arose to be our living Savior (Matt. 28:1-7; Rev. 1:18).
3. Our risen Savior did not remain on earth. He ascended to heaven to prepare a place for us and to send the Holy Spirit to indwell us (John 14:2, 25-26; Acts 1:9).
4. Our ascended Lord will not remain in heaven. He will come back to take us home to be with Him (John 14:3).

In fact, the birth of Jesus Christ has made a difference, but it does not mean we will have a trouble-free life. We will have tribulation in this world but because Christ Himself have overcome the world is one good reason enough for us to be of good cheer (John 16:33). Because Christ’s presence and power is within us, we can triumph over trials. That’s grounds for good cheer! Instead of being overwhelmed by trials, we can face them confidently because Christ does make a difference.

With your eyes wide open this Christmas; respond to God with love and commitment for the gift of His Son. Focus your thoughts, actions and motivations toward honoring the Baby who grew up and died for all our sins. Christ the Savior is born!

Merry Christmas to one and all!

Bible passage to read: Matthew 1:18-25

“THE MISSION OF THE CROSS IS HIDDEN
IN THE MESSAGE OF THE CRADLE.”