Consider carefully my words

Consider carefully my words

Scripture: He said, “Daniel, you who are highly esteemed, consider carefully the words I am about to speak to you, and stand up, for I have now been sent to you.” And when he said this to me, I stood up trembling. Then he continued, “Do not be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day that you set your mind to gain understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to them. But the prince of the Persian kingdom resisted me twenty-one days. Then Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, because I was detained there with the king of Persia. Now I have come to explain to you what will happen to your people in the future, for the vision concerns a time yet to come.” Daniel 10:11-14

Observation: Daniel Chapter 10 speaks of a great vision and message given to Daniel concerning the future delivered by a powerful, angelic messenger.

In the chosen passage, we see first the angel addressing Daniel as one who is highly esteemed. God is just and impartial towards all men, but there are some who are special to God, and God views them highly because of their character and heart. Daniel was one such man, as were other heroes of the Bible such as Abraham, Moses, Enoch, Noah, David, Elijah, Peter and Paul. All of them had in common a deep love for God, humility and faith, qualities that we too should emulate to please God.

Daniel was then exhorted to consider carefully the words spoken to him, which was actually a message from God. The calling for us is the same. God’s Word is given to us that we may consider it carefully.

It was further written that Daniel set his mind to gain understanding and to humble himself before God. In the book of James, it says that if anyone lacks wisdom, he should ask God who gives generously to all without finding fault. It is a good thing to humbly seek wisdom from our all-wise, all-knowing God.

After that, the angel gives us a most interesting insight into the battle in the heavenly realms. In response to Daniel’s prayer, the angelic messenger had already been dispatched, but he was held back by the “prince of the Persian kingdom” who resisted him twenty-one days. There are satanic angels having authority over kingdoms all over the world, and they try to block the Word of God and answers to prayers from reaching God’s people. The message was so important, that Michael, one of the chief angels came to help this messenger overcome the powerful satanic angel over Persia.

We should accept too that sometimes our prayers are heard but deliverance may be delayed for certain reasons. It is for us then to keep praying and be patient. It should be noted too that in vs.3, when Daniel mourned for three weeks, fasting from choice food, meat, wine and lotions, it would definitely have had an impact in the battle in the spiritual realm.

Application: Desire to please God like Daniel. Study the characteristics of the great men and women who were highly esteemed by God. God’s Word given to us is precious, and it is for us to read it and consider carefully what it says. It is good for us to humble ourselves before God and ask Him for wisdom. With His wisdom, we are far better able to serve God by serving others. Ephesians 6:12 says “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms”. Our war is spiritual in nature, and our weapons are in prayer and fasting. There is power in prayer in tongues, prayer in Jesus name, prayer using God’s Word.

Prayer: Dear Father, I pray that I may learn to please You like Your servants of old, like Daniel, like David, like Moses. Open my eyes to Your Word that I may know and understand. Grant me wisdom that I may live life wisely and be a blessing to others. Teach me to pray, that I may make a difference in the battles in the spiritual realm. Praise be to Your name forever dear Lord. In Jesus name, Amen.

The census, his senses and the essence

The census, his senses and the essence

SIB/Pastor Daniel Tan 8/10/11

1 Chronicles 21-22:1, 2 Samuel 24

These two passages give the account of how King David sinned by ordering a census of all the fighting men of Israel and as a result brought God’s wrath upon Israel until he came to full repentance.

In 1 Chronicles 21, it is written that Satan incited David to the census, while in 2 Samuel 24, it is written that the Lord incited David. Which is correct? Both are. In a sense, like in the case of Job, the Lord permitted Satan to incite David. Hebrew writers do not always distinguish between the primary and the secondary.  James 1:13-15 clearly says that God cannot be tempted nor does He tempt anyone, but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. Then after desire is conceived, it gives birth to sin, and when sin is full grown, it gives birth to death.

The important question here is “What was in David’s heart?” He was drawn away by his own desires. If a cow does not want to drink water, you cannot push its head down. If you do not have evil desires, you cannot fall into temptation. The eye sees what the heart loves.

There is a story of a woman who found it hard to control her spending went shopping one day and bought a very expensive dress. Her husband asked why and she said “the devil made me do it”. He replied “Didn’t you hear in church, that you should say “Get behind me Satan”. “I did” she replied “But the devil told me “It looks even better from here”.

David already had it in his heart to do the census. The word incite is an imperfect tense, indicating that it was bringing to completion the action out of the desire David already had.

Why did David want to count the army? What was wrong with that?

There are 3 main reasons.

Firstly, the census was not done according to God’s law. In Exodus 30, detailed instructions are given about how during a census, each man must pay a ransom for his own life to the Lord, half a shekel, regardless of how poor or rich he is. This is done as a memorial to the Lord.

Secondly, the census was never ordered by God. The previous two census by Moses and Joshua were ordered by God. Furthermore, military census were always done for the purpose of battle. However, here, there was no battle.

Thirdly and most importantly, David was motivated by pride. The census was a massive exercise, taking more than 9 months to complete. It stretched across more than 7km all over Israel and encompassed all the places that David had conquered.

In 2 Samuel 24:4, it is written that David overruled Joab and the army commanders, who had pleaded with the king not to do this. This brings to mind a similar episode by King Uzziah who desired to offer incense himself in the temple, and was confronted by 80 priests who tried to stop him. The fact that both pushed through shows their pride, and as Proverbs 16:18 says: Pride comes before a downfall. Sometimes, God’s greatest judgment is simply letting us have our way, like Romans 1:24 which says how God gave them over to the sinful desires of their hearts…

Once, there was a man who loved the church and served in the church, even having a profound impact in Pastor Daniel becoming a Christian. He was a successful businessman too, and highly respected. However, he fell into adultery and refused to give up his affair despite the admonishment of the Pastor, church leaders, even his own friends. He simply said that it was none of their business. The whole town came to know of it, and wondered how a Christian could do this. A few months after that, he died in a car accident and the sad thing was that he was not remembered for the great things he did for the church, but rather for the affair. We sin when we place our pride on money, power or positions.

It was not the fruit that caused Adam to sin. It was the act of willful disobedience driven by his desire for power, to be like God. We sin when we become proud of our positions, beauty, achievements, awards and accolades instead of giving glory to God. The great apostle Paul, who achieved so much for God, at the end of his life said that he considered them nothing compared to the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus Philippians 3:7-9.

In 2 Samuel 24:10, it is written that David was conscience stricken. His heart condemned him. The Hebrew word here literally means to strike. It was like his conscience continued to strike at him, with conviction brought by the Holy Spirit. From the census, David came to his senses. This took David 10 months, and like the prodigal son, he realized he had been foolish and sought the Lord. 

It is interesting that when David sinned of adultery and murder, he said “I have sinned” while when David sinned because of the census, he said “I have sinned greatly. The sin with Bathsheba was a sin of the flesh, giving in into his lust after an afternoon of laziness. The census, however was a sin of the spirit, an act of rebellion against God, motivated by pride. In Proverbs 6:16, the first sin mentioned that the Lord hates is pride. Pride is the ground which allows all other sins to grow and the part from which all other sins come. 1 John 1:9 says that “If we confess our sins, God is faithful and just and will forgive us from all unrighteousness. The key word here is “if”. It’s a choice. God won’t force us to repent though the Holy Spirit will strike us in our conscience. We have to be wary though not to wait until the earth swallows us up like the sons of Korah.

When David came back to his senses and repented, God led him to the essence of forgiveness and worship. In 1 Chronicles 21, vs.15-16 tells us that the angel stopped at the threshing floor, vs.18-19 tells us that God asked David to build an altar at the threshing floor, and then in vs.27 God stopped the plague.

Why the threshing floor? The threshing floor is the place where chaff is separated from grain during harvest. There are 2 steps here. Firstly, the heads of grain on the stalks are broken off. Secondly, the stalks are tossed into the air in a process known as winnowing, with the wind separating the grain and the chaff. For us, spiritually, it is the wind of the Spirit of God that winnows the grain.

The threshing floor is symbolic of three things. Firstly, judgment. Daniel 2:35 speaks of judgment on the first three kingdoms leaving them like chaff on the threshing floor. Jeremiah 15:7 speaks of God winnowing His people who had not changed their ways.

Secondly, separation. The separating of chaff from the grain speaks of cleansing and purification. In Matthew 3:12, John the Baptist prophesies of Jesus having a winnowing fork in his hand, gathering his wheat into the barn and burning up the chaff with unquenchable fire.

Thirdly, blessing leading to worship. After the process of threshing, the wheat is gathered, and it is time where the blessing is received. In Numbers 15:20, the law records how the Israelites are to prepare an offering from the threshing floor.

When we enter into worship, we enter into a time of threshing, of separation and purification, a time of preparation to meet our God. From the census, David came to his senses and responded by reverence of worship. How powerful is the verse “I will not offer a sacrifice that costs me nothing”. Salvation is free but the cross is costly. If you really love someone, how can  you love without any cost.

There was a businessman who was looking to buy a gift for his wife at a duty free shop. The salesgirl offered him first a $100 gift, then $50 and then $20, but he still asked “Is there anything cheaper”. She finally showed him a mirror….

We can’t worship God with a donated faith, but a devoted faith. If only we could have the same attitude of the sinful woman how washed Jesus’ feet with her tears. The fragrance of her worship filled the whole room. She loved much because she has been forgiven much. Does our worship of God cost us nothing? How much does God mean to us? It cost Jesus everything.

King David understood what it meant to offer God a worthy worship. It is written that he paid the full price. It is not the amount you pay that makes the item full price. It is how much the item is really worth. Christ paid in full on the cross. Later, in 2 Chronicles 3:1, we see that Solomon built God’s temple on this threshing floor on Mount Moriah.

On the same mount that David dismantled his glory and pride to worship God, Abraham had earlier dismantled his pride to sacrifice Isaac. In that encounter, he prophesied that “God Himself would provide the lamb”, foreshadowing the future death and sacrifice of our Lord Jesus. Christ, the complete sacrifice, paid in full.

We need the same repentant heart like David. God is always able to turn the bad to good. From Bathsheba, King Solomon was later born who would build God’s temple. From the census, David received the inspiration to build God’s temple. There is no failure in our lives that God cannot use.

Perseverance, character, hope

Perseverance, character, hope

FGB Jaya Chapter One/ 7Oct2011

Sharing by brother David Suresh

The joy of the Lord is your strength! God’s Word is for all of us. We are in the same boat, the boat of Jesus. He is able to make a mighty miracle in our midst. Our victory is in Jesus. It is for us to apply it, proclaim it.

Today’s text is from Romans 5:3-5 Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance;  perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.

What is suffering all about? It is something bad or unpleasant that we go through, sooner or later. However, the Scripture tells us that God allows suffering for a purpose, a reason. How difficult it is to rejoice in suffering. What does rejoice mean? To show or feel great joy! Now the passage today says that suffering produces perseverance, character and hope, which is the reason for suffering. Paul was a man full of experience in this, having undergone great trials, tribulation and temptation. Indeed, he was a man who knew about suffering, having experienced everything. Until we come to the experience level, we cannot really learn something. It is so important for us to be connected to the Holy Spirit, to have that relationship with Him. The more we sit at Jesus feet and wait in His presence, the more we will know Him. The Lord teaches us that in suffering, we need to seek Him even though it is painful, even when we want to give up. We still have to hold strong to the Lord.

Looking at the passage, there are three important things we can learn. Firstly, suffering produces perseverance. To produce means to cause to happen or exist, to birth out. Perseverance births out from suffering. Perseverance is all about continuing in a course of action in spite of suffering. Today, many Christians are not acting like born again believers. Its like they have been zapped into the currency of the world, with lives clouded with negativity and disappointment. However, we have hope in Christ. God spoke to Job out of the storm! God is greater than the storm! Today, the storm of many is a financial storm, and we have great financial needs. We have to penetrate the walls of suffering in the might and power of the Holy Spirit. Jesus silenced the storm by His Word and authority. The one who is Living is living in us! Our assurance is in Jesus Christ, the rock of salvation, the rock of ages. Let us persevere and push through for the Lord is with us!

Secondly, perseverance produces character. Character is a person’s good reputation, the mental and moral qualities of an individual, his standards! After perseverance, our character is shaped into His image and likeness, His standards of living. We need to have a difference to make a difference. The character of Christ is what makes us different, the way He sees, the way He hears, the way He speaks, the way He walks, the way He lives. More important that anointing is character. Do we have the character of Christ inside us? When we have His character, anointing will come. So let us seek the character of Jesus Christ. We who are in Jesus are like a time bomb, able to explode at anytime to destroy the works of the enemy in the marketplace. God moulds our character but we have to yield to Him. It may bring death to certain things in our life but by the grace of God we can move on.

Thirdly, through perseverance, character develops, and it gives rise to hope. The more Christ works in us, the more hope births out of us. Hope is full of expectation. With perseverance and character, hope will rise up! The impossible will become possible. Jesus will make it all possible, whether it be hope of healing, of breakthrough, or of miracles. It is a mighty river that God gives us. Vs. 5 says that God has poured out His love by His Holy Spirit. His love is eternal, everlasting, unchanging. We are so thankful to God for His Holy Spirit. The power of the Holy Spirit enables us to take hold of life and be a conqueror. The Love of God is our hope. It makes us think and know all things are possible for us. God is able to do anything. He can revive a dull business.

Don’t despise suffering, do not neglect it. It will help us grow in the lord, and will make us a better person in the days to come. It produces perseverance, character and hope into us. No matter what, stand your ground. God will come through for us and bring us victory. Be courageous, be very courageous. I am with you, says the Lord. The enemy attacks with fear and disappointment, but God will destroy the works of the enemy. God is faithful, and He will mould an shape us to become more and more like Him.

Our God who sees and hears

Our God who sees and hears

Scripture: “Now, our God, hear the prayers and petitions of your servant. For your sake, Lord, look with favor on your desolate sanctuary. Give ear, our God, and hear; open your eyes and see the desolation of the city that bears your Name. We do not make requests of you because we are righteous, but because of your great mercy. Lord, listen! Lord, forgive! Lord, hear and act! For your sake, my God, do not delay, because your city and your people bear your Name.” Daniel 9:17-19

Observation: Daniel Chapter 9 gives us the account of Daniel’s prayer after he understood that the desolation of Jerusalem would last 70 years. It also tells us how the angel Gabriel came in response to his prayer and gave him very powerful prophecy about the coming of the Anointed one (Jesus Christ), and His killing. Further prophecy is also mentioned about the end times where there is war and desolation and the coming Anti-Christ and his subsequent end.

The passage today focuses on part of the prayer of Daniel which teaches us about God and about prayer. Firstly, Daniel prayed for God to hear his prayers. We have a God who hears from Heaven. When men and women on earth genuinely call out to Him for help, He hears, though He is so great and holds the entire world and universe in His hands. So when we pray, we can thank God that He hears us, and how even more so when we pray in Jesus’ name, the name of His beloved Son.

Secondly, Daniel prayed for God to look with favor upon His sanctuary for God’s sake. God is a God who loves to bless, and give His favor upon His own. In the priestly blessing, we pray that the Lord will make His face to shine upon us and be gracious to us. Like the sun shines upon the earth, giving warmth and life to every living thing, God in Heaven shines His face upon us to give us favor and blessing.  God’s sanctuary for us is His church, and we need to pray especially for God’s favor upon His church, for when His church is blessed, God’s name is glorified.

Thirdly, Daniel prayed for God to open His eyes and see the desolation of His city. Just as God is a God who hears, God is also a God who sees. The Scripture says that the eyes of the Lord range to and fro across the whole earth to strengthen those who are committed to Him. When we face a problem or need that is too big for us, be assured that God can see. He understands and can help us with exactly what we need.

Fourthly, Daniel acknowledged that all his requests to God were not based on his people’s righteousness but on God’s mercy. Our attitude in prayer should be not “God should bless me and answer my prayers because of all I have done for Him”. Instead, it should be humble and not focus on our righteousness at all, which are like filthy rags, but solely on God’s mercy and grace.

Application: In our prayers, we should thank God that He hears, that He sees, and that He is merciful. We should focus on God’s mercy and not on our own deeds. Expect that God will pour out His favor upon us according to His goodness. Pray for God’s especial blessing on the church that bears His name.

Prayer: Lord, I thank You that You are indeed the living God. You see us and You hear us and You bestow Your great favor upon us though we do not deserve it. Bless You, O Lord for Your great mercy. Bless Your church especially and let it grow and prosper for the extension of Your kingdom. May Your name be praised forevermore. In Jesus name, Amen.

Yet he will be destroyed

Yet he will be destroyed

Scripture: “In the latter part of their reign, when rebels have become completely wicked, a fierce-looking king, a master of intrigue, will arise. He will become very strong, but not by his own power. He will cause astounding devastation and will succeed in whatever he does. He will destroy those who are mighty, the holy people. He will cause deceit to prosper, and he will consider himself superior. When they feel secure, he will destroy many and take his stand against the Prince of princes. Yet he will be destroyed, but not by human power. Daniel 8:23-25

Observation: Daniel Chapter 8 is mainly about Daniel’s vision during the time of Babylonian captivity regarding the coming reign of Persia and then of Greece. Certain Scripture corresponds very clearly to Alexander the Great who led Greece to conquer vast territories all over the world in a very short time. Out of his kingdom, one of the kings of his divided territories was Antiochus Epiphanes, who as prophesied by Daniel, blasphemed greatly, defiling the temple in Jerusalem and taking away the daily sacrifice. He was known as the abomination that causes desolation and a very clear example of the future Anti-Christ that is to come. While some parts of Daniel 8 refers to Antiochus, it also refers to the future tribulation when the Anti-Christ appears in the end times.

The passage today focuses on the description of this future king, the evil Anti-Christ and his destiny. Firstly, it is written that it will happen in a time when the rebels have become completely wicked. In the world today, rebellion and wickedness abounds. Countries like the US, and those in Europe are even planning to outlaw anything that speaks against freedom. Freedom for divorce, freedom for abortion, freedom for same sex marriage, freedom for immorality, but rebellion against God.  With the family unit under severe attack, there is breakdown of marriages and conflict in the home, and children no longer respect their parents. These things have never been more serious in the world. We who are in Christ must take care to avoid rebellion and wickedness in our lives.

Secondly, it is written that this evil king will become very successful and destroy the holy people. What is the purpose of telling us this? It is so that we are not surprised when this happens. We may endure suffering or even death for a little while, but in the end all this evil will be destroyed and we will live forever in Jesus Christ. This gives us hope.

Thirdly, it is written that he will cause deceit to prosper and he will consider himself superior. This shows his characteristics of deceitfulness and pride. The Lord hates this kind of attitude. That is why we who follow Him must beware that we do not become deceitful and that we do not become proud. As pride goes before destruction, the Anti-Christ and his followers will be destroyed by Jesus Christ in due time.

Application: We need to examine our hearts to make sure wickedness, rebellion, pride and deceitfulness does not fester there. In all things, we are to remember that God is in control, and though we may suffer for a little while, Jesus will win in the end and He will make all things right.

Prayer: Father God, I thank You that You hold all things in Your hands and that though You may allow the enemy to remain for a little while, You will make things right in the end and put everything under the lordship of Your son. Forgive my sin, O Lord, and let no deceitfulness, wickedness, pride or rebellion be found in me. Keep me true to You to the end. In Jesus name, Amen.

When God moves, we are to follow

When God moves, we are to follow

Goshen/Sharing by Pastor Daniel/30Sep11

The theme this year is “the Next Level” and God is leading the church to new, exciting places. One of the key verses for the year is Hebrews 11:8 “By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going. “ Faith is not only believing in spite of evidence, but obeying in spite of the consequences.

On the flight home from Melbourne, Pastor Daniel was led by God to study Joshua Chapter 3. In this passage, the children of Israel were camped at the Jordan River, about to enter the Promised Land under the leadership of Joshua.

“Early in the morning Joshua and all the Israelites set out from Shittim and went to the Jordan, where they camped before crossing over. After three days the officers went throughout the camp, giving orders to the people: “When you see the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God, and the Levitical priests carrying it, you are to move out from your positions and follow it. Then you will know which way to go, since you have never been this way before.” Joshua 3:1-4

When the Israelites saw the ark moving, they were to follow since they had never been that way before. The principle for us, is the same. When God moves, we are to follow, even to a place we have never been before. Our job is to follow and trust God to lead us.

“And the LORD said to Joshua, “Today I will begin to exalt you in the eyes of all Israel, so they may know that I am with you as I was with Moses. Tell the priests who carry the ark of the covenant: ‘When you reach the edge of the Jordan’s waters, go and stand in the river.’” Joshua 3:7-8

“So when the people broke camp to cross the Jordan, the priests carrying the ark of the covenant went ahead of them. Now the Jordan is at flood stage all during harvest. Yet as soon as the priests who carried the ark reached the Jordan and their feet touched the water’s edge, the water from upstream stopped flowing. It piled up in a heap a great distance away, at a town called Adam in the vicinity of Zarethan, while the water flowing down to the Sea of the Arabah (that is, the Dead Sea) was completely cut off. So the people crossed over opposite Jericho. Joshua 3:14-16

In Numbers 14, the Israelites who came out of Egypt had rebelled because of the bad reports of 10 people. The 10 represents unbelief, the comfort zone. Better be where it is safe back in Egypt where we have plenty to eat. Don’t do anything you don’t know. However, the Scripture records that Joshua and Caleb had a different spirit. This is very powerful. The Scripture doesn’t describe what spirit it is, just different, not unbelief…. Joshua and Caleb would rather be where God was although it was dangerous than to go back without God.

In Joshua 3-4, the ark is mentioned sixteen times. To move forward, we must be led by the presence of God. The ark represents the presence of God and the holiness of God. The manna in the ark is symbolic of God’s provision. Aaron’s rod is symbolic of God’s protection. The stones of God’s commandments is symbolic of God’s promises.

Only when the presence of God goes before us is there a guarantee of success. God will open a way. What should be our condition before we follow God?

“Joshua told the people, “Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the LORD will do amazing things among you.” Joshua 3:5

To consecrate (kadesh) means to be sanctified, hallowed, holy, separate. Are we ready for God to use us as his instrument?

“So the people crossed over opposite Jericho” Joshua 3:16.

It took faith for Moses to lift up his rod and part the Red Sea. It took faith for the priests to step into the water. Faith must be rooted in obedience. Faith is simply obeying the Word of God.

The Red Sea parted at the obedience of one man, the leader Moses. The Jordan River parted at the obedience of the people of God. The Red Sea symbolizes deliverance from sin.  The Jordan River represents the claiming of our inheritance. Once they passed the Jordan, they were in the promised land.

When the presence of God leads obedient people of God, the power of God will be displayed. When people obey, God blesses.

Live on Purpose

Live on Purpose

SIB/Pastor Paul Bendor Samuel

Today, we are living in a period of crisis in the world. In light of this, we are to ensure that there must be no divisive spirit in the church. Instead, we are to focus on fruitful living even in a time of crisis.

At the end of school, Pastor Paul believed he was called to be a doctor, but his grades were not good enough. It was a crisis. For many, it is easy to live as if everything is normal, but the truth is now is a period of turbulence.

Economically, with the escalating debt in the US and Europe, the world is being plunged deep in financial crisis. It may have been caused by the greed and selfishness of a few but its impact affects the whole world.

Politically, there are at least 70 countries in the world today with ongoing political conflict. In the 20^th century, tens of millions of lives were lost through violence and war. There are 40 million refugees around the world because of conflicts. The Arab world and South Asia is becoming increasingly volatile an d unstable.

Environmentally, we are experiencing extreme weather, causing drought, flood and food supply problems. The deglacification of the Himalayas where ice is melting rapidly is affecting the water that flows to China that the people need for survival.

Socially, the wealth inequality has never been greater, with 15% of the world’s population owning 75% of the world’s wealth. One sixth of the world’s population lives on USD1.25 per day. That’s 1.2 billion people. 14% of children are malnourished. The World Food Organization estimates that in the next 2-3 decades, the world will peak at 10 billion and the world must produce enough food in the next 20-30 years as the whole of human history up to this point.

Basically, we are entering a Perfect Storm, which is the culmination of human rebellion and satanic oppression. How do we survive? How do we react in the face of this?

There are three main ways people react.

Firstly, fear. There are many who simply worry, and wait in fear, paralyzed and not being able to do anything.

Secondly, denial. Some are indifferent. “That’s not my problem.” They think. They try to carry on life as normal

Thirdly, self-centeredness. Then, there are those who try to protect their own little world. The symbol of selfishness is often shown in the picture of the cat, which is primarily concerned with only itself – me and meoooown

However, the Bible offers us a different perspective. The Apostle Paul lived during a time of crisis in history, when God sent His own son, Jesus into the world, when God entered history.

In the book of Ephesians, there are 3 realities that Paul talks about that will help us live with purpose, even in a crisis.

Firstly, the reality is that Jesus is Lord. The beginning of Ephesians 1 speaks about many blessings for us -  being blessed with every spiritual blessing in Christ, chosen before the Creation of the world, predestined for adoption to sonship, having the redemption through Jesus’ blood, the forgiveness of sins. And it culminates in God’s main purpose and will which is to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ (vs. 10).

Purpose is very important. It is possible to live without purpose but it is not a very happy experience. Many people die when they feel they have lost their purpose in life. Purpose is essential for living. People get bored when their work seems to be without purpose. Imagine getting in a car and driving about aimlessly, without purpose? It would be so pointless.

What is the world all about? Where is it going? Eventually, as stated in Ephesians 1:10 it will come under the Lordship of Jesus Christ. When Jesus comes back He will restore relationships and make everything in the world as it should be. In the book of Isaiah, when the whole earth is filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, we will see the lion lie down with the lamb, and the sheep with the wolf. In Revelation 21, the voice from the throne proclaims that there will be no more tears, no more death, no more pain, for the old order of things has passed away.

What is the application for us?

Firstly, we need not fear. We are to live with confidence and hope. The world is in desperate need for hope. We know the end. We know God is sovereign, and so we have hope. Our hope is not a hope that ignores reality or pretends everything is fine. Our hope is in knowing how the story will end. Let us declare “Jesus is Lord, I shall not be afraid. Jesus is Lord, I will live with confidence and hope”.

Even though we may not see it in the world now, it is God’s purpose to bring everything under Jesus, and we are part of this purpose. As said in Ephesians 2:1, In our natural condition without God, we were dead in our sin, dried up. However, because of great God’s mercy, He has made us alive in Christ. Being a Christian is the process of God bringing us to the likeness of His son. In Ephesians 2:10, it is written “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” The famous tightrope walker Blondin was the first person to walk across the Niagara Falls on a tightrope. And he did it many times – blindfold, in a sack, pushing a wheelbarrow, cooking an omelet halfway. Then one day, he said to his manager, hop on my back, and I will carry you across. Watching Blondin was one thing, getting on and risking your life needed real personal faith. Likewise, the Lordship of Jesus gets personal for us.

His purpose is for us to participate in His work. He has prepared good works for you and me each day, and that gives life meaning. In summarizing David’s life, Acts 13:36 records that David served the purposes of God in his generation. What about you and me? We too are called to serve the purposes of God in our generation. Mission is not about going to far away places. It is not about special ministry. It is about serving in our generation where God puts us. Everyday is a mission trip for a Christian.

Instead of denying the crisis the world is in, we are to pursue the good wokrs God has prepared for us. Even in a time of crisis, we will find the place that God has given us. At work, at school and college, in the community, in the family, even in the church, we have prepared good works to do. Good works are not good moral deeds, but what God wants us to do. Let us declare “I will seek to do the good works God has prepared for me each day.”

God created the church as a signpost pointing to the Lordship of Jesus. God has taken hold of communities so that they live for Him and are reconciled to each other. Jew and Gentile has been brought together. In the ancient  world, there was no greater division than between Jew and Gentile. However, God has destroyed this barrier and we have become one new man, one body. Because of the cross, Jew and Gentile have been made one.

All over the world, there is the question “can we live together?” There has been huge migratory flow around the world in search of jobs, quality of living, education. In the world, there is a push towards a global culture. A Big Mac is a  Big Mac wherever around the world. Jeans are worn by people everywhere. At the same time, there is an equal and opposite force for people to cling on to their unique identity. However, in Ephesians 2, we see that racism can be broken.  The cross makes all of us one in Christ. Our primary identity is that we belong to Jesus. Its as if God has created a new ethnic group, transcending all ethnic boundaries, even male and female, slave or free. Social status is abolished in Christ. The united people of God is a signpost to the future. God’s intent was that through the church, His manifold wisdom would be made known to the rulers and authorities in the Heavenly realms.

The solution to self-centeredness is to build community. When we pour ourselves into each other, recognizing that God has made us one, we will be a signpost for God, and build community together.

Are we committed to nurture, care and develop the church of Jesus Christ? Just as He so costly paid His life for us on the cross, will we also invest in each other for Him?