Heart matter… (Hebrews 3:7-11) 050309

Sometimes, I wonder how the New Testament writers understand the Old Testament Scriptures; it is just some tradition writings or boring law books? Today, I am fully convinced that the OT Scriptures are the word of the Holy Spirit (v7). It is so clear to me that the Bible we read is not merely printed words, but spoken words of God, inspired through the Holy Spirit, lived out by Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. And when God speaks, when we read His words, we cannot be a passive listener, we need to response.

The author of Hebrews reminds His readers: Do not harden your hearts (v8). God is speaking to the heart, and we need to response with our heart. I am not too sure how you would understand this, but I am thrilled and fearful at the same time. I know God loves me so much that He speaks to the most crucial part of me, my heart. But at the same time, I realize that my heart is deceitful, and often rebel against the word of God. No wonder the author of Hebrews brings out the exodus events to remind his readers of the waywardness of their forefathers. He points out that they were people who test God (v9) and always go astray in their heart (v10). The consequence is that they do not enter into God’s rest (v11).

The author of Hebrews intentionally put together a string of Scriptures which gives his readers a motif of journey. He concludes that the Israelites did not know God’s ways and will not enter in God’s rest (v10b-11). They are lost. Their hearts are lost in the midst of the wilderness. And today our hearts can be lost in the challenges and demands of our daily living. Where is your heart? What is the condition of your heart? Our hearts matter to God.

As we are in the season of Lent, look to the Cross, that’s our landmark. I know that there are so many things around us will distract us and even cause us to lose our way. Your studies can be like a knowledge maze, and you can be lost in it without even knowing it. Your families can be an entanglement of relationships, and you can be lost in it as you try to disentangle it. Your career and the office politics are complicated highways which will lead you to all the places whereby you do not need to be there and lost your way to you vocation and calling. And even your ministry in church can be some form of spiritual smoke screen which prevents you to see what is ahead and lead you to left and right, but not towards Christ.

Are you lost? Is your heart going astray? Today is a good opportunity to look far ahead and fix your eyes and heart again on the Cross. I remember the importance of fixing your eyes on far away object when you ride a motorbike. I still remember the accident which occurs to be almost one year ago; when I lose control of my bike, instead of look far ahead to regain my balance and control, I look to a tree at the side of the road. And therefore, I landed less than a foot away from that tree.

What is your heart fixed on? Your hearts matter to God. Spirituality is not about what we do or how we do, it is about the matter of our heart – heart’s matter. Can you feel your heart beat? Is the rhythm driving you towards God or somewhere else? Listen to your heart beat today, Heart matter.


HHS…
Abel…

Day 8: Freeze the moment… (Luke 9:32-33) 04 Mar 09

Today, I am being sent back in time to a Christian camp experience during my university days. After being backslidden for a few years, I was being invited to that camp while I was having a throat infection which caused me not able to talk; but the Lord spoke to me during that camp, and my life was not the same from that day onward. It was a mountain top experience, I wanted it to remain that way; but the reality is that it didn’t.

Peter saw the glory of Jesus when he was fully awake, it was not a vision, neither was it a hallucination; it is real! Peter saw Jesus transfigured before He went to the Cross to be disfigured. This is the power of the Cross, God’s love for us: from transfiguration to disfiguration.

Peter wanted to freeze the moment; he wanted to make a tabernacle to capture the moment. If transfiguration takes place in our modern day, Peter will take out his mobile-phone with camera function and snap it! Probably he will post it on his blog later. Can we freeze the moment? Can Jesus be captured by us desire? Can God be frozen to suit our theological framework? Probably not. Interestingly, the word tabernacle is more than just a tent, it has the connotation of God’s dwelling (John 1:14 – the word ‘dwelt’ is the same as ‘tabernacled’).

Jesus took a long journey to travel from transfiguration on the mountain to disfiguration on the Cross on another mountain. He is asking me to go on this journey with Him. It is going to be painful, it is going to blow my mind, and it is going to disfigure my own image of ‘self’ so that I can be fully awake to see His glory.

Are you also prepared to be fully awake too? When you are fully awake, you may see your disfigured image of ‘self’, but you will see the full glory of God. But don’t try to freeze that moment, because God is going to show you His greater glory, if you keep going with Him. Don’t stop there, keep on moving, it’s going to be painful and tough, but greater glory is waiting for you.

HHS…
Abel…

Oikos… (Hebrews 3:2-6) 040309

Jesus is compared with Moses; or rather Jesus is being elevated by comparing with Moses. Jesus is surely more faithful than Moses (v2) and more glory than Moses (v3). It is because Jesus is the builder of the house which Moses was in (v2-4).

The Greek word of house is called ‘oikos’, the same name I have given to the fellowship group of young families. Of course this word is not strictly and particularly used for Christian, it is just a normal common Greek. But in today’s text, the author is particularly referring the family of God’s people as ‘oikos’ and refers Jesus as the builder of this ‘oikos’. And Jesus is faithful and gloried by this ‘oikos’.

As I ponder and pray, my heart is drawn to the faithfulness and the glory of Jesus, for the sake of the ‘oikos’. I am in this ‘oikos’, you are also in this ‘oikos’, and we are together in this ‘oikos’. And Jesus is faithful to us, not because He is one of us like Moses (v2), but rather He is the builder of this ‘oikos’; He is the builder of my life and yours too. And Jesus receives more glory than Moses, not because of the ‘oikos’, but rather He is the builder of this ‘oikos’ (v3). He builds us up from scratch. He builds us up by His faithfulness, and shares with us His glory when the ‘oikos’ is completed, if we hold fast until the end (v6).

Do you belong to this ‘oikos’ too? If you are in this ‘oikos’, do you have doubt at times whereby the exterior is being bombarded by financial crisis and people having terminal diseases? Do you have doubt at times whereby the interior is full of hypocrites and strives among church people? Do you have doubt at times whereby the foundation is shaken by strange doctrines and practices? Remember that Jesus is faithful, His glory with prevail.

As a pastor, I have seen how this ‘oikos’ can be affected by the financial crisis whereby we have to cut down expenses and be shrewd in our management of funds, rather than trusting God to provide if we are doing God’s work. I also see how internal strives and misunderstanding has split churches and hinder the advancement of ministry. And I also see how careless we can be by neglecting our foundation by neglecting the study of the Word of God to seek the will of God for the church and go after popular theology or practices or programs in hope to grow the church. But Jesus is faithful.

Again, in this season of Lent, I am being drawn back to Christ and His Cross. Christ’s work on the Cross is not a point event, but rather a continuous process of His complete work for us until the end. And because of Christ faithfulness to the ‘oikos’, I can have hope that this ‘oikos’ will be built up in the way whereby Christ will be glorified.

If you have any frustration about the ‘oikos’, remember Jesus is faithful, He has not done with us who make up the ‘oikos’. He is not done with me yet, He is surely not done with you too. You plus me equals to the ‘oikos’.

Let’s keep building each other up as Christ builds us up.


HHS…

Abel…

Day 7: Wait to be encountered… (Luke 9:30-31) 03 Mar 09

I have been writing my own devotions and Bible study and even post them online as blog. My aim is not to show people that I know a lot about the Bible or I am a more spiritual species; but it is a simple way whereby I can monitor my own walk with God in my knowledge and my intimacy with Him. My in depth study of the Word can be tough and mind boggling at time; but as the Holy Spirit illuminates my mind and heart to zoom in to a particular issue and grip my heart to grapple with it, I know the Lord is speaking deep into my being. And that is so refreshing! I agree with the author, Ser Choon, that Exegetical work need not be dry as dust. But the key to a refreshing and transforming devotions and Bible study is a posture: wait to be encountered.

This is the key. We can do Lectio Divina, we can also do Ignatius Contemplation; but if the heart is not waiting upon the Holy Spirit to have that encounter, it is only an exercise of the mind, perhaps an exercise of the emotion too. Whereas a seemingly rigorous intellectual study of the Bible but with the expectancy to wait for have an encounter with God through the study, that will be refreshing and transforming.

As we are on this season of Lent, practicing Lectio Divina, take time to wait to be encountered by our reading and even studying of the text given each day.

Just like today reading, I find myself in my ‘Jerusalem’, a place whereby the Lord wants me to be in to face my cross, just as He faced His Cross. The Holy Spirit simply but powerfully reminds me of my calling and gently reminds me to act upon it. I will face rejection, I will have to deal with my disappointment, and I will have to take up my cross. I can only weep in gratefulness for His assurance and love and the privilege to carry the cross He assigns to me.

What is the Holy Spirit speaking to you today? Do you have a Jerusalem to go to? You can carry your cross and go elsewhere, because you won’t be crucified there. But if you carry your cross to Jerusalem, there is where you will face the force of the cross: Crucifixion. Are you ready for it?

If you have not heard from the Holy Spirit, wait to be encountered.

HHS…
Abel…

Day 6: Commune with God… (Luke 9:28-33) 02 Mar 09

The purpose of observing the season of Lent is not merely to fill in the gap of curriculum for small group, but it really an opportunity for individual to slow down and reflect, so that we may encounter God through His Living Word as we commune with Him. Communicating with God is more than just praying or doing Bible study, it is a combination of both and integration of both.

Lectio Divina is one of the ancient methods of reading the Bible commonly used by the early church Christians. This form of spiritual discipline helps them to really grow, not only deep in the Word of God, but also the reality of the Presence of God. For me, as a modern day Christian, I am blessed with many Evangelical and even Catholic scholars, that I can have a more complete understanding of the Word of God. But I may not have the experience of communicating with God in His holy and glorious presence.

It is not easy to intentionally and even ruthlessly to set aside time to dwell in the presence of God. The demands of our family, our work and even our church may be a hindrance to this. When there is no proper communication, the relationship breaks down. I am reminded of this truth in a marriage preparation facilitator course, and I am sure this applies to our relationship with God too. If I need to have quality and quantity time to communication with my earthly lover to maintain a good and strong relationship; how much more I need to commune with God in order for me to experience His transforming love for me, if I call Him – the Lover of my soul.

Have you communicate with the Lover of your soul today?

HHS…
Abel…

Consider Jesus… (Hebrews 3:1) 020309

Hebrews 3:1-6 should be one unit for discussion, but as I read and meditate, I would rather focus on verse one of Hebrews chapter 3. I am led to fix my thought on the phrase: consider Jesus (NASB).

NIV translates is as fix your thoughts on Jesus. The Greek word for this is in imperative form and directs to second person which means the author of Hebrews is giving a command (whereby some will see it as strong suggestion) to his readers (which is us today). This word has a range of semantic meanings: to observe, to notice, to consider, to fix thoughts and even to contemplate. And I gather from another Greek linguistic book, the word expresses attention and continuous observation and regard (by Rogers and Rogers).

I am not here to show off my Greek, instead as I meditate and contemplate on scriptures, I am allowing the Holy Spirit to lead me to words and phrases which He wants to speak to me. And plunging into the original language and reading up commentaries helps me to appreciate the depths and widths of it.

This morning, God just wants my thoughts to be fixed on Jesus. He wants me to consider, to observe, to contemplate, to give attention and regard to Jesus. What about Jesus He wants me to consider?

The author of Hebrews highlights two roles: Apostle and High Priest.

Leaving the technical meaning aside, Apostle and High Priest are the two most important figures in the New Testament and the Old Testament. The Hebrews’ author is clearly suggesting to us that Jesus fulfils the role of an OT High Priest and NT Apostle.

As a High Priest, Jesus offers sacrifice for our redemption, and the ultimate offering is Himself on the Cross. And as an Apostle, Jesus is the one being commissioned as an authoritative representation, and He is the exact representation of God with full authority being sent by God.

There is no one else in the history of humanity have the capacity to fulfill these two roles as one, only Jesus. Consider Jesus; consider His sacrifice on the Cross. Consider Jesus; consider His humility to step down into humanity as the sent one. On earth, He represents God; in heaven now, He is our representation, interceding at the right hand of the throne.

Consider Jesus; consider your life, is it pleasing to Him? Consider Jesus; consider your work, is it honoring to Him? Consider Jesus; consider your service, is it devoted to Him? Consider Jesus; consider your family, is it glorifying His name? Consider Jesus; consider your relationship with others, is it a reflection of His love and grace? Consider Jesus; consider the Cross, especially during this season of Lent, what does the Cross means to you?

As I consider Jesus, my heart is heavy, because I know that I am not fully yield to the leading of the Holy Spirit. As I consider Jesus, my soul is stirred to notice my selfish desires and needs. As I consider Jesus, I am led to the Cross to weep and to confess. As I consider Jesus, I am rest assured that Jesus is the Apostle and the High Priest of my confession; I am redeemed!

Consider Jesus.

HHS…
Abel…

Day 5: Other then self… (Luke 3:22) 01 Mar 09

I have been pretty disturbed by our self-parading culture. I know that I live in a society whereby I have to prove myself before others, and this culture has also found its way into the church. We will parade their busy schedule, appointment and meeting to proof our importance. If we are too shy to publicize to others, we will quietly present them before God, and well-pleased with our ‘self’.

The author challenges us to consider the ‘other’ before ‘self’, just like the three persons in the Trinity does it. How can we put the ‘other’ before ‘self’? Maybe we can start with a word of affirmation, instead of giving our ‘self’ praises, give other praise if we find him/her doing good. Maybe we can also give a gift, instead of reward our ‘self’ with things we buy, buy something for ‘other’ we know who need it as a reward for his/her good work. Maybe we can spend time with and for ‘other’, instead of spend time doing things we like, spend some extended time with ‘other’ who need a listening ear for him/her to express his/her joy. Maybe we can help ‘other’ to do some simple task, instead of only doing things for our ‘self’, do it for ‘other’ as he/she has been doing for others. Maybe we can give ‘other’ a hug or a pat on the shoulder, that touch may warm the heart of ‘other’ to compensate his/her late cold night hard works.

These are the five languages of love we can use to honor ‘other’. Who is this ‘other’? Anyone who deserves the honor, maybe start from our family members (especially your spouse if you are married), our colleagues, our church members, and anyone. When do we start? Start now.

Even start with people who did not do good or work hard, not even to mention about success. There are people in our church whereby nobody talks to on Sunday, no one to have lunch with after service, no small group to attend, and maybe the name is not even known to other people. Look out for them and honor them. These people are just like you and me, made in the image of God, loved and well-pleased by God. If we do not know how to love them, we do not really know our true ‘self’, we do not know our true identity.

Christian faith is a communal faith; we cannot know our ‘self’ unless we love ‘other’ and know God. Therefore, ‘other’ first, then ‘self’.

HHS…
Abel…