Weeks 11 & 12 (11) - Blessings of Divine Guidance

2 weeks on, the world’s 3rd largest economy, a mighty nation is still coming to terms with the triple disaster that devastated the NE of Japan. For the first time, Emperor Akihito appeared on national TV, pledging his sympathy and prayers for his People.

His Imperial majesty the Emperor Akihito has been on the throne since his father Emperor Hirohito died in 1989. The Emperor is called the Tenno in Japanese, literally meaning “Heavenly King”, also referred to as Son of Heaven.

No doubt, the nation of Japan needed a lot of prayers right now – to stop the spread of radiation into the food chain and the environment that may cause widespread harm in the longer term; prayers to help Japan rebuild many of the prefectures badly damaged by the tsunami, but more importantly, prayers for the Japanese to know the true Son of Heaven.

Many people in the world believe that Jesus was only a prophet, in the same breath as Mohammed, the father of Islam.

But the Bible states that Jesus is the Son of God, the true Son of Heaven.

• The Archangel Gabriel told Mary that her son Jesus would be called the Son of God

[Luke 1:35,38 NIV]

35 The angel answered, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.

38 "I am the Lord's servant," Mary answered. "May it be to me as you have said." Then the angel left her.

• Nathanael, a true Israelite, declared that Jesus was the Son of God

[John 1:47-49 NIV]

47 When Jesus saw Nathanael approaching, he said of him, "Here is a true Israelite, in whom there is nothing false."

48 "How do you know me?" Nathanael asked. Jesus answered, "I saw you while you were still under the fig tree before Philip called you."

49 Then Nathanael declared, "Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel."

• Jesus himself acknowledging that he was the Son of God

[Luke 22:66-70 NIV]

66 At daybreak the council of the elders of the people, both the chief priests and teachers of the law, met together, and Jesus was led before them.

67 "If you are the Christ," they said, "tell us." Jesus answered, "If I tell you, you will not believe me,

68 and if I asked you, you would not answer.

69 But from now on, the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the mighty God."

70 They all asked, "Are you then the Son of God?" He replied, "You are right in saying I am."

Indeed, all earthly authorities are established by God [Rom.13:1], be they good or not by God’s or men’s standards. Throughout the ages, whenever we had a good king, or president, or prime minister, the people would be blessed. The opposite was true when we had a bad one, because God’s blessings flow through good leaders.

Be encouraged to know that, if you exercise your leadership according to God’s teachings, as a parent, a teacher, a leader in the workplace, a leader in government or a church leader, the people under you will be blessed!

In my workplace, I am watching what I say and do very carefully. But I firmly believe that if I walk by the Spirit of God, God will bless and the people will praise our Father in heaven [Matt. 5:16].

It would be fantastic if all Christians do reflect God’s glory on earth. I will try!

It is true that “the LORD has dealt with me according to my righteousness; according to the cleanness of my hands he has rewarded me…….The LORD has rewarded me according to my righteousness, according to the cleanness of my hands in his sight. To the faithful you show yourself faithful, to the blameless you show yourself blameless, to the pure you show yourself pure, but to the crooked you show yourself shrewd. You save the humble but bring low those whose eyes are haughty. You, O LORD, keep my lamp burning; my God turns my darkness into light. With your help I can advance against a troop; with my God I can scale a wall……He trains my hands for battle; my arms can bend a bow of bronze. You give me your shield of victory, and your right hand sustains me; you stoop down to make me great…….Therefore I will praise you among the nations, O LORD; I will sing praises to your name.” [Ps 18:20-50 NIV]

Throughout the ages, God has used His prophets to speak His mind. Although kings sought the counsel of prophets, very often they only listen to what they want to hear. “Then King Zedekiah sent for Jeremiah the prophet and had him brought to the third entrance to the temple of the LORD. "I am going to ask you something," the king said to Jeremiah. "Do not hide anything from me." Jeremiah said to Zedekiah, "If I give you an answer, will you not kill me? Even if I did give you counsel, you would not listen to me." But King Zedekiah swore this oath secretly to Jeremiah: "As surely as the LORD lives, who has given us breath, I will neither kill you nor hand you over to those who are seeking your life." Then Jeremiah said to Zedekiah, "This is what the LORD God Almighty, the God of Israel, says: 'If you surrender to the officers of the king of Babylon, your life will be spared and this city will not be burned down; you and your family will live. But if you will not surrender to the officers of the king of Babylon, this city will be handed over to the Babylonians and they will burn it down; you yourself will not escape from their hands.'" King Zedekiah said to Jeremiah, "I am afraid of the Jews who have gone over to the Babylonians, for the Babylonians may hand me over to them and they will mistreat me." "They will not hand you over," Jeremiah replied. "Obey the LORD by doing what I tell you. Then it will go well with you, and your life will be spared. [Jer 38:14-20 NIV] As a result, the kings or leaders brought upon themselves and their people God’s wrath instead of God’s blessings.

The Son of God Jesus will one day come back to judge the world. Let us respond to God’s grace now, rather respond to His wrath later. “…if our unrighteousness brings out God's righteousness more clearly, what shall we say? That God is unjust in bringing his wrath on us? (I am using a human argument.) Certainly not! If that were so, how could God judge the world? Someone might argue, "If my falsehood enhances God's truthfulness and so increases his glory, why am I still condemned as a sinner?" Why not say-as we are being slanderously reported as saying and as some claim that we say-"Let us do evil that good may result"? Their condemnation is deserved…….As it is written: "There is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands, no one who seeks God. All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one." [Rom 3:1-12 NIV]

Be sure to know that “The righteous man is rescued from trouble, and it comes on the wicked instead……When the righteous prosper, the city rejoices; when the wicked perish, there are shouts of joy……The truly righteous man attains life, but he who pursues evil goes to his death…..The desire of the righteous ends only in good, but the hope of the wicked only in wrath……The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who wins souls is wise. If the righteous receive their due on earth, how much more the ungodly and the sinner! [Prov 11:8-10,19,23,28,30,31 NIV]

Amen and amen!

Weeks 09 & 10 (11) - Blessings of Divine Guidance

I was reading the Book of Romans Chapter 1 on Friday, as the last of my readings for Weeks 9 & 10. What Apostle Paul said was most insightful, and they are timeless and most relevant for our time.

Paul called himself the worst of sinners in [1 Tim 1:15,16]:



“Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners — of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life.”

He made the point of Christ Jesus’ mercy in saving sinners. He talked about Jesus’ unlimited patience for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life.

Indeed God the Father and the Son of God Jesus have patiently waited 2000 years for men to repent. Jesus, although He was God, selflessly allowed Himself to be crucified by sinful men, so that we who believe may inherit eternal life.

Because Paul knew that he had been shown mercy, he tiredlessly served God. God allowed Paul to write 13 of the 66 books in the Bible. All his teachings are invaluable in helping all Bible-believing Christians to become what God had in mind for His Church.

Paul powerfully made plain God’s thoughts in [Romans 1]:

[Rom 1:18-25 NIV]

The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness, since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities — his eternal power and divine nature — have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse. For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles. They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshipped and served created things rather than the Creator — who is for ever praised...

Mankind has come a long way since the first man 6000 years ago. Today, we can have clean water by turning on the tap. We can instantly contact someone 8000 miles away by telephone or chatting on line. We have put man on the moon. We have discovered and invented many things that allow us to enjoy a more comfortable life. On average we are much better educated than our ancestors. People in general are more knowledgeable, yet, morally we have not advanced an inch. Our sinful nature is evident in the deeds that are reported daily in the news – murder, sexual immorality, fraud, cruelty, injustice ………

We, the crown jewel of God’s creation, have become prideful, selfish, greedy, lustful…….what Paul described as “their thinking became futile and hearts were darkened”. It is the result of not honouring and glorifying our Maker, although we know God through what has been made - the universe, the different seasons, different kinds of animals, birds, fish, plants, flowers......!

Although God has been patient, His righteousness and His justice cannot be withheld forever. Like Paul said “The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness”.

I hope I do not sound insensitive at a time of great distress and disaster in many parts of the world, most recently in Japan, but I believe God’s judgment of the world has already begun. Like what I shared in my last message “wars, famine, earthquakes are signs of the end that will increase in intensity before the end – the 2nd coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Whilst I would not say for certain that the 7-year tribulation has started, I do not think it is far off!

If you think what we are seeing is dreadful, wait for the great tribulation which will last for 3.5 years. The Bible says that it will be like “labour pain on a pregnant woman” and will come after the Antichrist reveals himself. And I am seeing small signs of his schemes which I will share another time.

Our Lord Jesus is coming back for His bride – the Church that is “without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless.” Make sure all Christians measure up when He turns up!

I am working on mine. I pray for God to help me to do the impossible - man changing himself. “Hear, O LORD, my righteous plea; listen to my cry. Give ear to my prayer — it does not rise from deceitful lips. May my vindication come from you; may your eyes see what is right………I have resolved that my mouth will not sin…….I call on you, O God, for you will answer me; give ear to me and hear my prayer……And I — in righteousness I shall see your face; when I awake, I shall be satisfied with seeing your likeness.” [Ps 17:1-15 NIV]

God is not unfair and unjust. He gives everyone the opportunity to repent. He always give plenty of warnings. But for those who remain stubborn and unrepentant, God will judge accordingly. This is what happened to the Israelites. “the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah, saying: "This is what the LORD Almighty……says: Go and tell the men of Judah and the people of Jerusalem, 'Will you not learn a lesson and obey my words?' declares the LORD. 'Jonadab…..ordered his sons not to drink wine and this command has been kept. To this day they do not drink wine, because they obey their forefather's command. But I have spoken to you again and again, yet you have not obeyed me. Again and again I sent all my servants the prophets to you. They said, "Each of you must turn from your wicked ways and reform your actions; do not follow other gods to serve them. Then you shall live in the land I have given to you and your fathers." But you have not paid attention or listened to me…….."Therefore, this is what the LORD God Almighty….says: 'Listen! I am going to bring on Judah and on everyone living in Jerusalem every disaster I pronounced against them. I spoke to them, but they did not listen; I called to them, but they did not answer.'" [Jer 35:12-19 NIV]

Time is running out and there is a real urgency to share the Gospel. During the week, I treat my work as a ministry. I am praying for a Bible class for not-yet believers at work to start. On the weekends, I run the BBC school. I am serving God 24/7 for “I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes…….For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: "The righteous will live by faith."……’ [Rom 1:16-25 NIV]

God has been trying to get our attention. He has been calling us to respond. “……Let all who are simple come in here!"……."Come, eat my food and drink the wine I have mixed. Leave your simple ways and you will live; walk in the way of understanding…….rebuke a wise man and he will love you. Instruct a wise man and he will be wiser still; teach a righteous man and he will add to his learning. "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. For through me your days will be many, and years will be added to your life. If you are wise, your wisdom will reward you; if you are a mocker, you alone will suffer." [Prov 9:1-12 NIV]

Amen and amen!