Monday, January 30, 2012
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
The scandals and corruption of human leadership, humanity's plight, and the future hope now and to come
"For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Of the greatness of his government and peace
there will be no end.
He will reign on David’s throne
and over his kingdom,
establishing and upholding it
with justice and righteousness
from that time on and forever." - Isaiah 9:6-7
All human governments and authoritative bodies from the dawn of time up to the present, have had their fair share of corruption, abuse of power, and scandal. From third-world countries to first-class nations, from democratic to totalitarian, one way or another has tainted it's own hands and wronged it's own citizens.
Its rather difficult for someone to pinpoint the last time that a leader actually cared for his or her own people, who did not have selfish ambitions but put others before themselves, who had in mind the good sake of the people rather than their personal gain, who carried the nation or a an oppressed people group rather than placed heavy burdens on them, who sacrificed themselves for the betterment of those who trusted in them rather than sacrificing the people for their own betterment, who answered the tough questions and did not dance around them.
Of course through out history there have been a fair share of good leaders with the likes of Martin Luther King who worked toward the end of racial segregation and discrimination through non-violent means, Prime Minister Trudeau who helped Canada gain independence, Winston Churchill who led the British to fight against Hitler's regime and led the way to it's destruction, and of course Corazon Aquino who restored democracy to the Philippines from the dictatorship of Ferdinand Marcos.
What these men and women had in common was that they were good leaders who stood for ideals and ethics, cared for the oppressed, and looked at injustice in the face. Another commonality they share is that they are now gone, they had their portion in history but are now sadly replaced by leaders who have no heart, who have no convictions, who lack integrity, and who even oppose what these fallen heroes stood and fought for.
We live in sad times, where one day democracy lives and the next day is murdered, we live in the days where seemingly each successive leadership tends to become more and more corrupt than the last. A friend when asked about the issue of leadership and government throughout history, remarked that the common thread of all who ever held power or influence is "corruption".
Canadians are unhappy with the Harper government, The Obama Administration is struggling, the Middle East is in turmoil, Oppresive regimes still reign, North Korea and South Korea in tense dispute; and to bring it closer to home and my heart, Philippine governmental bodies reek with corruption, fraud, and scandal.
Recently on the news, America has brought itself to deep trouble for the insurmountable debts the nation has accumulated and the nation is now in default. The once-thought savior of America and hope of the world, Obama now appears grey-haired, lacking sleep, and under intense scrutiny. Everyone is holding their breath on how Obama's leadership will pull them out of this dilemma.
If you take a conscious look around you, what you see is bound to tire you, sap out all your optism, and leave you feeling hopeless for the horrible state the world is in, it's deeply corrupted leaders, and humanity's desperate situation. The future is bleak and tommorow looks dark. Can you feel the weight of the plight of humanity? If you don't then you haven't opened your eyes yet.
The point I'm trying to get to is: what is the meaning of all this? Will there ever be another good leader again? Will there ever be peace and resolution in the world? A world free of chaos, war, problems, political corruption and strife?
Where are we headed? And my aim is to answer what is on most people's minds: is there hope for the future?
The answer is yes. There is hope now and hope for the future, and this is not ignorant optism either or wishful thinking, it is reality grounded on the greatest leader: Jesus Christ.
You might be thinking: "what's religion gonna do? I don't think thats what we need right now. and I don't think religion is exempted from the corrupt leadership you've mentioned. they've had their fair share of corruption. Religion won't solve anything"
I'm not talking about religion. I'm talking about a person. And He is Jesus Christ.
He is the leader everyone is looking for but pushed aside. He is the deliverer who everyone has been yearning for but have overlooked. He is the Savior of the world who everyone waits for but has tragically been dismissed.
Jesus is the perfect leader.
He's called Wonderful Counselor, with the implication that He is a ruler whose wisdom infinitely surpasses all human capablities.
He's called Mighty God, no one can overthrow His government because He is infinitely powerful.
He's called Everlasting Father, a beautiful portrayal of Jesus being our benevolent and kind protector who will forever care for us like children.
He's called the Prince of Peace, the ruler whose reign will put an end to tyranny, rape, murder, racism, strife, pain, anguish, hopelessness, hunger, thirst, all evil and suffering and will usher in peace, joy, prosperity, equality, justice, righteousness.
Many politicians and leaders promise to do good to those who follow them yet the next day break their word.
But here is the clear demonstration of God's love for us:
We begin with Jesus who is the Creator of all that exists. Jesus the Creator of us all.
Jesus the one who has every right to be our King and the ruler of our lives, neighborhoods, cities, countries, and world has been dethroned from His rightful place.
You and I have dethroned Him from His respective rank. We kicked Him out and instead we have entitled ourselves the King of our lives. We deliberately declared war against Him and named ourselves His enemies.
We figured we would live our life for ourselves. We figured at one point in our life that we did not need to live by His rules, live under His government, be under His care, and be under His protection.
So we started saying His name with dishonor, we started making fun of those under His rule, we started lying, we started stealing, we started cheating, we started having sex beyond the limits He set, we started killing, we started raping.
We stopped thanking Him for the food, money, shelter, clothing, and life that we enjoy but truly belongs to Him and instead think it rightfully belongs to us.
Now by law, such demonstration of defiance to the King is infinitely punishable. His justice,honor, and Kingdom must punish criminals like us and opposing kingdoms like our lives; a punishment fit for the crime: by eternal death. Blood must be shed for such an insurmountable dishonor.
But yet The King Himself loved us so much that He took off His robe and represented the entirety of humanity, and took the punishment we deserved. His death for the sparing of our lives.
That's a reality. Jesus Christ, the King came to the earth and lived among us. He then intentionally laid down His life on that cross for the crimes we have committed against Him.
Jesus, The King who died for His disloyal subjects so that their lives may be spared from eternal suffering in hell.
On the third day He rose again and went back to His throne. All who would trust in Him as their Savior and King will be exempted from punishment.
That is the hope you and me can have right now. To have our sins forgiven. To have our guilt and eternal suffering punishment taken away, and to have a restored relationship with this King who loves us beyond all measure.
So to answer the question: is there hope for the future?
Answer: Jesus is the hope that sustains us now and for the future.
The Bible tells of a future event when Jesus will come back to earth and usher in a government that is under His rule. A government to end all governments, where all the nations are subjected under His authority, care, provision, and protection, where His reign will stretch to the ends of the earth, and lastly where His Kingship will never end.
Jesus is alive. He is coming back. He is establishing a kingdom of peace, joy, and prosperity. His government is not oppressive. All the nations will be under His rule.
He's is the faithful promise keeper. He is omnipotent. He's able. He's wise. He's humble. He's gentle. He cares for His people. He laid down His life for His people. Most importantly, the good news of it all is that His reign will be forever. His government will never crumble.
Deep down inside we all long for a Savior to save humanity from it's plight and rescue us from our problems.
All these corrupted leaders throughout history are meant to point us to Him and whose purpose is to accentuate the contrast of their corruption and His justice, their evilness and His goodness.
All the good leaders of history pale in comparison to Him. All the commendable traits and amiable dispositions they held are only like a drop in the ocean of God's mercy and grace, like an extra in the play of God's story of redemption, like a tongue of flame in the blazing inferno of His love, and a foreshadowing of the One who is to come.
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Of the greatness of his government and peace
there will be no end.
He will reign on David’s throne
and over his kingdom,
establishing and upholding it
with justice and righteousness
from that time on and forever." - Isaiah 9:6-7
All human governments and authoritative bodies from the dawn of time up to the present, have had their fair share of corruption, abuse of power, and scandal. From third-world countries to first-class nations, from democratic to totalitarian, one way or another has tainted it's own hands and wronged it's own citizens.
Its rather difficult for someone to pinpoint the last time that a leader actually cared for his or her own people, who did not have selfish ambitions but put others before themselves, who had in mind the good sake of the people rather than their personal gain, who carried the nation or a an oppressed people group rather than placed heavy burdens on them, who sacrificed themselves for the betterment of those who trusted in them rather than sacrificing the people for their own betterment, who answered the tough questions and did not dance around them.
Of course through out history there have been a fair share of good leaders with the likes of Martin Luther King who worked toward the end of racial segregation and discrimination through non-violent means, Prime Minister Trudeau who helped Canada gain independence, Winston Churchill who led the British to fight against Hitler's regime and led the way to it's destruction, and of course Corazon Aquino who restored democracy to the Philippines from the dictatorship of Ferdinand Marcos.
What these men and women had in common was that they were good leaders who stood for ideals and ethics, cared for the oppressed, and looked at injustice in the face. Another commonality they share is that they are now gone, they had their portion in history but are now sadly replaced by leaders who have no heart, who have no convictions, who lack integrity, and who even oppose what these fallen heroes stood and fought for.
We live in sad times, where one day democracy lives and the next day is murdered, we live in the days where seemingly each successive leadership tends to become more and more corrupt than the last. A friend when asked about the issue of leadership and government throughout history, remarked that the common thread of all who ever held power or influence is "corruption".
Canadians are unhappy with the Harper government, The Obama Administration is struggling, the Middle East is in turmoil, Oppresive regimes still reign, North Korea and South Korea in tense dispute; and to bring it closer to home and my heart, Philippine governmental bodies reek with corruption, fraud, and scandal.
Recently on the news, America has brought itself to deep trouble for the insurmountable debts the nation has accumulated and the nation is now in default. The once-thought savior of America and hope of the world, Obama now appears grey-haired, lacking sleep, and under intense scrutiny. Everyone is holding their breath on how Obama's leadership will pull them out of this dilemma.
If you take a conscious look around you, what you see is bound to tire you, sap out all your optism, and leave you feeling hopeless for the horrible state the world is in, it's deeply corrupted leaders, and humanity's desperate situation. The future is bleak and tommorow looks dark. Can you feel the weight of the plight of humanity? If you don't then you haven't opened your eyes yet.
The point I'm trying to get to is: what is the meaning of all this? Will there ever be another good leader again? Will there ever be peace and resolution in the world? A world free of chaos, war, problems, political corruption and strife?
Where are we headed? And my aim is to answer what is on most people's minds: is there hope for the future?
The answer is yes. There is hope now and hope for the future, and this is not ignorant optism either or wishful thinking, it is reality grounded on the greatest leader: Jesus Christ.
You might be thinking: "what's religion gonna do? I don't think thats what we need right now. and I don't think religion is exempted from the corrupt leadership you've mentioned. they've had their fair share of corruption. Religion won't solve anything"
I'm not talking about religion. I'm talking about a person. And He is Jesus Christ.
He is the leader everyone is looking for but pushed aside. He is the deliverer who everyone has been yearning for but have overlooked. He is the Savior of the world who everyone waits for but has tragically been dismissed.
Jesus is the perfect leader.
He's called Wonderful Counselor, with the implication that He is a ruler whose wisdom infinitely surpasses all human capablities.
He's called Mighty God, no one can overthrow His government because He is infinitely powerful.
He's called Everlasting Father, a beautiful portrayal of Jesus being our benevolent and kind protector who will forever care for us like children.
He's called the Prince of Peace, the ruler whose reign will put an end to tyranny, rape, murder, racism, strife, pain, anguish, hopelessness, hunger, thirst, all evil and suffering and will usher in peace, joy, prosperity, equality, justice, righteousness.
Many politicians and leaders promise to do good to those who follow them yet the next day break their word.
But here is the clear demonstration of God's love for us:
We begin with Jesus who is the Creator of all that exists. Jesus the Creator of us all.
Jesus the one who has every right to be our King and the ruler of our lives, neighborhoods, cities, countries, and world has been dethroned from His rightful place.
You and I have dethroned Him from His respective rank. We kicked Him out and instead we have entitled ourselves the King of our lives. We deliberately declared war against Him and named ourselves His enemies.
We figured we would live our life for ourselves. We figured at one point in our life that we did not need to live by His rules, live under His government, be under His care, and be under His protection.
So we started saying His name with dishonor, we started making fun of those under His rule, we started lying, we started stealing, we started cheating, we started having sex beyond the limits He set, we started killing, we started raping.
We stopped thanking Him for the food, money, shelter, clothing, and life that we enjoy but truly belongs to Him and instead think it rightfully belongs to us.
Now by law, such demonstration of defiance to the King is infinitely punishable. His justice,honor, and Kingdom must punish criminals like us and opposing kingdoms like our lives; a punishment fit for the crime: by eternal death. Blood must be shed for such an insurmountable dishonor.
But yet The King Himself loved us so much that He took off His robe and represented the entirety of humanity, and took the punishment we deserved. His death for the sparing of our lives.
That's a reality. Jesus Christ, the King came to the earth and lived among us. He then intentionally laid down His life on that cross for the crimes we have committed against Him.
Jesus, The King who died for His disloyal subjects so that their lives may be spared from eternal suffering in hell.
On the third day He rose again and went back to His throne. All who would trust in Him as their Savior and King will be exempted from punishment.
That is the hope you and me can have right now. To have our sins forgiven. To have our guilt and eternal suffering punishment taken away, and to have a restored relationship with this King who loves us beyond all measure.
So to answer the question: is there hope for the future?
Answer: Jesus is the hope that sustains us now and for the future.
The Bible tells of a future event when Jesus will come back to earth and usher in a government that is under His rule. A government to end all governments, where all the nations are subjected under His authority, care, provision, and protection, where His reign will stretch to the ends of the earth, and lastly where His Kingship will never end.
Jesus is alive. He is coming back. He is establishing a kingdom of peace, joy, and prosperity. His government is not oppressive. All the nations will be under His rule.
He's is the faithful promise keeper. He is omnipotent. He's able. He's wise. He's humble. He's gentle. He cares for His people. He laid down His life for His people. Most importantly, the good news of it all is that His reign will be forever. His government will never crumble.
Deep down inside we all long for a Savior to save humanity from it's plight and rescue us from our problems.
All these corrupted leaders throughout history are meant to point us to Him and whose purpose is to accentuate the contrast of their corruption and His justice, their evilness and His goodness.
All the good leaders of history pale in comparison to Him. All the commendable traits and amiable dispositions they held are only like a drop in the ocean of God's mercy and grace, like an extra in the play of God's story of redemption, like a tongue of flame in the blazing inferno of His love, and a foreshadowing of the One who is to come.
Monday, January 17, 2011
How can you have the highest joy in a wrathful God?
More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation. (Romans 5:11 ESV)
Romans 5:11 says that we rejoice in God. Keep in mind, this is the same God that Paul talks about in Romans 1 and 2, this is the God of wrath and God of fury and God of Justice and God of righteousness and God of holiness.
This God aint someone you should mess with, this God, Jesus says to fear because He can take send both your body and soul to hell. This is a terrifying God whose reign brings terror to sinners.
There's no celebration in Him but only dreadful fear because He is our enemy and He is infinitely powerful with unmatchable strength, and we are all under His judgment and anger. Therefore, we all expect a day when we are sentenced to everlasting torment with no escape.
Yet, in a few paragraphs later Paul tells us to rejoice in this God? WHAT?! HOW? When I think of Him all I do is tremble and be terrified. Are you nuts Paul? Are you out of your mind? then Paul connects this rejoicing in God: through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we now have received reconciliation. Paul grounds our rejoicing in God on the basis that we are reconciled to Him.
Meaning to say we were once enemies but we are now friends, we were once rivals but now we are allies, we once had strife but now we are in good terms. All this was accomplished in the death and resurrection of Jesus.
WOW what a wonderful news! It's as if you were summoned to appear in court for offending a person, and you know very well that your sentence is a life-sentence. But before the court case, that person comes to you and says, let's reason together, let's talk this out, let's be reconciled..Let's become friends.
The same God of wrath we were terrified in becomes our source of joy! This is the same God who would pour out wrath on us if it were not for Christ. This is the same God who sent His Son to die for our sins so that the wrath and punishment that was meant for us would be inflicted on Jesus. We now have peace with God through our Lord Jesus (romans 5:1) instead of strife and separation.
Romans 5 packs many verses that call us to rejoice in the salvation found in Jesus: "and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us." In other words, God pours His love on us and gives us hope that will not shame us on judgment day.
Lastly, we are given a beautiful portrayal of God's love:
"For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For no one would scarcely die for a righteous person -- though perhaps a good person one would dare even die --- but God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since therefore, we have now been justified by His blood, much more shall we be saved by Him from the wrath of God. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of His Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by His life."
That is the most beautiful and glorious message of all! that we need not be terrified of God in fear of condemnation, but on the contrary we rejoice in this God who out of love sent His Son to die and bear the punishment and penalty of our sins.
This God is a God of love and compassion and mercy and grace and benevolence. This God went out of His way to rescue us from eternal torment in hell, an act of something we certainly did not deserve.
While I was yet an enemy I was reconciled to Him by the death of His Son. And may we never stray away from this wonderful and extravagant message that encompasses all awe and wonder.
We are not an enemy of God anymore sentenced for death, but we are now called beloved, child, friend.
I need not dread in terror of Him, but I can rejoice in Him and love Him. So When the day comes when you finally see Him, you will not be seing the face of a wrathful Judge but you would see the face of a dad and a friend.
Come to Christ!
Romans 5:11 says that we rejoice in God. Keep in mind, this is the same God that Paul talks about in Romans 1 and 2, this is the God of wrath and God of fury and God of Justice and God of righteousness and God of holiness.
This God aint someone you should mess with, this God, Jesus says to fear because He can take send both your body and soul to hell. This is a terrifying God whose reign brings terror to sinners.
There's no celebration in Him but only dreadful fear because He is our enemy and He is infinitely powerful with unmatchable strength, and we are all under His judgment and anger. Therefore, we all expect a day when we are sentenced to everlasting torment with no escape.
Yet, in a few paragraphs later Paul tells us to rejoice in this God? WHAT?! HOW? When I think of Him all I do is tremble and be terrified. Are you nuts Paul? Are you out of your mind? then Paul connects this rejoicing in God: through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we now have received reconciliation. Paul grounds our rejoicing in God on the basis that we are reconciled to Him.
Meaning to say we were once enemies but we are now friends, we were once rivals but now we are allies, we once had strife but now we are in good terms. All this was accomplished in the death and resurrection of Jesus.
WOW what a wonderful news! It's as if you were summoned to appear in court for offending a person, and you know very well that your sentence is a life-sentence. But before the court case, that person comes to you and says, let's reason together, let's talk this out, let's be reconciled..Let's become friends.
The same God of wrath we were terrified in becomes our source of joy! This is the same God who would pour out wrath on us if it were not for Christ. This is the same God who sent His Son to die for our sins so that the wrath and punishment that was meant for us would be inflicted on Jesus. We now have peace with God through our Lord Jesus (romans 5:1) instead of strife and separation.
Romans 5 packs many verses that call us to rejoice in the salvation found in Jesus: "and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us." In other words, God pours His love on us and gives us hope that will not shame us on judgment day.
Lastly, we are given a beautiful portrayal of God's love:
"For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For no one would scarcely die for a righteous person -- though perhaps a good person one would dare even die --- but God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since therefore, we have now been justified by His blood, much more shall we be saved by Him from the wrath of God. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of His Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by His life."
That is the most beautiful and glorious message of all! that we need not be terrified of God in fear of condemnation, but on the contrary we rejoice in this God who out of love sent His Son to die and bear the punishment and penalty of our sins.
This God is a God of love and compassion and mercy and grace and benevolence. This God went out of His way to rescue us from eternal torment in hell, an act of something we certainly did not deserve.
While I was yet an enemy I was reconciled to Him by the death of His Son. And may we never stray away from this wonderful and extravagant message that encompasses all awe and wonder.
We are not an enemy of God anymore sentenced for death, but we are now called beloved, child, friend.
I need not dread in terror of Him, but I can rejoice in Him and love Him. So When the day comes when you finally see Him, you will not be seing the face of a wrathful Judge but you would see the face of a dad and a friend.
Come to Christ!
Monday, January 3, 2011
The blessings of reading the Word of God
“The Lord revealed Himself to Samuel at Shiloh by the word of the Lord.” - 1 Sam 3:21
“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.” - Col 3:16
Tonight, we as God’s people, will commit ourselves to Him, ourselves, and each other by reading the Bible everyday and journaling what God reveals in His words to us.
The benefits and blessings that we will draw from this new commitment to God, each other, and to ourselves far surmounts any expectation that we might have. Indeed we will reap more benefits than we can think of.
Yet we can expect two important benefits in our lives to happen when the word of God dwells richly in us: 1. We will see and enjoy God 2. Christ will abide in us 3. We are enabled to minister to one another.
God reveals Himself to us through the Bible
The fundamental reason that the Bible is essential is that it is mainly the way God reveals Himself to us. And seeing this revelation of God is the foundation of our joy. As it was in the days of Samuel, so it is in our time: “The Lord appeared… at Shiloh, for the Lord revealed Himself to Samuel At Shiloh by the word of the Lord.”
When it says “The Lord appeared,” it says something amazing. God was not seen with the eyes of the head, but with the eyes of the heart, for God is “The King of ages, immortal, invisible, the only God” (1 Tim 1:17). And this seeing happened “by the word of the Lord.” As the Word was heard, the Lord was seen. In this hearing was the seeing. The spiritual hearing of God’s Word becomes the spiritual seeing of God’s glory.
The Lord opens the eyes of the heart to see the glory of Jesus in the Word. God has chosen to reveal Himself to to the world mainly through the incarnate Word, Jesus Christ, by means of the written Word, the Bible.
When we read the Bible, God reveals Himself and we will see Him, not with physical eyes but with the eyes of our heart; and by seeing Him we enjoy Him.
Jesus abides in us when we read the Bible
Jesus said, “If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish and it will be done for you” – John 15:7.
The best way to see what it means for the words of Jesus to abide in us is to look at what Jesus says about abiding a few verses earlier. In verse 5 He says, “Whoever abides in me and I in Him, he it is that bears much fruit.”
Notice the parallel.
In verse 7 He says, “If you abide in me, and my words abide in you,”
and in verse 5 He says, “Whoever abides in me and I in Him…”
I think the point of this switch is to reveal to us how Jesus abides in us, specifically, by His word abiding in us. Meaning to say, when we let the words of Jesus abide in us means letting Jesus Himself abide in us.
The Bible enables christians to minister to each other
When the Word of Christ dwells richly in us, we are enabled to teach, encourage, lift up, and build up one another. When we are immersed in the Bible, we are able to echo the words of Jesus to our fellow Christian brothers and sisters; and when they hear the Word of the Lord, they will see Him and enjoy the beauty and splendor and glory of Jesus.
When we are soaked with the Word of God, we are a vessel that is able to reveal the glory of Christ and we are able love one another by urging each other to a deeper and stronger walk with Jesus.
In conclusion, let the word of Christ dwell richly in you and in doing so, you will reap the reward of seeing and enjoying God, Christ abiding in you, and building up the church. It is a new year of our journey with Jesus, let it count.
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Bonsai Christian
“So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in Him, rooted and built up in Him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness” - Colossians 2:6,7
The bonsai tree craze
I am a proud owner of a bonsai tree. My fascination with these dwarf trees started when I watched a movie called kill bill, there was a fight scene in which a background shot of an ancient bonsai tree captured my attention. Amidst all the clatter and chaos of the fight, all I could think of was that miniature version of a tree. Is it a shrub? It doesn’t look like it. How do you keep a tree that small?
How old is that? It looks ancient and worn out. A miniature acacia tree would be so cool!
How about an apple tree? Delicious miniature gala apples hanging down, mmmmm i could pluck and eat them whenever I watch a movie. What if I cultivate a field of bonsai apple trees? Then sell them in the mass? That was a peek into my thought process and how bonsai trees ran through my mind.
Fast forward to a few years later and now I own one. I am not a self-proclaimed professional bonsai taker but I know a few things about the art of making bonsais.
It turns out that you can make any tree a bonsai tree as long as you stunt it’s growth thoroughly and consistently.
The secret of the art to keeping a bonsai small is to trim its roots in order to starve it and deprive it from the nourishment it needs for growth. A trimming of the leaves is also done to ensure that the tree does not eat too much sunlight. It is also advised that you keep the tree enclosed in a small pot to keep the roots from growing deep.
If done successfully, a bonsai will appear to be a tree seen through panoramic view while boasting of it’s old age.
A bonsai Christian
You can be a bonsai Christian. A Christian who remains in a small pot, not rooted deep in Christ. You are deprived of nourishment and sustenance, the necessities of fruit-bearing and growth. Yet you are content in getting by with little to no food.
A Sunday service, a quick prayer before meals, read the Word of God if you have time out of your busy schedule. It’s enough to “tend” to your Christian walk. You look like a seasoned Christian, yet your appearance is small.
The role of the word of God in fruit-bearing and growth
We are called to be “rooted” in Christ where our spiritual nourishment and sustenance solely come from. We are to bear good fruit, but the question then is how do we bear good fruit? Learn from the example of the bonsai tree, we must strive not to starve ourselves but rather we must EAT in order to catalyze growth.
What is the food for fruit-bearing-faith? Jesus said, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from God” – Matthew 4:4. It is the Word itself that gives us life abundantly. This is the food we need for fruit-bearing and growing faith.
Let us press on a little further.
Jesus said, “If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish and it will be done for you” – John 15:7.
The best way to see what it means for the words of Jesus to abide in us is to look at what Jesus says about abiding a few verses earlier. In verse 5 He says, “Whoever abides in me and I in Him, he it is that bears much fruit.”
Notice the parallel.
In verse 7 He says, “If you abide in me, and my words abide in you,”
and in verse 5 He says, “Whoever abides in me and I in Him...”
I think the point of this switch is to reveal to us how Jesus abides in us, specifically, by His word abiding in us. Meaning to say, when we let the words of Jesus abide in us means letting Jesus Himself abide in us.
The point I want you to see and understand is that: if we are to be “rooted” in Christ and drawing spiritual nourishment and sustenance from Him in order for growth and the bearing of fruit , then we must abide in Him and Him in us.
And just as I have shown that letting the Word of God abide in us means letting Jesus abide in us.
“Whoever abides in me and I in Him, he it is that bears much fruit.”
To deny yourself the reading of the Word of God is to deny yourself of food and a healthy, fruitful Christian walk. And in a deeper, serious level, it means you are not abiding in Christ.
That is how we stop ourselves from becoming bonsai Christians; we must be reading the Word of God everyday with fervour and tenacity as if it was water, sunlight, and fertile soil.
For in reading the word of God, we are in reality, tapping into an unlimited resource of nourishment and sustenance for fruit bearing and growth.
The bonsai tree craze
I am a proud owner of a bonsai tree. My fascination with these dwarf trees started when I watched a movie called kill bill, there was a fight scene in which a background shot of an ancient bonsai tree captured my attention. Amidst all the clatter and chaos of the fight, all I could think of was that miniature version of a tree. Is it a shrub? It doesn’t look like it. How do you keep a tree that small?
How old is that? It looks ancient and worn out. A miniature acacia tree would be so cool!
How about an apple tree? Delicious miniature gala apples hanging down, mmmmm i could pluck and eat them whenever I watch a movie. What if I cultivate a field of bonsai apple trees? Then sell them in the mass? That was a peek into my thought process and how bonsai trees ran through my mind.
Fast forward to a few years later and now I own one. I am not a self-proclaimed professional bonsai taker but I know a few things about the art of making bonsais.
It turns out that you can make any tree a bonsai tree as long as you stunt it’s growth thoroughly and consistently.
The secret of the art to keeping a bonsai small is to trim its roots in order to starve it and deprive it from the nourishment it needs for growth. A trimming of the leaves is also done to ensure that the tree does not eat too much sunlight. It is also advised that you keep the tree enclosed in a small pot to keep the roots from growing deep.
If done successfully, a bonsai will appear to be a tree seen through panoramic view while boasting of it’s old age.
A bonsai Christian
You can be a bonsai Christian. A Christian who remains in a small pot, not rooted deep in Christ. You are deprived of nourishment and sustenance, the necessities of fruit-bearing and growth. Yet you are content in getting by with little to no food.
A Sunday service, a quick prayer before meals, read the Word of God if you have time out of your busy schedule. It’s enough to “tend” to your Christian walk. You look like a seasoned Christian, yet your appearance is small.
The role of the word of God in fruit-bearing and growth
We are called to be “rooted” in Christ where our spiritual nourishment and sustenance solely come from. We are to bear good fruit, but the question then is how do we bear good fruit? Learn from the example of the bonsai tree, we must strive not to starve ourselves but rather we must EAT in order to catalyze growth.
What is the food for fruit-bearing-faith? Jesus said, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from God” – Matthew 4:4. It is the Word itself that gives us life abundantly. This is the food we need for fruit-bearing and growing faith.
Let us press on a little further.
Jesus said, “If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish and it will be done for you” – John 15:7.
The best way to see what it means for the words of Jesus to abide in us is to look at what Jesus says about abiding a few verses earlier. In verse 5 He says, “Whoever abides in me and I in Him, he it is that bears much fruit.”
Notice the parallel.
In verse 7 He says, “If you abide in me, and my words abide in you,”
and in verse 5 He says, “Whoever abides in me and I in Him...”
I think the point of this switch is to reveal to us how Jesus abides in us, specifically, by His word abiding in us. Meaning to say, when we let the words of Jesus abide in us means letting Jesus Himself abide in us.
The point I want you to see and understand is that: if we are to be “rooted” in Christ and drawing spiritual nourishment and sustenance from Him in order for growth and the bearing of fruit , then we must abide in Him and Him in us.
And just as I have shown that letting the Word of God abide in us means letting Jesus abide in us.
“Whoever abides in me and I in Him, he it is that bears much fruit.”
To deny yourself the reading of the Word of God is to deny yourself of food and a healthy, fruitful Christian walk. And in a deeper, serious level, it means you are not abiding in Christ.
That is how we stop ourselves from becoming bonsai Christians; we must be reading the Word of God everyday with fervour and tenacity as if it was water, sunlight, and fertile soil.
For in reading the word of God, we are in reality, tapping into an unlimited resource of nourishment and sustenance for fruit bearing and growth.
Monday, November 29, 2010
The insatiable hunger of the human heart
The heart has an insatiable hunger and greed, it cannot ever have enough. It must have more, it must have all. People try to feed this hunger and alleviate the symptoms by countless methods, but only work temporarily. They resort to materialism and completely rely on it for fulfillment, yet as always the hunger pains resurface to the bottomless stomach of the heart. The emptiness, loneliness, depravity of the heart screams at the souls of men, only to be drowned out with i-pods, television, facebook, movies, books, magazines.
The most terrifying thing to people is silence because it has a way to make people realize that they are alone, empty, unfulfilled, and unhappy. It’s as if the average person, understands deep down inside that they are severed from the source of life, fulfillment, companionship, and happiness. People try to keep away from this very realization. The heavier the hunger pounds, the more they drink and smoke. When the heart says I’m unfulfilled they buy more clothes, accessories, cars, latest gadgets and toys, hoping that it will go away.
The truth is people are severed from the source of life, fulfillment, perfect companionship, and happiness, and that is none other than God. Every heart has been severed from God because the heart is sinful and every person has sinned. Every human heart deep down inside truly longs for God, but are blinded from the realization that it is God that it truly needs.
But hope has come. That hope is Jesus Christ.
Jesus said to them, “Very truly I tell you, it is not Moses who has given you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. 33 For the bread of God is the bread that comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” John 6:32-33
Call your attention to the very last sentence, it implies that this bread is outside our reality and is foreign to this world.
There is also a thesis in the remark of Jesus in which He reveals that this bread would give life to the world, this could only be said, if everyone in the world is in need of life, which would suggest that all are dead.
The insatiable hunger within each human being is the hunger for life, and all humans have invented generic and cheap imitations of life, it comes in the form of materialism, hedonism, in fact any methods that try to fulfill the person.
The gnawing feeling of emptiness, unfulfillment, and unhappiness is the symptom of a heart deprived of life.
But hope has come; there is a bread that can satisfy the hunger of the heart permanently, ultimately, and decisively.
“I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.” -John 6
Jesus then reveals that He is the bread of life, that anyone who would come to Him would never go hungry and whoever would believe in Him will never be thirsty ever again.
In Jesus there is complete fulfillment, happiness, companionship, and most of all: life.
What comforts, luxuries, material possessions, and hedonistic lifestyle fail to do, He can do. He is the only one who can give life, He is the only one who can satisfy the hungry and thirsty. Come to Him.
The most terrifying thing to people is silence because it has a way to make people realize that they are alone, empty, unfulfilled, and unhappy. It’s as if the average person, understands deep down inside that they are severed from the source of life, fulfillment, companionship, and happiness. People try to keep away from this very realization. The heavier the hunger pounds, the more they drink and smoke. When the heart says I’m unfulfilled they buy more clothes, accessories, cars, latest gadgets and toys, hoping that it will go away.
The truth is people are severed from the source of life, fulfillment, perfect companionship, and happiness, and that is none other than God. Every heart has been severed from God because the heart is sinful and every person has sinned. Every human heart deep down inside truly longs for God, but are blinded from the realization that it is God that it truly needs.
But hope has come. That hope is Jesus Christ.
Jesus said to them, “Very truly I tell you, it is not Moses who has given you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. 33 For the bread of God is the bread that comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” John 6:32-33
Call your attention to the very last sentence, it implies that this bread is outside our reality and is foreign to this world.
There is also a thesis in the remark of Jesus in which He reveals that this bread would give life to the world, this could only be said, if everyone in the world is in need of life, which would suggest that all are dead.
The insatiable hunger within each human being is the hunger for life, and all humans have invented generic and cheap imitations of life, it comes in the form of materialism, hedonism, in fact any methods that try to fulfill the person.
The gnawing feeling of emptiness, unfulfillment, and unhappiness is the symptom of a heart deprived of life.
But hope has come; there is a bread that can satisfy the hunger of the heart permanently, ultimately, and decisively.
“I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.” -John 6
Jesus then reveals that He is the bread of life, that anyone who would come to Him would never go hungry and whoever would believe in Him will never be thirsty ever again.
In Jesus there is complete fulfillment, happiness, companionship, and most of all: life.
What comforts, luxuries, material possessions, and hedonistic lifestyle fail to do, He can do. He is the only one who can give life, He is the only one who can satisfy the hungry and thirsty. Come to Him.
Sunday, November 7, 2010
The Scandalous Servant-King
The Scandalous Servant-King
5 You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.
6 Though he was God,
he did not think of equality with God
as something to cling to.
7 Instead, he gave up his divine privileges;
he took the humble position of a slave
and was born as a human being.
When he appeared in human form,
8 he humbled himself in obedience to God
and died a criminal’s death on a cross. – Philippians 2:6-8
The gods of this world demand service
In a pluralistic world in which there is a wide array of deities, we find a common trend among all the gods of different cultures and societies. They are all similar in the fact that they desire and demand much of man: his affections, his worship, his devotion, his attention, his service, his everything.
Often these gods are so transcendent that there is a remarkable and evident gap between them and their followers; the deity is highly esteemed, on the throne, while the follower is of no importance and
is to be committed to his god at all cost. Their only relation is on the terms of boss and servant, the relationship between the two stops at this point and nothing beyond.
Jesus the scandalous King
Then Jesus came and He shook the status quo of society and changed everything.
Jesus who is God, gave up all his divine privileges and took the humble position of a slave.
Wow. Let me just give you a second to pause and think about of the enormity of verse 7.
He became a human being. He willingly humbled Himself to the position of a slave.
Jesus who had everything gave up his divine privileges. That is an enormous statement in which one
would have difficulty and trouble trying to fathom and understand – from the view-point of both saved and unsaved.
The eternal King of the universe and everything that exists, Creator of all, Majestic Lord, the one who is infinitely precious and beautiful. Wrap your mind around Him in all His glory and splendour, and then imagine Jesus taking the position of a slave. Mind-boggling. A King-servant? Who has ever heard of such a thing?
Rowland Croucher captures the imagery well: “In first century Palestine, slavery was very evident. The slave was a pitiable person. He had no name, no possessions, no rights. He was sold into slavery in the marketplace to the highest bidder. He was a nobody. And Jesus came into this world as a slave.”
Everything changed.
The King became the servant out of pure will. Everything was turned upside down.
Man gives his health for his god, while Jesus healed the sick.
Man feeds his god by offering food, while Jesus fed the hungry.
Man makes sure the statue of his god is spot-free, Jesus washed the dirty feet of his disciples.
Man decorates his god with the finest linen and clothing, Jesus clothed us with his righteousness.
I am not claiming that man became the king/god of Jesus, no, that would be blasphemous. What I am pointing out is the outward demonstration of Jesus servant-hood.
Jesus served.
Nothing makes this clearer than Mark 10:51-52 in which a blind man encounters Jesus, and the following ensues:
51 “What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked.
“My rabbi,” the blind man said, “I want to see!”
52 And Jesus said to him, “Go, for your faith has healed you.” Instantly the man could see, and he followed Jesus down the road.
In the encounter with the blind man, Jesus does something shocking and scandalous. Jesus asks the blind man how He can serve him. This is not what we expect – How could the Lord of the universe ask such a thing? Because He took the position of a servant.
God-Centered service
But let us remember - lest we become man-centered - that Jesus serving men is only a secondary matter. Let us not forget the primary and ultimate reason why Jesus took the form of a servant and that was to glorify the Father by being obedient to unto death. Jesus ultimate and main aim was to pour out His life as an offering in complete obedience, and this was His perfect service to His Father.
Jesus first and most importantly gives His life in service to the Father, and then secondly and in turn served us as He gave us His eternal life.
This is the Servant-King. He is infinitely different from the deities of the world.
And our ultimate service and honour to Him is to give the entirety of our lives for His glory.
5 You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.
6 Though he was God,
he did not think of equality with God
as something to cling to.
7 Instead, he gave up his divine privileges;
he took the humble position of a slave
and was born as a human being.
When he appeared in human form,
8 he humbled himself in obedience to God
and died a criminal’s death on a cross. – Philippians 2:6-8
The gods of this world demand service
In a pluralistic world in which there is a wide array of deities, we find a common trend among all the gods of different cultures and societies. They are all similar in the fact that they desire and demand much of man: his affections, his worship, his devotion, his attention, his service, his everything.
Often these gods are so transcendent that there is a remarkable and evident gap between them and their followers; the deity is highly esteemed, on the throne, while the follower is of no importance and
is to be committed to his god at all cost. Their only relation is on the terms of boss and servant, the relationship between the two stops at this point and nothing beyond.
Jesus the scandalous King
Then Jesus came and He shook the status quo of society and changed everything.
Jesus who is God, gave up all his divine privileges and took the humble position of a slave.
Wow. Let me just give you a second to pause and think about of the enormity of verse 7.
He became a human being. He willingly humbled Himself to the position of a slave.
Jesus who had everything gave up his divine privileges. That is an enormous statement in which one
would have difficulty and trouble trying to fathom and understand – from the view-point of both saved and unsaved.
The eternal King of the universe and everything that exists, Creator of all, Majestic Lord, the one who is infinitely precious and beautiful. Wrap your mind around Him in all His glory and splendour, and then imagine Jesus taking the position of a slave. Mind-boggling. A King-servant? Who has ever heard of such a thing?
Rowland Croucher captures the imagery well: “In first century Palestine, slavery was very evident. The slave was a pitiable person. He had no name, no possessions, no rights. He was sold into slavery in the marketplace to the highest bidder. He was a nobody. And Jesus came into this world as a slave.”
Everything changed.
The King became the servant out of pure will. Everything was turned upside down.
Man gives his health for his god, while Jesus healed the sick.
Man feeds his god by offering food, while Jesus fed the hungry.
Man makes sure the statue of his god is spot-free, Jesus washed the dirty feet of his disciples.
Man decorates his god with the finest linen and clothing, Jesus clothed us with his righteousness.
I am not claiming that man became the king/god of Jesus, no, that would be blasphemous. What I am pointing out is the outward demonstration of Jesus servant-hood.
Jesus served.
Nothing makes this clearer than Mark 10:51-52 in which a blind man encounters Jesus, and the following ensues:
51 “What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked.
“My rabbi,” the blind man said, “I want to see!”
52 And Jesus said to him, “Go, for your faith has healed you.” Instantly the man could see, and he followed Jesus down the road.
In the encounter with the blind man, Jesus does something shocking and scandalous. Jesus asks the blind man how He can serve him. This is not what we expect – How could the Lord of the universe ask such a thing? Because He took the position of a servant.
God-Centered service
But let us remember - lest we become man-centered - that Jesus serving men is only a secondary matter. Let us not forget the primary and ultimate reason why Jesus took the form of a servant and that was to glorify the Father by being obedient to unto death. Jesus ultimate and main aim was to pour out His life as an offering in complete obedience, and this was His perfect service to His Father.
Jesus first and most importantly gives His life in service to the Father, and then secondly and in turn served us as He gave us His eternal life.
This is the Servant-King. He is infinitely different from the deities of the world.
And our ultimate service and honour to Him is to give the entirety of our lives for His glory.
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