Cost of Commitment

The beautiful picture above portrays a great architecture of the Roman Empire, which was known, as amphitheatre. It is similar to a stadium in our modern context. It has about 50,000 marble seats for people to sit on and standing room for almost the same amount of people. And the spectators shouted there, as we do today at a football match. However, they were not to see men kicking a ball, but to watch Christian prisoners who have be arrested for their faith in Jesus Christ (both men and women) made to face wild beast – lions, bulls, bears, panthers which have been hungered for many weeks. The crowd cheers and shouts as the wild beast attacks and tears apart the flesh of these faithful followers of Christ. Some were even burned as human torch to light up the amphitheatre. That was the cost of commitment for these believers. They were willing to lay their lives for what they have believed in – Jesus Christ. Many Christians were martyred in the early church in such a horrible and uncivilized manner. The many who died, did not count it a loss to die for their faith. In fact, they felt that their determination to follow Christ even at the point of death is an assurance of eternal life that no man can take away from them.
Even today, as we live in a civilized and sophisticated world, there are many out there still suffering persecution for what they believe in. Christians in many part of the world still experience different forms of oppressions and persecution, some in socio-economic sense and others in psychical terms. Whatever form of tribulation that this Christians face, we should always be reminded that there is always a cost for commitment. Many a times we fail to acknowledge this reality in life because we live in our own comfort zones, a peaceful nation with prosperity, a great freedom to practice what we belief, and the sufficient grounds for us to voice out our disappointments and discomfort.

I always wondered what would happen to us if one day, we loose all the freedom and earthly liberty that we enjoy now? How if someone walks up to me, points a gun on my head, and threatens to pull the trigger if I do not recant my faith in Christ? What would be my response? Will I recant or will I be prepared to be martyred for Christ? There is always a cost for our commitment. I am deeply challenged with this reality in my own journey as I meditate upon the life of the first martyr, Stephan.

I would like to invite all of you to pause a second and think of what would be your response if you were to be in Stephan’s situation or any other Christian martyrs. Friend, we must always be ready to count the cost of our commitment in the Lord.

Prayer : Lord, it is truly hard to imagine what would I do if I am fixed in such kind of a situation. Whatever it is, help me to be faithful to you even if it cost me my own life or the lives of my loved ones. Lord, You are my strength when I am weak. Fill me with your Holy Spirit that I will always remain faithful to you no matter how much it cost me. Amen.

Car...

Wow... tell me who will not desire for this machine? I truly desire it. What more when my faithful Proton Tiara broke down this morning. Man....I just don't like it when my car/s break down. The worst part of the whole thing is waiting for the mechanic to open his shop. And even before I arrive there was another customer waiting...so I'm the second one. It took him 1 hour to repairs the other customers car....then only started checking mine. It took him another 2 hours to rectify my wiring problem. That was a long wait. I was really hoping in my heart that someone will just come along and give a set of keys for a new car...and tells me "Pastor, God asked me to bless you with this new car". That sound cool......ofcourse fantasies always sounds good and cool. I'm not saying this because I lack in faith, but why do I actually need a new or better car?? Does the car that I drive determine the success of a person?? Maybe...in the secular world...but what about those in the full time ministry?

I was once sharing my feelings to a good friend about getting a better car. Though there were no need for it but I was just 'lusting' for a change. He told me .....Well Silvester...be thankful for what you have....John Wesley traveled around on horse back to preach the Word of God....yet he did not complain and infact God used him mightily. That remark that my good buddy made (couple of years back) came to my mind this morning.

Sometimes we just want to have something better than what we already have. But as children of God, we must learn to make use of what we have for the Glory of God without complaining. It is never wrong to desire for a new car.....but what is the necessity for me at this point of time. I need a car to move around...so i have one that does the job well. So why change. Unless someone really walks up to me and gives it to me....hallelujah.

I shall not be in want..

"The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters.
He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever".
Psalms 23

Holiness - Character of the Kingdom

"Do you not know that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor abusers, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God".
1 Corinthians 6: 9,10

The privilege of becoming an authorized and empowered representative of God's kingdom and of ministering Christ's life and the Holy Spirit's gift to others is not the heritage of the UNHOLY. It is mentioned twice in the above verses that certain people will not "inherit the kingdom of God", and then comes out with a list of people who are excluded from enjoying the resources and rewards of righteousness.

Although our righteousness before God is through Christ's work alone, and while it remains timelessly true that we cannot earn a spiritual gift or right to function in the power of the Holy Spirit, integrity and morality of character are nonetheless essential to the "kingdom person."
Holiness of heart and life keeps the lines of communication with God unjumbled, by keeping any private or carnal agenda out of the way.

Holiness is a very important character of the kingdom. We as the the people of the kingdom should always and at all times keep our ways holy and acceptable in the eyes of the Master.

"Be Holy, for our God is Holy"

Friendship

Friendship is an in-depth relationship combining trust, support, communication, loyalty, understanding, empathy, and intimacy. It certainly comprises all aspects of life that all human crave for. At times in life when everything that surround us seem to go wrong, the only person we can look up to and cling on are our friends. Their warm company often takes away all our sorrows and pain. Being able to trust and relax with your friend is a big part of friendship.

Here are some interesting quotes about friendship that impressed me:-

"True friendship is like sound health; the value of it is seldom known until it be lost." - Charles Caleb Colton.

"My friends are my estate."- Emily Dickinson

"A real friend is one who walks in when the rest of the world walks out."
"A friend is one who walks in when others walk out" -Walter Winchell

"A friend is someone who is there for you when he'd rather be anywhere else." - Len Wein

"A friend is someone who knows the song in your heart, and can sing it back to you when you have forgotten the words." - Donna Roberts

"A friend is one who believes in you when you have ceased to believe in yourself." - Lysha

"Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up." - Bible: Ecclesiastes

"Friendship is unnecessary, like philosophy, like art... It has no survival value; rather is one of those things that give value to survival." - C. S. Lewis

"The better part of one's life consists of his friendships." - Abraham Lincoln

"A Friend is someone who knows all about you and loves you anyway!!!" - Heather Tallent

"To be depressed is to be lonely; to have a friend is to be happy..." - Guido

"A friend is a gift you give yourself." - Robert Louis Stevenson

Friends are indeed a gift for me. I praise God that He has given me very good friends all through out my life. When I was a kid, I had two lovely friend(Chinese and Malay - we were called 'tiga sekawan'), when I went to school - I had excellent company of friends who spoiled me tremendously !!!! Anyway...they have been a great blessing in many ways. When I went to the university - I had several good friend who walked extra miles for and with me. When I started working - I had friend who would keep me company 'all night long'. Now that I'm in the seminary - I have friends who worth all the precious saying about friendship. They are a great pillar of hope and strength for me. I know that I always have a shoulder to lean on in times of need. Thanks Gerard, Daniel, Jacob, Ruth, and the others in STM for being a good friend.

"Friends are God's way of taking care of us - even when we are fast to sleep...zzzzzzz." Silvester

Churches are rich with its culture and tradition. Over the years Christian churches are also well known for its rich and glorious architecture. As we know 'church' is not about the building, but the people of God who come together to worship the living God. Church is the place where people get nurtured in the Lord. Churches today are preoccupied with programs and activities that would enrich the spirituality of its members. In the midst of the busy schedule of maintaining its membership, many churches have lost of its original mission. Churches have become more inward looking than outward. Programs and activities are more tailored for its own member and their self edification. How can the Church reach out if it is led by inward thinking people?

In December 1999 there was a flash food in Shah Alam that destroyed many cars and belongings of the residents. Many of the residents went without food for couple of days due to the flood that has cut off the road transportation. At that point of time one of my friend Pastor visited his church leaders who were staying at a near by area. The greatest regret that the leaders expressed to the pastor was, "we are not able to go for carol rounds this year". The pastor was surprised to hear that comment from that leader. The Church was so concern and disappointed that they were not able to carry out their annual activity. The church was least bothered about the neighborhood which was suffering of the after effects of the flood. Many people including children starved without food and clean water to drink.....but the church is more concern about its caroling than helping the needy. The Buddhist association was the first NGO to help the victims with food and medicines. Where was the Church? Busy planning for Christmas programs !! or....sitting and praying within the four walls !!

This is only one incident to point out the inward looking attitude of many churches. I believe that the church is established not only for its members but mainly and primarily for the world out there. Many are dying everyday.......What is the church doing about that. Why is the church bank account accumulates rapidly when there are so many needy people out there in the streets. One thing that I noticed is, the church has become very pragmatic - doing things with expecting returns. In this context, the church expects the people who they have helped either to become their members or pay back the loan . But I really wonder, do we help people expecting to gain something out of the help? Is this why the Church was established? Are we not called to serve the community without expectation? How can we reach out to the needy when we are not prepared to provide them with their needs.

I really hope that someday this questions will be answered. I want to invite you to think about the mission of the Church. I'm convinced that the Church should be outward thinking rather than inward in establishing God Kingdom on this earth. In helping others, we must always do it out of love and not expectation. For the message of the cross is LOVE.

It is all about Preaching, Preaching and Preaching...

I guess today is the longest Sunday that i have ever had in my whole life. Guess what?...... I preached 4 sermons since 8.30am till 7.00pm. Started my day with the adult Sunday School at 8.30am in Seremban Methodist Church (I'm doing a series of studies from Genesis). At 9.30 am worship service started and i had to preach an exegetical sermon from Matthew 18 (I spoke for almost an hour...man that was really tiring.) As it is i've been having a bad throat..........(ofcourselah.....ate durian twice in a row within a week...Daniel and Ruth are partly to be blamed!!). After worship service, spoke in the Youth meeting for another 45minutes. (Interesting subject....Annointing). Left church at about 1.30pm. Came back home and had to watch the match between Germany and Portugal (poor Portugal lost the match....i wanted them to win..!!!). Could not sleep in the afternoon.....the weather was tremendously hot.....no choice...had to sit infront of the TV (atleast Jessie had a short nap). 5pm letf home to Port Dickson....had to preach in the evening service at 6pm.....man...guess what? The worship leader did not turn up and i had to lead the worship as well. I almost lost 80% of my voice by then. By God's grace......managed to preach and left PD at about 7.15pm. Reached home at 8pm and had a wonderful home cooked dinner (thanks to Jessie...she is an excellent cook).

What suprises me the most is......i'm still sober and it's almost 1 in the morning. Propabaly the excitement of the world cup finals. I just paused a second and realized that it was'nt the world cup that keeps me sober....but it is solely God's grace.



When i started the day with my quiet time....i cried out to Him thinking of my long schedule. I knew it well that i would definitely 'crack' down some where along the day if I strive to do things on my own strenght. But than...upon waiting at His feet....I gained a new strenght and grace from Him. I went to the Church with a new strenght. And i'm deeply convinced that it is His strenght that is made perfect in my weakness. I just wanna praise God for His faithfullness. I'm sure that He who have called us is and will always be faithfull in carrying us through this journey of life.

Thank you Lord....for Your strenght that is made perfect in my weaknesses.....I need not worry about the burden that i've got to carry...because i've a great God who carries away my burden and journey along with me.

It is not what you have received, but what you have given that matters

It's always nice to receive things or gifts from others. What more if it is a blessing from God. We live in a world that has a high expectation in every aspects of live. Everyone expect something from someone. As Christians....We often expect the most (blessings) from the Master. But in return, how many of us have been a blessing to our fellow brothers. I'm deeply convinced that as Children of God we must be a blessing to others at all times and circumstances.

There was one episode in my life when I use to wake up every morning and ask God to use me as a blessing for others. Indeed it worked !! I noticed that somehow or rather along the day I consciously became a blessing for others. That gave me a great joy in life. As for me...to be a blessing for others brings greater joy than the blessing that I receive.

The new semester has begun and everyone seems to be busy in STM. As I was returning back from my Theology class this afternoon......I was approached by a 1st year student who is much older to me. He requested me to pray for him. As I laid my hand on him and prayed for him he broke down in tears. I believe that the Lord truly ministered to him at the point of his need.
I was very much affected by the incident...I have been thinking about it ever since....I'm extremely happy and overjoyed because I'm certain that I've been a great blessing for my fellow brother. At the same time, it also makes me to ponder.......how conscious am I in being a blessing for others. Sometimes opportunities are all around us to be a blessing for other.....but, do we take the opportunity....or are we too busy with our personal affairs. Trust me.....true joy is when we can be a blessing for others. IT IS NOT WHAT YOU HAVE RECEIVED, BUT WHAT YOU HAVE GIVEN THAT MATTERS......

A Brand New Start.....

Life is a journey, and there is always a brand new start for every episode in life. As for me....i learn it all at the feet of the Master. Blogging is a very new 'stuff' for me. It's like dream come true. I never thought that i will ever have my own blog. Whenever i read others blog.....i always wondered... will i ever have my own. Thanks to my little sister, Ruth Ng who have set up this blog for me and my good buddy, Daniel who always critisize me for not having my own blog.

Guys.....i have joined the club...let us be a blessing to each other.

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