Have Mercy

Mat 9:13 Go and learn what this means: 'I want mercy and not sacrifice,'

In the Old Testament, sacrifice made in order to be sanctified and to get healed. Many sacrifices made and law given in order to receive blessings, forgiveness, peace and God’s presence with the Israelites. But when Jesus came, (1 John 2:2 – ESV) He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world. No more sacrifices made, or agreement or promises made in order to be righteous to God. Jesus Himself becomes that final sacrifice and our propitiation. That’s why in this chapter when Jesus sit with the tax collector, He explain to them ‘I want mercy’.

Many times we heard of indirect condemnation or judgment about others or our self regarding to be righteous in God. But we suppose to know that even Jesus Himself came to show His mercy by heal people during His time on earth and He told us to show mercy too. Mercy is what the world need know. Don’t be like Pharisee who even condemns Jesus when Jesus heal people, Pharisee who keep abiding the Law and no mercy to many people. But Jesus is different.

In the last passage, Jesus had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. (Mat 9:36).

Today Jesus still has that compassion for us. He is looking at us from where He sits now. He already had given us that mercy, favor and even GRACE when He became the only and final sacrifice for us. Why should us be condemned, condemn others and less mercy towards one another?

The whole scripture also talking about FAITH to Jesus! Today, have faith that we are no longer in condemnation, we are living in His grace and mercy! He want us to enjoy our life as His children with full blessing and favor. Have it all kept in our heart and mind today. Our FAITH and God’s MERCY healing, release us from bind, giving us hope and giving us overwhelming joy!

Get to know Me

Php 3:10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection..

As we know, Paul wrote this letter to Philippians and wanted to encourage them. Philippians is so much surrounded by false teachers. Paul label himself if according to Hebrew, he is a truly a law keeper, and according to birth he is qualify to hold a highest rank in Hebrew teaching. But, Paul found out that when he win Christ (v.8 in KJV), all he qualification is useless, a loss and worthless. For him when he abide in the Law, being righteous through the law, being a Pharisee and persecuting the church because of upholding the law is a loss to Paul.

But as Paul experience his journey in Christ, he found out that the true and wonderful is "not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the Law, but one that comes through the faithfulness of the Messiah, the righteousness that comes from God and that depends on faith.." (v.9 ISV). Yes! Very true. Being righteous in Christ is not because of what we can or can't do for Christ! But because of God, Himself make us RIGHTEOUS! And that we believe that in our FAITH not through our practice of LAW. Why is it not LAW? As we read through the passage, law cause us to feel guilty. Law cause us to feel we are not worthy, law cause us to feel unacceptable and law cause us to feel not righteous! Jesus don't want us to feel guilty, but Jesus want us to know that in Him, through Him we already make become RIGHTEOUS and there is no more condemnation and guilt in Him.

That's why Jesus want Paul to know Him and the power of His resurrection! Jesus' power of resurrection is that His death pay all of our past. He don't want us to feel we are not righteous anymore, but He die for us so that we become righteous in Him! He forgive our sins, past sins, present sins and future! That's why Paul said, we become righteous because of Christ make us righteous and through our FAITH! Our faith which is in Him that making us believe and know that WE ARE RIGHTEOUS in Him! Not LAW, not what we can or can't do! But because of the LOVE, the GRACE and the RESURRECTION of Christ make us RIGHTEOUS.

So there is no room for us to think about "we should do this so that accept me again, we should sacrifice this so that we we become righteous in Christ again, we should hit our chest, know our head, chop our fingers or hands, tie our legs, slap our face or shave our head to show we are grieving of our faults and we are truly deeply sorry to God because of what we did. Instead Paul said, "Forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead" (v.11 ISV). Paul suggest us that we should always have faith in Christ that we are forgiven, we become righteous in Him, through His resurrection.

When Christ resurrected from DEATH, He had win over the death of condemnation, the death of guiltiness, death of blame and curses; and death from our sins! That is His power of resurrection. His resurrection is not only shows that He alive; but it make us believe in our faith that He has dominion over all DEATHS and making us righteous whenever we feel we are not righteous!

V. 20 - (ESV) But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,

Our actions have to speak God

Many of us could probably wondering, how is my actions speak God? Or many claim that "I am not worry cause my actions everyday, i make sure it will speak of God". Well, it is good that we guarantee it and sure about it.But if it is the other way round, i will not judge everyone, but let's together including myself reflecting our daily life and meditating on the word of God. Let's see what Paul wrote to young Titus in Crete about "actions they deny God".

Titus 1: 16 - They claim to know God, but by their actions they deny him

In Crete, many claims to be God's follower or believe in God. But they still believe in their myths. According to Wikipedia, "Crete has a rich mythology mostly connected with the ancient Greek Gods but also connected with the Minoan civilization." Crete believe in Zeus, Hercules and Leto as their god. To understand this writing or scripture, we need to understand about the writer, reader and the situation during that time. We can imagine that Cretans accepting Christ in their life, but at the same time they still believe that when the against the curse of Zeus, they will be punished by Zeus. Or perhaps they could say that "God is creator of all, made the storm. But at the same time, still believe in the myth that storm, lighting and thunder is a punishment from Zeus.

Well, this reflect us too. Perhaps we could say to others that don't steal, don't anger, or show example to others. But somehow, that saying is only at church. It happen to many, that those sharing or encouragement stay at church only but when we walk outside the church, all what we ever mention is useless to our self! That's why Paul wrote to Titus and encourage the elders in Titus in previous verse:

⁶ An elder must be blameless, faithful to his wife, a man whose children believe^[b] and are not open to the charge of being wild and disobedient. ⁷ Since an overseer manages God’s household, he must be blameless—not overbearing, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not pursuing dishonest gain. ⁸ Rather, he must be hospitable, one who loves what is good, who is self-controlled, upright, holy and disciplined. ⁹ He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it.

I believe this is not only for elders, but also for us all! We are the leaders of our own society, fellowship, community, friends and family! Our actions should show examples to others and must speak God! Not only our words in the church, but outside the church building, is our real ministry. It will determine how we can be witness for Christ to others, tell others about God's goodness and love.

That's why Paul reminded Titus to "Therefore rebuke them sharply, so that they will be sound in the faith". Rebuke the false saying or words that could make us going to wrong direction. Rebuke our mind that is in wrong thought or unpleasing thoughts. Rebuke our action that is against the word of God! Don't let our action deny God, but let our action speak of God. Don't be like an old Cretans who is a liar according to their own prophets, but be a true man of God who is pure (verse ¹⁵ To the pure, all things are pure, but to those who are corrupted and do not believe, nothing is pure. In fact, both their minds and consciences are corrupted.) Don't let our mind be corrupted by others with their teaching or arguments. But let our mind be listening to the word of God!

Running is not a solution

1 Peter 1:13
(ASV) Wherefore girding up the loins of your mind, be sober and set your hope perfectly on the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;

Peter write and share about this among who are sojourners of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia (v1). But the first question is why Peter wrote this to them? Let's dive deeper and learn about this as we pray and let God lead us into this.

as we know sojourner basically mean those who temporary stay, and nowadays we call them refugees. The run from home to find refuge or covering at other place. Because of God's grace and love, Peter's eye is open for this people and want to encourage this people to know about God's LOVE and GRACE for them as a refugees. Normally those refugees, will find no hope and grace for them. That make them keep running from one place to another.

The first thing is: girding up the loins of your mind. Peter told those sojourners to girding up the loins of their mind; which mean to prepare their mind for action! Normally for sojourners, in their mind is to keep running and moving, immigrant and running again. But Peter told them, "Hey. It's time to stop running! Prepare your mind for the real action! Gird up and stand firm!"

Peter write again, BE SOBER! Why need to be sober? In other translation says, be clear-headed. As a sojourners, again in their mind they can't think much. Problems come, they run. Move to different place, find a good hut and restart all over again. But doing this will find no good for the children, health and safety. So Peter told them, KEEP A CLEAR HEAD!

Lastly, Peter wrote that to put their hope PERFECTLY on the GRACE! Most of the time for them, there is no hope. As long as they can run as fast as the could for their life, they will be safe. But definitely there is no hope for them. When they run and manage to find good foods and hut, they can eat and survive.

Now, how about us? Are we running from our problems, and our mind is not clear about our own salvation and keep hoping that wealthiness, success come to find us? Where our hope is? What we running from?

The suggestion here is that, we don't run from our problems and let the problems master us! Three things we can do is, PREPARE our mind for the fight, when we fight keep a CLEAR HEAD which mean don't bother what other say to you your your mind whisper you; and putting our HOPE TO THE GRACE of Jesus Christ! When we fight the struggle in our mind, be clear mind that Holy Spirit is with us and helping us. Be clear that Jesus is Immanuel had promise to be with us and stay with us, fight with us and give us strength! That is His grace when he REVEAL Himself to us! That He will be with us, give us courage and strength, helping us never leave us in our fight! Put out hope to that GRACE!

Week of Phenomenal

After months of preparation and hard work from all the committees, finally Musical Celebration Kuching has landed =) I mean, organized in Kuching on 29-31 July 2011 =) It was a great experience and great event with a touch of God.

During our preparation, event during the event many still questioning and asking about "Why they do this?" =) Perhaps if we don't understand the purpose and vision of it, than they wouldn't understand =) Even some write back, that don't follow the world event or be like the world, but be transform. Yes everyone, those question and comments is correct. And we don't blame or pointing finger to anyone who is right and wrong. But, all we know is if God is for us, who can stand against us! =) that is the best thing we ever know.

During the last day preparation, working together with Olive Garden church was when our invited team, Sidney and Team held the concert. We are so blessed by this team, through their Praise and Worship, and also their friendship =) those guys are really friendly and amazing!

To start all the stories, we form this committee from just a few members. Some suddenly pull out but as what we said to each other, God is with us. Than after several meeting, one by one offering them self to join and committed to the committee. We'd been struggling also with funding and finding the body or organization that can support us. After a few meeting and discussion, we finally a month before the event, a good brother and friend and also our very own adviser manage to form an Organization and to be our umbrella. =) we finally can move on with few works left.

We start from RM0 fund. But we keep on praying, do own collection and try to find some sponsor. We write letters to few churches, but we did manage to get feedback from all of them. We write to organization, but also no feedback. But we just relying on God, continue our fast and prayer despite of commitment to own local church and our own practices.

But when the even kick start on 29 July 2011, that very night is till remember; our friend Jezzy Dior as our Treasurer was calculating the money with the help of our friend Denny Chieng. I was at the back stage, coming down to floor and Sidney Mohede was singing Our God is Greater by Chris Tomlin. After finish calculating, Denny came to me and talk to me. He said, "come outside. Jezzy want to discuss with you" I said, what's up? How much is our money by tonite?" Denny than answered me, "RM17,000 plus" I was like, "Huh?" I walk straight meeting them outside the hall, and talk with them. Jezzy said, "Yes, it's true. RM17,000 not including tomorrow night and will the last night" I was so, Praise God and no other word can come out from my mouth, but in my heart was really excitement and jump unto the Lord. Than i walk in to the front stage meeting our adviser, Bro Yohanis and he was so surprise and happy too. He hug me and said to me, "Well done and Congrats" =) It was so amazing God we have. I stop and praise God, and the song is still Our God is Greater! Yes! It is and He is greater.

It is so remarkable event for us in Kuching. And we believe it that when God is with us, who can stop us =) Even until today, i can't stop thinking of God's goodness and God's work in us during the event.

Friends, sometime we can't see the small thing God did in our life. Sometime we only want to see God do the big and great thing in our life only. But, God work in many ways and great ways in our life =) I know, perhaps for us when God give us that RM17, 000 is big thing for the event, but without realizing the smallest thing God did among us is also there. Friendship among us, friendship built among us. From unknown person to very good and close friend. From never meet to always chat friend we have. That event the greatest thing God did to us..and most of all is unity among us from different churches and different background. But because of the Love and Grace of God, He made us as one body.

Hope this will encourage us and build our faith in Him! =)