Devotion Thought (Heb 5:12-13) BSG material- Spiritual Milk or Solid Food?

Heb 5:12-13 (NIV)
… you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God's word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness.

For many years, our BSG is relying on materials prepared by Pastor David or someone else for Bible Study. The materials are sometimes so simple and members would rather not answer the questions. Questions like Multiple-Choice-Questions, fill in the blanks, true or false and “choose and match” at time make me wonder I am in an English class meant for Primary 6 preparing for PSLE. As in Hebrews 5:12, such discussion questions are like spiritual milk. When would our members be able to move on to solid food of spiritual intake of the WORD? What is this solid food anyway?

Spiritual milk is when someone is feeding you, like preparing BSG material for the group to discuss. Solid food then is when you Study the Bible yourself without the “milk” prepared for you. This mean, you just read the Bible passage and study the passage without any prepared questions, and preferably without any aids either (use aids only after studying the bible). Use a Bible with a lot of cross references at the bottom of the page and an introduction for each Book of the Bible. If not, then you have to rely only on your Bible knowledge, which you acquire through your bible reading. Generally, those who are consistent in reading the bible should start studying the Bible on their own.

Wait a minute! What’s wrong with just drinking spiritual milk?

There is nothing wrong with spiritual milk. It can help you grow in your faith as 1 Pet 2:2. But relying on spiritual milk only would never make you a teacher. (OK, I am not interested to teach other, I just want to come to church on Sunday and worship God). Also, when your life is disturbed and troubled, you began to question your faith in Christ. Like what? Maybe a 3H problem.… It can be a “heart” problem. Like when a tall, dark and handsome non-Christian man comes along and you fall in love with him. Then you disappear from church. It happens right? And will happen again. Or when you feel jilted by someone. Or when you get into a not so right relationship with an opposite sex and then end up with a game adult plays call “adultery”. We see that happened in BPCES. Then there is the “hand” problem. You get so busy with work and study. Then there is no time for God. There are just too many things to handle and it become a "hand" problem. We see some of them going through this now. Then there is the “head” problem. Financial crisis strike now and many are worried. Their mind and head are just too occupied with the daily life and job security. Some have headache over it - "head" problem. God become second place, or no place.

So what’s next after spiritual milk? Solid food? Not yet, take some spiritual cereal first.

Toddler drinks milk, infant starts with cereal. Infant are always asking questions. Daddy, why this? Daddy, why that? There is no end to questions. Spiritual cereal is like that, asking questions. Who, what, where, when, why and How – 5W and 1H. Why did the writer of Hebrews say they are not ready for solid food? What is Christian maturity? What is solid food? How do I get this solid food? Who are the “dull in understanding”? What is the elementary truth of God’s word? There are many questions to ask, maybe no answer yet. But, it's OK, like an infant.

Infants are also beginning to be selective, they may not like your cereal, so you need to change and modify to suit them. This is their power of observation. Observation forces them to “see” think and decide whether they like the cereal or not. In observation, look for repeated words, comparison and contrast an item, people, and word. Look for key verse, thought, theme, argument, and idea in the passage. Is there any similar things written elsewhere in the Bible? This is what we call cross referencing. Cross References can be: (5E) enlightenment, echo, example, etymology, or elaborate a verse or passage.

OK, I am going into “solid food” so it best to stop for now.

Your words were found and I ate them, And Your words became for me a joy and the delight of my heart; (Jer 15:16 NASB)

Mark Lim

23 Oct 2008 9am

Devotion Thought on Heb 4:14-5:10 – Let us approach the Throne of Grace

I woke up on Monday morning with this verse lingering in my mind:

Let me hear of thy steadfast love in the morning,
for in you I put my trust.
Teach me the way I should go,
for to you I lift up my soul. (Psa 143:8, NRSV)

I was reading on this passage in Hebrews. Priesthood may sound quite alien to protestant as compare to Catholic. We tend to forget that we Christians are all priests (1Pet 2:9). One of the main function of a priest is to intercede on behalf of his fellow people. Am I continually praying for others? Have I prayed for those under my charge, the people in our church, the Bethany Share Group (BSG) members, the BSG leaders, those that are new in the church, just baptized, … It sound like a long list. Are we encouraging people to pray for one another? Prayer meeting attendance is low. Does the BSG encourage and promote prayer? What about my own prayer life? The only meaningful time is the daily night prayer walk. God seem to speak to me most often through such a time.

Do we always receive favorable answer in our prayers, as in Heb 4:16, a verse I have memorized since I first became a Christian some 30 years ago? The verse stated that we may receive mercy and grace, not always a “YES” answer, sometime “NO”, sometime “WAIT”.
A story floats through my mind from one of my reading:

Several years ago my family and I lived just down Sanders Bluff Road from Barry and Brenda with their three young boys, John, Drew, and Wade – a wonderful family. Barry was fun, a man of deep faith who talked openly of his love for Christ. Pat and Brenda enjoyed having tea together (a picture of one of their outings is still magnetized to our refrigerator), and the boys were great with our Joshua, who trailed them in age. We were excited about our new-found friends.
In 1993 Brenda contracted liver cancer. In the months that followed, family, friends and churches in our area prayed, fasted, and believed in God for a miracle. I have never seen such a consistency or fervency of prayers. Barry, a great man of faith, was a spiritual rock, ministering to his family and waiting on the Lord. Nevertheless, the answer for which we prayed – Brenda’s healing from cancer – did not come this side of the grave. At the end of this unrelenting illness her emaciated body, only a shadow of the lovely young mother we loved finally succumbed to the disease. The funeral heralded the victory we as Christian have in death, yet I believed an emotional under-current ran through the auditorium that day as sincere, saddened believers asked the question, “God, why did you not answer our prayers?”
To this example could be added countless thousands: the child born with a deformity in spite of prayers for a healthy baby; the missionary who loses a spouse in an auto accident on the field of calling; a homosexual entangled in lust, desperately asking for deliverance from his obsession; the unanswered prayer for a job, or the request for financial help that seems to get so higher than the ceiling. In times of God’s silence Jesus’ promise of “whatever you ask in prayer” (Mk 11:24) seems mocking. (Philip Yancey, Disappointment with God. Three Questions No One Asks Aloud, Grand Rapids :Zondervan 1988)

I too had a one long struggle. In 2006, during church retreat, I requested prayer from my group for one Air Force project that required 23 very stringent environmental testing – like 4000 feet altitude test, 30g shock test (one g = 1 atmospheric pressure), and many others, costing about $40,000 in all. After 4 months of gruesome testing, from July to October 2006, there were 2 major failures. One failure was repeated after remedy with additional cost of a few thousand dollars and the failure was solved. Another major failure was not due to design but was inherent to the product, which I told them that it would also happen to the one that Air Force is presently using in their aircraft (bought from Israel). In fact, in term of performance, my unit worked better the Israelis product. However, Air Force could not accept my explanation and the project was deemed as failed.

During that period, I often quote Heb 4:16 during my prayer. My spirit was challenged to believe that God would see me through. The failure incurred heavy loss as there was no payment from the government. All testing were paid by my company. At the end of it all, I was lectured and ticked off by my boss for the failure. It was the lowest point of my working life. Where was God’s grace? I have done all that is to be done base on my engineering judgment. What had prayers done to me all these months, during the difficult period? Even though it is a failure, I still believe in God and thank Him for making me walk through difficult times.

Then in April 2007, for some unknown reason, Air Force changed their mind and accepted all my environmental testing as pass, paid all the cost and requested us to proceed with the production of more units. I felt redeemed from being ticked off by the boss! God is gracious and His grace surpasses all our understanding.

Call on me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you and you shall glorify me (Psa 50:15)

Mark

Financial Crash - Pray for the innocence who are suffering

Enough of my thoughts for the time being, although alot of things are still going in my mind. When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but the prudent are restrained in speech (Prov 10:19).

Last week financial crash has shaken up everybody, even the dosmestic helpers are worried. They are worried that they might be sent home. Read these:

SINGAPORE, Oct 12, 2008 (AFP) - As the global financial storm blows fear through Asia's stock markets, Filipino maid Christy Arciaga is jittery -- even though she does not own any shares.
Her businessman employer has lately become more irritable as he has watched his investments being swallowed in a sea of red ink, and the 46-year-old domestic helper is often on the receiving end of his bad moods.
"My employer would turn on the television every morning to check the latest stock market report even before breakfast. He is often angry and tells me he might send me home even before my contract ends," Arciaga said.
"The thought of going back has caused me sleepless nights. What about my family? Two of my children are still in college."
Thousands of migrant workers, among them maids, restaurant staff and labourers working in wealthy Asian cities such as Singapore and Hong Kong, are worried that an economic slowdown and retrenchments resulting from the crisis could hit their employers' pockets, and leave them without jobs.
This would mean that the flow of remittances they send home to their poor families will dry up -- and with it money for food, clothing and school fees.
Another maid, Myra Catacutan, 34, said she recently heard her employer angrily talking on the phone with someone, presumably a financial adviser, demanding her money back.
"My employer was shouting to the one on the other line: 'Give me back my money'. When she turned to me, she was teary-eyed and told me she could lose a big amount," she said. "I am worried she might let me go."

Let's pray for these people, who suffer due to the "rich" being hit by the financial crash. Talking about loosing job, a joke just strike my mind (let's relax abit, lah!):


Ah Huay At a Job Interview

Ah Huay went for a job interview to be a secretary.
When the manager saw Ah Huay's colourful attire and gold & white hightlighted hair, his mind is screaming, "NOT THIS WOMAN". Nevertheless, he still had to entertain Ah Huay.
So he told Ah Huay, "If you could form a sentence using the words that I give you, then maybe I will give you a chance! The words are GREEN, PINK, YELLOW, BLUE, WHITE, PURPLE and BLACK."
Ah Huay thought for a while and said: "I hear the phone GREEN GREEN, GREEN, then I go and PINK up the phone, I say YELLOW ... BLUE's that? WHITE did you say? Aiyah, wrong number lah ... Don't PURPLEly disturb people and don't call BLACK, ok? Kum Siah."
The manager fainted.

Great Leaders reproduce themselves

There was a time when Bethany PCES had a singing team. We sang at the very West of Singapore, Jurong Point. We also sang at the very East of Singapore, Pasir Ris NTUC Downtown East. We also sang at the very heart of Singapore, Orchard Road. We sang because we had a very passionate musical leader, the Superintendent of the Sunday School. When she left, the musical team disappeared. There was no one to carry on the work.

There was a time when Israel had no giant killer. They were challenged for forty days by a giant. Then came a giant killer, David the Goliath killer. From then on, Israel raised up many giant killers. In 1Chron 20:4-8, we read of many giant killers under the leadership of King David – Sibbecai, Elhanan and Jonathon were all giant killers. Great leaders reproduce themselves. This is real leadership.

It has been said: "SUCCESS WITHOUT A SUCCESSOR IS A FAILURE"

A Moses reproduces his Joshua. A Paul reproduces a Timothy & a Titus. Those without a successor lasted just for that moment. Those with a successor set up a legacy.

Passionate leaders who are in the thick of action will always be on alert to search for potential leaders. In 1Sam 14:52, Saul is always looking out for potential warriors. Passionate leaders are able to observe and shift out potential leaders to invest their lives on them. Those who can’t are at best mediocre. Serving with the para-Church, Singapore Navigators in the tertiary institutions (SP & NTI) has taught me to be discerning and constantly on the look out for potential leaders, as students stayed only 3 to 4 years.

Many years ago, Dr Raymond Lee planned to go to Chiang Rai and serve as a missionary for one year. Pastor David excitedly announced to the committee. “This could be BPCES first missionary”. David personally told me that Raymond felt very strongly of the calling. I hinted many times to him that we need to mentor adult, not just youth, but he didn’t get my hint because when I said adult, I was thinking of Raymond. After waiting for years, it never happened. Raymond is still in Bethany. This year, Dr Raymond again wanted to go Yunnan and serve for one year. Again Pastor David excitedly announced to the committee. Would history repeat itself? When there is no mentoring, growth stalled. I have personally served with Raymond before and firmly believed that his desire is genuine. In year 1987, three of us – Luh Sy, Raymond and I volunteered as tuition teachers for the Houggang Center under the leadership of Elder William Ng. We had many students and it was the best community service the church had ever organized, according to my opinion. Every Thursday night, after classes, the 3 of us together with Brother Wai Teck had fun squeezing into Daniel’s car when going home. Even before I left for USA at the end of that year, my students gave me a farewell lunch at the Kelong at Upper Thomson Road. There is real joy in serving.

I believe there are many potential leaders & servants in Bethany. Who would want to go to Yunnan and squat in maggot-invested toilets if not for the heart to serve? These are the potential leaders (?) – Raymond, Ginnette, Siew Poh, … that great leaders will invest their time on them. Church leaders who understand the principles of successive leadership should talk to them and try to find out more about them rather than just let the mission trip of 1 week come and go.

One of my interests is to learn and study the Word of God. At the same time, I am looking for Christians who share my passion by sharing devotions, Bible study materials, and some training to those who are interested.

I am reminded of this story of an elderly gentleman who boarded a bus with a bouquet of flowers in his hand. As he sat down, he noticed an attractive young girl sitting across from him. Her eyes kept drifting over to the flowers. It was obvious that she was taken by them. In a few minutes it was time for the man to get off the bus. Standing to his feet, he handed the flowers to the girl and said, “I noticed that you like flowers. I would like for you to have these. I think my wife would like you to have them, too. I’ll tell her I gave them to you.” With that, he stepped off the bus… and entered the gate of a small cemetery.

I often try to see what people’s flowers are. Do you know yours?

Look out for that girl who admire your flower and give it to her. I have yet to find one. Or perhaps, I have no flower!

And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others. (2Tim 2:2)

Struggling with Scriptures – The Sequel

Understanding Scripture is difficult. Applying Scripture is even more difficult. I am reading this book – Applying the Bible, by Jack Kuhatschek and have been pondering over how the Bible can be made more alive in my life. One chapter sends a chill down my spine:


During the late sixties and early seventies, I was a student at the University of Texas. It was an exciting time to be on campus. Vietnam War protestors held huge rallies and marches. Long haired hippies gathered for rock concerts and love-ins. With over forty thousand students on campus, something was always happening.
One day a group called the “Children of God” came to town. They pulled up in front of campus in a large bus covered with religious slogans, such as “Jesus Loves You” and “Drop Out for Jesus”. Immediately they began passing out tracts, preaching judgment and salvation, and talking with anyone who would listen.
Our InterVarsity chapter didn’t know quite what to make of them. Their zeal was contagious – and a bit frightening. They accused us of believing a watered-down version of Christianity. They claimed we were guilty of spiritual adultery, of embracing the harlot – Babylon the Great – because we had not dropped out of society.
To make matter worse, they supported their charges with Bible verses. They took us to passage after passage that seemed to support their position.
I remember one passage clearly – the story of the rich young man in Matthew 19. In that passage, a man came to Jesus and asked, “What good things must I do to get eternal life?”
“If you want to enter life,” Jesus answered, “obey the commandments.”
“All these I have kept,” the man replied, “What do I still lack?”
“If you want to be perfect,” Jesus answered, “go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”
The Children of God had taken Jesus literally. They had sold or given away all that they had in order to follow Jesus. Why hadn’t we? They demanded. Were we unwilling to obey Jesus’ command?
For many of us, the whole encounter was very painful. Most of us were young Christians who tried to be sensitive to the Lord’s leading. Although we couldn’t refute their charges, we felt immediately that they were wrong. But our common sense couldn’t protect us completely from the fear that perhaps we were being disobedient to God.
In fact, a few days later we discovered that two very young Christians from InterVarsity chapter had decided to join the Children of God. Without a word to us, they drove off in the bus to the group’s commune in South Texas. We never heard from them again.
Biblical commands are sometimes difficult to apply. Some people may say, “God said it. I believe it. And that settles it!” But it isn’t always that simple.


I too had a similar experience and feeling during my early days of conversion. On most Sunday afternoon, I would follow my church on street evangelism. We moved around the HDB blocks knocking on doors, distributing tracts and engaging in spiritual conversation to whoever would want to listen. I remember this incident when I managed to get a listening ear. He was keenly learning from the Bible and had invited me back the following Sunday. On the following week there was an older lady with him. I soon found out that the lady was his teacher and she was a Jehovah Witness. Her knowledge on the Bible was undisputable. Every verse about Christ as the Son of God and salvation is by faith through grace alone that I brought out was calmly countered by her. I remember clearly one verse that she used to refute me about the second coming of Christ, when the earth will be destroyed and there will be a new heaven and new earth (Rev 21:1). She replied that the earth will always remain, quoting from Ecclesiastes 1:4 (NIV) “Generations come and generations go, but the earth remains forever.” Intuitively, I knew she was wrong, but being young in faith, I could not how to answer her and many of her claims.
After I left the discussion defeated, I vowed that I will forever learn and study the Bible. I am still working and struggling at it.

But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. (Psa 1:2)

Mark Lim

3 October