Hypocrisy Unveiled

The outward may seem nice,
the inside may be rotten.

The flowers and fruits may be blossom,
but the roots are really shallow and weak.

And so, when the storm comes,
the whole tree is uprooted and topples over!

This is what I saw this morning while walking to the Church:

“What is inside you is more important than what others see you as”, as I think about what I saw. Suddenly, everything became clear. Recently, we hear about 44 men being charge of sexual encounter with a teenage prostitute. Among them are school principle, teachers and social prominent people.
44 men involved caught in prostition

And the list increases by the days: men charges with vice

Friends of these people appear to be in shock. “He is a good man …” was a common reply.
Why are so many people involved in trading sex – men buying sex and women selling as prostitutes? And sure, it’s all done in secrecy. But once caught, the men had to resign from their high positions. If not, they live a hypocrite, double lives. School principal and teachers are teaching moral ethics to their students, with words but not in action. Community leaders also hide their own “secrets”. Our society demands that leaders, teachers, and those in authorities uphold family values otherwise don’t be in leadership positions, as simple as that. Trouble with men is that they are always thinking of sex. To pretend to be holy is to be hypocrite. We men are created that way so as to fulfill the command – “be fruitful and multiply”. But when, Adam sinned, this sexual desire is somehow also sabotaged and wired wrongly.

For Christians, there are ways to overcome this sexual temptation.

The Psalmist asks: “How can young people keep their way pure?” (Psa 119:9a)
He then gives the answer: “By guarding it according to Your Word”.

"I have laid up your word in my heart, that I might not sinned against you" (v11)
Another way is to seek wholesome Christian fellowship, fellowship that edify and build up one another (1Thess 5:11). Unfortunately, even among Christian brothers, we don’t discuss the topic of sex. We prefer to keep it private and pretend that we are OK. So, we Christian brothers always struggle it alone. Those who can’t overcome usually take a step back and not be in Christian services. That is why the church usually has very few men in Christian leadership. The sisters are more willing to come forward.

May God help us men to hunger and thirst after His righteousness!

Agape



Dare to try, Dare to be different

My 12 years old daughter baked me a birthday cake!

She started baking early this year after watching a TV young chef competition. The participations were about 9 to 13 years old. That triggered her to try cooking.

Well done, dare to try!

And I like the cake, it is thick and rich!

Thank you my young baker!

Agape

Are you a friggatriskaidekaphobia?

What is that??

I learn this new word today. Some people just freak out on a Friday the 13th. That is what the word means!

Today is my special day, so I have to blog about it.


Why Friday?
Friday is considered bad omen because they said that Jesus Christ was crucified on Friday. But, for us Christians, the day of crucifixion is a Good day because God chose to redeem us for our sins by dying on the Cross for us. So that is a Good Friday, Okay!


What about 13?
Well, the number 12 is known as the governing or ruling number in Biblical sense because Jesus Christ has the 12 Apostle to govern the church, there are 12 tribes in Israel to form the nation of Israel. In Revelation chapter 4, John saw in heaven, there are 24 thrones seated by 24 elders (2 groups of 12). Likewise, there are 12 hours each ½ day and 12 months in a year to govern the seasons and time of our lives. So, 1 more or less than a complete biblical number is considered bad (just like 7, is a perfect number and 1 less is bad like 666). So 1 more than 12 which is 13 is considered bad. Sound ridiculous isn’t it?

And so Friday the 13th is considered a really bad day because of the double bad omen, and those who have this phobia is called friggatriskaidekaphobia.
(a Greek word)

But not me!

In any case, for me 13 is always my very good number because God brings me into this world on a 13. And I like April. And today is my birthday!

Happy Birthday to me! :))

Agape

Be Considerate when parking!

When you see a person that really need help, I mean, real..lly need help, would you go forward and help him?

I was driving into a crowded HDB open car park last Saturday. Some cars were parked illegally on the double yellow lines. This caused obstruction to those who wanted to get out of their parking lot. So, a poor chap kept trying to steer clear of his car to leave the car park. Clearly, he needed help!

OK, so I got out of my car and move forward to guide him out. Boy, it was tough, the clearance was so narrow, that he had to reverse and move forwards many, many times. You could see the relief on his face after the ordeal.

Of course, the incident held up many cars, but please be patience lah! This guy is innocence. It was the car in front of him parking on the double yellow lines that is the culprit. Some drivers behind me are just not happy.


… to be peaceable and considerate, and always to be gentle toward everyone (Titus 3:2)

Agape

My Achievement – my 3 girls

“Are you proud of your achievement?” My youngest girl asked me the other night.

Without much thinking, I replied, “Yes, of course. My achievement is having 3 lovely girls!”
As I said this, I felt the inner confirmation as a verse flashed through my mind - Children are a heritage from the LORD, offspring a reward from him. (Psa 127:3 NIV)

Deep in thoughts, I wonder through all other achievements in my life. But truly none can be more satisfying than to able to see my 3 girls everyday, able to interact and be there as they grow up. All other achievements are but short lived. Why would people want to jeopardize their lives and be separated from their children?

They are my source of motivation.

My greatest achievement is that they will grow up in faith in the LORD and fulfill God’s calling in their lives. My greatest failure in life would be to see any of them denying their faith or slide back into worldliness. It is my duty to guide them in the spiritual life. For that is my motivation to grow in faith also.

My children, listen to what your father teaches you. Pay attention, and you will have understanding. What I am teaching you is good, so remember it all (Prov 4:1-2 GNT)

Agape

Searching for the Presence of God

“How do I sense the presence of God?” My daughter asked, as we were jogging towards the beach late last Sunday night.

She was leading the worship during her cell group meeting the day before. Many of those at the service felt the presence to God, but she didn’t. She wondered why, even though she was much prepared for the worship.

It is good to know that there is this desire for her to want to know God more intimately. It shows that she is searching for God. We have this meaningful discussion whenever we go jogging together.

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.” Jesus said.

“We need to understand first that God is every where” I explain. (Psa 139:7,8)

But God is holy and we are sinful, we could not sense His presence even though the Holy Spirit is in us (Rom 8:9). So for me to develop this awareness of God’s presence, the starting point for a beginner is to memorize the Word of God, meditate and ponder over it. Start with the LOGOS. (when I became a Christian, my Follow-up Leader asked me to memorize Bible verses, so that is how I grow with it)

“Since, the human mind is always thinking, why not put our thoughts on His Word, and breathe (pray) out words to Him as we reflect on these verses.” I always carry Bible verses in my wallet so that I can just go through them whenever I miss a word or two from the verses, I told her.

Also, whenever we encounter something or face some situations, just say a short prayer. Like this morning, there was a massive traffic jam due to the heavy down pour. Instead of getting impatience (or curse and swear at some inconsiderate drivers), why not pray for the situations, other drivers and safety as we navigated out of the situation. Learning to pray in all situations helps me to be aware of God’s presence at all times.

After doing this for many times, soon we develop the sensitivity to the work of the Holy Spirit. He will use God’s WORD – the LOGOS within us, to speak God’s WORD – the RHEMA to us. That is when I start to sense the presence of God and be able to hear Him. He can speak through vision/dream, imagery words and feeling. Most of my encounters with God are usually imagery words and feelings, which are usually proven true later. Usually when such a RHEMA comes to me, I just obey and act according to what is shown to me. I usually keep it to myself until it is proven to be true later. – This is call “walk by faith and not by sight” (2Cor 5:7).

Every Christian has his own way of meeting God, which may be different from what I have done and describe above. Do drop a comment and share with me. Thank you.


For the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him… (2Chron 16:9 NIV)

Agape