The More Oppressed, The More Blessed?
It sometimes seems strange that God’s blessing may look like trouble at first. Yet, the perspective and interpretation to a same matter is important. In fact, what the enemies of God meant as evil, God can easily turn it into a blessing. If God wants to bless His people, who can stop Him? In Exodus, we read about God’s people facing ruthless oppression by the Pharaoh, why did God allow that? How did He still prove His might over man’s schemes? In the face of spiritual battle, how should we stand our ground?
Christians’ Dollars And Sense
The Bible is full of instructions on stewardship of money, and we are reminded that the way we handle money is ultimately a spiritual issue. As Christians, it is important to be sensitive and vigilant of the influence of sins on our views on money, and our hearts disposition towards it. These, coupled with the threats of materialism, often make both Christians and non-Christians struggle to properly manage their finances, or to be contended in it. Unless we restore a biblical attitude and pursuit towards our stewardship of money, it is difficult to present a righteous alternative to the fallen world on matters concerning money.
Is It Good Enough To Want To Be Good?
Morality bothers everyone of us. The wish to see good, and the need to be seen as good is intrinsically built into us. However, do we really know what is good? And are we able to do the good we desire to? Find out from the bible about what is the root problem with Man’s morality.
The Unbelieving Among The Believing
Many churches have adopted strategies and programs to draw more crowd into their midst without realizing the subtle danger of having its congregation being overwhelmed with unbelievers. Before long, the church teachings and runnings will be pressurized to suit carnality than spirituality. Does the bible give us warning to such phenomenon? Are there any principles given to us in running the visible church? How do we reconcile evangelizing and nurturing people in the church?
Continuation Of God’s Covenant Blessings
Have you ever wondered whether good things will continue and whether God will still remember to bless you tomorrow? We are often laden with all kinds of worries about our future, and sometimes when we look at our situations, we can’t help but question how God can possibly still fulfil His promise to us. What has the Bible to say about such concerns? How can the contents of Genesis and Exodus relate to God’s faithfulness to us?
The Gospel VS The Latest
The world is always paying attention to the latest things. However these new things do not last and will not truly satisfy us. Sometimes it can even distract us from what is true and eternal. While the gospel is not the latest news, it is the Good News. It is also eternally new as it will not be superseded, yesterday, today or tomorrow. There is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.
Having Self Discipline
Why should Christians have self-discipline? How is it different from disciplines that is advocated by the world? Understand what self-discipline can accomplish for us in our Christian walk.
The Need For Solitude And Community
Are you someone who prefers to be alone or hang out with people? Does time alone draw you closer to God, or lead you deeper into certain temptations or loneliness? Bonhoeffer ever said, “Let him who cannot be alone beware of community. Let him who is not in community beware of being alone.” Do you sometimes feel that as long as you get the support you need from the Christian community, you do not need to pray so much to God yourself? Or do you feel that you do not need to be in a Christian community because you can build good relationship with God on your own?
All Is Not Lost! God Restores!
Do we see that we are actually experiencing spiritual drought in our lives? Do we see “locusts” eating up our lives over time? Beyond the glamour and prosperity of this world, do we see our land or even the churches being wasted and withered? We are unconsciously living in a state of hopelessness. However, the Lord had brought about divine interventions for us. Let us learn more through the book of Joel.
Trusting God In Our Perplexities
As Christians, we often grapple with some existential issues, in particular why bad things happen to God’s people, or why didn’t God shield His people from cruelty of wickedness? Through a short survey on the book of Habakkuk, may we deal with life’s perplexities rightly by bringing it God, trusting, and waiting in God who works out all things for God’s glory – even though things are at times beyond our comprehension. The righteous will live by faith, and this summaries the path of life God sets for His people.
